19 Jan 2022 08:06:18
Gio's unbeaten run continues.
And 4 points clear at the top.
But that's where the positives end!
Drawn into a battle and off the ball incidents that suited a poor Aberdeen team.
We have now dropped 4 points against them - let that sink in.
I thought the referee was terrible for both sides.
Clancy set his stall out early and with the amount of yellows being dished out, it was only a matter of time before someone from either side was sent off.
Though in his defence he did get the Aberdeen penalty call correct.
We had below par individual performances.
And collectively as a team we were poor.
Gio, for all the plaudits he has earned after improving performances and tactics since he came in, must shoulder some of the blame for last night.
He employs a system where the effectiveness of our fullbacks has been restricted in favour of more out and out wing play and our technically gifted players creating the chances.
Unfortunately apart from their involvement in the goal all up front were non-existent.
When you have no end product from Hagi, Kent and Wright then you are starving your striker of service.
I can't remember a chance being created for Morelos from open play?
Substitutions were also strange / at the wrong time.
I thought Sakala should have been on for Wright before Lundstram.
Fingers crossed it was just the Winter blues!
After this Friday's Cup game, we have Livi at Ibrox.
Let's hope we are back firing on all cylinders.
Keep the Faith.
In Gio We Trust.
19 Jan 2022 08:35:01
I agree. We were poor and slack passing from the outset and created virtually nothing all night. Sending off was a bit harsh but aberdeen could have had another penalty and as poor a team as they are, they deserved their point. Disappointing night and we had a strong team last night so no excuses. Not a lot of signs of the benefits of the winter break allowing Gio to work on tactics and formation with the team. However, we move on and hopefully that was just an off night.
What I would say is their right back, Ramsay, looked a cracking prospect.
19 Jan 2022 08:48:36
Good post MPH and I agree with what you have said.
In this transfer window I would like us to get in a proper right winger as for me Wright isn't good enough and it's not Sakala's natural position and I would also like a CM that can pass the ball forward. Seems only our defenders can pass it forward.
We missed Davis and Aribo last night and looking at the bench there was no other players that play the way they do. Obviously GVB doesn't rate Bacuna which is a shame as he is the only CM bar Aribo when he plays there that will run with the ball and look for a forward pass.
Very poor performance again after the break from us.
19 Jan 2022 09:17:02
It was poor tactics from the start which allowed the sheep to control the game. Let's be honest here, but how hard should it be to get the better of a defense which has Bates, McCrorie and hayes in? Wright was absolutely brutal, and looked as If he'd rather not be playing. Was he scared? Did the crowd get to him? Sands should never have started (I'm not saying anything else on this as the boy doesn't deserve criticism as this was Gio's fault) . It's obvious Gio doesn't rate Lundstrum, and even Sakala to a point, so If that's the case, we need to try and move them on and hope the board come up with some money to buy replacements. The hard parts of this is getting your main targets to sign, and If they're is a fee, having the funds to pay for them. And before anyone starts, I'm not saying they should be sold as I like both, but it's clearly evident, Gio doesn't. They're not bad players, but probably don't fit his system.
19 Jan 2022 09:20:15
It was a poor performance and we move on. However the team needs refreshed with players wanting to prove a point.
19 Jan 2022 09:26:03
Its not just the wingers Wright and Kent that supply Morelos there has to be an effective midfield, one that controls the game, distributes the ball, and creates opportunities for goals to be scored. Our midfield was weak and dominated by Aberdeen's therein lies the problem. In other words Aberdeen dominated the midfield and controlled the game.
19 Jan 2022 09:29:26
Scotland seems to be producing nothing but decent full backs lately!
The National team will have nothing but talented full backs playing out of position soon!
19 Jan 2022 09:57:27
MPH that's the 1st time gio got it wrong and I agree sakala should have been on for wright just didn’t understand that change wright for lundstrum also think sands should never have started either not that he done too badly just too big a game for debut.
19 Jan 2022 10:19:36
Agree Storm.
I don't think we can be too critical of Sands as it was a difficult away game for a debut in the middle of the park.
I thought Sands started slowly and got better as the game went on.
He was OK but so were plenty of others last night.
I was flabbergasted at the Lundstram for Wright substitution. In my eyes it should have been Sakala as well to give the Aberdeen back 4 a headache with his pace.
Not for the first time Gio has sat back for the win and invited teams on to us.
But in our defence it was a below par performance all round from the manager and players.
I said it yesterday when people were moaning the absence of Aribo - others need to step up. and they never.
19 Jan 2022 11:02:44
Usually agree with all your posts spud but not sure on this one . Gio put lundstrum on to try and shore. up . He did that and helped at the back .
It was just a difficult night and we missed certain players .
Browns tatics were dispicable but par for course . It got to a few players and he was working at getting someone sent off.
We can’t go through another season winning every game, need to take it in the chin when things don’t go our way and tighten our belt .
No panic yet.
19 Jan 2022 13:04:39
Molsgoals I think lundstrum should have replaced sands who was very tired second half.
19 Jan 2022 13:27:25
Scotland only produce good FBs? McGinn, Gilmour and McTommeley not good midfielders?
19 Jan 2022 13:42:10
Yea your prob right John … but hey it’s a draw …
Not a disaster considering.
Unfortunate I would say more than anything.