RabidGiraffe

Aye, seeing him played as a wing back in Robson's 5-3-2 he looked uncomfortable to say the least. When he came on as a sub against Dundee last weekend he had some good moments and some terrible. Some good balls into the box but he couldn't dribble passed a traffic cone.

Would an American sports style draft system ever work? Have any countries in the world of football tried this type of method for developing young players before? Rather than have clubs running their own youth systems, have a series of independent regional academies which, for example, are funded by all the clubs paying £X to be a member of the system. Every year clubs pick one or two graduates (not sure which age they would "graduate" at. 18?) to join their first team pool. Once the SPL teams have had their pick then the Championship clubs get their pick, etc. Clubs can trade their picks or release them back to the academy in the first 1 - 2 years until they reach a certain age. If they later sell the player then a percentage of the fee goes to the academy system. Young kids are then always training with the best of their age group and with the best coaches. Less young players there just to make up the numbers who are never going to make it. Still opportunities to go on loan to League One/Two/Highland/Lowland if coaches feel that's best for that player. Fuck knows, I'm just making shit up while wondering if that type of system would work.

There seems to be an imbalance/conflict between having guys like Duncan and Milne in the first team to make up the squad numbers versus their development. Having them in the first team squad means they are available when called upon due to injuries/suspensions, but they only every get a handful of games and don't progress. It would be better for them to be loaned out at championship level getting regular game time there. Reserve football seems like a good solution for fringe players and youngsters, but does that mean more cost in retaining more players in the 18 - 21 age group to make up the numbers? (we seem to show a lot of players the door at 18 when they are still developing).

Cool looking stadium, not so cool price tag - Cost: 324 million euros

The latest edition of the ABZ podcast is about Jimmy Thelin. Most interesting bit is the second half when they're talking to an Elfsborg fan about his time at the club. Patience seems to be the watchword. His first season was disappointing but he was able to identify the issues and make the required changes and they've been on an upward trajectory since. The advice was to stick with him even if it's not going well and given time he'll get it right. They've got quite a mixture of nationalities at the club and English is the language in the dressing room. Able handle players from a variety of cultures and have them mix well together. Expect him to be heavily involved in transfer decisions and apparently has a high success rate in recruitment (something we certainly need to improve on) When asked if it was a surprise he'd moved to Aberdeen he didn't think so. Apparently there were three other clubs sniffing around - Sunderland, Swansea, and Westerlo in Belgium. Worth a listen if you have the time.

There's an article making similar arguments on Football Scotland today: https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/spfl/scottish-premiership/celtic-rangers-allowed-appoint-foreign-29015256 It reads like the author took most of their arguing points from this forum.

What success rate do we expect with the young players? What is a good return? One player each season makes the breakthrough to first team regular? Two? And what constitutes a first team regular - 20 appearances or simply making the matchday squad?

Sometimes I wonder if it's the result of centuries of cultural conflict - It's a Pictland / Dal Riata thing. 'Mon the Picts. Smash these west coast cunts.

I agree, but they don't need to project the same tendencies for violence our midfield and defence should.

Their number 10? I've been watching highlights from Elfsborg games on YT and as you say a lot of their attacking play involves him. Scores some cracking goals too.

I'm hoping we sign three CMs and at least one CB. Criteria for all four players is they should look like they know how to wield a battle axe and rip a man's head off with their bare hands.

I've been poking around looking at the squads of various Scandinavian teams recently and it seems pretty common for them to have a few players from Africa. Much more so than players from Europe, which struck me as odd. I'm guessing Scando teams have a policy of scouting Africa for bargains.

Explains why he's been playing better the last couple of matches after being shite all season.

You quoted me, which part of that don't you understand? It's back on page 22 for all to see. We're done, I'm not getting involved in a back-and-forth argument with someone in denial of the facts.

You used the quote function to say that in reply to an earlier post of mine, and that's a fact, ergo you quoted me. If you're not responding directly to me then don't quote me, it's not difficult. Don't then pretend that you didn't.