Gribz

I was out there 4 or 5 times in 2004/05 when it was just starting to get busy and was only a few Bears. I watched Helicopter Sunday in Baku, was in a rush and just picked the first pub I found and majority of fans in their was Celtic fans so you can imagine the bounce I had that day! But moved onto a bar with a few bears afterwards - I couldn't tell you if its the same bar now as the Baku Bears but its likely.

I wouldn't even try to guess the starting XI, Pedro is a man of surprises so may well play 6 new signings or could play 2. A lot comes down to who most ready fitness wise but we should cruise through the first 2 games so its 180 minutes to get competitive action for those who are behind. Id like to see Rossiter in ahead of Holt like Tannoch Bear said but I do worry about his injuries. Might be a risk playing him and Kranjcar in the first game. I think Frankies side may be nearer the selections PC picks with Jack a starter - but even though Ive got Miller down for FGS Id personally like to see: Foderingham Tavernier Cardoso Bates Wallace Rossiter Kranjcar Candeias Pena Dalcio Herrera

Fitness and injury free is key for Kranjcar. If he is match fit then he can control most games. He's also a bit like a new signing.

A lot will depend on the system. I hope he isn't played out of position - how many players have we seen that happen to over the years!!!

First thing that sprang to my head also. He just hasnt been fancied which is surprising as he looks a bit of a player. As you said - perhaps hasnt got the right attitude and wants a return to England. On the other side of the coin Waghorn is a surprise. I think he was a cert to be moved on but maybe has knuckled down. Id be prepared to give him another chance though, he was a few tap in's away from a lot more goals last season, if he gets his shooting boots back then he can easy get 15 goals in a season.

O Hallaran, Halliday and now McKay. Seems when they are told to train with the U20s that is the end. I guess PC doesnt want anyone around the first team who isnt part of the plans or hasnt got the right mindset. McKay has a lot of talent but we are Ok for numbers in that area now and if he wants to go we can command a decent figure. Pretty sure he will fancy a pay day down south. But there is a growing list of potential good players going down south and not being heard of much again. Fleck, Ness, Wylde, and even Wilson struggled. Even Lewis Macleod's career has went stale albeit it hasnt been lucky with injuries.

Couple of good points there. Nothing gets a team up and running like competitive games and we should have 4 in total with the first and second round qualifiers. No only does that help for the latter qualifiers it gives us an advantage for when the league starts. OK St Johnstone will have the same but Im not so sure they will get past their Lithuanian opponents - if their national side can draw with Scotland then so can their clubs. And as you say financially two sell outs brings in good gate money and merchandise on the night.

Almost a done deal. Dont think he will get the warmest reaction at Ibrox.

Expectations I guess. I think mass progress cementing second place is what I said as a good season.

Whats striking that I should have added, is our signings arent just coming in on loan or short term deals, its all 2-3 year contracts so there is commitment there.

Would be good to know the feelings of fellow Bears with things as it stands. After a turbulent 5 years we have a lot going our way now - especially in the last week. I think a round of applause is deserved to the board for what has happened off the park in the last 7 days - I always like it when business is done quietly and then confirmed - its something which IMO our club has always done well in. So on the park - The new manager has been backed to the hilt with current resources and has brought in no fewer than 7 new faces. Thats a lot to work with a gel in a short time with the Europa qualifiers coming up. I know a few are still very skeptical of PC. Personally I see it as a similar situation with PLG as we take in the unknown - however the Portuguese man is way mentally stronger and single minded which I like. He got a run of games last season to see what he has and I have to say other than Aberdeen away I didnt see much positives. But readers will know more than me watching Rangers for 90 minutes every game while I rely on overseas TV. This is a truly make or break season. We will either be great or a disaster. However Im looking forward and leaning towards we will be great campaign. The work ethic is there and so far all I see is positive attitudes from our signings so all they need to do is perform on the pitch. I do worry about the media, they are a poison waiting to happen. First Game is only 3 days away! Happy days!

I know Allen looked after the U 20s but if he could give Sanga and Clichy a call - a year each from them wouldnt be bad.

Have to say Aberdeen are the Nottingham Forest of Scotland. They do think they are the Liverpool but they need to wise up there. They wont be near second place this coming season. McInnes showing Sunderland interest shows he would move and they have sold a lot of players. I dont like Hibs but they will be nearer second next season than Aberdeen.

Southampton can only sustain this for so long. They have been selling all their best players every year and changing manager averaging every 2 years - they cant keep being a conveyor belt. They are very well ran but are probably lucky the teams they are up against at the moment are not established top flight clubs (Bournemouth) or clubs who are cementing themselves (Stoke). Looking at the players they have or had in the past years - they would be CL contenders. They can boast this XI on their books: Forster Clyne Lovren Van Diyk Bertrand Walcott Ox Chamberlain Bale Mane Austin Pelle As for Hughes - I watch a lot of the championship as we get good coverage over here but I have to say he is one who slipped by me - Im surprised as I watch a bit of Derby. I'll do a Championship thread nearer the start of the season.

The main aim is to win the title again and I think by 2018/19. Last season was all about a return and solidity yet it was a bit of a roller coaster again. This season with all the changes and additions is all about improvement and giving the fan a view that we are getting better. It all about closing that gap. We have to remember where we was in the last few years plus Celtic totally upped their game with us returning - they sensed fear. Had that been Delia's team last season no way would they have been unbeaten or won by such a large margin. Brenda's real test starts now. For me we just have to concentrate on ourselves and start winning more matches against the Ross Countys and St Johnstones. I have no issue with DK's statement at all - he has walked the talk this week so is entitled to this.

Obviously Southampton had other ideas and have appointed Pellegrino. Watford sign Will Hughes from Derby for 8 million. Never heard of him. Figures we just cant compete with.

Its actually a tidy jersey!! I wish we would go back to Adidas.

Yes sir. Im checking my dates tomorrow. Whats the chances of this game moving to Sunday though? Possible TV or europa fixtures?

Ooomph Hibs at home first home game - whats my chances of tickets? Im over that week.

Yes I agree fully we have to wait until a few months into the season. but my point being Im much happier going for new opportunities rather than going back to former players who took masses of wages while on the treatment table and only mention the club when they want a retirement package.

Salah to Liverpool for 34million. On the manager front Palace have offered Frank De Boer the job. Not sure that's suited to him, I thought the Southampton set up would be slightly more appealing to him with a better stadium and structure. palace have a few quality players but are a yoyo club.

Mexico are a good side and produce a very good standard of player. Their national side are a bit unlucky they play in the north amercian qualifiers or they could be better playing in the south American. They aren't world beaters but are certainly head and shoulders above most of Europe. Two of the signings don't just have 1 or 2 caps, they have played regularly so they cant be too bad. A lot will depend how the adapt to the lifestyle and style of play - that's up to the club and manager to assist as much as possible. They just need to stay out the lime light off the park and avoid the horrible media. But Mexican internationals and Portugese promising players is better than what we have had in the last 5 years. Yes its a risk if it will work out but the attitude of all the signings so far has been positive. Compare that to having Lafferty and Naismith coming back! The signings are very refreshing.

I know a ball hasn't been kicked but that's the most exciting squad ive seen in years. With Alves still to be added.

To think Lafferty and Naismith were flirting with a move to Ibrox! Feels much better having the freshness of Herrera and Morelos.

That was going to be my comment. Never fix something that isn't broken. Long term posters like myself will remember when the forum could go a day with extremely low amount of posts but now we get a fine balance which assists in the quality and debate.