Rousseau

54 minutes ago, buster. said:

The real issue is WHEN will we be in a position to win the League ?

 

Celtic made a pigs ear of the summer transfer window (without spending much money) and the general discontent around their camp had them dropping more points in the first half of the season than the norm. But we were unable to take advantage because we were still behind them.

 

In other words, we have room for improvement and I think SG&Co will take us on a level, but they do as well along with more financial muscle in summer 2019. 

 

I said the other day that the only way we will significantly move forward as a club is when and if we can bring through academy players that can progress quickly to excellence in the first team environment. Both for on-field and eventually off-field benefits (financial/transfer fees via player trading).

Youths coming through is a big part of the strategy we need. 

We also need to continuously improve the squad, with astute acquisitions. We're on the right track there, with the DoF etc., but these last coupe of windows are the only instances when we can say we've really improved the squad, IMO. 

Investment is also key. 

My heart says next season -- even this season at it's most optimistic; my head says probably a couple of years yet.  

Any title challenge was always a long shot. 

I'm most annoyed at letting our comfortable hold of 2nd slip. 

I said a few weeks again that this month was important because they were all winnable games. It was a good 12/15 points that could go a long way to opening up a gap in 2nd. 

A comfortable second was always the target, for me. It's taken a season or two longer than I expected. 

FT. 0-0. Against St Johnstone. At home. Brutal. 

Why can't we hit the target? How many times have we skied it!?

I thought the first-half was better. 

This is now turgid. 

Gerrard's had enough: Middleton on for Davis. 

Looks like Kent with play as a 10, Middleton wide left. 

It's been alright. We're just lacking a bit of quality, and tempo. 

The few chances we created should have been taken. 

Defoe's hand brushes Kerr's face there, and the Referee, who's miles away, gives the foul. 

Compare and contrast to the elbow on McCrorie.

Nice passage of play, there. Tavernier lifts his shot too high. Should've scored. 

The game's drifting a bit. We need to take charge. 

Referee's having a great game here... 

...said no one. 

Forearm to the head there on McCrorie. Nothing. 

Davis knows what he wants to do, but it's not quite coming off. He tried to slip through Defoe with the outside of his foot, but the pass is short. 

He nutmeged someone earlier, so it's perhaps match sharpness. 

A couple of chances in quick succession. Tavernier driving forward, cutting it back for Kent who weaves past a few players but his shot is blocked -- he should have shot earlier. The rebound falls to Kamara, who's shot is palmed to safety. 

We started on the back foot, but we've grown into it and we look quite lively now. 

I like the look of Kamara instantly; his positioning is great, and his control and skills are quite evident. 

Kent and Candeias on the wings look to have a free role. 

6 minutes ago, Gonzo79 said:

I thought we had about nine midfielders but there's only one on the bench.  

There could be three midfielders on the bench, if they're needed; Polstar, Halliday and Coulibaly.

When you're excited about the infinite possibilities of a striker-less formation, only to see both 'injured' strikers in the squad:

It could be 4-3-3, with McCrorie behind Davis and Kamara; or a 4-2-3-1, with Davis as the 10. Very fluid. 

Looking forward to see Kamara. 

Polster's on the bench too.  

Who's the lad with the outstanding hair?

Superb stuff!

I really enjoyed the bits I seen. We look to have a good crop coming through.

Does he not slip?

Oh... Red card; both down to 10 men. Dangerous one but he's slipped a bit. 

Oh! What a move! Really unfortunate not to find the far corner. 

Wee Mols turn there on 35 minutes, creates the space, tame shot. 

I'm still laughing at that line about the price of oil! 

"[...] you can get a barrel for a tenner down the barras".