"The monkeys start to squeal, lie and create conspiracy plots" - Scottish Football 2012/13

Yeah, Rhodes looked good. It was obvious anything was going to come from either him or Snodgrass in the first half. Both looked much more lively than I'm used to seeing in a Scotland squad.

Thought McCormack looked good from what I saw too - all looked so much better than the usual "lump it up to Kenny Miller" shite. Now if we can just stop this Caldwell in midfield pish when you have actual real midfielders in your squad, then I'm going to stop slagging Levein off too much (apart from his appearance, seriously, mate, you look like a trampy version of Rab McGlinchey).

Yeah, a lot more coherency, like people actually anticipating through balls, making early runs, keeping it on the ground and passing patiently when there's not much on. There was still plenty of the trademark desperate panic, in case anyone worries the Scotland we know and love is being replaced by competency.

btw, getting really ratty with guys I follow (Celtic fans) on Twitter going "it's OK to boo Ian Black because he's a Rangers player/thug". It is not OK to boo your own player. I get really cross with people who do it at Celtic players, and I get really cross with people who do it at Scotland players. Some dude was all "but England fans boo John Terry", but there's a massive difference between being a racist cnut and being a bloke on the fringes of the Scotland squad consciousness who got a call-up from the 3rd division. FFS, I have gone mental cheering Barry Ferguson and Kenny Miller and Steven Naismith goals when they're playing for Scotland, and I generally hate the sight of the three of them. I even cheered (well, laughed) when Kirk Broadfoot scored!

I am no fan of Ian Black, though I think there's a player in there somewhere. But I just hate hearing boos from the crowd, even during a friendly.

Bah, I was told that me and my dad could have two free tickets in the main stand for any Ross County home game in the SPL this season (my dad's mates with a guy on the board), turns out that my dad's mate forgot to mention the "except against Celtic" proviso :(

Still, heading up for the weekend anyway, hopefully pick up a ticket outside as a 12.15 kick-off means there's bound to be guys who sleep in and miss their bus and if not my pal lives about five minutes away from the ground so we can just go round his house and watch it on the telly. Haven't been to the Global Energy Stadium Victoria Park since County were in the Highland League...

Feel for County, so close.

Absolute pish from Saints today. Already trying to work out who I can rely on to be worse this season. Don't let me down, Dundee.

This is a momentary blip in Hibs' downward trajectory, don't worry about it.

Before the season started I thought one of Hibs or Aberdeen would have a good season, but not both. Hope I'm not wrong there.

Will be at the Dundee derby tomorrow. Anyone else going?

There's an element of temptation to go to a Dundee derby (tomorrow sold out?) as I can walk to either ground, but I couldn't bring myself to pop up amongst either support I'm afraid. Definitely a good thing for Dundee.

Yeah, it's probably best that you didn't. We started okay, but rapidly dissolved into, quite frankly, terrible football. Good atmosphere though, and I got good and sunburnt.

Great result, scary first half, hands off Forster.

Presume someone'll start a euro thread before hearts v liverpool?

I hope to God someone on the board doesn't honestly think we have a squad to get through the Champions League group stages without at least 1x centre half who is (1) actually a centre half (2) not a foetus (3) not Kelvin Wilson. And preferably 2x strikers.

Scared already for the reappearance of the sieve at Celtic Park next Wednesday. Ah, massive foreboding sense of doom from a position of superiority, how I've missed you.

Hope sktsh got a ticket, much more entertaining game than I expected thus far.

No such luck Ailsa, but had a great time watching it all the same! Atmosphere looked and sounded amazing on the telly, and felt we were pretty unlucky not to come away with at least a draw. The young lad Patterson looks like a bit of a gem.

Celtic still in urgent need of a defence, but everything in front seemed pretty useful.

Another plucky point on the road for the SFL new boys. Extremely lucky that Mike Tumilty's eyes don't work.

So cheerio Mo Bangura. Only leaves Kelvin Wilson as "I can't believe he gets paid for this" fodder in the team now.

girfuy:

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/rangers-chief-martin-bain-warns-1068224

Also, humble pie being scoffed in Coisty-sized portions as I found myself saying 'Kelvin Wilson's my man of the match'.

Away on hols on matchday 2, so expect us at home to Barca/Real/some English team.

Wait a minute, Rangers still think they can sign David Templeton. Why would you go from scoring at Anfield to playing in the 3rd division? Why? What's wrong with people?

Ha, some Rangers fans were saying that in the pub last night. I asked why on earth he would want to go to Rangers and was brushed off with 'it's been talked about before'. I mostly just let them get on with it - at this point it's like visiting your Gran, who keeps calling you your Dad's name and thinks she lives in a tenement that was demolished 30 years ago.

Are we really signing Paddy McCourt? Didn't see that coming.

BBC Scotland saying no truth in the rumour.

So Templeton is stupid enough to go to the third div...

Yeah, I really didn't think he would. oops.

Still, we're playing Hearts tomorrow, so probably works in our favour.

Much improved from Saints today, wasn't the most exciting game but I think the comments I've heard from the press about it were pretty harsh. Seems finishing remains our undoing, both Tade and Vine had chances that they fluffed. Pawlett looked lively, was happy to see that people wanted the ball, though Mannus and Mackay need to start paying more attention to their options. Was especially pleased that, unlike other times recently, Saints didn't allow themselves to be bullied or pushed around. I've long thought a big part of Utd's game, as with Hearts, is the physical gamesmanship. As a general thing I always get frustrated when players hold on to, or pretty much bear hug, their opponent. Disappointed not to have 3pts, 1 is probably fair, losing would have been harsh. Onwards and upwards.

Poor defensive work when it mattered for Celtic today, this Ambrose chap better be good. SPL a lot wider open than predicted (also Aberdeen v St Mirren lost me £20 on my 'both teams to score' coupon, bah shit strikers/decent defences' (delete as appropriate, no idea how it actually panned out).

* add closing bracket

I'd like to think the draws are an indication of a reasonably matched bunch of teams (i know, i know), where it'll be whover gets their head above the parapet that'll profit. Or something.

Hibs sound much improved over end of last season, no? Beginning to wonder if Fenlon isn't the donut he seemed.

Re Templeton: Hearts have put out a (slightly sour) statement saying he was desperate to go anywhere that payed big bucks, which T.A.F.K.A.Rangers are presumably doing. I'm really surprised he'd go to the third div though. Can't totally blame him for wanting to leave - just don't think this is the right move. On the other hand I don't think this is the worst move for us given the circumstances - he was out of contract in eight months, had made it clear he wouldn't renew, we got a bit of cash for him and in the short term we haven't sold him to a rival club (until newco are parachuted into the Bon Accord UltraPremier next season at least). He's been our best player by far this season so it's obviously a loss, but we do at least have some good replacements for his position (Novikovas, Driver if he can get back to form). Based on potential I'd rather have kept McGowan if I'd had to choose.

Just seems strange that no-one has told Templeton "you know that goal you scored away to Liverpool in Europe? You've just guaranteed that will be the high point of your career."

yeah talk about badly advised..

What's he been told? Getting Bocanegra off the wage bill for a year, signing actual decent players...looks like there's a future of some sort.

There's two ways this is going. Reconstruction to get TAFKAR into the SPL asap*, or "woops, sorry lads, you're decent players, you're better than Div 2**, we need to sell you, good luck an' that, why, thank you for your money, opportunistic buyer"

* still no Europe, but
** Div 3 if Sally continues in this vein

Yeah I imagine he's been promised the former, ie after this season you'll be in the nu-prem son.

Obvs keep in mind I'm massively bitter when it comes to a) losing our best player and b) being unable to fend off poaching by a team three leagues below us

good luck an' that, why, thank you for your money, opportunistic buyer

This should be the title of Minty Moonbeam's memoirs.

Ha! Agreed!

Prior to the start if the season I expected to see a resurgent Hibs or Aberdeen but not both. Point was made on Sportsound in their interview with Fenlon that there's only something like 4 players left that were there when he arrived.

That's a huge clearout. I'm not sure I could name many of the calderwood squad, mind..!

Super soaraway redtop has it that sally wanted zaliukas too. The guy's obsessed with hearts.

Good result for Dundee today! Our first win (and 2nd goal?). So what if it was a penalty, still pleased.

Derby Day, September 9th 1963

Other highlights are Archie's glorious coiff, and the camera-shy pigeon fanciers

Well that wasnae great...

Naw. When you're sitting around questioning the existence of Barry Bannan and debating whether a fit Darren Fletcher would win it, the game's up (I figured the missing link was Scott Brown, btw).

I genuinely can't think of anyone who would take this on and improve it. I'm actually coming round to the idea of Gordon Strachan, despite his proven adherence to the concept of Kenny Miller.

Strachan pioneered the concept of Caldwell in midfield. It's also worked tonight and Saturday, but only in absence of proper midfielders. I'm not sure it's an actual thing. Happening via accident rather than design is not really the confidence inspiration desired.

I'm basically stumped for ideas. Is anyone-but-Levein enough yet?

I'm really torn. I like him, think they had the right idea bringing someone in for the long term to overhaul things from top to bottom (which he did brilliantly at Tannadice) and I'm loathe to call for someone's head early into a competition... but he's had an entire tournament already, he's lost the press (to the extent he had them), he's definitely lost the fans (and his chemical ali routine last night makes it look worse) and given how lackluster and disinterested they seemed, it looks like he's lost the squad. So even if he's got the germ of a point in that it's not as bad as the press hysteria would have you think (if we'd been a bit more adventurous we could have beaten serbia on sat, who smashed wales to bits last night... but then who's to blame for our not being adventurous, I guess?), his position has got to be pretty close to untenable. You could read the tea leaves when you saw Wattie was the studio guest - every time a scotland boss is on the ropes he pops up as a statesmanlike pundit to tell everyone he's sticking up for his fellow manager but och well as you're pressing me here's what I'd do if I was still scotland boss, which never say never etc etc

What has happened to Bannan, btw? Is he crocked? And what was that they were saying about Commons - is it public knowledge that there's been a falling out there, or was that just the wee gerbilfaced sky cunt's innuendo?

Do think it's a bit harsh to round on him for not picking Steven Fletcher though - the guy spat the dummy and didn't want to play. Not sure what else Levein could do.

As a person I don't particularly like Strachan - for similar oh-isn't-he-acheeky-chappy reasons as Sally - but fuck it why not? Have the stuart baxter jokes started on twitter yet..?

(wb btw- hope you had a good holiday)

acheeky-chappy

Read this in Gino D'acampo voice for best effect

Haven't been on holiday yet, just having a wee break from moaning about shit in this thread (saving myself for the results of the dual contracts/FTT stuff!).

I was watching in the pub with the sound down, what was he (Tanner?) saying about Commons?

Steven Fletcher was tweeting good luck wishes to the squad yesterday, I was doing my dinger about it in the pub to all and sundry about how ridiculous it was he was giving a shit about Scotland while refusing to play for them (I remember someone else (Kris Boyd? Davie Weir post-retirement?) doing the same and moaning about it then too). I don't think he's exactly the saviour of Scottish football, but I wish they'd kiss and make up and give us a not-Miller option.

I too liked the noises Levein was making at the start of his tenure, but he's really not backed it up with performances. I wouldn't be averse to keeping him in some capacity, but someone with a better ability to manufacture silk purses out of sows' ears as well as being a long-term thinker wouldn't go amiss in the dugout. I've mentioned Terry Butcher before, and I genuinely can't think of anyone else involved in Scottish football I'd give a shot at it (Danny Lennon, maybe? Kenny Shiels?). We're so insular when it comes to recruitment though, so it'll probably be Walter Smith again :/

Another improved performance from Saints today, hopefully putting the Abredeen fiasco behind us and getting into gear.

Went along only expecting a humping, Commons scoring after 4 mins did nothing to dispel my gloom. Looked second best by quite a bit for the first 15 or so, until Tade's equaliser. Can't remember the last time I saw Saints dig in and come back from behind. All the same, I thought Celtic were pretty wasteful in front of goal, a few good chances in the first half. Thought the second half was a great showing from Saints. Pleased that Vine and Tade are starting to click, both weren't quite firing against Utd.

I was saying to people yesterday that we could take anything from 0 to 7 pts by the end of the month. Happy we're on the way.

Sorry, belated reply. Tanner was asking Wattie and McCann pretty leading questions about whether Levein had the team onside, and said something along the lines of we know he's got a problem with fletcher, and there may or may not be a problem with commons. One of the guests (can't remember which) answered by saying we don't know if there are really problems with commons or not, but he hasn't been seen in the team for a year and kinda left it hanging. I haven't even heard any rumours...

You're absolutely right re Fletcher hypocrisy. He's played it all quite well - he's in the news today turning the screw by saying if levein asked him back he'd play. IMHO he's making the right noises for the next boss, and hoping by making those noises he can accelerate the incumbent's departure. But yeah unfortunately he is quite good and we could do with him.

I've always (well, post-playing career) liked terry butcher, right enough. But yeah, for a country famous for it's neverending stream of good managers, nae bugger ever wants to get involved with the national side. (Can't blame them I suppose).

Re 'in some capacity' - would be a nice solution to punt him into more of a wotte type role, if we didn't already have wotte..

Cheers. I think he was entirely justified in not picking Commons last year on his poor form, but leaving him out now seems odd.

and *cough* well done to St Johnstone and all their supporter. Ouch.