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| Squad; changes ahead | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Feb 13 2011, 11:24 PM (886 Views) | |
| Setenza | Feb 13 2011, 11:24 PM Post #1 |
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Knitting with only one needle
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As I was watching the game today, the fact that a lot of the midfield could be moving on was pretty apparent. Gomis, Buaben, D Robertson and Conway are all out of contract, with Gomis and Conway pretty likely to be gone, and other two might, depending on what offers they get I guess. Left is Swanson and S Robertson with any real experiece. Maybe Douglas as LM. In defence, Dillon looks like being first choice central defender, but we've been struggling there all season. Dods and Severin not really to be relied upon. Again looks like we'll need strengthening? Up front, we've Daly and Goodwillie, as well as Russell looking good, so are better covered there for now. Although Goodwillie may well be moving on. Anyone worried we're going to take a real drop in quality in the summer. Are we going to be able to replace well enough? Houston hasn't really had to sign many players recently, so his track record isn't able to tell us much I don't think. And then there's the finances. Looking at youth might cover few gaps I guess... |
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| Homer | Feb 14 2011, 07:22 PM Post #2 |
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Ian McCall
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Surely wee Robbo deserves a new deal. He's been at United since year zero and often comes up with the goods. If he deosn't stay on he'd only end up at Hamilton or St Mirren or someplace, being a semi-involved squad player. Gomis will be gone, as will Conway. Armstrong looks like he is ready to step up to a squad berth next year, possibly with Scott Allan waiting in the wings? Dods might be gone by the end of the year (whose contracts are up?) I could see Goody moving on too at the end of the season, just to get away from Scottish fans if nothing else! So, we'd be about half a dozen players down, with some money coming in and salaries freed up. If a youth defender (Smith?) and Armstrong can step up, we'd probably be looking to get another 3/4 in. Chances are, based on Housty's signings before, they're likely to be up-and-coming flashy Scottish lads, or some Eastern European journeymen with a handful of caps and an ability to face the wrong direction at crucial times. Still, the future, as ever, is bright
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| reekie | Feb 14 2011, 10:09 PM Post #3 |
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lum raker
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On the face of it, I admit, it looks bad buuuuttt.... As Setanza points out, Gomis and Conway will probably, definitely go. The Prince may move on but I wouldn't be surprised if he decided to stay. His stock ain't that high. David R will stay, his chances of regular starts increased by the above departures. Swanson and Scott R are both signed up and looked good along with Davie for the last quarter of the Celtic game. Defensively, things aren't as bad as on first look. Pernis seems to get good press but there haven't been any major 'stories' linking him with a move, so he'll be here. Plus we've got Dinwall hero Banks. Oh, and Filip Mentel..... CB-wise, we've Kenneth, Dillon and Severin plus A. Youth. Dixon and Douglas at LB, with Watson and Kova (...) at RB. Up front, Russell, Daly, Shala(!) and A.Youth will probably be what we start next season with. Jon scores goals and Russell will too. You heard it here. I know it seems a bit hopeful to just say 'A. Youth will fill that gap' but we keep hearing about Elfverson, Smith, Armstrong, Hilson et al doing well for the youths, both domestically and internationally, so surely they have to start threatening the first team at some point. Doesn't really look too bad now, does it? Does it..? |
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| Setenza | Feb 14 2011, 11:01 PM Post #4 |
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Knitting with only one needle
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Without picking on him, should we be happy with backup players suddenly becoming first choice players just because better players move on?I'd rather let these type of players move on, and let the likes of Armstrong/Russell come through I think. That said, a average but hard working and decent all round squad filler is good to have around the squad. But as a filler, not a starter (unless he ups his game, which he's not massivly lately). I guess a lot is down to money. I don't know if we need to cut wages more, or if we're using all freed up wages (which must be decent amount) to refill the team. |
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| whatsthatonyourback | Feb 15 2011, 11:24 AM Post #5 |
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Waldo Jeffers
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I'd be sorry to see Drobga leave, as he's contributed loads and been very consistent for us. However, if he could get a move that gave him a much higher chance of starting games in his favourite position (whatever that is) I can see why he'd want to leave. I can't imagine we're going to offer him a contract that is much/any better than the one he's got right now. Buaben has been our best midfielder this season for me, so I'd be focusing all my energies on keeping him if I was ST & PH. As for Goodrooy and Kova - if they can avoid being detained at Her Majesty's Pleasure, they will be essential to the team. |
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| Setenza | Feb 15 2011, 12:45 PM Post #6 |
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Knitting with only one needle
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I think loads is pushing it. His goal tally isn't that impressive overall, and he's a long way behind conway or swanson for assists as an attacking midfielder. A few more players like Douglas could well be cheaper and end up better. |
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| Skeletor | Feb 16 2011, 05:32 PM Post #7 |
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Most likely to be Ann Widdecombe
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You lot still seem pretty confident of ins and outs for some reason, despite the past two transfer windows. I'm not so sure that a few of those would immediately find a new club with even a degrading price-tag, given the past year. Everything seems to have become stagnant at Tannadice.
Edited by Skeletor, Feb 16 2011, 05:33 PM.
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| whatsthatonyourback | Feb 16 2011, 05:53 PM Post #8 |
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Waldo Jeffers
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But the point, Skel my dear, is that many of our players have no price-tag as they are out of contract. Gomis, Buaben, Conway, D Robertson for example. Another two might be un-sellable at the moment due to possible criminal prosecution. It's very easy to see why there will be lots of going t Tannadice in the summer, with presumably a similar or slightly lower number of comings. Oh, stop it. |
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| Skeletor | Feb 16 2011, 06:08 PM Post #9 |
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Most likely to be Ann Widdecombe
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Probably a lot of youths coming in light of us getting our assets out for nothing! No, YOU stop it! |
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| whatsthatonyourback | Feb 21 2011, 09:35 AM Post #10 |
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Waldo Jeffers
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The squad is going to be tested over the next few weeks - Kenneth out for a bit, leaving Van Der Meulen our only fit centre-half for the half a dozen games Kenneth is likely to miss. An injury or suspension to VDM or D would leave us with some youngster in at CH for as long as it takes for another CH to return. |
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| Setenza | Feb 21 2011, 10:10 AM Post #11 |
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Knitting with only one needle
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I'm sure he'll settle in better with a few games, and better understanding of others, but the defence has been reasonable I think this year, it'd be a real problem if it started to look leaky since we're not scoring many. |
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