Aladdin

Its a good thing its meaningless otherwise I could become quite upset by the tanking that's inevitably coming our way.

TBF he's in agreement with almost all Utd fans that the problem is a missing player a la Fuchs. Although even a stopped clock is right twice a day. Had a conversation with a St Mirren fan at work today who is convinced Ross just needs to be given time and he will turn it around. If the rumoured issues with players are true, I can't see how we can give him it - it simply costs less to change the manager/coach than it does to dispense with half your senior squad. If the rumoured issues are bullshit, he should be given more time although that will likely be measured in weeks rather than months. Without a significant improvement in performances, I dont think he will see out the autumn.

If its true that he has already lost the players then it does seem that there's only going to be one outcome and we would be better biting the bullet sooner rather than later.

Bring back Mickey Mellon.

Well this is shite.

Sibbald should be starting ahead of Harkes who hasn't shown anything really yet this season apart from not scoring an overhead kick against AZ.

Had a Sony K800i. Best phone I ever had and still worked when I found it in a drawer earlier this year.

Anything less than a resounding win for us and Jack Ross and his pastel coloured smart casual wardrobe will be feeling the heat.

Watt was one of the main reasons we were able to make the top 6 and a european spot last season. Yes, he's temperamental and hasn't been the goal threat we hoped but he added an attacking intent we were completely missing. The extent to which Fuchs protected the back 4 and won us possession in the middle of the park can't be overlooked. He hasn't been replaced and we don't have anyone else capable of doing the job. Frustratingly, against AZ at home, the whole team showed they were capable of playing without a player like that, pressing high up the park and keeping it up for pretty much 90 minutes. We have barely seen that in the league games with the exception of maybe the first 20 minutes of the second half against Killie. Unless we are going to sign another DM, Sibbald needs to be playing as he is the only one who has shown some propensity to put in a tackle in midfield. Either Harkes or McGrath then needs to be sacrificed - I would persevere with McGrath given he more naturally slots into the no 10 role. I would also consider going back to the 3-5-2 of last season even though it leaves no place for Middleton or Niskanen, our two paciest players, with Smith/Freeman and Behich as WBs.

We haven't replaced Fuchs and that needs to be a priority. I'm prepared to give the team time to gel given the other signings looked good on paper but Ross could be for the bullet if we are still struggling come November.

We improved a bit as the half went on but still not good enough. We're moving the ball at a pedestrian pace and aren't putting enough pressure on to win the ball higher up the park.

Good to see we are prepared to put in a tackle. Comically easy.

Bit of a strange one but looks like Mulgrew will be DM. Don't know why Sibbald isn't just starting.

Not much else to say about that. AZ were a completely different team from last week but we just crumbled. I actually thought the keeper had looked fine in the first 3 games but that was up there with the Keys, Collins etc. The only thing the players can do is forget about it. Dwelling on it could seriously impact on the season. We got over taking 7 off rangers and this team can hopefully do the same.

Fucks sake just gifting it away now.

That would have been some goal from Harkes. We are likely to concede at least one more but at least look capable of creating the odd chance.

Too many players not at it. Special mention to Levitt and his dreadful set pieces and McMann's defensive masterclass at the goal.

Back down to earth with that. Much more urgency needed.

Great team performance and a cracking goal. Really impressed with Sibbald so far, think the only reason he came off was because he was on a yellow. Would like to see McGrath start instead of Harkes as Sibbald seems to offer a bit more defensively.

Sexy.

I agree. I still like the option of Clark off the bench.

I dont think you can fit both Clark and Fletcher in in the 451/433 we look to be playing. They could probably work together as a 2 but then you would sacrifice Watt unless trying him behind them.

Any P&B coin would have to be linked to reputational dots. Monetising them only makes sense.

United fans could surely have the JK but would probably have to have the whole FP for any dutch fans that travel. Dynamo Moscow showed the dangers of putting fans in above/below each other. Re signings, as I said on the match thread, I was impressed by Sibbald playing the defensive role. The bigger issue was Harkes in the no 10 so at least that change will be forced this weekend. Reason we didnt win on Saturday was the lack of an outball when going down to 10 men. We just camped out in the box and invited Killie on.

Thought Harkes was pretty shite for most of the game. Missed that free header as well. Mistake in taking both Fletcher and Watt off. We had no out ball when down to 10 men. Sibbald got better as the game went on and was probably our best player.