The Official Airdrieonians Thread - 2019/20 and beyond

[Spring Cup Winners]

24 minutes ago, Rossm25 said:

Good 5 nil today. 

Boy near us spent the whole game giving abuse to Euan Deveney. Absolute walloper , who comes to a game that we are winning and just launches tirades of abuse at bloody teenager. Glad someone challenged him 

Ultimately happy with today's performance...and no-one can complain about a 5-0 win. We started well, Telfer impressed, but then we seemed to start to look a bit nervy.

After the second goal, you could see the nerves fade and we played good football afterwards. Good to see Gabby score after a bit of a howler before that. Delighted Smith is off the mark - first was a peach.

I still think that McCabe alongside Dycey in centre of defence gives us a more solid feel.

Re previous comments about Deveney criticism...jeez...he's a 19 yr old who overall has done well and certainly gives it his all each game. P*sh we heard today is really going to motivate the hell out of him eh?

 

[Passionate]

5 hours ago, airdrieman said:

 

Looks like a 30 year tribute to the Prague kit, like what they did 10 years ago for the 20th anniversary. 

 

It looks like a design similar to the new Hearts away,   design on body of top with white sleeves,      

[Ballboy]

Salim must have a goal per minutes on pitch rate that would rival anyone.  

[Jack Reed]

8 hours ago, Rossm25 said:

The boy is a bell end and I really hope he read this. 

He seems to just pick a player every season. 

Agnew last year , Crichton before that and so on for about 5 seasons. Part of me wants to say we are entitled to whatever cause we pay money to get in, but also see if you get your jollies from shouting nonsense at wee lads, then politely f off. Same boy shouted abuse at mcmaster during the St mirre  game...HE WASNT EVEN PLAYING! 

Lunacy. 

Aye shouting abuse at a player every week some Airdrie supporter  that, can do without, 

[Aufc]

Fordyce has historically been one of our most consistent players. Wonder whether, now he has the added responsibility of AM, it’s affecting his game as he feels he needs to focus on everyone else’s game as well as his own.

[Mr November]

11 hours ago, David Fernández said:

Guy played on against St Mirren despite this, why is he subject to constant abuse by fans. Think we need to start up the Euan Deveney Airdrie P&B appreciation society.

I thought Deveney was poor yesterday but the one thing you can say about him is that he never hides. He’s actually quite good at winning the ball back and carrying it forward, only to them do something daft and give it away again. He’s still young and hasn’t played much senior football. He’ll have his off days but he’s generally been decent for us and even when he is struggling, he keeps going rather than shirking out of tackles and looking scared in possession.

7 hours ago, Ballboy said:

Salim must have a goal per minutes on pitch rate that would rival anyone.  

I’m very much here for Salim coming on at the end and stat padding his way through the season. I don’t think he quite fits how we play well enough to start games but his physicality and ability in the air is a great option from the bench.

1 hour ago, Aufc said:

Fordyce has historically been one of our most consistent players. Wonder whether, now he has the added responsibility of AM, it’s affecting his game as he feels he needs to focus on everyone else’s game as well as his own.

This does give me the fear. Fordyce is a much better defender but I always felt Sean Crighton was very solid for us until he took on a coaching role at the club as well as playing and being captain. His form fell off a cliff from there and he never really recovered. It’s a big role that might just take some adjusting to so hopefully this is just a rare blip given Fordyce has been the most consistent defender in the league since he joined.

[airdrieman]

I think what hasn't helped the defence is how open we've been. Pretty much any time we lose the ball high up the park the opposition are in and around our box within 3-4 passes. Obviously Edinburgh really punished us for this but in every other game it's only been a combination of dreadful finishing and brilliant saves from Johnson and Henderson that has seen us not lose more goals (and probably more points). If your forwards and goalie can bail you out every game then fair enough I guess but it does need to tighten up. Not sure what the answer is within the current squad or system but I think McCabe being back in the side would help. 

[David Fernández]

I think what hasn't helped the defence is how open we've been. Pretty much any time we lose the ball high up the park the opposition are in and around our box within 3-4 passes. Obviously Edinburgh really punished us for this but in every other game it's only been a combination of dreadful finishing and brilliant saves from Johnson and Henderson that has seen us not lose more goals (and probably more points). If your forwards and goalie can bail you out every game then fair enough I guess but it does need to tighten up. Not sure what the answer is within the current squad or system but I think McCabe being back in the side would help. 

Think McCabe being at centre back will help, I think our style of high risk high reward is a factor, but Dycey and Watson were making basic errors, when I played football at like 10 year old we were taught 'never let the ball bounce' and that happened on more than one occasion. With Telfer coming in might be worth playing 4-1-2-1-2 putting in an extra midfielder which help us be less open, but play possession based football which suits us.

[Jack Reed]

2 hours ago, David Fernández said:

2 hours ago, airdrieman said:

I think what hasn't helped the defence is how open we've been. Pretty much any time we lose the ball high up the park the opposition are in and around our box within 3-4 passes. Obviously Edinburgh really punished us for this but in every other game it's only been a combination of dreadful finishing and brilliant saves from Johnson and Henderson that has seen us not lose more goals (and probably more points). If your forwards and goalie can bail you out every game then fair enough I guess but it does need to tighten up. Not sure what the answer is within the current squad or system but I think McCabe being back in the side would help. 

Think McCabe being at centre back will help, I think our style of high risk high reward is a factor, but Dycey and Watson were making basic errors, when I played football at like 10 year old we were taught 'never let the ball bounce' and that happened on more than one occasion. With Telfer coming in might be worth playing 4-1-2-1-2 putting in an extra midfielder which help us be less open, but play possession based football which suits us.

Really think Salim needs a run in the team, we know you need ability, upfront  though  confidence seems play a big part, 

[ShineOnYouCrazyDiamonds]

2 hours ago, David Fernández said:

3 hours ago, airdrieman said:

I think what hasn't helped the defence is how open we've been. Pretty much any time we lose the ball high up the park the opposition are in and around our box within 3-4 passes. Obviously Edinburgh really punished us for this but in every other game it's only been a combination of dreadful finishing and brilliant saves from Johnson and Henderson that has seen us not lose more goals (and probably more points). If your forwards and goalie can bail you out every game then fair enough I guess but it does need to tighten up. Not sure what the answer is within the current squad or system but I think McCabe being back in the side would help. 

Think McCabe being at centre back will help, I think our style of high risk high reward is a factor, but Dycey and Watson were making basic errors, when I played football at like 10 year old we were taught 'never let the ball bounce' and that happened on more than one occasion. With Telfer coming in might be worth playing 4-1-2-1-2 putting in an extra midfielder which help us be less open, but play possession based football which suits us.

Not against this idea but Smith is much much better on the left of a front 3 than he is as part of a pair, and he’s one of our best players.

[Mr November]

After today’s result in Paisley, does this mean we’re better than Celtic?

[Rio 2]

28 minutes ago, Mr November said:

After today’s result in Paisley, does this mean we’re better than Celtic?

We have better fans!

[khalidonianb]

1 hour ago, Rio 2 said:

We have better fans!

Agreed, Section B rule ok

[Jack Reed]

3 hours ago, Rio 2 said:

We have better fans!

Do you think that was a record crowd for a first division game, Dunfermline v Falkirk  over 6500 . 

[Diamonds are Forever]

7 hours ago, airdrieman said:

I think what hasn't helped the defence is how open we've been. Pretty much any time we lose the ball high up the park the opposition are in and around our box within 3-4 passes. Obviously Edinburgh really punished us for this but in every other game it's only been a combination of dreadful finishing and brilliant saves from Johnson and Henderson that has seen us not lose more goals (and probably more points). If your forwards and goalie can bail you out every game then fair enough I guess but it does need to tighten up. Not sure what the answer is within the current squad or system but I think McCabe being back in the side would help. 

 

7 hours ago, David Fernández said:

7 hours ago, airdrieman said:

I think what hasn't helped the defence is how open we've been. Pretty much any time we lose the ball high up the park the opposition are in and around our box within 3-4 passes. Obviously Edinburgh really punished us for this but in every other game it's only been a combination of dreadful finishing and brilliant saves from Johnson and Henderson that has seen us not lose more goals (and probably more points). If your forwards and goalie can bail you out every game then fair enough I guess but it does need to tighten up. Not sure what the answer is within the current squad or system but I think McCabe being back in the side would help. 

Think McCabe being at centre back will help, I think our style of high risk high reward is a factor, but Dycey and Watson were making basic errors, when I played football at like 10 year old we were taught 'never let the ball bounce' and that happened on more than one occasion. With Telfer coming in might be worth playing 4-1-2-1-2 putting in an extra midfielder which help us be less open, but play possession based football which suits us.

 

Both of those are good points, I think even things like letting the ball bounce come down to our style of play too though. At all times it must be in their heads that they should be getting the ball down and playing it, therefore instead of just heading it up the park they'll try and get it down and start an attack.

It is all risk v reward and we'll only know whether it's worked at the end of the season, it's clear already that we're going to hand out a few hammerings, but we'll also take a few. It is hard to see us being solid enough over a season to win the league playing the current way. I was encouraged to hear McCabe say in his interview about being a bit more direct at times and we saw that result in goals a couple of times yesterday. It's important that teams know you have it in you to go long as well as pass through the lines as it causes confusion on whether to press or sit off. If teams know you wont ever go direct they can press you high up the pitch and trap you in your own half. If they are afraid of the ball over the top they'll sit off a bit which then makes it easier to play how we want to play. Plus, with Smith, McGill and Jamieson we have a real threat by going long and turning defences.

I think I'd also go with McCabe at centre back given the style we are going for, he's far better on the ball than Watson or ATS so you'd think we'd have less hairy moments playing out from the back. It would hopefully help Fordyce's game too.

[Diamonds_Are_Forever]

5 hours ago, Jack Reed said:

Really think Salim needs a run in the team, we know you need ability, upfront  though  confidence seems play a big part, 

Hopefully gets a start on Friday night 

[Spring Cup Winners]

1 hour ago, Diamonds are Forever said:

 

 

Both of those are good points, I think even things like letting the ball bounce come down to our style of play too though. At all times it must be in their heads that they should be getting the ball down and playing it, therefore instead of just heading it up the park they'll try and get it down and start an attack.

It is all risk v reward and we'll only know whether it's worked at the end of the season, it's clear already that we're going to hand out a few hammerings, but we'll also take a few. It is hard to see us being solid enough over a season to win the league playing the current way. I was encouraged to hear McCabe say in his interview about being a bit more direct at times and we saw that result in goals a couple of times yesterday. It's important that teams know you have it in you to go long as well as pass through the lines as it causes confusion on whether to press or sit off. If teams know you wont ever go direct they can press you high up the pitch and trap you in your own half. If they are afraid of the ball over the top they'll sit off a bit which then makes it easier to play how we want to play. Plus, with Smith, McGill and Jamieson we have a real threat by going long and turning defences.

I think I'd also go with McCabe at centre back given the style we are going for, he's far better on the ball than Watson or ATS so you'd think we'd have less hairy moments playing out from the back. It would hopefully help Fordyce's game too.

Yup, agree with all of this. We are definitely more solid with McCabe alongside Fordyce.

In terms of being more direct, look at Frizz assists yesterday..just great passing to match the runs. I'm sure Telfer will chip in with a good few of those through the rest of the season too.

Tighten up at the back..especially on opposition breaks, and we'll be up there.

[Passionate]

5 hours ago, Jack Reed said:

Do you think that was a record crowd for a first division game, Dunfermline v Falkirk  over 6500 . 

We continue our upturn in crowds this season 1083 at the Clyde game,  although home support did look and feel a good bit less than previous games and Clyde brought 200ish ,     Need to keep winning if not the floating fan will disappear like snow off a dyke..

[chicagodiamond]

...was impressed by Charlie Telfer on Saturday. I thought he linked well with Frizz and always had his head up looking for a pass. He didn't waste too many balls before tiring a bit in 2nd half. He is probably a bit more mobile than Rhys in midfield and I think we are likely to see the manager back in defence once fully fit. The combination of Telfer and Frizz could be an exciting one to watch develop and could be fundamental to how the season plays out.

[Diamonds are Forever]

1 hour ago, chicagodiamond said:

...was impressed by Charlie Telfer on Saturday. I thought he linked well with Frizz and always had his head up looking for a pass. He didn't waste too many balls before tiring a bit in 2nd half. He is probably a bit more mobile than Rhys in midfield and I think we are likely to see the manager back in defence once fully fit. The combination of Telfer and Frizz could be an exciting one to watch develop and could be fundamental to how the season plays out.

 

If everyone is fit I'd be surprised if McCabe plays in midfield, we need Frizzell, and we need at least one player like Devenney who is a bit more athletic, therefore it comes down to Telfer and McCabe for the last spot.

If you look at McCabe's career path as a midfielder he has clearly been on the decline in recent years so although that is his natural position I'm not at all convinced he's our best option in there. He played there at the start of last season and was okay, but was a revelation at centre back. He's gone back into midfield this season but again he's been okay at best. He's comfortable on the ball but I think is too slow now for midfield, players run off him very easily. I'd have him centre back for a few weeks and see how he looks, and see whether it helps Fordyce at all. If he ultimately ends up as a squad player who is on the sidelines most of the time I don't think that's a bad thing.