Oh, I agree 100%.
With non-Auld Firm Scottish league players you might get John McGinn but more likely you’ll get Gozie Ugwu. (He’s the shit striker I was trying to think of)
Not sure any are Championship, to be honest.
The likes of Aberdeen, Hearts, Hibs etc. have a few good seasons qualifying for (and failing embarrassingly in) Europe every so often then somehow end up relegated two years later.
I’d also say some of the rest would be National League level.
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Personally I’m not even convinced they are even lower premier league standard.
I have long wanted to see Rangers/Celtic enter English football for 10 years just to see how far they drop without the European football money propping them up at the top of a top flight league dangerously close to non league level.
They can then sod off back up north minus the delusions of grandeur
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I really like Ikpeazu when he was available. I felt he really led the line well and was a handful similarly to the way Bayo was, but he was much more mobile.
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Same
In short, we’ve signed a load of unproven celts, academy players who should be nowhere near the first team, a striker who has lost his mojo,the manager has no idea and we’ll be lucky to be mid-table.
Welcome back Gasroom, I’ve missed you.
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I’m still giving them (individually) about 10 full games played before writing them off completely. Honest.
Just back and a few observations:
- Worried that Bradley Fink has not played so far. I’m told he has a minor injury.
- Even more worried that Dan Harvie has yet to feature. He’s a big player for us. No news on him.
- McCleary missing again. Is he injured or is there any doubt over his future?
- No Tafazolli or Butcher I think confirms their futures are unlikely to be with us.
- Despite the summer signings being bought to play in a wing back system Dodds played four at the back in both halves. Not surprisingly we looked an utter shambles at the back. Feel sorry for Taylor Allen who just does not look like the star player he is as part of a two. Hagelskjaer looked incredibly shaky in the second half.
- Our central striker, Udoh in first half and Kone in second both looked utterly isolated despite the best efforts of Fred, Quirtina, Berry and Tilley who individually at least looked fairly good. The attack was like watching the attack of the latter stages of last season. I know it was a friendly but wondering what has been learnt re our attack?
- The new signings in midfield all looked promising. All solid without being spectacular.
- Good to tick off Gander Green Lane. My comments above should all be taken with a Friendlies Are Gash TM pinch of salt.
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Alex Samuel was as effective at the bottom of the SPL as he was for us in L1, which is what I was basing it on.
I don’t think Rangers and Celtic would survive in the Premier League.
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Thanks @Midlander I’m worried that the issues from the end of last season have carried over into this.
I’m also very confused that we’re playing four at the back. MD needs to find his identity and stick with it.
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A very poor pre-season thus far. Some obscure names coming through the revolving door and seemingly little tactical growth from last season. Early days though. The training ground at least looks like a revamped ‘Crossroads Motel’
Just read the 200 new messages. John Torode as CEO anyone??
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Dodds will be gone after 10 league games with 2 draws and 8 defeats is my prediction. A more experienced head will come in and keep us up. I can’t even watch his interviews for more than 5 seconds, sad as it is I enjoy searching out interviews from Ainsworth and Vokes over at Gillingham and watching them more than our own clubs manager interviews.
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I think our summer signings have been excellent. Slightly worried about how they will be utilised though given our start to pre-season.
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Excellent summary, @prufrock. I thought the formation and attacking intent was very encouraging, particularly the full backs in the first half pushing up so high. As a result, we had a lot of the ball in the Sutton half, but failed to make clear chances. I also didn’t think that Udoh was isolated (as someone suggests below), as the combination of Armando, Fred, Westergaard, Grimmer and Hartridge all got close to him and produced some good interplay. But in the second half, with the same formation, we sat a lot deeper and had nothing like as much possession or territory. Then Kone looked isolated, as we got pinned back.
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Didn’t see if Bartolo made it on at all
Not sure we’ve signed players for a wing back formation?
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Signing so many new players obviously will take time to settle in and establish a set system of play , is Dodds the manager to do this the jury is still out on that one . Main concern is lack of goals or efforts on goals, likely Kone has lost potential bids as it is fairly obvious he has lost his way. A little bit concerned to be honest but fingers crossed it will work out we have some poor pre seasons and done well.
I really hope Richard recovers soon from this huge slump in form. But is Dodds the man to help him?
Is there a single player that’s improved under his underwhelming tenure?
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