weebluedevil

I'm in Switzerland, channel RTS 2, if you can find it on line somewhere...

Watching now. Servette just had a man sent off (3 minutes in) for a tackle that wouldn't receive a yellow most weeks in the SPL!

I believe Sterling can play LB too, so I’d play him there - Borna and Ridvan just not reliable enough to do defensive side of the job, unfortunately. Cifuentes is arriving and will be fit, so he goes straight in. Balogun to partner Souttar until Goodson is fit. Danilo - Lammers Cantwell Cifuentes - Raskin - Jack Sterling - Balogun - Souttar - Tavernier Butland

My expectation is that we will not qualify for the Champions League, it's too soon I'm afraid. However, I would expect us to get through the EL groups into the knock-out stages, if we don't get a really tough draw. Despite missing out on the financial riches, it would at least provide some exciting European nights which, for the new squad, would do their confidence the world of good. Therefore, I'm not going to be too disappointed if we miss out on the CL and won't see it as a failure, so long as we can do well in the EL. Domestically (league only), I think we're well equipped mid to front but the concern is defensively we don't have strength in depth and I feel that's going to be our biggest issue. I'd rate our chances 50/50 based on what we've seen, I'd like to be more optimistic but it will depends on Goldson and Souttar staying injury free and Ridvan and/or Sterling learning fast. Cups are anyones guess, but they will be important and I'd be wanting to win at least one of them too. Prediction: Lose in CL 3rd Qualifying round. Finish 2nd in EL group stage, knock-outs through last 16. Win League Title and League Cup. Something to build on. I'd be keen to know what others think if we don't win anything this season. Will Beale be given a couple of seasons to see the fruits of his rebuild? ....Probably for another thread though.

Or instead of the FGS point, replace with a point for correct goal difference. So if you predict 4-1 Rangers and the score is 3-0 Rangers, you get a point.

Go on yersel, Pip.

With the decision to leave the Lowland league, who will the B team be playing this season?

I agree. But who? Beale, has experience as a (first class) coach, less as a manager, so that was the thinking here . I can't think of any 'proven' managers outside smaller country leagues that would come to us.... but I'm not knowledgeable enough to know in any case.

Ironically, that answer works whether you use ‘we’ or ‘they’ in the question

I was talking this window.

I haven't been convinced yet by Sima, Dessers and Lammers (to lesser degree) to allow Sakala, Matondo or Roofe to be sold yet, and I'm also not holding my breath for any of those to be replaced by better quality at this stage. I'm beginning to think we've gambled too much by brining in ALL (?) of MB's targets in one go. I'm yet to be impressed by any of them so far, so I hope Cifuentes and Danilo make the difference. I know it takes time for new players, who have moved to a foreign country to settle in and be their best on the park, so maybe being a little unfair to judge at this stage, but recruiting more players now might be a bit too much, unless we can find better quality here in Scotland....

No, not unless, by some miracle, it all clicks very fucking quickly.

It was actually deflected slightly toward him, still should have saved that.

So we're no where near ready for competitive games. Terrible game from us, even RTV thought the final score was 3-0, which would have been more accurate.

Couldn't McLaughlin have done better there?

Feels like the first game any of these guys have ever played, so I agree, very disjointed and uninspiring first half. BTW, Barisic has been utter shite, shadow of the player a few seasons ago.

Too young. RIP Trevor

We've drawn Servette/Genk, first leg at Ibrox. Not a bad draw.

IF Roofe can stay fit for the whole season, he will make the biggest difference up front IMO. It’s a big IF though.

I was more enthused by some of our B team players than our new signings to be honest. We certainly looked less nervous and more creative second half when changes were made. I thought Yfeko and Rice looked very composed and Lowry was keen to lay down a marker, which he did (I feel it's make or break for him this season). It was hard to track who was playing where at times and I don't think we'll see a settled starting eleven before the last pre-season game I guess. However, I have concerns about our defence both in and out of possession, and just replacing the goalkeeper is not going to fix the problems, so I hope MB has something up his sleeve.

Good to to see big Eck looking particularly well

Fenerbahce

One loan springs to mind….2 million fee and 90k per week for a handful of games and the penalty miss that cost us the EL.

Nippy likes this idea

Player of the Season - Tillman Biggest Flop - Kamara Most Improved - Sakala Unsung Hero - Tav Best Signing - Cantwell