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A few folk saying we don't really need Scales or another left sided CB. What we need to remember is that this is the first time Aberdeen have EVER had 8 guaranteed European ties to play before Christmas. This is like adding roughly 20% to the number of matches to your season (give or take depending upon success in domestic cups) but in reality it is more than that as you have travel and the intensity of the matches to take into account. This is why you need a big squad to cope with injuries, fatigue and poor form. Hearts suffered badly at the start of last season when they were playing in Europe and they ran out of puff at the end of the season too. This is why it is key that we put together a big squad that is not just made up of journeymen. Scales would be exactly the sort of player we need.

No, people are being positive because they can see it was a good performance, and there's a confidence there that we may be in for a decent season. We don't have to be negative and miserable because we lost one game.

We beat the huns 2-0 last time we played them at Pittodrie!

Because last season he played 12/21 games at LCB. In 2020-21, Stewart played 15/33 games at LCB.

Why do you keep stating that Williams can play LCB? He's a right footed centre half, and so he'll likely be deficient on his wrong foot. The fact that you say Stewart could also play there shows that your opinion on this matter can't be trusted.

I was right next to Shinnie's challenge, the ball was there to be won and he won it. That Ralston collapsed in a heap (as he did all game), and the linesman bought it, was the issue. That, and the fact that we couldn't defend a freekick. His header was unlucky, the ball was above him and given that he's not known for headed goals, it was a difficult one to control. He was otherwise excellent, first to every ball, held onto the ball under pressure so many times and used the ball well too. He set the tone for any pressing that we did throughout the match. Devlin's challenge did get looked at by the VAR people, they look at everything, they deemed it wasn't worthy of overturning. I suspect that had the ref given a penalty they may not have overturned either. It wasn't clearcut either way. Devlin was excellent against Livi (probably motm) and did well against the Tims all whilst out of position. I'd say that his performance at right centre back was as good as any McRorie gave us in that position, and that's the type of utility we are replacing. Devlin will be a good signing. People don't want us to be streetwise at home to the Tims, they've had enough of it. I can understand that. We went toe to toe with them, lost, but not by any great degree and weren't embarrassed. Sitting in and risking a 0-1 loss would have only upset the fans. Most Dons fans are realistic about where we sit in the scheme of things, and most fans applauded the team despite their loss yesterday. The fact that Livi or St Mirren might be able to sit in against them and get a draw is neither here nor there. 99% of the time they will also lose. If, collectively, one team gets a result once, that's not evidence of success in any approach. The reality is that it's difficult, and so we went with the option of playing to our strengths, which is refreshing at least.

So now that we're a big European team we start disrespecting the league cup? The equivalent of putting out a second string team in my opinion.

Now there's a lad I'd have expected to go to Saudi. He was fairly pish last time I saw him for Scotland.

But they'll be a worse team. He's got them out of numerous holes against pish opposition with his goals.

So will we call it a 1 nil win then??

Fair comment.Scales will probably cost more than I/we'd like at this time,but he knows the club,and we know what he can do.A lot of folks say we could get better for less elsewhere,but they rarely offer examples of who. Saying that,I wouldnt like us to go higher than the original £700k for him that he was reported to be worth,which seems to be the current stumbling block

He didn't cost us two goals! He cost us a free kick, and missed a chance. Clarkson didn't cost us a goal by missing his opportunity, and nor Polvara for missing his header (arguably easier for a man of his height). Nor are we suggesting that Shinnie gave us a goal because of his good ball winning in the lead up to the goal. Shinnie covered every blade of grass yesterday and did everything that you'd expect from a player in that role. Nobody expects Shinnie to convert every chance he gets, that's not his role. Everybody expects Shinnie to give away fouls, because he plays on the edge, as that is his role. Devlin's fuck up was a freak one, and just a total brain fart. Like a keeper dropping one in, it happens now and again. There is nothing to suggest he'll be repeating it (indeed, he had an excellent block on the line in the second half), but we'll wait and see. It certainly wasn't anything to do with being "streetwise" for that goal, it was just bad luck for us and good luck for them, a header that he would deal with 999/1000 times - he was under zero pressure. I'd have expected nearly every striker in the league to have scored from there.

But like I've just said in my original reply, we probably aren't targeting another LCB. We have Mackenzie and Williams to play there. Stewart too if you like. If we sign Scales it'll be us making room for him in the squad because Robson likes him. So there's no need for us to hand out deadlines - there's one coming up on 31 August anyway.

Zak Vnyer to NewCo allegedly Fucking great news if true if that is the level they are targeting

Not having that Settle down min If you're giving a second yellow for that then kerrydale street is your destination mate

Nah I disagree, you don't take off someone playing well just to freshen it up. We were creating chances and getting at Celtic, no need to disrupt it. The only sub I disagreed with was I'd have taken off Miovski ahead of Duk.

If he defends the box like his wallet he'd be a great addition.

Think Stewart Milne is past it to be fair mate Your alternative point however about the necessity to recruit Scales is interesting and think it might actually have some merit

Yep, genuinely astonishing the number of people who think buying players is like going shopping in Tesco.