Scottish Football News Season 2010/11

[Jim05]

Usually do ok against the huns. Big improvement but long season ahead.

[mighty_tiger_79]

it certainly is, especially against the team who will be champions

[Jim05]

Can see rangers doing it by several points. The only doubt will be squad depth if they go deep into euro comp - the mickey mouse europa league i mean. Need to scrap the SPL and just play rangers v celtic over 2 legs to decide title each year. The other sides are that far behind its not funny. Realistically cant see any challenge to the old firm for decade at least. Dont know the answer, does anyone have any solutions?

[mighty_tiger_79]

Can see rangers doing it by several points. The only doubt will be squad depth if they go deep into euro comp - the mickey mouse europa league i mean. Need to scrap the SPL and just play rangers v celtic over 2 legs to decide title each year. The other sides are that far behind its not funny. Realistically cant see any challenge to the old firm for decade at least. Dont know the answer, does anyone have any solutions?

no solution

especially given Rangers and Celtic also poach the best players from other SPL clubs

But the thing that could undo them, is being in debt. I believe Rangers level of debt is incredibly high.

[Royal City]

Can see rangers doing it by several points. The only doubt will be squad depth if they go deep into euro comp - the mickey mouse europa league i mean. Need to scrap the SPL and just play rangers v celtic over 2 legs to decide title each year. The other sides are that far behind its not funny. Realistically cant see any challenge to the old firm for decade at least. Dont know the answer, does anyone have any solutions?

Rangers were totally and utterly dismantled by Hibernian at Ibrox last week, as big a demolition as I have seen against the OF.

Its the same in England; only 3 clubs ever have a chance (maybe 4 but City haven't proven that can do it yet and Liverpool haven't won since 1990 so they don't count really!) and given the far larger population England has its on par.

Check out Portugal and Turkish history too, only a handful of clubs ever win there too.

[johntheclaret]

In Scotland it is all to do with population. 90% of the league is made up of clubs that can't get more 3,000 watching. They made it worse when they expands the league to 4 divisions and added a few token teams. It is always going to be the Glasgow giants that dominate.

I think in Portugal only Benfica, Porto and Sporting have ever won. Same applies to Turkey with big 3 Istanbul clubs.

England is different, sure enough we are in a phase where United, Chelsea and Arsenal are the dominant sides but it hasn't always been that way and it will change again. In the 60's it was Wolves and Spurs, the 70's saw Leeds, forest and Derby, the 80's it was Liverpool. Fervid will retire Wenger will retire and Roman will shuffle off and it will be someone elses turn

[johntheclaret]

Tennis star Andy Murray to invest in Scottish side Stirling Albion

[mighty_tiger_79]

one of the more experienced aberdeen lads scored an own goal
zander diamond
Mcghee is in trouble now

[Royal City]

In Scotland it is all to do with population. 90% of the league is made up of clubs that can't get more 3,000 watching. They made it worse when they expands the league to 4 divisions and added a few token teams. It is always going to be the Glasgow giants that dominate.

I think in Portugal only Benfica, Porto and Sporting have ever won. Same applies to Turkey with big 3 Istanbul clubs.

England is different, sure enough we are in a phase where United, Chelsea and Arsenal are the dominant sides but it hasn't always been that way and it will change again. In the 60's it was Wolves and Spurs, the 70's saw Leeds, forest and Derby, the 80's it was Liverpool. Fervid will retire Wenger will retire and Roman will shuffle off and it will be someone elses turn

Agree largely but Hibs and Hearts were the dominant sides of the late 40's and early and mid-50's, Killie and Dundee FC had a spell in early 60's, Aberdeen and Dundee United toppled the OF in the 80's to such an extent that they started to be new known as the New Firm. It isn't inconceivable that another side will make a challenge, Hearts came close a few seasons ago but they shot themselves in the foot (sacking Burley after being undefeated in their first 10 games) because their owner is 'erratic' to say the least.

When only 5 clubs get over 10,000 (the two Glasgow clubs, the two Edinburgh clubs and Aberdeen) you know something is wrong with the Scottish game.

[johntheclaret]

I guess the nearest analogy you could get is to have the Crows and Power in the SANFL?

[JAS]

*knock, knock* just popping in to let you guys know that there's unlikely to be any Scottish soccer next weekend in case you hadn't heard.

Referees voted to go on strike...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 214212.stm

Fixtures in Scotland face possible postponement next weekend after Category One referees voted to strike.

Scottish match officials are upset with the avalanche of flak that has come their way this season.

BBC Scotland has learned that officials are concerned that their integrity is constantly being questioned by some clubs and individuals.

And there are increasing fears among referees over personal safety as a result of public criticism...

They just said on BBC radio that the strike is going ahead.

Regards
JAS

[Royal City]

I guess the nearest analogy you could get is to have the Crows and Power in the SANFL?

Yeah but they aren't popular because of religious hatred!

The Gruesome Twosome polarised the vast majority of Scotland's population based on sectarianism and share the benefits between them. Both as bad as each other. Far more likely that a Protestant kid from Paisley will be a Rangers fan than support St Mirren, why? Because they have it drummed into them that as a Protestant they must support Rangers. Happens all over the country.

Only reason that Edinburgh is largely immune is because they hate the Weegies and in a much more diluted manner have their own religious clubs (Hibs = Catholic, Hearts = Protestant) and Aberdeen have a fierce regional pride which supercedes all that sectarian rubbish.

[JAS]

Little update on this weekend's games you all. Some will go ahead now...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 216271.stm

...But it has recruited foreign referees for all games apart from nine in Divisions One, Two and Three.

It means that the full Scottish Premier League card of six games, one in Division One (which was selected by drawing lots), three Scottish Cup replays and the ALBA Challenge Cup final have survived, weather permitting...

...unless they fall foul of the weather...very likely after early snow with more forecast and apparently set to go on for up to 2 weeks.

Regards
JAS

[mighty_tiger_79]

Mcghee now has to go

lost last 6 games

players are clearly not interested in what he is trying to do

[mighty_tiger_79]

McGhee is gawnski

****

[Jim05]

About bloody time

[Jim05]

Depressing weekend again. The Dons were hammered 5-0 by the jambos in another lacklustre and insipid display. I really fear for the lads now. A once proud club that has the remarkable record of never being relegated is on its knees. Even in the dark days of miller when we beat dunfermline in a playoff and skovdahl when when we finished last i felt their was hope and that we would fight our way out of it. This current crop gives be no belief whatsoever that we will avoid the drop. Dark days unless a miracle can happen i fear

[mighty_tiger_79]

it must be x-mas

the mighty Dons got a win

[Jim05]

it must be x-mas

the mighty Dons got a win

An away win, precious points indeed

[mighty_tiger_79]

aberdeen away to Hamilton midweek

really need to get another away win and 6 points away from the bottom