v Sheep (h) 23/9

[Stoke_Arab]

Tannadice under the lights. A great chance to consolidate our league position and keep the Mutton molesters bottom. Hopefully the break has refreshed the players and given the coaching staff an opportunity to work on the defence.

Is this team picking itself now or would you change something?

[Arabs4ever]

Same starting line-up for me. Although we only drew against Hibs the performance was one that served up a great match for everyone who watched it. It would be harsh to make changes when you can see what we are trying to do.

[Yeats 62]

I feel sorry for Craig Sibbald, he hasn't done anything wrong and always gives 100% but......... the way we are playing just now, and the system we are using means he might have to wait a wee while longer.

Unless Jim thinks it's horses for courses and plays him in games where we need more power in the engine room.

Same team for me on Tuesday, with a wee team talk on letting 6-foot-4 centre backs attack the ball if it's not in the six yard box.

[shedka]

I don't feel sorry for him as such, took him awhile to rediscover his form which only really was beginning of this season and with our injury record it won't be long until he is back in the side playing his part

Be a really difficult game, those signings they made will make a difference

Three home games but we need to make it a tougher place to leave with any points, I've felt more confident on the road this year than at home

[Yeats 62]

I don't feel sorry for him as such, took him awhile to rediscover his form which only really was beginning of this season and with our injury record it won't be long until he is back in the side playing his part

Be a really difficult game, those signings they made will make a difference

Three home games but we need to make it a tougher place to leave with any points, I've felt more confident on the road this year than at home

WTF??? I've had to unblock you (briefly) coz you are obviously commenting on my Sibbald comment.

In your own words.... he has re-discovered his form (beginning of THIS season) That was my whole point in a nutshell! He, when given the chance was playing well. Only to be left out (not dropped) because we are playing with a different attitude this season, and the players to apply it.

[shedka]

WTF??? I've had to unblock you (briefly) coz you are obviously commenting on my Sibbald comment.

In your own words.... he has re-discovered his form (beginning of THIS season) That was my whole point in a nutshell! He, when given the chance was playing well. Only to be left out (not dropped) because we are playing with a different attitude this season, and the players to apply it.

I like Sibbs, just dont feel too sorry for him as he'll no doubt be needed in the starting line up before long, with our injury luck

If we are going with two in middle then Sevelj gets the nod for me, and if Luca wasn't now holding onto RWB he'd be ahead of him too in middle

[shedka]

Was kind of hoping for a ssb equaliser here so they endure extra time but then they could go onto win and feel better ahead of Tuesday, so catch 22

[Yeats 62]

It doesn't matter who plays where in any midfield formation. Sibbald must be feeling a wee bit left out, considering he has played well, when given the chance.

When Strain is ready, do we move Luca into midfield full-time, causing more positional issues? (not convinced Strain can handle outside pace)

Anyhooo, it could be a lot worser....

[Stoke_Arab]

Craig's a very experienced pro and I'm sure JG will have reassured him that his time will come. In fact he would have been starting on Tuesday night if it hadn't been for our successful appeal against the Svelje red.

The problem for players like Craig Sibbald and Ryan Strain is that we have recruited an improved Stephenson and captured Pan Camara.

[Whitfieldarab]

It doesn't matter who plays where in any midfield formation. Sibbald must be feeling a wee bit left out, considering he has played well, when given the chance.

When Strain is ready, do we move Luca into midfield full-time, causing more positional issues? (not convinced Strain can handle outside pace)

Anyhooo, it could be a lot worser....

My biggest fear is that JG puts Strain right back in when he's fit and shoehorns Stevenson into the middle of midfield where I don't think hes that great, hes a right sided player only imo and Strain is his back up for now at least.

[JamesMcClean]

It?s tricky to judge how this one?s going to pan out. On one hand we?ve been playing well, we look dangerous going forward and we?re coming up against a Sheepie team who frankly are all over the place with a manager increasingly looking like he?s one humping away from his jotters. In that sense it feels like that match 20 odd year ago when Aitken was on a shoogly peg and we went out and scudded them 5 zip and put him out of his misery.

On the other hand though, conversely the SSBs came to Tannadice for an evening game three years ago under similar circumstances only in reverse. It was us that had no wins, barely scored a goal, rooted to the bottom etc and it was them under Goodwin coming down expecting to dole out a mauling. Instead it was a mauling alright - 4-0 to us.

So because of this past history, first and foremost get the win - any win. Three points will constitute overall a good and solid start to the league season. If we lose, suddenly it turns in to an ?indifferent? start and would be a blow to the hard work done so far. So cut out the silly mistakes at the back, keep the focus and keep up the intensity we?ve seen in the majority of games to date. Do this and we?ll be fine.

[JUSTaway]

Rarely an easy game in this league, even when you are playing out of form poor sides, and our defence has been porous which has been pretty much gifting free goals. Time for us to start turning plaudits into wins.

[arab777]

Everything points to us winning this game. Our form, their form, injury crisis easing, a free weekend in the lead up etc which bizarrely makes me a bit nervous as the expectations are high for this one. I would make us favourites but it wont necessary be straightforward. We will still need to work really hard to win.

[weegiearab]

Aberdeen are surely going to click at some point and they have spent a fair amount of cash buying some quality players. Nisbet loves a goal against us and will be a massive danger to our defence and our keepers love of pinching the ball. If we can be clinical in front of goal and keep the mistakes down to a minimum, then I think we have a decent chance of a good result. They will be seeing this as an opportunity to get back to winning ways and will still be raw after getting battered by us last season. This is a huge game for us and I hope the players approach it in that manner.

[Arabs4ever]

First time I remember seeing Stretch was when he came on against the club formerly known as Rangers. He cracked a shot of the post/bar. Very intelligent player who played out wide first of all for us. Can see him doing something tonight. Nisbet scores against us often. However if we score more than Aberdeen that'll do for me. Can't be a 0-0 can it?