Ally's signings so far?

[CalvinC 1,414]

I always try to impose a bit of optomism on to the forum so what is everybodies thoughts on the signings so far this season?? We have already signed Cammy Bell, Nicky Law, Nicky Clark, Jon Daly with others on the radar. I actually think they are good signings, and I'm quite happy with them.

The only concern so far for me is what is going on defense wise. My issue with the defense situation is that we don't know what is happening with Boca and Goain, so I'd rather we sorted that out and had some targets lined up for CB and RB, maybe a back up LB too.

Thoughts??

[Marco Negri's Beard 1,423]

On paper, very good signings. But I said that last year and the likes of Sandaza, Black and Shiels to an extent disappointed. Happy with our business so far but who knows how it'll work out

[loyalfollower 1,543]

Pass marks so far. 2 defenders and all will be groovy.

[1st_Jan_1994 4,868]

They are all good players, but so are/were Templeton, Shiels, Sandaza, Black etc

I've always said you can sign the good players till the cows come home but if you can't coach them, motivate them and the tactics are pish you can forget it - you won't get the best out of them

Hopefully this season sees an improvement all round. It's McCoists team and signings hopefully no more excuses and things will improve but the proof will be in the pudding

Can't be much worse next year footballing wise lets face it so improvement shouldn't be difficult

[CalvinC 1,414]

On paper, very good signings. But I said that last year and the likes of Sandaza, Black and Shiels to an extent disappointed. Happy with our business so far but who knows how it'll work out

I totally agree. It did look all sparkly on paper last season as well. I think the difference this season though is that everybody knows what they are walking in to. They know what the fans are expecting, so I feel that the attitudes should be a lot better this season and that we will take the opposition seriously and not just half arse and think all we have to do is turn up.

[The Godfather 71,874]

The biggest area of improvement needed has still not been touched.

We need a defence that doesn't crumble every time a ball enters the box.

[MDYT 47]

Happy so far. The defence was a shambles last season but I think the goalkeeper will help matters fair play to Alexander for staying and for his service but I felt he was pretty poor last season.

[CalvinC 1,414]

The biggest area of improvement needed has still not been touched.

We need a defence that doesn't crumble every time a ball enters the box.

Totally agree. I got a bit pissed off when I saw that every new player we were interested in was a striker or an attacking type player. We need to sort out the CB situation, pronto!

[bombaybadboy08 15,660]

Ally's getting his signings so the pressure's on him to deliver, the only one I'm not happy with is Daly.

Money better spent elsewhere IMO, he will do a job I think but my issue is we could get someone cheaper to do the job.

As others have said a few defenders and we're jamming.

[Jimfanciesthedude 24,540]

the jury will be out until we see how they perform and how they are managed

im expecting at least 1 of them to play right back at some point this season

[Senna 735]

Something I think is overlooked is that for every league that we go up, the standard of football will get better. Mainly, the opposition will improve slightly and they'll be less of the 'kick fuck out of the opposition and lump it long' school and a little happier to let us have more time on the ball I think.

[1st_Jan_1994 4,868]

Something I think is overlooked is that for ever league that we go up, the standard of football will get better. Mainly, the opposition will improve slightly and they'll be less of the 'kick fuck out of the opposition and lump it long' school and a little happier to let us have more time on the ball I think.

Don't think there's that much difference between divisions 2 and 3 but I could be wrong mate will see I suppose

[Senna 735]

Don't think there's that much difference between divisions 2 and 3 but I could be wrong mate will see I suppose

I'm expecting more of a jump between D2-D1, but time will tell.

[1st_Jan_1994 4,868]

Yeah division 1 has some good teams in it but we will cope

[scarkev 3,540]

Something I think is overlooked is that for ever league that we go up, the standard of football will get better. Mainly, the opposition will improve slightly and they'll be less of the 'kick fuck out of the opposition and lump it long' school and a little happier to let us have more time on the ball I think.

Did you watch any of the games this year mate? The majority of the time these teams tried to get the ball down and pass it, they were usually well organized and although they didnt have the quality to play consistently at a high level, often they tried to play football more than we did. The difference between the 3rd and 2nd is minimal as well and we cant use this "but these bad teams put in bad challenges" excuse anymore....move the ball quicker and it wont be a problem.

I agree with some of the comments....on the face of it the signings are very encouraging, especially Law. However, how Ally sets them up in terms of formation and style will be interesting....I already have a horrible feeling we will see either Law or Macleod playing wide. No excuses this year...full pre-season, players in early, if things dont improve then Ally has to walk....hopefully though these signings will work out and we will significantly improve.

[StrongbowLoyal. 36]

Really happy we got Law and Clark but I will wait to see how they perform first

[Jimfanciesthedude 24,540]

the onus is on us to beat QotS's record this season

[Beaujolais 1,371]

I am pleased with signings, and looking forward to next season. Hopefully we will strengthen our defence in the coming weeks. What I am really hoping to see though is leadership, passion and a real sense of responsibility from our team. For me its a clean sheet and new start all round. Last year is now a memory and the coming season our reason for being. Lets hope some of these players will be remembered with happy memories in years to come. Onwards and Upwards.

[Claddie 53]

It's heartening to see us actually get the players we target. I know it's for D2 but more positive than recent years

[Senna 735]

Did you watch any of the games this year mate? The majority of the time these teams tried to get the ball down and pass it, they were usually well organized and although they didnt have the quality to play consistently at a high level, often they tried to play football more than we did. The difference between the 3rd and 2nd is minimal as well and we cant use this "but these bad teams put in bad challenges" excuse anymore....move the ball quicker and it wont be a problem.

I agree with some of the comments....on the face of it the signings are very encouraging, especially Law. However, how Ally sets them up in terms of formation and style will be interesting....I already have a horrible feeling we will see either Law or Macleod playing wide. No excuses this year...full pre-season, players in early, if things dont improve then Ally has to walk....hopefully though these signings will work out and we will significantly improve.

All of the home games bar the first Montrose one. A point I missed is that maybe more teams won't park the bus as much as well, allowing us more space to knock it about and in behind. Our coaching and style was abysmal this season, but I'm hoping these signings can change that, along with a bit more freedom to play. Here's hoping, anyway.

[Moody Blue Legend 61,456]

Delighted with young Clark, hopefully Bell steps up and cuts out the silly mistakes, Law should be a decent signing and will help with a bit of steel in the midfield with Black.

[scarkev 3,540]

All of the home games bar the first Montrose one. A point I missed is that maybe more teams won't park the bus as much as well, allowing us more space to knock it about and in behind. Our coaching and style was abysmal this season, but I'm hoping these signings can change that, along with a bit more freedom to play. Here's hoping, anyway.

Again I don't necessarily think teams "parked the bus" this season and likewise the approach from the SFL2 teams will be very similar to what we have faced this year.....My biggest issue with this season was we had no plan B....If we couldn't break teams down well that was that....we lacked intensity and fluency in our play and in the final 3rd, barring a few games we seemed short of ideas. This season we need to press much higher and quicker to put these teams under more pressure, we need to maintain our width to stretch them and move the ball quicker to get in behind, create chances and ultimately to not give them the chance to break up the play by fouling. I hope the new players make a difference but ultimately the whole ethos has to change, regardless who plays.,

[Beaujolais 1,371]

Again I don't necessarily think teams "parked the bus" this season and likewise the approach from the SFL2 teams will be very similar to what we have faced this year.....My biggest issue with this season was we had no plan B....If we couldn't break teams down well that was that....we lacked intensity and fluency in our play and in the final 3rd, barring a few games we seemed short of ideas. This season we need to press much higher and quicker to put these teams under more pressure, we need to maintain our width to stretch them and move the ball quicker to get in behind, create chances and ultimately to not give them the chance to break up the play by fouling. I hope the new players make a difference but ultimately the whole ethos has to change, regardless who plays.,

Bang on.

[1st_Jan_1994 4,868]

One of the biggest myths from last season was every team upping their game against us and it was their wee cup final, that's bullshit if anything we got brought down to their level - a lot of times were actually pish but could still outplay us if that makes sense and is not too much of a contradiction

[clan macrae 292]

Did you watch any of the games this year mate? The majority of the time these teams tried to get the ball down and pass it, they were usually well organized and although they didnt have the quality to play consistently at a high level, often they tried to play football more than we did. The difference between the 3rd and 2nd is minimal as well and we cant use this "but these bad teams put in bad challenges" excuse anymore....move the ball quicker and it wont be a problem.

I agree with some of the comments....on the face of it the signings are very encouraging, especially Law. However, how Ally sets them up in terms of formation and style will be interesting....I already have a horrible feeling we will see either Law or Macleod playing wide. No excuses this year...full pre-season, players in early, if things dont improve then Ally has to walk....hopefully though these signings will work out and we will significantly improve.

Yes spot on i was surprised at how well organised at some of the 3rd division football was but i dont think there will be a great difference between the divisions.