Ross McCrorie signed - Confirmed

[Lrrr]

29 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

He won’t be. Medical Fact.

Guess it wasn’t on the official site 

[slartibartfast]

2 hours ago, stephenkibby. said:

It's like the golden days, 3 Jocks in the squad. Just need Tommy to brush up on his Scottish accent and were back there.

Sweeney,Ritchie  and Gow. The stars are aligned i tell thee.

Donnie G ?

[W-S-M Seagull]

1 hour ago, Jimbo123 said:

@Davefevs notice he says he’s predominantly a defender, I’m genuinely starting to think particularly with Roberts signing that we might be recruiting for a 3 at the back system?

I’m sure I remember Pearson saying we’ll stick with a 4 at the back system, but I can’t find the quote.

I think it's possible. Pearson said something towards the end of last season which made me think we may be going back down that route. I can't remember what he said tho but I did comment on here about it. 

Pearson likes the two strikers and 1 behind them. I can't see how you have that without going to 3atb.

I think it would actually be good for us to have two systems that we can switch between depending upon opposition and circumstances. 

Edited June 6, 2023 by W-S-M Seagull

[Red white and red]

1 hour ago, Robbored said:

I must have missed the club updates on his progress then. When he got injured it was thought that he’d be out for around 6 months. I guess that timescale must have changed.

With the signing of McCrorie, Dickie and Nailsmith already at the club the CB spot is well covered without RA.

6 months for an ACL? 
 

Dreamland. 

[Charlie BCFC]

3 hours ago, tin said:

Interesting that he sees his best position as CB or RB. Should Roberts sign as well, I suspect we’re recruiting to play 352 again.

I did find it interesting as I assumed he was brought in as a midfielder. Do think/hope we stick with 4 at the back, McCrorie sounds like he can play in right full back (if that is the main position Nige has opted for him), Dickie can play in a partnership and Roberts would surely be an alternative to Bryan as a left full back? 

[Davefevs]

5 minutes ago, Charlie BCFC said:

I did find it interesting as I assumed he was brought in as a midfielder. Do think/hope we stick with 4 at the back, McCrorie sounds like he can play in right full back (if that is the main position Nige has opted for him), Dickie can play in a partnership and Roberts would surely be an alternative to Bryan as a left full back? 

I had him down as CB or CM, but I’m starting to think @GrahamC might be right about RB.

I honestly don’t think the plan is to go to a back three though.

FWIW when McCrorie played CB in 21/22 he played mainly as the LCB (previously rumoured target David Bates as the RCB) of the pair.

I think we will see more clarity when we hear the resolution of Kalas’s contract.  I think he’s off.  And I think between:

Tanner, McCrorie, Vyner, Dickie, (Atkinson), Naismith, Pring and hopefully Roberts we have enough for a back four with plenty of flexibility.

Assuming Roberts signs and Kalas goes, it will be interesting to see if any other defensive targets start being rumoured.

Its all good debate though.

[Monkeh]

6 hours ago, Malago said:

The problem there is all three of James, Williams and Naismith will probably miss part of the season with muscle injuries.  I think we need 2, if not 3 if Scott goes, additions in Midfield

No we don't, we have plenty of options in midfield,

[Fontaineofallknowledge]

4 hours ago, Davefevs said:

I had him down as CB or CM, but I’m starting to think @GrahamC might be right about RB.

I honestly don’t think the plan is to go to a back three though.

FWIW when McCrorie played CB in 21/22 he played mainly as the LCB (previously rumoured target David Bates as the RCB) of the pair.

I think we will see more clarity when we hear the resolution of Kalas’s contract.  I think he’s off.  And I think between:

Tanner, McCrorie, Vyner, Dickie, (Atkinson), Naismith, Pring and hopefully Roberts we have enough for a back four with plenty of flexibility.

Assuming Roberts signs and Kalas goes, it will be interesting to see if any other defensive targets start being rumoured.

Its all good debate though.

I'm slightly concerned that we are gathering players who can play in a number of positions but aren't specialists in any! It does sound like dickie, roberts and McCrorie favour a 3 at the back formation so I'm starting to think nige is plotting a move back to it. Given how much we improved going to a back 4 this is a bold move!

[Major Isewater]

Well that was out of the blue. 
Welcome Ross. 

[Tomo]

6 hours ago, Davefevs said:

I had him down as CB or CM, but I’m starting to think @GrahamC might be right about RB.

I honestly don’t think the plan is to go to a back three though.

FWIW when McCrorie played CB in 21/22 he played mainly as the LCB (previously rumoured target David Bates as the RCB) of the pair.

I think we will see more clarity when we hear the resolution of Kalas’s contract.  I think he’s off.  And I think between:

Tanner, McCrorie, Vyner, Dickie, (Atkinson), Naismith, Pring and hopefully Roberts we have enough for a back four with plenty of flexibility.

Assuming Roberts signs and Kalas goes, it will be interesting to see if any other defensive targets start being rumoured.

Its all good debate though.

Yep, the Kalas situation needs to be sorted asap....

[GrahamC]

7 minutes ago, Tomo said:

Yep, the Kalas situation needs to be sorted asap....

We don’t but they’ll know, there will be a deadline & the moves for 3 defenders if Roberts signs this week suggests he’s off.

[SecretSam]

Welcome on board, Ross, well done for calling us 'City', you're off to a flier

[tin]

9 hours ago, petehinton said:

 

Gives us the option for both which is exciting.
 

352, and can have Atkinson McCrorie Dickie CBs with Naismith in CM.
 

442 could have McCrorie Naismith together in CM if ever needed. 
 

McCrorie CM gives license for him to drop back into a CB position when Atkinson/Dickie/Naismith go on marauding runs. It’s all very fluid and exciting.  

I could easily see us going with Naismith in the middle of the back three again, Roberts to his left, McCrorie to his right. Pring and Tanner wide.

While I want Naismith further forward, it would give him licence to step into midfield, Weimann and Mehmeti vie for No.10 and our best strike pairing (Wells and Conway) up top. 

That wouldn’t be a rigid 352 either as Naismith could step into midfield to make a 4213. 

Agree it’s exciting and these signings certainly give us better balance on paper. 

Edited June 7, 2023 by tin

[glynriley]

6 hours ago, Davefevs said:

I had him down as CB or CM, but I’m starting to think @GrahamC might be right about RB.

I honestly don’t think the plan is to go to a back three though.

FWIW when McCrorie played CB in 21/22 he played mainly as the LCB (previously rumoured target David Bates as the RCB) of the pair.

I think we will see more clarity when we hear the resolution of Kalas’s contract.  I think he’s off.  And I think between:

Tanner, McCrorie, Vyner, Dickie, (Atkinson), Naismith, Pring and hopefully Roberts we have enough for a back four with plenty of flexibility.

Assuming Roberts signs and Kalas goes, it will be interesting to see if any other defensive targets start being rumoured.

Its all good debate though.

 

3 minutes ago, tin said:

I could easily see us going with Naismith in the middle of the back three again, Roberts to his left, McCrorie to his right. Pring and Tanner wide.

While I want Naismith further forward, it would give him licence to step into midfield, Weimann and Mehmeti vie for No.10 and our best strike pairing (Wells and Conway) up top. 

That wouldn’t be a rigid 352 either as Naismith could step into midfield to make a 4213. 

Agree it’s exciting and these signings certainly give us better balance on paper. 

If, and I think it’s a big if, we go to a 5, then Kane Wilson surely joins the conversation. 

[RedM]

14 hours ago, Jose said:

Couldn’t be anymore jealous. Saw them in London last year. A life highlight. Gutted couldn’t get tickets again. 

I saw them last August in Wembley too. I had pitch standing for that but went way up high in the stands last night and enjoyed seeing the overview of the show so much better. 

To keep this on topic, my son sent me a whatapp pic of the signing, but with 60,000 people in the stadium it took ages to load, so took me ages before I could see it was done

[tin]

12 minutes ago, glynriley said:

If, and I think it’s a big if, we go to a 5, then Kane Wilson surely joins the conversation. 

Totally agree, he could be the joker in the pack. The big if is if we can be solid enough to give someone like Wilson licence to bomb forward down the right? I expect him to be physically stronger, but will his knee be up to it? 

[Simon bristol]

19 minutes ago, RedM said:

I saw them last August in Wembley too. I had pitch standing for that but went way up high in the stands last night and enjoyed seeing the overview of the show so much better. 

To keep this on topic, my son sent me a whatapp pic of the signing, but with 60,000 people in the stadium it took ages to load, so took me ages before I could see it was done

Saw them at wembley about 8 years ago, im pretty sure it was “sky full of stars”when the light show properly kicked in, and its still one of the best things ive seen!! Good times!

[ralphindevon]

7 hours ago, slartibartfast said:

Donnie G ?

John Shaw followed by Peter Cormack and Tony Fitzpatrick 

[Nogbad the Bad]

14 minutes ago, ralphindevon said:

John Shaw followed by Peter Cormack and Tony Fitzpatrick 

Not forgetting Mike Brolly.

[Son of Fred]

Aberdeen supporters seem to be of the opinion Ross is better played in midfield or right back/RWB...they don't particularly rate him as a centre half at all....

Viewed as a utility player who doesn't really hold down a position & make it his own - best asset?? - physicality.

Edited June 7, 2023 by Son of Fred

[Port Said Red]

1 hour ago, SecretSam said:

Welcome on board, Ross, well done for calling us 'City', you're off to a flier

Probably easier coming from Scottish football where there few teams called City, and no obvious big club to get confused with.

[Nogbad the Bad]

10 hours ago, Malago said:

The problem there is all three of James, Williams and Naismith will probably miss part of the season with muscle injuries.  I think we need 2, if not 3 if Scott goes, additions in Midfield

We need more goals from midfield and I'd expect Nige to target at least 1 new signing with the aim of rectifying that.

[RedM]

8 minutes ago, Son of Fred said:

Aberdeen supporters seem to be of the opinion Ross is better played in midfield.....they don't particularly rate him as a defender.

Interesting. I'm just catching up as I don't tend to look much at players when they are just rumours. The disappointment when things have failed to materialise in the past has been such a killer! In the interview he does say he can play in a variety of positions but prefers CB or RB, so who knows.

Overall the reaction seems positive. He was the first player that we were linked with this window I think, so its good to get the deal done.

I can see that it looks like Bryan is looking elsewhere, he must have changed his mind because I heard it was very much him who wanted to return. The only other thing I have noticed is the concern about Vyner, whoever thought that would ever be the case! But yes, I want him to stay, so get on the roof Zac and have your moment 

[RedM]

43 minutes ago, Simon bristol said:

Saw them at wembley about 8 years ago, im pretty sure it was “sky full of stars”when the light show properly kicked in, and its still one of the best things ive seen!! Good times!

Yes, I was at that one too!

I am now convinced Ross McC is going to be a great player for us at it will be one of those 'where were you when we signed...' moments 

[Davefevs]

2 hours ago, Fontaineofallknowledge said:

I'm slightly concerned that we are gathering players who can play in a number of positions but aren't specialists in any! It does sound like dickie, roberts and McCrorie favour a 3 at the back formation so I'm starting to think nige is plotting a move back to it. Given how much we improved going to a back 4 this is a bold move!

Not saying you are saying this but I think there is a school of thought out there that says versatile means “Jack of all trades, but master of none” and probably harps back to the day (not sure of your age) to the likes of Mike Duxbury at Man Utd.  In the days of eleven plus one sub (maybe two subs) when it was more applicable to talk about “best eleven” (even I did!), a player like Duxbury was the type of player who wasn’t good enough to start but could play in multiple positions, hence useful cover for injury subs (more so than tactical subs) per se.  He was the epitome of the “utility man” which is how I think some are seeing McCrorie.

I honestly don’t think Nige would sign any player for a fee and of peak age if he wasn’t good enough to nail down one position in the team.  What we don’t know is what that position is.  And (not being rude), who cares if that could be two or even three positions in our team.  If he’s better than what we have (or at least as good as what we have, ie provides strong competition) at RB, CB, or CM, does it matter that he can play other positions too, if that benefits the team that heads out onto the pitch?

I don’t see us moaning (well, maybe a few do) that Alex Scott can play CM or AM and differing roles within them?  I don’t see a problem that Kal Naismith can play in defence and midfield and improve us as a unit in either.  I get a bit cheesed off when there is talk of improvement through formation change and no longer playing square pegs in round holes.  Because Naismith (a right winger / forward by trade btw) was signed to play CB and with the formation change he played in midfield, so that doesn’t fit the narrative.

I don’t think we are going back to back three either, but if we do, have people forgotten the football we played at the start of last season when we went unbeaten in 8 (6 league / 2 cup)?  In that run we probably (subjective) played better football than we did in the 13 game unbeaten run after Xmas.  It only came apart when we lost key players.  Same with the 13 game run, it came apart when we lost key players.

I will wait to see how they play in certain set-ups.  It is of course easy to say, x is suited to a back three or y performs better in a back four, but I think a lot depends on the players around them.  QPR were quite an attacking / gung-ho side at times, so perhaps unsurprising their defenders were exposed.  I don’t sit here this morning and recall them having a “protector” sat in front of the CBs in either a four or a three.  We never thought Zak Vyner could play in a pair did we, nor look like a leader there too.  We need to be more open-minded imho.

So what is Nige doing, he’s recruiting more “key players”.  I expect Dickie and McCrorie to join that group of players and give the squad depth.  Roberts, if he signs, will probably be more of a project.

(Re Roberts, the Derby journo asked for his view by Bristol Post said yesterday that Roberts coped with the step up from Lg2 Rochdale to Lg1 Derby, but in fact Roberts loan at Rochdale was in Lg1 also.  They’ve had an awful two seasons of relegation and now are in the NL.  So he’s played 60+ games at Lg1.)

[Kid in the Riot]

10 hours ago, Sleepy1968 said:

I wonder what we offered him given that historically home-grown talent is significantly underpaid verses externally recruited players?

I heard back in January that our contract offer to Vyner was derisory. A very poor offer that he was not happy at all with.

Given his form since then though, I'd be surprised (and disappointed), if we hadn't now made him a much improved offer. 

[lenred]

10 minutes ago, Kid in the Riot said:

I heard back in January that our contract offer to Vyner was derisory. A very poor offer that he was not happy at all with.

Given his form since then though, I'd be surprised (and disappointed), if we hadn't now made him a much improved offer. 

If true then it’s great that he pushed on from that disappointment and had a superb second half of the season as opposed to moping about it.  He deserves to be paid properly and hope the club sorts it out sooner rather than later.   

[Monkeh]

4 hours ago, Fontaineofallknowledge said:

I'm slightly concerned that we are gathering players who can play in a number of positions but aren't specialists in any! It does sound like dickie, roberts and McCrorie favour a 3 at the back formation so I'm starting to think nige is plotting a move back to it. Given how much we improved going to a back 4 this is a bold move!

I'm not it enables us to be more flexible,

Also modern footballers most players can play 2 or 3 different positions, it's part of the modern game now

[Spike]

On 06/06/2023 at 07:55, cidered abroad said:

 

 

Are there any human footballers who never make a mistake during a match?

Even the great John Atyeo admitted to supporters of an occasional off day!

Perhaps with better players around him, Zak will make fewer.

 

On 06/06/2023 at 09:15, Northern Red said:

Translation:

"I wrote Vyner off, he proved me wrong but I can't bring myself to admit it".

Not at all to both, the fact is any player can make a mistake but Vyner is a liability if he plays on the right side of a back three as he wanders out of position leaving a hole if the RWB is attacking and even in back two he makes dangerous unnecessary passes. 

I mean you both obviously like the bloke, so do I, the difference is I want us to remove the weaknesses from the squad, not give them a pat on the back and say "happens to everyone" when it's not a once or twice situation, it's a frequent thing. There is a reason our fans are hyping Vyner up on his improvement but the footballing world isn't knocking on his door.

[TommyD68]

By the sounds of things looks to be a very solid signing, always good to get business done early! However I don’t think he’ll walk into the team, Vyner and Tanner both cemented their places in the team last season, Vyner especially being an ever present and leader in the defence. Will be interesting to see where Nige looks to play him.. anyway a couple more signings through the door and the squad looks as though it’s already looking to take quite a nice shape!