THE LOTW DIARY

Aideninho Time

Now that Aiden has decided that he is no Shaun and decided that his formative years are best spent under the tutelage of GS, that’s for sure, and Tommy Burns I wonder if the support will give him a break. Now the lad knows he has a lot to learn as he says

“It was important because, like I said before, I’ve progressed as a player under him and working with him, and that was vital for me staying because I want to keep progressing and I want to become the best player that I can be.”

Nice to hear that. Now I wonder if the boo bhoys and the abusers in the fickle home support will alone his time to develop? Now that he has decided to stay and not do a Shaun wonder if he will be afforded time and a bit of leeway that a 20 year old should get from his own fans.

I sometimes wonder if some give him abuse cause if chose to play for ROI instead of Scotland R*ngers. I mean we have all heard abuse of him from oor ain being just as bad as the smaw minded “people” that frequent the darkest corners of oor away travels.

Two wrongs don’t make a right.

The Lost Tims

Now we should find oot today whether or not we are playing Milano in Italy, Newcastle, Paris, Berlin, Swizterland or timbucktoo. All this has come aboot due to a heid in the sand attitude from the Italian authorites and when forced to act they have done so in the most knee jerk way possible.

I wouldn’t go as far as the Napoli chairman and call the government facists but their decision reeks of panic. Right, I know I have a giud reason- about £340 reasons- for wanting the match played in Milan but the fact of the matter is moving the game gives US ALL a logistical nightmare.

Do Swizterland or France want an invasion of buckied up 30 somethings and also Italian fans who will be desperate to see a game? What will their Polis think of it?

The daft thing is UEFA says the San Siro is safe to hold Champion league matches. The legislation brought in as far as I’m aware is only for domestic games. UEFA won’t want their greatist show being moved from piller to post as it doesn’t look guid. Main thing is AC and Italy stand to lose a lot of money both in sponsership and tourist trade.

Now another thing, say the game gets moved Milan is still going to have a influx of a few thousand Tims who have already booked and decide to go. We will be wandering aboot Milan all day then trying to find a venue to watch the game at night. Surely the Polis would rather have us banged up in the stadium then spread across a vast city.

I’m confident the game will go ahead in Milan as the heidie of the Italian league says

“They’ll stay at the Meazza,” noted Matarrese this evening. “We spoke about it today and it should be possible to play, but things will be verified on Friday. A lot will depend on how things go tomorrow.“[Milan Vice-President Adriano] Galliani and [Inter chief Massimo] Moratti have underlined that they want to play at San Siro – even if that means in front of no fans.”

That’s us sorted then…..

John Angus Paul Collins

Now oor upcoming game against the Embra greens has taken a turn for the nasty after the debacle of the Hunnie twins. Collins is novice when it comes to the management lark. He has fanciful notions, and good, of how the game should be played but over the last few weeks his naivety of being a manger his come to the fore.

Now, it’s all well and guid not wanting to sell yer best players but openly speaking oot aboot it stating that both players are not going anywhere, when yer chairmen is openly punting them to any club that his two shillings and the players agent is massaging his ego by telling all that they are moving.

Either Collins was naïve or he is a sneaky cunning liar. I think the latter as surely Collins know that when yer dealing wie street urchins the artful dodger always wins and Collins himself was not exactly renowned for loyalty and being trustworthy.

When he became the hoops 1st million pound player did he not leave his team in the lurch? Also when he moved on a bosman to Monaco, which Fergus tried to stop by claim Monaco was not in Europe, did he not leave us in the lurch while chasing the French tax-free franc?

John Angus Paul Collins is the original street urchin, the original Broon and Thomson. Hopefully a wee doing is in the offing.

Two’s company, Three is a crowd.

Now while we have striking problems for the game, Deek upfront wie Jaro looking the likely “solution” ahem, the signing of Hartley has added another bow to the mangers team selections headache. Even though we started the season with 9 midfielders we still haven’t found a balance.

Paul Hartley had a quiet debut last week but his drive and energy from the middle of the park added pace to oor counter attacks. Now with Lenny being a stick on starter it’s a straight dogfight between Tommy G and Hartley. Lenny thinks all three can play together

"I don't see why not. It's up to the manager where he fits that in, he may have to change the formation

But changing the formation is not something I see the manger doing, that’s for sure. Tommy G has been frustrating to say the least but deserves for me not to be judged as a failure so far. Glimpses of talent, vision and goals have been seen. Also his best games have been from a deeper role. A role that Lenny has first dibs on.

Now, we all want to see fast, flowing fitbaw through the middle but that dream will need to be put on the back burner while Lenny is still there. Old dug new tricks and that also the fact that there is not a natural replacement for Lenny at the club.

That means that a ying and yang midfield is needed and unfortunately for the “Gravedigga” Hartley is more suited to the role alongside Lenny. Hopefully the “Gravedigga” will hang around long enough as next season I think we will see him in his preferred role with a partner who compliments his idiosyncrasies.

That’s for Sure

Wee game for the weekend. Count how many times oor manager says, “That’s for sure” in press conferences. One thing is for sure, is that he will say those immortal words, that’s for sure.

Guid Luck

Due to the contract disputes and me being a street urchin I won’t be gracing glesga green wie ma presence for the CQN fives. Seven has assembled a band of ringers, semi professional, old professional and professional wasters for a shot at the title.

Group of death has been banded aboot so I expect numerous phone calls regarding injustices, cheating and dodgy ref’s to be taken on Saturday afternoon when I’m in the London Road Tav supping a pint.

Guid luck lads.

Forza The Hoops