Season 11 Review
Aberdeen Squad
Neither Keeper stood out. I'm annoyed Joe Curry's value has not risen but Robbie Wallace is good enough to be our back up. Our only long term prospect is 17 and nowhere near ready for the no1 job but with his on the verge, I'd consider going out and spending tens of millions on a player for 2-3 seasons.
Both wing-backs on the right are world-class and like the last 3 summers, it's going to be tough to keep both of them. If they both stay then it will be the last summer with there very reasonable contracts both set to expire in 24 months and youngster Billy Rae looking for more 1st team action. Amada Junior on the left is not up to there standard but he's still a class act and exactly what i needed on the left-wing. Steven Ritchie is a decent backup but with the value rising i think he could be moved on.
Zlatan Samardzic has stepped up as an utter rock. Not bad for the 4th string of our golden generation of DCs Nedkov & Musson are quite similar in the battle to be no2. A great offer for either will settle that debate. We have Paleso, Dimitrov & McCunnie coming back from loans. 2 of them should make the squad. McCunnie is a lock.
The middle of the park is in its best state ever. Cimirotic & Correa are both top drawer players while teenager Bullen and Giacinti are a level below the starters but are good enough to step in at any time. The depth is equally impressive with Kanerva, youngsters Diaz & Vukasinovic have lots to do to break into the current 4 squad players.
Our Left-wing has already suffered a loss with Dutari set to move to Barcelona with the old make me a ridiculous offer and I'll sell trick. Arce will as always be starting next season with Lao and Welsh looking to pick up the back up role. One will stay one with be loaned. The right-back up is an equally fluid situation. Daza is starting without question. He averaged a goal or assist in every game. Trilles got the chance to be the backup and was not disappointing on the ball abut his red card ratio is the worst I've ever had. There is not much between him and loaned out Franciso Javier who as i write this will get his chance next season.
Our starting front two combined for 104 goals. The others did practically nothing but the chances for Logan, Candia & Samuel were limited but all are short of the English strikers.
However, all my players deserve a pat on the back after filling the team of the year. The first time i can remember seeing this. Particularly amazing considering Celtic finished as close as the league did.
Champions League team is not 100% dons but 9/11 is not bad huh!
My Players of the Year Top 3
1st - Richard Ivings
The English striker took his first chance at starting by having the greatest season any player of mine has ever had. A back up at best since joining from Chelsea for £230k!!! a total of 14 MOTM's and 55 goals and my first ever +8 rating for the season will lead to an interesting market in the summer. But he is not for sale at any price, under £200m.
His greatest personal achievement may be breaking Larsson's goals in a season's record.
2nd - Alexander Daza
While Ivings was having the greatest striker season of all time we had Daza on the right wing was providing the assists that gave him an equally ridiculous 7,92 average rating for a winger that scored only 11 goals!
3rd - Marcus Sheldon
Almost a footnote to Ivings record scoring season the great Sheldon hit 49 goals himself most often scoring in the big games.
4th - Hernan Arce
I know its a top 3 but Arce was right there scoring a 7,79 good enough to be the best in virtually every previous season it would not be fair to keep him from this list.
SPL Final Table
If you just look at Aberdeen it looks like except for a few defeats at the end the record GD 112, goals scored 143 would suggest it was an easy title win. Step back and you see both halves of the old firm are within 7 points of or title-winning team both coming on very strong at the end. Worrying/exciting for 2030/31. Hibs are the best of the rest with Hamilton there regular top 6 teams. Ross County were the weakest side in this half of the split. The bottom half has underachievers like Dundee Utd & Hearts. failing teams St Mirren & Dundee and the worst of the lost St Johnstone only surviving due to the gap between the SPL and Championship teams. Maybe Kilmarnock who has only been out of the league for 2 years might change that.
Play-Off
St Johnstone 5-1 Falkirk
St Johnstone survive again
Europa League
Juventus 1-3 Inter
Minimal British interest in the Europa League with an Italian domination of the knockout stages and the final where we were treated to an Italia Derby which was won by Inter.
Europa League 2
Marseille 0-1 Toulouse AET
Like the above trophy it was dominated by a nation, France this time and here's a blast from the past. The winners Toulouse are managed by former real-life Dons defender Antoine Kombouare. The only man to have a shot clear the Richard Donald Stand.
Just in case that doesn't sound humiliating enough. Here is the stand compared to a Micra.
Following this major success I can't promise the updates will flow as fast as they have for the next few weeks. Due to COVID19 I'm having to work more than ever and on top of that, I'm making a comeback in F1 2018 now that I'm armed with a steering wheel kit that will be my main game for now. And the final nail in the coffin is my wife's been inspired to redecorate the house during this crisis and reminded me I have a kitchen and playhouse to build before there birthday in 2 weeks. Not a chance In **** this is ending. I just can't see me getting much time at the game for the next few weeks.