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Topic Originator: Par-timer
Date: Thu 8 May 12:04
As Scotland’s lowest scorers last season, and with Craig Wighton leaving the club, we can safely assume that the Pars will be in the market for a proven striker at Championship level to boost the goals tally next season. It could be argued that creative midfield play is what is lacking rather than a striker, given that (when fit) we already have a solid Championship goalscorer (34 in 80 games) in Chris Kane, and this year’s champions got promoted without any individual player scoring more than ten goals.
But with only Lewis McCann (11 goals in 112 Championship games), the inexperienced Sutherland brothers and the untried Connor Young (0 goals in eight matches so far) to support then injury-prone Kane, another striker is a must.
No-one in League One managed more than thirteen individual goals this season, and few in the Championship have bettered that mark in recent seasons either (only Brian Graham in 24/25, for example), so there are not many obvious candidates.
Looking at the free transfer market, both Lewis Moult (3 goals in 17 for Dundee Utd) and Tony Watt (1 in 26 on loan at Motherwell) had poor seasons and are out of contract, but both have good records in the second flight (Moult 18 in 33, Watt 13 in 37), although they are both the wrong side of 30.
The new owners have shown (with Connor Young) that they are not averse to paying a transfer fee, unlike almost all of our rivals, so a bid for a player with one year left on their contract might have some success. Dipo Akinyemi managed only four goals in 25 matches in York’s stellar season, and if they do get promoted, they may be looking for an upgrade on a striker with a great Championship record (20 in 36 games at Ayr). Or another option could be underperforming players with two years left on their contract whom teams might be happy to sell at a loss, such as Port Vale’s Ruari Paton, who scored just one goal in 28 appearances for Dundee United last term, but has a 20 in 70 games record in the Championship. For financial reasons, Hamilton will surely also listen to offers for Oli Shaw (25 in 64 Championship games), whose alertness and finishing have always impressed against the Pars.
Other proven Championship strikers with a year on their contract (Brian Graham, 115 goals in 316 games, George Oakley, 41 in 138, Lewis Vaughan, 40 in 153 and Robbie Muirhead, 40 in 169) are unlikely to be keen to switch to the Pars for various reasons, even if a bid were to be made.
Which of the above would be the best bet, and who else is missing from my list or would be a better option?
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Topic Originator: Bertie Paton
Date: Thu 8 May 12:12
Mentioned on another forum but Kai Fotheringham at Dundee United has been getting very little game time this season. Scored 14 in the Championship the year before.
Would be worth an enquiry at least. Young player too, which will appease the owners as there would be a bit on long term growth potentially there.
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Topic Originator: AlterPar
Date: Thu 8 May 12:13
Martin Boyle, Johnny Kenny.
2 players above our station but the Lennon link is there. I can see us signing a few players we don’t expect. Probably some from down south. I can’t see us making a move for any of the above.
Another player id like to see us move for is Scott Tiffoney.
Post Edited (Thu 08 May 12:13)
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Topic Originator: Paralytic77
Date: Thu 8 May 12:17
Daniel Cummings on loan from Celtic would be good, 6 goals in 7 appearances in the uefa youth league this year , he`s 19 years old
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Topic Originator: Bandy
Date: Thu 8 May 12:20
Having visited the Hive a few times this season I think Callum Stead would be perfect for the pars. He`s quick, has an incredible work rate, and his finishing has improved a lot..(it was awful prior to this season).
Under contract for another year though, and probably keen to have a crack at EFL league 2, so most likely a complete non starter.
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Topic Originator: 1985Par
Date: Thu 8 May 12:41
As was eluded to in the OP, a couple of players who can actually create chances would probably be my preference. Any striker would struggle on the service last season’s team provided.
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Topic Originator: Bandy
Date: Thu 8 May 12:42
That`s why I`d love Stead at the Pars - he creates loads of chances with his high work rate and pressing.
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Topic Originator: Par-timer
Date: Thu 8 May 12:43
A couple more left-field names to throw into the mix. Connor Shields (17 goals in 65 Championship games for QOTS and QP) will be out of contract after a disappointing couple of seasons (4 goals in 41) for Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Premier League and is still only 27. Greg Stewart (25 goals in 90 Championship matches) will also be out of contract in India but is now 35.
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Topic Originator: Kdy Par
Date: Thu 8 May 12:45
Jason Cummings was heavily linked a few weeks ago.
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Topic Originator: GJS93
Date: Thu 8 May 12:49
"a couple of players who can actually create chances would probably be my preference. Any striker would struggle on the service last season’s team provided"
^^ this, which is going to be difficult if the midfielders in particular that are still in "dialogue" re-sign and if Lennon sticks with 3 at the back.
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Topic Originator: ParfectXI
Date: Thu 8 May 12:54
I think we need to aim higher than stats like 17 goals in 65 or 4 in 41!
Apparently the manager will be given a healthy budget and as we’ve seen in the last few years players with stats like that are not worth it! If we are serious of going up we need to splash the cash on a good striking pair, a solid midfielder and a good gk! This year we don’t need to wait until the transfer window is nearing the end to pick up frees, this year we can be proactive and get who we really need!
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Topic Originator: Bertie Paton
Date: Thu 8 May 13:02
What about our 300k Bulgarian striker.
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Topic Originator: kozmasrightfoot
Date: Thu 8 May 13:06
You`re right, we need to aim higher than championship players unless they are exceptionally good. It`s a big world out there and that`s what the analytical stuff is there for.
I`m guessing that part of the Lennon deal will let him choose half the signings himself and the other half are chosen from what the analytical data ambitious machine (ADAM for short) churns out of its electronic sphincter.
Pars fan.
Magpies fan.
Mens tennis fan.
Alternative rock fan.
Not a fan of much else.
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Topic Originator: Berkey
Date: Thu 8 May 13:08
We signed bray and young in January so I get the thinking that when we bring in a new striker it will likely be from Scottish football but not sure lennon will have so many contacts outside of the premier league and it’s been a few years since he managed in Scotland.
So we might be looking at someone who has not played much min the season past in the prem but can do a job in this league or we could be looking for someone from the lower leagues in England as you have noted.
Wages wise I would suspect even in the conference in normal circumstances we might struggle to compete but now you just don’t know! Akinyemi would be decent, nice to have some pace up there and could do with more height.
Harder to identify midfielders and wingers unless they are regularly assisting and scoring, this is where the analytics need to come in and they need to be watched to see if they have leadership qualities and a turn of pace etc. again we prob need them to be free of cheap if from down south as wages will be high and needs a decent deal to get them to move up.
The post below replying to me is by one of .nets finest champions of mediocrity!
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Topic Originator: DJAS
Date: Thu 8 May 13:12
Quote:
Paralytic77, Thu 8 May 12:17
Daniel Cummings on loan from Celtic would be good, 6 goals in 7 appearances in the uefa youth league this year , he`s 19 years old
Signed a contract with West Ham
Predictor league winner 2012/2013
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Topic Originator: Angus_W
Date: Thu 8 May 13:17
What about Chris Mochrie who has looked really good against us in the last 2 games.
Lightning pace & now knows where the goal is........Id try to get him back.
“.........it ain’t over till the Pars score!”
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Topic Originator: Parfect69
Date: Thu 8 May 13:30
Quote:
Angus_W, Thu 8 May 13:17
What about Chris Mochrie who has looked really good against us in the last 2 games.
Lightning pace & now knows where the goal is........Id try to get him back.
Should have kept him in the first place, a very good player
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Topic Originator: Berkey
Date: Thu 8 May 13:31
Thought Mochrie had a good first few months on loan with us before he fell away badly but he’s a bit older and wiser now and has stood up in airdries bid for safety.
You’ve got to think with his stats in the second half of the season the analytics model would have noticed him so might be on the radar. Looks a better option than more youngsters like Stevens anyway.
The post below replying to me is by one of .nets finest champions of mediocrity!
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Topic Originator: AlterPar
Date: Thu 8 May 13:35
I’d also take Adam Frizzell
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Topic Originator: Paralytic77
Date: Thu 8 May 13:47
Quote:
DJAS, Thu 8 May 13:12
Quote:
Paralytic77, Thu 8 May 12:17
Daniel Cummings on loan from Celtic would be good, 6 goals in 7 appearances in the uefa youth league this year , he`s 19 years old
Signed a contract with West Ham
Forgot about that
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Topic Originator: Lesliepartoo
Date: Thu 8 May 13:57
Scott sinclair
Cmon ye pars
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Topic Originator: Par-timer
Date: Thu 8 May 14:01
Parfect XI - “I think we need to aim higher than stats like 17 goals in 65”
Ideally yes, but we have had too many attackers whose strike rate at this level is way too low, for example the Championship career stats of O’Hara, Todorov, McManus, Jakubiak and Wighton reveal that they all score less than one in five games. By way of comparison, a solid if unspectacular Championship journeyman like Zak Rudden scores more than one in four games, so someone like Oli Shaw (more than one in three, like Chris Kane) would statistically at least be a significant improvement on those who have struggled to find the net over the past few seasons. If you want someone to score one in two or better, realistically you are looking at a Kevin Nisbet.
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Topic Originator: wee eck
Date: Thu 8 May 14:08
Last season we were bemoaning the lack of a prolific striker as if every other Championship side had one whereas they are in fact like hen`s teeth. Of all the names mentioned above I would think Louis Moult might be the best bet, if we could afford him.
Btw, what`s happened to Alex Jakubiak? Didn`t he sign for PT recently? He hasn`t featured in their recent games.
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Topic Originator: Ahoy!Ahoy!
Date: Thu 8 May 15:27
I’d take a Moult and/or Shaw along with Kane and Young.
I can see Taylor Sutherland getting a full season out on loan next season which will probably be his last, after that I’d expect him to be one of our first team regulars.
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Topic Originator: Par-timer
Date: Thu 8 May 15:35
You’ve hit the nail on the head, wee eck, there is a real paucity of strikers who can hit a good goals-to-games ratio at this level. Every summer every team’s fans are crying out for a Simon Murray or a Brian Graham to lead the line, but the supply of attackers of that quality in Scotland just isn’t there. So like other clubs we end up taking a punt on an untried youngster (eg Yeboah, or Shankland when we had him) probably not ready for this level despite the obvious talent, someone whose career hasn’t taken off despite early promise (eg Mebude with his four career goals), a journeyman with good League One numbers or hoping against hope that a Callum Smith or a Lewis McCann will blossom into a worldbeater. Strikers who do end up down in the Championship- eg 32 year old Curtis Main at Ayr - are usually less prolific than their reputation might suggest (Main has never hit double figures in league goals in any one season). The new owners may have deeper pockets but are not magicians, and Ahoy!Ahoy!’s suggestion of getting in another proven championship scorer alongside Kane whilst allowing the promising youngsters to develop without too much weight on their shoulders seems a sensible, pragmatic and hopefully successful way ahead.
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Topic Originator: SeasonedPar
Date: Thu 8 May 15:35
Quote:
kozmasrightfoot, Thu 8 May 13:06
You`re right, we need to aim higher than championship players unless they are exceptionally good. It`s a big world out there and that`s what the analytical stuff is there for.
I`m guessing that part of the Lennon deal will let him choose half the signings himself and the other half are chosen from what the analytical data ambitious machine (ADAM for short) churns out of its electronic sphincter.
Just looked this up, so I’m no expert. If I’m reading it right, and not talking out my sphincter, players are identified (by managers, scouts etc), or proposed by agents. The specified player is then run through the software to see if they’re a good a “fit”.
Gathering metadata to create that database is possibly where James Bord hopes to make money - with that metadata getting better as the data gets bigger. Then selling g the software to clubs at different levels of the game.
https://www.footballytics.ch/post/analyticssetup-opportunities-challenges
Post Edited (Thu 08 May 17:36)
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Topic Originator: Ahoy!Ahoy!
Date: Thu 8 May 15:44
Not a striker but a winger who is out of contract is 25 year old Idris Kanu, he is rapid and causes all sorts of problems.
He would be a good addition, but as per usual I’m sure there will be a few teams sniffing around.
Post Edited (Thu 08 May 15:45)
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Topic Originator: Bandy
Date: Thu 8 May 16:16
Personally, I wouldn`t take Kanu.
He`s exciting, quick and a good dribbler - but his end product is poor, and he needs quality coaching to improve his decision making. He`s also a bit of a hot head who picks up silly bookings - he`s been hooked many times this season due to risking a red.
Potentially a great player, but I`m not sure he`ll reach his potential with us.
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Topic Originator: LochgellyAlbert
Date: Thu 8 May 16:44
Jason Cummings might be a goer given what is happening in India just now?
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Topic Originator: jake89
Date: Thu 8 May 17:51
If you look at the top scorers in the league last season you`ll see that there`s no out and out prolific goal scorers. Kane is in there but we can`t rely on him alone. We need 2 or 3 players capable of hitting the double figures. We also need a midfield that can be setting up the chances for these guys.
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Topic Originator: ParfectXI
Date: Thu 8 May 17:55
Are you all forgetting that when Bord took over (I can’t remember the exact interview) it was revealed that all 3 clubs he has ownership in would help each other in identifying a player so Cordoba might see a player that although not for them for some reason might be a great player for us or the Bulgarians and vice versa! With the rules for players visas being relaxed a bit, who knows who we could get, however, I have heard that the board and the gambling company sponsors are going to be giving a very decent transfer budget to get us into the top league as quickly as possible since that’s where the money lies! We should forget about Journeyman Championships players with a 1in 5 ratio and aim higher!
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Topic Originator: Never10yairds
Date: Thu 8 May 18:35
From the names mentioned I would be speaking to Shaw, moult and Mochrie.
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Topic Originator: AlterPar
Date: Thu 8 May 19:20
Ollie Pearce. Sell him the dream!
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Topic Originator: Alter Ego
Date: Thu 8 May 19:56
Let’s remember Kane has long term calf problems so needs to be nursed….I really think Connor Young will be a great addition when he’s back so need to sign a tall solid striker alongside him… a bit like Craw/Brewster partnership.
Mon the Pars!
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Topic Originator: AdamAntsParsStripe
Date: Thu 8 May 22:02
I don’t think we need an abundance of new strikers but one really decent signing is a must.
Kane simply isn’t to be relied on to be available and we can hope that Young can be fully fit for the new season. McCann will be back as well as Sutherland recalled from loan deal.
Our midfield is our major concern as we’ll desperately need some creativity to feed the front line.
Zwei Pints Bier und ein Päckchen Chips bitte
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Topic Originator: kozmasrightfoot
Date: Thu 8 May 23:41
Nope,2 triple a strikers I`m case Young doesn`t work out or Kane trips over a washing machine and breaks his ankle/gets hit by a kid on a swing at a play park with his kids.
Pars fan.
Magpies fan.
Mens tennis fan.
Alternative rock fan.
Not a fan of much else.
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Topic Originator: AlterPar
Date: Fri 9 May 08:54
I think if we have good creative players around Young, he will do well for us. He is a good finisher.
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Topic Originator: desparado
Date: Fri 9 May 11:01
Topic Originator: Alter Ego
Date: Thu 8 May 19:56
Let’s remember Kane has long term calf problems so needs to be nursed….I really think Connor Young will be a great addition when he’s back so need to sign a tall solid striker alongside him… a bit like Craw/Brewster partnership.
Mon the Pars!
Connor Young is 6ft 1in with his boots on so why sign a tall striker to play beside him ? We have Kane and McCann who are both quite tall and Sutherland who is smaller and more dynamic. If Sutherland goes back out on loan then maybe sign someone more like him in stature?
What an opportunity we missed in 2014.
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Topic Originator: kozmasrightfoot
Date: Fri 9 May 13:09
Connor does look like a talent, but thus far it`s all been done at a lower level.
I think he will succeed for us and look forward to him banging in free kicks and 2 yard tap ins, but what if he doesn`t?
He`s only had a tattie field so far to play on with us,hopefully next season he`ll score his first Pars goal early and take off from there.
I`d still want at least one proven quality striker brought in.
Pars fan.
Magpies fan.
Mens tennis fan.
Alternative rock fan.
Not a fan of much else.
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Topic Originator: LochgellyAlbert
Date: Fri 9 May 19:08
Surprised Nicky Clark isn`t being mentioned, St Johnstone dropping down from Premier, though he wouldn`t get a game since his father isn`t at EEP!
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Topic Originator: Ahoy!Ahoy!
Date: Fri 9 May 19:54
Connor Young will bang goals in for us once we sign players who can create chances for him.
Really excited to see Young and Bray in the team next season.
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Topic Originator: Alter Ego
Date: Fri 9 May 20:06
Agree with AhoyAhoy, Young should be our main striker playing alongside a strong forward next season. We can’t rely on Kane but he would be great to come of the bench to replace/play last 45mins?
I can’t wait to see who our midfield will be?
Mon the Pars!
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Topic Originator: CrossPar
Date: Fri 9 May 20:54
Connor Young has it all to prove at this level. Scored plenty in the division below but we all know the championship is a step up from that. He hasn`t over impressed me in the games he has played for us so far but hopefully he will come good next season. Still think we need to sign another experienced striker though.
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Topic Originator: Berkey
Date: Sat 10 May 01:54
Young was playing his trade in league 2 before he signed for us so it’s 2 leagues below championship.
Expect he’ll be raring to go next season after settling in.
Great to have someone who can also take a mean free kick in the team
The post below replying to me is by one of .nets finest champions of mediocrity!
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Topic Originator: Andrew283
Date: Sat 10 May 02:32
Quote:
Berkey, Sat 10 May 01:54
Young was playing his trade in league 2 before he signed for us so it’s 2 leagues below championship.
Expect he’ll be raring to go next season after settling in.
Great to have someone who can also take a mean free kick in the team
Bray too. Hear he is lethal with set pieces
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Topic Originator: kozmasrightfoot
Date: Sat 10 May 13:08
I forgot it was league 2 we signed him grim,for some reason I thought we signed him from Kelty, DOH! That is a big step up.
On the plus side, the goals are the sane size and in the same place. The Championship isn`t exceptional so we can only hope that with better service and a better pitch, he`ll keep banging them in.
Pars fan.
Magpies fan.
Mens tennis fan.
Alternative rock fan.
Not a fan of much else.
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Topic Originator: Berkey
Date: Sat 10 May 20:09
As a near ever present he scored 25 goals for Hibs U18s in season 2021-2022 attracting the interests of Rangers. After an agreed five figure fee, he joined David McCallum’s Rangers B side for the 2022-2023 season and made 28 appearances for them in the Lowland League and SPFL Trust Trophy. A team mate in the early part of his time at Rangers was Kane Ritchie-Hosler before his loan move to Dunfermline at the end of September.
Rangers gave him UEFA Youth League experience against Napoli, Liverpool and Ajax. In February 2023 Connor went out on loan to East Fife and in September 2023 signed for Clyde. Despite scoring four goals in 15 starts and ten appearances off the bench no contract was on the table at the end of that season but he was snapped up by Edinburgh City.
So young has a good pedigree despite still only being 20. Has everything required to be the next Kevin Nesbit for us.
The post below replying to me is by one of .nets finest champions of mediocrity!
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Topic Originator: buffy
Date: Sat 10 May 20:32
It’s NISBET !!!
Jeesh
”Buffy’s Buns are the finest in Fife”, J. Spence 2019”
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Topic Originator: Berkey
Date: Sun 11 May 02:10
Apologies bluffy
The post below replying to me is by one of .nets finest champions of mediocrity!
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Topic Originator: Row_ZZ
Date: Sun 11 May 15:58
If people think we can offer higher wages than National League teams with ambitions to play in League 2 down south, they`re dreaming. They`ll be able to offer triple, at least, the maximum we can afford.
Think we need to aim a wee bit lower. Oli Shaw would be a shout I reckon. Cummings might want back home due to the situation in India, so he could be a shout if his club allow it. But I agree on the whole though: we need a striker that`s going to be fit every week for us that is at least a goal threat, but it needs to be married up with creative players.
"A smile might be good!"
"Nothing to smile about in my life"
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Topic Originator: kozmasrightfoot
Date: Sun 11 May 16:54
Shaw doesn`t fill me with excitement. He scored the same amount of Kane over more games. Except for one season with Kilmarnock he`s not been remotely prolific. Last season he scored 0 goals in 19 games.
Hard pass for me,we can do better, and I suspect our new owners will offer very competitive wages. Its not the skinflint Germans anymore.
Hopefully, they`re scouring Irish, Welsh and European leagues for a hidden gem instead of just looking at Scotland and England.
Pars fan.
Magpies fan.
Mens tennis fan.
Alternative rock fan.
Not a fan of much else.
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