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Topic: First team squad.
1. Author:  sjapar        
Date: Sat 26th Jul 2025. 08:22

Are we any better off than when the Germans were running the show ?

Sja

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2. Author:  neilholland999        
Date: Sat 26th Jul 2025. 08:26

Who knows? We`re about to find out once the league campaign gets underway. We also have a different management/coaching team now and some of the younger players are starting to impress whilst on first team duties...

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3. Author:  wee eck        
Date: Sat 26th Jul 2025. 08:32

It`s a strange question to ask in the middle of a transfer window is it not?

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4. Author:  Bucuresti Par        
Date: Sat 26th Jul 2025. 08:33

Yes, the squad is larger, we have signed a number of promising young players. Some of our own youth players have clearly developed as well.

We are lacking a goalkeeper and a couple of forwards (or another 10).

I`d also imagine a few of the Sutherlands, Ngwenya, Todd, Fisher, Sam Young may be moved on, on loan in some cases.



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5. Author:  SusieQ        
Date: Sat 26th Jul 2025. 08:37

There`s more optimism I think with the early results.

The display against Hearts, for example, was mainly encouraging despite a bad start & just a shame about the pens. The rest of the time we definitely gave them a game.

I`d like to see an improvement on the playing style - not necessarily meaning we`re going to win every game, but after the last few years especially, that would be a big step forward.

Signs so far are encouraging, unlike anything we saw last season. And we are scoring goals which is also greatly improved!

Live in hope, haha!

COYP đŸ€žđŸŒđŸđŸ‘đŸŒ


COME ON YE PARS!


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6. Author:  Berkey        
Date: Sat 26th Jul 2025. 08:38

I guess we’ll only know for sure once we start playing other championship teams. Some players have impressed pre season but it’s been against part time league 2 opposition and Hamilton who have lost half their team. We did well against hearts but it was very much a 1 off game with both sides bedding in new players etc.

We’re stronger in midfielder as both gilmour and amade look like upgrades but again it’s based playing weaker teams. The Tod brothers look promising but it’s a big jump up to championship level so think they will be in and out the team at best. Mullan seems to have become a little inconsistent.

Kearney surely must be an upgrade on KRH who hasn’t produced anything of note in the championship, not convinced on Otoo on the left but otherwise where do you play him.

We’re still missing the cutting edge and quality upfront, cooper has made a good start to preseason but it would be some turnaround to see him regularly getting the goals and assists to propel us up this league. He certainly won’t do it on his own.

To be honest there’s a few in the squad, mostly midfielders who we could let go on loan. You can see some of last seasons underperformers who were lucky enough to still have a contract are very much moved to the fringes of things now.

The post below replying to me is by one of .nets finest champions of mediocrity!

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7. Author:  cammypar 1995        
Date: Sat 26th Jul 2025. 08:59

The current management setup feels far superior than anything we had under the German lot. Back then, it always felt like they had the ambition but none of the understanding of what it actually takes to run a club like Dunfermline properly, especially at this level.

The Rosyth project was the perfect example: started with a fanfare, some shiny plans and a few grants, but when it came down to actual football operations, it was all a bit of a smokescreen. The squad was crying out for proper investment, and instead we were left with an astro park and a glorified building site no one can go and watch a match. Not exactly legacy building stuff.

Compare that to Bord and Co. They’ve spent, but they’ve spent wisely. Got Lennon in, bolstered the backroom with proper coaching and sports science folk, and actually addressed things fans have been shouting about for years. The pitch getting redone, the Legends improvements, even the matchday experience which the Germans kept harping on about. It’s all been properly followed through instead of just being what fans want to hear in the paper.

Squad wise though ? Early days but it’s shaping up to be stronger. But as a club we’re absolutely in a better place. Less talk, more action. Long may it continue.

c'mon the pars

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8. Author:  Bannockburn Par        
Date: Sat 26th Jul 2025. 09:07

The Club has definitely taken a big step forward. So much good going on off and on the field of play. It might take until next season before we are ready to challenge for the league title. The squad still needs at least 4 experienced players in before the window closes. 2 forwards, CB and a goalkeeper would go a long way.
I am definitely the most excited I have been in a very long time about the season ahead and beyond.

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9. Author:  LEGEND85        
Date: Sat 26th Jul 2025. 09:08

Think the recruitment looks OK so far but I think it`s this extra experience they have talked about that is probably going to dictate our season.

I think considering how bad last season was it does feel like fans are optimistic about next season but I think without a couple of players in before next weekend and a defeat then the bubble could burst a wee bit.

For me I`m not interested in how much is left of the transfer window we should have a strong enough squad to start next weekend against Morton and I`d argue right now we don`t.

We need a Falkirk style start to the season wins on the board and really build some momentum and not deflating defeats.

If Kane isn`t in the squad and Connor Young isn`t in the squad then 2 strikers will be required ASAP.

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10. Author:  Higgys Mohawk        
Date: Sat 26th Jul 2025. 09:15

I think the initial optimism about the potential “marquee signings” has gone and it looks like we’re back in the youth market in terms of affordability? Iain Brunskill post Hamilton was telling.

“When pressed about potential new signings, the 48 year-old Englishman acknowledged the complexities of the transfer market:- “There’s been players identified, and I’m saying we need to do this, we need to do that but it’s not that easy and everybody’s in the same boat. You’ve got to identify someone. Then you’ve got to see whether they’re affordable, they’re available. Then there’s the other negotiations that take place.”

The early rumours of Fletcher, Cummings etc now seem a bit far fetched?

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11. Author:  wee eck        
Date: Sat 26th Jul 2025. 09:29

`The early rumours of Fletcher, Cummings etc now seem a bit far fetched?`

Maybe that`s because they WERE far-fetched. Did people actually think that a club of our status could dictate terms in the market for full-time football players? I think NL has been quite canny in his dealings and he hasn`t finished yet by all accounts.



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12. Author:  Athletico        
Date: Sat 26th Jul 2025. 09:33

I think the initial optimism about the potential “marquee signings” has gone and it looks like we’re back in the youth market in terms of affordability? Iain Brunskill post Hamilton was telling.

Affordability is not the issue, we spent a near 100k on Kearney, a fee for Macleod and we`ve just had a record 6 figure shirt sponsor come in.



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13. Author:  neilholland999        
Date: Sat 26th Jul 2025. 09:41

Athletico, I don`t recall Kearney`s transfer fee being disclosed anywhere. Whereabouts have you seen that sort of figure?

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14. Author:  Athletico        
Date: Sat 26th Jul 2025. 09:52

Belfast Telegraph

https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/neil-lennons-dunfermline-confirm-signing-of-cliftonvilles-northern-ireland-under-21-star-in-100k-deal/a653522912.html



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15. Author:  Raymie the Legend        
Date: Sat 26th Jul 2025. 10:14

Athletico, Sat 26 Jul 09:33

I think the initial optimism about the potential “marquee signings” has gone and it looks like we’re back in the youth market in terms of affordability? Iain Brunskill post Hamilton was telling.

Affordability is not the issue, we spent a near 100k on Kearney, a fee for Macleod and we`ve just had a record 6 figure shirt sponsor come in.


I tend to agree here. My worry is why we have not been able to get any of these type of players in? We are needing them.




It`s bloody tough being a legend
Ron Atkinson - 1983


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16. Author:  wee eck        
Date: Sat 26th Jul 2025. 10:24

Is it really that hard to understand, Raymie? We were credited with an interest in Brian Graham. If Falkirk came in and offered him the chance to play in the Scottish Premiership which option do you expect him to accept? Signing `experienced` players is always going to be difficult even if we`re backed by a rich owner.



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17. Author:  cammypar 1995        
Date: Sat 26th Jul 2025. 10:26

People get too caught up in the idea of a “marquee signing” as if it needs to be some flashy arrival. Truth is, a marquee signing is just a player brought in to make a statement and grab attention, maybe sell some shirts, but it doesn’t always translate to on pitch impact. Wanyama being a perfect example.

Look at Gilmour he is head and shoulders above what we had last season in the middle of the park. Same goes for Kearney, looks far more natural at RWB and actually offers something going forward, unlike Comrie who just looked lost in that role.

Amade as well nobody was raving about him when he signed but he’s turning into a proper asset. Then you’ve got boys like Tod and Cooper who’ve stepped it up massively and feels like we’ve strengthened the squad without even making a signing.

At the end of the day, you don’t need a marquee name if the squad’s improving overall. Rather have players who fit the system and raise the level than pay a hefty fee for someone who ends up a passenger. We’ve done that before and it never ends well.

c'mon the pars

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18. Author:  Rusty Shackleford        
Date: Sat 26th Jul 2025. 10:39

Good post Cammy.

I`ll ask the question I asked on another thread... Before Arfield signed in the January window, how many of Falkirks squad that had them clear at the top of the league were proven at that level?

People make too much of that IMO. Everyone who is proven at that level was unproven at some stage. Amade, TOB, Kearney and Gilmour already look streets ahead of what we had last year. The Tods are swimming with potential. Good times ahead.

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19. Author:  Raymie the Legend        
Date: Sat 26th Jul 2025. 10:50

I’ll replace “marquee” with “experienced” as that is what I think we need. When the team is going through a tough spell, it’s to these players that the younger ones will look to for support. It’s probably why Bene still plays?

To answer wee eck, the Graham decision I can understand, but there are many others out there, surely?

Money wouldn’t appear to be a problem for us? We have an excellent manager. We have a great stadium and fan base. Dunfermline is a decent place to live. The club appears to be on the up, but, so far, we can’t seem to get them in the door.




It`s bloody tough being a legend
Ron Atkinson - 1983


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20. Author:  Indiapar1        
Date: Sat 26th Jul 2025. 10:57

There are obviously many variables including availability, cost, salary, personal circumstances etc. On top of that you want the right experience and as such the right individuals who want to train, want to play, have the right attitude and hungry for success. Younger players are always looking upwards in terms of their careers. You don`t want players who are looking downwards in my view. That means `experience` around the 25 - 28 age group with no great injury history. Those players are like gold dust.

G Wardrope

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