| Topic: Zak Rudden |
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| 81. Author: Indiapar1 Date: Thu 28th Aug 2025. 21:37 Some players just play their game, plug away, and are consistent without creating a fuss. At 25 years old. he has his best football to come. He has dropped down a division because he wants to play regularly. That tells me he has the right attitude. Sometimes, you have to take a step back to take a step forward. Sometimes its not about the best players but players who can play well with each other to become more than the sum of their parts. G Wardrope Post Edited (Thu 28 Aug 21:39) Reply |
| 82. Author: Dave_1885 Date: Thu 28th Aug 2025. 22:48 DAPAR, Thu 28 Aug 20:57 “Influencers” are the exact problem with the world these days. People like Bonnie Blue and Ibiza Final Boss getting famous for ridiculous reasons and the teens lap it up these days. The people are the reason that pubs and nightlife are struggling to succeed. They are also the reason that the nations next generation are going to grow up entitled to anything and everything without lifting a finger to earn it. Its also a reason that football clubs will struggle - either with dwindling numbers or more idiots disobeying the rules (pyro, racism etc) to get a “like” on Facebook Post Edited (Thu 28 Aug 22:50) Reply |
| 83. Author: DBA Date: Thu 28th Aug 2025. 23:30 Dave_1885, Thu 28 Aug 22:48 Welcome Zak Rudden. Ignore the boomers and enjoy your football. Reply |
| 84. Author: Higgys Mohawk Date: Fri 29th Aug 2025. 01:12 Bandy, Thu 28 Aug 20:14 And had Bartosz Tarachulski and Jesper Christiansen around that time too Reply |
| 85. Author: Higgys Mohawk Date: Fri 29th Aug 2025. 01:18 I think Rudden will be alright. I’m sure a few years ago fans were disappointed when we missed out on him under McPake (think he went to Raith). I think he’ll offer something different that we’ve not had since Todorov. An out-and-out 6ft+ striker to get on the end of crosses into the box. With Kearney, Caceres, Fraser, KRH we’ll hopefully get him some service. Reply |
| 86. Author: PARrot Date: Fri 29th Aug 2025. 06:29 DunfyDave, Thu 28 Aug 20:33 He is a Trumpski fan. Kinda puts his assesment of people in the twilight zone Reply |
| 87. Author: Angus_W Date: Fri 29th Aug 2025. 07:03 Indiapar1…….. Spot on, great post. ‘Hello my name is Jefferson - I’m happy to be here let’s go!’ Reply |
| 88. Author: jake89 Date: Fri 29th Aug 2025. 08:23 Angus_W, Fri 29 Aug 07:03 Agreed. Reply |
| 89. Author: RossDAFC Date: Fri 29th Aug 2025. 09:16 I think there are a few different angles to this signing: 1 - Disappointment will firstly stem from Pars fans expecting a bigger name and/or a more proven goalscorer and see the signing as a lack of ambition given we clearly did not want him when he was available upon the expiry of his contract. 2 - The `data-led` approach doesn`t really support this signing but it may be one that Lennon veto`d in order to get him in. I had a look at his stats vs McCann last season here https://x.com/RossHScouting - we are essentially looking at him just to score goals which ultimately is what strikers do, but offers a very average all round game outside of this. 3 - `One of our worst signings ever` before he`s kicked a ball is crazy. I`m not exactly enthusiastic about it as I think there were better options out there but he scored 2 goals less than the hero and saviour Chris Kane last season and has a pretty spotless injury record. Got to give him a chance at least. Reply |
| 90. Author: CrossPar Date: Fri 29th Aug 2025. 09:27 And a few of Kane`s goals were from the penalty spot. Reply |
| 91. Author: DAFCDAFT Date: Fri 29th Aug 2025. 09:36 Not sure if this has been mentioned anywhere yet and I`m just slow to find out but I understand from a Livingston fan that we paid £110k for Rudden. Not sure how accurate or not that is. Like others I`m not overly excited by the signing but absolutely wishing him the best and hope he does a fantastic job for us. I think he could be the one that surprises us the most! Big name signings are not always the best anyway... Wanyama prime example of that. So much hype very little impact. We can try and fling lots of money at bigger names but ultimately we still have to convince them to come to the championship. Good luck Zac! Reply |
| 92. Author: DA-go Par Adonis Date: Fri 29th Aug 2025. 09:40 "1 - Disappointment will firstly stem from Pars fans expecting a bigger name and/or a more proven goalscorer and see the signing as a lack of ambition given we clearly did not want him when he was available upon the expiry of his contract." That`s not clear at all. He signed for a team in the Premier League with a really good manager. Also, re the data, reports from those who have watched Rudden suggest that he works pretty hard out of possession and doesn`t give the defenders much peace. It could be Lennon & Co want us to win the ball back more quickly and further up the park - and they may have data to suggest Rudden will enhance our chances of doing that. Post Edited (Fri 29 Aug 09:51) Reply |
| 93. Author: king lad Date: Fri 29th Aug 2025. 10:11 DAFCDAFT, Fri 29 Aug 09:36 We paid a nominal fee for him (by Martindale`s comment), so probably something in the very low 5 figures, perhaps even 4 figures to cover a signing on fee when he signed on at Livingston. As much as anything they`ll have wanted to free up a wage to strengthen elsewhere presumably Post Edited (Fri 29 Aug 10:12) Reply |
| 94. Author: DAFCDAFT Date: Fri 29th Aug 2025. 10:57 That makes much more sense King Lad, £110k did seem a bit much when I heard that but reasonably reliable livi source so thought maybe true 🤷 Good to know the risk was much less for our club, hopefully another bit of good business. Fingers crossed he does well. Reply |
| 95. Author: fcda Date: Fri 29th Aug 2025. 12:20 Similar stats to Oli Shaw last season. Reply |
| 96. Author: Indiapar1 Date: Fri 29th Aug 2025. 12:54 I think its too simplistic to say what he did last year will continue this year. There are far too many variables. I think that you have to give the guy a chance to prove himself. The big pluses in terms of his signing are 1. He is prepared to sign for us 2. He wants to play 3. He stepped down a league to play more regularly 4. He can score goals 5. He is planning ahead based on his conversation with NL 6. Dropping down a league to play under NL is a smart move in my view. It`s not about the money. He is probably thinking I can learn from a manager who has managed at the highest level in Scottish football. I personally would prejudge him. I would like to give him the opportunity to prove himself. After all, 10 goals in a season might win you 10 games G Wardrope Reply |
| 97. Author: neils Date: Fri 29th Aug 2025. 13:56 He`s a decent Championship striker, can`t see what is negative about that! It`s a bit reassuring, the owners have clearly overall spent a lot, but are in no way splashing ridiculous sums anywhere -its all been targeted. Reply |
| 98. Author: DBA Date: Fri 29th Aug 2025. 14:10 My initial reaction to the signing was underwhelming. He`s never really impressed me as an opposition player, and he was available for free not too long ago. However, when you compare him to our current attacking options, he`s clearly better than Young at this level (so far) so will be a definite upgrade when Kane isn`t available. Can`t say it`s an exciting signing, but also not disappointing. If he gets 8-10 goals this season then he`s better than anyone apart from Kane for the last few years. Welcome Zak! Reply |
| 99. Author: SeasonedPar Date: Fri 29th Aug 2025. 14:21 Isn’t the issue we all had expectations of a “marque” signing? Good luck to the lad, an honest, experienced pro, he’ll not only score goals but create space for others. What’s not to like? Reply |
| 100. Author: wee eck Date: Fri 29th Aug 2025. 14:26 Folk seem to put a lot of faith in historical data as predictors of what`s likely to happen in the future. I think goalscoring stats can show a general trend but there is plenty evidence of certain players exceeding previous performances when they arrive at a club, maybe because they strike a good relationship with particular players, the style of play suits them or they get individual coaching to improve their game. It can work in the opposite direction too, of course. I think you`re on shakier ground trying to extrapolate appearances based on past records. Avoiding or suffering injuries in football can be down to good or bad luck and who knows if that luck will continue. I remember when Andy Smith joined us from Airdrie in the 1990s. His first game was a pre-season friendly at EEP against Bolton Wanderers. He broke a leg and was out of action until November. Thankfully he went on to have a successful career with the Pars, scoring many vital goals. Reply |