manc_don

Calderwood wants his Reds to crank up the pressure Dons set sights on Hearts and third spot By Paul Smith Published: 04/12/2008 Aberdeen have been challenged to send out a message to European rivals Hearts as the Dons bid to overhaul the Tynecastle side by the turn of the year. The third-placed Jambos will travel to Pittodrie on December 27 and the stakes will be high. Aberdeen face Kilmarnock this weekend at Rugby Park before tackling Falkirk and Caley Thistle in the build-up to the Hearts fixture. Dons manager Jimmy Calderwood wants to use those matches to crank up the pressure on the Edinburgh side in time for the festive tussle. He said: “We are getting results now and have to keep the pressure on those above us. We know how hard it will be to win the next three games but the onus is on us to make it interesting when Hearts come here at the end of the month by getting closer to them.†The Jambos have an eight-point advantage on the fifth-placed Dons but must face leaders Celtic and third-placed Dundee United before heading to Aberdeen. Calderwood is confident about his side’s chances of emerging from Kilmarnock on Saturday with full points and believes a positive result can strike fear into the opponents lined up for the Christmas period. He said: “Now the home form has improved it is important we maintain the good performances on the road as well. That all builds confidence to take into the next home match against Falkirk and then the one against Hearts. Teams have always been wary of coming to Pittodrie.†Calderwood travelled to Glasgow yesterday after being invited to join an SPL think-tank featuring Walter Smith, Gordon Strachan, Craig Levein, John Hughes and Mark McGhee as well as the league’s executive chairman Lex Gold, secretary Iain Blair and SFA vice-president Campbell Ogilvie. While Calderwood and his colleagues in the select group discussed issues including the rule dictating the inclusion of three under-21 players in each SPL squad and the structure of the reserve and under-19 leagues, his assistant, Jimmy Nicholl, is in England scouting. The Dons return to training today and hope to receive an update on Tommy Wright’s progress following an Achilles tendon injury. Calderwood said: “Tommy will, hopefully, get the cast off this week. Jamie Smith is back training with a smile on his face and Stuart Duff is doing really well after his knee operation.â€

Surely that just adds to my argument though? That the majority of Scottish players are unprofessional unlike their English counterparts where it is reversed? I agree with what you say in your previous post, but I think its a problem in Scottish mentality. They don't have the right people at the club to encourage/enforce this to show them the benefits of actually working on your game, yet they seem surprised when someone from outwidth the country comes at acts with a bit of self pride and dedication. Its beyond me why they (the players) cannot see what they need to do. Maybe the youth programme is not strict enough to guide them when they are younger and maybe they only (like many in society) live for the now rather than the future. But I don't know, just my thoughts on the subject. I know if I was a footballer I would try everything I could possibly do to improve any aspect of my game.

Haha touche

As I said, they came from professional clubs who know how to conduct themselves in a professional manner to try and get the best out of their careers.

Its something that struck me a while ago, there does seem to be a lack of professionalism in the SPL compared to in England.

I'd agree with that. I know we go over it a lot, but fuck me, where we were when he took over was a depressing and embarassing state of affairs. As frustrating as he is, I will always be grateful for that. I just wish we could be a bit more consistent in our performances and results, as this league is well and truly shite.

I think it is important to acknowledge the past, but I also think the board realise how important it is we get to Europe every season after not being in it this season. I just wish they'd thought about this over the summer, but at least we reduced our debt considerably.

I'd hope that that was all shite. Especially the Derek young and Darren Dodds bit. Mackie does deserve a testimonial, but as Jager says, I think it would be better at a smaller ground so they'd fill it.

A home game against St. Mirren. We won 2-1 courtesy of a Stavrum goal Living in Holland meant I never got to get across for games until I was about 13 or so. Still, got to see Zero perform some magic that game

Link doesn't work! But I take it they've got a new DVD out?

I sent an email to the club asking why the stewards treat non old firm fans completely different ot OF fans. Yet to receive a reply and don't expect to. I have no qualms about them doing their job, If they are going to be facists, I want them to be facist to the lot of them

Sounds quite an honest A.G.M. Nice to hear that. Bit worrying that they don't know how they are going to fund the stadium, but at least they are being honest about things. Just a shame we're not further forward with it than over a year ago.

Radio 1. Zane Lowe is playing the Stone Roses - Stone Roses. Classic! Full interviews with various people as well. Forgot to mention. He's playing the entire album.

My thoughts exactly. Hopefully Aluko will be fit and JC will start with him and MacDonald

Completely agree, the calibre of player that we have signed under JC has been significantly higher than in previous years. I know they don't always perform, but the fact they are here says something about JC.

Something which has been mentioned on MAD is that apparently MacDonald played right mid for Killie. This has got me thinking, why hasn't JC tried him there? That would mean we can actually use Seve as a holding midfielder and have a midfield consisting of: Seve MacDonald, Kerr, Aluko Wouldn't be that bad would it? Otherwise I'd have JdV,MaDonald,Kerr and Aluko. By all accounts, Young deserves to be no-where near the first team at the moment.

Well, they are nearly on target

Did amuse me the highlights near enough skipped the whole of the first half. Its nice to hear for a change we played some nice football and actually won a game as well. I've thought we've played some good football in recent months but lost out on these occassions. Lets just hope we can build on this and get a bit of momentum going. Get Pittodrie as the Psychological fortress again!

To be fair, as JC has even said (either about him or Mackie) if any of our strikers were 30 goal a season strikers, they wouldn't be with us. But I think Miller's all round game is top notch, as you say, just want a few more goals out of him.

Think this is quite a good article and I have to agree with what he says. JC saved Miller's career as he was on a road to nothing with the Jutes and now is one of the most consistent performers for our club. Thank fuck he stayed! And its good to see that even he thinks JC has still got a lot of work to do at the club.

As was mentioned on another thread, he won't be going anywhere until he wins something. No-one wants a manager that hasn't actually done anything (trophy-wise).

Before anyone starts, I didn't buy it or do I read the paper I saw it on another site so thought I should post it here Barry Nicholson: Old boss Jimmy Calderwood should move south to prove himself Nov 30 2008 By Mark Guidi FORMER Pittodrie star Barry Nicholson insists Dons gaffer Jimmy Calderwood must move to England to finally prove himself. Preston midfielder Nicholson, who quit Aberdeen on a Bosman in the summer, is adamant Calderwood's talents are going stale in the north east and the only way they'll be rejuvenated is by joining him down south. The under-fire Dons boss has looked on helplessly as an exodus of his big-name players have left for megabucks deals in the Championship. Nicholson joined ex-Pittodrie pal Michael Hart at Deepdale, Chris Clark signed for Plymouth in August and inspirational skipper Russell Anderson switched to the promotion chase at Sunderland last season. Having taken Dons to a UEFA Cup last-32 place last term Caldo has arguably punched above his weight at Pittodrie. The beleaguered manager has been unable to strengthen in the transfer market and realises the chances of silverware are remote. But Nicholson, 30, believes Jimmy will be a massive success if he works with a board prepared to back him up. And if Calderwood is targeted Nicholson reckons Dons - who announced a trading profit for last year - will only have themselves to blame. He said: "I loved working under Jimmy. I had four years with him at Dunfermline and three at Aberdeen. "I needed a change and had always wanted to try England so was pleased to sign for Preston. "Jimmy may well feel the same. It has been hard for him as he has not had much money to spend and replace the players he lost. "Hart, Clark and Anderson were all massive parts of the team. "We never really replaced them and I just felt we weren't going to get any better. It didn't look like we were going to strengthen. "If we had got more backing we could have pushed on. "If you can keep your good players for a few years it gives you a better chance. "It must be difficult for Jimmy when he's not even getting a little money to spend. I'm sure he'll want to test himself at a higher level and try England. "I know he has had a bit of stick this season but there is no need to panic. He would do well at another club if he moved on." Nicholson made his mind up a year ago he was going to quit Pittodrie under freedom of contract. However, had Dons won the Scottish Cup he may well have stayed. The 4-3 semi-final loss to Queen of the South was a devastating blow and Nicholson felta cup hangover was part of the reason for Aberdeen's poor start to this season. He said: "There's no way we should have lost to Queens. We would have played Rangers in the final and I believe we'd have beaten them. "Had we won the cup it may have swung it for me to stay. I often talk to the Aberdeen boys about losing that game and it still hurts." Nicholson now has his sights set on promotion with Preston. Alan Irvine's side are in a decent position in the Championship and Nic would love to play in the Premiership. He said: "Alan is meticulous. His planning into every aspect of the game is unbelievable. "He uses ProZone and lots of video stuff. He brings boys in individually and that has been a help as I didn't know much about the players I'd be facing down here. "Alan is great to work under and I'm enjoying the change of scenery. "Promotion to the Premiership would be special but this is a tough league. You play on a Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday and there is little time to rest. "The standard is slightly better than the SPL out with the Old Firm. The teams are also bigger and stronger - I've worked in the gym every day since I arrived. "We'll see where we are at the end of January. You always have a better idea of how things will shape up then." http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/sport-news/scottish-football/spl/aberdeen-fc/2008/11/30/barry-nicholson-old-boss-jimmy-calderwood-should-move-south-to-prove-himself-78057-20935468/

Not sure, I missed that part! But yeah, MacDonald is Nicholson's replacement. Said it after seeing him play and I've stood by it, just needs time to settle in and it would appear he is doing so. We always have been slow starters Will Tommy Wright be like a new signing?

Haha I'd forgotten about that. Nevertheless, glad to see you can keep perspective of these events A few folk on Mad are calling/debating whether or not Kerr should be given the captaincy! Some turn around after most people had written him off at the start of the season. Does this mean Jimmy C can get the best out of players? Shirley not

You still drunk Jager? I'll have whatever you're on 8 points between us and the hun b squad. If we keep a steady team we should claw that back. It felt good last night to be celebrating a win again, lets hope its one of many!