http://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/Article.aspx/780769

 

DONS boss Jimmy Calderwood today reassured their furious fans they will recover from their opening day SPL jitters.

 

The Dons left the pitch to a chorus of jeers after Inverness Caley Thistle dumped them 2-0 at Pittodrie.

 

It was the Highland side’s first victory over Aberdeen at the 18th attempt.

 

It also maintained the Dons’ curious record of failing to win an opening fixture since 2002, but Calderwood won’t be pressing the panic button.

 

He said: “We have brought quality in and it will eventually shine through. “It would be daft for anyone to write us off after just one game. “If we are still in this sort of position in three months I might start to worry, but I’m sure that won’t be the case.

 

“I had bargained on us being undefeated after the first six matches, so the Inverness result has caught me by surprise.“But we will bounce back quickly. “I have faith in the players to go to Motherwell at the weekend and get the result we want. “They have to put the Inverness result behind them and stay focused on keeping us up with the leading pack after those first half a dozen games.

 

“If they do that I’m convinced we will have a very good season.â€

 

Calderwood conceded that the Dons fans were right to express their frustration after witnessing yet another opening day slip up.

 

“I’m frustrated as well because we should have been able to see them off at home,†he said.

 

“Our home form last season was good, so that makes it more annoying. “The defeat will be seen as a wake up call, but I’m fed up getting those.

 

“How many times are we going to do things like this when so many things seem to be in our favour? “Every game against Aberdeen is like a cup final for Inverness, but we failed to react properly to that. We then allowed ourselves to get frustrated and the quality our play deteriorated.â€

 

Dutch winger Jeffrey de Visscher looks likely to pay the price for a lack lustre display by dropping back on to the bench.

 

Calderwood said: “Jeffrey is an honest lad and knows he should have done a lot better.â€

 

Zander Diamond, Derek Young, Darren Mackie and new signing Tommy Wright will feature at Fir Park.

 

All four will play in tomorrow’s Reserve League clash with Inverness at Brechin.

I think its fairly common for holding midfielders who are slowing up in the later stages of their careers to drop back into central defensive roles. Its also fairly common for lightweight CBs with youth and speed on their side to operate in FB positions from time to time when injuries in small squads bite. As for players in the Foster/Clark catagory they have always had a flexible role in the squad and when budgets are tight and squad sizes are under pressure it makes sense to use these types of players where you need them most.

 

While I agree that JC makes some crazy tactical/positional decisions in games, I agree with ST that its a little hysterical to claim that it goes on endlessly.

 

Good post. 

 

JC won't get it right all of the time, especially considering the players at his disposal, the size of squad he has to work with, and the fact there's not much between most sides in the SPL.  We've lost to ICT for the first time and the JMG mob are foaming at the mouth. 

 

Funny how your wee brother doesn't correct your spelling mistakes though. 

Good post. 

 

JC won't get it right all of the time, especially considering the players at his disposal, the size of squad he has to work with, and the fact there's not much between most sides in the SPL.  We've lost to ICT for the first time and the JMG mob are foaming at the mouth. 

 

Funny how your wee brother doesn't correct your spelling mistakes though.   

 

Its amazing what a few chinese burns and dead legs in our youth can do 

Its amazing what a few chinese burns and dead legs in our youth can do 

 

That explains a lot!

chinese burns

 

Derek Young doing some Rabbie was he?