Lee ends Jimmy’s defender search

 

By Andrew Moir

 

Published: 11/09/2008

 

LEE MAIR’S rock-solid form has ended Jimmy Calderwood’s search for a new defender.

 

The 27-year-old produced consecutive assured displays alongside Andy Considine to shut out Ayr United and St Mirren.

 

And those performances were enough to convince Calderwood to drop plans to sign Dutch trialist Quido Lanzaat.

 

The Dons boss also declined the offer to move for Sol Bamba, who left Dunfermline for Hibs in the January transfer window.

 

Calderwood now faces a huge selection dilemma ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Hamilton as Mair, Andy Considine, Zander Diamond and Scott Severin are all chasing two defensive slots.

 

Pittodrie assistant boss Jimmy Nicholl, a cultured defender during his playing career, heaped praise on Mair’s resurgence.

 

“Defensively, we have looked solid because Lee has come into the team and performed very well,†said Nicholl.

 

“He has proved what he’s capable of and I’ve been encouraged by his performances.

 

“Whether he keeps Scott, Andrew or Zander out of the team on Saturday is another issue.

 

“But instead of us looking to bring in another central defender, Lee has shown his worth.

 

“He had something to prove after our disastrous pre-season result when we lost 4-0 at Peterhead and he struggled.

 

“We’re now looking at him in a different light because of his last two displays.

 

“We could have signed Quido who we had on trial but Lee’s performances meant we didn’t need to do that.â€

 

Nicholl has been charged with the task of ending Aberdeen defensive problems.

 

He was unhappy with the amount of goals the Reds leaked last term.

 

But Aberdeen have recorded three clean sheets in the opening five games to give Nicholl renewed hope they’ve rediscovered a mean streak at the back.

 

He added: “Andy Considine has been performing consistently well which has helped to steady things at the back.

 

“Charlie Mulgrew has also slotted into the back four with ease and helped us in defence.

 

“Richard Foster’s game is improving all the time but it has to as we’ve now got Jared Hodgkiss in on loan as well.â€

Why do they sound surprised that Mair is a good centre half? Is that not why they signed him in the first place?

think this is more an article to point out to mair that he's in the team because of injuries but if he keeps current form up he's got a chance of being first choice.  I.e dont rest on your laurels son

How utterly fucking convenient for JC. 

 

Hopefully his good form continues.  If he can perform like he has the last couple of matches then we could at last have healthy competition for places at the back.

Lets see how he plays against teams at ahigher level than Ayr and St Mirren before we go celebrating.

Lets see how he plays against teams at ahigher level than Ayr and St Mirren before we go celebrating.

 

Exactly, wait until the real tests against United and the footballing Goliaths of Falkirk and Hibs before making any decisions about Mair.

Exactly, wait until the real tests against United and the footballing Goliaths of Falkirk and Hibs before making any decisions about Mair.

Well, they ain't exactly the Brazils of this world, but the only tougher test we care about is the dirty sisters. He may not be the best defender in the world, but if he's vaguely, by a bawhair, good enough to keep United and Falkirk from scoring, that's about as good as we can hope for right now. He's a Don isn't he? So we know where the heart is, if he performs solidly, that's good enough for me. Who knows, he may develop into the experienced partner that Diamond needs.

he didn't play too badly against Bayern!

 

Aye he is a don, Hazleheed loon

Lets see how he plays against teams at ahigher level than Ayr and St Mirren before we go celebrating.

 

I wasn't celebrating, just hoping.

I wasn't celebrating, just hoping.

 

Fair play 

Well, they ain't exactly the Brazils of this world, but the only tougher test we care about is the dirty sisters. He may not be the best defender in the world, but if he's vaguely, by a bawhair, good enough to keep United and Falkirk from scoring, that's about as good as we can hope for right now. He's a Don isn't he? So we know where the heart is, if he performs solidly, that's good enough for me. Who knows, he may develop into the experienced partner that Diamond needs.

 

I wasn't slagging Mair, just the wankathon over the usual suspects in the SPL.

Lee ends Jimmy’s defender search

 

“Defensively, we have looked solid because Lee has come into the team and performed very well,†said Nicholl.

 

“He has proved what he’s capable of and I’ve been encouraged by his performances.

 

“He had something to prove after our disastrous pre-season result when we lost 4-0 at Peterhead and he struggled.

 

“We’re now looking at him in a different light because of his last two displays.

 

 

 

 

Lee Mair dropped on back of huge praise for carthorse Severin!!

think this is more an article to point out to mair that he's dropped in from the team because of injuries but if he keeps current form up he's got a chance of being first choice on the bench .  I.e dont rest on your laurels son

 

You were close 

 

Nae a huge Mair fan however why spout to the media that 'Lee ends Jimmy’s defender search' then feckin drop him 

 

:hammer:

Happy days!!!!