http://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/Article.aspx/909512

 

ABERDEEN fans were today warned it could be Christmas before they see the best of Tommy Wright.

 

Sections of the Red Army have questioned why Dons boss Jimmy Calderwood splashed out £75,000 on the striker – only to leave him on the bench.

 

But Calderwood is convinced the striker will still be a Pittodrie hit.

 

“I have seen enough of Tommy Wright to know he will be a very good player for Aberdeen,†he said.

 

“We haven’t seen what Tommy is capable of, but he has to get match fit first.

 

“Unfortunately he missed pre-season and could not do the training sheet I gave the players in the summer, so it was a double whammy for him.

 

“It is very difficult to come back from that because you are always fighting against the tide

 

“If you do not have that fitness you tend to play a game, then you are injured for two. It is a vicious circle.

 

“But Tommy is working his socks off in training and after Christmas, we will finally see him at his best.â€

 

The 24-year-old has started just one game since his transfer from Darlington.

 

That ended in disaster, as a bizarre hand-ball from Wright gifted Dundee United a winning penalty in a 1-0 loss.

 

“This has been a difficult time for Tommy because he has always been first choice at a club, even when out on loan,†said Calderwood.

 

“It is hard for the lad to come up here and have to sit on the bench.

 

“But Tommy is a great lad, his attitude is fantastic, he is battling away in training and is a positive influence in the dressing room.â€

 

Since his arrival from Darlington the striker has been no stranger to run-ins with referees.

 

Dons chiefs even feared the ex Leicester City front-man was being victimised by referees. And Calderwood reckons he must also alter his style to flourish in the SPL.

 

“After playing for so long down in England, Tommy has a certain way of protecting himself,†said Calderwood.

 

“He goes in with his arms up and people tend to back into his elbows.

 

“That is the way he played in England, but you cannot get away with that up here. Tommy has to learn that.â€

 

 

This is confusing me, he has been here for 2 months and he isnt at his peak fitness? Even though he never got his sheet I'm sure he wasnt that unfit!

Probably more pointless due to the 1st Division being slightly above our level.

 

 

Cheer up xxxx