Mystery men on Jimmy’s radar

 

Published: 06/12/2008

 

ABERDEEN are homing in on at least two potential January transfer targets.

 

Dons boss Jimmy Calderwood confirmed they are interested in two of the players who were scouted over the last three weeks.

 

Calderwood and his coaching staff have been out and about spying at games in England’s reserve and lower leagues.

 

Calderwood said: “A couple of the players we watched caught the eye and we shall wait and see what happens. We are still working hard and have drawn up loads of lists.

 

“I would rather not give any more details at this stage.â€

 

The extent of business done by the Dons in January will be influenced by whether the six senior players whose deals are expiring sign new contracts.

 

Skipper Scott Severin, Darren Mackie, Jamie Smith, Derek Young, Jeffrey de Visscher and Lee Mair would all be free to speak to other clubs from January 1.

 

It’s believed the Dons are keen to offer deals to all six, although Calderwood was reluctant to confirm that at this stage.

 

“I’ll talk to the players first before I tell the press,†said the Dons boss.

 

“The talks with the players will be sorted out – one way or another – before the end of January.â€

 

Calderwood’s biggest fear is club’s south of the border might come in and offer better deals – as they did when Michael Hart and Chris Clark moved on last January.

 

He said: “Scottish clubs just can’t compete with the money on offer in England.

 

“If a player wants to go, there is nothing we can do to stop them and that goes for the Old Firm as well.

 

“Replacing them with ones of the same quality is the hard bit.â€

 

The Dons are hopeful that winger Smith, who has been sidelined by a calf injury, will be back in action before Christmas.

 

Calderwood said: “Jamie is back training and in good spirits.â€

File under 'Touzani'.

File under 'Touzani'.

 

Doesn't seem as injury prone, although only Jamie Smith, aka Mrs Columbo, has a record near his.

From the little I've seen of him, inconsistency seems to be his problem, although I guess we could say that about the team as a whole? 

 

I think he's the sort of player who'll look brilliant in a team that's flying, but on the other side of the coin, he'll look anonymous when a team's playing sh*te.  He needs a run of games...

 

He's never given a chance long enough to see if he's consistent or otherwise. He's generally one of the first players dropped regardless of form. Not sure why that is, but I'd like to see him get a decent run in the side. If he gets that, and it's not happening then fair enough, let the guy go.  I just feel his craft has been sacrificed too readily for the graft of guys like Young and Foster.

I just feel his craft has been sacrificed too readily for the graft of guys like Young and Foster.

 

Totally agree with what you're saying, but considering the team's form this season, isn't it understandable that JC has played Young over De Visscher given the latter is more of a luxury player?

That's the biggest problem with him though BB, there is very little of said graft to speak of from him, we do need everyone to dig in a bit in games as well as play nice fitba. An unpleasant truth but truth nonetheless.

Doesn't seem as injury prone, although only Jamie Smith, aka Mrs Columbo, has a record near his.

 

The similarities that I draw between him an Touzani are that he's hardly ever played regardless of when he's played well, never had a run of games, came from teams they weren't getting games at (injuries?), look quite skillful but like a bit more time on the ball and both are Dutch.

 

He's not featuring enough, not even as a sub and I just can't imagine why he'd be here past his current contract.

 

I'm still utterly convinced that this is some sort of tax dodge for the club or they're brought on board to play in the reserves and show the youngsters that the Scottish regime of 10 pints and a kebab after Liquid isn't the best way to train.

 

Otherwise, why not just blood one of the younger players 2 or 3 times a season?

Totally agree with what you're saying, but considering the team's form this season, isn't it understandable that JC has played Young over De Visscher given the latter is more of a luxury player?

 

I have never seen anything of De Visscher to suggest he is a luxury player I think he has been pretty woeful every time

I have never seen anything of De Visscher to suggest he is a luxury player I think he has been pretty woeful every time

 

Not in the respect that he's like Ronaldinho, more-so in that his workrate isn't the greatest compared to say Foster/Young, and we can't afford to have him in the team week on week... 

 

I'm still utterly convinced that this is some sort of tax dodge for the club or they're brought on board to play in the reserves and show the youngsters that the Scottish regime of 10 pints and a kebab after Liquid isn't the best way to train.

 

Tax dodge? 

 

Scottish regime of 10 pints and a kebab?  How many youngsters do we have that do this? 

Not in the respect that he's like Ronaldinho, more-so in that his workrate isn't the greatest compared to say Foster/Young, and we can't afford to have him in the team week on week... 

 

I'm with Hebrew on this, I think he's simply not good enough.

 

I keep hearing he's too slow yet people were quick enough to moan about Steve Tosh and Dempsey because of this.  The difference being that they actually played games and scored a few goals too.

 

[quote author= link=topic=6860.msg104616#msg104616 date=1228928854]Scottish regime of 10 pints and a kebab?  How many youngsters do we have that do this? 

 

7.

I'm with Hebrew on this, I think he's simply not good enough.

 

I keep hearing he's too slow yet people were quick enough to moan about Steve Tosh and Dempsey because of this. 

 

 

But then JDV can actually pass a ball, which I think should be a prerequisite for a pro footballer and in particular a midfielder. However, maybe i'm just old fashioned that way.

 

The difference being that they actually played games and scored a few goals too.

 

it's not really JDV's fault he's not getting picked though (well it will be to a point of course, but you know what i mean I'm sure). As said previously, he doesn't get anywhere near the amount of chances players of clearly less ability do (Foster, Young in particular).

As said previously, he doesn't get anywhere near the amount of chances players of clearly less ability do (Foster, Young in particular).

 

And for that reason alone I don't see the point in him being here.

And for that reason alone I don't see the point in him being here.

 

Then you have to ask questions of the management, I'd imagine.

Then you have to ask questions of the management, I'd imagine.

 

I could but then what good would it do me?

 

JDV hasn't worked at Aberdeen for one reason or the other so it's time to try someone new in my opinion.

I could but then what good would it do me?

 

JDV hasn't worked at Aberdeen for one reason or the other so it's time to try someone new in my opinion.

 

That's fine, no need to get your knickers in a twist!

I'm not. 

Its ironic that JC promotes a Dutch style football where players must offer dynamicism and flexibility in their skill set while he brings in Dutch players like JDV who have very little versatility and so therefor find themselves on the fringes for most games.

 

His apparent belief that the SPL can sustain a team who play beautiful flowing football with crisp passing and multi-skilled players in a variety of roles seems to regularly give way to a bunch of squad players who are willing to run around like nutters, giving their all for the cause.

 

Ideology meets reality with mediocre results most Saturdays. Welcome to Aberdeen FC

Ideology meets reality with mediocre results most Saturdays.

 

Dude, you do realise we're a bunch of lads who like beer, tits, fitba and skiving off work to post on here don't you? 

 

His apparent belief that the SPL can sustain a team who play beautiful flowing football with crisp passing and multi-skilled players in a variety of roles seems to regularly give way to a bunch of squad players who are willing to run around like nutters, giving their all for the cause.

 

That may have a lot to do with the fact that the budget we have can only support the latter and as much as we would prefer the former, we just can't afford them.

 

 

That may have a lot to do with the fact that the budget we have can only support the latter and as much as we would prefer the former, we just can't afford them.

 

 

 

Is about the size of it. 

That may have a lot to do with the fact that the budget we have can only support the latter and as much as we would prefer the former, we just can't afford them.

 

 

 

Exactly why I have said 'Ideology meets reality with mediocre results most Saturdays'

But then it's annoying to see that other teams manage to have a skillful player or two on their books.  Granted we've now got Aluko but how long have we been screaming out for someone to excite?

But then it's annoying to see that other teams manage to have a skillful player or two on their books.

 

How many are actually any good?

Jamie Smith, Aluko, Miller are all skillful players.

 

Better than what we've had to watch since Jess or Zero?

 

All of them I'd say.

Better than what we've had to watch since Jess or Zero?

 

All of them I'd say.

 

Who are the skilful players in the other teams?