By Michael Gannon

 

Published: 11/12/2008

 

Jimmy Calderwood

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood is determined to fend off any advances for his key players in the January transfer window.

 

He is well aware the Dons are susceptible to the attention of wealthy English clubs after the experiences of last winter.

 

Calderwood watched top performers Chris Clark and Michael Hart leave Pittodrie 12 months ago when lucrative offers from Plymouth and Preston respectively convinced the Dons to cash in on their assets before their contracts expired. Several players are in a similar situation this season, with captain Scott Severin, attackers Jamie Smith and Darren Mackie plus Derek Young, Lee Mair and Jeffrey de Visscher all entering the final six months of their current deals.

 

Contract negotiations will begin in the new year but Calderwood is also concerned that some of his other top performers this season may be attracting the attention of clubs down south.

 

Championship scouts continue to frequent Pittodrie and forward Lee Miller, recently recalled to the Scotland set-up, attacker Sone Aluko and goalkeeper Jamie Langfield have all been subject to varying levels of conjecture south of the border.

 

All three are contracted to Aberdeen for at least another 18 months and Calderwood insisted it would take substantial bids to remove them.

 

He said: “The good thing is that they are all under fairly lengthy contracts.

 

“We can decide where they go and it would take silly money to get those players.

 

“You do not mind people talking about your players. It means they are doing something right. If a big-money offer comes in from England then you cannot say no.

 

“It is difficult for the clubs in Scotland to compete with the money down south – and that includes Rangers and Celtic these days.

 

“But we have not heard anything so far and hopefully that will not change.â€

 

Calderwood is preparing his squad for Saturday’s visit of Falkirk.

 

A run of three consecutive home victories helped haul the Dons away from the foot of the table but Calderwood’s side are hoping to rein in the deficit to third spot.

 

They are eight points behind Dundee United and Hearts, who face Rangers and Celtic respectively this weekend.

 

Calderwood added: “There is a big incentive for us to get three points. The two of the teams above us vying for third place are up against the Old Firm so if results go our way the gap could be down to five. Maybe then people will start talking about Aberdeen being credible challengers for third rather than the idiots who were talking about us being in a fight against relegation not so long ago. I feel we are improving all the time but it is vital to get the win.â€

 

Former Dons defender Richie Byrne’s hopes of finding a new club have been dealt a blow after he was forced off with a hamstring strain during a reserve match for League 1 outfit Hartlepool United.

 

The 27-year-old is a free agent after a spell at Oldham and has had trials at Inverness Caley Thistle and at Walsall.

 

SELL SELL SELL 

 

 

 

But that would leave us with Bossu 

 

If we sell Langfield then we'll just be jumping into the same boat as Hearts and Hibs. Scrambling about for the next year or two trying to find someone to replace him. The guys a good keeper and I doubt we can afford to replace him with someone of like ability.

We are almost inviting clubs to come look. Just get on with winning games and securing 3rd place 

For above article read  - For Sale All Reasonable Offers Accepted.

 

If you do not want to sell your players you do not big them up in the papers.

Still, we know what kind of money the club in England have.

 

£2mil for Clangers.

 

If you do not want to sell your players you do not big them up in the papers.

 

Are you saying he can't compliment players in the press? 

For above article read  - For Sale All Reasonable Offers Accepted.

 

If you do not want to sell your players you do not big them up in the papers.

 

Do you really think other clubs will only realise how good our players are by picking up a paper?

 

If they're good enough for these other sides they'll know about them already I'd think.  And if they come in with a bid, and it's accepted, it would have been accepted whether JC had said this or not.

Something I think always get missed with regards to JC's media dealings is that the papers phone him and ask for a comment, which is then quickly seized upon and torn apart by the 'JMGmob' ( ) , rather than vice versa. If he was to 'no comment' every story, then I'm sure this would be quickly reflected in the media. Once again, damned if he does etc.

We'll bit the hand off any club that offers us six figures, by which I mean 100k, for practically any of our players.

 

The only one that we might just possibly hold out for a little more with is Aluko.

 

And the depressing thing is that if a Hibs or Hearts player was playing like Aluko they'd be tacking a seven figure price tag on the guy.

 

We'd be lucky to see 300k - 500k for him.

 

 

We'll bit the hand off any club that offers us six figures, by which I mean 100k, for practically any of our players.

 

The only one that we might just possibly hold out for a little more with is Aluko.

 

And the depressing thing is that if a Hibs or Hearts player was playing like Aluko they'd be tacking a seven figure price tag on the guy.

 

We'd be lucky to see 300k - 500k for him.

 

 

 

Depressingly true, remember how much a very limited player like Ivan Sproule went for.

It should be said that there doesn't seem to be anything remotely wrong with speaking highly about your players in the press, in fact, it would seem the natural thing to do to boost confidence.

 

Couldn't be a clearer case of damned if he does, damned if he doesn't.

It should be said that there doesn't seem to be anything remotely wrong with speaking highly about your players in the press, in fact, it would seem the natural thing to do to boost confidence.

 

Couldn't be a clearer case of damned if he does, damned if he doesn't.

 

Hmmmm...  I'm noticing a trend.

Hmmmm...  I'm noticing a trend.

 

Don't you start trends Coolio?

Its not as black and white as 'damned if he does.......'. If a spokesman for the club is making public statements about their apparent willingness to sell players then it reduces the price. Its simple rules of engagement when it comes to negotiating. If you have ever had any training in negotiation then you would be aware that you never discuss your willingness to trade before any sort of discussions have began.

Its not as black and white as 'damned if he does.......'. If a spokesman for the club is making public statements about their apparent willingness to sell players then it reduces the price. Its simple rules of engagement when it comes to negotiating. If you have ever had any training in negotiation then you would be aware that you never discuss your willingness to trade before any sort of discussions have began.

 

Football transfers would be a lot less black and white than that too.

 

Presumably discussions would indicate a willingness to sell in the first place?

Football transfers would be a lot less black and white than that too.

 

Presumably discussions would indicate a willingness to sell in the first place?

 

Discussions with potential buyer is not the same as discussions with media. You don't play poker with your cards face up on the table.

Discussions with potential buyer is not the same as discussions with media. You don't play poker with your cards face up on the table.

 

Well I hope theres not a joker in the pack! 

Well I hope theres not a joker in the pack! 

 

What about the diamonds and spades?

 

There must be a couple of queens at least.

 

Same at most clubs.

 

Willingness to sell is pretty much a given, especially if the player wants to go and the buyer has more than the contents of a weans piggy bank to spend.

What about the diamonds and spades?

 

There must be a couple of queens at least.

 

Same at most clubs.

 

Willingness to sell is pretty much a given, especially if the player wants to go and the buyer has more than the contents of a weans piggy bank to spend.

 

Don't disagree but lets not remove our trousers, bend over and hand them the rubber dick too quickly.