McGhee praise for versatile Foster

PACY FULL BACK DOING A STAND-OUT JOB AS TEMPORARY CENTRE BACK AS DONS INJURY LIST GROWS

 

By Michael Gannon

 

Published: 01/10/2009

 

Aberdeen defender Richard Foster has been asked to curtail his attacking instincts, but his manager Mark McGhee believes the 23-year-old is proving to be a far greater asset to his team in defence.

 

Foster’s versatility has been a vital component as Aberdeen recovered from the goal avalanche suffered against Sigma Olomouc and Celtic to collect five consecutive clean sheets in the SPL, making the League Cup defeat at Dundee even more painful.

 

While the Dons’ youngsters such as Fraser Fyvie and Peter Pawlett were lauded for their display in last Saturday’s spirited goalless draw against Rangers at Ibrox, Foster’s influential display almost went unheralded.

 

The full back was forced to operate as a stand-in centre back once more, as he was on occasions last season, and did not fail in his task as he repelled the mounting late threat of the Light Blues in Govan.

 

At just 5ft 9in and the owner of tremendous pace, the positional switch to the centre of defence will never be permanent, but McGhee is reaping the benefit of Foster’s change in attitude and discipline.

 

The defender was involved in several run-ins with McGhee’s predecessor Jimmy Calderwood, but he has adapted this season, to whatever asked, with the minimum of fuss.

 

With centre backs Zander Diamond and Jerel Ifil absent through injury, Foster may be required to fulfil the role at Kilmarnock on Saturday.

 

Foster is one of a number of Dons players who are out of contract next summer and have been challenged by their manager to win new deals.

 

He is certainly going the right way about it and McGhee said: “Richard sees himself as an attacking player and he likes to use his pace to get forward.

 

“I actually think his best qualities are in defence, and he showed that at Ibrox and in most of the games so far.

 

“We have asked him to adapt his game a bit, but he has shown he is willing to do it. He played half a dozen games at centre half under Jimmy last season and it showed he had played there before.

 

“He knows how to defend and he is an option for Saturday, although I am not set in my mind he will playing there.â€

 

While Aberdeen have been blighted by injuries, Kilmarnock could be boosted by the return of influential midfielder Craig Bryson.

 

The 22-year-old missed last weekend’s 0-0 draw against Falkirk with a groin injury but he emerged unscathed from yesterday’s closed-doors match against Rangers, where he scored in a 3-3 draw. He is now set to return to face the Dons but Saturday’s match will come too soon for long-term injury absentees Allan Russell, Jamie Adams and James Fowler.

 

Hopefully he does a job for us again on Sat. Played well against the Hunnery and I don't see any available copmetition for that spot.

Of course, his home record in European competition was horrific

Oh fuck, records win you matches now, how silly of I.

It is Ally but to some, Jimmy had a wonderful record that would have one us the Europa league if every game was played at home.

Oh fuck, records win you matches now, how silly of I.

 

Nope, goals do, something we seem to have been lacking of lately.

Anyone else getting terminally fed up with so many threads descending into these mind-numbing arguments?

 

On one side, Jimmy's gone, get over it. On the other, McGhee isn't the saviour (or a naughty boy), so deal with it.

 

What we have is pretty much a similar standard to last season, which is what I'd have expected given we were swapping one SPL manager for another. It would be much the same if we swapped about half of the players around between us, Hibs, Utd and Motherwell so why should the management be any different?

Anyone else getting terminally fed up with so many threads descending into these mind-numbing arguments?

 

I think everbody is, but certain people insist on going on fishing trips everytime they post on here.

I am over Jimmy aswell, I just don't agree with most views on ehre on how mcGhee is shite without even being given a chance yet.

I am over Jimmy aswell, I just don't agree with most views on ehre on how mcGhee is shite without even being given a chance yet.

 

Any quotes for this?

Just search through El padres post history.

Just search through El padres post history.

 

You did say most people's views. Any quotes?

Well on a forum that has 5 regulars that is almost, most peoples views there.

 

Haha. I think that's a FAIL.

Well on a forum that has 5 regulars that is almost, most peoples views there.

Anyone else getting terminally fed up with so many threads descending into these mind-numbing arguments?

 

I agree, I'm guilty of it.

But bear in mind, under JC's reign, we got the "glory days" of Ebbe rammed down our throats often enough.

I agree, I'm guilty of it.

But bear in mind, under JC's reign, we got the "glory days" of Ebbe rammed down our throats often enough.

 

That's irrelevant though and those who chose to go down that route made themselves look stupid so why choose a similar route now?

Rise above it, you're better than that, surely?

 

It is a bit of stick a to poke (really only) minjc with, on here. And at the moment theres not a lot else to talk about is there? There were always going to be comparisons and when you consider the nonsense that was written about Claderwood and McGhee's prehumous elevation to Mount Olympus before signing on, it is only fair that a little bit of humiliation should befall the most vociferous of the JMG campaign.

Certainly I couldn't give two fucks what Calderwood could or would have done this season, he is no longer part of Aberdeens future. Certainly over on the HAT it's usually part of the collective who brings Calderwood up then within two or three posts is moaning about comparisons. Whereas over here it is usually "us" that bring him up. While it is childish it is amusing and does releive a bit of the tediom of the working day.