six new faces required, but buddies ace is wanted man

McGhee will keep after Mehmet in Dons rebuild

By Paul Third

 

Published: 21/04/2010

 

Mark McGhee is forging ahead with his rebuilding plans for next season – but the Aberdeen manager faces a challenge in making the most of his budget at Pittodrie.

 

A year on, the collapse of Setanta and the loss of revenue for the SPL clubs is still hitting hard.

 

But McGhee knows the supporters will still be expecting to see a drastic improvement at the club next season.

 

The Dons manager has inquired about St Mirren forward Billy Mehmet, but the Buddies attacker – who is also attracting the interest of Hearts – is expected to move to England to play in the Championship or League 1 next season.

 

However, the Aberdeen manager has not given up hope of landing Mehmet, who has reached double figures in the last two seasons with the Buddies.

 

With 12 players under contract for next season the Dons manager knows he must add at least six new faces in his squad, but ensuring that they are good enough to help improve the club will be his most difficult task.

 

He said: “We are trying to be prudent and keep the wage bill within reason.

 

“There is no wage cap here and we may have to allow for the fact someone who may be right for us could cost another £300 a week due to interest in him from other clubs.

 

“We are looking at a sum of money which we can carve up any way we like, but we need those 18 to 20 players.

 

“I could go out and get a centre forward on £5,000 a week but it might leave us £3,000 to get six other players, so it is not about that.

 

“It is about getting the right blend of players to fill the void and making it work.â€

 

McGhee believes the lack of experience in his squad in recent weeks has highlighted just why he needs more depth next season.

 

The absence of Sone Aluko, Jim Paterson, Andrew Considine and Gary McDonald, coupled with the sale of Lee Miller and the decision to let Chris Maguire join Kilmarnock on loan, has left the Dons squad threadbare and the manager is aware he needs reinforcements.

 

He said: “We went into Saturday’s game with the 10 outfield players plus Fraser Fyvie, Michael Paton and Paul Marshall. The rest were young lads.

 

“Say we had lost Steven McLean, Darren Mackie or Zander Diamond. We would be going into Saturday’s game at St Johnstone with Fyvie and five young boys who have never played on the bench, but that’s where we have been for the last six weeks here.

 

“I was more relieved with the win than I said on Saturday due to those circumstances and regardless of how it looked, the players did well in difficult circumstances.

 

“The players have been hung out to dry a little bit and they did really well to win the game on Saturday when you consider those on the pitch and on the bench were all we had.

 

“I don’t feel culpable in that we only had 13 players to choose from on Saturday or that I have not being able to strengthen as I would have liked.

 

“But there have been tactical changes or personnel changes I’ve made which people can rightly criticise.

 

“I am not going to sit here and not say their argument doesn’t have foundation.

 

“My job now is to ensure it doesn’t happen again.â€

Scobie's a great shout if no fee was required. Flynn's a live wire but the game controller we're screaming for

I would very much like craig bryson, clever hard working Player. Any word on what dorman is doing?

Agree with comments on Bryson however he still has two years on his current deal with Killie so fee would be involved which rules us out.

I'd take Moutinho from them, he's just been released.

 

Why?

 

He's horribly inconsistent, his scoring record isn't great, and he's no better than what we currently have.

Why?

 

He's horribly inconsistent, his scoring record isn't great, and he's no better than what we currently have.

 

Because the few times i've seen him he's been good. I can only go on what i've what i've seen.

Because the few times i've seen him he's been good. I can only go on what i've what i've seen.

 

Fair enough.

Hibernian have told Yves Ma-Kalambay, Abdessalam Benjelloun and Patrick Cregg that they will not have their contracts renewed at Easter Road.

 

Ma-Kalambay joined the club in 2007 but has not started a match since the 4-1 league defeat by Rangers in December.

 

Moroccan international Benjelloun moved to Hibs in 2006 but has recently struggled for first-team action.

 

Cregg has been at Easter Road for 12 months, having left Falkirk to team up with former boss John Hughes.

 

Hibs finished in fourth place in the SPL this season, clinching a Europa League qualification spot in the process.

 

Cregg and Benjelloun worth a look?

Cregg yes but although Benji's talented he's too lazy and probably too expensive.

I think Benji is the type of Zero esque player we're looking for.

Cregg could just be the ," boot in " tough midfield winner we're crying out for. Not a bad ball player either. I'd take him over what we have in a heartbeat.

I can only assume Falkirk can't afford to pay him, which begs the question. Can we??

Benji is a player that just needs an arm around him. Mowbary knew that which is he was a key player under his regime.  Cregg is a player of limited ability but so is foster, I'd have him.  I'm with Bb on moutinho every time I've seen him he's impressed me.  Sign all 3 if had a say

 

Benji could well be worth a look.  On his day he's a very good, creative player who knows where the goal is.

 

Cregg is shite and I wouldn't want him anywhere near our team.

I dare say we could and probably will do a lot worse than Cregg.

I dare say we could and probably will do a lot worse than Cregg.

 

Yeah we could re-sign Duff