Appliance of science keeps Dons fit for the run-in

brown regime invests aberdeen with the power to finish strongly and hit late on

 

By Michael Gannon

 

Published: 21/03/2011

 

Aberdeen manager Craig Brown is convinced he has the fittest squad in the Scottish Premier League.

 

Brown and assistant Archie Knox have whipped the players into shape since arriving at Pittodrie in December and have reaped the rewards.

 

The Dons have become late-goal specialists, with vital last-minute goals against Hamilton Accies in the league and Dunfermline and St Mirren in the Scottish Cup.

 

Brown has placed extra emphasis on improving the squad’s fitness, with regular sessions with sports science specialists at Robert Gordon University on top of Knox’s gruelling training drills.

 

Brown said: “I do not think anyone would get the better of us in terms of fitness. There has been a marked improvement and we have seen the result in the science.

 

“The players were tested last Friday. They had tests which evaluated their stamina, body mass index and everything else. We work closely with (RGU director of sport) Filippo Antoniazzi, Lorna Cruickshank (facilities manager) and Neil Brown (sports programme manager). They have been a tremendous help.

 

“The players were really put through their paces and I was delighted with the results.

 

“I think they have already shown the benefits. We have been strong towards the end of most matches we have played and it has been reflected in the goals we have scored late on in games.

 

“Even the goal we conceded against St Mirren was scored by one of our players in Nikola Vujadinovic.

 

“Joking aside, of course, you need ability because being able to run all day will not win you matches. But fitness is vitally important if you want to compete. We had a lot of games in the last six weeks and I do not think anyone could accuse the team of showing signs of fatigue.”

 

Brown has rewarded his players with some time off this week following an arduous run of 10 games in five weeks. It is an opportunity for the squad to take a breather before a final push.

 

He added: “The players have earned a break but I can assure them they would have been in if they had not reached the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup.

 

“The season is still very much alive. We go to Motherwell in a fortnight and, if we win, we will be within three points of them in sixth place. It is a huge game. It is a big ask but if we win all four of our games I believe we would reach the top six.”

 

The Motherwell trip will be made without injured captain Paul Hartley and suspended vice-captain Zander Diamond. David McNamee will take advantage of the break to recover from groin and hamstring strains.

To an extent I'd agree, and I would much prefer to get to a cup final than just getting into the top six, but on the other hand knowing that Aberdeen could get from near the bottom at the turn of the year to the top six whilst playing largely the same teams that Aberdeen will have to play next season I think would give me more confidence than just beating Dunfirmline, then being fairly lucky to see off St Mirren and getting one win against one of the Old Firm in a fixture that, even since Brown has come in, Celtic have absolutely dominated.

We also humped East Fife