BigAl Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Lifted from today's online Sun. As per usual not a single quote to back up any of this. RUSSELL ANDERSON is edging closer to an emotional return to hometown team Aberdeen. SunSport can reveal the former Dons captain is in talks with Derby to have his contract paid up and become an instant free agent. Veteran Anderson, 33, is recovering from a hamstring injury and has only six months left of his Rams deal. County boss Nigel Clough is happy for the ex-Scotland stopper to leave without a fee and it's believed Anderson's already been invited to continue his rehab at Pittodrie. For now it's merely a friendly gesture for a hugely popular former player who made over 300 appearances for Aberdeen between 1996-2007 and was given a testimonial. But it's believed Dons boss Craig Brown is poised to make him a pay-as-you-play offer for at least the rest of the season. Anderson is keen to take his family back north after four years in England. He left for Sunderland in a £1million move and had high hopes of making a big impact in the Premiership. But cruel injury problems wrecked his ambitions at the Stadium of Light and the man who signed him, Roy Keane, was sacked. Anderson has also played for Plymouth and Burnley. Brown is desperate to bring in experienced players to bolster Aberdeen's fight for SPL survival and has tried before for Ando. The timing wasn't right then, but it now looks perfect. Brown, though, will be anxious to discover when Anderson will be available for action again. Under-pressure Dons gaffer Brown needs to strengthen a defence which let slip a 2-0 lead against St Mirren on Saturday. Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3992486/Russ-Anderson-set-for-Dons-return.html#ixzz1gJ7PCfYU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyrant Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Happy for him to return on a pay as you play deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigAl Posted December 12, 2011 Author Share Posted December 12, 2011 Happy for him to return on a pay as you play deal. In fairness that is the ONLY way that this could possibly work for us. No way can we afford to spunk a wage on someone with that injury history. Might be good to have around the place, and give the club a wee lift, christ knows we need one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manc_don Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 In fairness that is the ONLY way that this could possibly work for us. No way can we afford to spunk a wage on someone with that injury history. Might be good to have around the place, and give the club a wee lift, christ knows we need one I'm glad someone at the club (probably brown) is being sensible. Would certainly welcome him back even just to provide everyone with some guidance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigAl Posted December 12, 2011 Author Share Posted December 12, 2011 SSN apparently reporting that his contract at Derby has been cancelled by mutual consent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyrant Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 In fairness that is the ONLY way that this could possibly work for us. No way can we afford to spunk a wage on someone with that injury history. Might be good to have around the place, and give the club a wee lift, christ knows we need one Agreed. I'm a huge fan of the guy but even I would be very sceptical about taking him back on anything other than a PAYP deal. AFC football Club has nothing to lose so fuck it. Why not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigAl Posted December 12, 2011 Author Share Posted December 12, 2011 Derby contract cancellation confirmed on their official site. Might just be some truth in the Sun story http://www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10270~2543077,00.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glasgow sheep Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 We were arguing about where we need to strengthen the team on the way home on Sat. Yes we could do with a decent CB but surely the priority is to get width into the team and someone to create chances. Our defence isn't the worst bit of our team, although it has not been helped by the change of keeper. Even a pay as you pay deal will see cash being spent that we can't use to strengthen the team elsewhere Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TENEMENTFUNSTER Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 We could do with an on field leader too though which we also discussed. Yes we need width, but some knackers on the pitch would be nice too, yes from me. Play Pawlett. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glasgow sheep Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 We could do with an on field leader too though which we also discussed. Yes we need width, but some knackers on the pitch would be nice too, yes from me. Play Pawlett. Fair points well made. Anderson however was very much a lead by example kind of guy, if he can stay fit it'll be a great move. It's a big IF however. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TENEMENTFUNSTER Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Yip, it's a bit of a gamble but one Broon has to make, but the IF bit is off putting. For us it really would need to payp, just can't afford dough tied up in the sick bay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kowalski Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 EE running with it: Russell Anderson would be welcomed back at Aberdeen FC Craig Brown hails ‘strong prospect’ By Sean Wallace Published: 12/12/2011 MANAGER Craig Brown today paved the way for Russell Anderson to return to Aberdeen FC. The former skipper is set to arrive at Pittodrie this week to complete his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury. It is understood Derby are set to pay for the remaining six months of the Scotland international’s contract. That would make Anderson a free agent and open the way for a return to Aberdeen FC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jute Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Other areas of the team are a bigger priority and fact he has hardly kicked a ball for last four years would make this a stupid move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mizer Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Bit of a gamble, bring him in as player assistant manager? I dont even know what that is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tlg1903 Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Fit though he would be easily be the best player in or squad though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kowalski Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Given that we are shipping goals, I think he'd be a great signing (if he proves his fitness). He's also a threat at set pieces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigAl Posted December 12, 2011 Author Share Posted December 12, 2011 As always two sides to every argument guys. Not sure how much those of us in favour are actually allowing sentimentality to cloud our judgement though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jute Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Do not get me wrong a fully fit Anderson would be an asset to the club however as he has only managed 54 games in the 4 years he has been away from us I would guess it is a pretty fair bet that he will never be fully fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyrant Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Do not get me wrong a fully fit Anderson would be an asset to the club however as he has only managed 54 games in the 4 years he has been away from us I would guess it is a pretty fair bet that he will never be fully fit. A fair bit of that was due to just not being first choice. Not necessarily injured. Again, though, I don't see how you can go wrong with a PAYP deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TENEMENTFUNSTER Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Sentimentality perhaps but were it anyone other than one the best defenders we've had at Pittodrie in a long time becoming available at a time when were weak at the back . . . payp, no problem. Andy Webster barely kicked a baw for der hun but was yiniteds poty. Just saying, these things happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maverick sheep Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Pay as you play couldn't be a bad deal in any way. If he's in the team we'll be harder to beat. If he's not in the team then he'll be in the position of 'good to have about the place' and should become club captain immediately. I seem to remember feeling like players used to have someone in the dressing room making them give a fuck. Also in that case, I assume (if I ever see a quote* from the club saying we will sign him) this means the budget allows for a new player who could potentially play in every game (smith and mcnamee eg), and considerably influence the garbage on the pitch. *The coverage of AFC - EE being the main culprit - adds exponentially to the horror of life as an aberdeen fan. Constantly putting out articles (or article previews. fuck the paywall) with no quotes is just a means to spread unconstructive rumour, put out misinformation and give plausible deniability to the people running the club. They always have an excuse to trott out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tlg1903 Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 I always thought he would be back in a few years when left. Potentially a season changing signing if he could stay fit for a run of games. Could also solve the captain issue as well as i dont think foster is ready for it. Not sure if CB would make that call midseason but defo in the summer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McMaster Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Craig brown saying on Stv we can only get him in if someone leaves. who can we punt to get him in that won't cost us in compensation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stewart Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Mawene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tlg1903 Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 darren mackie your time has come Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
️ Come on you Reds! ️
️ Come on you Reds! ️
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