mizer

Good idea from the club, but wont increase numbers as buses will have been booked by now.

Will they subsidise our train tickets 

I will be celebrating with a hangover from Saturday 

Shout of the day on Saturday: GOT YOUR NUMBER!

Loving the wee pics you have done at the top of the page min in commemoration of the event 

Indeed k9 glad they have scrapped the rip off phone line!

http://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/Article.aspx/627030?UserKey=0

Big men main targets for Dons boss

By The Fat Postie

 

ABERDEEN’S dressing room next season could resemble a scene out of 1970s hit sci-fi television series ‘Land of the Giants’ if Jimmy Calderwood has his way.

 

The Dons boss is busy with plans to totally rebuild his squad in the summer, with up to 10 new players poised to be brought on board.

 

And Calderwood revealed he has targeted an army of six foot-plus players in an effort to add more muscle to a squad he admits “gets bullied about too much.â€

 

The ‘Giants’ in the television series are actually residents of an alien planet that astronauts from Earth accidentally landed on.

 

But Calderwood aims to have some equally formidable figures wandering about Pittodrie once his summer signing spree is at an end.

 

He started by signing Oldham Athletic’s strapping midfielder Gary McDonald, but more muscle men are on the way.

 

Calderwood said: “McDonald is over 6ft tall and powerfully built and a few of the other ones we bring in will be along the same lines.

 

“We are not a big physical side and that has caused us a few problems.

 

“Sometimes we get bullied about too much.

 

“But if we get the players I’ve targeted, I’d like to think we won’t have that headache next season. “This season the height of the team has been pretty average.

 

“Zander Diamond, Andrew Considine and Lee Miller are big enough to put themselves about.

 

“Scott Severin is also pretty powerful and good in the air, despite not being as tall as many of his opponents.

 

“Otherwise it’s a bit of a challenge for us, particularly when it comes to attacking and defending at set pieces.

 

“If you want to improve your team, you have to look at what is lacking and sort it out.

 

“McDonald will give us that bit of extra physical strength in midfield, with the added bonus that he can also get box to box and score goals.

 

“Now we have to get the same at the back, where we’ve clearly had problems because Russell Anderson left and Richie Byrne was out injured for so long.

 

“We need to get in a bit more strength to back up Zander and Andrew and make sure we are better equipped to cope with what is becoming an increasing trend for teams to go with powerful big strikers and long ball tactics.

 

“You can see that down in England in particular now, where most of the front players are absolutely massive.

 

“It means more games are now being decided by corners and free-kicks because they are harder to defend.

 

“The same is happening in Scotland as well and we have to keep up with that trend.â€

 

Calderwood stressed his muscle men will also have to be good footballers if they want to be taken on board.

 

He said: “I could go out and sign half-a-dozen giants tomorrow, but that’s no use if they can’t pass a ball.

 

“I want big men, but they must also have skill and be players who are able to bring something extra.

 

“McDonald gives us that, but so must the others.â€

 

Calderwood is continuing to deflect away any talk of specific targets at this stage.

 

But he confirmed the plan is to eventually have an 18-man first team squad backed up by a group of eight players aged 21 or under.

 

“We are working on a few deals because we have to strengthen every part of the team,†he said.

 

“Four years ago I thought I was going to have to have a clear-out.

 

“But I soon discovered some of the players were good enough, but just lacked confidence.

 

“The building blocks – Russell Anderson, Kevin McNaughton, Chris Clark and Markus Heikkinen – were already there.

 

“I brought in Scott Severin right away, but knew we still had a lot of quality to work with.

 

“It’s different now though.

 

“It’s a total overhaul that is required, which will be more difficult.â€

 

JIMMY’S SHOPPING LIST

 

Goalkeepers

 

ABERDEEN have been linked with Ryan Esson and Stefan Postma. Jimmy said: “We will definitely take in another one to challenge Jamie Langfield for the top spot.

 

“John Batemen is a great prospect, but still a bit young.â€

 

Defence

 

DUNFERMLINE’S Scott Wilson has been linked. Jimmy said: “It has still to be decided if Alan Maybury will be with us, so we may need to look for another experienced right-back.

 

“We will definitely be taking in another central defender.

 

“You only need to look at our goals against record this season for evidence of why we must increase the number of quality of defenders available to us. “More experience is required.â€

 

Midfield

 

MARK Kerr is on the list of those targeted to bolster the midfield. Jimmy said: “Barry Nicholson is going, but we have already got a replacement in Gary McDonald.

 

“It has still to be decided if Stuart Duff, who can play at the back or in midfield, is staying.

 

“It will also be into the summer before we know if Josh Walker or Sone Aluko are going to be allowed to stay with us for next season. But we will sign other midfielders because we lacked strength in depth in certain areas.â€

 

Strikers

 

SLOVAKIAN Pavrol Masaryk is among those who have been mentioned. Jimmy said: “Steve Lovell is leaving, so we will definitely sign one more experienced hitman. It will be two if Lee Miller decides to go as well.

 

“I want to add a bit more power and find a player who can deliver more goals.

 

“That won’t be so easy on our budget.â€

The bottom bit is just purely ripped off websites such as this, shock horror!

We can still afford for UTD to beat them at Ibrox  That would put them in the position of needing Celtic only needing a draw against UTD. That would be funny.

 

Basically as long as neither Well, UTD or Hibs get to 56 points we can still do it. So UTD can get a further 3 points, Hibs a further 4 (but we probably need them to get most of these in their game against Motherwell) and Motherwell can get a further 2 points. None of these point accumulations will be a showstopper for us as long as we get to 56 points by beating Well and huns.

Think we are going to have add statto to your list of nicknames 

Would you be able to change the hyperlink text to another colour rather than just the black as normal text?

Having looked at this seasons fixtures, we only played 9 times at home at 3pm on a Saturday.

As Jute said, too many games not at 3pm on a Saturday which makes it harder/impossible to get up the road for. Add onto that weekends where I will have to work etc, its just not worth it.

Sweet! Cheap day out 

 

The white one has a sash.

That was at JC's request 

Nigel Pepper to return will be next 

Can I just saying I'm loving the insanity of the Jim Hamilton to return panic thread on mad 

Who makes this stuff up 

Yeah looks photoshopped, but looks good

Peat and Smith two well known Huns at the SFA helping Rangers. What a surprise. Where was the help for us earlier in the season.

Exactly! 

Having just wathced the highlights on red tv, I saw Touzanis celebration for the first goal - which was the rocking the baby one. Was this for himself, one of his family, on of the squad or Millers Tache (  )? Anyone know?

Diamond has stepped up his performances and cut out his rashness on the pitch (to and extent) from last season. Who though he would have been able to fill Anderson's boots to the extent he has?

Just don't ask him to make any passbacks....

Especially as we do quite a few pass backs to the keepers hands off knees, thighs, chests etc etc

Anyway imitation is the sincerest form of flattery - from mad, you could have at least thought up a new title for your thread min! 

Dons join race for United midfielder

United midfielder in demand

 

By Charlie Allan

 

Published: 05/05/2008

 

TARGET: Dundee United midfielder Mark Kerr, seen here in action against the Dons on Saturday, is wanted by Jimmy Calderwood.

More Pictures

 

THE Dons have joined the race to sign Dundee United midfielder Mark Kerr.

 

Manager Jimmy Calderwood is refusing to comment on transfer speculation, but we can reveal Kerr, who will be a free agent in the summer, is a definite target.

 

Aberdeen have already noted their interest in the 26-year-old former Falkirk player, who will quit Tannadice in the summer.

 

Wages, as ever, could prove to be a stumbling block because Preston and Hearts are also in for the Scotland B international.

 

But the Dons are still hopeful Kerr, who has been a virtual ever-present since Craig Levein became the manager at United, will agree to come north.

 

One player the Dons will not be signing is Willem II striker Frank Demouge.

 

Dutch newspapers claimed over the weekend that the Dons were in for the 25 year-old, but that was dismissed by Calderwood.

 

He said: “Frank played for me at Nijmegen when he was a kid, so I know him well.

 

“But I didn’t even know he was now at Willem II so I wouldn’t expect too much to come from that one.â€

 

Calderwood also confirmed that Dons fans will finally find out this week if striker Lee Miller is planing to stay with the club.

 

Dons fans held up a banner at the end of their 2-1 win over Dundee United which read ‘Miller must stay’ and Calderwood admitted he is also desperate to see the striker pen a new deal.

 

“My wife and I were up all night painting that banner,†joked Calderwood.

 

“We are all keen for Lee to stay and will have final talks with him this week.

 

“It would give everyone as massive boost going into the game at Motherwell if Lee decided to stay.

 

“I spoke to Lee on Thursday and he has promised to get back to me this week. “It would be a blow to lose him because he has had a wonderful season.

 

“But players possibly moving on is part and parcel of the game now.

 

“We cannot match the sort of money players can get from clubs in the lower leagues in England.

 

“The Championship is now the fourth richest league in the world.

 

“It’s above Italy as far as finance goes and that’s scary.

 

“Watford were relegated into it last year and received a £30million payment to cushion the blow.

 

“AC Milan only got £15m for winning the Champions League.

 

“The money going about in England is just crazy, so it’s unfair to criticise clubs who say they just can’t compete any more.â€

 

Calderwood has already identified a possible replacement if Miller decides to move.

 

“If Lee goes we will take in two strikers. If he doesn’t, it will only be one.

 

“It’s up to him now.â€

Pete and the pirates - Come on feet

Remember and do the predictors folks

http://www.thedandies.co.uk/messageboard/index.php?board=3.0

Yup, he signed for that team no-one's heard of after being released by JDV's old team de Graffschap. I don't think he gets a game for that tiny Dutch club no-one's heard of's first team either as he's listed on the A squad (reserves presumably?) on their website. He'll be a replacement for Jon Smith/Dyron Daal/et al.

I agree.

He is the boy in the blue and white

http://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/Article.aspx/620149?UserKey=0

Walker could remain at Pittodrie

 

By Andrew Moir

 

Published: 02/05/2008

 

ABERDEEN boss Jimmy Calderwood today revealed Josh Walker could still be at Pittodrie next season.

 

The news comes as the Dons were linked with moves for Scotland cap Robbie Stockdale and French defender Claude Gnakpa.

 

Walker was expected to return to Middlesbrough in the summer to resume his career in the Premier League.

 

But the England youth international is keen to extend his stay in Scotland if he’s given the chance to shine in the SPL.

 

Calderwood is preparing to talk to Boro boss Gareth Southgate in a bid to thrash out a new Walker deal.

 

“I haven’t been able to get hold of Gareth yet,†said Calderwood.

 

“But the most important thing for us is that Josh wants to stay.

 

“Even after dropping out of the side recently he’s still keen to stay with us.

 

“I have also spoken to his agent about things so there’s a chance he could be here next season.â€

 

The Dons are close to securing pre-contract deals with two more players in the wake of securing Gary McDonald from Oldham Athletic.

 

Calderwood won’t say who they are at this stage, but reports in England claim Peterborough full-back Gnakpa and Tranmere Rovers defender Stockdale are among those wanted by the Dons.

 

Frenchman Gnapka is poised to quit Peterborough, who are managed by Aberdeen-born Darren Ferguson, after failing to agree terms on a new contract.

 

Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony slammed Gnapka for “setting unreasonable demandsâ€.

 

“He was offered a great new contract this year and has messed us around ever since,†he added.

 

Newspaper reports claim the Dons and Luton have shown an interest in the 24-year-old.

 

Stockdale is one of nine Tranmere players waiting to hear if their contracts are to be renewed.

 

Stockdale wants to stay on Merseyside but could be forced to move on if Tranmere can’t come up with a decent offer.

 

Dons boss Calderwood is refusing to confirm or deny links with any players until deals have been done.

 

“We have a list of targets and we are working on that at the moment,†he said.

 

“I’m hoping at least a couple of deals can be done before the end of the season.

 

“I will say nothing more at this stage.â€

In the metro this morning part of the pre-match story was Jimmy saying that we can reach 3rd place as no one is talking about us reaching third place........you have Jimmy now its in the national press