Aluko - Aberdeen players deserve plaudits

[Kowalski]

Aberdeen players deserve plaudits - Sone Aluko

By Liam McLeod

 

Winger Sone Aluko insists Aberdeen's players are deserving of praise as well as the management team after their good form continued against Hearts.

 

The goal-less draw they deserved to win was the only time the Jambos have dropped points on the road this season outwith visits to Glasgow.

 

"We've made a lot of progress and the confidence is a lot higher," he said.

 

"We should take a lot of credit because we took a lot of flak earlier in the season. We want to carry it on."

 

Aluko was twice kept out by the superb Marian Kello as the Dons were denied the three points, although they did manage a third clean-sheet in-a-row for the first time this season.

 

It means manager Craig Brown has taken 20 points from a possible 30 - twice as many as predecessor Mark McGhee had managed in the first half of the campaign.

 

And, while acknowledging the impact of both Brown and assistant Archie Knox, Aluko says it is a team effort.

 

"The confidence we've been given is starting to show in the results, we're creating chances and our home form's been quite good," he told BBC Scotland.

 

"A lot of credit goes to the gaffer and Archie. They've come in and got us playing the way they want us to play and they set high standards.

 

"They're very experienced and give you a lot of information, not just about how they want us to play but also how the other team plays.

 

"If we go out and follow their plans, we usually end up being the better team, which just shows their experience and knowledge of the game."

 

Aluko is one of six of the Dons' starting line-up against Hearts who is not contracted for next season.

 

The 22-year-old would not be drawn on his own situation, although Brown has made clear he sees striker Chris Maguire and midfielder Rob Milsom as his main priorities a this stage.

 

"We'll see what happens, but I don't want to be drawn on contracts," said Aluko. "The manager's said he'll speak to players when the fixtures die down and, when that comes, we'll know then.

 

"But right now, I'm just concentrating on performing well and trying to score goals.

 

"But it's not just about me, it takes 11 men to get results and we've done that against Hearts and Kilmarnock, who are third and fourth in the league, they're top teams.

 

"Everyone's playing well and we want to keep the best players at the club, that's the aim of the club and hopefully they'll be able to do that."

 

Meanwhile, Dons boss Brown revealed after the game that he substituted defender David McNamee because he was concerned the full-back would be out for up to six weeks if he didn't.

 

McNamee was suffering a slight hamstring injury and Brown took him off to prevent further damage, although he may now be a doubt for Wednesday's match away to St Johnstone.

 

Doesn't sound like he's staying though.

[manc_don]

I don't know, it doesn't seem to give much away really. I'm sure if a championship club came after him he will be gone in a flash. Hopefully the club can hold on to all of its main players. Would be nice for a change.

[Kowalski]

Well, he's not yet been offered a deal:

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