manc_don Posted July 2, 2015 Report Posted July 2, 2015 Anyone else have problems with signing up for this yesterday? Wouldn't let me past the second stage after i'd filled my details in Preview from last friday on Northsound 1 : https://audioboom.com/boos/3334059-listen-dons-europa-league-pre-match-preview Quote
manc_don Posted July 2, 2015 Report Posted July 2, 2015 Pre-match Q&A with DM and, sadly Carlie Allan. Our man in Skopje, Charlie Allan, talks to Derek McInnes ahead of the Dons’ vital Europa League tie tonight Q How hard has it been to gather information on tonight’s opponents? A Not difficult at all.We have watched them in the flesh and modern technology has also ensured we have footage of all their games. Ferhan Hasani (who recently joined them from Brondby) is a player of real pedigree.We aren’t as familiar with some of their other players but feel the work we have done will ensure there aren’t any surprises for us tonight.The majority of clubs now have access to a system called wyscout.It gives instant access to footage of matches and statistics about players.It means we have stacks of information on their team and the various systems they use.I feel confident about guessing who they will start with against us.They might make a positional or tactical change with Hasani coming into things.But we are pretty clued up about the options they have.The players have been given the information they need. The preparation for them has been pretty much the same as it is for any other match.The defenders get information about the type of players they are likely to be up against.It’s the same all the way through the side, up to the strikers.We’ve done all we can to make sure they know as much as possible about the man they are likely to be up against.But it’s how they use that within their own performance that is going to count tonight. Q What sort of match are you anticipating in the Philip II Arena? A One as tough as we are likely to get in the coming season.You can see they are a very passionate team with supporters who share that passion.They play for the jersey and have a real solidarity within their club.They have also been able to invest in their squad.They have the means to push themselves up to the next level, they have big plans.We know this is going to be a big test for us and that we will have to play well over both legs if we hope to get to the next round. Q Are you happy at having to return to European action a little over a month after the last league campaign ended? A No, but it’s where we are so we just have to get on with it.We all know the importance of trying to start the season positively.All of the Scottish clubs want to do as well as a we can in Europe. But if you were to ask me if our clubs are being given every chance to do that I would have to say no.The way things are players aren’t being given the opportunity to switch off.We are very demanding of them as a staff and as a club.We push them, day in, day out, to perform at a high level to get results.They need more time off if they are to sustain that, year in, year out.It’s something that is going to have to be addressed at some stage.But there’s no point on us dwelling too much on that now.We knew the situation when last season ended so have worked to ensure the players are ready for tonight.We have adjusted our build-up to cope with not having what we would normally identify as a close season.It’s all been condensed into a couple of weeks.You would prefer longer and the opportunity to maybe play five or six friendly games because you want to make sure the players are ready to cope with the full campaign.It wasn’t possible though so we just have to get on with it.The way things are now, the priority was to make sure the players are ready for this game tonight.It has meant a different type of training programme for them.The game against St Johnstone was a big help.It ticked all the boxes for both teams.We needed a more intense game ahead of our return to competitive action, so it was ideal.It was a notch up from the closed doors game and the one with Brechin City. We were also able to give a few guys who needed it a full match.Niall McGinn, Mark Reynolds and Graeme Shinnie needed that because they had been given a little bit of extra time off. It was important to get their minutes up.Many of the players were in a similar position a year ago.They responded as we hoped and gave us strong performances in the games against Daugava Riga.We are confident we will get the same this time, too.They are game ready. Aberdeen players limber up during training in Macedonia. Aberdeen players limber up during training in Macedonia. Q You have managed to make only three new signings ahead of tonight’s tie. Are you content with that? A Numbers are tighter than last year in terms of experienced players. More left in the summer than we have signed.But the three we have brought in (Shinnie, Paul Quinn and Danny Ward) are quality.They haven’t come to watch Aberdeen play every week, they want a game.I’m comfortable with the numbers we have because, with the arrival of those three, we now have strong competition for every position.We have 18 outfield and three goalkeepers all looking to play.We have a few younger ones in there and I would be delighted to see them force their way into the side as well.The opportunity is there for all of them.Scott Wright, for example, had some ups and downs last season.That can happen with younger players in the early parts of their careers. But he did well with the Under-20 side and also impressed when he trained with the first team at the end of last season.He’s a player we feel has a lot to offer going forward.Scott has good pace and impresses when he has possession of the ball.It would be great if the coming season were the one when he really made an impact. Q Will you be making any further signings before the transfer window closes again at the end of August? A If the transfer window were to shut tomorrow I would be happy to be going with our squad as it is.I feel we are already good enough to mount a challenge for honours.But you can never say never when it comes to transfers.We still have the months of July and August to get through.You would always want a few more bodies in to help cover for things like injuries and suspensions.We are always looking for ways to add even more quality to the squad. Quote
Tyrant Posted July 17, 2015 Report Posted July 17, 2015 Shite draw. Probably the worst of the lot. Again! 10 FC Kairat Almaty (KAZ)/Alashkert FC (ARM) vs 5 HNK Rijeka (CRO)/Aberdeen FC (SCO) Quote
tom_widdows Posted July 17, 2015 Report Posted July 17, 2015 Trip to Kazakstan it is then (unless there is a dramatic collapse for someone next Thursday) Caley have some extra incentive to overturn their tie. Possible trip to West Ham Quote
scotfree Posted July 17, 2015 Report Posted July 17, 2015 Just had a look at their Wiki page. Gerard Gohou has scored 30 goals in 32 matches... Quote
manc_don Posted July 17, 2015 Report Posted July 17, 2015 Not ideal in terms of travel and heat again (averages 35 degrees) but possibly not the worst draw despite the goals conceded stat. They do also have Tymoschuk (spelling???) on their books and a certain Stuart Duff used to play for them! still, as we've all said, only 1/2 time at the moment and we need to see the job off at Pittodrie. Quote
tlg1903 Posted July 17, 2015 Report Posted July 17, 2015 The distance isn't ideal obviously but that aside I don't see this as a bad draw. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.