A day of the week

So, we're just around the halfway point of the season. How are the Dandy Dons faring do far?

I think the term would be consistently inconsistent.

Wow, I started this post a couple of months ago and haven't had the will or desire to complete it (read: I totally forgot).

It is apt I had included a photo of Russell Anderson just after he had re-signed, as he finally made his comeback in a red shirt last night. By all accounts he managed to stroll through the match (72 minutes worth at least) which is encouraging for the remainder of the season.

He will provide unparallelled leadership and guidance which will benefit many of the younger players in the squad in the long term. I think we can safely say it also spells the end of Mawene's time at Aberdeen Football Club.

Even more amazing was the fact the dazzler grabbed a brace last night (albeit against Peterhead). Maybe Mackie is trying to impress them for next season.

With a 'coveted' top 6 spot all but gone now, the Scottish Cup is the dangling carrot for the Dons players and most certainly fans. There has been lots of talk of 'making the final' which drives me nuts. Defeatest talk at its finest. We should be aiming to win this trophy, not be there to merely make up the numbers. Time to get a big support down to Hampden and see us smash this semi-final hoodoo of late, no excuses.

As for the remainder of the league campaign? Lets look to stamp out these draws which have ultimately killed the season and give some of the fringe players a chance to impress. There seems to be the crux of a solid squad at Pittodrie and I'll expect Brown and Knox to finish the job in the next transfer window.

Dons rule.

I don't really know what to say. Words fail me yet again where Aberdeen Football Club are concerned. The club are so far removed from reality and so out of touch with the fans it is painful to watch. Less than FOUR THOUSAND fans turned up to watch yet another cup debacle last night which is sadly going to be the norm in the future.

I remember going along to watch cup games against lower league sides when I was a lad (a tiny wee lad) and you'd still have crowds of over 10k there, people cared about the club and enjoyed going along on a matchday. I certainly did. These days it's a slog, a hard, relentless, unforgiving slog. No creativity, no excitement, too expensive, no end product. What's the point? I think its very apparent I'm not the only one asking myself these questions. Every week 500 fans are departing and people find better things to do with their time, which is understandable. Highland League football is more entertaining.

The buck sadly stops with the manager, and lets be honest, he's made a royal arse of this season, not to mention last. We've only won something horrible like 2 games out of 16 which is simply unacceptable. He has also failed to address the problems which have plagued the team for several seasons now. We still have no full backs, scary. We have a defence slower than me on a football pitch (i.e. pedestrian). We have an array of terrible strikers who can't score for toffee. We have no wingers and about 8 central midfield players. The question I find myself asking is why? Is it really that difficult to identify and sign appropriate players?

Another worrying statistic is the fact we've signed 3 players from Plymouth, a team who have been relegated twice in previous seasons. Nothing like bringing a winning mentality into the team, way to go Aberdeen. These players are used to the failure I guess, so it will be going through the motions for them. Added to that a striker who has never scored a goal and one who used to be a goalkeeper. Magnificent.

Change is needed, and most certainly above and beyond the manager. How many times has it been said now. It all falls on deaf ears however, so what's the point?

One thing is certain, we are spiralling towards relegation and Division One and I see no way back for this club when that happens. It's not a matter of if anymore.

Well done East Fife though, at least one team showed some proper fight and grit. These players will all be at their day jobs today, unlike the fat cats at Pittodrie who will saunter in for an hour of training and pick up their inflated wages. Well done Dons players, I salute you. Absolute legends.

RIP AFC.

The Dons send out 3 on loan.

Michael Paton To Stockport County.

Nicky Low and Joe Shaughnessy to Forfar.

And in comes......














NO-ONE!

Be afraid, be VERY afraid.

Great news fellow Dandies, the Dons have started the new league campaign with all guns blazing, firing on all cylinders! If only.

A picture tells a thousand words. Poor Jim Leighton looks like he's about to greet and Craig Brown like he's given up the ghost already. Worrying times for all down Pittodrie way.

Four games in and to say we are toiling is an understatement. The strikers will come good we are told. We won't get mauled at Tynecastle again we are told. Someone is going to get a thumping soon we are told. We are told a lot of things it would seem. Lets hope some of these predictions come true, and fast.

Last seasons deficiencies still seem evident and if anything we look a weaker squad of players. There is alarming lack of width in the squad yet again. The first thing Brown did when he came in was bring in 2 fullbacks, who have since left. We are now left with no natural fullbacks once more and seeing Rory McArdle torn to shreds yet again against Hearts surely must hammer the point home.

The same can be said for the midfield, where we have a glut of central midfield players and a scant lack of width to deploy. Pawlett would be seem to be the main candidate however this young lad seems to be made of glass with a host of injuries which hamper him.

And what of our 'strikeforce'? Stats: 4 games - 0 goals. Terrible. We need reinforcements. Call in the cavarly! Sound the alarms! If four additional players aren't in by the end of the transfer window, then it's safe to say AFC will be hurtling towards Division one.

Still, Kari Arnason looks pretty good. Small mercies.

Testimonial matches, a point of much discussion amongst fans across the country. Do players deserve it in these times of inflated wages? Whatever the thoughts, I ventured along to Pittodrie on a surprisingly sunny (by this summers standards) Tuesday evening to witness Darren Mackie's testimonial against Villareal.

The first thing of note is the immaculate playing surface, always looks pristine at the start of the season. Which brings me to another point, summer football should DEFINATELY be in place. It's so much more enjoyable in the sun and not sitting freezing your nuts off in minus degrees. Get it sorted out SPL.

Onto the match itself, as expected a very laid back affair. More of a chance to get the fitness levels up although both sides created a number of chances and the Dons gave a few of the promising youngsters breaking through a run out. The game was settled by a Rossi goal midway through the second half, he clevery made space for himself in the box and dispatched with aplomb.

I felt our new signings looked the part. Mawene in particular looks a commanding presence in the back 4 albeit with a lack of pace and will undoubtedly become an important signing. Further good news with him stating he already wants to sign a new deal.

Osbourne is an absolute tank who will take no prisoners, just what we need. I expect him to be booked several times over the course of the season.

Gonzalez also looks a confident and assured goal keeper. His kicking and distribution were top notch and he's not scared to throw himself about. Further good news that we've signed Blackburn Welsh international Jason Brown on a 2 year deal. Surely this casts a doubt over Jamie Langfields long term future, illness dependant.

Onto the local loon himself, Darren Mackie. Say what you want about him, but he's given his all for the club over the last 13 years. He'd run through a brick wall for AFC. Lets hope he can have an injury free season and rattle in a few goals, god knows he deserves it, along with the long suffering Dons support. He had several chances on Tuesday night which went amiss (must be saving them up for Saturday against St Johnstone).

What of further addtions to the squad? Well, we have the protracted Kari Arnason affair (which is apparently a done deal), the long running Aluko saga and a mystery striker who is being watched this weekend. Lets hope all 3 come off and we'll be in good shape.

Hats off to Craig Brown, he goes about his business the right way, no blabbing to the press unlike previous managers and looking like a prize fool when things go to pot. It's great to see a manager with a professional attitude, dignity and class.

Come on the Dons, lets get off to a winning start on Saturday (I will miss it as I'm off to a wedding in London, how selfish of them).

Dons rule!

Aha..... I knew Jack and Victor were just being sly old coots all along. I really did. No, REALLY.

Things seem to be gathering pace a little now following my closing gambit in my last post. I did indeed proclaim:

Bearing in mind that pre-season starts next week, you would like to think we could have secured a few players and not be left scrabbling around for free transfers and loan deals at the end of July/August whilst several games into the season.

And what's this... not one, but 2 new players secured (PRAISE ALLAH), with more to follow.

Welcome aboard Isaac Osbourne and welcome back Chris Clark.

Both welcome additions to the squad I feel. Osbourne in particular looks like a complete monster of a man who could boss our midfield VERY effectively and take no shit in the process. This is assuming he is over his much talked about injury problems. Archie tells us he's sailed through his stringent pre-season though, so lets hope this boy turns out to be a player. I have a good feeling (hope I don't jonah it).

Now we turn to Chris Clark. This poor lad has split opinions right down the middle on several AFC pages. Read all the gory details here, if you can be bothered. Personally, I welcome him back to the Dons with open arms. Versatile, pacy, good engine, good passer, gives 100%. All of the above. Whilst not a flamboyant player by any means he is exactly the type of player every team needs, steady and reliable. I'm sure he'll do a grand job in the forthcoming season and silence his critics.

Now, when is Riordan signing being announced.... I jest.

Dons Rule.

EDIT: Our new spanking strip was unveiled yesterday too.... I saw at least 3 folk queuing up to buy it at the club shop on my way home from work too. Looks pretty good on first viewing, weird collar though. All the info and pictures from the evening here.

The end of June approaches.... and all is quiet down Pittodrie way! Not a mouse was stirring. Wait, is that a Christmas song? I digress.

Soooo, how has oor Craigie been doing, team shaping up nicely for the new season? Well, on one hand, he's certainly shipped out all the dead wood and lost a few other first teamers (Diamond, Young, Aluko (potentially), Maguire, Howard, Blackman, Hartley, Vujadinovic, Smith).

Not many will be missed it has to be said. A sad state of affairs.

Good job we've brought in a host of fresh talent to replace these departing 'stars' then. Wait... what on earth am I talking about.

To be fair, the solitary signing we HAVE made looks to be just what we need in defence. A big strapping beast (sorry, he can't be THAT bad though) of a man in Youl Mawene.

And today we look to be signing up a new keeper on loan for 6 months to replace the stricken Jamie Langfield until he's fit to resume playing (is that ever going to happen?)

I hope that Mr Brown is simply keeping his cards close to his chest regarding any additional signings and pray we are not settling on another keeper and a midfielder to go with our other 4 LIKE NEW SIGNINGS! Yes, Darren Mackie, Fraser Fyvie, Yohan Folly and the mighty Dick Foster will be our saviours this season.

As welcome as they are, lets be honest... we still need a left back, a left winger, a centre back and another striker. AT THE VERY LEAST!

Bearing in mind that pre-season starts next week, you would like to think we could have secured a few players and not be left scrabbling around for free transfers and loan deals at the end of July/August whilst several games into the season.

Dons rule!