Aberdeen Preview

Last updated : 06 December 2002 By Firparkcorner

In theory, this is the best time to be playing Aberdeen. They have not won in weeks (probably since they last played us!), their manager, who was liked by players and fans, has departed and they lost at home this mid-week. This does not guarantee us three points and new manager Gardner Spiers will have his troops fired up.

Derek Adams scored on the last visit to Pittodrie

Kevin McNaughton is still out but other than that, the Dons should have a fairy full squad available. We, on the other hand, do not have our problems to seek selection-wise. After a 6-1 win, the last thing we want is to change the team. This is forced upon us by Stephen Pearson and David Partridge both starting two match bans.

The obvious move is probably switching Kaiser Corrigan back to centre half and playing someone else out wide. If Cowan or Ramsay are fit, they will get the job but if not Brian Dempsie will get his second start of the season. In midfield, Kevin McDonald could come in as a straight replacement for Pearo. The alternative is dropping Faddy back to midfield and pairing Ferguson with Lehmann up front. After McFadden’s breath-taking effort against Hearts though, Butcher will surely be reluctant to keep him away from the Dons defence.

Our ‘recent’ record at Pittodrie is not impressive.

We have won there three times on league business since the Premier League was formed in the 70s and we have only recorded twelve successes there in over 100 games. Our last success came when Tommy Coyne and a Micky Weir double gave us a 3-1 victory. Can we repeat the trick this Saturday?

There is certainly no reason why we should not. We have seen that while Aberdeen are at best competent they are nothing to fear. They have a lot to prove to their new manager but if we can whether the early storm, a second successive win could be on the cards. McFadden seems to have turned on his brain again and he could be the difference between the sides.

Aberdeen 1-2 Motherwell.