News

News

The Manager Post Match

29 August 2015

Derek McInnes

“To have now won our first five games, having only conceded one goal, and to have a good spread of goal scorers is pretty pleasing.

“Similar to last week we were pretty dominating in the first half but went in at half time goalless. We then had to try and find a way to get our noses in front, with only 45 minutes to do it but again the boys have come up trumps.

“They have shown good experience and good determination to make sure the game went our way.
In saying that I thought Thistle showed that they are a good side. Without causes too much of a threat they did counter on us a few times in the first half. Then in the second half they created a few good openings.

“To win any tight game away from home you need your goalkeeper and your centre forward to play well and I thought both did today. I thought there were a lot of good performances from my team. There were a lot of strong performances. A 2-0 victory away from home against a team who are only going to improve was a pleasing result.

“We are pleased to come away with a clean sheet as they are always a team who are going to create chances.

“Danny’s excellent save at the start of the second half was important. I thought he then had a slightly better one at 1-0. You are not surprised when he makes saves. He has not had too much to do in the five league games but has made some crucial stops at important points in the game. Against Dundee United he made a big save just before half time and likewise today just after the break.    

“I have not seen the first goal yet. My first thoughts are that it has come up and hit Adam on the hand or arm. It has just hit him but I can understand why Thistle feel aggrieved. We maybe got a little break but I felt our first half dominance meant it was maybe a break that we deserved.

“I did mention the record (wins at the start of a season) to the players in case they were not aware of it. It would have been wrong for me not to do that. It was a surprising stat for me to be honest. We are just trying to take each game as it comes. What was important for us was to come off the back of the European games and still to be strong in the leagues games up until the international break. To go into the break with fifteen points from fifteen, that was our sole motivation today. The record is just a nice little extra.

“I feel we are better equipped as a squad to deal with the demands of this season. As I have said before the squad we have this season this better than last season, the squad last season is better than the squad the season before. But we still have it all to prove.  

“I thought Kenny McLean was outstanding today from start to finish. It was a very polished performance and he deserved his goal. He was playing a slightly deeper role but still had the licence to stay in touch with the strikers. He handles the ball well, he tracks back, he wins headers, he creates things and for him to have five goals from the middle of park is very important.
 
“Ryan McLaughlin brings us another option.

“Ryan can play a couple of different positions. He can play at right back and we don’t really have competition there. Shay has so far played every minute of every game, as have Graeme and Ash. So it is good to get another defender into the building. He is a brilliant lad and someone we have been aware of for a while. He brings pace to the team as well. He is very quick. He has had injuries to deal with which have probably held him back a bit but hopefully he can come and enjoy his spell with us and have an impact.

“The fact Danny Ward has done well and we are in constant contact with Liverpool probably helped us bring in Ryan. If Ryan can do as well as Danny I will be very pleased.

“I am not sure Liverpool see us having a permanent relationship with them but I would not mind it!! One of the players joked, I think he was joking, can some of us start going the other way. I said I was a manager and not a magician!”
 

Refresh