This week’s 84 RedMatchday Magazine is packed with interviews, columns and all the usual features.
Ryan Jack
“The main aim for me this season was to remain injury free. I did pick up a slight injury earlier in the season but thankfully I did not miss too many games. The more games I play, then I can get on a good run and be more consistent. That is my main aim, just to be playing every week and to try and play consistently well.
“We all recognise how important it is to take the good things we do on the training pitch into games. We go into every game wanting those three points, it does not matter who we are playing, it is the same three points.
“It makes the game so much easier when everyone is on from, everyone has the same mind-set and everyone is on the same wavelength. We rely on each other. We rely on the defenders to have a clean sheet and the defence rely on the forward thinking players to go and create and score goals.”
“Playing with those two (Peter Pawlett and Jonny Hayes) has been really enjoyable. I just get on the ball and let them do all the running! Seriously, I can get on the ball a lot and start off the attacks. I can feed into Pete and feed into Jonny so they can get turned and can drive and use their pace, which is what they are good at doing. Jonny deserves a lot of credit. He is usually a wide midfielder but he has come in and done excellently for us. Pete has also been in great form and got himself on the score sheet.”
Derek McInnes
“There should be a fantastic atmosphere on Saturday. Every game, home and away, has a ‘big match’ feel to it right now and the backing we’ve been getting from the supporters has been brilliant. We all recognise the importance of the fans and the support we get really does make a difference.”
Russell Anderson
“I don’t need to remind anyone that nobody in the dressing room here is getting carried away with what is going on at present – after all, it’s only three months since a lot of criticism was flying around after we lost at Hamilton on that Friday night!
“That’s the nature of football, it is full of ups and downs that go with results and the best way of coping with that and of making sure that you consistently perform at your best, is to stay on an even keel. Don’t get too affected by what people say about you, good or bad, just keep the focus on doing your job to the best of your ability and don’t think about anything except the next game that’s coming up.”
Mark Reynolds
“Whilst the defenders are taking the plaudits for the clean sheets, it has rightly been pointed out by the manager that the whole team deserves the credit for that. There are eleven defenders on the pitch.
“Sometimes I am tracking a runner and then I will look up and see David Goodwillie tackling a player in the six yard box or Adam Rooney tracking a man back. It is the whole team. Everyone is working hard. Everyone is wanting to work for each other, knowing that your team mates are also giving 100% and will go above and beyond the call of duty.”
Joe Shaughnessy
“The team are on some run at the moment. They are scoring goals and not letting any in. It is a good combination! The boys seem to be playing well. Everything is set up for an exciting few months. I am looking forward to playing my part to help the team out.
“Alex Smith is a great guy. He still has a real passion for the game. Every morning he would come in and go round and speak with every player. He would watch every training session and was always available if I needed a chat or some advice. Many an afternoon he would sit and tell me stories about his time in football and his time at Aberdeen. He still has a great love of the club and the city. He was so positive about everything to do with Aberdeen. I know he really enjoyed his spell as manager and was honoured to have done the job.”
RedMatchday Issue 16 is available from the programme sellers in and around the ground. It will be on sale from the AFC Club Shop and you can also buy a copy online by clicking here
