Aberdeen tonight held their AGM, covering key points within the last 12 months.
Dave Cormack began to praise the Dons’ support for their excellent support in helping out fans engagement in which saw a rise of 35% in attendances at Pittodrie over the last year. The average age groups heading to Pittodrie went from 48 to 35 also.
Cormack went onto speak about the famous Scottish Cup win calling the fans out for their “amazing” and “unrelenting support” as Aberdeen won their first Scottish Cup in 35 years following a penalty shootout win over Celtic.
The chairman then went on to speak about the new stadium project suggesting he was very disappointed with the false information on Aberdeen’s financial side of things when looking towards to the new stadium at Aberdeen beach. Dave said they hadn’t made it obvious of the “3.2billion economic upside” of the potential new ground at the beachfront. Cormack did confirm he and Chief executive, Allan Burrows will come together with Aberdeen City Council co-workers to hopefully progress in talks.
The Dons’ are also setting sights on a covered pitch at their training ground, Cormack Park after a few months ago, stakeholders handed £8million to put into Aberdeen Football Club.
Jimmy Thelin spoke about in the future, they may look into bringing in a set-piece coach but stated Aberdeen “educate our own coaches at it using connections with other clubs” and also said the squad are “working on it a lot.
Another key talking point was Dante Polvara signing a new deal. Thelin confirms Dante is “quite happy right now” as well as “he’s talking with his people” as the Dons’ look to get the contract signed soon.
New sporting director, Pfannenstiel suggested a possible recall despite being unlikely in January on Findlay Marshall after impressing so far on loan at Scottish Championship side, Arbroath. Pfannenstiel said he’s “definitely a vert talented player who trains in Cormack Park every day in front of our eyes”.
Jimmy was also asked why new signings Frame, Bilalovic and Kjartansson weren’t being played. Jimmy is going towards the youth more than recent additions with Dylan Lobban and Jack Milne playing week in, week out while making great progress.
Jimmy said his plan is to “keep working with the squad so when the players move the next one is ready”.
He added: “The idea is to bring them in as early as possible” also adding “You are buying their potential”.
Thelin provided a small summary of what to expect in the upcoming window: “We have a clear idea of what we want to do – as little as possible, but strengthen the squad”.
The dons’ boss added “We have a good squad, but we need to adjust some parts” There has been some talk of late about players who may see the exit door such as Kusini Yengi who has only scored once since arriving in the summer and Leighton Clarkson who has dropped down the pecking order as the former Liverpool man searches for game time.
They wrapped up on VAR after chairman, Dave Cormack suggested VAR should be limited to just 60 seconds while speaking to BBC on Saturday. Dave said “Almost nine minutes of VAR checks against the Dons side against St Mirren”
Cormack said VAR was “brought in for clear decisions” and “if it takes four-and-a-half minutes, it’s nae clear and obvious”.
The game lasted up until just after the 100 minute mark and the club figured out in the 3-3 draw with the Buddies’ last week, the ball was on the pitch for just over 50 minutes all down to the lengthy VAR checks and other issues causing to run down the clock.
