NO EXCUSESPITTODRIE
ABERDEEN V KILMARNOCK DEL RATES ALESSIO Con makes his case for the defence
JOE LEWIS has only had one session at Aberdeen’s new Cormack Park training facility but already believes they now have excuses no for underperforming.
The Pittodrie No.1 has been blown away by the new complex, opened on Thursday by Sir Alex Ferguson.
And Lewis reckons the players must now repay the board for providing them with the perfect place to prepare for winning matches, starting today against Kilmarnock.
The Dons captain said: “I’ve never witnessed the transition of moving into training facilities. I think we’ll see huge benefits from that.
“Cardiff ’s facilities were good but not as good as this. Fulham’s weren’t as good. Blackpool’s facilities were the worst I’ve seen. Peterborough promised facilities from the minute I signed until I left.
“You always get promises but this has become the real thing.
“It’s a massive achievement for everyone at the club who has worked so hard for it.
“The team and management will be the beneficiaries. We’re very grateful for that.
“The main pitch is as good a spec as you can get for a football pitch. The other ones that are ready now will be as good as the matchday pitch at Pittodrie.
“There are no excuses from that point of view so we can have a better quality of training and improve.”
Lewis has set a goal of going into the international break in the Premiership’s top three and knows the Dons can do
DEREK McINNES believes people were too quick to write off Angelo Alessio. The Kilmarnock boss had a disastrous start, crashing out of the Europa League to Connah’s Quay. But Dons gaffer McInnes said: “It was another case of quick judgements. “The manager has continued the same style as under Steve Clarke – they are difficult to break down and play against. Until midweek they had only lost about four goals in eight games which is impressive.”
BY ALISON McCONNELL CONNOR JOHNSON hopes Angelo Alessio’s headache can be his opportunity.
Kilmarnock have a defensive crisis and Johnson is eager to play his part in solving the problem.
Johnson, 21, on a seasonlong loan from Wolves, made his debut in the defeat by Motherwell on Wednesday.
He said: “It’s crazy with the injuries we have and then Alex Bruce got his red card at Fir Park.
“It has opened the door for me. I don’t want anyone to be injured or suspended but it was always going to take something like this to force my way in.”
Bruce will miss Killie’s trip to Pittodrie after his sending off was upheld last night.
The central defender was shown a straight red by referee Don Robertson after challenging Chris Long.
Johnson added: “Alex had spoken to me before the game and from kick-off was talking me through it. He was helping me with advice – then got sent off.
“It was sink or swim but we coped pretty well. Before I knew it, Gary Dicker had dropped in beside me and he helped me through the rest of the match.”