New Dons players have ‘pace and athleticism’

Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin insists he has secured athletic, energetic summer signings that will bring pace and a dynamic intensity to the team.

As the new season looms Goodwin will demand his rebuilt team deliver that intensity for an entire 90 minutes – in every game.

There will be no running out of gas late on in matches on Goodwin’s watch.

Six players – Bojan Miovski, Ylber Ramadani, Jayden Richardson, Kelle Roos, Anthony Stewart and Celtic loanee Liam Scales – have been signed as part of a summer squad rebuild with more still to come.

Goodwin has splashed out almost £1 million in transfer fees on three signings alone.

The Dons boss recently confirmed he aims to move to sign Scales on a permanent transfer in the January window if, as expected, he impresses.

In his first transfer window as Pittodrie manager Goodwin is confident he has constructed a dynamic Dons.

Goodwin said: “There have been a lot of really energetic, athletic players come into the club.

“My belief is that you need to sign players with good athleticism, pace and energy.

“In the modern day game you need all of that.

“Obviously you need them to be good technically as well.

“The new signings are also all good footballers.

“The players we are bringing in athletically are in a better place than what we were last year.

“That’s the big thing for me.”

As part of a summer transfer window rebuild manager Goodwin has not only delivered new signings.

There has also been an exodus from Pittodrie with 14 players leaving the club since he was appointed manager in mid-February.

Goodwin delivers an intensive training regime – and feels some players weren’t able to handle that last season.

He said: “I’m always reluctant to talk about fitness levels because it seems as if you are having a dig at the previous regime.

“That’s not the case at all.

“I train at a certain intensity that the guys need to get used to very quickly.

“Some maybe last season weren’t used to it and weren’t able to handle it and that’s why they’re not here now.”

Jim Goodwin.