MAKING ROOM FOR DJOUM
Decision time as Fox reveals ex-Hearts ace has impressed in training
LIAM FOX admits Arnaud Djoum ticks a lot of boxes for him after confirming the midfielder has been training with Dundee United.
The Tannadice head coach has been running the rule over the 33-year-old this week with the Cameroon international a free agent after leaving Apollon Limassol at the end of last season.
Fox previously worked with Djoum when he coached at Hearts and the United boss will make a decision over whether to offer him a deal in the next few days.
Fox, whose bottom-of-thetable side face Aberdeen at Tannadice tomorrow evening, said: “Arnaud has been in training. I have a previous relationship with Arnaud, having worked with him over a period of time at Hearts.
“I know his character, mentality and exactly what he brings. We are always looking to strengthen the team and add things.
“So Arnaud is in with us and we’ll see where that one goes.
“He has shown up very well so far. He has looked fine this week and, with the type of character he is, he has fitted in no problem at all.
“We wanted to have a look at him and see where he’s at.
“The free agent market is always a difficult one to look at. It’s not something I would normally look to do.
“But because of my relationship with Arnaud –because I’ve worked with him and know so much about him – it made sense for him to come in.
“He is a good football player and fits the profile of what this club would be looking for.
“He fits the profile of me as a manager and the type of quality players I want to work with – he would tick a lot of the right boxes.
“We’ll see where that goes over the next couple of days.”
Fox seems certain to be without the injured Steven Fletcher and Charlie Mulgrew for the Dons game but one player who is definitely in contention is Peter Pawlett.
The 31-year-old last played back in February with his season ending early because of an agonising Achilles problem that required surgery.
Now, after battling his way back to full fitness, ex-Dons midfielder Pawlett could face his former club.
Fox added: “Peter will be available for the weekend. He has trained really well and it has been good to have him back in the group.
“I’m delighted for Pete. He has had to dig deep to get himself back and there have been some tough times.
“He has worked extremely hard with the sports science staff to get back in good physical shape and he has been training really well. I’m so pleased for him.
“It’s great for me to be able to put him in a squad. Whether he is stripped for Aberdeen or not? We’ll wait and see over the next couple of days.
“But if he does make the bench, it would be great for me to turn around and see Pete Pawlett ready to come on.”
United are still looking for their first Premiership win of the season but Fox is adamant his players will be brave and impose themselves on a Dons side that beat Kilmarnock 4-1 last Saturday.
Fox said: “Aberdeen are off the back of a really good result. They have shown previously this season that they can score a number of goals.
“We’ll need to make sure we are defensively sound and organised and improve on a few lapses in concentration that lost us big moments.
“But we also need to impose ourselves. Ultimately, we need to start winning
games.”
I know his character, mentality and exactly what he brings LIAM FOX TALKS UP THE CAMEROONIAN