The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Pittodrie’s Warrior
Reds rise: Docherty hails resilience of midfielder
Aberdeen assistant manager Tony Docherty says Pittodrie midfielder Peter Pawlett has earned his new nickname of the Warrior for his part in the Dons’ climb up the Scottish Premiership table.
Aberdeen assistant manager Tony Docherty has praised his Pittodrie warrior Peter Pawlett for his part in the Dons’ climb up the Premiership table.
Pawlett’s last- minute winner gave the Dons all three points in the New Firm derby at Dundee United on Wednesday to help Derek McInnes’s side move up to third.
Docherty said: “The lads have handed Peter a new nickname – they’re calling him the Warrior now.
“Previously, I think his nickname was something along the lines of Not The Warrior but Willo Flood has handed it out to him and I think he likes it. Ryan Jack has taken exception to it because he was the Warrior before.
“You should see the state of Peter’s legs because he’s taking a lot of knocks. He’s nursing plenty of bruises because of the treatment he’s getting. Teams are trying to stop him because of the way he’s playing, so because of that he’s not training much.
“He’s playing and getting patched up. The Peter of previously maybe wouldn’t have done that. We can only talk about what has happened since we’ve been here and we are delighted with him. He’s living up to his new nickname.”
The victory, Aberdeen’s 12th of the campaign, ensures they have already eclipsed their tally of 11 wins last season.
Docherty is pleased but not getting carried away.
He added: “We have won more games this season than the whole of last term but we won’t get carried away with ourselves. We’ll just
take each game as it comes. People don’t want to hear that but it’s what we’re doing, we are just preparing for Kilmarnock now and not looking past that one.”
Docherty feels Pawlett’s progress this season has been the biggest bonus in a campaign which is already proving a success.
The 22-year-old has been hampered by injuries during his career but this season he has put his problems behind him to become a vital cog in a well-oiled Aberdeen machine.
The Dons assistant has told Pawlett he still wants more from him.
Docherty said: “We always knew he had potential and now he’s realising that. He has belief in his own ability, is thriving every week and has been brilliant for us. He’s been doing a lot of work in the gym and has developed physically.
“Peter has five goals now, which is good for this stage of the season from a midfielder. With the positions he’s getting into, there are loads more goals in him.”