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HOLLAND TOUR COMES TO AN END
The last game in Holland sees us face FC Utrecht,We know a bit about them as they were in the UEFA cup last year.They have a strong team and top class facilities so this should be our hardest game of the tour.We will play a few trialists but field a strong team,we want to win this one.

ABERDEEN LINE UP:-
GK:-Langfield
RB:-McNaughton
LB:-McQuilken
CB:-Anderson(C)
CB:-McGuire
RMC:-Clark
CM:-Bart-Wiliiams
LMC:-McIndoe
CFR:-Mackie
CF:-Mols
CFL:-Prest
Subs:-Holloway,Hart,Morrison,Diamond,Heikkinen,Devine,Mu irhead,Tiernan,Paulinho,McHattie,Bavidge,Samba.

FC UTRECHT VS. ABERDEEN FRIENDLY MATCH
Bart-Williams has to go off injured after only two minutes he is replaced by Tiernan(2mins.)
Mols could have gave the Dons the lead but his shot was tipped over,The corner was cleared by the defence(18mins.)
McIndoe set up Prest with a superb ball only to have his shot saved(34mins.)
Utrecht came close just before half time Roiha blasting his shot just over(43mins.)
The teams go in at half time level at 0-0.
Mols had the first chance of the second half,Mackie with the cross but a poor header did not test the keeper(63mins.)
All the starting 11 come off for a rest and to give the others a run out(70mins.)
Utrecht had the last chance of game with a free kick just inside the Dons half,A long ball into the box was met by the head of Dongen,Goal 1-0(92mins.)Utrecht win with what was the last action of the game,The Dons tour ends in a defeat.

FC UTRECHT 1 ABERDEEN 0
GOALS:-Dongen(FC Utrecht)
REF:-Jan Wegereef
YELLOW CARDS:-Anderson(Aberdeen)
RED CARDS:-None
MAN OF THE MATCH:-Peter van Dongen(FC Utrecht)
ATTENDANCE:-1359

MANAGERS VIEW:-
It was dissapointing to end with a defeat but we will take alot of positives from the tour.
Overall it was a good workout and we will work hard now to get the team in shape for the league kick off in August.
It was a blow to lose Bart-Williams as he had nearly won himself a permanent contract,I just hope he is ok and can play again before his trial ends.

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BACK TO THE GRANITE CITY WE GO
The physio informs me that Bart-Williams is out for 3 weeks.It means he wont be able to play any more games during his trial period.He broke his shoulder in a bad fall early last game.
Having spoke to my trusted assistant he says that Bart-Williams is having a real positive affect on the training ground,Having looked at the player over two games we have offered him a one year contact with a view to extend it later if he does well.
Alan Tate comes in on trial he was released by Man U and will start a 3 week trial.He is a 21 year old central defender and could solve the defensive cover problems.
We have offered to take Liverpools Gregory Vignal on loan for the season ahead,The left back would be great to have in the squad and could find himself playing if he joins.
Bart-Williams joins the club he signs a 1 year contract and will be an important player this year.He will be out for 3 weeks but weve seen what he can do so i expect big things from him.
We go into our last freindly with one or two trialists on their last chance,We will take a small squad up to Peterhead to get us ready for new season.

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OUR LAST AWAY FRIENDLY
We will go into this game with open eyes after they beat us in a friendly last season.They have a good set up at Peterhead and a few good players.We feel we are stronger this year though and should show our class on the day.

ABERDEEN LINE UP:-
GK:-Holloway
RB:-Hart
LB:-Morrison
CB:-Diamond
CB:-Tate
RMC:-Clark
CM:-Oliseh(C)
LMC:-McIndoe
CFR:-Mackie
CF:-Samba
CFL:-Prest
Subs:-Langfield,McGuire,Tiernan,Mols,Heikkinen.

PETERHEAD VS. ABERDEEN FRIENDLY MATCH
The first chance of the game fell to Peterhead Gray hitting the shot stright at Holloway(9mins.)
Prest set up Samba with a chance but he fired just over(16mins.)
Oliseh nearly scored a goal in his first Dons apperance his free kick well saved by the keeper(35mins.)
Aberdeen nearly had the lead before half time McIndoe making the keeper scramble across goal to tip wide(45mins.)
Half time it stays 0-0 but will the Blue Toon be able to hold out for another 45 minutes?
They are certainly doing a good job as no change in the score or chances as Aberdeen made some subs,McGuire,Tiernan and Mols on for Diamond,Oliseh and Samba(68mins.)
Peterhead almost had the ball in the net,Thomson hitting the bar before Tate cleared the rebound(72mins.)
No more chances were created as the game ends how it started 0-0.

PETERHEAD 0 ABERDEEN 0
GOALS:-None
REF:-Douglas McDonald
YELLOW CARDS:-Campbell,Cooper(Peterhead)
RED CARDS:-None
MAN OF THE MATCH:-Paul Milne(Peterhead)
ATTENDANCE:-3892

MANAGERS VIEW:-
I was really unhappy that we couldnt score but all credit to their keeper who recieved man of the match.We will work on our finishing in training to try and sort it out.
Our trialist keeper Holloway had a good game and will be offered a deal as back up to Preece and Langfield.
Michael McIndoe will not be offered a chance to play for the Dons he has failed to impress me and will be sent back straight away.Mols,Samba and Tate still have their chance to impress.

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ABERDEEN HOPE TO IMPROVE
We have offered Holloway a three year contract.We hope he signs it as he is young and could be a great player for Aberdeen in the future.
We have asked Hearts if we can take Austin McCann for a two week trial,He is on the list but is rated highly by the scouts.
Holloway accepts the 3 year deal and joins the club,The 19 year old keeper will be back-up but could push for a first team place if he plays well for the reserves.
We will decide on the last three trialists in the next two games,They have done well so far and a good performance in either game would secure a deal for the three involved.

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PREMIERSHIP GIANTS ROLL IN
We know quite a bit about this team.They are world class and have many top class players.They have won every major tournement in their history and they are still a major force in europe.

ABERDEEN LINE UP:-
GK:-Langfield
RB:-McNaughton
LB:-Morrison
CB:-Anderson(C)
CB:-Tate
RMC:-Clark
CM:-Oliseh
LMC:-Paulinho
CFR:-Bavidge
CF:-Mols
CFL:-McHattie
Subs:-Preece,Diamond,Tiernan,Prest,Samba.

ABERDEEN VS. LIVERPOOL FRIENDLY MATCH
Liverpool were the first team to make a chance it was Kewell with a blistering free kick which was saved by Langfield(17mins.)
Just a minute later Liverpool were ahead Hyypia with a long ball to Welsh,He controlled it and went forward,the defence stayed off which gave him a clear shot Goal 1-0(18mins.)
Bad news for the Dons as Anderson has to come off injured,He is replaced by Diamond(41mins.)
At half time its 1-0 Liverpool,the Dons will want to get back into this one to prove they can compete against the best.
Aberdeen were denied a goal by some superb goal keeping,Mols shooting only to be denied by Kirkland who tipped away,The rebound was cleared to safety(68mins.)
The game is played out without anymore chances in what is a boring second half.Liverpool the stronger team and win 1-0.

ABERDEEN 0 LIVERPOOL 1
GOALS:-Welsh(Liverpool)
REF:-Stuart Dougal
YELLOW CARDS:-McHattie(Aberdeen)
RED CARDS:-None
MAN OF THE MATCH:-Djimi Traore(Liverpool)
ATTENDANCE:-11875

MANAGERS VIEW:-
We played quite well in this game but failed to convert our chances.We made a stupid mistake for the goal too with the defence letting the man run then shoot.We will look on this as a good result as Liverpool had alot of fist teamers playing,but we will need to take our chances in the last two friendly or we could be low in morale going into the season kick off.

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INJURY BLOW
After the match the physio pulls me aside to tell me Russell Anderson will be out for two weeks.He banged his foot in the last match,but should make the start of the season.
Austin McCann has joined on trial from Hearts,The 24 year old left back will have 2 weeks to prove himself.He looks a really good left back but i need to see him in action first.
Gregory Vignal has turned us down and decided on a permanent move back to France,He joins Marseille for 1.9 million.
Martin Prest has demanded a new contract.I review his wage and what he has done so far and decide that he may have a point,I offer him a deal but he might find it lower than expected.
I have spoke to Anderson,McGuire,Mackie and Diamond about signing new 3 year deals.I am hopeful they will stay to help me win more trophys.They are all out of contract next summer and would be a massive loss.
We go into the second last friendly with a few players on their last chance to impress.

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TRIALISTS LAST CHANCE
We play Middlesbrough now at home.We know alot about them,They are a big premiership team who won the FA cup last year,They will be a hard team to break down and will be dangerous on the attack.

ABERDEEN LINE UP:-
GK:-Langfield
RB:-McNaughton
LB:-McCann
CB:-Tate
CB:-McGuire
RMC:-Paulinho
CM:-Oliseh(C)
LMC:-Clark
CFR:-Mackie
CF:-Mols
CFL:-Prest
Subs:-Holloway,Morrison,Diamond,Tiernan,McHattie,Samba,H eikkinen.

ABERDEEN VS. MIDDLESBROUGH FRIENDLY MATCH
Juninho showed his magic as he beat two players before having his shot tipped onto the post then gathered up by langfield(5mins.)
Prest sent Mackie away through the centre but he couldnt keep his shot down(13mins.)
Aberdeen came forward through Mackie he played the ball towards Mols it came off Riggot only to fall to Prests feet Goal 1-0(25mins.)
The rest of the half was to stay the same,Half time 1-0 Aberdeen.
Half time sees Aberdeen take of Mols and put on Samba(45mins.)
Juninho struck a free kick from a dangerous position but Langfield was up to the job saving well at near post(55mins.)
Juninho being a menace again beating McGuire before hitting a blistering drive over the bar(62mins.)
A big round of applause goes up from the Dons fans as Juninho is taken off(67mins.)
With Juninho off Boro couldnt come up with anything creative and the game went stale.
The game finishes Aberdeen 1 Middlesbrough 0.

ABERDEEN 1 MIDDLESBROUGH 0
GOALS:-Prest(Aberdeen)
REF:-Stuart Dougal
YELLOW CARDS:-McNaughton,Oliseh(Aberdeen)
RED CARDS:-None
MAN OF THE MATCH:-Jamie Langfield(Aberdeen)
ATTENDANCE:-8645

MANAGERS VIEW:-
I was pleased with this performance,and think the lads showed their fighting spirit.Middlesbrough looked the better team in this one but we held our nerve to win the game.We will go into the Porto game on a high.

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ITS BAD NEWS FOR MOLS
After the game i take Michael Mols to the side to tell him he wont be staying at the club,He did great his first two games in Holland but has failed to shine since.We will instead offer the contract to young Cherno Samba who has looked lively in training and done well on the pitch.We have also offered defender Tate a one year deal as cover for the first team,He has done well in defence in the last few games and deserves his contract.
The other lad we have in on trial is Austin McCann he has played one game but really impressed me,He really looks like he could do a job for me this year,I will take another look against Porto but if he gets stuck in like he did last game he will win a transfer to the Dons.
We are lacking a midfield player so i asked our scouts to look for some frees and they gave me former Leeds player Noel Whelan.He is a midfield/forward who can use either foot and is only 29.We have offered him a weeks trial.
McGuire,Mackie,Diamond and Anderson all tie themselves to Aberdeen for the next three years,Which is brilliant news as they are the heart of the team.
Cherno samba signs a three year deal,He will fight amongst a few players for a first team place.One of those players being Prest who also signs a three year deal.
We are forced into a 110k bid for McCann as Premiership team Portsmouth make a bid.He is still on trial but he looks a good player and i dont want to lose out on him.I just hope hes keen on the set up here and not the lure of the big money league.
Celtic have been made Skybet favourites for the league they have been made evens.Aberdeen come in at 7-4.
Hearts say they want 130k for McCann so i agree to pay it,I think he would be a great player for the club.We need a good left back and this could be our man.
Alan Tate agrees to a one year deal as backup to the defence.He will get the odd game with the team in europe this year.He is a welcomed addition to the squad.
Two bits of good news before the Porto game,Portsmouth have withdrawn their bid for McCann and Whelan is set to join on a weeks loan.Whelan will play against Porto to try and win a deal.

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THE BIG TEST
We welcome Porto to Pittodrie for the last of our warm up fixtures.We know they are world class and they will cause all sorts of problems all over the park.They are regulars in europe and often beat teams alot bigger than them,So we know how tough it will be.

ABERDEEN LINE UP:-
GK:-Langfield
RB:-McNaughton
LB:-McCann
CB:-Anderson(C)
CB:-McGuire
RMC:-Whelan
CM:-Oliseh
LMC:-Paulinho
CFR:-Mackie
CF:-Samba
CFL:-Prest
Subs:-Preece,Hart,Morrison,Tate,Bart-Williams,Clark,Tiernan,McHattie.

ABERDEEN VS. PORTO FRIENDLY MATCH
With only a minute on the clock Costa whipped in a free kick which was missed by everyone,Goal 1-0(1min.)
McGuire was to conceed a penalty as Aberdeen struggled to keep up with Porto,Pedro Mendes steps up to take it...Langfield saves,great goalkeeping.(21mins.)
Aberdeen wasted their first chance of the game Prest hitting over from inside the box(35mins.)
Aberdeen came back into the match and started to contain Porto but in doing that they struggled to make chances.
Half time Aberdeen 0 Porto 1.
Porto come out blazing in the second half Alenichev firing over(46mins.)
McNaughton plays a superb ball to Whelan who from a tight angle hits the side netting(62mins.)
Aberdeen showed what they have learned through their hard pre-season,Whelan with a quick ball to Paulinho who looked up to spot Samba,He collected the ball from outside the area,He looked up and sent a curling shot into the top corner Goal 1-1(69mins.)
Most the subs were brought on to give them a taste of action(73mins.)
Aberdeen were looking the better team as Paulinho whipped in a cross from the left,Carvalho used his hand to control it,Penalty.Paulinho steps up..Goal 2-1(80mins.)
Aberdeen were looking good and could have wrapped it up,Mackie sent sub McHattie away through the centre but he lifted his shot over the bar(85mins.)
The game ends 2-1 Aberdeen,with Porto looking dead and buried after the score went 1-1.

ABERDEEN 2 PORTO 1
GOALS:-Samba.Paulinho(Aberdeen)Costa(Porto)
REF:-Douglas McDonald
YELLOW CARDS:-McNaughton,McCann,Mackie(Aberdeen)
RED CARDS:-None
MAN OF THE MATCH:-Cherno Samba(Aberdeen)
ATTENDANCE:-13197

MANAGERS VIEW:-
What a way to finish,The guys were outstanding and look as sharp as ever.It will take something special to beat us in the form we showed in the second half.We did look slightly lost at times but Porto are a good side and this is a massive morale boost for our players.
We look forward to putting all our hard work to good use next week when our defence of the title starts.

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A LOOK AT THE SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS:-

Craig Holoway,Gk,19:-Won himself a deal after a trial spell.He will start in the reserves but will get the odd game to prove himself and help his development.
Jamie Langfield,Gk,24:-Agreed a pre-contract agreement halfway through last season,He has proved himself in pre-season and will start as number 1.
David Preece,Gk,27:-Didnt do too well in pre-season,He will have to pick up his game to reclaim the number one spot.He is also in danger of falling behind Holloway.

DEFENDERS

Michael Hart,Rb,24:-Will have to pull his finger out if he wants to have a future here,We will look at him over the next few months but he is on his last chance.
Kevin McNaughton,Rb,21:-Superb last season,Superb in pre-season and we hope he will be superb this season.He has never let us down and i dont see why that should change.
Stephen Payne,Rb,20:-Never really got a chance in pre-season,Hasnt made a much of an impression and will be looking to improve alot if he is to stay at the club.

Austin McCann,Lb,24:-We hope to have this guy in the squad.He will be first choice lb if he joins,having impressed in friendlys.He looks a good player and will hopefully settle quick.
Jamie McQuilken Lb,29:-Ive told Jamie he is not needed at the club and can leave when he finds a club willing to buy him.He will be back-up while he is here and will be expected to do his best.
Scott Morrison,Lb,20:-Will play a few games this season as hell look to really push McCann for the first team place.

Russell Anderson,Dc,25:-He will be club skipper this year,He was one of our best players last year and will be a major player this year too.
Zander Diamond,Dc,19:-Will get more games this year to help his development,Will look to start pushing for a first team place by next year.
Phil McGuire,Dc,24:-He will partner Anderson in defence this year,Was superb last year,We want more of the same.
Alan Tate,Dc,21:-He is still yound and could play a few games this year,He is only on a 1 year deal and will have to prove himself fast.