The trouble with supporters groups and internet blogs (like this one, let's face it) is that they give minorities (often small minorities) loud voices with which to air their opinions and to try and influence people (although, let's face it, this blog has about as much influence on the world as Tony Blair had on the Iraq War).
So an Aberdeen supporters group have called for Jimmy Calderwood's head today. Apparently the Tangoman is not doing a good enough job, despite four successive top six finishes and, for the last two years, spending about as much on players as I do on my wardrobe - those who know me will be well aware that I do not spend much on my wardrobe.
Perhaps anticipating the inevitable claims that Aberdeen fans still think they should be winning titles like in the Alex Ferguson era, the press release claims "The supporters would have taken seventh in the league and a cup win rather than third in the league and going out of the cup to Dunfermline". They also claim Mark McGhee is the man to replace him and describe Calderwood as "tactically inept".
Firstly, Aberdeen fans ARE still stuck in the past. At least the ones old enough to remember the 1983 Cup Winners' Cup are. The club may have a bigger stadium than anyone outside the Old Firm, but Hearts and Hibs at least can match them for average attendance, and Dundee United aren't ar behind. Therefore it's fair for them to expect top six finishes and regular challenges for the top four. And what have they been getting under Calderwood? Pretty much that, I would say.
They might also like to recall that it's only a few months since McGhee was getting slagged off for Motherwell's start to the season.
And finally, "tactically inept"? Tactically inept is someone like Craig Brewster, with his 4-5-1 at home and high balls to a midget striker, or John Barnes, with his 2-4-2-2 with full backs bombing on and no-one supporting the central defence. Calderwood takes risks, especially when Aberdeen are losing, and they often backfire. If he didn't take the risks, they would probably lose these games too. Moreover, this season he has almost always played a standard 4-4-2 formation, with wide midfielders and a target man striker. You can't get much more orthodox than that.
Remember Alex Miller, Paul Hegarty, Ebbe Skovdahl and Steve Paterson? Exactly. Wakey-wakey Dons fans, there's a very strong mocha that I think you need to take a sniff of. You guys think you've got it bad...
L.
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