Jimmy: Dons' future looks bright

18 February 2009 08:20
Youngsters Javan Vidal, Sone Aluko, and Chris Maguire were all on target for the Dons on their way to a quarter-final against Dunfermline.[LNB]Calderwood was also able to bring on teenage prospects Peter Pawlett and Michael Paton - highlighting the Pittodrie club's abundance of young talent.[LNB]"We brought Paton and young Pawlett on - which gives the crowd the chance to see these kids develop," he said.[LNB]"Sone just keeps getting better. He is lightning quick, and I'm very glad he is at our club.[LNB]"Vidal is still only 19, and young Chris also showed exactly what he is capable of - particularly with the second goal he scored, where he went through at pace and finished very calmly.[LNB]"I think if these players keep learning then the future is very bright for the club."[LNB]Calderwood is looking forward to returning to his old stomping ground when his side take on Dunfermline.[LNB]But the Dons manager will first turn his full attention to Saturday's Scottish Premier League match against Dundee United.[LNB]"We have a massive game on Saturday against United," he said.[LNB]"They have beaten us twice already this season, so we know how difficult it is going to be."[LNB]East Fife boss Dave Baikie cited Aberdeen's superior fitness as a key factor.[LNB]The Fifers had not played since January 31, and Baikie said: "We were probably lacking in match fitness, and I felt the two late goals we lost were very slack.[LNB]"But at half-time we talked at length about keeping our shape better, after conceding three in the first half.[LNB]"It went well for the first 35 minutes of the second half, but the fitness levels of Aberdeen told in the end."[LNB]Baikie refused to blame goalkeeper Willie McCulloch, who was sent off after four minutes for handball.[LNB]"Willie is an experienced keeper and he probably feels like he let the team down," he said.[LNB]"But we defended too high in the first half.[LNB]"It was disappointing, but we can't put it all down to Willie's error. We sorted out our shape at half-time - but by then it was too late."[LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk