The recruitment aspect of football management is one of the more complex sides to the role. Many managers have the ability to improve individuals working under them through coaching and man management but in the same stroke struggle in assessing the ability of a player outwith the club as they seek to strengthen their squad. As a result, we have seen top clubs across Europe devolve recruitment responsibilities from management to specific transfer committees trusted with the ability to source talent.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, it is possible, albeit difficult, for a manager to possess limited coaching ability but an uncanny knack of identifying and building a strong squad because of their recruitment skills or perhaps a superior transfer budget.
Derek McInnes has shown in his time at Pittodrie that he is an excellent man manager. Aberdeen players are challenged to think of who and what they represent but they are also protected from the media and encouraged to fulfil their potential as footballers. Tactically, McInnes is the first to admit he will occasionally make mistakes but importantly he has stated time and time again a desire to learn from decisions and improve. McInnes has developed an ability within the current team to manage game situations to ensure maximum chance of victory.
Throughout his management career, while largely impressive in the transfer market, McInnes’ recruitment success has not been flawless. However, he has shown that he is willing to make the necessary changes if a signing does not work out. Gregg Wylde, Calvin Zola and more recently Andrew Driver are just three individuals who the manager has shown no hesitation in moving on after proving not to live up to the necessary expectations of Aberdeen Football Club.
With the transfer window set to proverbially ‘slam shut’ on Tuesday, we decided to look at what we consider to either presently be, or will prove to be five of Derek McInnes’ best signings for the Aberdeen first team.
5. Kenny McLean:
Signed in January 2015 for a fee thought to be in the region of 300K, Kenny McLean was a talisman for St. Mirren in the opening period of their 2014/15 season. With seven goals to his name, the struggling Paisley side often looked to him as their sole source of inspiration but McLean thrived under the expectation and despite interest from Fleetwood Town, the former Aberdeen youth player decided to return to Pittodrie.
A difficult initial six months at Pittodrie ensued as McLean went from having a completely free role to different responsibilities within the Aberdeen team. Derek McInnes had publicly stated that he was happy with the performances of the midfielder but most supporters would agree that there was more to come from the player. Since being pushed further up the field this season, McLean has shown why he was brought to the club. A game defined by intelligence and composure, McLean has burst forward into goalscoring positions and has netted five in all competitions so far this season.
One of the outstanding technical footballers of Scottish football Kenny McLean is the type of player that Aberdeen should be looking to recruit, and at twenty-three he is still relatively young with a bright future ahead of him.
4. Graeme Shinnie:
Graeme Shinnie was one of the best players in the Scottish Premiership last season and could count himself unfortunate not to be nominated as a contender for the PFA Scotland Player of the Year. The full-back’s performance in the Scottish Cup Semi-Final victory over Celtic epitomised his quality. Shinnie dictated the game from left-back and his foraging runs on the left saw himself get into a position to tee up David Raven for the winner.
Derek McInnes secured Shinnie on a pre-contract as early as January 2015 amidst significant interest from England. Already this season, Shinnie has added significantly to the team whether deployed at left-back or centre midfield. Overlapping runs at full-back have seen him create chances and even open his account at home to Kilmarnock, while a combined grit, composure and drive in midfield have complemented the skill set of Ryan Jack. As a result, it is difficult to pinpoint his strongest position and the Aberdeen support is confident that McInnes has achieved a real coup with this signing.
3. Shay Logan:
For years the full back positions have posed a real problem for Aberdeen. Under previous management regimes we were known for trying to plug four centre backs into the four defensive positions. It was a problem that McInnes’ predecessor Craig Brown tried to solve but was unsuccessful in doing so with the likes of injury prone David McNamee and Gary Naysmith. For a time Ryan Jack’s potential in the team was limited having to fill in at right-back.
McInnes has recognised the importance of strong natural full-backs. Possessing significant responsibility in the development of Andy Considine before bringing in Shinnie and fans’ favourite Shay Logan. Initially signed on loan from Brentford, Logan slotted into the team with ease making his debut in a 4-0 rout of St. Johnstone in the League Cup Semi-Final.
Defensively sound, Logan offers width on the attack and pops up with a goal and stylish celebration every now and then. Calmness personified when in possession, Logan is quick across the ground and more often that not supplies a good delivery. We believe the full-back is one of Derek McInnes’ best signings to date.
2. Ash Taylor:
The Scouse defender was spotted playing for Tranmere Rovers by the management team when they were monitoring the progress of another transfer target. Taylor joined Aberdeen upon the expiration of his contract at Tranmere but looked slightly error prone towards the beginning of his Aberdeen career with shaky performances in defeats to Dundee United and Hamilton.
It did not take long, however, for the towering defender to find his feet. One of Taylor’s strongest assets is his aerial ability at both ends of the field. Combined with a good positional sense, organisational skills and strength in the tackle, we would consider Taylor to be one of McInnes’ best signings to date. The inevitable retirement of Russell Anderson was a sore one to take for the Aberdeen faithful but the knowledge that we have a replacement growing in confidence and ability with each game has certainly proven to be a comfort.
The question that remains on the other hand, is how long can Aberdeen hold on to the ambitious centre-back? At twenty-four, Taylor’s best years are ahead of him and his former manager Ronnie Moore has touted him to play in the English Premier League.
1. Adam Rooney:
The striker’s record speaks for itself. Adam Rooney has a predatory instinct and since the very day he joined Aberdeen, the Irishman has scored goals. With a record of a goal every other game, and twenty-eight goals in all competitions during the 2014/15 season, Rooney can be considered the best striker Aberdeen have had for a number of years.
The majority of Rooney’s goals have come from inside the penalty area, emphasising the importance of Aberdeen constructing attacks in a manner which will see the ball worked into the box patiently. Rooney’s ability within the area has seen an increase in the number of crosses Aberdeen are willing to attempt simultaneously with an ascendancy in the number of goals from set-pieces.
While, there are many individuals that have impressed since coming to Pittodrie under the tutelage of Derek McInnes, it is difficult to look beyond Adam Rooney as his best signing given how prolific he has been for the club.
As the conclusion of the transfer window approaches we would like to hear which players you consider to have been Derek McInnes’ best signings for the club. Tweet us @StatsAndSkirts or post in the comment section below.
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