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Joe Harper: Aberdeen must sign defenders in the January transfer window

Anthony Stewart and Jon Nouble in action during the cinch Premiership match between Livingston and Aberdeen. Image: SNS
Anthony Stewart and Jon Nouble in action during the cinch Premiership match between Livingston and Aberdeen. Image: SNS

Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin must raid the January transfer market to sign more defenders.

The defending in the opening 20 minutes of the 2-1 loss at Livingston underlined the need to strengthen the rearguard in the next window.

I would suggest two defenders need to be signed in January.

At present there is not enough competition or pressure on the current defenders, particularly at centre-back.

Aberdeen have secured just three clean sheets from 14 Premiership games.

They are leaking a goal nearly every game in the league and that needs to stop.

Sean Kelly scores a penalty to make it 2-0 Livingston against Aberdeen. Image: SNS

Signings are needed in January to put real pressure on the current defenders to perform at the top of their game.

With that competition we will then see who comes out on top.

Signing a couple of defenders would also allow Ross McCrorie to move back into the centre of midfield where I think he belongs.

McCrorie has been used on the right of a back three recently.

He is a quality player and putting McCrorie in defence eliminates his work-rate, aggression, speed and passing ability from midfield.

Aberdeen’s midfield need McCrorie’s influence.

Aberdeen’s abysmal away record needs to be addressed

Yet again, the Dons’ abysmal away record struck as a disastrous opening 20 minutes gave Goodwin’s side a mountain to climb against Livingston.

At Pittodrie, the Reds are direct, aggressive and dominate play.

They quickly have to take that Pittodrie fire and fight on the road.

Securing success needs strong home form, which Aberdeen definitely have.

However, it also requires positive results away from Pittodrie, and the Dons are falling short in that department.

There needs to be consistency and a balance with home and away form.

Although the Dons suffered defeat at Livingston, it was no shocker like the heavy loses at Rangers (4-1) and Dundee United (4-0).

Aberdeen had a nightmare in the first 20 minutes at the Tony Macaroni Arena, but after that they dominated.

Manager Jim Goodwin made a change at half-time when replacing McCrorie with Matty Kennedy in the hunt for the win.

Ross McCrorie at Livingston. Image: SNS

He also substituted defenders for attackers in the second half as he pushed to turn the game around.

It almost worked.

So near, but yet so far.

However, the brutal truth is that Aberdeen paid the price for shooting themselves in the foot so early in the match.

The Dons were a far different proposition in the second half and moved the ball swiftly and with real attacking intent.

I have no complaints about the second half performance from Aberdeen against Livingston.

Duk scores to make it 2-1. Image: SNS

But that opening 20-minute spell was completely unacceptable.

Aberdeen were pushed around far too easily in that period and they cannot allow that to happen.

The race for third and Europe this season is going to be extremely tight. You just have to look at the Premiership table for proof of that.

There is only a few points between third spot and eighth, so every point will be a prisoner.

Which is why Aberdeen must find answers to the main problems which are hindering the bid to build real momentum in the Premiership.

Those are the concerns formed away from home and the lack of clean sheets.

The winter transfer window opens in less than two months. That should be the window of opportunity to fix those two problems.

Another milestone for Calvin Ramsay

Former Aberdeen defender Calvin Ramsay has enjoyed a memorable November so far – and deserves all the success coming his way.

The 19-year-old made his Liverpool debut in the 2-0 Champions League defeat of Serie A leaders Napoli last Tuesday.

Right-back Ramsay slotted into that Liverpool side and impressed during his time on the pitch at Anfield.

Calvin Ramsay comes on for Trent Alexander-Arnold to make his Liverpool debut.

And just eight days later, the Aberdonian has been named in Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad for the first time.

Ramsay is in the squad for the friendly away to Turkey on Wednesday.

What a remarkable rise it has been for the teenager.

He only made his Aberdeen debut a year and a half ago when coming on as a substitute in a 1-0 loss at Dundee United last March.

Now he has made a debut for one of the biggest clubs in world football and has broken into the senior international set up.

The sky’s the limit for the teen talent, who can go from strength to strength at both club and international level.

Ramsay’s rise will act as an inspiration to all the young talents at Pittodrie.

Calvin Ramsay during a Liverpool training session at the AXA Training Centre, on October 3, 2022.

Aberdeen have a strong reputation for bringing through young, exciting talent.

And the next crop of emerging youths can look Ramsay, who is proof that, if you have the talent and work hard, you can achieve your dreams.

Aberdeen need revenge in derby

Aberdeen owe Dundee United one after the 4-0 humiliation they suffered at Tannadice earlier this season.

That was an absolute shocker from the Dons and now they have the opportunity for payback at Pittodrie tomorrow.

Aberdeen are a completely different proposition at Pittodrie.

On their home turf, the Reds are dynamic in both attack and closing down the opposition.

They have been delivering goals and wins to the Red Army at Pittodrie.

If Aberdeen continue their recent levels at Pittodrie, they can get revenge for that nightmare at Tannadice.

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