Dons close in on Algerian ace

Last updated : 20 August 2011 By Team Talk

The 22-year-old, who currently plays for Greek side Panionios and began his career with Le Havre in France, has spent the week on trial in the Granite City.

Brown has been looking for a new striker as the Dons seek to address their failure to find the net in the opening four SPL matches of the campaign.

Brown said: "We're pleased with what we see in training. We're in negotiations with him to see if it's possible to bring him here.

"It is very unlikely that anything would happen before tomorrow in time for the game because there are so many imponderables, clearance from the other side, international clearance, work permits."

Brown has been looking to recruit a forward player and Dutch striker Maceo Rigters has also had a trial spell.

However, he has now travelled to New Zealand on a pre-arranged trial and the Dons are yet to enter full negotiations.

Brown remains full of optimism as his side bid for their first win of the season at Pittodrie on Saturday.

The Dons lost 3-0 at Hearts last weekend and have one point from four matches so far this term.

Brown said: "At this juncture any win would be acceptable. We want to win a game, get some points on the board and get some justification for the optimism I have about this team."

Brown believes it is merely about the Dons' luck turning.

He added: "I don't feel any pressure at all.

"The atmosphere in the dressing room is good and I'm not deluded.

"Players know when they're playing badly or they're unlucky. We could easily have had a lot more points this season.

"We just need a turn of the ball to get a result which would transform the league position.

"I detect a determination to rectify the indifferent results we've had.

"I'm quite sure we're capable of that. We've got to start sooner rather than later to get some points on the board.

"If the lads get what they deserve they will get a victory."

Inverness are below the Dons in the table after also losing three and drawing one of their opening games.

Brown added: "Terry (Butcher, the Inverness manager) will be feeling the way we're feeling - very disappointed with the start.

"Inverness are a far better team than their league position and I'd like to think so are Aberdeen.

"Something has got to give here and there's going to be one successful team - we hope to ensure it's going to be Aberdeen."

Scoring has been a concern for the Dons, but Brown refused to point the finger solely at his strikeforce.

He added: "We've had near-misses in the games and at critical times as well.

"I'm not faulting the strikers exclusively. They haven't had tremendous service.

"They have had good enough opportunities, admittedly, but we've not been making an abundance of chances, but enough to win games, I'm sure of that.

"If we make the number of chances we've made in other games here tomorrow, I think we'll score."

Source: Team Talk

Source: Team Talk