Jim Goodwin insists he's relishing being given an Aberdeen selection headache ahead of their trip to Dundee United on Saturday as he welcomes three key players back into his squad.
The Dons boss, who was handed an eight game ban by the SFA for comments made about Hibs' Ryan Porteous, is able to add both Liam Scales and Leighton Clarkson to his travelling party after suspension while midfield starlet Connor Barron is edging closer to a long-awaited return. The 20-year-old had a breakthrough second half of last season but suffered a serious injury in pre-season meaning Ylber Ramadani and Ross McCrorie have occupied the midfield berth for the Pittodrie club.
Goodwin's men go into the game on the back of an impressive 4-1 win over Kilmarnock and are looking to replicate their free-scoring home form on the road when they head down the A90 to Tannadice. Asked about how preparations were going ahead of the game, he confirmed Barron's road to being back out on the pitch is close.
He said: "Obviously we're delighted to welcome Liam and Leighton back into the fold, and Connor has had a really positive weeks training after such a lengthy absence. I am delighted to have him included as well, and for the first time in a long time, I've got a selection headache which all managers want.
"It's the way I've designed the squad. Some people out there question the lack of depth at the back and not having enough cover but I do believe there is enough within the squad
"I believe we've got players like Ross McCrorie who can fill in in a number of positions. Young Jack Milne is one I've given high praise to in recent weeks who came on at the weekend and done very well against Kilmarnock for 15 minutes.
"So we have got good defensive options, but for me, the bit that wins you games is always at the top end of the pitch and it was something that I didn't think I had available to me last season when I took over the job in February. I didn't think there was a great amount of attacking options whether that's coming off the bench or during games week to week. I didn't feel as if there was enough of an opportunity to change or freshen things up.
"We certainly can't have that label this time around. We've got brilliant options in the striking department, in the wide areas, and in the central midfield as well.
"Competition for places is a very healthy thing so nobody can feel too comfortable in their position because they'll look over their shoulder and see a real quality player chomping at the bit waiting to take their place in the team."
Goodwin has also been left impressed by the way his strikers have been pushing each other on to success, even if he admits the likes of Duk and Christian Ramirez are striving to be given more minutes. Bojan Miovski is the Irishman's preferred option up front and his bagged eight goals in his opening ten games but Goodwin knows competition can only be a good thing.
"It is always important that your strikers are scoring goals", Goodwin added. “I built the squad in a way which gives me great attacking options. I was able to replace Bojan with Duk, who is real quality.
“Against Kilmarnock, Vicente Besuijen came off and was replaced by Christian Ramirez, who has proven he can score goals in this league. The changes aren’t weakening the team at the top end of the pitch, which is the most important thing.
“Both Duk and Bojan have scored plenty of goals up to now between the two of them, which is pleasing. It is always important that you don’t need to rely on any one individual.
“There is good competition up there at the top end of the pitch at the moment and that’s the way you want it.”
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