Former Aberdeen and Scotland striker Lee Miller believes Barry Robson and Steve Agnew could be the perfect Pittodrie dug-out pairing having worked with the duo at Middlesbrough.
Miller, who had four years at Dons, was a team-mate of Robson at the Riverside where Agnew was reserve team coach so he knows both well and reckons they could be the answer to Reds chairman Dave Cormack’s hunt for a Jim Goodwin’s successor.
Robson and Agnew got their first win in interim charge against Motherwell last week and are in serious contention to get the gig permanently. Next up is a daunting trip to face champions Celtic in their own backyard. Miller believes Robson has pulled off a shrewd move in hiring experienced coach Agnew. He told the Press & Journal: “Steve’s just an all-round nice guy who really understands the game. I worked with him for at least a season (at Middlesbrough). I played most of the time in the reserves and he took the reserve team. He’s a cracking, cracking guy and a really good coach with attention to detail.
“He understands the ins and outs of formations and rotations and things like that. But, in my experience of him, the players buzzed off him – they really enjoyed his training and he made it fun. He’s a really likeable guy, but he’s one you wouldn’t cross. Players give him a lot of respect and I just think he understands what players want and need, which makes training enjoyable and makes games enjoyable.
“It’s a case of him allowing people to express themselves on the pitch… I guess that’s what I took away from Aggers. He was taking a lot of young boys at the time and, with me being an experienced pro, he was trying to make that environment right for everybody involved.
“Barry didn’t play in the reserves, but Aggers was a first-team coach (as well) and had a good relationship with all of the players. It doesn’t surprise me, if he (Robson) was looking for an experienced person he trusted, that’s the guy. He was out of work as well, so it made sense.
“I don’t know what the long term plan is (at Aberdeen), but I can see the two them working (well together) and bouncing off of each other. In terms of experience, dealing with players, knowing how to go about everything around it (the management role), it can be important having someone around you just to keep you right.
“I would call and speak to experienced ones I’d worked under and ask for their advice – ‘Am I doing this right?’, ‘What would you do about this?’ – just picking their brain constantly. Barry’s his own man with his own opinions and views. I’m sure he’ll stick by them, because he’s a strong character. But it’s good to have a second opinion and somebody to bounce things off of. And not just a yes man – but somebody who will challenge you and test you.”
READ NEXT
