Dons keeper Joe Lewis recently spoke to RedMatchday magazine ahead of the winter shutdown:

We’re heading to the midway point of the campaign now, the winter break beckoning, a point when we can all take stock and assess just what the season has delivered and what it still promises to give us in the months ahead.

One very clear positive that we’ve enjoyed over the last six months since we started playing again has been the form of Joe Lewis between the sticks, a constant and consistent presence as the Dons’ goalkeeper.
It’s his first season on this side of the border, so how has he had to adapt his game to handle the different pressures of playing for Aberdeen?

“When I played at Peterborough we got back-to-back promotions there. Those were consistently good team performances over a period of time. I was then on loan at Blackpool for a season. We lost a lot of games and got relegated which was very hard to take, but from a personal point of view, I made a lot of saves and was busy.

“It has been a new experience for me up here because in the past, it’s been about league football for me. At Aberdeen, I played a lot of my early games in Europe and then we have had a cup final as well alongside the bread and butter league games.

“There have been matches when I have been busy and others where we’ve had all the ball and where I have had to keep my concentration, so I’ve been at both ends of the spectrum. Mentally it has been a test and it’s something I am enjoying. I’m enjoying my football here as much as I have anywhere, long may that continue.

“The belief the manager has shown in me has definitely helped. I have always had the belief in myself, that if I can get a good run of games then I will produce performances. I feel like this season I have done that. Playing regularly has been a big benefit.

“I have played 20 odd games this season and I only played 10 last season at Fulham. It is great to get the benefit from regular games, you get into a rhythm and to get into that zone. I am definitely benefiting from playing every week.

“I spoke to the manager at the start of the season and he gave me a very clear direction on what type of goalkeeper he wants and how he wants his goalkeepers to play. Hopefully I have done what he has asked and warranted my selection.

“In that conversation, the manager said he wanted me to be positive and on the front foot. Physically, he wanted me to come and take things in the air and I think I have done quite well. He wanted me to breed confidence in the defence and hopefully I have made an impact there.”

Focus is a key part of being a goalkeeper. Typically, you see less of the action than any of the other players, yet as last line of defence, you know that any mistake can be very costly.

Staying sharp and in the moment is a particular skill that goalkeepers have to develop, whatever the conditions.

“At this time of year one of the biggest challenges for a keeper is staying warm, especially at a club like Aberdeen when we are on top for long periods. You might only have a couple of saves to make, but you need to keep your concentration. You need to be switched on and make sure your work is neat and tidy. You can’t let your mind wander. You need to make sure the back four are organised and make sure your starting position is right for any balls over the top.

“So far so good, but I need to maintain my consistency. Goalkeepers are judged by mistakes more than anything. Touch wood, I have not made too many so far. I need to make sure I stay on top of that.

“I am not naïve enough to think I won’t make the odd mistake. I just have to knuckle down and keep a level head on things. I can’t get too carried away when things are going well or too down when they are not. I am 29 now and I’ve played a good few games. I think my experience can help me maintain my form.”

Having had chance to look at the rest of the division at close quarters now, Joe has been impressed by a number of his fellow goalies.

“I have been really impressed with Zander Clark at St Johnstone. He has come in and done really well this season. Apart from our games, I have only seen him in the highlights and that isn’t the best time to look at a goalkeeper because you normally only see goals going in, but he’s done really well.

“Jack Hamilton has also done well at Hearts along with Scott Bain at Dundee. He is another really good keeper. There’s a good level of goalkeepers up here and if they were given the opportunity to move south, then I think they would do well down there too.”

Hopefully one player who won’t be going down south is loanee James Maddison. And even Joe, who is a self-confessed Norwich fan, is hoping he does not return to Carrow Road just yet.

“Everyone wants him to stay. Everyone is in his ear but he has to make the decision that is right for him.”