I can't be bothered with a proper recap. We all saw the match, even if we wish we hadn't, and it's too early in the season to wallow through it all over again.
What did we learn? Without FF and Aluko, the Dons' midfield is vulnerable and unimaginative. Certainly had Aberdeen not missed on several opportunities, Killie would not have had the opportunity for an injury time winner... but more important to me than the three points lost is how the Dons respond next weekend at Tannadice.
Had the home side been the victor instead, the narrative would be decidedly rosy, with many accounts of the "brave" Dons refusing to be deflated by injuries... and would be just as foolish as are those doom-sayers that, truth be told, included yours truly. Yes the Dons were curiously cautious at times, but overall the match had a decent bit of solid, back-and-forth football, and was far from the dreadful snoozefest Pittodrie was forced to witness last season. Damning with faint praise? That's all I have today, sorry.
31 August 2010
26 August 2010
Week 3 Preview: Aberdeen v Kilmarnock
This should have been an upbeat post. Aberdeen are top of the League for the second week in a row, having taken full points in both matches. Traveling to Perth, the Dons were denied a penalty, then put the ball in the net only to have it waved off due to a supposed foul in the box. Compared to the season opener this was an ugly match, and even Mackie's winner was admittedly a bundled affair... but these are all good things. The St Johnstone win was exactly the type that the Dons would have managed to give away last year, and so in some ways the three points from Perth were even more encouraging from those obtained in the 4-0 Accies thrashing.
All this was unfortunately bumped aside when young Fraser Fyvie caught his boot wrong in the plastic pitch at Clackmannan Road and crumpled without contact. This, combined with Sone Aluko's achilles concerns, and suddenly the Dons look vulnerable.
On to Killie - while the two SPL defeats can't encourage the Ayrshire side, supporters will point to a 6-2 midweek Cup defeat of Airdrie. Yesterday Kilmarnock also announced the capture of Villa striker Harry Forrester, on loan until January, with Killie boss Mixu Paatelainen saying that he "hoped" Forrester would be available this Saturday.
Thus, even though Killie are pointless after two matches and only saved from the relegation spot by Hamilton's twin four-goal defeats, this weekend's tie is more tense then it ought to be. If the Dons can take the points, it will strengthen team confidence, but a defeat or even bad draw could undo all the momentum that has been built in three victories (eight goals scored, zero conceded) in the past two weeks.
In the end, this match will tell us what kind of side we have this season. We will have to see who in the midfield steps up in place of Fyvie, but with enough different lads in good form so far, I'm confident the Dons will get the job done... though I predict we concede for the first time this season. Aberdeen FC 2 - 1 Kilmarnock. Aluko sets up at least one of the two goals, one for Hartley from the spot, the other from either Magennis or Maguire.
All this was unfortunately bumped aside when young Fraser Fyvie caught his boot wrong in the plastic pitch at Clackmannan Road and crumpled without contact. This, combined with Sone Aluko's achilles concerns, and suddenly the Dons look vulnerable.
On to Killie - while the two SPL defeats can't encourage the Ayrshire side, supporters will point to a 6-2 midweek Cup defeat of Airdrie. Yesterday Kilmarnock also announced the capture of Villa striker Harry Forrester, on loan until January, with Killie boss Mixu Paatelainen saying that he "hoped" Forrester would be available this Saturday.
Thus, even though Killie are pointless after two matches and only saved from the relegation spot by Hamilton's twin four-goal defeats, this weekend's tie is more tense then it ought to be. If the Dons can take the points, it will strengthen team confidence, but a defeat or even bad draw could undo all the momentum that has been built in three victories (eight goals scored, zero conceded) in the past two weeks.
In the end, this match will tell us what kind of side we have this season. We will have to see who in the midfield steps up in place of Fyvie, but with enough different lads in good form so far, I'm confident the Dons will get the job done... though I predict we concede for the first time this season. Aberdeen FC 2 - 1 Kilmarnock. Aluko sets up at least one of the two goals, one for Hartley from the spot, the other from either Magennis or Maguire.
25 August 2010
Week 2 SPL Recap
Hamilton 0 - 4 Hearts: As the Dons were busy staying atop the League table on Saturday afternoon, Hamilton changed much only to fall to their second consecutive 4 goal defeat, this time as Hearts were uncompromising visitors to New Douglas Park. Both sides finished the match with ten men, but not before Calum Elliot's brace sandwiched tallies from David Templeton and Kevin Kyle (pen).
Celtic 4 - 0 St Mirren: The remaining four matches were on Sunday, but the Glasgow side eschewed any thoughts of a day of rest. A week after Celtic managed a single goal against a stubborn Caley Thistle side, Neal Lennon fielded an attack-minded formation to great effect - if anything, the Buddies were lucky to escape having conceded just the four.
Hibernian 0 - 3 Rangers: The blue-shirted side took the points as Kenny Miller claimed a hat-trick in the final 30 minutes of play, but Hibs made things difficult in the ill-tempered opener at Easter Road. Just a few minutes from half time, Kevin McBride and Kyle Lafferty were both shown straight red, Lafferty having recklessly scythed Liam Miller and McBride retaliated with a less-than-composed return of the ball, plus a choice word or ten.
Dundee Utd - 0 4 Inverness CT: In what was honestly my favorite match of the weekend, Caledonian Thistle expanded a 0-1 advantage at the break in a very composed performance at Tannadice. Kevin McCann opened the scoring from thirty yards out on 34 minutes, a confident blast into the top corner that left Dusan Pernis helpless. In the second half the well-organized ICT side kept the Sandy side considently wrong-footed, and with a sparkling minus-4 goal differential.
Kilmarnock 0 - 1 Motherwell: A Nick Blackman tap-in was all that Motherwell needed to take the points from Rugby Park, as Killie were sent to the bottom of the young SPL table, only saved from the relegation spot by Hamilton's largesse. The Ayrshide side did mount several solid chances at an equalizer, including a close-range header from Manuel Pascali in injury time, but Well keeper Darren Randolph was up to the task.
Cup Review: Alloa v Aberdeen
The Dons' easy advance into the third round of the Scottish League Co-operative Insurance Cup was soon overshadowed by renewed discussion of the artificial surface at Recreation Park. Fyvie looked to catch his boot in the turf and went down badly and without contact; initial speculation has been some sort of knee ligament damage, and while McGhee was cautiously optimistic about the results of a scan, he did not conceal his opinion of the plastic pitch.
"It might not be as bad as it looked, but I definitely think it's the pitch," said the Dons' boss. "A lot of these pitches have been built around the country for teams to train on, but I think at this level the competitiveness and the pace that we're trying to play at it does make it a little bit more difficult... people's feet are sticking and players are getting injuries."
Certainly we all hope the young bull escaped serious damage. It has been noted that Fyvie may have invited trouble by wearing bladed boots instead of a those designed for artificial surfaces, and with luck he'll have learned the lesson without having to pay a price of a month or four in physio.
"It might not be as bad as it looked, but I definitely think it's the pitch," said the Dons' boss. "A lot of these pitches have been built around the country for teams to train on, but I think at this level the competitiveness and the pace that we're trying to play at it does make it a little bit more difficult... people's feet are sticking and players are getting injuries."
Certainly we all hope the young bull escaped serious damage. It has been noted that Fyvie may have invited trouble by wearing bladed boots instead of a those designed for artificial surfaces, and with luck he'll have learned the lesson without having to pay a price of a month or four in physio.
21 August 2010
Instant Replay: St Johnstone 0 - 1 Aberdeen
It wasn't nearly as pretty as last week's thumping of Hamilton at Pittodrie, but six points from two matches is, well, perfect.
The first half was relatively decent, with at least a few moments of solid (if cautious) football. At their best the Dons were able to combine possession with aggressive direct play. Aluko continued his inspired play, drawing fouls and creating several chances.
The matched seemed to open up a wee bit in the second half, and tempers flared after Hartley's admittedly reckless challenge in the 62'. I thought the yellow was certainly deserved, but worried that the Dons lost focus afterwards. Certainly we seemed to teeter on the edge, barely able to avoid the howler concession that characterized the Dons' defense last season. Howard was certainly forced to work more than would be desired.
McGhee seemed to sense that his side was vulnerable and brought in both Scott Vernon and Darren Mackie a few minutes later. I would have preferred to see Magennis stay on as I thought he'd had a fair bit of positive play, but it's great to have the depth to bring on two who could have started the match.
Finally, in the final five minutes, Aluko galloped down the left side and delivered a sparkling cross into the box, low and hard, Mackie beat two defenders to the ball, and got enough of the ball to slot it home. While Aberdeen have to feel fortunate to leave it so late and yes still capture the points, this was a well-earned result.
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Most encouraging: getting Mackie on the board early, and his potential relationship with Aluko.
Least encouraging: ten minutes of dreadful defending ~60'-70'. Dons were thisclose to a horrid gaff in their own box, and at that point in the match there would have been no comeback.
Apology: I have been hard on McGhee but I was nothing but pleased with the Dons boss in this match. The starting lineup was justifiable, and when McGhee sensed that the match might be slipping away, instead of making a defensive sub, he put in both Vernon and Mackie seeking to turn the match back against Saints.
Thing of beauty: the current SPL Table
The first half was relatively decent, with at least a few moments of solid (if cautious) football. At their best the Dons were able to combine possession with aggressive direct play. Aluko continued his inspired play, drawing fouls and creating several chances.
The matched seemed to open up a wee bit in the second half, and tempers flared after Hartley's admittedly reckless challenge in the 62'. I thought the yellow was certainly deserved, but worried that the Dons lost focus afterwards. Certainly we seemed to teeter on the edge, barely able to avoid the howler concession that characterized the Dons' defense last season. Howard was certainly forced to work more than would be desired.
McGhee seemed to sense that his side was vulnerable and brought in both Scott Vernon and Darren Mackie a few minutes later. I would have preferred to see Magennis stay on as I thought he'd had a fair bit of positive play, but it's great to have the depth to bring on two who could have started the match.
Finally, in the final five minutes, Aluko galloped down the left side and delivered a sparkling cross into the box, low and hard, Mackie beat two defenders to the ball, and got enough of the ball to slot it home. While Aberdeen have to feel fortunate to leave it so late and yes still capture the points, this was a well-earned result.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Most encouraging: getting Mackie on the board early, and his potential relationship with Aluko.
Least encouraging: ten minutes of dreadful defending ~60'-70'. Dons were thisclose to a horrid gaff in their own box, and at that point in the match there would have been no comeback.
Apology: I have been hard on McGhee but I was nothing but pleased with the Dons boss in this match. The starting lineup was justifiable, and when McGhee sensed that the match might be slipping away, instead of making a defensive sub, he put in both Vernon and Mackie seeking to turn the match back against Saints.
Thing of beauty: the current SPL Table
19 August 2010
Week 2: St Johnstone - Aberdeen
I held off on posting the week two preview for a day as I wanted to bask in the glory of the opener. While clearly one match does not a season make, how can we not be cheered by what we saw in Pittodrie. My pre-season pick for Player of the Year, Sone Aluko put forth a strong effort, with incisive attacking play earning the first two of Hartley's tallies, in addition to the corner on which Diamond added the third. Last year the back end was the Don's weakness (well, one of them), but McCardle and Howard were quite comfortable, and Megennis did the hard work all over the pitch.
Indeed, the fact that new addition Scott Vernon may well have to bide his time on the bench is actually quite encouraging, and while I'd feel better when Mackie exorcises last year's failures, a collection of three points with Mackie kept off the sheet is positive in its own way.
Clearly we expect a tougher matchup in Perth this weekend, but it's not unreasonable to expect the Dons' strong form to carry over. Saints will be without Steven Anderson after his scything kick to the back of Suso's leg, but will be buoyed by their away point at Tynecastle. Aberdeen may have to be patient and guard against the counter as Saints proved tough to crack throughout the second half... again, Aluko may prove critical to the Dons' success, as I doubt that Millar, Morris (cautioned last week), and the rest of the midfield can contain his aggression if the youngster has his head in gear.
Am I optimistic? Yes, yes I am. I've tried to stuff the positive thoughts back down, but for one week at least I have allowed a good start to get my hopes up. Come on Dons!
Indeed, the fact that new addition Scott Vernon may well have to bide his time on the bench is actually quite encouraging, and while I'd feel better when Mackie exorcises last year's failures, a collection of three points with Mackie kept off the sheet is positive in its own way.
Clearly we expect a tougher matchup in Perth this weekend, but it's not unreasonable to expect the Dons' strong form to carry over. Saints will be without Steven Anderson after his scything kick to the back of Suso's leg, but will be buoyed by their away point at Tynecastle. Aberdeen may have to be patient and guard against the counter as Saints proved tough to crack throughout the second half... again, Aluko may prove critical to the Dons' success, as I doubt that Millar, Morris (cautioned last week), and the rest of the midfield can contain his aggression if the youngster has his head in gear.
Am I optimistic? Yes, yes I am. I've tried to stuff the positive thoughts back down, but for one week at least I have allowed a good start to get my hopes up. Come on Dons!
18 August 2010
Week 1 SPL Recap
Perhaps lost in the shadows of the Dons' brilliant opener were five other matches.
Inverness CT 0 - 1 Celtic
At Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Paddy McCourt scored the opening goal of the SPL season as the visitors took all three points. Not sure this match warrants a second sentence.
Rangers 2 -1 Kilmarnock
A Killie comeback fell short at Ibrox after Kenny Miller and Steven Naismith put the hosts up by two. The Ayrshire side was pipped by many as relegation favourites; is a close away effort encouraging for Killie, or an indictment of Rangers' weakness, or just a one-off that means nothing?
Hearts 1 - 1 St Johnstone
The two clubs shared a pair of injury-time goals just before the end of the half. Saints were reduced to 10 men but held on to share the points at Tynecastle.
St Mirren 1 - 1 Dundee Utd
Danny Lennon's Buddies started the season with promise and looked able to contain the visitors' pressure until a 89th minute equalizer from Jon Daly ruined matters, but sharing the points was a fair result.
Motherwell 2 - 3 Hibernian
In perhaps the most exciting match (second to that at Pittodrie) of the weekend, the two sides failed to match their twelve-goal outburst from a year ago, but treated Fir Park to a end-to-end affair with five goals and several missed opportunities. Just two minutes after Hibs went up by two, Murphy smartly slotted in a penalty to set up a frantic final fifteen minutes, but the visitors held on to capture the points.
14 August 2010
A Bright Start, Indeed
Welcome Paul Hartley!
Scoring thrice from the spot, the new captain gave the Dons a convincing opening win, the first time Aberdeen have taking three points from the opener since 2002. Aluko did the heavy lifting early and often, first with a sparkling 30-yard free kick that was tipped by Cerny to the crossbar, and then in the 18th minute he was crunched in the box by Accies defender Simon Mensing to allow Hartley to put the home side up 1-0.
Aluko continued to threaten, and five minutes from halftime was again fouled in the box, setting up Hartley to wrong-way the Czech keeper. After switching ends Zander Diamond gave the Dons a third before Hartley took advantage of another Mensing foul, this time on Chris Maguire. The final 20 minutes saw a bit of a drop in freshness, but let's not quibble. This was a brilliant start to the new season.
Scoring thrice from the spot, the new captain gave the Dons a convincing opening win, the first time Aberdeen have taking three points from the opener since 2002. Aluko did the heavy lifting early and often, first with a sparkling 30-yard free kick that was tipped by Cerny to the crossbar, and then in the 18th minute he was crunched in the box by Accies defender Simon Mensing to allow Hartley to put the home side up 1-0.
Aluko continued to threaten, and five minutes from halftime was again fouled in the box, setting up Hartley to wrong-way the Czech keeper. After switching ends Zander Diamond gave the Dons a third before Hartley took advantage of another Mensing foul, this time on Chris Maguire. The final 20 minutes saw a bit of a drop in freshness, but let's not quibble. This was a brilliant start to the new season.
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| The SPL Table after opening matches: all as it should be. [BBC] |
12 August 2010
A New Season
I had hoped that a summer away from the SPL would improve my outlook, and the World Cup served to be at least a decent distraction, but now when I sit down and address our chances in the coming season, I can't be terribly hopeful.
That said, however, there are some reasons for optimism. In spite of a light wallet, McGhee made a few acquisitions that deserve some measure of applause. SPL veteran Paul Hartley arrived from Bristol City, and while he's not the same player that earned 25 caps for Scotland, Hartley is a good 'get'. Almost equally encouraging however, was the addition of Northern Ireland defender Rory McArdle and his 23-year-old legs. Effort was all-too-often lacking along the back line that conceded a League-high (low?) 31 goals, and I've been told to expect solid if not spectacular play. At this point, I'll take solid.
Davide Grassi will be missed, and I would have preferred that Gary McDonald could have been retained, but Cardiff's Josh Megennis and Colchester United's Scott Vernon provide options up front; hopefully one will help Mackie regain his scoring touch.
The midfield is, let's face it, less than settled, but turning things upside down may not have been the worst strategy. Last season was a lost one for Aluko but I'm rather optimistic about him this year and think he could prove quite the fan-favourite if given proper support and room to maneuvre.
My prediction: 5th in the league. Hamilton, Killie, etc are improved but Celtic and especially Rangers are looking relatively poor, so there will definitely be points for the taking. Youth and positive play can take a team only so far, but I think a top-6 finish is not unreasonable especially if some solid early-season form can be established. I'd like some silverware, but let's not get greedy.
That said, however, there are some reasons for optimism. In spite of a light wallet, McGhee made a few acquisitions that deserve some measure of applause. SPL veteran Paul Hartley arrived from Bristol City, and while he's not the same player that earned 25 caps for Scotland, Hartley is a good 'get'. Almost equally encouraging however, was the addition of Northern Ireland defender Rory McArdle and his 23-year-old legs. Effort was all-too-often lacking along the back line that conceded a League-high (low?) 31 goals, and I've been told to expect solid if not spectacular play. At this point, I'll take solid.
Davide Grassi will be missed, and I would have preferred that Gary McDonald could have been retained, but Cardiff's Josh Megennis and Colchester United's Scott Vernon provide options up front; hopefully one will help Mackie regain his scoring touch.
The midfield is, let's face it, less than settled, but turning things upside down may not have been the worst strategy. Last season was a lost one for Aluko but I'm rather optimistic about him this year and think he could prove quite the fan-favourite if given proper support and room to maneuvre.
My prediction: 5th in the league. Hamilton, Killie, etc are improved but Celtic and especially Rangers are looking relatively poor, so there will definitely be points for the taking. Youth and positive play can take a team only so far, but I think a top-6 finish is not unreasonable especially if some solid early-season form can be established. I'd like some silverware, but let's not get greedy.
09 August 2010
A Look Back
We'll start by re-posting a few thoughts from the end of last season.
[8 May 2010]
And so the season draws to a close, very appropriately with an own-goal 1-nil capture of 3 points... except that it is weeks and months too late to be counting points. Three points from May, four from April, four from March - 9th place in the table seems about right, if not a little generous.
The Dons honoured the achievement of Sir Alex's boys thirty years ago Monday, celebrating the Dons' second League title since 1955 and the first time in fifteen years that the League trophy traveled out of Glasgow. For Bobby Clark, for Gordon Strachan, for Stevie Archibald, and especially for Willie Miller, the current side's form must surely have soured any reunion, and there is certainly enough blame to be spread about liberally. In endings are also beginnings however, and for me at least there was a small element of catharsis when the final whistle blew this afternoon. I can now relax for a few months, knowing that the weekly disappointments have taken a summerlong hiatus.
I have no illusions that McGhee will take the Dons anywhere but to the middle of the table, but to be honest I would settle for respectability. I want a club to be proud of, a side that plays a decent brand of football, one that makes an effort to compete and has the talent to surprise now and again.
[8 May 2010]
And so the season draws to a close, very appropriately with an own-goal 1-nil capture of 3 points... except that it is weeks and months too late to be counting points. Three points from May, four from April, four from March - 9th place in the table seems about right, if not a little generous.
The Dons honoured the achievement of Sir Alex's boys thirty years ago Monday, celebrating the Dons' second League title since 1955 and the first time in fifteen years that the League trophy traveled out of Glasgow. For Bobby Clark, for Gordon Strachan, for Stevie Archibald, and especially for Willie Miller, the current side's form must surely have soured any reunion, and there is certainly enough blame to be spread about liberally. In endings are also beginnings however, and for me at least there was a small element of catharsis when the final whistle blew this afternoon. I can now relax for a few months, knowing that the weekly disappointments have taken a summerlong hiatus.
I have no illusions that McGhee will take the Dons anywhere but to the middle of the table, but to be honest I would settle for respectability. I want a club to be proud of, a side that plays a decent brand of football, one that makes an effort to compete and has the talent to surprise now and again.
03 August 2010
A New Home
2010 sees Beach End Dons at a new address, after some technical nightmares & webhosting problems. Blogger isn't ideal, but these things happen.
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