01 January 2011

Match Summary: Aberdeen 1 - 1 Dundee United

A fortnight ago I would have been well-pleased to take a point from this match, or at least not terribly disappointed. The renewed expectations of the nascent Craig Brown era combined in the manner with which the points were allocated, however, keep Saturday's New Firm darby result from being anything other than the aforementioned disappointment.

Yes, Maguire's goal was an unmitigated gift, a first-rate lapse on the part of Keith Watson, although Maguire deserves credit for punishing the mistake. But the Dons were perhaps unlucky to have a penalty appeal denied, and several shots were wasted on side or top netting... on the bright side however, at least we are creating those chances?

Indeed, if not for Dixon having crocked [now confirmed, broken, and out for season] Yoann Folly with a reckless challenge, I could probably convince myself to take the point and move on... but the injury plus two stolen points? It will take a little longer. Hopefully the lads can recover more quickly, as the fixture pile-up next month is positively dreadful, and points will be at a premium.

In the SPL announcement yesterday, the Dons now face a congested schedule running thus: 22 Jan away Celtic, 29 Jan Celtic (League Cup), 1 Feb Celtic, 12 Feb away St Johnstone, 15 Feb Motherwell, 19 Feb Kilmarnock, 22 Feb Hamilton. Fortunately, nearly every other club faces a similar challenge, Cup ties aside, though it's a shame that the Dons now wait a full fortnight for the next League match, 15 January hosting St Mirren.