New Faces, Same Auld Tune

Each new season, I generally start with the same apology: I am unreasonably optimistic when it comes to football and specifically the Dons. I like the new players that we've acquired, those that left were crap, and with just a bit of health and luck - which really are the same thing, no? - each season I expect the Dons to spend the full season near the top of the table.

This year seems to be the exception that proves the rule. Back from injury, both Mackie and young Fraser Fyvie are in essence new faces, while Kari Arnason and Youl Mawene should augment the Dons defence, our main weakness from last season. Up front the club has many options, none of them supremely compelling, but here again optimism strikes in that I believe the pairing of Vernon and Mackie may yet prove potent, with Josh Magennis at least capable of a solid step forward.

Player health aside, Langfield's seizure over the summer threatened the Dons' stability at the back, but Jason Brown arrived from Rovers just in time for the opener against St Johnstone. The Welsh international should serve in good stead in the near-term, and in combination with David Gonzalez the keeper position should be solid even if Langfield's medical situation is not quickly resolved.


In light of last year's sparkling opener and subsequent season-long debacle perhaps we should be rooting for a more modest debut at Pittodrie tomorrow. Aberdeen are decidedly thin on the wings, and must hope that someone up front can find the creativity to put the ball in the net with regularity, but a strengthened back line and strong centre of the field should put the Dons squarely in the middle of things in most matches.

Prediction: 5th place. This would require at least two youngsters to take a strong step forward, and for the Dons to avoid the worst of the injury bug that so plagued the club least season. Honestly I would be unsurprised by either a 10th place (not a relegation spot just yet, thank you) or 3rd place if it turns out there is more pace out wide than was thought. Given that range, why am I picking 5th place? oh yes, that optimism.