Aberdeen's Winter Wonderland
The Dons head into the winter full of hope.
This is a guest article by Andrew Jeffrey. Follow Andy on Substack and X.
Aberdeen’s season to date is so incredible and fanciful that it’s almost as if there’s a little boy or girl extolling all his/her Christmas wishes — and they are all coming true game by game.
The shine that Aberdeen are travelling under is a mix between the wishful Christmas lights and the wondrous Northern Lights.
Even that one badly damaged Christmas light (the 6-0 loss to Celtic in the League Cup semi-final — their only defeat of the season in all competitions) was quickly corrected after a sparkling 4-1 victory over Dundee.
How have they managed such an incredible turnaround?
Following a challenging 2023-24 season, Aberdeen initiated an internal review to assess their performance and identify areas for improvement.
The review was led by the club’s executive management team, including Chairman Dave Cormack and Director of Football Steven Gunn. Their analysis highlighted several key issues.
The team struggled with maintaining form, leading to fluctuating results throughout the season. Their highest position all season was their final resting place of seventh.
Plenty of injuries to key players adversely affected squad depth and performance. They badly needed to reinforce their playing options.
The existing tactical approaches were deemed ineffective against certain opponents, necessitating strategic adjustments. They needed a change in the football department.
In response to these findings, the club implemented several measures.
Jimmy Thelin was appointed as the new manager, bringing a fresh perspective and tactical approach.
Targeted recruitment was undertaken to strengthen key positions and enhance overall squad depth.
The club introduced advanced training programs focusing on fitness, injury prevention and tactical versatility. These initiatives aimed to address the shortcomings identified in the review and set a foundation for improved performance that has seen them match Celtic’s points tally so far this season.
THE THELIN EFFECT
Aberdeen are Thelin’s fourth club. Immediately prior to his switch to Aberdeen, he enjoyed success with Elfsborg in his native Sweden through his innovative coaching methods and effective man-management skills.
Thelin implemented a dynamic and attacking style of play, emphasising quick transitions and high pressing.
His approach led to improved performances and a more cohesive team structure.
Thelin’s focus on player development and tactical flexibility allowed Elfsborg to compete effectively in the Allsvenskan, Sweden’s top tier.
Under Thelin’s leadership, Aberdeen achieved a remarkable 13-match winning streak, showcasing a potent offence and solid defence.
Only Celtic have scored more goals than the Dons in the Scottish Premiership, while only the Bhoys and Rangers have conceded fewer.
Thelin’s coaching philosophy centres on:
High-intensity play — encouraging players to maintain high energy levels throughout matches, focusing on quick ball recovery and swift counter-attacks.
Tactical flexibility — adapting strategies to exploit opponents weaknesses, often employing varied formations and in-game adjustments.
Player development — investing in individual player growth, enhancing technical skills and fostering a deep understanding of in game tactics. He establishes strong relationships with players, leading to a motivated and cohesive squad.
Communicating effectively — he clearly conveys expectations and providing constructive feedback, ensuring players understand their roles and responsibilities. In turn, this creates a positive environment fostering a supportive atmosphere that encourages teamwork and resilience, contributing to the team’s overall success.
Thelin has a strong tactical acumen. He demonstrates a deep understanding of game dynamics and the ability to outmanoeuvre opponents strategically, as well as being adaptable, adjusting his tactics and strategies in response to game state.
Thelin’s tenure at both Elfsborg and Aberdeen highlights his ability to enhance performance through innovative coaching, effective man-management, and strategic adaptability.
He has improved a number of players since his arrival at Pittodrie and that is to his great credit.
Nicky Devlin has already tripled his goal tally and doubled his assists compared to last season.
Shayden Morris has doubled his goal and assist counts in fewer appearances, reflecting increased productivity on the wing.
Vicente Besuijen has significantly increased his goal and assist output, becoming a key offensive player under Thelin’s guidance.
Leighton Clarkson has already surpassed his previous season’s goal and assist numbers in fewer games, indicating enhanced creativity and finishing.
These are just four players of possibly upwards of seven or eight that Thelin has already improved.
Players like Slobodan Rubezic, Graeme Shinnie and Jack MacKenzie have all improved their contributions significantly, too.
A notable reduction in goals conceded per game (from 1.37 to 0.91) reflects a more robust defensive setup.
An increase in goals scored per game (from 1.26 to 2.18) highlights a more potent attack. They have lost just once in 18 matches across all competitions.
These statistics underscore Aberdeen’s remarkable progress under the management of Thelin, positioning them as strong contenders in the Scottish Premiership.
The notion that Aberdeen “hadn’t been properly tested” during their strong campaign so far is a myth. This narrative likely emerged due to the team’s dominant performances and a perceived lack of challenging opposition early in the season.
However, a closer examination debunks this claim.
Aberdeen’s early season fixtures may have included matches against lower or mid-table teams, giving the impression they hadn’t faced stronger opponents yet. A long winning streak can often lead to scepticism, with detractors questioning the quality of opposition.
Aberdeen’s struggles last term might have led to doubts about their ability to sustain success against top-tier opponents, but their 2-1 victory over Rangers at the end of October should put those doubts to bed, or at least act as a counterbalance to that thrashing at the hands of Celtic in the League Cup.
Aberdeen’s metrics this season such as goals scored, defensive solidity, and xG (expected goals), showcase a well-rounded team capable of excelling against varying styles of play.
The squad’s ability to rotate players and maintain performance levels reflects their capacity to handle different challenges. Players like Ester Sokler and Devlin have stepped up in crucial games, proving their mettle.
The myth fails to account for Aberdeen’s resilience, adaptability, and the evidence of their sustained success against varied challenges.
Fixtures against St. Mirren, Hibernian and Hearts will be vital as the Dons look to keep up the momentum ahead of hosting Celtic on December 4th, in what could be an early title six-pointer.
Should they remain on course for a glittering Christmas, the question will then be whether Aberdeen can remain near the top of the tree come the spring…