Jimmy Thelin's start as Dons boss, something that feels like a lifetime ago for the supporters, is doing some seriously heavy lifting when it comes to his overall record, but that sort of points haul in a sample size of near enough a full season has alarm bells ringing. In Thelin's defence, it was not his fault Topi Keskinen decided to go for glory himself at a tight angle with options waiting for a tap-in near the end of their latest soul-sapping loss at Motherwell.
It's difficult to second guess the tipping point for the Aberdeen board after yet another defeat left them four points adrift at the bottom of the Premiership.
On the one hand, they have financially backed a manager like no other in the club's history. On the other this malaise has yielded a points return over the past 10 months of 23 out of a possible 99. If that's played out in a single campaign it is clearly relegation form.
Jimmy Thelin's start as Dons boss, something that feels like a lifetime ago for the supporters, is doing some seriously heavy lifting when it comes to his overall record, but that sort of points haul in a sample size of near enough a full season has alarm bells ringing.
In Thelin's defence, it was not his fault Topi Keskinen decided to go for glory himself at a tight angle with options waiting for a tap-in near the end of their latest soul-sapping loss at Motherwell.
Nor was it Thelin's fault Marco Lazetic took the ball for a walk instead of lifting it into an empty net not long after.
The on-pitch decision-making at times this season has been unfathomable.
Also, opposition goalkeepers have been doing their job on the rare occasion they do get a shot on target and once again the goal frame kept them out at Fir Park. There are factors other than poor performances at play here.
The first half was more promising for Aberdeen than in recent weeks, although the half-time changes seemed to have a negative effect on what they had produced while Motherwell were better after the break.
And having spurned their chances, Aberdeen paid a heavy price in stoppage time with Dimitar Mitov meekly letting in the first before a late penalty rubbed salt in the wounds.
On Thursday, the Dons open their Conference League campaign against Shakhtar Donetsk.
The Ukrainians will be the best side the Dons have faced so far this season and perhaps in many years.
It is an ominous task and despite the excitement of qualifying for Europe initially, it has sadly come to be a game that Thelin could do without, particularly given clubs in Scotland outside of Celtic and Rangers toil domestically with the added burden of continental competition.
Much more important will be the home league game with Dundee on Sunday where anything other than maximum points could spell serious trouble with a natural break for the World Cup qualifiers following it.
If Aberdeen are not the crossroads yet, you get the feeling it isn't far away.
Category: General Sports
