Aberdeen FC finds itself in a troubling spiral, having dropped to fourth place in the Scottish Premiership table after suffering seven defeats in their last ten matches. The team is now 22 points behind the league leaders, Celtic, and has failed to secure a victory in their last ten outings. This alarming trend has left fans and management alike questioning what has gone wrong for a club that started the season with promise.
The decline in form has been dramatic, with supporters noting a palpable loss of confidence among the players. Gary Scott, a devoted fan, expressed concern over the team's mental state, saying, "What you see now is a team who are shorn of confidence and belief and that is manifesting itself in performances and results."
Aberdeen's struggles can be traced back to multiple factors, including injury woes, defensive vulnerabilities, and a significant dip in goal-scoring ability. Notably, the departure of prolific striker Bojan Miovski, sold for £6.8 million during the summer transfer window, has left a void that the team has been unable to fill. This has been compounded by injuries to key players like top goalscorer Pape Gueye, further stifling their attacking options.
Despite having more possession in their last ten games compared to their initial matches of the season, Aberdeen has created fewer clear-cut chances and scored fewer goals. The situation became increasingly dire as the team ended up winless in those games. Manager Jimmy Thelin acknowledged the team's deficiencies while reflecting on the early part of the season. "We were still conceding silly goals at the start of the season during that winning run but it was glossed over because we were winning," he stated. "It is only natural to get caught up in the fanfare but now scoring goals has dried up too."
Thelin has been at the helm for six months and is determined not to panic despite the daunting challenges ahead. He recently made moves to bolster his squad during the January transfer window, signing winger Jeppe Okkels and Kristers Tobers. Thelin praised Tobers for his leadership qualities and ability to enhance the performance of his teammates.
"You need to try to hide your weakness and show more of your strengths," Thelin commented on the team's current situation. "We have some parts that we have to improve as a team and as a collective." He emphasized that addressing these issues is critical as they strive to regain their form.
The manager also noted that fine margins have played a role in their recent performances. "In this 10-game run we have been on top in some matches but failed to convert and then there has been a spell when the opposition is in control and they make us pay," he explained.
Despite these setbacks, Thelin remains optimistic about his team's potential. "You always have an ambition to improve the team," he asserted, highlighting that they still have time to turn their fortunes around.
Aberdeen supporters will be eager to see if the recent signings can inject fresh energy into the squad and help alleviate some of the pressure. With the Scottish Cup on the horizon, fans hold onto hope that their team can find a way to reclaim its stature within the league.
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