We came out all guns blazing and then seems to crumble very quickly.

Pre season has seamingly been a big thing in fitness..
Now is it just me or does it look like we are still lacking fitness?

TheShed wrote:

bowers wrote:

We came out all guns blazing and then seems to crumble very quickly.

Pre season has seamingly been a big thing in fitness..
Now is it just me or does it look like we are still lacking fitness?

 


Our fitness levels are a joke mate, certain boys are clearly not pushing themselves in training, and the coaching staff are allowing it to happen.

 
I agree with both of you.  As evidence that the training is possibly nowhere near intense enough, why is it that Bilate's hammys never seem to ping in training, but only in a game?

To be fair, neither keeper was challenged all that much yesterday, so a lack of cutting edge could be considered as two teams cancelling each other out.

What I found irritating was the way Aberdeen's lack of cutting edge was them 'having a bad day' yet the same pundits were predicting a 'long hard season for United' even though we probably created one or two more opportunities.

What I really hope is that in tomorrow's u20s derby. Bodul and Sneijder are deployed as overage players while Muirhead also gets a start.
 

Arabdad wrote:

Totally agree with the OP. There is hope for the back 4 and keeper to become a really solid unit. Sneijder and Darko are still way off the pace so will have to reserve judgement. Biggest worry for me is where the goals will come from. I remember the sheepish keeper having 2 good saves and Bilate missing one in the first half but not a lot else.

Sorry to moan but could JMac maybe not consider playing 2 up front?

Welcome to the forum Arabdad 

First chance I've been able to get onto the message board since the game. First game I've been able to make since January due to work, but here's my take on things: (bit lengthy as I'll only do 1 or 2 of these in a season

Zwick- collected a few crosses comfortably when in space, but looked uncomfortable when in crowed areas. Teams will target this. I was impressed by his composure and general distribution (minus one or 2 over hit balls). Took his time and made good decisions.

McGowan - some important challenges and kept up with Hayes all but once. Good physical presence and a natural leader. Played further up the park when we were in possession that I thought he would, but didn't make the most of space in front of him.

Donaldson - with McGowan clearly being asked to push high up the park when we had the ball, Donaldson played more like a right back or right sided player in a back 3. Has the pace to be in those areas but seemed a bit unsure with his decision making. I like the fact that he wants to play the ball on the deck. A slightly under hit pass in the 2nd half was cut out, but this was more down to Erskine being flat footed and Hayes(?) being sharper and getting there first rather the the groans directed at Donaldson. 2 mins later, in a simpler position and Donaldson humps the ball up the park aimlessly and you could hear more groans and abuse. Stick to your instincts. Play the ball on the deck.

Durnam - our best player in my opinion. Excellent reading of the game and positioning. Caught out a couple of times but made intelligent fouls so the team wouldn't be punished. Attacks the ball well and displayed a determination lacking in many. Good solid display.

Dixon - solid enough game defensively and decent enough in possession. looks to me as if he has been instructed to only cross the ball if in a very good position. Passed up several opportunities to whip in a ball. Perhaps it was because there was only 1 in the box, but he would have been putting them in a few years ago if it was only Daly in the area.

Souttar - started the game very well and reads the game very well for a young lad. Some crucial interceptions and tackles in the first half. His ability to take the ball in tight areas is a real asset. Quite a continental set up, where he collects the ball in a deep position, Donaldson splits right and Durnam splits left. Allows Dixon and McGowan to really push on. Will hopefully be more effective against poorer opposition. Lacks a bit of bite and drive at times. A couple of instances near the end of the game where he didn't look fully committed in the tackle and didn't attack headers.

Rankin - a massively underrated player in my opinion. So effective when we didn't have the ball. Very brave decision by JMac to sub him as it meant Flood was going to get space. He hardly had a touch in the final 3rd when Rankin was on. It goes to show what a lack of fitness/match sharpness does in a game. Sneijder was about 10 yards off Flood every time he got on the ball. Typical positioning of an unfit or slow player who is worried about being done in a quick give and go. This poor play by Sneijder led to the corner prior to the goal. Hypothetical obviously, but Flood would not have been able to drive on with a Rankin still on the pitch.

Spittal - looks like he has grown a few inches since I last saw him in January. Decent enough on the ball but lacked movement and positional sense when without the ball. With confidence and good coaching, I think he can be a very good player for us this season.

Telfer - looks more comfortable in Middle 3rd than final 3rd. Tidy enough once he had settled but not enough invention or sharpness to play in the number 10 role. Hope I'm wrong.

Erskine - by far the most dangerous player and most likely to create or score in first 60 minutes. If only he was a yard faster he would be some player. He bets himself in good positions around the box and although he's not afraid to have a go, he still passes up opportunities to shoot. Decision making is improving but found it difficult linking up with Bilate. Not sure when to play it into space or feet at times. Easier with Murray, play it into the space I. Front and support. I can see them 2 working well together.

Bilate - not as poor as all the groans and moans would suggest. Although he didn't win many headers, he stopped Taylor / Quinn winning most. At times we were too slow to support him but in general, most balls up to him were falling in and around him. I found the following strange -ball is played up to him, he makes some contact with chest/shoulder and ball almost makes it to Erskine and Dons struggle to clear ;Folk give Bilate abuse. Then 5 mins later, ball is flighted to him and he wins a clean header directing the ball to absolutely no one out to the corner where the ball is easily cleared. There's less groans and even cheers for him for winning a header. Bizarre how some folk see things. He was completely shot of confidence, but I still see a player there who will score 10 -14 goals IF fit.

Bodul with some lovely touches and good awareness suggesting he has quality.

Zippy wrote:

First chance I've been able to get onto the message board since the game. First game I've been able to make since January due to work, but here's my take on things: (bit lengthy as I'll only do 1 or 2 of these in a season

Zwick- collected a few crosses comfortably when in space, but looked uncomfortable when in crowed areas. Teams will target this. I was impressed by his composure and general distribution (minus one or 2 over hit balls). Took his time and made good decisions.

McGowan - some important challenges and kept up with Hayes all but once. Good physical presence and a natural leader. Played further up the park when we were in possession that I thought he would, but didn't make the most of space in front of him.

Donaldson - with McGowan clearly being asked to push high up the park when we had the ball, Donaldson played more like a right back or right sided player in a back 3. Has the pace to be in those areas but seemed a bit unsure with his decision making. I like the fact that he wants to play the ball on the deck. A slightly under hit pass in the 2nd half was cut out, but this was more down to Erskine being flat footed and Hayes(?) being sharper and getting there first rather the the groans directed at Donaldson. 2 mins later, in a simpler position and Donaldson humps the ball up the park aimlessly and you could hear more groans and abuse. Stick to your instincts. Play the ball on the deck.

Durnam - our best player in my opinion. Excellent reading of the game and positioning. Caught out a couple of times but made intelligent fouls so the team wouldn't be punished. Attacks the ball well and displayed a determination lacking in many. Good solid display.

Dixon - solid enough game defensively and decent enough in possession. looks to me as if he has been instructed to only cross the ball if in a very good position. Passed up several opportunities to whip in a ball. Perhaps it was because there was only 1 in the box, but he would have been putting them in a few years ago if it was only Daly in the area.

Souttar - started the game very well and reads the game very well for a young lad. Some crucial interceptions and tackles in the first half. His ability to take the ball in tight areas is a real asset. Quite a continental set up, where he collects the ball in a deep position, Donaldson splits right and Durnam splits left. Allows Dixon and McGowan to really push on. Will hopefully be more effective against poorer opposition. Lacks a bit of bite and drive at times. A couple of instances near the end of the game where he didn't look fully committed in the tackle and didn't attack headers.

Rankin - a massively underrated player in my opinion. So effective when we didn't have the ball. Very brave decision by JMac to sub him as it meant Flood was going to get space. He hardly had a touch in the final 3rd when Rankin was on. It goes to show what a lack of fitness/match sharpness does in a game. Sneijder was about 10 yards off Flood every time he got on the ball. Typical positioning of an unfit or slow player who is worried about being done in a quick give and go. This poor play by Sneijder led to the corner prior to the goal. Hypothetical obviously, but Flood would not have been able to drive on with a Rankin still on the pitch.

Spittal - looks like he has grown a few inches since I last saw him in January. Decent enough on the ball but lacked movement and positional sense when without the ball. With confidence and good coaching, I think he can be a very good player for us this season.

Telfer - looks more comfortable in Middle 3rd than final 3rd. Tidy enough once he had settled but not enough invention or sharpness to play in the number 10 role. Hope I'm wrong.

Erskine - by far the most dangerous player and most likely to create or score in first 60 minutes. If only he was a yard faster he would be some player. He bets himself in good positions around the box and although he's not afraid to have a go, he still passes up opportunities to shoot. Decision making is improving but found it difficult linking up with Bilate. Not sure when to play it into space or feet at times. Easier with Murray, play it into the space I. Front and support. I can see them 2 working well together.

Bilate - not as poor as all the groans and moans would suggest. Although he didn't win many headers, he stopped Taylor / Quinn winning most. At times we were too slow to support him but in general, most balls up to him were falling in and around him. I found the following strange -ball is played up to him, he makes some contact with chest/shoulder and ball almost makes it to Erskine and Dons struggle to clear ;Folk give Bilate abuse. Then 5 mins later, ball is flighted to him and he wins a clean header directing the ball to absolutely no one out to the corner where the ball is easily cleared. There's less groans and even cheers for him for winning a header. Bizarre how some folk see things. He was completely shot of confidence, but I still see a player there who will score 10 -14 goals IF fit.

Bodul with some lovely touches and good awareness suggesting he has quality.

Good synopsis of the game that.

Watched the Arabzone highlights last night and think maybe i was a wee bit harsh on Souttar+Bilate.

1st half just about everytime we looked threatening those two were involved in some way.

Think you're bang-on that the Sneijder for Rankin sub was a big turning point in the match.He was miles off the pace and Aberdeen absolutely strolled the last 15 minutes.