Aberdeen's Premiership Struggles

On 24 May, Aberdeen fans were celebrating as their team lifted the Scottish Cup. Fast forward three months, and the mood has drastically changed. With three league games played, three defeats, and no goals scored, Aberdeen finds themselves at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership table.

Recent Performances

It might seem premature to judge a team based on just three games, but for Aberdeen and their manager Jimmy Thelin, the issues run deeper. The recent home defeat to newly promoted Falkirk marked their seventh consecutive league loss, stretching back to last season. Despite Nicky Devlin's controversial red card before halftime, Aberdeen has only managed five wins in their last 30 Premiership games since their 4-1 victory over Dundee on 9 November.

Attacking Concerns

Much of the criticism has been directed at Australian striker Kusini Yengi, who has struggled since joining in the summer. Yengi scored in the League Cup against Greenock Morton but has looked off the pace in his early outings and was replaced at halftime against Falkirk. He has yet to complete a full 90 minutes in the Premiership. With Yengi's shortcomings and a lack of other striking options, fans are eager to see a new striker brought in before the transfer deadline.

Manager's Perspective

Jimmy Thelin has acknowledged the team's poor start, stating, "The level we're performing right now in our calmness of play and decision making as a team is not good enough and that's my responsibility." He emphasized the need to find a way to win games and expects a busy final day in the transfer window.

Statistical Analysis

From the start of last season, only the now-relegated Ross County and St Johnstone have scored fewer goals than Aberdeen. The team also ranks low for conversion rate and the number of big chances scored. Former Aberdeen captain Willie Miller highlighted the lack of a predatory striker, calling it a "huge concern."

Recruitment Challenges

Aberdeen's strategy under chairman Dave Cormack has been to invest in young players from undervalued markets, aiming to sell them for a profit. While this model has brought success, including a trophy and significant player sales, the challenge lies in adequately replacing departed players. New recruits like Nicolas Milanovic, Adil Aouchiche, and Yengi are still finding their feet, and some players from last season have yet to make an impact.

Looking Ahead

With games against Livingston and Motherwell after the international break, Aberdeen faces a crucial period. The pressure is on Jimmy Thelin to turn things around and prove that his project players are capable of delivering results. Fans will be expecting significant action on deadline day and improved performances in the upcoming matches.