Aberdeen picked up a draw in their Europa League second qualifying round first leg. Georgian side Chikhura Sachkhere tested the Dons throughout, with the match eventually ending 1-1.
A questionable penalty was tucked away by Giorgi Koripadze, putting the home side ahead. Sam Cosgrove leveled the scoring to give Aberdeen the away goal advantage.
Despite scoring in every competitive Aberdeen match so far, Cosgrove’s performance has split opinion.
Some Aberdeen fans have reacted to the striker’s performance.
https://twitter.com/SamCosBallonDor/status/1154455184615124995
https://twitter.com/RonnieAllison8/status/1154454930851340288
https://twitter.com/C__n_B/status/1154454555054284803
https://twitter.com/Fenners1903/status/1154454319346933760
Aberdeen striker Cosgrove needs to improve his overall play
Sure he’s scored in every competitive match but two of them were penalties. His overall performance in open play simply isn’t hitting the necessary standard.
Up front himself, Cosgrove looks lost and isolated. He doesn’t help himself though. Rarely does the striker try to create opportunities for himself.
In Georgia he was pretty poor. He struggled with the physical battles and didn’t seem to win a header all night.
He doesn’t drop deep when no service is forthcoming. If those around him don’t have a good game Cosgrove might as well be sitting on the bench.
Will he be dropped in favour of something different? Probably not, the fact he has scored a couple of penalties probably keeps him in the team for now.
Next week though, Cosgrove really has to step his game up. Sooner or later, Derek McInnes will axe him from the squad with performances similar to his Georgia showing.