3 key Jimmy Thelin Aberdeen decisions that prove ‘gold dust’ qualities

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Jimmy Thelin can do no wrong at Aberdeen right now.

An amazing 15 games unbeaten, 14 of those wins, eight wins and a draw in the league and joint on points with leaders Celtic.

It is fair to say life at Pittodrie is going rather well for the Swede so far.

And as long as they keep up the form, the possibility of maintaining a challenge will remain.

• READ MORE: Aberdeen star flips question back on doubters as Dons ‘building something’

Thelin has Aberdeen ‘gold dust’

Since Thelin came into the club, everything seems to have gone right. Summer signings like Topi Keskinen and Sivert Nilsen, among others, have hit the ground running.

While players previously out of favour, like Pape Gueye and Shayden Morris, are contributing. Captain Graeme Shinnie has looked back to his old self, too.

So the decision making of the 46-year-old has been spot on. And it appears that was the case within the game against Dundee United at the weekend, too.

Pundit Neil McCann told Sportscene: “I have to say, Jimmy Thelin has got a wee bit of gold dust about him in terms of making decisions.

“Takes Keskinen off, Morris comes on and lights the game up.

“He’s left his captain out, Shinnie, who was brilliant and scored last week. And then he brings him on and I think his introduction actually encouraged Nicky Devlin to get into a further position (for the winning goal).

“So, everything he’s doing at the minute seems to be working.”

Can Aberdeen do a Leicester?

One of the fairytale stories in modern football is Leicester City, champions of England in 2016 after making a mockery of the financial gulf between them and other big clubs.

That is a factor Aberdeen would have to brush aside too if they were to overcome Celtic and Rangers in the league.

Former Dons striker Lee Miller reckons they CAN challenge for the top two, but wonders if that elusive top spot is just a step too far.

He said: “You say 15 unbeaten, and that’s 14 wins and the draw comes against Celtic. So I don’t see why they can’t split the Old Firm.

“Celtic are strong, there’s no getting away from that. I think Aberdeen will be realistic, they won’t be talking about winning the league. They’ll be talking about every game as it comes.”

On the feelgood factor around the place at the minute, McCann added: “It’s just brilliant for our product when you turn on the TV to watch games and there is full stadiums.

“There’s a bit of belief there. Maybe the players and manager won’t be talking about a title win but the fans in the pubs will be thinking they can dream.

“Has it got a wee bit of a Leicester feel about it, somebody that maybe shouldn’t because of the budget?

“Once that momentum starts and the belief within a group…to win titles sometimes it’s not about pretty football, it’s about grinding out results.

“Not a shot on target for Dundee United which means that team are functioning defensively.”