Michael Stewart identifies ‘collective issue’ Aberdeen have been struggling with

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Michael Stewart has pinpointed three key factors in why Aberdeen’s momentum in the league has dissipated over the last few games.

The Dons were keeping pace with Celtic at the top of the Premiership for much of the start of the season.

But the last five games have seen no wins for Jimmy Thelin’s men and they are now nine points behind the champions.

Talk of a title challenge has swiftly disappeared as a result and now it looks like Aberdeen will be in a fight for second against Rangers, who have improved in recent weeks.

Aberdeen could only draw with St Johnstone at the weekend and Stewart thinks that was a game they should be winning.

But the Premier Sports pundit does not have any long-term concerns for Aberdeen, he just believes a small number of issues have been hampering them in recent games.

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Stewart on why Aberdeen’s form has dipped

Speaking on The Scottish Football Social Club, he said: “I don’t have any concerns over the course of the season. What’s happened here for me, it’s just small incremental things that have a huge impact collectively.

“They’ve missed a few players, Jack MacKenzie’s been out and it’s been key. James McGarry has struggled at left-back on the whole.

“And they’ve had more games in a short period of time that they’ve had in the early part of the season. And the third thing is, they’ve had more away games, tough games away from home in particular. And at home on the back of them against Celtic.

“So the fixture list at the start of the season was quite kind to them and they were picking up great results, they were beating the teams that were in front of them, then they were getting some positive results against the top teams in the division as well.

“Just this last little spell here where it’s been more midweek games and away from home and missing some key players, that collective issue has seen them drop a lot more points than they’d have hoped for.”

Who do Aberdeen play next?

The Dons actually have a two-week break to enjoy now, although given their form, it’s likely Thelin and his men will be desperate to get back out there and right some wrongs.

Next up is a home clash against Hibs on December 21, before Kilmarnock and Dundee United round off December for Aberdeen.