Michael Stewart’s animated Aberdeen rant as he highlights two ‘serious problems’ they must address

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Aberdeen have steadied the ship somewhat after an utterly dreadful run of form that kicked off in November.

The Dons have lost just one of their last five games, albeit two of those Premiership victories coming against struggling opposition in Dundee and Kilmarnock.

But wins – no matter how ugly or who they were against – were all that mattered for Jimmy Thelin’s men as they seek to secure 3rd spot come May.

Aberdeen showed courage and resilience to fight their way back from 2-0 down against Dundee United on Sunday to earn a valuable point.

Thelin praised two-goal hero Kevin Nisbet for his major impact and revealed his half-time message was critical in changing the pending outcome of the match.

Defeat for the Dons at Pittodrie would have been damaging but they still sit 4th in the table, one point behind Hibs and one in front of United.

• READ MORE: Jim Goodwin names Dundee United star putting his body on the line and makes Aberdeen admission

Michael Stewart’s two-point improvement plan for Aberdeen

But Premier Sports pundit Michael Stewart believes Thelin still has two important issues to address over the next few weeks towards the end of the season.

Stewart predicted last week that Aberdeen are likely to finish 3rd. But he has tuned his tune dramatically and thinks Hibs have it nailed on now.

He then went on to explain why Aberdeen still have plenty to improve on both defensively and in attack.

Stewart told the Scottish Football Social Club: “Kevin Nisbet’s first goal gave Aberdeen something to really chase and that was a really good goal. They’ve got the second one and credit to them.

“But if they are going to kick on, they need to address some serious problems. That being, they are far too open when they are in the turnover.

“Sivert Nilsen in the middle of the park – if he’s going to play there, he has to be doing something in a defensive sense when they are in possession because on the turnovers, he’s nowhere!

“You’ve got two centre-halves and him in front and they are nowhere. They are far too easy to counter on and they need to do something about that.

“And in attack, they have to find that decisiveness again. Get in behind and penetrate the opposition. They are playing far too much in front of every team.

“Those two things, they need to sort out.”

Sivert Heltne Nilsen has been doubted previously

It’s not the first time Stewart has filleted Aberdeen’s summer signing and defensive midfielder Sivert Heltne Nilsen.

Stewart claimed Nilsen’s legs had gone after Aberdeen were beaten 3-0 by St Mirren at the end of January, with Graeme Shinnie also tarred with the same brush.

The outspoken pundit said at the time: “The big concern I’ve got for Aberdeen – and to be honest, I’ve had it for quite a while – I was never sure whether Nilsen was a positive or a negative.

“And more and more so now, him and Shinnie in the middle of the park, they’re gone. The two of them together. They need extra bodies in there.

“I’ll be honest, I don’t think Nilsen is what I’m wanting in there – I think they need something else.”

The 33-year-old midfield enforcer is seen as an important option for Thelin. He has played 34 games across all competitions this season so far with two assists.

Moreover, Nilsen has picked up a whopping 13 yellow cards for Aberdeen.