Where Aberdeen went wrong vs St Mirren as Jimmy Thelin question answered

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Aberdeen couldn’t get out the habit of winning at the start of the season but now they can’t seem to buy three points.

The Dons were on the end of a 3-0 humbling at home to St Mirren yesterday, gifting the visitors and early lead and never recovering.

A Buddies front pairing of Mikael Mandron and Toyosi Olusanya gave the home defence a torrid time and Aberdeen didn’t have enough quality to cause enough problems of their own.

Manager Jimmy Thelin is taking responsibility for the Dons’ troubles but insists everyone has to work together to find their form again. He also addressed the first half substitution of Slobodan Rubezic, who didn’t seem to be injured.

Before the game, Thelin was still hoping Aberdeen could challenge for Europe and they remain in fourth place in the league for now.

But they are suffering from the same issues game to game, which need to be rectified.

• READ MORE: Jimmy Thelin admits it will be ‘really easy’ to get ‘quality’ Aberdeen star up to speed

Same old Aberdeen problems

Aberdeen’s defending was woeful and they simply could not cope with the pace, power and directness of Olusanya and Mandron.

Rubezic had an awful time of it and he wasn’t the only one.

But in possession the Dons weren’t good enough either and didn’t look like threatening until some tweaks in the second half improved things ever so slightly.

Steven Naismith has previously spoken about his old club Hearts playing too safe amid low confidence. And he feels it is the same thing for Aberdeen currently.

He told BBC Sportscene: “The pictures are quite similar to the previous games this season. Olusanya has scored in the last three (against Aberdeen). Very similar goals, running into the space, bullying defenders and getting his reward.

“I think in recent games the manager has spoken about small details being different.

“Earlier in the season they play balls down the sides, making forward runs and passes.

“St Mirren are one of the best in the league for organisation. As soon as you don’t play that forward pass…it’s then not on.

“It becomes a ball into the box that St Mirren are happy to deal with. They work so hard to get into their shape.

“Earlier in the season it goes into the final third with a cross or a cutback. It’s just that wee bit safer play and then when it comes round the pitch, St Mirren are brilliantly organised.

“It comes from low confidence, picking the safer option now.”

Michael Stewart added: “As Steven is talking about, there was a couple of things. The speed of their play wasn’t quick enough and when they do get those one-on-ones, earlier in the season there is no thought, it’s just hit the byline.

“When you’re playing a team like St Mirren it is crucial that you hit those bylines because if you’re cutting inside it is congested and you’re never going to find those slide-rule passes because the space isn’t there.”

Jimmy Thelin questions asked

At the start of his tenure, Jimmy Thelin was seen as a breath of fresh air for Aberdeen and Scottish football and was even being talked about for bigger jobs.

Now, is it too soon to be asking questions or does he have enough credit in the bank?

Stewart said: “I think there’s a combination of two things. I think the fantastic start has put a lot of credit into the bank.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	CelticCeltic	23	19	3	1	64	11	53	60
2	RangersRangers	23	14	5	4	44	18	26	47
3	Dundee UtdDundee Utd	23	10	7	6	31	24	7	37
4	AberdeenAberdeen	24	10	5	9	32	36	-4	35
5	MotherwellMotherwell	24	9	4	11	29	39	-10	31
6	HibernianHibernian	24	7	9	8	35	37	-2	30
7	ST MirrenST Mirren	24	9	3	12	30	38	-8	30

But there is also an element of frustration, and almost disdain, from the supporters towards some of the players. I think the manager has been shielded from a lot of it.

“It’s the worst run they’ve had in the league, 13 without a win. Their form right now is relegation form. A good chunk of the season is now very, very poor.

“He is not under any pressure at all, he’s only in the door and had a good run at the start which has given a lot of credit in the bank. But there must surely be a lot of doubt now at the club.”