The match after the match before || Aberdeen vs Motherwell
- Marc Christie
- Nov 8
- 16 min read
Looking Ahead
A deflating feeling writing this after the result at Hampden. I'm sure I'm not the only one in the immediate aftermath who was absolutely spewing at full time (link to post match St Mirren).
However, perhaps there is a need to take this in context.
A few months with Askou at the helm has seen us revamp our playing style completely, integrate mass new signings into the squad, and seen us go to a cup semi-final. The Buddies, with Stephen Robinson have been there, done that, numerous times; both as a squad and as individuals.
We learn, and grow. Dust ourselves down, and go again. Support the process, and we will reap the rewards. A significant part of sport and football isn’t how you win, but how you bounce back from a loss, particularly a devastating one such as that.
Aberdeen: previous encounters, head-to-head
The opportunity to get ourselves back to winning ways sees us travel to Pittodrie for the second time this season, to face Jimmy Thelin's Aberdeen. This season, we have faced the Dons twice, coming out unscathed in both encounters. A 1-0 triumph in the Granite City saw us take our place at Hampden last weekend. A week after that victory, we faced them at Fir Park. Late drama ensued, seeing Koutroumbis and Stamatelopoulos score after the 90, to win 2-0.
Historically, the match has fallen the way of the Dons, with 22 wins to the Well's 16 (and 7 draws thrown in). When we faced off in League Cup action at Pittodrie, Aberdeen played a 4-2-3-1 to try and combat our own. The changes at the back being Dorrington starting ahead of Milne, with Jensen an out-and-out RB with Devlin on the bench, and Gyamfi as a LB. Armstrong and Shinnie operated as the 2 holding midfielders, with attacking duties handed to Keskinen, Aouchiche, Karlsonn and Nisbet.
The Well's starting XI looked no different to how we are used to, with Ward in goals and SOD, Gordon, Welsh and Longelo in front of him. The midfield listed as Maswanhise, Fadinger, Watt and Regan Charles-Chook. Up top, Stamatelopoulos and Said. This equates to, what the statisticians among us would view as, a 4-4-2. I think we all know the way Well would've played that is different; our own 4-2-3-1, with Said in behind Stama, Tawanda and RCC on the wings and Watt/Fadinger holding. RCC scored a screamer, and on we went in the cup.
Enjoying so far? We've more of a deep dive into our tactics in Issue 2 of the Fanzine, on sale now!
A week later at Fir Park, we faced off again. Motherwell, unchanged. Aberdeen? Massive changes, whether as a way to combat us, or due to the fact they had played midweek this week (losing 2-0 to Dundee United) and needed freshness. Aberdeen lined up in a 3-4-2-1 this time. Mitov the ever present. The back 3 consisting of Tobers, Milne and Knoester. The midfield 4 had Devlin (utilised more as a RWB, much like Jensen recently), Palaversa, Shinnie and Gyamfi (moved slightly further forward, again as more of a WB). The top 3 remained somewhat unchanged, with Aouchiche, Karlsonn and Nisbet. The result? A much tighter affair than the previous week. The Well rode their luck a few times in this match. However, the good guys won in the end, a late strike (with an unusual howler from Mitov) from Kotroumbis and a late VAR awarded pen for Stama got us over the line.
Aberdeen's form in the run up; Killie and Larnaca away
Aberdeen were last in league action last Wednesday, defeating Stuart Kettlewell's Kilmarnock 1-0. A first half strike from Stuart Armstrong enough to secure the 3 points at Rugby Pugby. League action was postponed due to Rangers’ involvement in the other Semi Final at Hampden on Sunday. Aberdeen then travelled to Cyprus on Thursday to take on Larnaca in UEFA Conference League action. In terms of recent gametime, the Well should be fresher, and with less road miles than the Dons, can hopefully shake off the Hampden heartache.
Aberdeen lined up against Killie last Wednesday in a 3-4-3 formation. The Dons went into this having not won in Ayrshire since 2020, and having lost 9 of the last 10. The backline appearing settled, the same players featured against Hibs previously of Dimiatar Mitov in goal, with Nicky Devlin, Jack Milne and Matts Knoester in front of him. Alexander Jensen was utilised as a LM/LWB, however has played on both sides of the midfield and at right back this season. Alfie Dorrington, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, was absent from the squad. After that, the only other real consistent in the Aberdeen side is Jesper Karlsonn starting on the wing. The loanee from Bologna, in the last 2 league outings at least, has seen differing midfield and strike partners. Polvara, Shinnie, Lobban, Armstrong, Lazetic, Palaversa, Molloy, Nisbet and Aouchiche all utilised in the remaining spots in the starting XI in the last 2 league games. Granted, Stuart Armstrong played in a central midfield position against Hibs, he ended up playing RW against Killie, notching the winner from an attacking role. From the start of the season, Aberdeen did like to use Topi Keskinen and Kusini Yengi up top, but they seem to have fallen down the pecking order in recent weeks. The winning goal for the Dons came from an Armstrong pass from deep out to the left hand side to Karlsonn. A few stepovers, cutting inside, and a blocked long range effort saw the ball high into the sky. Killie switched off completely, and Armstrong saw himself 1 on 1 with the keeper, cushioning the ball into the ground, and into the side netting. Killie did pull one back, however the Linesman's flag correctly ruled it out for offside. VAR managed to back this as a correct decision, and what a call it was to give the official his due.
Killie pushed, and pushed, and had so many nearly chances. Their offside goal came from very smart play from a freekick. The Well have a tendency to take free kicks short and try work a better angle, which could benefit us if done correctly. Killie dominated possession (57% of the ball), had over double the amount of shots on goal (14-6) with 4 on target (Aberdeen mustering 3). While this stat shows Killie perhaps having more attempts, The dons had more ruthlessness in front of goal. This is further highlighted by the xG stats, with Killie having a 1.36 xG compared to 0.61 for the Dons. Aberdeen's defensive stats outshined Killie's, with more tackles, won tackles, and an equal blocked shots stat. Aberdeen also conceded more fouls and amassed more yellow cards. Does this indicate it was maybe more a smash and grab than we first thought? Killie had scored 13 goals and conceded 17 going into this game, while Aberdeen had a better defensive record, conceding 11, but a far worse scoring record, scoring only 6 in 9 league outings. I think it was perhaps a stoppable force meeting a movable object. Whoever got the breakthrough goal was ultimately going to hold on for dear life, and on this occasion, it was the Dons. And in the end, some last ditch challenges, and poor finishing from Killie saw them through.
On Thursday night, the Dons travelled through Cyprus to take on Larnaca in UEFA conference league action. The Dons sat with 0 points from their opening 2 encounters. Larnaca in contrast, had 2 wins from 2, 5 goals and yet to concede.
Aberdeen lined up in 4-3-3 this time, changing the script again. Mitov remained in goal, with his defence consisting of Devlin (RB), Knoester and Milne (CBs) and Jensen (LB). The 3 man midfield saw Aouchiche and Dylan Lobban either side of Polvara, with Karlsson, Armstrong and Lazetic up top. In my mind, a tactical change to match up man for man with Larnaca as they played in their own 4-3-3. The result? Larnaca dominated possession (68%), shots (9 to Aberdeen's 2, with none on target for the Dons). Mitov was forced into 2 saves, with the Dons backline needing to block more shots as well. However, the Red men from the north held on, and finished the match 0-0. A clean sheet, their first point on the board, and the first small bump in the road for the Cypriots. Aberdeen though, now sit in 34th spot out of...36.
The rundown
So what does this all mean? Going into this game, the Well find themselves in 6th place (at the time of writing) on 14 points with 3 wins this season. League wise, 2 wins on the spin against Livingston and Dundee United, before our Hampden no show. Aberdeen head into this match, league wise, a win and loss in their last 2. A loss against Hibs 2-1, before their 1-0 triumph over Killie. Their European trip means in 3, the Dons have 1 win and 2 losses. While the Well go into this with 2 wins and a loss in their last 3. Aberdeen sit 9th, with the same amount of wins as the mighty. 4 points the difference, a win for the well sees us pull away from the bottom half and further into the top 6. For the dons, they close the gap on us and keep up the chase for a top half spot.
In the last 2 games especially, Aberdeen tend to not hold as much of the ball as their opponents. Coupled with Motherwell normally having a lot of the ball, this spells one obvious outcome; The well having loads of the ball! What we do with it, is as important as ever. Aberdeen concede a lot of shots on their goal, so we need to take those opportunities when they arise. Away from home, the Well have scored 8 in 5. The Dons at home, they've scored 5 in 5. The flipside; The Steelmen have conceded 5 in 5, and the Dons have conceded 5 in 5. The dreaded xG rears it's head again here. Away from home, Motherwell this season have a 1.29 xG for, and a 1.56% against. The Dons at home have a 1.48 xG for, with a 1.44 xG against. The Well average 1.2 points away from home this season, while our hosts have an average 0.8 points at home so far.
Stats would lead me to think either a 1-1 draw or (hopefully) a 2-1 edge for the boys from ML1. The well have shown a knack of scoring goals, but also conceding. Against a team who have a tendency to score AND concede at home, it can really go either way. The Dons have put a bigger emphasis on being compact in their recent encounters, with 2 clean sheets in their last 2. If we can break the deadlock first, we could edge it out. If the Dons do it, it would take a monumental effort from the good guys to pull ourselves back in. With the league the way it is right now, everything to play for as we head into the international break.
The Aberdeen starting XI conundrum
In terms of line-up? Honestly...I have no idea. Thelin has chopped and changed this season in order to find a starting XI and a formation that can see the Dons progress and push on. They started so well under him last season, matching Celtic stride for stride 15 games in. They faced off with the Bhoys in the League Cup Semi Final last season, losing a resounding 6-0. The wheels fell off for the Dons after this, dropping from 2nd (and we all hoped title challengers) to scraping top 6. However, in the Scottish cup, the Dandy Dons somehow (and I think even those of a Sheep persuasion were just as baffled) held their own against Celtic and won the final. Summing up the Thelin regime so far brilliantly I believe; amazing highs, in-between the disappointment, but few and far between.
This however, can be a similar story to us last season. Some murmurings of discontent, but the Well were doing reasonably okay going into the League Cup Semi Final last season. Rangers came out on top 2-1, and from their, we to fell into a downward spiral with Kettlewell. We all know how that ended up, with a mass streak of no wins alongside the Dons. We changed gaffer, nearly, somehow, finished in the top 6 alongside Aberdeen, but narrowly missed out. Two similar stories, seemingly heading to similar outcomes, yet the Well have since had two managerial changes and seem to be on the up. The reds, holding onto their man, and hope of turnaround to the good old days of the first 11 games of 24/25.
Lets try and figure out the possibilities of Aberdeen's starting XI. One thing that is a certainty? Mitov starting in goal. After that, dealers choice. Thelin's tinkering means personnel and formation could be wildly different to what we predict;
If he goes with what nearly worked at Fir Park, we should see the Dons match us man for man with a 4-2-3-1. Mitov in net, with the back 4 I'd guess of Jensen, Milne, Knoester, and Gyamfi at left back. One thing that may make me second guess this formation is Gyamfi's involvement at all. Lack of gametime has been an issue for Gyamfi, his last appearance in Red a 4-0 win over Dundee over a month ago. Gyamfi did find the net however. With this in mind, he'll probably line up the same as Larnaca; Jensen at LB, Devlin slotting into RB. The midfield? Holding we could see either of Palaversa, Polvara, Shinnie or Armstrong. The attacking 3; Karlsonn, Keskinen, Aouchiche, Milanovic or even Armstrong moving up is an option. I'd wager a holding 2 of Polvara and Shinnie, with Aouchiche, Karlsonn and Armstrong would be the preferred selection. Up top, Nisbet or Lazetic, with whoever doesn't start being brought on later to try change the game. The options throughout are endless due to the personnel available.
The second option? 3-4-3. Mitov; Milne, Knoester and Devlin at the back. 4 man midfield; Jensen on either flank. The centre could see either of Shinnie, Armstrong, Palaversa, Polvara. I'd be leaning toward the Dons choosing Polvara, and Shinnie in there. The other wing I'd imagine a more attacking presence, perhaps the same as the Hibs encounter with Molloy, or maybe even Keskinen coming back into the fold. Top 3 of Karlsonn, Nisbet and then Armstrong (even with him and Keskinen swapping throughout the game).
That's loads of guessing, and with their recent European travels coming into play, makes the choices even more varied due to fatigue. Option C is the new feature I'd like to call, "what would the writer do"!
Mitov in goal. No brainer.
Back 3 of Devlin, Milne and Knoester
5 in midfield; RWB Jensen; 3 CM of Armstrong, Polvara and Shinnie; LWB would operate more attacking and be more of a LW, and it would probably be Karlsonn.
Now, the 2 up top. Nisbet/Lazetic, and the option than everyone will laugh at...Yengi. Now, hear me out and stick with me please!
The Well showed against St Mirren that we have a weakness to be got at. For all the furore after the game from messers Hartley, Freckleton, George etc, Well fans knew what we were walking into against the Buddies. A proper Stephen Robinson side. We'd seen it first-hand. Been the beneficiaries. A side who, on the surface are big, strong, physical. But underneath all that (as stated by yours truly and the editor of the Dispatch), St Mirren are a side that are very good on the ball. At times, we were bullied by the Saints. Mandron being the focal point of attack. 50/50s and loose balls won by the men around him. They utilised set pieces (again, highlighted by us in the Dispatch). We fell victim to how good the Saints are at them. As much as we want to cry and scream that the first goal shouldn't have stood (and, not sounding bitter, the freekick in the build up was soft as anything, never mind the ball still rolling when launched forward by Gogic), but we failed to deal with it and defend properly. The resulting corner. A shambles defensively. Any corner we had ourselves, just didn't seem to trouble our opponents. The Saints utilised what they had. A team of very good footballers, who aren't afraid of getting into a scrap. A big man up top in Mandron, who can win in the air. Players alongside him in Nlundulu (and later Ayunga) who can run, win the loose balls but also compete themselves. A midfield with O'Hara and Phillips, equally fantastic ball players, but who will dig in and hassle you on the ball, and nick the 50/50s. Saints have dished out the blueprint to give us problems for the league to see. And they executed it perfectly. Worthy winners in the end.
If Aberdeen utilise a player who is out of form, granted, and use what they have, they can trouble us. In front of a home crowd as well, one solid tackle, a loose ball won, the crowd gets loud, the noise carries. The players pick up. We know how we play, what we are good at and the weaknesses we have in that. Can the Well cut through a truly aggressive approach? We have shown we can. Our gameplan involves it. Invite the press, turn quick and pass forward. If Aberdeen have any sense and play to the equal gameplan of the Saints, we could be in for a tough afternoon up north.
Of course, this being my opinion, means that Aberdeen won't do that. Football isn't FIFA (i refuse to call it EAFC) after all! In the end, I believe Aberdeen will go for the fabled option D; none of the above!
Askou's thoughts on the game ahead
The first question put to JBA is about how it's been to move on from our Hampden disappointment. Askou makes it clear that there was perhaps some reflection from the squad on Monday mornings training session, but afterwards, getting home and embracing their families with "positivity". "Being open to constructive and positive emotions" was another key point raised by JBA. To me, this is everything we would want to hear from our gaffer going into a now very important match. Reflect, feel the emotion, take constructive feedback, but ultimately, positive. Remain positive going forward. We can't dwell. Credit is given to the squad for overcoming that experience in the training sessions throughout the week. From the words of Tay Tay to JBA, "shake it off". A squad who can drop the shackles from a major disappointment and move on, is to me a healthy, happy side. A side who can shrug off and roll with the punches, can be a dangerous one. Askou further discusses how it's almost traditional to feel ashamed, angry, upset etc. He goes further in saying, again, it's fine to feel it and show it on Monday (training session 1). However, it's a positive that we have players, and "hopefully" staff who can feel it, move on to "constructive emotions" and lead the rest of the squad out of the negative mindset. Praise, joke, and smile. 3 important words i picked up from JBA here to further push the positive mindset. It's up to us, as fans, to back the boys fully on Sunday, and keep that going forward.
I for one find it really refreshing to hear a manager speak so candidly about the emotions and the impact of this from a disappointing defeat. Don't get me wrong, we all know it's there. But the gaffer saying it's ok to feel it? Haven't heard it too much. Normally swept under the rug and moved on quickly. Indeed, the fact the 9 minute interview has a 3rd addressing this, with the topic interwoven throughout highlights the importance of it. JBA also highlights the importance of moving on as to not affect further "productiveness" and performances. Asked if he said anything different than he usually would on Monday morning, the answer is yes, "addressing exactly that..."the emotional state, showing understanding that we are different and deal with it differently".
Interestingly, JBA goes on to how they trained in the week, in particular highlighting not showing any clips to the squad, but instead more individually to develop and lead the payers into what they were training in the week. Being more gentle in highlighting things to improve after a rough performance. A manager in tune with his squad, acknowledging they are not robots, but humans behind the players. Again, very refreshing.
"A lot to look forward to" in Askou's words, "Not just for Sunday but for the rest of the season". Can't help but agree. We all knew a new playing style, new personnel, new everything really going into this season, there would be blips. There would be some bad days. But for me, the good signs outweigh the bad so far. "A tough game to lose and a tough day for all of us", while speaking positively on the fans support, but a real focus on us not dwelling and again, more emphasis on positivity.
Speaking highly on Aberdeen, JBA points out how they are changing system and playing well, scoring goals, winning games and keeping clean sheets. One thing i enjoy from JBA is how highly he speaks on the opposition regardless of the form they are in or way they play. Expecting them to "raise the bar and have grown", acknowledging we will need to be at our best. Make no mistake, this is a team who seem to be starting to turn a corner since our last encounter.
A question is asked into how big a month November could be due to the big games coming our way. Askou's response fills me with some confidence. Mentioning "October, September, December, January and so on" also being big months. A real emphasis on how each game will be getting the same intention in my mind. Real focus again on how the group can grow from the experience we've had so far in the season, and mentioning the side being "smarter and sharper". Always room for growth, and perhaps not quite JBA's finished article yet?
We do get an update on the SODfather in this press conference as well. SOD unfortunately won't be available for the Well until after the international break. There was no further news on the type of injury suffered, but with a quick end in sight, hopefully a return on the cards. Aston Oxborough has now also been ruled out until mid-January. Further assessment on the Ox's hand injury sustained in the pre-match warm up against Livingston has shown a fracture. All of us at the Dispatch wish the boys and speedy recovery and getting back onto the pitch soon!
Perhaps a positive we can take also is the fact we do have continued international players in our ranks. Tawanda Maswanhise called up for the Zimbabwe national side. They face Qatar and Algeria as a warm up for the upcoming AFCON tournament. Perhaps something we may need to take into account going forward is Tawanda's involvement in the national side, as AFCON begins on the 21st of December, and runs through to the 18th of January (2026). With this in mind, if the Warriors can progress all the way, it means we will be without Tawanda for matches against Rangers, Celtic, St Mirren and Hibernian (as it stands currently). That not taking into account arrival back to Scotland from Morocco, and having a break, may even mean limited to no involvement further.
Regan Charles-Cook also gets a call up. RCC will travel to Grenada, as they face the US Virgin Islands in their one and only match in this international break
A tough match no doubt, but one the Well will hope to show resilience in. Come back from disappointment, and restore some positivity in the Askou camp. A win (and results permitting) could see the mighty climb as high as 3rd (for a while at least), with a game in hand on Hibernian and Falkirk who are in and around us in the table. The Dons need a win to try and kick on. A win will see them a point behind us, and (with positive results the rest of the way for us!) sit in 7th.
Now's the time the boys need our support. Lets show them we are behind them, and back them to the hilt. See you in Aberdeen, 'Well fans. COME ON YE WELL
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