It’s a widely held belief that putting the ball in the back of the net is the hardest thing to do in football. Aberdeen are living proof of that at the moment.
Suffering three Premiership defeats on the trot to kick off the new campaign is bad enough. Their failure to find the net is borderline inexcusable.
Indeed, as we approach the middle of September, the Dons are the only side in the SPFL to have zero in the goals-scored column. Alarming to say the least.
Make no mistake, Aberdeen have been no great shakes at the back either. But their lack of spark in the final third has ultimately been their Achilles heel thus far.
Ponderous and predictable, they’ve been a largely wretched watch.
Manager Jimmy Thelin — although he may not have openly admitted it — clearly shares the sentiment.
Kevin Nisbet has returned to the club permanently after a successful loan spell last term
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Jimmy Thelin is delighted to have added some much-needed quality in the attacking areas
Kusini Yengi has looked short on confidence since making the move from Portsmouth
Which is why it was no surprise whatsoever to see him spend the final few days of the transfer window convincing the money men at Pittodrie to part ways with a not inconsequential amount of dosh in an effort to bring in some much-needed quality at the top end of the park.
It looks like he’s got his wish.
Following a successful spell on loan from Millwall last season, Kevin Nisbet has been signed up on a permanent deal. He’ll no doubt be confident of improving on last term’s tally of 14 goals in all competitions.
It’s fair to say Kusini Yengi hasn’t quite endeared himself to the Dons faithful since making the move from Portsmouth over the summer.
Perhaps a bit of proper competition could be the kick up the backside the Australian needs.
Marko Lazetic will also be pushing for a starting spot as he works his way to fitness after his move from AC Milan. He notched a double for an Aberdeen second-string side against Buckie Thistle during the international break to get up and running.
His cheeky Panenka penalty in that one suggests confidence won’t be an issue.
The signing of free agent Stuart Armstrong caught pretty much everyone off guard, as did the deal to bring in Bologna winger Jesper Karlsson.
51-times capped Stuart Armstrong should add some creativity in the middle of the park
The Swede — who previously played under Thelin at Elfsborg — has 14 caps to his name, and despite being sent out on loan at Lecce last season, managed to rack up 20 appearances in the Italian top flight.
Big goals away at Roma and Atalanta underline his pedigree. In all honesty, it’s a wonder how Aberdeen managed to pull that signing off.
But while it’s all well and good that the Dons look an altogether more attractive proposition on paper, it’s how they gel on the park that counts.
Behind that ice-cold exterior, Thelin must surely know the pressure is building. A historic Scottish Cup triumph papered over the cracks of what turned out to be a pretty dismal campaign last time out.
Five wins from their last 30 Premiership matches is an appalling record. And based on the visceral reaction to their defeat to Falkirk last time out, you get the feeling that patience is thin on the ground amongst the Pittodrie faithful.
Unless there is a quick upturn in both performances and results following another summer of upheaval, it won’t be too long before the knives are out.
Which is why this weekend’s visit of Livingston is in the must-win category.
400 not out for Robinson
For a guy who this week admitted he had no real desire to become a manager, St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson has done all right for himself.
The Northern Irishman — now under contract until 2028 after signing a new deal last month — is set to take charge of his 400th game in the dugout on Saturday afternoon at the Falkirk Stadium.
Stephen Robinson has worked wonders since arriving at St Mirren back in February 2022
Speaking to media on Friday, he said: ‘I didn’t know I had that many games. I must still be enjoying it, if I’m not counting them and counting the hours down until I finish it.
‘With the cut-throat nature of it, I suppose I’ll take that as a compliment that I’ve managed to get the 400 games.’
Buddies supporters are lucky to have him at the helm. His status as one of the club’s greatest-ever managers is already cemented.
Three top-six finishes in succession — not to mention a return to the European stage for the first time in almost three decades — have done the trick.
How he hasn’t been poached by one of the so-called bigger clubs in Scotland or an English Championship outfit in recent years is mind boggling.
Few would bet against St Mirren being in the mix for the top half once again come the business end of this season, especially given the way they’ve started.
Only Celtic — courtesy of a late, late winner on flag day at Parkhead — have inflicted defeat on Robinson’s side with nine matches in the books.
There’s no doubt he will reach the half-century mark as a manager. Whether he will be celebrating that achievement at St Mirren remains to be seen.
Lichties are smoking again
A little over three years have passed since Arbroath’s stunning Premiership promotion bid came to an end at the hands of Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the play-offs.
It was a sad end to a memorable campaign for the Gayfield outfit who, under the stewardship of Dick Campbell, punched well above their weight to finish just two points behind champions Kilmarnock.
Arbroath could move above Championship title favourites St Johnstone this weekend
Now, after spending last season down in League One, the part-timers are once again ruffling a few feathers in the second tier.
Last week’s victory at Ross County put them level on points with St Johnstone and Raith Rovers at the top of the table to keep their impressive league start going.
And with their rivals facing off in Kirkaldy on Saturday, the Lichties have a chance to move top of the pile with a win at home to Dunfermline.
It’s hard to believe, but another promotion push may well be on the cards.
