At this stage, it seems to be a question of when rather than if Jimmy Thelin will be relieved of his duties as Aberdeen manager.
Defeat against Motherwell at Fir Park this evening could do the trick. Some would argue he’s done well to still be in a job given the way this season has unfolded.
One win in nine — against second-tier Morton in the Premier Sports Cup last 16 — is an abysmal record by anyone’s standards. Their failure to find the net in five top-flight outings is embarrassing.
The buck, as it always does, will ultimately stop with the boss. And Thelin — despite lifting the Scottish Cup just four months ago — can have no complaints if he is thanked for his efforts and politely shown the door.
Tactically, he has been worked out. His tried-and-tested 4-2-3-1 formation is the easiest to play against in the league. While it’s delivered some success in the past, his refusal to mix things up has come back to bite him.
You also have to wonder whether he is able to get the best out of these players, so many of whom were hand-picked by the man himself. You’d be doing well to identify anyone who has actually improved under his stewardship.
Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin is fighting for his future following a dismal start to the season
Tuesday’s defeat against Dundee United at Tannadice was the fourth defeat in their last five
The fans made no secret of their frustration at the full-time whistle after another abject display
But at what point do the players themselves take accountability for their performances?
For all Thelin’s faults, there’s no doubt he has been badly let down.
Speaking after last weekend’s abject Premier Sports Cup quarter-final defeat against Motherwell, keeper Dimitar Mitov called on his colleagues to ‘look at themselves in the mirror’ if they were to have any changes of turning the tide.
Mats Knoester said the same thing, word for word, shortly after Tuesday’s 2-0 loss at Dundee United, adding that it was ‘crazy’ to blame the manager for the Dons’ current plight. He might have a point.
This is not an inexperienced team we’re talking about. From front to back, there are guys who know what it’s like to deal with pressure. Plenty who know what it’s like to be stuck in a rut.
But there is a distinct lack of leadership across the park. Far too many are waiting for someone else to make something happen rather than shoulder the responsibility themselves.
It’s a big reason why goals have been almost impossible to come by. Everything in the final third is so predictable, so boring to watch.
Last weekend, Motherwell’s Regan Charles-Cook demonstrated what can happen when you are simply willing to have a pop. His stunning first-time strike from the edge of the area which settled the tie was instinctive in its execution.
Regan Charles-Cook’s goal was enough to dump the Dons out of the Premier Sports Cup
New arrivals such as Jesper Karlsson have yet to hit the ground running at Pittodrie
At the moment, Aberdeen don’t have anyone with the same kind of spark. No one with the ability — or perhaps the cajones — to try and make something from nothing.
Despite having no shortage of quality in the wide areas, the simple notion of taking a man on is seemingly lost on the players.
There’s absolutely nothing for the Aberdeen punters to get excited about. No wonder they’re scunnered.
Some of those frontline failings could be covered up to an extent if the basics were being carried out when the team is not in possession.
You know, things like closing down, winning duels, matching runners, clearing your lines.
Aberdeen can’t even get those aspects of their play right, as highlighted at Tannadice midweek, and that’s got nothing to do with Thelin. Professional pride has to come in to it at some stage.
Shakhtar Donetsk will hit double figures at Pittodrie on Thursday in their Conference League opener if the hosts approach that one in a similar manner.
With the promise of group-stage football to come, Thelin was heavily backed over the summer, spending a relative fortune to ensure his squad were ready to compete on multiple fronts. Well it’s about time his new arrivals stepped up.
We may not yet be in October, but the settling-in period is well and truly over. There have been flashes from a few, but none of them have hit the ground running.
It’s a fact made all the more galling when you look at how things are going at the likes of Hearts, Dundee United, and Motherwell for example.
All have experienced significant turnover, yet all look to be in good nick. The former may well fancy a title charge, while the other two will be there or thereabouts in the battle for the top six.
That prospect looks a mile off for Aberdeen. Unless these underperforming players get their act together pronto, they’ll be spending their season fighting for survival – with or without Thelin at the helm.
