A day of the week

The end of June approaches.... and all is quiet down Pittodrie way! Not a mouse was stirring. Wait, is that a Christmas song? I digress.

Soooo, how has oor Craigie been doing, team shaping up nicely for the new season? Well, on one hand, he's certainly shipped out all the dead wood and lost a few other first teamers (Diamond, Young, Aluko (potentially), Maguire, Howard, Blackman, Hartley, Vujadinovic, Smith).

Not many will be missed it has to be said. A sad state of affairs.

Good job we've brought in a host of fresh talent to replace these departing 'stars' then. Wait... what on earth am I talking about.

To be fair, the solitary signing we HAVE made looks to be just what we need in defence. A big strapping beast (sorry, he can't be THAT bad though) of a man in Youl Mawene.

And today we look to be signing up a new keeper on loan for 6 months to replace the stricken Jamie Langfield until he's fit to resume playing (is that ever going to happen?)

I hope that Mr Brown is simply keeping his cards close to his chest regarding any additional signings and pray we are not settling on another keeper and a midfielder to go with our other 4 LIKE NEW SIGNINGS! Yes, Darren Mackie, Fraser Fyvie, Yohan Folly and the mighty Dick Foster will be our saviours this season.

As welcome as they are, lets be honest... we still need a left back, a left winger, a centre back and another striker. AT THE VERY LEAST!

Bearing in mind that pre-season starts next week, you would like to think we could have secured a few players and not be left scrabbling around for free transfers and loan deals at the end of July/August whilst several games into the season.

Dons rule!

*Dusts off Blog*

Well.... It seems the Dons have been so magical this season I haven't even felt the urge to update.

Yes, another season of complete mediocrity punctured by relegation flirts and the odd mauling or 5 by Celtic (shudder).

Still, at least we have a manager in now who may have a clue about football. Lets hope he gets the appropriate funds to build a more consistent squad and add some experience.

Season stats:

9th Position

Played 38

Home
Won 6
Drawn 2
Lost 11
For 22
Against 21

Away
Won 5
Drawn 3
Lost 11
For 17
Against 38

Goal Difference -20

Points 38

SIMPLY STUNNING!

Season over. Thank goodness:

9th Position

Played 38

Home
Won 6
Drawn 4
Lost 10
For 20
Against 31

Away
Won 4
Drawn 7
Lost 7
For 16
Against 21

Goal Difference -16

Points 41

Atrocious! Lets just leave it at that. At least we signed off with a win and should have a whole new squad next season (providing Mr McGhee gets it right over the summer months). Failing that, we're in for more of the same next season.

Whether or not I renew my season ticket will be very much dictated by the following months. Some serious changes are required, I just hope the necessary funds are made available.

Sooooooooooooooo.

What's happened since the cup debacle?

Wellllllllllllllllllll.

Not a great deal to be honest. In the 11 fixtures since then we've flirted with relegation, went on a cracking non winning streak and lost comfortably to the footballing giants that are Falkirk and Kilmarnock (amongst others).

Those 11 fixtures have yielded:

Losses: 6 (Impressive)
Draws: 3
Wins: 2 (woo hoo)

Pretty spectacular reading i'm sure you'll agree! This season really has been a thing of beauty from start to finish!

Mr McGhee certainly has his work cut out to turn things round next season or it'll be more of the same tosh. Thankfully most of our team are out of contract and will be on their way, but can he entice the right blend of players to the club to improve things?

It would seem not judging by reports that we can't even afford the heavyweight names of Steven MacLean and the majestic Kevin Kyle to sign on. English division 2 is a far more lucrative option for them, and no doubt for 90% of our other targets. If he gets this transfer window wrong, I can safely say we will be courting for a new custodian come December.

Still, look on the bright side, only 3 games left. I don't think i'll be wasting my time, energy or money trudging along. Unless the sun is out. And there is beer. Maybe.

Roll on the summer.

Dons Rule!

Ah the Scottish Cup. Lower league opposition. A caker. But wait, not when you are the mercurial Aberdeen Football Club. Well done to all at Raith Rovers and a speedy recovery to Mark Campbell. I'll certainly be hoping they can go on and lift the trophy!

While I feel sorry for Mark McGhee, he is not without faults himself. He's had 2 transfer windows to change things, and done nothing of note. It was (and quite painfully still is) blatently obvious where our shortcomings lie. His signings have been average to say the least and none of them have really added anything of note to the mix:

Nelson: Never played a competitive game
Ifil: Abysmal
Grassi: See above
Marshall: Jury still out
Paterson: Jury still out
MacLean: Jury still out

That's not to say he hasn't tried. The stark reality is that insufficient backing from the board of directors and a decreased budget season upon season mean that it's now impossible to compete for players with even the English 3rd division. Painful stuff.

Coupled with the fact he's 'led' us to our worst ever European result, been sent packing in both cups by lower league opposition yet again and lost to the likes of Hamilton and Falkirk at home, it doesn't make for pretty reading. The only decent game i've seen all season was against Celtic (see below), and that was due to horrific defending by both sides.

Now, it's quite obvious the board are not backing McGhee with any funds whatsoever but I can't understand how any fans can put up with rubbish like this. It's simply not acceptable. I'm not saying we should be expecting to beat anyone, but I at least want to see some fight and passion on the park and that is sadly lacking. The product on the pitch is atrocious.

This club is rotten from the core.

Milne out.
Miller out.
All the playing staff who are out of contract this season, get rid.
Tea lady out.

Something needs to be done ASAP. We can't all sit here and 'write this season off' as many are saying. What is going to change next year? Nothing if things keep going in this manner. A couple of loan players from Plymouth won't cut the mustard for next season. Wholesale changes from top to bottom are needed and I think it needs to start with messrs Miller and Milne making way at the helm.

Let's not take anything away from Raith Rovers however. They have to be applauded for picking themselves up from losing an equalising goal late in the first game and finishing the job off up here. If the Aberdeen players showed half as much determination and grit as them we wouldn't be in this situation. Although I wish i'd stuck my bet from the first game on again... 1-0 Raith, Tade to score first. Typical.

And as for the vile moron who spat on Mark McGhee, absolutely unforgivable. The man deserves more respect and I hope the individual in question is thoroughly ashamed and issues a personal apology to Mark, not to mention never returning to Pittodrie again.

Anyone want a season ticket?

2010! Already. And all in Dons land was quiet and dismal. That was until the visit of the green half of the bigot brothers. The Dons had the added bonus of my Rangers supporting father being in the crowd today, so it was always going to be a spicy one (the Dons always win when he comes along).

So off we trot to Pittodrie, passing the masses of weird and wonderful 'characters' (complete and utter scum), on the way to the Dick Donald stand and settle down with a bovril to watch the ensuing hammering (judging by recent results and performances).

Sure enough, right on cue, we go 1-0 down within minutes of kick off. HERE WE GO AGAIN! It's going to be a long afternoon at this point. But no, we don't crumble just quite yet, and indeed score a quite wonderful leveller through Paton with a low volley past a helpless Boruc.

Things are looking up, but hark, what's that.... yes, more horrendous defending leaving the disgustingly 'weegie like' Brown (thought he was a good scottish lad till he signed for the ugly sisters) to tear our midfield apart and Celtic score the easiest of chances. Woeful.

However, it seems there is something in the air today. The Dons storm back up the park and Paterson whips in a fantastic cross. It falls to the much maligned Darren Mackie at the back post who shows great composure to chest the ball down and unleash a cracking volley into the bottom corner. Man of the match by a country mile. 2-2. Game on.

Into the second half. The Dons are huffing and puffing. The referee is doing his best to deny us everything. Not to mention letting Cetic away with murder. MacLean is halved by Boruc in the box. Penalty. Don't be silly.

Celtic then take the lead through another poor goal. Diamond caught out. Langfield in no mans land. Keane nips in. Disaster.

A couple of minutes later and it's all over. Short corner. McGeady given too much room. 4-2. Goodnight Irene.

I turn to the boys. 'Bugger this... pint?' Nah, give it 5 mins. Soo we settle down in vain hope of a fightback. Another Dons chance. Cleared off the line. It's not happening. Then a moment of madness from Celtic. Clear handball in the box. Penalty. The ref actually gives it. Praise be. MacLean steps up to dispatch. It's still on. 15 minutes left.

The Dons throw everything at Celtic. Cleared off the line again. COME ON YOU REDS! Mackie wins the ball in the box. Lays it off. Comes back to him. Hits a shot towards goal, takes a deflection into the path of MacLean who makes no mistake and Pittodrie erupts as he careers along the Richard Donald concourse with his red shirt held aloft. Magical. Lee who...?

Phew. One of the best games i've ever seen. A more than deserved point for the Dons and a game which must have been a real treat for the TV audience. Lets hope for many more like it.

It's time for the first update of the season.... and we're now in December.

Yes, this season has been THAT bad for the 'Dismal Dons' that I couldn't even bring myself to update about the whole travesty.

Saturdays abysmal performance against the mighty Hamilton was just one in a series of horrendous performances and results. So i'll add a little update about that wonderful match then reminisce a little about the glowing season so far.

This image has been an all too familiar sight. A despairing keeper. Static defenders. And Saturday was certainly no different. The Dons had christmas spirit in abundance and were dishing it out to Hamilton in spades.

Right from the off, this game was pretty turgid (nothing to do with my horrific staff christmas party hangover you understand). A meagre crowd was served up what can only be described as a 'shocker'. Although the taxi of Hamilton supporters had reason to cheer as their team walked off with the 3 points handed to them on a plate.

A very lacklustre half was followed up by an equally embarrassing second with only a Gary McDonald strike to lift the gloom for all of a few minutes. At least it meant I could leave the game early (and not for the first time this season). I'm also glad I left the heating on in the flat too. Final Score Aberdeen 1 - 2 Hamilton. Disgrace.

The only saving grace is that i'm off on holiday in a week so will miss some of the Dons own brand of 'total football'. Totally guttted.

So what has preceeded earlier in the season? Um, not a lot worth talking about to be honest. Here's the highlights:

A new manager (who has yet to convince).
A complete lack of signings.
A host of injury problems.
A horrific disciplinary record.
A shambolic performance in the league cup.
A complete embarrassment in Europe.
The first time i've walked out of a match before half time (Celtic at home).
Dwindling crowds.

And the positives? Slim pickings. The emergence of some young talent has at least given us a faint glimmer for the future. But knowing Aberdeen, we'll mess that up too.