A day of the week

Rain. Again. Lots of rain. Rain, rain, rain. Still, at least the huns didn't win. Yes, it's that time of the week again. Saturday morning (although no whiff of a hangover) which makes a somewhat refreshing change.

I literally couldn't give the tickets away for the game, and 4 were available. I did find a couple of hardy souls to use 2 of them though. On with the assortment of winter clothing (although I stupidly forgot my gloves and scarf, so in reality I blew it) and off we set for the hallowed turf.

Falkirk, surely we'll beat them today? Although they haven't won here since the 50's, but then again neither had Caley or Hamilton until this season.... GULP!

By the time we arrive we are well and truly DRENCHED. Complete set of bastards. This had better be a good game.

As it turns out we didn't fare too badly on that front. A bright opening spell is capped off with a great passing move culminating with my namesake being hauled down in the box for a stonewall penalty.

Up steps the man of the moment, the outstanding (yet again) Lee Miller to cooly slot it home. From there on it was all pretty much one way traffic in the first half, which was compounded with a second goal for the Dons. A great ball whipped in by Maguire and Lee Miller is at the back post to squeeze it in for a fantastic finish across the keeper. He was also unlucky not to complete the hat trick a few moments later with a stinging shot from the edge of the box.

So, all bodes well for the second half! Or so we think. Why do we have this mentality of defending so deep once we take a lead? Really? The second half was a complete contrast. We should be going out and looking to turn on the style, score a few goals and get a few more bums back on seats at Pittodrie. But no, we sit back, lose a terrible goal (scored by Lovell of all people) but thankfully hold on to take the 3 points. Surely we need to take heed of this warning and be a little more positive.

Speaking of positives, Lee Miller and Gary McDonald were outstanding. And we have now won 4 on the spin at home, which is very encouraging given the start we had.

Match highlights and reaction

Chant of the day: OH MACKIE GOOOOOOOOOOO, MACKIE, MACKIE, MACKIE GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.......

Season ticket count: 5 out of 6 used....... we'll get that perfect 6 one day. Mark my words.

On reflection, staying up until 4am playing FIFA on the Playsation on Friday was not the best of ideas. Fun at the time mind you, but that's besides the point.

I awake to a slightly groggy, throbbing head, complain to myself a lot, and then turn on the tv to soak up the delights of Hearts v Rangers with a cup of tea.

Bad result for the Dons, although the Huns losing is always a sight to behold.

2pm.... where is Ryan?

2.15pm.... where is Ryan?

2.30pm.... where is... Oh, he slept in and is on his way.

On exiting my flat and heading to the theatre of dreams (to meet the aforementioned Ryan) I am delighted I opted for 2 pairs of socks (on reflection, 3 pairs would have been needed). I am however, a bit gutted I forgot my scarf as it is indeed brass monkeys in the Granite City on this fine winter afternoon.

Anyway, he finally arrives and we get inside and huddle up for warmth as best we can (and not in a sexy party kind of way). The match kicks off (Jimmy's 200th in charge), let the action commenceeeeeeeeeZZZZZZZZZzzzzZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz. Whoa.... What was that? I feel asleep? Well I would have been totally justified had I done so as the first half of 'football' was absolutely horrendous, with nothing at all of note I can recall. Not to mention the fact the atmosphere, for want of a better word, was sorely lacking.

The only real entertainment was the small hardy band of Motherwell supporters being harrassed by the stewards for actually trying to create some noise and excitement.

Into the second half we stumble.... and thankfully it's a marked improvement. The Dons actually start putting a few passes together and create some chances. It takes a tactical masterclass from Calderwood (or an injury to Considine) to change the game however and make the breakthrough. Aluko delivers a great ball from the right and the 'just on' McDonald pounces to flash a great header into the back of the net.

A few moments later and DeVisscher pings a great ball into the box before Mackie is dumped in the box. Penalty, red card for Quinn, and totally justified. The 'well keeper (Smith) tries in vain to put Miller off by throwing water in his direction (the twat), but handsome Lee confidently smashes the ball home.

Game over.

And but for some better luck it could have been 4 or 5.

Match reaction and highlights

Highlight of the day? Seeing Gus arriving rather 'refreshed' from a morning at the pub.

Season ticket count? 3 out of 6. Things are going downhill. And fast. And Dunc still hasn't seen a win. The swine.

EDIT: Raith Rovers or Alloa in the Scottish Cup 4th round ... away. Just for a change. I'll be paying a visit to Jonathan's that weekend. Bring it on.

2-0 up. Cruising. What could possibly go wrong? Nothing surely. Oh wait. Hold the bus. This is Aberdoom we are talking about. The cock of the walk.

Really?!?! What the hell is going on? Everything is going so well. I'm sitting watching Scotland beating South Africa in the rugby at my parents. News filters through it's 1-0 to the Dons via Mackie. All good so far.

Then half time happens. Scotland begin to collapse. Doubt enters my mind about the Dons. It's time to head back through to Aberdeen. I'll watch the game on BBC Alba when I make it back home.

The wavering radio reception, the dithering drivers, the showering rain, the.... YESSSSSSSSSSSS 2-0 Aberdeen, Diamond. Happy days. Tonight will be a good night. I'm happy for those brief, flittering moments. Then it all comes crashing down as per usual.

Almost immediately.... goal for HIbernian. Shite. Typical. I knew it. Now, just hold on Aberdeen. Surely you can do that. Push up the table. Get up into the Euro spots. The reception is further wavering, much like the Dons defence.

The full time scores flood in. Surely it's all over? But no, the radio suddenly becomes crystal clear. And now we can go to Easter road.... Great save... Another block.... No, it's a goal for Hibs, with the last kick of the ball.

To quote another Johnny Mac:

You. Can. Not. Be. Serious.

From a seemingly unstoppable position, we blow it yet again. Hibernian 2 - 2 Aberdeen.

Highlights can be seen here. Along with reaction from Blunderwood.... blaming the man of the match, Sone Aluko for the whole fiasco. Deary me.

I was even silly enough to watch the entire game later on in the evening. Thankfully, there was beer involved, so I didn't have to pay too much attention. One thing's for sure, it's certainly been a rollercoaster season so far. Whatever will happen next?

Oh wait, I know exaclty what will happen next. Rangers. At Ibrox. Oh dear. I feel a storm is brewing. Lets see what happens. Gulp.

Oh to have someone in the team who could do this against the great unwashed. Enjoy.

EDIT: Congratulations to Lee Miller for his call up to the Scotland squad this morning. Lets hope he gets to play some part in the Argentina game.

Ah, midweek football. Floodlights, great atmosphere, passing football, entertainment.

None of which were on show at Pittodrie last night (albeit the floodlights, but that was hardly any consolation).

Bring a Buddy to the Buddies was the tagline. I'm so sorry for my workmate Steven who came along last night (although he is a hun, so he probably deserves it). But anyway, that's besides the point. We may have had the tagline but we certainly missed the punchline.

On a more serious note, I had to defeat the rumblings growing that I was the jonah. No wins seen at all this season. Thankfully that myth was destroyed with a resounding whimper last night. Leaving only Duncan yet to see a win this season.

Despite feeling like death, I stepped out the flat door to a chorus of rain and was soaked by Urquhart road. I did try the 'match special' once inside the stadium however. A chicken pie (still gave me heartburn though, the swines). The Bovril helped to keep the cold out mind you.

The match itself was delayed by 10mins due to road blockages, but they need not have bothered, a mighty crowd, just shy of 10,000 was there for the impending football masterclass.

The first half was, how can we say.... forgettable to say the very least. Along with freezing. Summer football please. The only things of note I can remember were the linesman getting clattered and Lee Miller being unlucky with a great free kick not long before half time.

He really has been one of the few positives this season. I've been saying it for a while but I think he's got the best touch in the team by a mile. Makes good space for himself and brings other players into play well. All he needs to add are a few more goals to his game. Although in saying that he was unlucky last night and on another day would have had a hat trick on Saturday.

But I digress. The second half of total football at Todders last night was.... even worse than the first. So i'll skip to the goals.

Good play on the wing from Severin (I did just say that, yes) and a great touch from Kerr followed by a good cut back to big Andy Considine who produced a tremendous finish.

The second was on the break, Aluko beat the offside trap and slotted home with ease. Darren Mackie, please take note.

Final score Aberdeen 2 - 0 St. Mirren

Match reaction

Next up, Hibs at Easter Road. There was talk of going..... but I think I'll pass.

Season ticket count for last night.... 5 out of 6. We may get the full compliment at some point this season.

Ah Tannadice, an often visited venue from myself with some quite horrendous results (and Saturday was no exception let me tell you).

The day started pleasantly enough mind you. I wake up at 10am, with no trace of a hangover (unfortunately the rest of the weekend would more than make up for this). I go and collect the hardy troops, one of which was very hungover (yes, you Mark) and one of whom was not long in from a night shift.

On seeing their faces I felt good about myself and off we went. Ryan managed to consume 4 rowies by the time we'd passed Stonehaven (healthy as you like). We even passed the Brian Grant memorial site, McDonalds beside Forfar, which prompted me to foolishly announce that surely the Dons would win today.

Now, for those of you that don't know, i've been to Tannadice probably around 20 times and never seen a win. It all started to go wrong just as we got into Dundee. We get to the top of the hill, are about to turn into Forfar road and my car decides to cut out. Fun times ahoy..... I should have taken this as a sign and headed straight home. Miraculously, it starts up and we manage to abandon it and head to the pub.

The Centenary bar, on Clepto road. Mobbed. Lots of drunk people. Roasting. Some cheeky songs. Lots of Dean Windass chanting. And people so hammered at 1pm I don't know how they even made the game.

A few pints later (cokes in my case) we head down and join the already monster queue to get into the shed. Confidence is high (as the sherminator from American Pie would say). We even manage to get a pie inside, which thankfully have improved since last season.

The football sadly hasn't, however. 2-0 down within 10 minutes. A complete shambles at the back, yet again. Why Severin is playing in defence is beyond me. If the 3rd goal had gone in it was hometime. Somehow we struggle on to half time only 2-0 down.

To be fair, we came more into the game towards the end of the half and totally dominated the second half. Lee Miller and Sone Aluko both played particularly well. How we only managed to score 1 goal through Mackie is beyond me. The usual dubious disallowed goal and it's back off up the road with tails between legs. Again. Yet again. I think i'm going to retire from Tannadice.

Also having to listen to Celtic fans phoning in about their minute's applause for 2 hours on Scotsport made things even more unbearable. The swines. And Jim Traynor. An even bigger swine.

Dundee United 2 - 1 Aberdeen

High(low) lights here for those hardy souls interested.

St Mirren tonight. If we play like we did in the second half against United, we should murder them. But it's the Dons we are talking about. I just don't know what to expect. Until tomorrow.........