There have been many encouraging signs for Aberdeen FC over the summer months: a flurry of decent-looking signings, several players returning from injury, solid showings in pre-season matches, and increase in season ticket sales.
With hope abundant, the team travelled to Parkhead for Saturdays’ SPL opener... but it didn’t quite go according to plan. The most obvious improvement was how comfortable they were in possession. With a central trio of Osbourne, Rae and Hughes in midfield, they passed the ball well and seldom gave it away. But the game was lost in another area.
Most Aberdeen fans are surprised that Jamie Langfield is still at the club, let alone chosen as number one for the start of another season. His inability to focus for the duration of 90 minutes has cost his side time and time again, and it did so again here.
Yes, the defence was painfully slow in moving out but the velocity in Commons’ trundler towards the near post was negligible and should not have troubled even a schoolboy goalkeeper.
Langfield, however, had other ideas. With his mind wandering elsewhere, he somehow contrived to let the ball slip straight through him, which was an altogether more difficult feat than stopping it.
He shouldn’t don the gloves for AFC again. Saying ‘sorry’ on Twitter isn’t acceptable. Sorry for what – not being good enough? Genuine doubts were raised over Jason Brown’s ability to claim the number one spot last season – and rightly so – but he grew in stature, kept a string of clean sheets and proved he was up for the job, rendering the selection of ‘Clangers’ for Saturday completely inexplicable. He’s had numerous chances at the club but has a habit of coasting along and then blowing it big time thanks to a brittle confidence that lends itself only to bottling it.
Fear is no attribute for a footballer, less so a goalkeeper, and Brown MUST go back between the sticks versus Ross County. Langfield is far too much of a liability, too risky. Were it not for his howler at Celtic, we would’ve come away with a creditable point, a confidence boost for the team, a great springboard for the weeks ahead and another fillip in the drive for further season ticket sales. All that was undone by one individual.
Aberdeen’s first XI looked very strong and well-balanced for the first time in years. But another possible cause for concern is the lack of strength in depth.
Craig Brown made three substitutions: Chris Clark replaced Naysmith, and Fraser came on for Hayes, with Magennis taking McGinn’s place. In other words, the team was significantly weakened by the substitutions, which defeats the purpose of making them in the first place.
A third worry centres around Ryan Fraser himself. His skill is not in question but his physique is. At one point against Celtic he was brushed off the ball with ease but hit the deck as if he’d been sledgehammered. The ball was kicked out of play only for him to get up before treatment was forthcoming. As a result we lost possession of around 60 yards. I think this incident can be put down to naivety, but nonetheless, there are a host of SPL defenders out there who must take one look at Fraser and think he’s going to be easy meat.
If strides can be taken to sort out these areas – the ones that are the most glaringly obvious – Aberdeen have a real chance to make huge improvements on the last few seasons. Jason Brown must regain his place as the club’s number one keeper. The subs should be used more wisely and not for the sake of it – for instance, surely Milsom, Pawlett or Fallon would have contributed more than the three who did come on – or the squad must be galvanised.
The starting line-up has an excellent look about it, but a crop of injuries and it’s hard to see where the cover will come from. And wee Ryan Fraser really needs some more meat on his bones, although this is really just a minor quibble.
But this is just the Devil’s Advocate speaking. All in all, there are many reasons to be cheerful but they must be converted into points and wins, beginning with Ross County on Sell-Out Saturday. AFC are traditionally slow starters... now is the time to come firing out of the blocks.