Aberdeen genuine title contenders? They looked the part but still too early to judge. Give it two more matches. Although I hope they are as it can only be good for our game…
Aberdeen arrived at Celtic Park yesterday looking to show they are the genuine title contenders, and they left with a point after being two goals down at half time, so I guess you could say that they weren’t fazed by the challenge in any way shape or form.
Like most of you it’s the first time I’ve seen the Dons close up this campaign and I have to say I’m impressed by not only their style of play, but their determined attitude.
However while Celtic weren’t exactly poor, we weren’t at our free flowing best, and missed some gilt edge chances, and that combined with individual errors and bad defending allowed Aberdeen back into the game.
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On another day we would have won that game by two or three goals, so the Dons did carry some luck in that aspect. Although I suppose you do need a bit of luck now and again to compete at the top of the table.
The big question is can Aberdeen keep the momentum going through the entirety of the season? The pressure will get more intense as the season goes on, and we have an advantage as we’ve been through it all before, but for the Dons it will be all new to them. How will they react?
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There’s also injuries and suspensions which take its toll on all sides as the season progresses, that again will be another challenge for the Dons to overcome.
It’s only eight games in so it’s far too early to judge if Aberdeen are serious title contenders. Maybe if they are still there or thereabouts after twenty eight games then we can say without question that they are the real deal, but as for now it’s still very much early days.
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I for one hope they prove to be genuine title contenders as it can only be a good thing for our game. If they win their next two games ahead of the semi-final with Celtic then they we can say that they really do have a title rival from the North East on our hands. Those games are both at Pittodrie against Dundee United next Saturday and then theRangers a week on Wednesday.
And yesterday’s draw at Paradise will give them a huge lift in confidence that they can pick up six points from these two home games. That would make for a very interesting season.
What does it take to mount a title challenge outside of the big two? Firstly you have to take care of the games against the rest and so far Aberdeen has done that and can tick that box.
That only gets you so far. You also have to take something from the two Glasgow sides and yesterday Aberdeen did that at Celtic Park of all places. If they beat Dundee United next weekend they then go into theRangers game the following midweek knowing that a win there will tick that box and it will be four from six against the big two.
Celtic will have four from six against theRangers and Aberdeen but are away to both next time around, while theRangers would have zero for six but have two games at Ibrox against the top two to come. An interesting few weeks ahead, starting today at Rugby Park where theRangers will be looking to narrow the game to three points on Celtic and Aberdeen.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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We watched the best two clubs in Scotland yesterday at Paradise.
No they wont. If Aberdeen are still in grasp of getting first place come Easter then we will know other than that it means nothing