Football Season Guide

Scottish Cup winners Aberdeen ultimately finished a disappointing fifth last season but showed themselves to be a dangerous side as they claimed silverware and also made a run to the final of the League Cup. The Dons proved to be incredibly streaky. After going on an incredible winning run at the start of the season, they collapsed as winter set in before improving again later in the season. Nevertheless, the up-and-down nature of their performances led some fans to seriously question the management of Jimmy Thelin. Despite European qualification, the Dons will be under scrutiny from the beginning of the season. Significant changes will be made, with several first-team players departing during the summer. Jamie McGrath, who was influential in their early season form, and fellow attackers Kevin Nisbet and Oday Dabbagh are the most pertinent departures. Kusini Yengi has been drafted in to bolster the attack, while will be primarily led by Ester Sokler and Pape Gueye, who was a revelation last season before a serious injury. On the wings, Thelin is a fans of Topi Keskinen while Shayden Morris proved a valuable 12th man from the bench and even won the club’s Player of the Year award – a prize that seemed impossible given his peripheral status. Adil Aouchiche is an interesting signing in the No.10 role. He could be a star arrival should he live up to his billing as a former PSG wonderkid, yet he has lost his way in recent times. There appears to be an excess of central midfielders between veteran Graeme Shinnie, Sivert Nilsen, Dante Polvara and Ante Palaversa. Shinnie was used effectively as a left-back last season, yet Germany young international Emmanuel Gyamfi has signed to fill that void in an very interesting arrival. After a strong start to the season defensively, Aberdeen rather collapsed down their spine, and there is nothing to suggest that they will improve here, with the same personnel available. Injuries did hit Aberdeen at the back last season, but Thelin’s signings failed to sparkle. With so much faith having been put in the new manager to bring in his own men, they have to get their recruitment right this time around.