Aberdeen Faces Crucial Test Against Livingston After Winless Start
A home fixture against Livingston in early September might not normally set pulses racing at Aberdeen, but this season, nerves and anticipation are running high. After a winless start to the Scottish Premiership, fans are desperate to see how Jimmy Thelin’s side responds.
Three games, three defeats, and zero goals make for a worrying start — even factoring in tough fixtures against Heart of Midlothian and Celtic. The situation is compounded by Aberdeen’s league record: just five wins in 30 Premiership games since November 2024.
Fresh Signings Raise Hopes
New arrivals Kevin Nisbet, Stuart Armstrong, and Jesper Karlsson (on loan from Bologna) have injected optimism. But optimism alone won’t suffice; the team now needs tangible results.
Aberdeen’s next five domestic fixtures — Livingston, Motherwell in the League Cup, Dundee United, Motherwell in the Premiership, and Dundee — feel like must-win matches for Thelin, despite his reputation as a Scottish Cup-winning manager.
Struggles in Attack and Defense
Thelin’s first season was marked by brilliance, including a 16-game unbeaten run and a Scottish Cup triumph over Celtic at Hampden. But the current campaign paints a darker picture.
Aberdeen have struggled to score consistently. Only now-relegated Ross County and St Johnstone have fewer goals since the start of last season. Conversion rates are low, chances are scarce, and expected goals statistics are concerning. Defensively, only Dundee and Kilmarnock have conceded more.
The issues are clear: Aberdeen lack spark in attack and solidity at the back.
The Impact of Player Turnover
Frequent squad changes may be a key factor. In three transfer windows under Thelin, 24 players have arrived, with many others departing. New defensive signings and the replacement of left-back Jack Mackenzie this summer highlight the lack of continuity.
Goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov’s injury spells further disrupted stability, while Opta data shows Aberdeen have lost more challenges than any Premiership side since last season. Lack of physicality and aggression has affected both attack and defense, leaving the team vulnerable.
Young Squad Lacks Experience
The attack has been hampered by departures of key creators like Jamie McGrath, Pape Gueye, and Shayden Morris. Only Topi Keskinen has started more than half of Aberdeen’s last 41 league matches.
Thelin’s squad is youthful, with many players under 23. While this aligns with Aberdeen’s strategy of acquiring young talent from less-heralded leagues, experience gaps are evident. Keskinen, for example, has delivered bright moments but only five goals and two assists in 39 games.
Former Aberdeen captain Willie Miller notes:
“All these players need to convince that they are good enough for the club. It’s a very young squad, and they’re still a work in progress.”
Can New Signings Turn Things Around?
Aberdeen’s late transfer window signings indicate an awareness of inexperience. Kevin Nisbet, the club’s top scorer last term, offers a proven goal threat. Stuart Armstrong brings international and Premier League experience, while Jesper Karlsson is a highly talented winger familiar with Thelin from their time at Elfsborg.
Additional recruits like striker Marko Lazetic and left-back Emmanuel Gyamfi could also impact the team once fully match-fit. The manager now faces the task of integrating these players into a consistent lineup that delivers regular strong performances.
A Critical Run of Games
With domestic fixtures and Conference League commitments ahead, Thelin must stabilize both attack and defense. Pittodrie’s atmosphere on Saturday against Livingston will reflect a mix of excitement and tension, as the team seeks its first win of the season.
For Aberdeen, the message is clear: signings, experience, and strategy must translate into results. Fans will be watching closely to see if Thelin’s squad can rise to the challenge.