A run of performances that has brought their chairman to tears: The recent collapse of Aberdeen FC
Aberdeen’s recent run of dismal performances has halted their charge for European football and has brought their chairman Dave Cormick to tears, when he spoke to Sky Sports following his club’s 6-0 loss to Hibernian. What has gone wrong and is there cause for blame amongst the collapse?
The interruption of the World Cup has had varying impacts since clubs have returned to their domestic duties. For Aberdeen, a side who were 3rd in the Scottish Premiership before Qatar and had no players on international duty, the return has been fatal.
Since returning from the hangover of Qatar, Aberdeen have picked up just one win in eleven games and have leaked fourteen goals in their last four fixtures. They have now slumped down to 7th and are 10 points adrift of the European spots.
Remarkably, they are now closer to the bottom of the league than where they were prior to the collapse. It is an alarming downturn in form that has resulted in manager Jim Goodwin being sacked.
Chairman Dave Cormack’s relationship with Goodwin seemed strong throughout the Irishman’s lowest points. Following Aberdeen’s shock 1-0 defeat to Darvel, a town consisting of 4,000 people and who play their football in the sixth tier of Scottish football, Cormack announced that he would stand by Goodwin, but he expected an “immediate response”.
What followed was a devastating 6-0 defeat to Hibernian last week. It was the final straw for Goodwin, and the club announced his dismissal just 20 minutes after the curtain closed on the tragedy witnessed at Hibernian’s Easter Road. Aberdeen fans made their feelings clear even before the dust had settled, unfurling a banner before the kick-off that read “Goodwin out.”
Cormack told Sky Sports following the result: “I am almost lost for words. I’ve been a fan my whole life and I’m embarrassed, humiliated, and shocked by the results. Jim is a good man, and he gave it his best,” he mourned.
The images at full-time of Goodwin sauntering into the distance clutching his bag is striking. It is a man aware of his fate and plainly somber about the dire situation the club finds itself in.
Cormack was fighting back tears as he bravely spoke to the media and more importantly the dejected fanbase, who are perplexed by their team’s recent deterioration. How has a team that had weeks to prepare for the league’s resumption, with a full squad, dropped off so drastically. You can resonate with his anguish; Aberdeen’s downfall has been a true enigma.
The chairman spoke to RedTV at Easter Road after today’s events. pic.twitter.com/DWJLxtnllr
— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) January 28, 2023
Aberdeen’s form before the World Cup had fans fantasising about finally breaching the dominance set by Celtic and Rangers, a regeneration of the famous Sir Alex Ferguson side of the 80s was in its earliest form. A title charge was still far-flung, but the Dons were in pole position to cement European football, which would have offered huge financial benefits as well as an attraction for players in the transfer market.
The prospect of this now lays in tatters, and it is certainly inconclusive as to how they have lost form. Aberdeen’s injury list is scarce and offers no evidence to support their decline.
Their second highest goal scorer Luis ‘Duk’ Lopes has been absent from their last three games, but their leading talisman Bojan Miovski is still fit, alongside their other noticeable attacking outlets such as Liverpool loanee Leighton Clarkson and Vicente Besuijen, who left the club five days ago .
It has been in defence where Aberdeen have been exposed. Four games and the concession of a ludicrous fourteen goals has resulted in the Dons now having the worst defence in the league. The signs were there even before their World Cup hangover. Heavy 4-1 and 4-0 defeats to Rangers and bottom-of the league Dundee respectively have forewarned their defensive deficiencies.
Aberdeen’s attack has been disguising the defensive problems this season. They have notched up 42 goals this so far this season and they have scored four or more goals in seven games.
Before the World Cup they had the third most goals scored in the league. It seems impressive but considering Celtic have notched up 74 goals and Rangers 54, the encroachment on Scotland’s elite two may have been overestimated when the Dons sat third in the league.
Based off interaction with fans on social media, it is clear that it is a case of inferior quality rather than any noticeable absence of key personal. Fans are crying out for recruitment and chairman Cormack tweeted last month that “January is notoriously tough to get quality signings versus the summer.” He also mentioned that the club have been scouting across 26 different countries in the last few months, so a massive overhaul should be expected in the summer.
January notoriously tough to get “quality” signings versus summer. Be assured the recruitment team & Jim looking to add quality; scouting 26 countries in last few months. Patrik a quality signing. Graeme brings leadership & experience. Our fans have been brilliant. Thank you 👏👏
— Dave Cormack (@CormackDavie) January 18, 2023
It indicates a team in transition, with recent seasons suggesting this. From the 2014-2015 season to the 2017-18 season, Aberdeen finished runners-up in the league four seasons in a row. The next three campaigns they finished 4th and last season they dropped to a 9th place finish. Their consistency in the Scottish Premiership has abandoned them. Last season was no coincidence and this time around, the evidence is even more conclusive.
For now, Aberdeen must build off yesterday’s 3-1 win over Motherwell; the ideal start for new interim boss Barry Robson. Ten points still separate them from 3rd place Hearts but a strong end to the season and a strong transfer window in the summer could restore Aberdeen’s ambitions that were so eminent before their horrid run of form.
