Aberdeen’s Rollercoaster Season: From Title Dreams to Midseason Turmoil

Aberdeen's 2024/25 campaign in the Scottish Premiership began with the stuff of dreams. Under new manager Jimmy Thelin, the Dons powered through the first three months of the season unbeaten, winning 10 of their first 11 games. Among their early triumphs were a resounding victory over Rangers and a hard-fought draw at Celtic, propelling them to joint-top of the table.

By November, Aberdeen fans dared to dream of a title challenge. However, the optimism turned to despair as the team plunged into a winless run that has stretched to 11 games. Seven defeats during this slump have seen the Dons tumble to fourth place, a staggering 24 points behind Celtic. So, what has gone wrong at Pittodrie?

Defensive Struggles and Key Injuries

Aberdeen’s defensive woes have been a recurring issue. Even during their impressive start to the season, the team managed just three clean sheets in their opening 11 matches. Since then, only one clean sheet has followed, with opposition teams continuing to exploit Aberdeen’s vulnerabilities at the back.

Compounding these struggles are injuries to several key players. Top scorer Pape Gueye, who had netted five goals in as many matches, has been sidelined, while Gavin Molloy, Vicente Besuijen, Ester Sokler, and Dimitar Mitov have all joined him on the injury list. Gueye’s absence has been particularly costly, exposing Aberdeen’s lack of cutting-edge up front.

The early-season goals from Jamie McGrath, Kevin Nisbet, and Topi Keskinen have also dried up, leaving the Dons struggling for attacking output. Aberdeen sold prolific striker Bojan Miovski for £6.8 million in the summer, and his absence is now being felt keenly.

Adding to the frustration is a curious trend: Aberdeen are seeing more possession during their winless run than they did in their unbeaten streak, yet they are creating fewer chances and converting even fewer.

Thelin: "Problems to Solve"

Despite the bleak midseason form, Thelin has remained composed, taking the long view of Aberdeen’s development.

“It’s football; sometimes you face problems that need solving—within the team, in our game, and in our performance," he said. “Even during the winning run, we knew there were areas to improve to build a consistent, stable team that could compete for Europe.

“We’ve faced injuries, but I still believe in the squad we have. This period gives opportunities for others to step up.”

Thelin’s focus now lies in addressing defensive lapses, revitalizing the team’s attack, and rebuilding confidence within the group.

January Transfer Reinforcements

To halt the slide, Aberdeen have been active in the January transfer window. Latvian captain Kristers Tobers and winger Jeppe Okkels have already been brought in, with more signings anticipated before the window closes.

“Okkels has the pace and quality to stretch defences, and Tobers brings leadership and composure on the ball,” Thelin said. “Recruitment is an ongoing process. We’re always looking to improve in both the short and long term.”

A Challenging Road Ahead

While the Dons' title hopes may have faded, there is still time to turn the season around. A top-six finish and a push for European qualification remain realistic goals. With the January signings already offering a glimmer of hope, fans will be eager to see whether Thelin’s long-term vision begins to take shape.

Reflecting on the broader context, Scott offers a balanced perspective: “At the start of the season, a comfortable top-six finish would’ve been considered progress. It’s disappointing to see how things have turned, but the signs of potential are there. Hopefully, with the right adjustments, we can get back on track and end the season strongly.”

As Aberdeen enter the second half of the campaign, the challenge now is clear: rediscover the fire that lit up their early-season form and lay the foundations for sustained success in the future.