With the end of 2022 in sight, it is time to pause and reflect on another whirlwind few months for Aberdeen – and how their summer signings have fared.
Following a season to forget in 2021/22, the Dons are heading into 2023 in relatively rude health in comparison to the rollercoaster which was the previous campaign.
There have been bumps in the road, the last week notably taking the shine off a decent start, but a new-look Dons team under Jim Goodwin still have a Hampden League Cup semi-final to look forward to and are still well placed to push for a return to Europe.
With 11 new recruits in the summer window – Goodwin’s first transfer window as boss – it has been a fresh start in many respects.
On the whole, there are genuine green shoots of recovery for the club heading into the new year.
But how are Goodwin’s summer signings helping shape the club’s progress?
We assess all 11 of the new faces playing for the cause.
Goalkeeper
Kelle Roos
The Dutchman, 30, faced a big challenge upon arriving from Derby County in displacing club captain Joe Lewis from the side, but the fact he has been an ever-present speaks volumes.
Roos’ distribution and how comfortable he is on the ball is his main asset and he’s a very good shot-stopper to boot.
Add in AFC Women gaining a fine player in his partner Nadine Hanssen and it’s been a win-win all round really.
Defenders
Jayden Richardson
The 22-year-old joined the Dons on a three-year deal from Nottingham Forest after impressing on loan at Notts County.
Although clearly blessed with frightening pace, the Englishman has yet to show the form which convinced the Dons to sign him in the summer, his final ball could be better and questions remain about his defensive qualities.
But there is enough there to suggest he can play a bigger role in matches if he can add some composure to his game.
Liam Scales
Two central defenders arrived on July 21 and 24-year-old Scales was the first, joining the Dons on a season-long loan from Premiership champions Celtic.
A left-sided centre-back, he has been an assured figure in the defence and is comfortable on the ball when in possession.
Aberdeen want to make his loan move permanent. Says it all really.
Anthony Stewart
The 30-year-old was a surprise addition from Wycombe Wanderers, but his standing on arriving at Pittodrie was evident from Goodwin’s decision to name him captain at the club.
A no-nonsense defender who loves a header, Stewart is at his best when asked to make a challenge or clear his lines.
He isn’t the quickest though and his passing can be erratic at times. It isn’t hard to see why he was a cult hero among the Wanderers faithful, but those lapses have been ruthlessly exposed at times.
His dismissal in Saturday’s defeat at St Mirren is a perfect case in point.
Hayden Coulson
Admit it – you struggle to recall much from his spell on loan at St Mirren, don’t you?
We all do, but Jim Goodwin clearly didn’t and his move to bring the man back to Scotland on loan from Middlesbrough has been a shrewd one.
A winger-turned-wing-back, Coulson, 24, is excellent going forward and seems to glide past opponents at times.
He has an eye for goal, too, which is handy. Keeping him long-term would be a fine piece of work.
Midfielders
Ylber Ramadani
The Albanian international midfielder had the honour of being Goodwin’s first signing as Aberdeen manager and he is the lynchpin at the heart of the team.
A deep-lying player who acts as a buffer in front of the defence, 26-year-old Ramadani is a neat and tidy player who loves breaking up play before setting up attacks.
Looks destined to play a big part in the second half of the season.
Leighton Clarkson
An unknown to Scottish football, Clarkson was the last signing of the summer but burst on to the scene with a spectacular goal on his debut.
More fabulous strikes have followed.
When the Dons are on top in games, more often than not he tends to pull the strings in midfield.
The 21-year-old loanee faces a tough task in forcing his way into Liverpool’s first team squad, but there’s no doubt he could do a job for Aberdeen beyond this season if he fancies it.
You suspect Goodwin would love to have him here permanently.
Wingers
Callum Roberts
A man who arrived to great fanfare. Hailed as the Geordie Messi by the Notts County faithful, the playmaker’s Dons career has been impacted by a serious hamstring injury which kept him out for months.
A timescale on the 25-year-old’s return is not forthcoming, but we’re expecting big things from him when he is back in the squad.
Bojan Miovski and Duk should love playing with this guy if he finds the form which he showed at his previous club.
Shayden Morris
The hardest one to assess given we’ve seen so precious little of the former Fleetwood Town man.
A winger by trade, Morris, 21, has struggled to adapt in Scottish football so far.
There’s so little of note to comment on we can only hope he finds the spark and confidence he seems to be lacking in the second half of the season.
Would a loan move help perhaps?
Strikers
Bojan Miovski
The most expensive new recruit, you can see why the Dons paid MTK Budapest £535,000 for the North Macedonian international’s services in the summer.
A seemingly never-ending wait for his visa to come through added to the sense of anticipation, but the wait has been worth it.
What he lacks in pace, he more than makes up for with his movement and finishing. And it’s no surprise clubs are taking notice of the Dons striker.
But with three-and-a-half years of his deal remaining, it will take a big offer to prise him away from Pittodrie.
Luis ‘Duk’ Lopes
A cult player Dons fans have been calling out for. The former Benfica man was a complete unknown when arrived.
Not anymore.
Having found his match fitness he has been the perfect foil for Miovski in attack. Pace, an incredible work-rate, and he can play a bit, too.
An unpredictable player, expect the unexpected when he is in possession – and some outrageous goals to boot.
The fans love him, his team-mates love him. We all love him don’t we?
Conversation