Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin must sign an experienced No. 10 during the summer transfer window.
The No. 10 has been a missing position all season as there has been no stand-out candidate who can play up there and also link up with the midfield.
No player has stepped up to make the No.10 position his own this season.
Pape Gueye has been used there recently in behind striker Kevin Nisbet, but I don’t think Gueye fills the position properly.
Thelin is experimenting with players in that No. 10 position and fielded winger Topi Keskinen in that role in the 1-0 loss at St Mirren.
I can understand what Thelin was trying to do by playing Keskinen off Nisbet.
However, I don’t think it worked as I didn’t see the link-play and the two in midfield became isolated.
I’m not sure if Keskinen is the type of player who wants to come off and link with the other two midfield players to allow the wide players to get on the ball.
Keskinen’s influence needed out wide
Thelin has brought an identity to the team and a formation he likes to play – but you need the right personnel.
The area in behind Nisbet didn’t appear to suit Keskinen, and Aberdeen also missed the Finnish international’s influence running down the left hand side.
Keskinen is a powerful runner who gets Aberdeen up the park and carries a threat.
If Keskinen and Shayden Morris can deliver their threat consistently, the Dons have a powerful force.
Winger Jeppe Okkels is still trying to find his game since coming in on loan from Preston North End during the January transfer window.
We still don’t know what will happen with on-loan Millwall striker Nisbet beyond the end of the summer.
Aberdeen’s potential search for a No. 10 and a striker in summer transfer window
If Aberdeen cannot get Nisbet back to Pittodrie for next season, Thelin will be searching for a number nine AND a No. 10, which are key positions.
Oday Dabbagh could possibly be the number nine, although he is also on loan.
Aberdeen do, however, have the option to buy Dabbagh from Belgian club Charleroi.
Aberdeen lacked an attacking edge in huge blow for third place hopes
The loss to St Mirren is a huge blow to Aberdeen’s hopes of finishing third in the Premiership.
Winning against third-placed Hibs the previous week had ignited hopes the Dons could beat the Easter Road club to that spot.
But Hibs now have a three-point lead, and a superior goal advantage, over the Reds.
It is a huge challenge now for Aberdeen to knock Hibs off that third spot.
Playing away at St Mirren is always a difficult game as they have such powerful, physical players and are very well organised.
Aberdeen’s creative play wasn’t good enough in Paisley and they did not bring enough of an attacking threat.
The Dons were on top until the goal from Jeppe Okkels was disallowed near the half-hour mark due to hand-ball in the build-up by Nisbet.
Chalking off that goal gave St Mirren a lift and, from that moment on, Aberdeen never looked like they could break the Buddies down.
St Mirren went on to be the better team following Okkels’ disallowed goal.
Defensively, the goal conceded by Aberdeen was also a poor one to lose as one of the two centre-backs has to win the header.
It is a simple ball into the box and Mikael Mandron is allowed to take it down on his chest before volleying into the back of the net.
In his debut season, Thelin has brought an identity and attitude to Aberdeen.
However, that looks as if it will not be good enough for third spot.
If it is fourth and a Scottish Cup final slot, it is still a decent season.
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