'Dons toiling and need to find solutions quickly'
Aberdeen need an answer and quickly.Wednesday's latest capitulation was a sobering experience for the Dons' fans as they were taken apart by effectively a second-string Celtic side on their own patch.It was the first time they have conceded five times at Pittodrie in almost a decade when St Johnstone won by the same 5-1 scoreline that has supporters fearful of what a full-strength Celtic side could do to them in next week's Scottish Cup final.Out of those who started for the champions in the Granite City, arguably captain Callum McGregor is the only one who will be in Brendan Rodgers' XI at Hampden.In five games against the champions this term, Aberdeen have shipped 19 goals, including six the last time they met at the national stadium. It is becoming more difficult to construct an argument that the odds can be upset in the wake of this one.The latest embarrassing reverse means that fourth place is as high as Aberdeen can finish, with Hibernian's draw at St Mirren enough to secure third for the Easter Road outfit. Once 23 points clear of them, the Dons have been left behind.It is now a straight shoot-out with Dundee United at Tannadice on Saturday for fourth place. Concerningly for Thelin, the Dons have only taken two points away from home against top-six teams this season - the 2-2 draw at Celtic Park and the 3-3 draw at Easter Road that changed the course of both clubs' campaigns.Thelin's Premiership record is now exactly the same as his sacked predecessor Barry Robson.Perhaps more alarmingly, if the season had started from the date of their first league defeat at St Mirren in November they would be bottom of the table, behind relegated St Johnstone on goal difference. The spectacular start they made has spared them from what might have been.The one positive from the wreckage of Wednesday night was that European football was secured regardless of what is to come.But three defeats on the spin and 10 goals conceded in those matches mean Thelin has an almighty task on his hands if there is to be light at the end of the tunnel.
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