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'Creativity remains one of Thelin's biggest problems'

'Creativity remains one of Thelin's biggest problems'

BBC News19-03-2025

If Aberdeen-St Johnstone games were wiped from the fixture list I don't think the supporters of either would be terribly disappointed.In the past 21 meetings there have only been 29 goals scored so it came as no surprise that Saturday's game in Perth ended goalless. It was one of the worst games of the season.It was a drab afternoon in the Fair City with Aberdeen producing a familiar blend of possession with no cutting edge.Kevin Nisbet had two efforts on target in the first half but that was it. Indeed, Saints' Makenzie Kirk spurned the best opportunity early in the game with former McDiarmid keeper Dimitar Mitov producing an outstanding save.The only real plus on the day for Jimmy Thelin and his hopes of finishing third was Kilmarnock's late equaliser against Hibernian in Ayrshire.The Dons have looked better in recent weeks but their record stands at just two Premiership wins in their past 19 attempts. One of Thelin's biggest problems remains creatively and in particular, being able to break through a side that sits in against them as Saints did for large spells at the weekend.At Celtic Park recently, Aberdeen produced several gilt-edged chances but that was against a team that took the game to them.Given the budgetary difference between the Dons and St Johnstone, there should be a chasm between them but in truth it's an even game.The international break has arrived and it was after the last one that Aberdeen's season began to unravel.They have three huge games before the split with visits from Motherwell and Rangers either side of a trip to Dingwall to take on Ross County.There's no longer margin for error.

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Ben Youngs and Dan Cole ‘fairytale' can be Leicester's inspiration
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