QOTS 0 Aberdeen 3

Takeaways from Jimmy Thelin’s Maiden fixture

1. Width in wide areas
   Perhaps it is PTSD from the Robson & Warnock regimes but the 4-2-3-1 just feels a lot more balanced, particularly in relation to the wide areas. The wide players seemed to understand their roles with full-backs providing support via overlaps, underplays or a simple pass to drop off.

2. Mitov goes long
   There is a common misconception that all foreign managers play a progressive, possession based style but the limited analysis available suggests this is Thelin’s approach. Ay illusions that he would be insisting on building out the back were dismissed on this weekends viewing. Mitov went long on goal kicks.
   

3. Cutbacks
   Thelin made a point of his focus on overloads in the box and a noticeable element of the attacks was players getting to the touchline and cutting the ball back. This was best illustrated with Sokler’s second goal in which Clarkson cut it back almost blind and some good movement from the Slovenian gave him a simple tap-in.

   There were other examples, Jack MacKenize in the first half, Fletcher Boyd in the second, all looking to hit cut back at an angle for a striker peeling off or, in the event it runs through, a midfielder joining in.
   

4. Clarkson as the #10
   Last season expectations were extremely high for Leighton Clarkson but unfortunately it did not pan out the way we all hoped. This season its almost been the opposite, with little talk or excitement about what he could bring to the team.

   
   Used as a deep lying midfielder last season, he reveled in a true #10 position against QOTS. Getting into dangerous positions and crafting opportunities such as his combination with Sokler that should have seen him score and his assist to the same player later in the game, all bodes well for the upcoming campaign.

5. Shayden Morris Gets Another Chance
   Despite some favourable coverage from the Portugal tour of Vicente Besuijen in the P&J, the Dutchman did not even make the squad on Saturday. Instead it was Shayden Morris, who got the nod. Morris did himself no harm and got an excellent assist to his name.

   
   Given Thelin’s focus on a fast-breaking style, its not a surprise that he might be keen on the Englishman. The same flaws remain in Morris’s game and his speed advantage over Premier League defences will be smaller, allowing him less time to release crosses. His first touch will be challenged further as pressure comes quicker. Thelin may well be able to find a way to get him on the ball in dangerous areas, the question is whether he can consistently deliver an end product that has so far eluded him.