Flexibility and Patience
Jimmy T speaks to the media
Dons boss Jimmy Thelin spoke to the media today ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Queen’s Park.
Even in this early stage of his tenure it is not hard to see why the Swede earned a ‘boring’ tag in his homeland. His answers are simple, avoid him being lulled into any mis-statements and show genuine respect for other teams. He does not provide the soundbites that a certain Yorkshireman did earlier this year.
He did offer a little glimpse into his thinking when asked about new signing Topi Keskinen:
“Topi’s strength is his speed, he’s really, really quick. He’s a hard working, attacking player. He can add some different qualities to the squad. I think it’s good to have a mix,” said Thelin.
“We have some really, really good players between the lines and how they can combine and pace the tempo of the game but Topi is another profile. I think the mix of the players that we have right now is really, really good.”
Jamie McGrath is instantly the player that springs to mind when Thelin describes players playing between the lines. The Irishman has been the standout performer so far and of course, has been playing on the left.
With his signings Thelin is adding depth, quality but most of all options. Ante Palaversa is not a like-for-like replacement for Greame Shinnie. He is a more continental #6 by all accounts with tremendous range of passing. Sivert Heltne Nilsen wasn’t either and he’s taken a lot of the dirty work off his plate and freed Shinnie up to be his rampaging best.
It’s been impressive to see the methodical way Thelin is beginning to shape his team. These two recruits, alongside Nilsen, are all key components in the style play we are expecting and have seen developing.
What it seems to me so far is that there is a flexibility to his approach. I could be wrong but the early games seems to suggest the team will be built to adapt. That if a team presents them a low block for example, then maybe it’s a day for McGrath. If we’re under pressure and looking to break then we go with Keskinen.
He has not rushed into a full-scale rebuild but taken time to review the current squad. All players have been given an opportunity and it is on them to show they are deserving of it. Compare this to some of the players who were frozen out right from the off under previous managers. There’s been greater continuity as less faces to integrate. At the very least it creates a better team spirit.
Later he discussed the development of the team so far:
Hopefully during this process, we still find a way to win, have this team spirit that some players are stepping forward and take some responsibility. So we can get more and more consistent in our build up and in our way to press teams. There is still a lot of work to do but believe in it.”
I’ve already noted how hallmarks of a pressing style are beginning to take shape in the review of the St. Mirren game. What’s less clear is the teams approach to building up. Mitov has gone short at times with varying success, and in most cases the next pass is a long one. There has been no discernible evidence that Thelin wants the the team to obsessively build from the back, as is the fashion. This may, however, be tied into the need to keep the momentum going, and win games in the short-term to buy you the time in the long-term.
This match may well present an opportunity (whether Aberdeen want it or not) to see develop that aspect of the game depending on how Queen’s approach it. Contrary to Jimmy’s comments in which he said the Spiders are “ really good with the ball and they can mix the game with some strong build up and then attack behind,” one would expect Callum Davidson’s side to focus on getting men behind the ball and making things difficult for the Dons. Admittedly, I’ve not seen much of Queen’s Park but unless he’s had a metamorphosis since moving to Glasgow, one assumes we’re not looking at a classic.
Cover image via Colin Smith / Aberdeen Football Club permission via Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike license 2.0