Something a little bit different for the International Break and decided to take a closer look at Duk’s impact on the game versus Dundee specifically and how often he was able to get himself into the box. Unfortunately, not totally clear on whether I can use actual footage so just screenshots for now.
How did he do?
Well in general, as the video shows he did fairly well, certainly he was able to get himself into the box on a number of occasions (8 in total) and only twice did he actually give possession away. He won a corner on 50% of those entries, from which Aberdeen scored directly (Palaversa), and then hit the bar (Duk) which led to a throw-in, which led to a goal.
As I noted in the video, the hope would be, given some of the very good situations he got himself in, that he would have been able to have found the back of the net himself, or setup a teammate for a good scoring chance. I don’t think he’s totally confident on his left to take early shots, and has not quite mastered the ability to dip inside and curve a shot to the far post.
Jamie McGrath
At the start of the season, rather than fill in for Clarkson in the #10 position, Jamie McGrath played on the left, with Pape Gueye in behind the striker. What we saw in those opening weeks was a very fluid front line, with McGrath often coming inside and playing in the inside left-channel. Here’s his touch map from Kilmarnock at home:
As you can see McGrath had a pretty wide remit to go where he wanted to and did a lot of his work in what they call the half-space. At this time most of the disciplined width was coming on the right side via Morris, and then Keskinen.
With Gueye getting injured and Clarkson returning the two lined-up together for the Dundee (A), Hearts (H) and Celtic (A) games. But at half-time at Parkhead, Duk was brought on and McGrath moved to the centre.
Chalk on his boots
Duk gives the team a more natural wideman, as shown in the video who is willing to retain the width. Here’s his touch map from the Dundee match (for those who didn’t watch the video).
I think this changes the dynamic of the team a little in the final third. More opportunities for full-backs to underlap, a greater threat in counter-attacks and transition, or at least the ability to exploit those opportunities in a faster fashion and perhaps most importantly, getting into those vital cutback positions inside the box.
Future Dynamics
It must abe noted that McGrath has had a wonderful season playing on that left-side, is still the league leader in assists (6) and a couple of goals to his name as well. It may well be that certain games, or certain moments call for a couple of crafty #10s (in Clarkson and McGrath) or what we saw last Saturday with a traditional #10 and two wide-men.
On the opposite side, we’re also starting to see some role reversal with Keskinen playing high and inside, as almost a second striker. His positioning can be contrasted with Shayden Morris, who is the epitome of an old-fashioned winger.
With Besuijen contributing as well when he has featured, almost as a hybrid of McGrath and Duk, staying wide but coming inside and playing the ‘Junior Hoillet’ passes (copyright Martin Ingram), the aforementioned Morris and Gueye to come back in January. I haven’t even mentioned Fletcher Boyd who certainly would be looking at one of those spots in the 3 behind the striker.
As we can see Aberdeen have a lot of potential combinations to try and unlock defences : Wingers who cut inside, wingers who go outside, wingers who gamble off a striker, wingers who play deadly through passes. The ability to make changes in the final third and present a new challenge to the opponent is bearing fruit.
Where’s our Johnny Hayes
If there is one player profile we’re missing it is that of 2024 Masters Champion, Johnny Hayes - a classic left-footed, pacy, left winger. It might be Keskinen, but from everything I’ve seen, he seems to prefer his right foot, and though he may end up on the left, I think he’s going to want to come inside more.
This is probably a nice-to-have, on the Christmas list. They’re usually the first of the shelves, so hard to come by. There’s probably more pressing priorities and modern football doesn’t necessarily work that way anymore.
Conclusion
The main takeaway is that Duk seems like his back. Thelin seems to have a plan for him and given the Swede’s track record thus far, we can be hopeful of a decent run until the January window at least for our former MIA Cape Verdean.
Thanks for watching/reading.
7 days to go. Still Undefeated.
COYR.
P.S. I’m hoping to do a ‘special’ Debrief to come out on Tuesday morning. Stay tuned.
Share this post