Match Preview: Falkirk vs Aberdeen

By: TheNorthernLight | October 15th, 2008

So the internationals are nearly out of the way, thank goodness. Scotland lost another two points and we’re back to doing what the national side does best – make life hard for themselves. Ach, it’ll all work out in the end one way or the other. Somehow the results always seems to conspire in such a way that we’ll got one last desperate crack at qualifying. Holland beating Norway and Macedonia losing to Iceland (there’s a shock) this evening no doubt has some bearing on our position, but I’m too lazy to work out exactly what that might be. Perhaps some smarty-pants statistician can do it and let us know. Anyroad, none of this has nothing to do with the subject of this blog, Aberdeen FC, except to say that the end of the international week means a return to league action.

This Saturday we’re up against Falkirk, a team whose season has been a little like that of Aberdeen, namely unpredictable and inconsistent (unless you call ‘not winning regularly’ consistent).

Last season, Aberdeen took five points out of a possible nine from the Bairns, the only three-pointer coming in the last fixture between the two teams in April when Chris Maquire scored twice to seal the win. Aside from that league win, we also knocked Falkirk out of the Scottish Cup (at the second attempt mind you) with a comfortable 3-1 win at a half empty Pittodrie. Jamie Smith chipped in two goals, Dutch midfielder Jeffrey De Visscher getting the other.

Like Aberdeen, Falkirk have made heavy going of their season so far. Their grand total of only two wins this season (Hearts and Hamilton, both at home) is the same as Aberdeen (St. Mirren and Motherwell) although interestingly, both those wins came on the road. In other words, here we have a game between one side that can only win at home, and one that can only win on the road!

Performances like that of course don’t win prizes – Aberdeen are bottom of the league (no thanks to St. Mirren who pulled of their first win against Rangers since 1782 or whatever) while Falkirk sit one place above us on the same points, but with superior goal difference.

Aberdeen will have to do without Charlie Mulgrew, whose red card in the game against Hibs was upheld after review by the man who awarded it, referee Mike McCurry. Fair enough, the handball was obvious and the scoring opportunity denied, but Steven Fletcher was in a blatantly offside position when the Hibs striker touched Derek Riordans shot on goal.

Key player(s) for Aberdeen
There’s a few to chose from here. Captain Scott Severin needs to be a bit more vocal on the pitch to get the team going. While no one doubts his workrate, we’d be happier to see him in his natural position (ie midfield) than in the heart of defence. Foster has tremendous pace on the right wing as we saw against United, but that pace is offset by some buttock-clenching defensive gaffs, a trait he shares with Andrew Considine. Still, if that pace can be turned into quality crosses, then Foster could still work his way into our good books this season. Only 2 of our 7 goals this season have been scored by recognised strikers, so either they need to get their finger out, or the service from out wide and center of midfield needs to improve.

But we think our key player will be Jimmy Calderwood. The Aberdeen manager has so far led the Dons to the worst start to a season since the disastrous 1999-00 season. At the same stage in that season, Aberdeen had only the 1 point to show for their ‘efforts’, having conceded 22 goals and scoring only three times. Jimmy needs to inspire the team to get our season back on track. Even though we’re bottom, we’re also only 3 points off 8th place, so all is not lost: we just need a bit of luck to get the season going. And if St. Mirren can do it, so can Aberdeen.

We say: Go all-out attack Jimmy. You’re bottom of the table anyway and it’s only the ninth game. Keep it simple with a 4-4-2: Langfield, Hodgkiss, Mair, Diamond, Considine, Aluko, McDonald, Severin, De Visscher, Miller, Wright.

Replacing Mulgrew is a problem as Aberdeen don’t have another natural left sided full back. Andrew Considine is a left-footed defender and should do alright, but his performances have sometimes left a bit to be desired so he’ll need plenty of support.

Interesting Match Fact
At the end of the 1999/2000 season we where spared relegation by none other than Saturday’s opponents Falkirk as their ground, Brockville, failed to meet SPL standards.