If it's now a certainty that Celtic have blown the SPL this season, it's almost as certain that Aberdeen won't even make the top six. Mark McGhee has said as much himself. They are now eight points adrift of sixth place Hearts, and surely won't make up that deficit before the split.
The Dons were simply awful on Saturday. For periods of the game their players were absolutely static, neither closing down Hearts when defending, or showing any invention or energy when in possession.
The goal that decided the match - an overhead effort from Eggert Jonsson - really had no place in such a drab encounter, but then Aberdeen can have no complaints. And considering that Hearts weren't all that good, and had Larry Kingston sent off after an hour, that is a damning verdict on their performance.
Where do Aberdeen go from here? Fewer than 9,000 bothered turning up for this one, and the gate will probably drop even further for the rest of the season. Yet the support's indifference is more than matched by the club - they have a manager who openly covets the Celtic job, and an owner who won't or can't outline a plan to take Aberdeen forward.
Instead, they just drift, like a supply ship that's run out of diesel on the North Sea. It's not doing Aberdeen, or Scottish football, any favours at all.
Showing posts with label mark mcghee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mark mcghee. Show all posts
Monday, March 01, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Aberdeen 0-1 Raith
It's not looking good up in Aberdeen tonight. Dumped out of the Scottish Cup in tonight's replay against Raith Rovers, Mark McGhee and his team were booed off the pitch, and worse, with reports of fans throwing scarves and spitting at the manager as he went up the tunnel.
The club's season is all but over. It would take a minor miracle to haul themselves up into a European finish in the SPL now, and given Aberdeen's bi-polar form, that's not going to happen.
Aberdeen have been often brilliant on the road this season, but fragile at home. Last saturday's draw against Celtic at Pittodrie could have been a turning point, but clearly it wasn't. Mark McGhee was honest enough to admit that Raith Rovers deserved the win tonight - his team just didn't turn up.
Aberdeen's poor cup run is nothing new, of course. It was their failure to get within sight of domestic silverware which finally did for Jimmy Calderwood. And the longer it goes on, the worse it gets. When expected to perform, the Dons wilt, especially against lower league opposition.
In the circumstances, the crowds are likely to tail off, leaving the team to see out the season in front of a half-empty Pittodrie. McGhee will know that his budget for next season - already seriously restricted - will be even tighter now. And without money, how can he afford to rebuild the squad?
The club's season is all but over. It would take a minor miracle to haul themselves up into a European finish in the SPL now, and given Aberdeen's bi-polar form, that's not going to happen.
Aberdeen have been often brilliant on the road this season, but fragile at home. Last saturday's draw against Celtic at Pittodrie could have been a turning point, but clearly it wasn't. Mark McGhee was honest enough to admit that Raith Rovers deserved the win tonight - his team just didn't turn up.
Aberdeen's poor cup run is nothing new, of course. It was their failure to get within sight of domestic silverware which finally did for Jimmy Calderwood. And the longer it goes on, the worse it gets. When expected to perform, the Dons wilt, especially against lower league opposition.
In the circumstances, the crowds are likely to tail off, leaving the team to see out the season in front of a half-empty Pittodrie. McGhee will know that his budget for next season - already seriously restricted - will be even tighter now. And without money, how can he afford to rebuild the squad?
Friday, November 06, 2009
Mark McGhee "clarifies" his stance
Previewing this weekend's tie against St Johnstone, Mark McGhee has had a go at explaining his complaints about the refereeing of the Hibs game.
No, he hasn't read the now infamous article on the Dons' website, accusing the ref of being the "12th" man.
No, he didn't think either sending off was wrong... just maybe a little harsh.
No, he didn't think Murray's tackle on Fraser Fyvie was illegal... just "over-robust".
Hmm. So the refereee got nothing wrong and McGhee had nothing to do with the offending article. Sounds like a man who realises he's been a bit foolish and is trying to talk his way out of trouble...
No, he hasn't read the now infamous article on the Dons' website, accusing the ref of being the "12th" man.
No, he didn't think either sending off was wrong... just maybe a little harsh.
No, he didn't think Murray's tackle on Fraser Fyvie was illegal... just "over-robust".
Hmm. So the refereee got nothing wrong and McGhee had nothing to do with the offending article. Sounds like a man who realises he's been a bit foolish and is trying to talk his way out of trouble...
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Aberdeen moaning - Part 2
No chance of Aberdeen coming to their senses, unfortunately.
According to this article in the Press & Journal, Mark McGhee is "seething" at Ian Murray's tackle on Fraser Fyvie that has left the teenager with ankle knack.
Again, the response is easy - watch the incident again. Was it illegal? No. Did Murray win the ball? Emphatically. Did he touch Fyvie? No. How did Fyvie injure himself? By landing heavily - unlucky, but these things happen.
Ian Murray has defended himself in the Evening News, and is entitled to be seething himself for being criticised by an opposition manager for a tough but fair challenge.
As the fall out from the match continues, there is a general feeling in Leith that McGhee set his team up for a physical confrontation, hoping to find Hibs a soft touch. As the plan backfired, he has tried to deflect any potential criticism from the defeat by criticising the referee and Hibs themselves.
Perhaps he should choose his battles more carefully?
According to this article in the Press & Journal, Mark McGhee is "seething" at Ian Murray's tackle on Fraser Fyvie that has left the teenager with ankle knack.
Again, the response is easy - watch the incident again. Was it illegal? No. Did Murray win the ball? Emphatically. Did he touch Fyvie? No. How did Fyvie injure himself? By landing heavily - unlucky, but these things happen.
Ian Murray has defended himself in the Evening News, and is entitled to be seething himself for being criticised by an opposition manager for a tough but fair challenge.
As the fall out from the match continues, there is a general feeling in Leith that McGhee set his team up for a physical confrontation, hoping to find Hibs a soft touch. As the plan backfired, he has tried to deflect any potential criticism from the defeat by criticising the referee and Hibs themselves.
Perhaps he should choose his battles more carefully?
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Aberdeen lose their heads
Mark McGhee does seem to like a moan. He was complaining about a lack of resources almost as soon as he was in the door at Aberdeen, and he was moaning again following his side's 2-0 defeat against Hibs at the weekend.
Well, ok. Managers of the losing team often sound off after the final whistle, caught up in the frustration and disappointment of a poor result. McGhee felt that his club had been unfairly treated by the referee, who sent off both Maurice Ross and Chris Maguire while the game was still scoreless, handing a huge advantage to Hibs. Perhaps, once he had seen the game again, he might realise that he had got it wrong?
Nope. Instead of spending the weekend reflecting on things, Aberdeen FC instead released an unattributed but utterly idiotic statement on Monday, berating the referee for being "hell-bent" on sending players off, and "cheating the fans who pay good money to watch a competitive and balanced encounter".
Interesting, then, that the statement refuses to mention any specific incident in the game that treated Aberdeen unfairly. Why? Because they are plain wrong.
Maurice Ross was sent off for collecting two yellow cards for fouls on Ian Murray and Derek Riordan. The second was perhaps a little soft, but he undeniably had a swipe at Riordan, not the ball, and cannot have any complaint.
Chris Maguire's stamp on Kevin McBride, on the other hand, deserved the straight red he received. If you have any doubts about it, watch the incident again. McBride was lucky not to break a metatarsal or two.
No such luck for Fraser Fyvie, who's out for six weeks with ankle trouble - ironically, caused by a clean but strong tackle by Ian Murray, who had an eventful game, all told.
Well, ok. Managers of the losing team often sound off after the final whistle, caught up in the frustration and disappointment of a poor result. McGhee felt that his club had been unfairly treated by the referee, who sent off both Maurice Ross and Chris Maguire while the game was still scoreless, handing a huge advantage to Hibs. Perhaps, once he had seen the game again, he might realise that he had got it wrong?
Nope. Instead of spending the weekend reflecting on things, Aberdeen FC instead released an unattributed but utterly idiotic statement on Monday, berating the referee for being "hell-bent" on sending players off, and "cheating the fans who pay good money to watch a competitive and balanced encounter".
Interesting, then, that the statement refuses to mention any specific incident in the game that treated Aberdeen unfairly. Why? Because they are plain wrong.
Maurice Ross was sent off for collecting two yellow cards for fouls on Ian Murray and Derek Riordan. The second was perhaps a little soft, but he undeniably had a swipe at Riordan, not the ball, and cannot have any complaint.
Chris Maguire's stamp on Kevin McBride, on the other hand, deserved the straight red he received. If you have any doubts about it, watch the incident again. McBride was lucky not to break a metatarsal or two.
No such luck for Fraser Fyvie, who's out for six weeks with ankle trouble - ironically, caused by a clean but strong tackle by Ian Murray, who had an eventful game, all told.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Rangers batter Lyon, but couldn't beat Motherwell
So which is the question? How bad are Lyon? Or how good our Motherwell? Because, seen through the prism of playing the same opponents in 4 days, Mark McGhee is looking more and more astute, while Alain Perrin looks set for another sunrise sacking.
It wasn't as if Motherwell were holding onto their 1-1 draw either. In fact, it was Rangers who were chasing the game from the 23rd minute, only levelling through a Kris Boyd penalty after Motherwell had passed up a number of opportunities to extend their lead.
Mark McGhee deserves the manager of the month award. His team are a solid 5th in the SPL, with 13 points from 8 games, and through to the League Cup quarter finals. It's a night and day contrast with their start last season under Maurice Malpas. Malpas can complain that he deserved more time, but his team struggled at first and never quite lost that nervousness and scrappy play. This season, Motherwell are playing with verve and confidence in a bold 4-3-3 formation. They have produced arguably the performance so far (even better than Ranger's victory tonight) by knocking Hibs out of the League Cup. Clearly, McGhee has transformed the attitude of his squad.
He has had some backing from the board, too, with Chris Porter looking a particularly canny signing. But let's not go overboard. Long gone are the loud noises from Fir Park about becoming Scottish football's "third force". Administration and years of financial austerity have taught a tough lesson about speculating on success. Presumably, after a takeover collapse in the spring, the club is still up for sale. McGhee might have a bit more budget to play with, but he's not swimming in money. His rehabiliation of Ross McCormack is just as important as tasty new signings, the stiker almost unrecognisable from the young fella who failed to make an impact at Rangers.
Who knows where Motherwell's strong start will take them this season. But it's nice to see another Scottish club playing attacking and attractive football.
It wasn't as if Motherwell were holding onto their 1-1 draw either. In fact, it was Rangers who were chasing the game from the 23rd minute, only levelling through a Kris Boyd penalty after Motherwell had passed up a number of opportunities to extend their lead.
Mark McGhee deserves the manager of the month award. His team are a solid 5th in the SPL, with 13 points from 8 games, and through to the League Cup quarter finals. It's a night and day contrast with their start last season under Maurice Malpas. Malpas can complain that he deserved more time, but his team struggled at first and never quite lost that nervousness and scrappy play. This season, Motherwell are playing with verve and confidence in a bold 4-3-3 formation. They have produced arguably the performance so far (even better than Ranger's victory tonight) by knocking Hibs out of the League Cup. Clearly, McGhee has transformed the attitude of his squad.
He has had some backing from the board, too, with Chris Porter looking a particularly canny signing. But let's not go overboard. Long gone are the loud noises from Fir Park about becoming Scottish football's "third force". Administration and years of financial austerity have taught a tough lesson about speculating on success. Presumably, after a takeover collapse in the spring, the club is still up for sale. McGhee might have a bit more budget to play with, but he's not swimming in money. His rehabiliation of Ross McCormack is just as important as tasty new signings, the stiker almost unrecognisable from the young fella who failed to make an impact at Rangers.
Who knows where Motherwell's strong start will take them this season. But it's nice to see another Scottish club playing attacking and attractive football.
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