Slim

I assume when you say "before congress" you mean some gawdy function room at Mar-A-Lago?

I seem to remember the Portuguese lad who is our Director of Recruitment previously working for Thelin in Sweden so would be surprised if Thelin had zero involvement in transfers. There was some sort of link to a consulting company with links to Ghana if I remember correctly.

How in the name of fuck is Simon Rusk being linked? His managerial career is: 42 games in charge of non-league Stockport (lasted 9 months, sacked while mid-table with one of the largest budgets, his replacement got them promoted twice in 3 years to League 1) Assistant to Mark McGhee at Dundee for 3 months as they got relegated 7 games as caretaker manager at Southampton - 0 wins Hasn't had a job since June 2025.

Robson getting the job was also partly because he’d developed his coaching career within the club and with Cormack being big on internal succession (despite there not being much of a framework to support it). I don’t think Leven has that level of goodwill.

Couple of German candidates that could be a good fit: Florian Kohfeldt - current team is near top of Bundesliga 2. Has coached Werder Bremen, Wolfsburg and Eupen in Belgium. Enrico Maasen - currently coach of St Gallen, 2nd place in Swiss league. Previously coached Augsburg in Bundesliga and Borussia Dortmund reserve team.

Works hard but is too slow for the position he plays, passing is not great, shooting even worse, tries too many flicks that have low chance of success at best and overall seems to think his responsibility for possession retention ends as soon as the ball breaks contact with his foot. I think Clarkson is better at just about every aspect of football.

Best Overall Formation: 3-4-1-2 / 3-5-2 Hybrid Why this suits Aberdeen right now Thelin has been shifting away from a flat 4-2-3-1 (which he defended but struggled with consistency) toward a back three system to better use available centre-backs and wingbacks. A 3-4-1-2 gives defensive solidity against strong Premiership sides and allows creative players support in attack. The variation toward 3-5-2 in phases (especially in possession) helps overload the midfield and gives two natural strikers to combine. Player Roles & Tactical Instructions Defense Three centre-backs (CBs): Use physical defenders like Mats Knoester and Jack Milne centrally, with a ball-playing third if available to step into midfield. Wingbacks (RWB/LWB): These become key attacking outlets. They must bomb forward to provide width and crosses into the box. Devlin (if used here) and a natural left wingback must be disciplined to recover defensively. Key Focus: Maintain a tight 3-line defending block when out of possession; compact vertically to limit spaces between defense and midfield. Midfield Core Dual central midfielders (CM): One deeper (ball-winner/holder) and one more advanced (inkeeper/distributor). This gives stability and progression through central areas. The slightly advanced Attacking Midfielder (AM): Acts as the link between midfield and forwards, pressing high and creating chances in the final third. This role is crucial to breaking down parked defenses. Instructions: CM1: Protect back three and recycle possession. CM2: Support AM with forward passes and movement into channels. AM: Interchange with strikers, find pockets in half-spaces. Attack Front two (ST/ST): Combine a strong target man with a mobile second striker: A hold-up runner to bring others in. A mobile partner to exploit space or press defenders high. This gives more direct threat than a lone striker in 4-2-3-1 and creates better link-up play in the final third. Game-State Adjustments When Leading / In Control Push wingbacks high, turning into 3-4-3 in possession. Have AM drift wide to overload flanks. Let deeper CM sit for recycling possession and prevent counterattacks. When Under Pressure Drop back wingbacks toward a back-five shape defensively. CM1 becomes purely defensive-minded. Reduce space between lines to defend compactly. This mirrors approaches seen in pivotal matches like the Cup Final where defensive compactness was key. Key Tactical Principles Compact Defensive Unit 3 at the back + two midfield CMs form narrow, layered defensive blocks to minimize gaps. Fluid Attacking Transitions The AM and dual strikers rotate to create opportunities, relying on wingbacks to stretch defense. Wide Threat from Wingbacks Since wide midfielders/wingers may be inconsistent in output, using genuine wingbacks adds reliable width. Why Not 4-2-3-1 Anymore? 4-2-3-1 leaves the full-backs isolated and overexposed vs. top Scottish Premiership teams with strong wide attackers. Aberdeen’s squad currently has more centre defenders and multifunctional midfielders than natural wide attackers, making 3-centre-backs + wingbacks a stronger structural base.

I’m not sure outsourcing a “strategic review” to a consulting company and then hiring someone affiliated/linked to the consulting company to lead the “transformational changes” is a particularly smart move either. Never works in business, can’t see it working in football. Can absolutely see Cormack being seduced by a well-recycled slide deck giving it “yes a helicopter view deep dive that’s exactly what we need” while everyone else is smiling through gritted teeth.

Nilsen is on 3 fouls after his first booking.

Compare Mulligan’s run for their 2nd with Aouchiche’s a few minutes earlier.

Goal or not, it comes from a direct ball forward from Knoester.

Our attacks are remarkably similar to my wife aimlessly circling a half-empty car park trying to find a parking space she’s happy with.

FFS just tackle the cunt.

Our defence always shit their pants when playing against Youan. He’d win the Balon D’Or if he played against us every week.

Fucking Aouchiche is winding me up with all of these stupid flicks. He’s lost possession at least half a dozen times in the 2nd half trying and failing to scoop it over a United player’s head.