Aberdeen v Hearts

[Panda]

42 minutes ago, RicoS321 said:

I like the fact that Knoesters has joined the ranks of yer Tescos and yer ASDAs. 

[TheDonbytheDee]

Game day.

Feels like such a long time since our last game.

I don't see this as the day JT goes two strikers up top, but what do I know. Nothing.

I do expect a likely change will be at LB/LWB. Jensen to be back in.

Just win Dandies.

COYR

Edited November 23, 2025 by TheDonbytheDee

[BigAl]

1 hour ago, TheDonbytheDee said:

Game day.

Feels like such a long time since our last game.

I don't see this as the day JT goes two strikers up top, but what do I know. Nothing.

I do expect a likely change will be at LB/LWB. Jensen to be back in.

Just win Dandies.

COYR

Agree that Jensen likely to be back in team if fit.

Think Gyamfi requires rehabilitation and broken back in gently. Not sure this is the game to do that 

Agree with just win Dons

Any kind of win will do 

[manc_don]

No idea what to expect today tbh. As you say Al, any kind of win will do and that’s all I hope for. Doesn’t matter how we get it, seems like our confidence is fragile at best so anything to help it improve is all I ask for. 

[Elgindon]

A few doubts for Hearts today,inc Shankland,Beningame,Halkett.Even if true,think we'll struggle to beat them,will stick with my 2 - 2 draw....just dont lose to this shower.  COYR

[RicoS321]

6 minutes ago, Elgindon said:

A few doubts for Hearts today,inc Shankland,Beningame,Halkett.Even if true,think we'll struggle to beat them,will stick with my 2 - 2 draw....just dont lose to this shower.  COYR

Remember, McInnes loves to talk about players being doubtful, only for them to miraculously appear in the starting lineup with fuck all wrong with them.

[Elgindon]

29 minutes ago, RicoS321 said:

Remember, McInnes loves to talk about players being doubtful, only for them to miraculously appear in the starting lineup with fuck all wrong with them.

Beningame and Halkett definitely out apparently.Touch and go whether Shanklands recovered from his 3 day bender....

[RicoS321]

1 hour ago, Elgindon said:

Beningame and Halkett definitely out apparently.Touch and go whether Shanklands recovered from his 3 day bender....

Aye, I think he's thrown in Shankland and Devlin as both doubtful, which suggests the two you mention probably are out.

[OrlandoDon]

3 hours ago, manc_don said:

No idea what to expect today tbh. As you say Al, any kind of win will do and that’s all I hope for. Doesn’t matter how we get it, seems like our confidence is fragile at best so anything to help it improve is all I ask for. 

Agree, no clue how we play. We think we’ve turned the corner yet killie away and Motherwell at home were a painful watch. At the same time, I think we are well over due a good performance, and I think we have the players capable of a good performance. Plus, hearts run has to end sometime. Don’t care who they play, or how they line up, it’s on us, it will be a tough game regardless.

3-2 us, karlsson Milne lazetic 

Edited November 23, 2025 by OrlandoDon

[Panda]

4 hours ago, RicoS321 said:

Remember, McInnes loves to talk about players being doubtful, only for them to miraculously appear in the starting lineup with fuck all wrong with them.

You may be right on account they're using Shankland on today's match graphic. Or maybe it's a double bluff.

I hope he does play as he's likely to lose the head again anyway. 

[RicoS321]

I'd go with @Panda's suggested lineup, but I'd take Knoesters out and play Knoester, plus I'd take Karlsson out and start with the front two.

[RicoS321]

8 minutes ago, Panda said:

I hope he does play as he's likely to lose the head again anyway

It's quite impressive losing a head that size.

[Elgindon]

Karlsson out? unconfirmed but....

[OrlandoDon]

4 minutes ago, Elgindon said:

Karlsson out? unconfirmed but....

If he is, is it that big a deal? Yes he scored a couple of good goals, but has been rather underwhelming otherwise. Opportunity for topi or milanovic to step up and claim a starting slot regularly.

[Elgindon]

Or the mysterious Bilalovic...

[RicoS321]

[RicoS321]

Perfect opportunity to play two up front, but we stick with it. Disappointing. Guessing it's Aouchiche and Polvara playing central, with Armstrong hanging around the right hand side up front. Or switch Armstrong and Aouchiche, which wouldn't be good. He might try the 3-5-2 with Keskinen alongside Lazetic. Shinnie and Armstrong struggled last time out with that setup, as part of a 3 in midfield, but I don't see Aouchiche having an issue with it, and Armstrong will be fit again I'm guessing. I think it'll be the 3-4-3 though, with Armstrong out of position.

[OrlandoDon]

8 minutes ago, RicoS321 said:

Perfect opportunity to play two up front, but we stick with it. Disappointing. Guessing it's Aouchiche and Polvara playing central, with Armstrong hanging around the right hand side up front. Or switch Armstrong and Aouchiche, which wouldn't be good. He might try the 3-5-2 with Keskinen alongside Lazetic. Shinnie and Armstrong struggled last time out with that setup, as part of a 3 in midfield, but I don't see Aouchiche having an issue with it, and Armstrong will be fit again I'm guessing. I think it'll be the 3-4-3 though, with Armstrong out of position.

Disappointed too in this 11, but our problem is midfield and getting a grip of games, I totally understand why we don’t then go two up top. My patience is getting thinner with topi Polvara and aouchiche.

my fear is the lack of bite and energy in midfield. I expect us to get dominated/over run. Polvara is too passive, I think Armstrong compliments a heavy lifter, and topi and aouchiche are hit/miss. Such an unreliable midfield.

hope Milne continues his fine form for his national call up in the spring.

Edited November 23, 2025 by OrlandoDon

[tlg1903]

Interested to see how we do with Karlsson.  He is a bit too much of an ever present imo, I get he's the most talented player in the squad but playing him the 90 when he is clearly burst has annoyed me multiple times now. 

[OrlandoDon]

7 minutes ago, tlg1903 said:

Interested to see how we do with Karlsson.  He is a bit too much of an ever present imo, I get he's the most talented player in the squad but playing him the 90 when he is clearly burst has annoyed me multiple times now. 

Yea. I wonder if we cater to him too much. Back to topi who has repeatedly proven there’s not too much between the ears. Would have liked us to have given milanovic, even bilalovic, the start.

[RicoS321]

19 minutes ago, OrlandoDon said:

Disappointed too in this 11, but our problem is midfield and getting a grip of games, I totally understand why we don’t then go two up top

Just play a 3-5-2. Or a 3-1-4-2, or 3-3-2-2. Plenty of options to retain 3 central midfielders. We'll be playing a 3-4-3, with only two in midfield today. 

[The.Moog]

We’ll miss Karlsson. A genuine goal threat (we don’t have many) & creative spark.

They’ll miss Shankland and Halkett so that balances out tbf.

Not sure where the goals will come from here tbh, & the diets could really bully that midfield (where the game will be won).

I’ve said for a long time we lack physicality and aggression - that midfield is a good example of why.

Prove me wrong Dons but I’m not feeling good about this one…

Edited November 23, 2025 by The.Moog

[tlg1903]

7 minutes ago, OrlandoDon said:

Yea. I wonder if we cater to him too much. Back to topi who has repeatedly proven there’s not too much between the ears. Would have liked us to have given milanovic, even bilalovic, the start.

I mind when Zidane left Juve for Madrid.  Juve actually improved a wee bit because they no longer had the entirely understandable "see when you get the ball, give it to zizu" mentality.  Not saying that's going to happen here but I'm defo interested to see how we do without him. 

 

[swaddon]

I see Shankland is out because he "slipped on icy AstroTurf".

Aye, right. Hangovers get worse when you get older.

[tlg1903]

4 minutes ago, swaddon said:

I see Shankland is out because he "slipped on icy AstroTurf".

Aye, right. Hangovers get worse when you get older.

Wouldn't be surprised 2bh, there was an irritation about McInnes when he was talking about it.