Aberdeen v Raith Rovers

[swaddon]

The Scottish Cup holders begin their defence of the world's oldest professional football trophy on Sunday 18th January at the Cathedral of Football, kicking off at 2:30 pm and being beamed all around an expectant world in full colour on BBC Television as they take on Championship side Raith Rovers.

Raith have been in patchy form recently, losing at the weekend at home to Arbroath. Aberdeen have been worse than shite recently, losing to everyone. Nevertheless, I fancy a 2-1 win for the Dons after extra time as we bid for a ninth Scottish Cup and a first defence of OUR cup since 1984.

Which was the last time we successfully defended the Scottish Cup that we had won the previous season. Because we won it in 1983. And 1982.

[Elgindon]

In - Y if not the Mainer

Leven wakes up from his tactical brainwashing. 4 - 0 Dons. Nisbet x 2,Lazetic x 2 

[TheDonbytheDee]

Could you not have waited just a couple of days before reminding us we have to suffer again.

Who in their right mind is going to buy a ticket for this...me!

If being shit in the league, wins us the cup then I'm all in.

1-0 Shinnie

[TheDonbytheDee]

23 minutes ago, Elgindon said:

In - Y if not the Mainer

Leven wakes up from his tactical brainwashing. 4 - 0 Dons. Nisbet x 2,Lazetic x 2 

I don't think it's brainwashing.  I think it's instructed from higher above at the club.

We need a complete tactical reset and throw the playing out from the back manual, in the bin.

Edited January 11 by TheDonbytheDee

[manc_don]

I really hope that this isn’t going to be the complete embarrassment I fear it will be. Surely we get our house in order by then (false hope I know). 

either way, shite kick off time as smack bang in the middle of the night here so will have to hope I wake up to a positive result for a change. 

out

bed

bed

bed

2-1, not a chance do we keep a clean sheet with our defending at set pieces, Nisbet and shinnie

[Ajja]

This game is everything. I’m struggling to see what else is left of the season other than a form defying defence of the cup. As others have said, I’d take that ahead of clawing our way into the top 6 ahead of a plucky Falkirk and the hopeless belief that we might sneak a soul destroying spot in qualifying round 46 of the Eurovision Song Contest. OK others might not have said exactly that but you get the idea and yes I’m still suffering from yesterdays viewing. 

[swaddon]

The Raith boss Dougie Imrie says the pressure is on Aberdeen.

Well, Douglas, we eat pressure for breakfast, min.

[The.Moog]

On 11/01/2026 at 22:11, TheDonbytheDee said:

I don't think it's brainwashing.  I think it's instructed from higher above at the club.

We need a complete tactical reset and throw the playing out from the back manual, in the bin.

If we continue the insanity of the passing it about the 6 yard box & inverted fucking wingers I think I’ll spontaneously self combust.

Now, where did I put that household fire extinguisher again…

[tlg1903]

9 hours ago, swaddon said:

The Raith boss Dougie Imrie says the pressure is on Aberdeen.

Well, Douglas, we eat pressure for breakfast, min.

I prefer rice crispies myself 2bh

[TheDonbytheDee]

Game day.

There should really be a great deal of excitement about todays game,  as our first game defending the cup.

 

Our form has certainly put people off and the signing of Cameron, really hasn't helped much.

We just have to get through today.

I'd like us to at least give a shit about defending the trophy.

I won't be booing Cameron. I think I'll just close my eyes when he is on the ball.

A sort of silent protest.

COYR

[Elgindon]

Aye its not a great vibe going into this game,hopefully not too toxic by k/o. Had a quick look on the Hat yesterday,full meltdown mode unsurprisingly

   Any shitty win will do Dons. COYR

    

[Jute]

Did wake early this morning and consider jumping on the train up but after a coffee came to my senses. 
 

Assuming Cameron will start which probably means Clarkson dropping out. Would like to see us ditch the inverted wingers but cannot see Leven/Pfannenstiel doing that. If we are sticking with that system I would like to see Keskinen and Nisbet replace Milanovic and Lazetic although I do think we need pick a striker and run with him as the constant chopping and changing is not allowing either player to develop a run of form. Would expect Lobban to come back in at right back to allow Devlin to rest. 

[OrlandoDon]

Game day! And no clue what to expect!

would love width. Topi on the right, bilalovic on the left, not that they are great, just our best options for width and pace. Really wish we’d can the inverted approach.
Sounds like Cameron may play, him at 10 should he start, behind nisbet/lazetic. I don’t see Cameron taking clarkson’s spot, it may be Clarkson and shinnie behind him. We’re clearly flawed in central midfield, no option is great, but I do feel Shinnie has to start for drive/influence/leadership. I don’t think either 9 is great and while I think lazetic is the better player, nisbet is prob the better team player.

3-1 us, nisbet shinnie clarkson

[Kowalski]

[RicoS321]

Jesus, that's one hell of a lightweight midfield. Wild. The dirty Hun starting so that it's harder to boo him (as opposed to when coming on as a sub). 

I could see us fucking this one up if we don't get an early goal. Interesting Knoester is out, I wonder if it's just resting? Polvara good on his left side, so not an issue.

[Slim]

4231 with Milanovic in the No.10 role?

[Mason89]

It does look a bit powderpuff 

Any kind of win will do 

[Panda]

I'm just really happy for @OrlandoDon that Frame is in the squad.

Knoester was ill yesterday apparently.

[OrlandoDon]

That’s a line up!!! Zero strength in central midfield, polvara left CB?? Hope we get a look at Frame.

al least we may have wingers, topi right and milanovic left? Or will he switch and stay inverted?? Criminal if he persists with the clearly failing inverted approach. 

hope we don’t need to reach for karlsson, would like to see how we cope, or play better, playing without him.

[RicoS321]

4 minutes ago, OrlandoDon said:

That’s a line up!!! Zero strength in central midfield, polvara left CB?? Hope we get a look at Frame.

al least we may have wingers, topi right and milanovic left? Or will he switch and stay inverted?? Criminal if he persists with the clearly failing inverted approach. 

hope we don’t need to reach for karlsson, would like to see how we cope, or play better, playing without him.

It'll be inverted I expect. Both wingers have been bought because that is their strength. I actually think Keskinen is much better on the left anyway. Ironically he seems more likely to hit the byline on his weaker foot than when he's on the right. Milanovic doesn't look like a winger at all, so might as well let him cut inside because he isn't fast.

[STFU_Donny]

What has happened to Kjartansson? Thought this would be an ideal game for the development players to start but he’s not even in the squad. 

[redordead]

Good opportunity for Cameron to come in and take shinnies place. Hopefully he's up to speed. 

[OrlandoDon]

Quote

Actually think central defense is Polvara’s best position. He’s not got the personality to dictate in center mid, but in defense he’s forced to be aggressive. Obviously neither Milne nor Polvara are left sided, plus neither are dominant in the air. No clue what Raith are like, but we’re vulnerable in the air and that’s a very small/nice team out there. No bruisers.

 

[RicoS321]

13 minutes ago, redordead said:

Good opportunity for Cameron to come in and take shinnies place. Hopefully he's up to speed. 

He doesn't play in Shinnie's position 

[BigAl]

Jensen seems to have dropped out of favour under Leven also.

Not even making the bench, unless he's injured.

Anyone know