OK, so it's not that exciting but it would be impressive if we could finish the season top of the bottom six and it would also give us a cash boost for next season. We might not have done as well as many people had hoped this year but we haven't done too badly. There was lots of talk about making the top six at the start of the campaign but that always seemed fanciful - and disappeared after a shocking three month run at the start of 2012. I always said if we were safe by the split that would be progress and that's what we managed. The football this season has been frustrating at times but has been exciting at others and we've had a few moments to savour.
It's unlikely tomorrow will give us another one - although last year's post-split trip to Pittodrie did when we won to secure SPL survival for another season. Hopefully we will see some of the youngsters given a run out and we may even experiment with a few things for the new campaign. A victory would be the perfect way to send us into the summer but we've failed to finish our season off with a win since 2004 and you have to go back another 10 years for our most recent final day away win. Finishing in style can set you up nicely for a decent start to the following season so victory tomorrow could create a feel good factor that lasts for a few months.
It wouldn't be a surprise to see a season low crowd at Pittodrie tomorrow. An unspectacular Aberdeen season is in the process of petering out, while the trip is a bit too long to attract much more than the most die hard of Saints supporters. With nothing at stake other than pride and points both teams will probably be thinking about their summer holidays. The chance to say goodbye to some players and see some bright hopes for the future is hardly likely to have the fans flocking out.
There should be no more goodbyes for the Saints fans to make, last week proving the perfect send off for both Hugh Murray and Steven Thomson. It could yet be the last games for Nigel Hasselbaink and Jeroen Tesselaar, who have yet to sign new deals, but as we don't know for definite that they are on their way it's unlikely there will be a rousing send off for them. Hopefully we see at least one of Thomas Reilly and Jason Naismith in from the start. Ensuring we finish eighth is important but we need to take the chance to give these guys some game time, with Reilly showing some nice touches during recent sub appearances.
Last week was probably one of our poorest performances of the season so it wouldn't be a surprise to see things freshened up, even if the youngsters aren't involved. Dougie Imrie only got half an hour last week so Graham Carey may come back in while there could be starts for Gary Teale or Aaron Mooy, both having found games rather hard to come by in recent weeks. Lee Mair is still missing but David Barron is back while Craig Samson will have played every minute of the season if he completes tomorrow's game - not bad going for someone who was in the lower leagues until two years ago and faced the big task of replacing Paul Gallacher last summer.
This has not been a terrific season by Aberdeen's standards. With Craig Brown having been given the time to get his feet under the table we all sat back and expected him to top what he'd produced in his year at Motherwell - Aberdeen probably being the bigger club. He'd had the summer to shape the squad to his liking and everything was all set, but for whatever reason it hasn't happened. They've spent most of the season in the bottom six, whereas we at least had a wee spell in the top half at the start of the season, and has seemed to be a bit too willing to moan about various things. Being gubbed by Dunfermline the other week pretty much sums things up. The only plus point has been a run in the Scottish Cup although that ended at Hampden when they lost to Hibs in the semi-finals. Aberdeen must improve next season or else they'll probably be looking for another new manager come Christmas time.
While our season has also been below expectations, we at least have been entertaining to watch at times, even allowing for that horrendous run without a goal. However, Aberdeen have been pretty poor and seem to operate without wingers, which is an interesting move. They are relatively solid at the back, Andrew Considine seeming to mature into a solid centre half this season after being a bit error prone. Mark Reynolds has also tightened things up after arriving in January but will return to Sheffield Wednesday in the summer, while Russell Anderson will be an excellent acquisition if he can put his injury problems behind him. After using a number of keepers during the season Jamie Langfield is now back after serious injury.
But while Aberdeen have a relatively decent defence it's the other parts of their team that are struggling. Brown felt the need to improve the midfield further in January by bringing in Gavin Rae and Stephen Hughes and there will be a further blow in the summer with tomorrow being Kari Arnason's last game at the club. He has done well since joining last year but clearly fancies his chances of earning a bit more down south. Some of the other midfielders have already been told to do one but there is at least promise there with youngsters like Fraser Fyvie and Peter Pawlett continuing to develop. Playing alongside guys like Rae, Hughes and Isaac Osbourne can only help them.
The real area Brown needs to improve is the strike force. Yes, Scott Vernon has had another excellent season and has scored 13, the move to get him on a longer contract a terrific piece of business. However, for whatever reason, no one seems to be able to score anywhere near as many while playing alongside him. Rory Fallon has proven to be a scorer of great goals rather than a great goal scorer while the likes of Mohamaed Chalili and Danny Uchechi have been missing in action. Darren Mackie has featured a bit after injury problems last season but the former reading champion will be on his way in the summer after being told his lengthy spell at the club is at an end.
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