Hampden Bound Again

I said in the comments in my previous blog that Aberdeen needed an early goal to settle any nerves and make St Mirren come out, and that is exactly what they did when Chris Maguire gave us the perfect start after four minutes. Scott Vernon got goal 16 of the season.
Aberdeen of course need to do things the hard way and we were made to sweat for the last 5 minutes or so when Vujadinovic headed into his own net.

Nikola has had a few dodgy moments recently, and I am starting to wonder if he is good enough to be in the Aberdeen squad.

Sone Aluko sounded up for the game as did Rob Milsom.
It was certainly a much better performance all round from the Dons except those last nervous moments.

Aberdeen now head to Hampden for the second time this season for the semi final, where they will once again meet Celtic.
This is not the game I wanted for the semi but it is what it is.
I don't envy Craig Brown and Archie Knox in getting the confidence up for this one, after 3 hard games in a row against Celtic back in January and February, Aberdeen will need to be better than their best to get anything for the game.


Stand Free

Aberdeen's season in critical condition

What a difference one minute can make. Until Rory McArdle's late late equalizer against St Mirren, today's blog was going to be a rant about an underachieving Dons team.
It felt like a win, but if truth be told it really only papers over the cracks.

Aberdeen were poor upfront and the defence was a shambles at times. Especially in that crazy fifteen minute period during which St Mirren scored.
Apart from that Aberdeen never really sounded in any real danger.
Saying that it must be a kick in the teeth for St Mirren to lose the goal so late, but Aberdeen must beware in the replay as St Mirren will be looking for revenge.

I feel sorry for the Dons fans that made the trip who certainly do not have the team they deserve.

Rob Milsom sounded like he had a good game and had a few shots that troubled St Mirren.
Jamie Langfield who has been criticized somewhat harshly in my opinion by a number of fans on the forums this week kept us in the game and he earned the replay just as much as McArdle did.
I am still waiting for Nick Blackman to show us what he brings to the team.

The replay is this Wednesday, and there must be a winner.
Will Aberdeen keep their season alive?
Which Aberdeen team will show up?


Stand Free

USA going for Gold

The Gold Cup is CONCACAF's version of the European Championships. 
This years competition is hosted by the USA, and runs from June 5th to June 25th.


The Stars and Stripes have been drawn in Group C and will face next door neighbours Canada in the first game. 
Group c also includes Panama and Guadeloupe.


One of the other Favourites for the Gold Cup is Mexico who are in Group A and will play Costa Rica, El Salvador and Cuba.


The Reggie boys Jamaica, Honduras, Grenada and Guatemala make up the rest of the teams trying to win the trophy which  was first played for in 1991.


The USA currently have four Gold Cups to their name and if they make it number five they will tie Mexico for the most wins.


You can find out more about the Gold cup by going to http://www.goldcup.org/page/GoldCup/Home/0,,12802,00.html


Stand Free

The Two Sides of Jamie Langfield.

The last two Aberdeen games have been midweek games and because of work I have not heard them.

From what I am reading and going by the highlights it looks like we were the better team in the first half against Saint Johnstone but let the Perth side take control in the second.

Jamie Langfield earned us a point with some fantastic saves.

Tonight's game against Dundee United was the complete opposite with Dundee United taking control of the first half and killing the game off before half time, this time Jamie Langfield made a howler for United's second goal.

And so starts the debate, many of my fellow Donstalkers think Langfield is too much of a liability and we should look to replace him.

My thinking is that there are other area's of the team that need looked at before we spend Money on a Number 1. 

I also think if you look at the other teams in the league outside the ugly sisters Langfield is one of the best of a not so good bunch.

Even the best goalkeepers in the world make the odd howler, see Manchester United's Edwin Van Der Sar against Liverpool on Sunday. Unfortunately for the keepers unlike there outfield team mates when they make a mistake, it normally means a goal against and end up more in the spotlight. 

I have watched Jamie's interviews on Red Tv, and I could see how much he was hurting after losing 9 goals at Parkhead last year. 

He gives 100% in every game and has saved us more than once.

He may not be the best keeper to wear the Number 1 shirt at Pittodrie  but we could do a lot worse (Remember Nicky Walker) and unless there is a much better keeper comes on the market in our price range I say it is better the devil you know. 

What do you guys think?