Sometimes Always
The Dons' capitulation at Ibrox on Sunday sees more questions than answers raised about this squad, collective club mentality and on the manager.
With Hibs losing at Celtic Park on Saturday, Aberdeen travelled to Govan on Gothenburg Day with one key objective in mind - take the three points against a beleagured home side who had nothing to play for and try to force the battle for third all the way to the final day at the very least.
With United losing at home to St. Mirren, the need for three points was heightened further - a win for the Dons would see us open up a 6 point gap over United meaning the Tannadice side would have to win at Ibrox themselves and overcome the Dons on the final day to have any chance of finishing 4th.
After being relatively stable in his starting XI selections, Thelin threw the dice at Ibrox - perhaps with one eye on a busy week ahead. Palaversa, Nisbet and Morris all taken out of the lineup with Alfie Dorrington missing out altogether due to illness.
In fairness, Palaversa has struggled in recent weeks and so freshening up the central midfield area felt reasonable and their has been clamour for Dante Polvara to return to the starting lineup. The decision to go with Dabbagh as a sole striker though was a curious one - the Palestinian striker has shown a knack for being a decent penalty box poacher but clearly needs a foil of some sort to work with. It’s no coincidence that his best showings have come when he’s played with Kevin Nisbet - with the Scotland international playing slightly deeper.
Jeppe Okkels’ continued selection in the starting eleven was also a noodle scratcher. Whilst he has been *better* in recent weeks, the bar is a low one to build from and the Danish winger has not delivered anywhere near enough to warrant continued time in the team as things stand. It’s hard not to feel for him, Okkels clearly had a bright future working under Thelin at Elfsborg but his career has really failed to catch fire since leaving Sweden and he looks like a player completely bereft of confidence.