Dons manager Jimmy Thelin caught up with RedTV over the international break to reflect on the season so far and to look ahead to the final chapter of a busy campaign once we return.

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The journey so far

“It’s been an exciting journey, an emotional eight first months in Aberdeen. I think the atmosphere around the club is really good. It feels like everybody is sharing the same journey. We are clear about what we want to build here with an identity and the personality of the team. Everybody in Scotland knows how Aberdeen play, when you’re going to play against us, it has to be clear. And also, in Europe, they’re going to recognize Aberdeen Football Club.

“We have had a lot of new players arriving, we have had to work a lot on the playing style. I have to say the players have adapted well. They’re working hard. So, it’s been busy, but also exciting. And I think we are at the beginning of our journey together.

“You can feel what it means to people who live in and around Aberdeen when they speak about the football club, how they share memories, and their belief about the future.”

The Togetherness

“Everybody is together in this long project. We want Aberdeen to be a strong club, a strong football team. The identity has to be clear. When they watch Aberdeen, everyone should recognize them whether that is in Scotland or in Europe. Right now, we are at the beginning of the journey, and we want to be more consistent. In the beginning, there was so many changes of players, changing the playing style, and creating identity. And in this moment, it’s so important that everybody’s looking for the future, but still has the passion to fight for today. When it is positive, and when we are struggling, the fans are still trying to push the team, and we stay together.”

The Squad

“Everybody has to be a part of a football team. Everybody has to be ready to perform for the team, and I feel the players are growing, we need a squad to be strong during a season, not just a starting XI. That is the way I see it.”

“Right now, there are more and more players trying to be an important part of the team and grow with that, as an individual and as a team member. You always try to be better. And, one thing is, how to improve the way we train and be better in the training, we can improve through that. This is our identity. This is what you have to do. This is how we can help you to grow. The other thing is to use the transfer windows, to always try to be building a better and better team.”

Style of play

“Everyone should know what the identity is, when we play against Aberdeen, they know that we are going to do this, they’re going to attack us like that, but we’re going to do it really well. It’s going to be a clear identity. When we go to Europe, they have to get this feeling that teams are going to play against Aberdeen Football Club, this is the identity, and this is how they’re going to attack us, and this is how they’re going to defend. And when you are there, the identity is so clear and more consistent and constant.

“We are still in the beginning. We are on the way, and then we drop, and we come back again and then we drop. We have to be more constant in our performance. So, when you have that more constant flow, then you can be more unpredictable. Players can do more than one position. They can play as a fullback or more inside the pitch like, for example, Alexander Jensen can. He can play in different positions, and that’s what I think, is the future for us, it is what we are pushing for and aiming for.”

Personality of the playing squad

“If you are 17, or 20, or 30, or 34, it doesn’t matter. We are playing football. You have the game plan. You have the game model. You have the culture. And as long you contribute to that and bring out your best, then you play football well, and then you’re going to play. It doesn’t matter the age in one way. Of course, it is good to have balance in the team as well.

“Some players can be 22 and play football senior football for a lot of years and are stable and have the knowledge, and some players are older, but they also have the knowledge and also understand what is expected to play for a brilliant football club. It is good to have a balance but to be able to play for me and my staff, the age is not important at all. It’s what you’re showing, how ready you are to compete and train hard every day, every week. That’s when you deserve to play.

“It’s so important to have this personality, and the character on the pitch, because everybody knows the expectations to play in this club. It shouldn’t be a heavy weight on their shoulders. These are the standards we’re working on, and we are trying to be supportive of each other.”

Our Scottish Cup Semi-Final

“The Semi-Final will be really nice. It’s going to be my second experience, and hopefully we can do better this time. We take it step by step, and when it’s time for the Semi-Final, we’re going to 100% to try to win that one and arrive to the final. Once you get there, the final is the final.”

“It is really nice to have something, another race to look forward to, that’s why you are training and working hard to try and achieve as much as possible during the season. To compete in the three competitions this season, has been amazing. And hopefully, we can keep pushing and arrive in another competition next year.”

Looking ahead

“We’re trying to build something. You always want it to go as quickly as possible, but to be stable, you need to try to put the puzzle in the right way from the beginning, and so the foundation is strong, so you can be that stable team you want to be. Hopefully when the players are leaving, the next one is ready, and you don’t drop in performance. You’re not so stressed about the windows. You are one or two windows ahead, and you cannot plan everything, but you can be more stable, and when we make some changes it is not so many changes at the same time.”

“You have to take it step by step, but you also have to put the puzzles in the right order. Otherwise, it’s not going to be that strong foundation to stand on.”

“Everyone has to be hungry to achieve something in the long and short term now in this season, but also in the future. That’s why everybody has to contribute, and that’s what is so amazing. Everybody is pushing so hard.”

“I’m looking forward to the last part of the season now. It’s going to be so exciting.”