Jimmy Thelin revealed that giving his players he chance to redeem themselves was the key to Aberdeen’s second half transformation against Kilmarnock.
“Kilmarnock started the game well, but we talked more about ourselves in the half-time, how we’re acting, the body language, the quality, the connection. It was really poor from our side, Dimitar keep us in the game, they have a good chance to score for 2-0, so we were really in a bad situation.
“But we decided not to change so much in the half-time, instead we give us a chance to show that we can do better, and I think the players showed that. Then also the players who came in, Shinnie came in with positive energy, and then Kenan and Marko also, and we’re pushing really hard to win the game in the second half. It was really good chances we created, the goalkeeper made some good saves, but the chances were there, and we keep pushing. I’m happy that we win in the end, because it was a big turnaround from the first half to the second half.
“We saw in the first half, we don’t have the connection on the left side, we don’t have any space between the lines, we were really spread out, so we want Topi to be more running behind, and then we have a natural combination on the right side, and then we want the left foot of Shinnie to get more crosses, because we don’t find solutions in the first half to create any chances. That’s why we did this change at half-time.
“I don’t like to use Thursday as an excuse for the first half, it’s important for us to learn from this, and the players also individually, because it’s not easy, it’s really demanding. But if you want to be that player who plays in national teams, and in Europe, you have to find a way, because it’s so individual how you find a way to approach the game with enough energy.
“I think it was a big learning point today, if you drop your energy a little bit, then you’re always too slow in the decision making, you’re late in the duels, they pick up every second ball in the first half, they were much, much better than we were, much quicker. Again, it’s back to basics, you have to be ready for the competition, but if you’re late in everything, then the technique gets worse, the combinations gets worse, you get more spread out as a team, so you look even worse maybe than you are actually.
“Sometimes you can change a lot in half-time with yelling and screaming, but today, I said we have to show ourselves, we have to show that we’re a good team, I’m going to give everybody a chance to show that. They take the chance and show it, so I’m really happy. Sometimes you need to give them confidence, and show you believe in them, and they did really well, but we were really in bad trouble in the first half.”
Kenan Bilalovic made just his third appearance since joining the Dons and he made a swift impact with the equaliser. The Manager made it clear that Bilalovic had earned his place in the side with his work in training.
“I say to all the players, we have a big squad, and a lot of players are pushing. The competition is in training, that they have to show that they want to be selected for the squad, and be consistent in their work, and when the chance comes, they have to be ready, because they deserve it. I’m not giving them chances, they earn them.
“Kenan has pushed really hard now, and today he scored a great goal, but it’s also about how he comes in, the presence in the duels, the running, and competing, that’s the thing for us, how they compete.
“Sometimes when you’re not playing, it doesn’t mean that you’re not good, but just the rhythm has been there now for a while with some players. But all our players are pushing, and some of them are going to get some opportunity to show themselves on Thursday in Prague. We have a big squad, and we need to keep everybody alive and grow together, because they’re going to be needed, and then when they deserve it, they’re going to be there.”
