The Dons made it two draws on the spin last Saturday when Hearts came to Pittodrie to continue the tough start the fixture computer has handed the Dons this term. For the second week running, Aberdeen shaded the game but couldn’t find that crucial goal to take all three points. Graeme Shinnie reflected on the season’s opening after the game on RedTV:
“We were more disappointed than Hearts that we had not won the game. We were dominant in spells of the game but we could not make enough of the chances we had when we got into good areas. Maybe the final ball let us down a little bit. We have quality players in the team though and the goals will come.
“When you are on top you have to make the most of it and you do that by getting goals. So far this season, and especially the last two or three weeks, we have not had much chance to work on things on the training ground. It has been a case of recovering from a game and going again. We’ve had a clear week coming into this game so hopefully we’ll see the benefits of that.
“Physically, we dealt with both Hearts and St Johnstone the week before. We have enough physical players and it is up to us to show that when we have to. You have to battle and grind in every game in this league, but you also need good quality as well. Our quality will shine through eventually.
“Anthony O’Connor is one of the players who has a physical side to their game. He loves a tackle and he has been a very good addition. Wes has also come in and played very well during the last few games – it’s a thankless task trying to come in for Jonny who has been such a big player for us for so long, but he has done really well. Jonny was always going to be a massive loss, he is a man who can step up in the final third and deliver something. Any team would struggle without a player like that, but I feel we have got players that can step in, as Wes has done.
“The new boys are still finding their feet a little bit, some are getting used to a new league and to the Scottish game. It will take time, but if they keep showing the same effort and commitment they will do very well.
“It has been a really tough start to the season because four games in nine days takes it out of you. The travelling has not helped us either, getting back from games at two or three in the morning. It has not been easy but we have shown that our fitness levels are good.
“We know that we need a goal and a win against Partick. We all know that but if we are not winning games it is important not to lose them and two clean sheets is vitally important. As much as we are frustrated that we are not scoring, we are delighted that we are keeping them out at the other end.
“We’d have liked two wins now but there are positives to take when you look at the results we had against Hearts and St Johnstone last season, which weren’t always great. I think we’ve shown that we are able to mix it with them and that defensively, we are going to be very strong. That give us a great foundation to go forward”.
“We’d have liked two wins now but there are positives to take when you look at the results we had against Hearts and St Johnstone last season, which weren’t always great. I think we’ve shown that we are able to mix it with them and that defensively, we are going to be very strong. That give us a great foundation to go forward”.
