Dons manager Jimmy Thelin spoke to the media at Cormack Park on Thursday afternoon to preview our trip to Dingwall to take on Ross County on Saturday evening. To watch his press conference in full, click here.
“We’re still working on things. It’s always ongoing behind the scenes, because as long the window is open and then even after window is closed, we’re still going to keep working to try to improve Aberdeen Football Club and the team, but I can’t answer if it’s anything specific, or also if players are going to leave us. For me it is the same, the focus is on the game, but we have good staff who keep an eye on the market, we will see if there is someone who can improve the team, or if someone will move on. Let’s see. The window is long, but for some strange reason, everything happens in the last hours every year, so let’s see.
“Dante Polvara is further ahead, and Leighton Clarkson is doing fine. He has been on the pitch, not with contact yet, but he is working hard and looking fine. The goal is still after the international break, hopefully he can be in training after that.
“We are just thinking about the Ross County game. Don Cowie has done a really good job at the end of last season, and they have two draws I think so far, and they lost away to Rangers. They have some good ideas with how they attack, they have been strong at home. We are only focussed on this game, and we try to be humble and prepare in a good way.
“We have seen so far, the way they attack is quite interesting, how they try to stretch opponents and work behind them, and the way they pick up second balls. I think they are a good team, sometimes you have setbacks like they had away to Rangers, but they are still a good team, and they are at home. I am really happy for our travelling support, it is sold out, and that’s the energy we are going to need on Saturday. We need to be 100% to take on the fight and try and win the game. It is going to be difficult.
“We need a competitive squad. It is a long season, and things happen, there is going to be suspensions, injuries, maybe sometimes players are out of form, and also some players are going to grow during the season and have more and more of an impact. I am happy we have a good squad, they work for each other and try to get their strengths out on the pitch, so we can use them in a good way. It is good.
“We always have to be competitive and take on the fight on the pitch. The way we want to play is demanding, everybody has to be ready. Ready to run for each other, and of course act like a team, playing together.
“I am happy for Topi (being named in the Finland squad for the first time). It is a good experience playing for their country. We have a good squad, but I think he is adapting more and more to the team. That is the most important thing, to give them the time. When they arrive to the team we don’t put too much pressure, they’re adapting to their teammates, their specific role and how we want to play, so we can bring out the best of the players.
“I think the most important thing is that how we press and how we attack is more consistent. We can find different ways to attack, so I think it is more about repeating and improving, instead of adding a lot of things, and once we have that we can add more things to our game. It takes time. It is better to be really good in some parts, instead of being all over the place and it is not so clear, we are taking it step by step.
“I think every team and every league, you can be really clear with how you want to play, but you also need to use the skills of the players you have, and also you need to respect the opponent. I’m not so interested in procession of the ball, I’m more interested in how many scoring chances we create every game, and can we do that in different ways? We also have an opponent who is doing their things, so it depends.
“I have no clue how Pape Gueye was before, but he is a good person, a good human, and a good dancer, so I am happy with how we performs!”
