One of the worst feelings as a football fan is when your friends who support other sides are eagerly anticipating and discussing an upcoming cup draw, and you have no interest in it at all.
That was the case last week as the teams left in were paired for the Fifth Round of the Scottish Cup, and while I could, from a professional point of view, see there were some good stories thrown up by it, my personal approach was more of a “Meh…”
The Scottish Cup has always been my favourite knock-out tournament and it was a huge blow to go out at the first time of asking for the second successive year. It’s no shame to lose to Hearts at Tynecastle, and we couldn’t complain about the outcome as they deserved the victory on the day, but that does nothing to ease the pain of knowing it’s going to be at least another season before we can contemplate Hampden glory again.
Just as our exit was sinking in, the news broke that Liverpool were recalling our top performer of 2015-16, Danny Ward, from his loan spell. Aye, cheers Jurgen! I wrote a few months ago that Danny’s performances reminded me of a young Jim Leighton and warned that we should make the most of him while we could, that he wouldn’t be with us long term; but I hadn’t anticipated the Anfield side cutting his stay so prematurely.
Like all Aberdeen fans, I wish him every success in the future; he looks to have all the attributes to mature into a top class keeper, and the kind words he expressed on his departure suggest he won’t forget the part the Dons played in helping him along the way.
So, hardly a brilliant start to the new year!
A sense of deflation is inevitable right now, but there’s still much to look forward to in the months ahead, particularly the challenge of pushing Celtic all the way at the top of the table.
That will depend on a number of factors.
In the main, clearly, it’ll be down to results, and the team will need to hit the levels of performance and consistency we did at this time last year if we are to maintain our tilt at the title. They certainly stepped up to the mark last Sunday in Dingwall, a superb performance particularly given the sending-off of Mark Reynolds, and we are now on our longest unbeaten Premiership run of the season.
Another factor will be recruitment, and how quickly the new faces settle into the side. As is always the case during a transfer window there has been much speculation, some of it wild, some better-informed. The squad would benefit from a mini shake-up, but any players recruited have to possess not only the ability, but also the mentality to perform for our club, and that is why Derek McInnes is always very careful before making an offer.
His judgement has, in the main, been excellent over the past few years, and that is why we are so much better off than we were a few seasons back. If he gets it right again – and I see no reason why that shouldn’t be the case – we could yet have a thrilling conclusion to this campaign.
