Jimmy Thelin spoke to the media on Friday lunchtime to preview Sunday’s match with Dundee Utd at Pittodrie. RedTV subscribers can watch in full by clicking here.
Reflections on Tuesday
“I think every game is unique in one way, also how the opponents play. Against Celtic it was more of an open game. We lost 5-1 but there was actually some positive things also inside the game, how we approached the game, how we arrived to scoring chances and opportunities. We didn’t get the shot always but we were there in quite good spaces inside the box.
“Then of course we have the other end with how we defend. It also has to be better in some parts but they were more or less 100% in the first half with the chances, and then it’s difficult to go out in the second half to challenge but the last month, the last four or five games, I see signals that we are more stable, we are more clear. The players feel the competition inside the squad. They’re good friends, but also they compete about the positions, and that puts up the intensity in the training sessions. Also they know what they need to do to keep playing. We’re in a good spot right now and we have to keep pushing from here.”
Selection Decisions
“We have lot of decisions to make. We have a clear picture of the opponent on Sunday. We are quite clear what we want to do. Who is playing? Let’s see. I think the competition between everyone is good. It’s a good opportunity for us to choose players. Dimi is available again. He was available (on Tuesday night) but we have to be careful with him, because the last time he played with a short turnaround, he got a setback. For everybody it’s an open competition.
“I think Kristers (Tobers) will be available. He trained well today. There shouldn’t be any problems about him or the other players. Let’s see but he trained fully today.
“Ester, Dante and Jack Milne started training with the team late last week. They have some more time to be with the team to be inside the squad, but at least they’re training with the squad now on the pitch, that’s good.”
Dundee United
“We have played two difficult games against them this season. We won 1-0 in the last minute, and they won 1-0 in the last minute. It’s been two tight games and it’s going to be a tough game on Sunday. We have to show it from our best side. We can do more now, in the way we approach the game when attacking but keep solid defensively. They are good at what they are good at, and they do it consistently. We have to be really sharp in some areas of the game and some moments of the game. It’s going to be a tight game and hopefully we can speed up our parts better.
“It’s an important game. It’s quite an open race and we’re going to focus on our things. We know what we need to do. Every game now, there are 10 games left in the league. Every game is going to be so so important. That’s also good in one way, the pressure is there. You have to be sharp every week and put yourself in that position. You have to be in that race and now we have to focus on that. We’re playing at home. There is going to be a lot of fans at the game. There is going to be a lot of emotions. It’s going to be a really good Sunday I hope.”
Tightness of the league
“In this sport, in this amazing sport, you have to be able to compete. Everything counts, everything you do every week is important. That’s why you have to be sharp, you have to be focused, you have to have a togetherness, you have to keep pushing in the hard times, you have to keep going in the good times. The pressure is why I think everybody works in this sport, because you put so much to focus in the right now, where you are right now, and compete with that. The competition is a good thing.”
Jamie McGrath
“We have a good dialog and there was a discussion about the contract and he was happy to stay, but we didn’t find a solution. He chose another thing for his future and we focus on our future. He has behaved really well and is a good player. Sometimes in this sport the contracts go out and people go in other directions.”
Sunday at Pittodrie
“We want to grow as a team and to be competitive you have to be consistent and that’s a journey you have to do as an individual and as a team. When you’re building something you can be a little bit up and down sometimes. There have been a lot of movements with players this year. We’re trying to implement some new parts in the way we play, how we train but still the players are doing this amazing job in these circumstances and pushing. We have to keep pushing. I think the team is more stable now. We’re ready for the last 10 games now, to be consistent and take on the challenge.”
