Aberdeen 0-1 Kilmarnock: Three things we learned

By Laurie Finlayson

Aberdeen’s struggles continue with a 1-0 defeat to Kilmarnock at Pittodrie as the visitors picked up their first win away victory of the season. Let’s look at what stood out:

Pressure mounts on Barry Robson

With this result, the Dons are without a win in four league games and occupy the relegation playoff spot, a far cry from the third place they achieved last season. Aberdeen have struggled for consistency so far as they’ve batted with both domestic and European football. They have put up some spirited displays in the UEFA Conference League and the Viaplay Cup, reaching the final in the latter. However, their poor performances in the Premiership have led to a large section of the Aberdeen support calling for a change in the dugout.

Barry Robson became Aberdeen manager after an impressive spell in interim charge following the sacking of Jim Goodwin in January, pipping Hearts to third place. However, this season has been a lot more challenging for Robson, with his side having only picked up five points at home this season. This appears to be the catalyst for the Dons’ struggles.

Whether Robson will be in charge of Aberdeen as they host Hearts on Saturday remains to be seen.

The under-fire Aberdeen boss (Image: Getty Images)

Killie finally taste victory on the road

Kilmarnock’s poor away record has been well-documented. The Ayrshire side only won twice on the road last term, and it has taken almost half a season to do so this campaign. However, that doesn’t matter for Derek McInnes and his side as they climb to sixth place thanks to a stoppage-time winner from Scotland Under-19 international David Watson. He expertly controlled a Matty Kennedy cross with a superb first touch. With his second, the centre-midfielder rifled the ball into the top right corner, leaving Aberdeen ‘keeper Kelle Roos helpless and sending those who travelled from Ayrshire into raptures.

 

This was only Watson’s second professional goal, with his first coming at Celtic Park in October. In recent months, Watson’s game has evolved from being a combative, defensively-minded midfielder to striding forward and leading Kilmarnock’s press at times. The future looks very bright for the player Killie fans have labelled ‘The Prestwick Pirlo’.

McInnes will be hoping this isn’t a one-off as his team aims to remain in the top half of the table. Keeping the winning streak going will be easier said than done, however, as Killie welcome Celtic to Rugby Park in Sunday’s lunchtime kick-off. Kilmarnock can put their new-found away form to the test on December 16 when they travel to face Livingston.

Outside of the big two, it’s extremely tight in the Premiership

If anything, this game has proved how little there is between the sides at the top and bottom of the Scottish Premiership. The only real moment of quality in the game was Watson’s aforementioned wonder strike that won the match for the visitors.

 

The hosts huffed and puffed and had the ball in the back of the net, courtesy of Bojan Miovski, only for VAR to chalk it off for offside. Apart from the disallowed goal, Aberdeen had three shots on target, whereas the visitors had two. It would be fair to say that defences were on top.

 

If you need a reminder of just how tight the league is, Kilmarnock are in sixth place, three points behind Hearts in third. As for Aberdeen, they sit second from bottom but are only five points behind Dundee, who sit seventh.

Here are the thoughts of both managers:

SportLaurie Finlayson