One-Nil for Aberdeen. Sunday's win over Livingston was Aberdeen's fourth 1-0 victory in their last six Scottish Premiership games, so the old song might become a new favorite among the Red Army. Manager Jimmy Thomson's switch from a 4-2-3-1 formation to a 3-4-2-1 has resulted in five clean sheets in their last seven home games and a climb to seventh place, three points off the top six. Their newfound solidity at the back means only Celtic and Rangers have picked up more points in the last eight league games. However, the midfield and attack are still not convincing. With just 10 goals in 13 league games, the second-fewest in the division, there is a lack of threat in the final third. So, as Aberdeen prepare for six games in 18 days before Christmas, is their upturn in form a sign of things to come? Or is their narrow, low-scoring win sustainable?
Image URL: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-59999999
Character and resilience key to turnaround Thomson praised his team's defensive work at Livingston, which kept them in the game while Livingston dominated the first half. David Martindale's side, bottom of the table and without a win since August, had 58% possession in the first half, 10 shots, seven of which were on target. "Livingston played really well in the first half, with lots of movement and lots of good things, creating some good chances," Thomson told BBC Scotland. "We stayed in the game and in the second half we gradually got back into it and there was more of a balance between the two teams. "But again, our good defending gave us the chance to win the game, even though they were better in the first half." Aberdeen's back three of Nicky Devlin, Jack Milne and Mats Knødsrod were key to the turnaround. The 22-year-old Milne, who appears to be growing in confidence, made a crucial interception to block a certain goal. Knødsrod can be found at the end of everything, making 12 clearances and winning seven aerial duels. Devlin was not far off, blocking Livingston striker Tete Yenkey to prevent a certain goal. This resilience was missing earlier in the season and much of last season. Only Hearts of Midlothian and Celtic have more clean sheets than Aberdeen's six. "You have to remember we had a difficult start to the season and we're in Europe, playing a game every three days," Thomson said. "It's about getting through this period with as many points as possible and sharing responsibility as a team and making changes, but not so much that we lose connections. "The players have done well. We had a difficult game on Thursday, then we came here and the game started like that. "That says a lot about character." Can Aberdeen's lack of cutting edge be sustainable?
Image URL: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-59999999
Despite everything, it is reasonable to question how long a team can keep up narrow victories while letting in more chances than they create. It is also reasonable for some fans to demand more from Aberdeen given their budget, which is expected to qualify for Europe. Aberdeen have failed to score more than once in their last nine games. Looking at some key metrics before their league game on Thursday, the reading for Thomson was grim. They were ninth in the league for open play chances created and made the fewest passes and crosses into the opposition's box. They are not delivering crosses and not taking enough shots, and when they do, their accuracy is poor. They have the worst crossing accuracy in the league from open play and only St Mirren convert a lower percentage of shots. Aberdeen's conversion rate is just 6.4%. This is not even that they rely on set-pieces, as they have created the fewest chances from these situations. Thomson arrived in Scotland with a reputation for wing play, which was often the creative and goal-scoring hub of his Elfsborg side. But the formation change means players like Nikola Milenovic, Topi Keskinen, Jesper Karlsson and Kenan Bilalovic are either finding limited game time or playing more centrally, where space is congested. Instead, they are reliant on wing play. But Emmanuel Giamfi has struggled for fitness, meaning Alex Jensen and Graham Shinnie are playing out of position. Aberdeen's 20-year-old Dylen Laffan, who made his debut a month ago, was a bright spot on the right side. The return of 34-year-old Sviert Helten Niels, who has been a focus of some fans' criticism for his lack of mobility, was a surprise in the starting midfield against Almondvale. However, does this reflect that other players are not doing well enough to start?
Image URL: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-59999999
On Sunday, Aberdeen's pass accuracy fell to 72%, and it dropped to 60% in the final third. Containment, calmness, and players taking more individual responsibility on the ball have been consistent themes in Thomson's press conferences. Too often they fail to build sustainable attacks. With such a hectic schedule now and not until January, do Aberdeen have time to improve these fundamental issues?
Image URL: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-59999999
Do they have players with the stamina to implement Thomson's intense and counter-attacking game plan?
If they can just get results during this attritional part of the season and reassess in January?
The answers to these questions will become clear in the next three weeks, starting with St Mirren at Pittodrie on Wednesday.
