Season 5 Review
SPL - 2nd
Celtic further cemented their place as the best team in the league. We just couldn't beat them in any competitions. Can't be too upset since they were rocking the Semi Finals of the Champions League. We had a solid season but still need a few more gears to challenge Celtic. Rangers looked closer to us than it felt. Hearts kept their a perfect record of making the top 6 and are joined by the two Saints. Especially pleased for St Johnstone has been relegated and rebuilt to make it. Hibs were out of the top 6 for the first time and it will be interesting to see if my former reserve coach can turn them around. Ross County didn't match the wonders of last season but had European football so who cares. The bottom 3 were in the same positions for most of the season and are the 3 worst teams in the league.
Playoff
Ayr won the home leg and that was enough to secure promotion along with Kilmarnock
Managers
Hibs nicked our reserve manager Brexit Mourniho John "Jose" Mousonho. Partick tried putting David Hopkin in charge but they still finished bottom. Motherwell moved on from Craig Levein of "sacked in the morning" fame. And hired Sir Alex Ferguson's Son Darren. With a name like that, how can they lose
Champions League Final
Bayern 1-0 PSG
Serge Gnabry's first half goal won the European cup. Celtic was the best British team having an amazing run to the Semi Finals
Squad Review
Goalkeeper
It's all about Luiz Junior. He played virtually every meaningful game and has become a class keeper. My long term plans have 2 or 3 guys set up to replace him but i can't see why i would be willingly wanting to move on one of the squad's best players.
Defense
I tried my hand at a settled back 4 however my starting CBs were my worst performing starters. Labourda was punted with injuries but has never fully replaced Magallan. Meanwhile i Hause has either gone over the hill or is not good enough to upgrade to the next level. Fabio Luiz is certain to start next season. Will he start with Laborda, Lacruz, or someone else? Joseda came in and had a very solid 1st season at DR. Need a backup to step up from the u19s/Loans. Left wing is in flux with Aznou, Diop, Hatate, and Kraus all good enough to start but getting this down to 2 is proving very very difficult.
Midfield
Rukavina excelled on the right while Pereira was not as good on the left but was injured badly twice. Was hoping to sell him and was stunned he turned down a transfer over £30m and then got injured for most of the second half of the season. Besuijen was a fantastic back up which was a shock but will have to stay due to being a perfect backup. Ross Marshall and Emslie will need a deep dive to see how their careers are going. In the middle, i am drowning in choice. Barron is a locked-in start having developed into Scotlands Frank Lampard. Jorgensen, Doyle & Junco are all more than good enough to start but depending on who we have come through if anyone i will be looking to make a move here.
Attack
Our crown jewels all reside here. Alfie Bavidge & Paulo Pedro have developed into our starting strikers with Suphanat Mueanta having a less spectacular season. Interest from Saudi teams came and went and maybe turned his head.
Players for life
Here at Aberdeen, we love one of our own coming through and thriving. There are quite a few current Dons i hope to keep long-term so let's have a look at how the spine of our squad is doing in more depth after our first season.
Connor Barron - MC
P219 G63 R7.23
His stats are not reflecting what he's doing on the pitch for us. Continued his streak with double-figure goals every season as a box to box monster. Brilliant that we have him as a career player. Amazing how his rating over the 5 seasons is 0.01 different to Bavidge
Alfie Stewart - MC
P59 G9 R6.84
While extending his deal Alfie requested a season out on loan for his development. I was annoyed at the time but what a move it was for both of us. We had an overflowing MC while Alfie got to play a season starting almost every week and got 14 starts in Europe which is multiple times more than he would have got at Aberdeen. He comes back an even better player than he left.
Ross Marshall - ML
P80 G4 R6.89
Marshall could blame his low rating and major lack of goals on making far more sub appearances than starts but he's just not done enough to move on toward his 5* potential
Alfie Bavidge - ATT
P225 G148 R7.24
Alfie moved up to the top level cementing his spot in the Scotland starting 11 long after doing so with Aberdeen. 42 goals including 17 in the Champions League where he will finish 2nd to Mbappe. and will tie with Gimenez of Celtic for the SPL golden boot but will again be 2nd due to playing far more games. Double figure assists as he evolved into a better player.
Rankings
Club Ranking - 26th
Another solid jump. Only 13 places but we're in the top 30!
National League - 8th
Celtics run was massive for the rise up to 8th
Great for Champions League spots too
National Team ranking - 45th
Up 4 but still not enough to get me into the job
Awards
Player of the Year
Paulo Pedro
How did one of the two strikers that didn't win the golden boot or the League win this?
Young Player of the Year
Paulo Pedro
His new partner up top denied Bavidge a hattrick of young player awards
Of Course, Bavidge goes one step further
Top Scorer
Santiago Gimenez -23
Santiago retained his crown despite missing half the season after leaving for Chelsea. He ends his Celtic career with 82 goals in 80 games.
Manager of the Year
Kjetil Knutsen
Team of the Year
Ooooh Rangers get a player this year
