Aberdeen risked turning into a comedy club under Neil Warnock’s leadership. However, Connor Barron believes the Dons may possibly have the last laugh thanks to Peter Leven’s cuddling club.
Warnock’s one-liners and jokes accomplished little more than add to the misery of Pittodrie supporters, who haven’t exactly had much to cheer about this season. Although chairman Dave Cormack gave Barry Robson over £1 million to spend in the summer, neither he nor the veteran brought in to turn things around were able to get any change out of the team.
This raised concerns in Granite City that, with their club slipping alarmingly close to the relegation play-off spot, they would yet have to pay an even larger amount. However, just when it appeared that Aberdeen was being joked about, interim manager Leven has at last got his squad to play with some seriousness.
Leven has taken the time to determine that this underperforming team actually needs some TLC, but Warnock may have been more concerned in pulling practical jokes and shifting the blame. Although the humiliating loss to Dens throughout the week was troubling as well, Leven was persuaded by it that Aberdeen’s players had lost their potential.
He therefore went out to remind them prior to their visit to Fir Park on Saturday. It was the much-needed shoulder to cry on, and at full time, the Dons celebrated moving up to ninth place with a relieved Red Army following Leighton Clarkson’s game-winning goal against Motherwell.
Leven, who has now managed four points from his three games this season, will probably have stepped aside once more by the time the Pittodrie team returns from the international break for a crucial match against Ross County, who are currently in second place and only three points behind after Saturday’s unexpected victory over Hearts. Barron anticipates, though, that the boost in self-assurance he has given will mean the new manager won’t have to rely on corny jokes.
We all know what Peter is like and how he wants to play; he’s been brilliant since he came in, remarked Barron. We may not have been in agreement with one other when several bosses at Dundee gave us conflicting instructions on Wednesday.
We had a productive team discussion and realised that we need to start utilising the quality we have on the ball and in the team. We have too many talented players to drag things out and play subpar football. We shown our capabilities, and it is crucial that we keep doing so. I felt that today’s performance by Aberdeen was authentic.
Every player has a unique perspective and interpretation of the world. Some enjoy having an arm over them, while others enjoy laughing. Seeing what Pete can accomplish in a short amount of time has been amazing.
I have no control over what the next management does. All I know is that since joining, Pete has performed admirably. We will assign this task to the hierarchy and set it aside. We’ll focus on completing our tasks on the pitch.
Aberdeen used all of their skills to get over the finish line and escape going twelve awful Premiership games without a victory. Though he has been inconsistent lately, Jamie McGrath warmed up to the task on a day when Motherwell was keen to make the Dons work for every ball.
Bojan Mivoski’s shot was created by his drive to the byeline, and after his attempt in the 25th minute struck the post, Clarkson did a fantastic job of holding his drive down to defeat Liam Kelly.
Aberdeen needed everything from everyone on that particular day. Jack MacKenzie kept throwing himself into vital blocks, Graeme Shinnie worked tirelessly in the engine room, and Mivoski led the queue with enthusiasm. Even the recently erratic Kelle Roos demonstrated his dependability with crucial stops. But the outcome was still somewhat dependent on VAR luck.
A pair of smart deflections gave Lennon Miller the impression that he had wiped out Clarkson’s opening shot. Even though it was severe, the television officials were able to rule it out because Theo Bair felt the slightest of brushing against his bicep as the corner approached.
