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Duncan Shearer’s weekly column: Aberdeen evidently have a pressing problem

Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes.
Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes.

There is no doubt there is work to be done for Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes and his players.

Dons fans will be feeling frustrated at seeing their side slip to defeat by bitter rivals Rangers on the opening day of the season on Saturday, but it is unfair to judge Derek’s team on the basis of one performance – never mind the fact it was the first competitive fixture in almost five months.

I look at the way the team was set up to face Rangers and what was clear was the Dons were looking to press when their opponents had the ball.

It’s a solid approach, but the problem with pressing is that every player has a role there and all it takes is one guy to switch off and you can be in trouble.

The warnings had been there prior to Ryan Kent’s goal, which ultimately proved the difference between the teams. I looked the energy and work rate of Craig Bryson in the first half in particular and I saw a player busting a gut to chase down the ball and close the space for whoever was in possession to operate.

The problem was I didn’t see enough of his team-mates following suit.

Derek McInnes laid the blame for the goal on Matty Kennedy.
But not enough players across the team were following Craig Bryson and giving their all to the press.

When you press you have to work in a unit and, while Bryson was getting up to help Bruce Anderson as much as he could, there were too many others who didn’t get up the pitch to fill the gaps left behind and Rangers were able to play their way through.

The chink in the armour was cruelly exposed with the only goal of the game as Aberdeen’s attempt to stop Rangers playing out from the back at a goalkick came up short as Alfredo Morelos sent Kent clear on goal to score.

That tells me it will be back to the training ground to work on that particular aspect this week.

That particular mistake apart, I didn’t think there was actually that much between the sides and Aberdeen can take encouragement from a much-improved second-half showing.

They enjoyed much more success in the second half at closing down Rangers and they came close to forcing an equaliser. Rangers were not streets ahead of the Dons by any measure. They got the goal and Joe Lewis had one other save to make, but really chances were few and far between in the game.

Rangers will be delighted to leave Pittodrie with three points, but I’ve no doubt Aberdeen will improve.

I do wonder how much of a factor the lack of atmosphere played. I’ve played in that fixture and the crowd gives you an extra yard and power in your body.

The absence of atmosphere was telling on how the game was played but hopefully we will see fans back in grounds by September 14.