Was Aberdeen's brief revival flash in the pan?

"A comprehensive victory over Dundee, followed by a gritty win over St Mirren. Aberdeen ills seemed at an end and their season finally kick-started. But then they were annihilated by AEK Athens in the Conference League and well-beaten at home by Hibernian this weekend, despite the tight scoreline in the latter. After those two dreadful performances, the two Premiership victories earlier in the month look like increasingly like a false dawn for a side sitting 11th."

"Any confidence built up by those victories has completely evaporated, and when it comes to fan patience, the well is almost dry. Record European beatings and meek home defeats will do that, even if a Scottish Cup triumph is still fresh in the memory. But what has changed in the last two games for Jimmy Thelin's side? The day in the sun against Dundee was an absolute dream. Jesper Karlsson was on top form at Pittodrie, as Aberdeen cut through their opponents time and again."

"They still had 16 shots against Hibs - only four fewer than against Dundee - but took advantage of just one of those, seconds from the end of the game when the points were already outwith their grasp. Their xG across the league this season is 12.5, which has them as high as sixth, yet they've scored just six goals. Perhaps it's unsurprising that they are ninth for shots on target per match. Against Hibs, just five of their 16 efforts were on target."

Two strong Premiership wins — a comprehensive victory over Dundee and a gritty win over St Mirren — raised hopes before heavy defeats against AEK Athens and a home loss to Hibernian. Fan patience has eroded after record European beating and meek home results despite a recent Scottish Cup triumph. The team created chances but lacked finishing; season xG stands at 12.5 while goals scored total six. Aberdeen averaged many shots but relatively few on target, exemplified by only five on-target efforts versus Hibs. Jesper Karlsson excelled against Dundee. Tactical changes, notably reverting from a 4-2-3-1 to three-at-the-back, previously yielded positive outcomes.

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