Aberdeen

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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New sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel says if he didn't want to win silverware with Aberdeen he "would be at home playing golf".

The 52-year-old German took up his new job earlier this month and is already aiming high.

"If I didn't want to win titles I wouldn't be here, I would be at home playing golf. So I think it is very important to aim for the highest possible," said Pfannenstiel.

"I strongly believe if you aim for the smaller thing it is easy to reach and you can clap yourself on the shoulder. But I don't think that is what I am made of, I want to aim for the highest possible and if you overachieve then it is something you can be proud of.

"Aberdeen is one of the biggest clubs, one of the clubs with the biggest traditions in European football, because when I was a boy it was one of the clubs everybody looked at and I think not many teams in the world actually have that."

Pfannenstiel has made the move to Aberdeen after leaving the role of sporting director at MLS club St Louis City in the summer.

Turning Pittodrie into an intimidating fortress is among the many things he hopes to help achieve.

He said: "I think very clearly put the work in, challenge everything you can, try to create your own identity and I want Aberdeen again to be one of those places if you come here you should be worried and scared."

Recruitment is one of the areas Pfannenstiel will be heavily involved in.

Given that, and Aberdeen's sluggish start to the campaign, is it likely to be a busy January transfer window for the Dons?

He said: "Not that busy. I think if you are too busy in the winter you can do more damage than positives because there are games going, you have no pre-season and you are basically jumping from one game to the next so I think you need to be careful to change too much.

"There can be adjustments made if that is what you believe needs to be fixed but just to change players left, right and centre now because there is a new sporting director here, that won't happen.

"If you want to have bigger moves, or bigger changes, that is something usually always for the summer window."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Lutz Pfannenstiel has been speaking to the media for the first time since his appointment as Aberdeen's new sporting director.

Here are the key points from his news conference:

• The German began with a nod to his colourful past - "Yes, I did have a penguin in my bathtub once" - but stressed he is here to focus on the future with Aberdeen and not "talk about some Antarctic birds".

• Pfannenstiel says he had "three or four other options" but Aberdeen was "where I really wanted to be" – the club's tradition being among the many reasons why.

• He adds: "I watched Aberdeen when I was a kid because I liked Jim Leighton a lot as a former goalkeeper. I always followed Scottish football as I have friends playing up here as well. I played in the academy with Andreas Mayer who played for Aberdeen before, I always really followed it."

• The 53-year-old says it is important to develop a playing strategy - a "DNA" - at every level of the club and "recruitment will be following through where everything is based on the playing style".

• He adds: "Sometimes recruiting the best player on the market doesn't always work out. You need to have the best fitting player on the market to your system and style and I think that is what we want to look at in detail."

• On whether Jimmy Thelin is the man to take the club forward: "I think it was good news for Jimmy that I came in because I think he can focus more on what he wants to focus on and really purely concentrate on the coaching and working on the on-field stuff. I can take away a lot of pressure from him when it comes to dealing with recruitment, finding players. We see football very much the same and we are aligned on that."

• Pfannenstiel accepts the start to the season has been below expectation but says you have "to trust the process... we are not too far away" and believes "small adjustments" in the January transfer window can have a big impact.

• He continues: "I see maybe one or two little puzzle pieces missing and if you fill those positions with the right players, I think some of the other players could really take off and go in the perfect right direction."

• Youth development is high on his priority list: "I think giving local kids and players that come through the academy opportunities in the first team must be one of the major goals."

• Pfannenstiel says when he worked at Hoffenheim, there were three or four players progressing from the academy to first team every year and he aims to do similar at Pittodrie.

• The German cited his attention to detail as a key strength: "It is always easy to have a good plan on a piece of paper or on an iPad and talk a big game but don't do it. The implementation, working on the detail and be hands on - to be out and about - I think is extremely important.'

Aberdeen are monitoring Kilmarnock midfielder David Watson, 20. (Daily Record), external

If Aberdeen defender Jack Milne continues his good club form then a Scotland call-up won't be far away for the 22-year-old, reckons former Pittodrie hero Andrew Considine. (Daily Record), external

Read all of Tuesday's Scottish Gossip

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Since making his Aberdeen debut at the end of October, Dylan Lobban has played every minute for the Pittodrie side until now, including a resolute 0-0 draw against AEK Larnaca in the Europa Conference League.

Originally a midfielder in the club's youth academy, the 20-year-old has been playing at right wing-back for Jimmy Thelin.

Not only has he played 90 minutes in all three of his appearances, he has also been part of a defence that have conceded just once in those games.

In the league, Lobban has played just two games but has outperformed some of his more experienced team-mates in a number of metrics.

In terms of his passing, Lobban has made 20 passes ending in the final third, more than fellow full-backs Gavin Molloy (17) and Emmanuel Gyamfi (16). Both have made more appearances than the young right-back.

Lobban has also made 15 forward passes in his two Premiership matches, more than winger Topi Keskinen and striker Kevin Nisbet, who have played 10 and eight matches respectively.

Lobban's seven passes into the box is a higher than the tallies of Nicky Devlin, Sivert Heltne Nilsen, Marko Lazetic and Nisbet.

Defensively, he has made six recoveries, seven clearances and won eight duels. His 50% success rate for tackles is better than Alexander Jensen's and equal to Mats Knoester and Jack Milne.

Albeit a small sample size, it looks like there's plenty more to come from the youngster.

Aberdeen and Leighton Clarkson are open to the midfielder leaving the club during the January transfer window, the 24-year-old having rejected a move to a Polish club because he was not keen on playing in the Ekstraklasa. (Press & Journal - subscription required), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

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Former skipper Andrew Considine still sees a "very bright future" for Aberdeen despite a poor start to the season.

After the high of May's Scottish Cup triumph, the Dons opened the Premiership with a six-game winless and goalless run.

Four matches later Jimmy Thelin's side sit eighth, just three points above Livingston at the bottom but only six adrift of Hibs in third.

There's also been a club record European defeat - the 6-0 hammering by AEK Athens - but Considine is confident the Dons' summer recruitment will soon bear fruit.

The 38-year-old who retired from football in July 2024, told BBC Scotland: "It's been a little bit of a sticky start.

"There's still probably two or three gears that they need to get up to. I think the recruitment has been good, the likes of Jesper Karlsson, there's numerous players that have come in, there's some real quality in that squad.

"It takes a bit of time to gel but I understand in football you just don't get time.

"I certainly don't see Aberdeen sitting down the bottom from here on in. I've seen many glimpses this year already of what's to come.

"It's down to the players, they have a wonderful manager, the club itself is in a really strong position. It's about turning the results into wins. They've come really close in a lot of results but they haven't managed to get it over the line. That'll come, that's football.

"If they go on a winning run now of three, four or five games they're third or fourth because the league is pretty tight. Things can change Saturday to Saturday, I still see a very bright future for Aberdeen."

Considine will be playing for Aberdeen in the Scottish Masters at the city's P&J Arena. Watch live coverage on BBC Scotland on Friday, 14 November at 19:30 GMT.

We asked for your views on what one thing you would change at Aberdeen.

Here's what some of you said:

Joseph: There is a lot wrong, but the thing that concerns me most is that the squad is too big. Each week there have been senior pros and new signings left out. Persuading players to come to Scotland and join us on a multi-year contract, then leaving them sitting in the stand is baffling.

Andy: Tempted to say the manager but I will go with the formation. We need three in midfield as the current two are constantly being overrun. Play 5-3-2. Wing-backs provide width, more bodies in the middle of the park and play Jesper Karlsson just behind the striker.

Malky: It might be the easy answer, but the simple solution for me is to change the manager! Look at the wrong records he's broken, the offensive statistics, the defensive statistics, it's embarrassing. He's been backed significantly and it is his team, there can't be any more excuses for the man. Forever in our history books for the Scottish Cup, but he's out of his depth.

Kev: I'd give youth a chance! You've seen the impact Dylan Lobban has had in the squad. I would drop Graeme Shinnie and Sivert Nilsen and bring in more kids to work alongside Karlsson while we have him.

Peter: I would not have sold Shayden Morris or Pape Gueye. We lost two guys that made the difference in the cup final when they came on. Now we don't have that impact off the bench and are looking weak up front.

Bernie: It's apparent to me that what the Aberdeen players lack is enjoyment in the game. Yes, football can be a serious business, but I'm not sure they feel as if they're allowed to also have fun. I think they're afraid of failure and that's stifling their creativity. So they should be let off the leash, to some extent, be told to go out there, relax and have fun.

Midfielder Findlay Marshall, 19, hopes he has boosted his Aberdeen chances with his loan spell at Arbroath. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

Dante Polvara "has been more stable in his position", says Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin. (Record), external

Veteran former Aberdeen winger Gary Mackay-Steven, 35, can still be a game changer at Ross County, says manager Tony Docherty. (Press and Journal), external

Read Friday's Scottish gossip

The cup-winning feelgood factor at Aberdeen has faded amid a disjointed start to the season.

The Dons took seven games to notch a league win - and a goal - but have at least shown signs of improvement in recent matches and begun to rise up the table.

There has also been a major European low - the 6-0 shellacking by AEK Athens marked the club's heaviest-ever defeat in continental competition.

The international break provides the chance to pause for breath and reflect after a frenetic few weeks at Pittodrie.

So, if you could change one thing about Aberdeen's season so far, what would it be?

Tell us here.

Aberdeen defender Nicky Devlin is happy to shift from right-back to a back-three role to accommodate Dylan Lobban. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

Former Aberdeen goalkeeper Joe Lewis endorses the Pittodrie board's backing of manager Jimmy Thelin. (Record), external

Ross County manager Tony Docherty believes former Aberdeen boss Barry Robson's sacking at Raith Rovers was harsh. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

Pittodrie's biggest crowd of the season turned up for Aberdeen's match against Motherwell hoping to see their team continue their mini Premiership resurgence.

What they didn't expect to see was a Motherwell team, assembled for a lot less money than the Dons squad, dominate the ball for large spells. The visitors were ahead in every barometer in the match stats.

It leaves Aberdeen with just one home win in nine outings at Pittodrie this season and Jimmy Thelin knows that's not good enough given the money that has been pumped into this squad. He has been backed like no other Dons manager in that respect.

A lengthy trip back from Cyprus and a draining 90 minutes against AEK Larnaca can be cited of course, but this was a lethargic performance with a lack of pace and prowess.

The Dons don't score many goals either. They are the joint lowest scorers in the league, have only scored more than one goal in a game once in the league this season, and are averaging just over three shots on target per Premiership match.

Defensively they have been a lot better recently, but the goal they conceded at the weekend, not long after taking the lead, was as cheap they get.

The question Thelin will have to answer is how to make this Aberdeen team more of a threat if they are to even make the top six this season.

On paper, it shouldn't be a problem when you see the attacking players the Swede has at his disposal, but whether it's the set-up or confidence or lack of pace, they are one of the most toothless sides in the Premiership.

Next up, after the international break, is a visit from league leaders Hearts, who haven't won at Pittodrie since 2016.

This time last year, the Dons were 22 points clear of the Edinburgh side in the Premiership with two games in hand. Twelve months on there has been an astonishing 41-point swing between the two of them.

The Aberdeen fans will turn up in big numbers again, will the team?

Glen Schreuder
Fan writer

Consistently inconsistent. That's the best way to sum Aberdeen up this season, highlighted by the past two games.

In Cyprus the Dons defended their hearts out to earn what could be a valuable Conference League point come 19 December.

Jack Milne and Mats Knoester dealt with everything thrown at them by AEK Larnaca. Yet three days later a defence that had recorded back-to-back clean sheets conceded a comically soft goal. A poor mistake that cost us victory.

At least we are consistently poor in the final third. While chances were few and far between in Cyprus, our lack of quality and cutting edge was stark and Nicolas Milanovic's miss at the end felt glaring.

Rinse and repeat on Sunday where Marko Lazetic and Gavin Molloy spurned excellent chances as again in the final third we were found wanting. But for a magical moment from Jesper Karlsson we'd probably still be searching for a goal.

The international break will give Jimmy Thelin a lot of time to ponder key questions around this squad. How to get us scoring regularly? What's our best midfield duo? How do we cut out the silly mistakes? Can we find some consistency?

After the break, leaders Hearts are the visitors to Pittodrie before a busy run in December. The pressure and expectation will get turned up by fans desperate for the Dons to rise up the league and earn points in looming home European fixtures.

Glen Schreuder can be found at Red Tinted Glasses, external

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Dylan Lobban has crowned his Aberdeen breakthrough by being named in the Scotland Under-21 squad for the first time.

The 20-year-old made his first-team debut with a start in the 1-0 win at Kilmarnock last month and has also played the full 90 minutes in the following two matches, helping the Dons go unbeaten in three.

Lobban joins Scot Gemmill's Under-21 squad for the upcoming Euro qualifying double-header against Gibraltar and Bulgaria.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Jesper Karlsson scored a superb goal from distance as Aberdeen played out a 1-1 draw against Motherwell on Sunday.

The Bologna loanee takes a spot in my team of the week. He is the guiding light in a team struggling for cohesion.

We asked for your views on Aberdeen's 1-1 draw against Motherwell.

Here's what some of you said:

Spencer: Slow, uninspiring and second best. Players and managers assure us we're on the up. Told to follow the three-year project. But we're far too slow, there's no communication, a lack of completing basic passes and it leaves fans staring empty promises in the face.

Andy: Jimmy Thelin says that the Dons have turned a corner, well they've certainly stopped shipping as many goals. However, I am seriously unimpressed with having to endure my team resorting to playing on the break against Motherwell at Pittodrie. It's not what we signed up for.

Niall: Just not good enough in the first-half. A touch of class from Jesper Karlsson, the only bright spark in a very abject performance. Shocking switch-off at the back to gift the equaliser to the visitors. Was this lethargy from midweek or back to where we were?

Malky: Once again we are scratching our heads at such a poor performance under this manager. I don't know what anyone saw in him to be given the opportunity in the first place, but alas, he won a trophy and will always be remembered for that. However, nobody can deny that we are a poor and predictable outfit. It's on him. It's time to go. Passes slow and laboured, defensive tactics not getting the most out of the attacking players we've spent money on, defence always look rattled and afraid, midfield don't win their battles nine times out of 10. I could go on, but what's the point.

Garry: Absolutely abysmal overall performance; outplayed and outthought. You can't blame Thelin for the equaliser though, but the identity, attitude and culture of the players is instilled by him and something's rotten whether it's his lackadaisical attitude that dictates that is beyond me. I know we had a big tiring game on Thursday so why Kevin Nisbet, Leighton Clarkson and Topi Keskinen didn't start is alarming. Graeme Shinnie isn't the answer, Stuart Armstrong should never have started. We threw it away after a cracking goal. Says it all really.

Eric: What's happened to the free-flowing attacking football Dave Cormack spoke about? I'm 73 and wonder if I'll ever see it again at Pittodrie. We seem to be getting worse while our manager tells us it's improving. Worrying times.

Watch highlights from Sunday's Scottish Premiership draw between Aberdeen and Motherwell.

Available to UK users only.

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has confirmed that Kristers Tobers will miss most of the season with the knee injury the Latvia defender picked up against Motherwell in September but dismissed reports suggesting midfielder Sivert Nilsen could return to Norway in January. (Daily Record), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Motherwell bounced back from their Premier Sports Cup Hampden disappointment to salvage a deserved draw against Aberdeen to make it three unbeaten in the Scottish Premiership.

Read the full match report here.

Have your say here.

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin tells BBC Scotland: "The first half, we are not there with our front-footed approach. We let them play between the lines too easy. They didn't create too many chances but they had a lot of the ball by dropping players and trying to push us up.

"The good thing was the mentality of the players. When you start badly, it's easy to let it go away from you. But we stayed in the game, didn't panic or stress and gave ourselves the chance to win the game, even though it was not the perfect game.

"Second half, we did better and started creating more chances. Still, they were good in transitions, but the big chances were quite equal in the game.

"They did really well in the corner, like Liverpool v Barcelona, but we need to get ready. It was too easy.

"We know how Motherwell play, and they build the ball really well. We need to defend better, but we defended the right area well. We just want to be more front-footed, intercept the ball more. It's a lot of emotions, but the players stayed focused."