{"id":45895,"title":"Red State","description":"Misery Hunters writer Andrew Christie provides a tactical preview of the Scottish Premiership match between St Mirren and Aberdeen at Pittodrie. Exploring Stephen Robinson's formation challenges and players like Mandron and Olusanya, the article offers strategic insights into a crucial encounter. Christie dissects the tactical nuances that could determine the match outcome, highlighting both teams' recent form and potential season implications.","content":"

\"d1qnc1fa6fujhdqex4ntzcyj7mgjhif4kkv7myuy7rcdukda.png.png?w=1140&v=2\"The Granite City beckons this weekend, with Saints braving Storm Eowyn to head to Aberdeen, with both sides desperate for a win. The Dons, who started the season looking like world-beaters under Jimmy Thelin with 13 straight wins, are now winless in 12 league matches. That early-season tactical sophistication has given way to something far more basic: pure desperation. From \u201ctitle challengers\u201d to fourth place and falling, all in the time it takes for fractured air quoting fingers to heal.<\/p>

For Saints, we travel to Aberdeen nursing our own wounds. Before last Saturday's 3-1 cup win over Queen of the South, we had endured four straight league defeats - our longest such run since October 2020. The recent 1-0 loss to Dundee United perfectly encapsulated our recent struggles: creating chances worth 2.19 xG but failing to find the net, a statistical anomaly that speaks volumes about our current attacking malaise.<\/p>

The victory over Queen of the South proved a much-needed morale boost. As well as a Toyosi Olusanya brace, young Callum Penman's emergence offered a tantalising glimpse of potential, with the 17-year-old showing composure on the ball, a confidence that belies his young age, and a Delapian throw-in that had Boaz Myhill\u2019s goalie gloves shivering (shout out my over 30s, iykyk).<\/p>

Penman was a bright spot in that cup victory, but Robinson faces a difficult decision about whether to throw the youngster into what promises to be an intense tactical battle in Aberdeen. Jimmy Thelin\u2019s side may be struggling, but their aggressive pressing and rapid transitions could make Pittodrie a challenging venue for a first league start for a player not even born when this writer last possessed a functioning hairline. Instead, Robinson may opt for Elvis Bwomono at right-wing-back in an effort to combat Aberdeen's high-energy approach.<\/p>

The hosts will likely stick to their 4-2-3-1 formation, with Sivert Heltne Nilsen dropping between the centre-backs in possession to create a back three when required. It's a system that worked beautifully in the autumn but now looks increasingly vulnerable. While they still press aggressively and dominate wide areas on paper, the execution has been notably lacking since that November afternoon when Saints started the Reds\u2019 downward spiral.<\/p>

\"cdjehthnpxg5mrexfqsuou3zly9vlptgpsd8aitjpe4mfytf.png.png?w=1140&v=2\"For Saints to get anything from this game, we\u2019ll need to find solutions to several key tactical challenges. First managing the wide areas, where Aberdeen's combination of overlapping full-backs and technical wingers can overwhelm teams that don't defend these zones effectively.<\/p>

Secondly, dealing with Aberdeen's press - even at their worst, the Dons are effective in the art of forcing turnovers in dangerous areas and quickly converting them into crossing opportunities.<\/p>

For all their structural discipline without the ball, Aberdeen have developed a habit of conceding goals, at an average of two per game during their winless run and managing only three clean sheets in the league so far. There are vulnerabilities for Saints to exploit. Aberdeen's high defensive line has occasionally been exposed by runs in behind, particularly in the channels between centre-back and full-back. The pace of Olusanya could be crucial here.<\/p>

Robinson faces a tactical puzzle that speaks to the broader challenges of our season. Across this season, Saints have deployed three primary formations: 3-5-2, 4-3-3, and 4-2-3-1, each revealing different team dynamics.<\/p>

In Olusanya and Mika Mandron, Saints possess two markedly different attacking weapons. One with the energy of a firework being let off on the top deck of the 61 bus to Foxbar, one the big grinning Franch madman stood on the stairs watching his handiwork go.<\/p>

Olusanya\u2019s pace and movement could be key in disrupting the Aberdeen backline. Mandron's intelligence extends beyond his own game - his ability to drop deep and occupy an opponent\u2019s sitting midfielder (whether Graeme Shinnie or Sivert Heltne Nilsen in Aberdeen\u2019s case) but crucially creates dangerous attacking positions for midfield runners like Mark O'Hara and Killian Phillips.<\/p>

\"5nhaqozcelbr7ctmfdebmsstb9h2uz1zlngjli5gjykyiuej.png.png?w=1140&v=2\"St Mirren have won three of their past four league meetings with Aberdeen - more victories against any other Premiership team since the 2022-23 season. Aberdeen, meanwhile, are seeking back-to-back home wins against Saints for the first time since October 2020.<\/p>

The key for St Mirren will be finding the right balance between defensive security and attacking threat. Sitting too deep invites Aberdeen's press and allows them to dominate territory. However, being too open risks leaving spaces for the hosts' quick transitions and cutback crosses - exactly the scenarios where they're most dangerous.<\/p>

Set-pieces represent another crucial area to consider. St Mirren have conceded 16 goals from such situations this season - more than any other side in the Scottish Premiership. Seven of their last nine non-penalty goals conceded have come from set-plays. It's a statistic that transforms what should be momentary defensive lapses into a systemic vulnerability. Steps are already being taken to arrest this stat, with the club registering their interest in Walsall\u2019s 6ft5 defender Harry Williams - a man who seems like he was headered into being rather than birthed.<\/p>

While the cup win over Queen of the South provided some respite, only league points will ease the growing frustration around Paisley. The foundations of good performance are there - the pressing was noticeably sharper against Dundee United, the movement more purposeful, the chances being created. Now it's about finding that clinical edge that has deserted us since the turn of the year.<\/p>

A positive result at Pittodrie would not only boost confidence but could reignite Saints' push for a top-six finish. It would also drive another nail into Aberdeen's season - and there's something quite appealing about that prospect\u2026 least of all because of all the tweets coming the Misery Hunters\u2019 way if we fail.<\/p>

The real question is whether we can be the ones to compound Aberdeen\u2019s misery, rather than becoming the footnote in their redemption story.<\/p>

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Author\u2019s bio<\/p>

Andrew Christie is a football writer with a gorgeous brain and huge thinking. You can find him on twitter<\/u><\/a>, bluesky<\/u><\/a> or here<\/a>.<\/p>","urlTitle":"red-state","url":"\/blog\/red-state\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/red-state\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/miseryhunters.co.uk\/blog\/red-state\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1737758392,"updatedAt":1739116910,"publishedAt":1739116910,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":106606,"name":"Misery Hunters"},"tags":[],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/cvo3nd7mqep8m9pqipt22yxajusl85ntemyvzkwvcb6bndh0.png","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/cvo3nd7mqep8m9pqipt22yxajusl85ntemyvzkwvcb6bndh0.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/cvo3nd7mqep8m9pqipt22yxajusl85ntemyvzkwvcb6bndh0.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"","metaDescription":"","keyPhraseCampaignId":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":36492,"title":"The Back Five #4","url":"\/blog\/the-back-five-4\/","urlTitle":"the-back-five-4","division":106606,"description":"Join Misery Hunters writer Andrew Christie as he casts an eye over the past week in the world of St Mirren FC.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/1quaxciusskof8q0wm8lcrkfb43ykw5vdov5p13iu81l7kfj.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/1quaxciusskof8q0wm8lcrkfb43ykw5vdov5p13iu81l7kfj.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":30519,"title":"The 2023\/24 Premiership Shirts, Ranked","url":"\/blog\/the-2023-24-premiership-shirts-ranked\/","urlTitle":"the-2023-24-premiership-shirts-ranked","division":106606,"description":"The 2023\/24 Premiership Shirts, Ranked","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/9xihi9nsw6d0ms1uln6pxg7ztr3fssnauja6cppkmpo26xgy.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855&z=1.4&fx=0.61488547472105&fy=0.53920699771788","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/9xihi9nsw6d0ms1uln6pxg7ztr3fssnauja6cppkmpo26xgy.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440&z=1.4&fx=0.61488547472105&fy=0.53920699771788"},"hidden":0},{"id":46069,"title":"Perth-ect Stranger","url":"\/blog\/perthect-stranger\/","urlTitle":"perthect-stranger","division":106606,"description":"Misery Hunters writer Andrew Christie remembers The Rasmus, has another wee dig at Aberdeen and previews St Mirren's upcoming league match with St Johnstone.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/atw3zxq8bb04wpaxfstwycyksyarzbktryekk224sheuc3or.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/atw3zxq8bb04wpaxfstwycyksyarzbktryekk224sheuc3or.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}