Aberdeen had found Inverness to be tricky opponents in recent times, which made their emphatic and deserved victory all the more surprising. Despite falling behind against the run of play, they kept their composure and discipline and stuck to Derek McInnes’ excellent gameplan. Caley Thistle’s starting lineup was very predictable, and McInnes set up his team to exploit their glaring weaknesses.
Aberdeen’s fluid shape
The Dons have changed system on a few occasions this season and it was hard to immediately deduce their formation from their starting lineup. At kickoff it looked like a 4-1-2-3, with James Maddison and Adam Rooney wide, but it proved far more fluid than that. At times Aberdeen are criticized for being direct, and for a reactive style of play; here they took the initiative and used the ball really well.
Often Graeme Shinnie has played alongside Ryan Jack in the centre of the pitch but the former was moved to left-back here with Kenny McLean playing more like a box-to-box ‘no.8′. This is McLean’s best position and it was no surprise that he shone in this match, scoring twice. However, the best player on the pitch was undoubtedly Jonny Hayes. The former Inverness winger seemed to start the match in a central position, and was usually found in this area when Aberdeen were out of possession. But when his side were attacking, the Irishman would drift to the left flank, with Maddison always looking to come inside to receive the ball between the ICT centre backs and midfield. A brilliant driving run by Hayes from his own half won the penalty that put Aberdeen in front, and another led to McLean’s second and Aberdeen’s third. As ever, he did more than his fair share of defensive work too, using his pace to cover huge amounts of ground. Frankly he’s probably the best non-Celtic player in Scottish football right now.
Hayes, Maddison and McLean all found themselves frequently on the ball and in a position to drive at the home side’s back four. Brad McKay, Inverness’ right-back, looked uncomfortable tracking Maddison inside. Meanwhile Adam Rooney stayed out on the Aberdeen right, under instruction to occupy the space left by the perennially attacking Carl Tremarco. When the ball came to Rooney, it usually forced one of ICT’s centre-backs to go to him, weakening them in the centre.
On the rare occasions when Aberdeen had to use a long ball, Jayden Stockley did a good job of holding up play; with Inverness playing a deep line he was usually clever enough to gain a yard on Gary Warren and/or Josh Meekings and drop deep to take the ball into feet.
Inverness undermanned in midfield
Caley Thistle’s lineup almost picked itself because of Liam Polworth’s injury and Greg Tansey’s suspension, which left them very light in midfield. Ross Draper and Iain Vigurs were the two deeper midfielders, and both had a torrid time. Draper was unable to assert his usual physical presence because his opponents simply ran around him and away from him. Meanwhile, Vigurs’ lack of defensive acumen was exposed time and again as he frequently failed to either track runners or even attempt to pursue them. In Tansey’s absence Inverness needed him to use the ball well and he did not; his set-pieces were also abysmal, nearly all ending up in the hands of Joe Lewis.
With Aberdeen controlling midfield with ease, there were barely any scraps for Inverness’ attacking midfield trio to feed off, though Aaron Doran had some joy coming deeper in the second half. Jack’s positioning and discipline stopped Larnell Cole having any time or space, while Billy King was rather less useful than a headless chicken. Considering they fancy themselves as a ball-playing team, they had far more joy playing direct to Lonsana Doumbouya, who scored a lovely header and really dominated Anthony O’Connor and Andrew Considine. The ungainly Guinean won numerous headers and held up the ball at least as well as Stockley at the other end…but his teammates seemed incapable of anticipating his flick-ons and rarely gambled on getting beyond him.
What could Inverness have done differently?
Whilst my blood boils on hearing people say “we need a big man up front”, Doumbouya had a lot of joy. Perhaps there was a case for Richie Foran switching to 4-4-2 far earlier than he did, given he had another target man (Alex Fisher) and a small poacher (Scott Boden) on the bench. Certainly bypassing midfield seemed like the only way they could get the ball forward.
Whilst the return of Tansey should ease their midfield woes, Inverness also have concerns at the back. Gary Warren has lost a step and gave away a stupid clumsy penalty. Josh Meekings also looks out of sorts. Given that the two of them get so little protection from their teammates, this area, which used to be a strength, now looks vulnerable. But there aren’t really any alternatives.
Selection headache?
Next up for Aberdeen is the League Cup Final against Celtic. Despite their excellent performance here, they would be brave – even reckless – to start with this eleven at Hampden given the paucity of possession they will have. At least one of Maddison, Rooney and Stockley will surely drop out. The defence doesn’t pick itself either, especially if McInnes feels he needs Shinnie’s energy in midfield.
Written by Lawrie Spence from Nareystoepoker