Nicky Devlin was the match-winner for Aberdeen on Sunday in their latest 1-0 win [SNS]Thomas Duncan - BBC Sport ScotlandMon, December 1, 2025 at 8:49 AM UTC·5 min readOne-nil to the Aberdeen.
Sunday's victory at Livingston was the club's fourth 1-0 victory in their past six Scottish Premiership games, so the old chant could become the new favourite amongst the Red Army.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementA change of formation, from 4-2-3-1 to 3-4-2-1, by manager Jimmy Thelin has led to a run of five clean sheets in seven domestic games and a rise from bottom spot to seventh place, three points off the top six.
Their newly found steel at the back means only Celtic and Rangers have taken more points over the past eight league matches.
However, from middle to front they are still to convince. Having registered only 10 league goals in 13 games, the second fewest in the division, there is a lack of threat in the final third.
So, as Aberdeen prepare for six games in 18 days before Christmas, is their upturn in form a sign of things to come? Or are their narrow, low-scoring wins unsustainable?
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement'Character' and steel key to turnaround
Thelin praised his team's defensive display in West Lothian, which kept them in contention as Livingston dominated the first half.
David Martindale's side, bottom of the table and without a win since August, had 58% of the ball in the first period, managing 10 shots, seven of them from inside Aberdeen's penalty area.
"Livingston played really well in the first half, with a lot of movement and did a lot of good things with some good chances," Thelin told BBC Scotland.
"We stayed in the game and in the second half we slowly grew into the game and there was more balance between the teams.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"But defending well again gave us a chance to win the game, even when they were better in the first half."
The back three of Nicky Devlin, Jack Milne and Mats Knoester have been pivotal in Aberdeen's turnaround.
At 22 years old, Milne appears to be growing in stature and confidence, making a crucial interception while colliding with the post to prevent a near-certain goal.
Knoester was on the end of everything in the box, making 12 clearances and winning seven aerial duels.
Devlin was not far behind, throwing himself in the way of Livingston striker Tete Yengi to hook the ball clear, moments after scoring the winner in the other box.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThat resilience was lacking at the start of the season, and for large chunks of last term. Now only Heart of Midlothian and Celtic have more clean sheets in the league than Aberdeen, who have six.
"You have to remember we had a tough start in the league and we are in Europe and have a game every three days," Thelin said.
"It's to get through this period with as many points as possible and share the responsibility as a team and try to make changes but not too many that we lose connections.
"The players did well. We had a tough game on Thursday then came here and the game starts like it did.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"It shows a lot about the character."
Is lack of punch sustainable for Aberdeen?
All of that said, it is reasonable to wonder how long a team can keep grinding out narrow wins while conceding more chances than they create.
It is also reasonable for some fans to demand more given Aberdeen's budget is one which should expect European qualification.
Aberdeen have failed to score more than once in their past nine matches.
A look at some key metrics before the Premiership action this weekend made for grim reading for Thelin.
They ranked ninth in the division for chances created from open play, and had put the least amount of passes and crosses into the opposition's box.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNot only are they failing to deliver crosses and take enough shots, but their accuracy when they eventually do is also poor.
They have the worst crossing accuracy from open play in the league and only St Mirren convert a lower percentage of their shots.
Aberdeen's conversion rate is a measly 6.4%. It is not even as if they are relying on set pieces, having created the second fewest chances from those situations.
Thelin came to Scotland with a reputation for playing wingers, who were often the biggest source of creativity and goals for his Elfsborg side.
But the change of shape means players like Nicolas Milanovic, Topi Keskinen, Jesper Karlsson and Kenan Bilalovic are either finding game time limited or they are playing further infield, where space is congested.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementInstead it is the wing-backs who are relied on for width. But on the left hand-side Emmanuel Gyamfi has struggled for fitness, meaning Alexander Jensen and Graeme Shinnie are playing out of position.
Aberdeen play six games from 3 December to 21 December [BBC]Dylan Lobban, 20, on the right has been a bright spark after making his debut a month ago and laid on a chance for Stuart Armstrong against Livingston.
However, he needs help as he makes his way in senior football.
The return of 34-year-old Sivert Heltne Nilsen, a focus of criticism among some fans due to his lack of mobility, to a starting midfield berth at Almondvale was a surprise.
However, does it illustrate no other players in that position are making a strong case to start?
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAberdeen's passing accuracy was down at 72% on Sunday and that dropped to 60% in the final third.
Composure, calmness and players taking more individual responsibility on the ball have been consistent themes from Thelin when speaking about performances.
Too often they fail to put together sustained attacks.
With such a congested schedule between now and January, do Aberdeen have time to improve these fundamental issues?
Do they have the players in the squad with the running power to enact Thelin's intense and counter-attacking game plan?
Or can they simply grind out results through an attritional part of the season and reassess in January?
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe answers to these questions will become clear over the next three weeks, starting with the visit of St Mirren to Pittodrie on Wednesday.
Late Devlin goal gives Aberdeen win at Livingston
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