St. Mirren 2 - 1 Aberdeen

By NORMAN MACDONALD

ABERDEEN F.C. have made team changes practically every week. Results have been negative. Thirteen games have been played without a victory.
The team needs strengthening, but that doesn’t explain completely the lack of success. The Dons may be a poor side, but surely not as poor as the results indicate.
Part of the trouble lies in the mental outlook of the players. They have lost confidence. The rhythm has gone from their play. They are taking the field under a strain. The longer they go without a victory the more serious will the situation become.
Saturday's game at Paisley was a case in point. After holding St Mirren to a goal against the wind in the first half, victory was within the Dons’ reach.
What happened after the interval? Aberdeen held a decided territorial advantage, but they hadn't a single goal to offer as proof at the finish.

No Team-work

The players covered a lot of ground, but to little purpose. They are simply not playing as a team.
The Aberdeen half-backs have been blamed for the lack of success and with justification, but the forwards were due criticism on Saturday as much as the half backs.
The Aberdeen club made their first move to right matters on Saturday evening when they signed 24-year-old Jack Allister, the Chelsea reserve wing half-back.
The newcomer cannot be expected to solve all the Dons' troubles, but it is a move in the right direction. Lack of drive at wing half-back has been one of the main problems.

Impressed

Mr David Halliday, the Aberdeen manager, and two of his directors, Mr William Mitchell, chairman, and Mr C. B. Forbes, watched Allister in action for Chelsea against Charlton Athletic at the Valley.
All three were impressed with his play and negotiations were completed after the game. Allister was keen to return to Scotland and had no hesitation in signing once Mr Hallidav and Mr Ted Drake, the Chelsea manager, had come to terms.
Allister, who has been three years with the Stamford Bridge club, went south from Tranent. On Saturday he was deputising in the Chelsea team for Dickson who was playing for Ireland at Belfast against England.
“As good a half-back as there was on the field.” was how Mr Halliday described Allister's form in the Charlton-Chelsea League game. “He played well in attack and was strong in the tackle.” said the Aberdeen manager.
Allister, who will be a full-time player at Pittodrie, will arrive in Aberdeen to-morrow and is expected to make his debut for the Dons against Third Lanark at Pittodrie on Saturday.
Although the fee was not divulged, it is understood that Aberdeen handed over a substantial cheque for his services.

Source: Evening Express, 6th October 1952