Queen of the South 4 - 0 Aberdeen

by NORMAN MACDONALD

ON a normal playing surface we might have had a different result at Dumfries on Saturday. This is simply an opinion, and not offered as an excuse for the Dons’ failure.
A team with ambitions of finishing amongst the honours in Scottish football must be prepared to adapt themselves to any sort of conditions.
The main reason for their defeat against Queen of the South was the fact that they adopted the wrong tactics. Palmerston Park was no place for finesse. On the frosty, brickhard surface the lively ball was always liable to do, and frequently did, the unexpected.
It was a day for direct methods. The close-passing play the Aberdeen attackers, of which the first essential for success is speedy and deft ball control, was useless in the prevailing conditions. Too often the ball broke the wrong way at the vital moment.
The Queen of the South players did not make the same mistake. Unlike the Dons, they went to meet the ball instead of waiting for it. Add to this the fact that they seemed readier to accept risks than the Aberdeen players to gain the vital points, and you have the main reasons for their success.
They undoubtedly deserved win. They chased every ball and the entire team was prepared to gamble everything in attack.

Bad Luck

The Dons had their moments but the forwards never revealed the same gay abandon as has characterised their play in recent weeks. Buckley, Hamilton, Hather and Hay all had the bad luck to see scoring tries stopped by the crossbar, and twice Henderson found himself in the line of shots from Hather and Hamilton, more by good luck than good management.
While the Aberdeen sharpshooters failed to find the net that does not explain away the loss of the four goals by the defence. The covering up in the rear division was of a poor standard.
This is a fault which must be remedied. Frequently when one defender was drawn out of position a team-mate failed to take steps to fill the vacant space.
It should be possible to eradicate this weakness by discussing and organising a plan of action. Too many goals have already been lost this season.

Allister Shines

Some of the defenders seemed as uncomfortable as the forwards on the ice-bound surface at Dumfries. The exceptions were Mitchell and Allister.
The right back showed good anticipation and was speedy in recovery. He had to be, against the evergreen Johnston, who proved that he is still a danger by scoring the all-important first goal.
Allister played well and was the most constructive half-back. The former Chelsea player made intelligent use of the ball and frequently he pushed on without taking the risk of first bringing it under control.
Saturday's 4-0 defeat came as a bit of a shock, but it should provide the players with a useful lesson.
The Dons are quite liable to be confronted with similar playing conditions against Rangers at Ibrox this week. They must be prepared to change their tactics if they are to have any hopes of success.

Source: Evening Express, 1st December 1952