Jimmy Thelin has clear message for Aberdeen stars after perfect Premiership start as unshakeable mantra named
Aberdeen might be joint top of the league but the mantra for Jimmy Thelin remains: ‘Keep calm and carry on’.
The Dons have matched champions Celtic in making a 100% start to their Premiership campaign and sit joint top of the table with a maximum 12 points. They have won all nine games under the Swede and will look to make it double figures when Motherwell visit Pittodrie in the Premiership on Saturday.
It helps when things are going well but Thelin has remained a picture of calmness on the sidelines, not getting too up or down. “I try to stay cool in the head,” the Aberdeen manager admitted. “I want to read the game and be there to support. The players are the guys on the pitch. I try to analysis it but you can’t do too much when the game is on. For me, it is important to stay cool in the head but the heart is still bubbling and beating fast. I try to stay focused on my part.”
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He has started to build an environment where it is about doing the right things and sticking to the process. Thelin’s calculated approach has started to filter into his team and the Red Army. There are no longer the half-time boos or screams of discontent. That has allowed the players to keep going without the same pressure and stress and has seen them come up with some late winners at Ross County last time out and also in the cup against Queen’s Park.
“We try to stay with our ideas and don’t get stressed and do something we don’t practice on,” Thelin stated. “It is good we get these goals. When you see the team still believe in it and are trying to do the things we talk about at half-time.
“Kevin Nisbet’s goal was a real team goal. There was a lot of belief and effort in that goal. Then we celebrated with the supporters, there were a lot of emotions. I like the way we can stay stable. It is easy to do different things and we have stayed connected. I am happy with that.”
Thelin came in over the summer and has worked hard to unify his players, the club, fans and the Granite City. There seems to be a Red Rising and Thelin is very much at the heart of it. The Dons manager said: “You have to be proud of the city and football club and that connection.
“If you have a togetherness you have an opportunity to grow strong but you need to stick by that over the longer term. Growing every game and season. So far so good and the support is amazing.
“You want to play in this atmosphere at Pittodrie. We are strong there and they push us to the end of the game. Sometimes when it is tough they stick by us.
“The late goals we have scored, the support we have, at Pittodrie and away to Ross County, if you don’t have that connection between the supporters and players then it is difficult to take that last step. It is so, so important. Let’s keep doing that.”
Aberdeen welcomed back the likes of Topi Keskinen, who made his Finnish debut, Slobodan Rubezic and Dimitar Mitov back from international duty. Now it is back to domestic matters and chasing that perfect 10. “The national breaks we have to use them in a good way,” the former Elfsborg coach claimed. “I am just happy for the players to go away with their countries because I think it is a good thing.”
Midfielder Leighton Clarkson is now back and could come back into the squad this weekend. Thelin, speaking to RedTV, confirmed: “Leighton Clarkson is training fully. He is looking good and sharp. Every result was good when he went for the last check-up. Now he is in the full session.”