Same old story for Dons and Saints in another stalemate
A BETTING man would have spotted a draw at Pittodrie between these teams from a mile away.
Similar to the opening day of the season when St Johnstone held Aberdeen to a goalless draw at McDiarmid Park, it was same again yesterday.
After 180 minutes of Premiership football against each other during this campaign, there has yet to be a goal.
The Betfred League Cup quarterfinal in September brought the only one between the pair so far and even then it was a stoppage-time Adam Rooney header.
Over the last few seasons, these two sides have proved to be well matched when they face off. There was no exception on this occasion.
‘I thought it was a complete contrast to Tuesday (a 5-1 win over Kilmarnock) in terms of an attacking threat,’ said Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes. ‘We didn’t get into enough goal-scoring areas.
‘St Johnstone had a game plan of two banks of four, with (Steven) MacLean dropping in to catch us on the break. It was frustrating but you have to credit them because they worked hard to deny us space and they played well.
‘We didn’t bring enough thought or quality at times. We had to show more composure and we allowed ourselves to get frustrated.
‘We did get a clean sheet when we weren’t at our best and a point against a decent opponent. But to beat teams like St Johnstone, we have to be better.’
This match was about two teams looking to cancel each other out.
There were early chances for both sides. Murray Davidson should have scored when a MacLean pass was dummied by Chris Kane but the Saints midfielder’s stretched leg failed to direct the ball on target.
Aberdeen then went up the other end and won a corner. James Maddison whipped it in but the unmarked Andrew Considine could only put his header over the bar.
Adam Rooney, up front on his own for the hosts, wasn’t getting adequate service and crosses from either wing, provided by Jonny Hayes and Niall McGinn, were either overhit or failed to beat the first man.
Peter Pawlett sent a volley wide from 20 yards after a poor Liam Craig clearance fell at his feet and Anthony O’Connor made a last-ditch tackle to prevent MacLean at the other end, but clear-cut chances were few and far between.
Maddison attempted to impose his usual zest on proceedings but to no avail. Defences were on top.
Indeed, referee Kevin Clancy blowing the whistle for half-time earned the loudest reaction of the afternoon from the fans.
The two teams were cancelling each other out effortlessly and McInnes made two half-time substitutions in an attempt to shake things up, bringing on Jayden Stockley and Shay Logan for McGinn and Pawlett. Their impact, however, would be minimal.
The second half began on a livelier note and Maddison was unlucky after bursting into Saints’ penalty box only to see his shot deflect wide.
From the resultant corner, Madison picked out Stockley but the striker could only direct his header into the hands of keeper Zander Clark.
Maddison was getting on the ball more and following the half-time inclusion of Logan and with Ryan Jack being pushed into midfield, the Dons looked more structured, but still the visitors held firm.
The lack of ideas in the Aberdeen attack did help Saints, who were solid in defence. At times, they were extremely physical, with Kane and MacLean both receiving bookings for over-zealous tackles.
The visitors’ pressing and tenacity prevented Aberdeen from finding any serious rhythm in their passing and this determination helped them forge the best chance of the game.
Graeme Shinnie was lackadaisical in trying to pass back to Joe Lewis and Blair Alston’s willingness to chase the ball down allowed him to get to it before the goalkeeper — but he poked his shot just wide.
Saints looked the likelier team to conjure up a goal and Dons can thank Lewis for denying them.
Two minutes from time, David Wotherspoon’s free-kick looked to be curling in but Lewis managed to get a fingertip to the ball and nudge it onto the post.
Saints manager Tommy Wright felt his team deserved a win.
He said: ‘Over the piece, we probably could have edged it but we’re happy with the point.
‘We can be slightly disappointed not winning all three because even in the first half we had the better chances and in the second David’s free-kick was magnificent.’