Recap
Not quite ready to push the panic button yet, but it’s not far off!
It is not easy to have a good word to say about this one at Rugby Park, some boring dross for most of the match – no urgency and it looks as if a total malaise has reverberated around the team.
Derek McInnes made two changes to the side that won against Dundee in the League Cup last Sunday.
Ryan Hedges and Niall McGinn were dropped to the bench, James Wilson started and Lewis Ferguson returned from suspension to enter the starting line-up.
Shay Logan was subject to an injury scare in the opening minutes of the game, after he slid on the pitch and landed on his shoulder – he looked to have taken sore one but following treatment he was able to continue the game.
Aberdeen took the first opportunity of the match after a Ferguson cross to Sam Cosgrove in the seventh minute – but Sam shot the ball over from 10 yards.
James Wilson put in a low drive in the fourteenth minute from the edge of the penalty area, but Branescu managed to save his shot.
Scott McKenna was in the wars after he sustained an injury in the 27th minute which saw him go off and replaced by Zak Vyner.
Birthday-boy, Ferguson went close towards the end of the first half after his 22-yard shot went inches wide of the near post.
And James Wilson put in a curling free kick from 25 yards but it was hit straight at Killie keeper Branescu.
Kilmarnock went close just before half-time when Alan Power’s fired in a 25 yard shot, but Joe Lewis saved the shot comfortably.
The malaise continued into the second half, whilst there was opportunities, the Dons were just not firing on all cylinders.
Kilmarnock came close in the 49th minute when Hamalainen raced towards goal and fired in a shot that flew wide.
James Wilson also took another opportunity just shortly afterwards but his shot went straight to the keeper (again!)
Chris Burke then had a chance after he rounded Joe Lewis in the 71st minute and put his shot wide from a tight angle.
It was a struggle to watch and in all fairness, 0-0 is probably the right result for this one.
The Dons lacked the quality they are capable of delivering and Derek will seriously need to sort out the issues affecting his team at this early stage of the season.
