Aberdeen 0 - 0 Queen of the South

Forwards Were A Failure Against Queens
By NORMAN MACDONALD

WHAT'S wrong with the Dons? Their display against Queen of the South at Pittodrie must have given rise to grave concern among their supporters.

The fact that the game ended in a goalless draw is an indictment of the forward play of both sides rather than any great compliment to the defenders.
This can be said for the respective rear divisions, however - they emerged from the game with more credit than the attackers.
Frankly, the Aberdeen front line was a failure. Seldom, if ever, have I seen the Pittodrie forwards so lacking in constructive ideas and so puerile in their finishing. There wasn't shot in their locker.
On this form there will be no honours for Aberdeen this season. The unaccountable loss of form may be only temporary, but unless it is very short-lived, it will certainly put finis to the Dons' bid for the championship flag.
Something will have to be done and done quickly if they are to maintain their challenge. The team fielded on Saturday is not good enough.

Defence's Record

Criticism has often been levelled at the defence, but the facts speak for themselves. In the last four games the Dons have conceded three goals - all of them at Fir Park - while the forwards have found the net on only two occasions.
Aberdeen's defensive record in the points competition is comparable with most clubs in the "A" Division. Johnstone has been beaten only thirteen times. Hibs alone can claim a better record.
The forwards put all they could into it on Saturday, but they just couldn't make the grade. Nothing went right. Too often Aberdeen passes found a Queen of the South player, and too often did an Aberdeen player fail to take up position to receive the ball.
Denmark and his team-mates closed the door to the home inside forwards down the middle, and with Miller and Jamieson on the wings ineffective, the Dons' front line never developed into a combined force.
McLaughlin was the best of the Aberdeen half-backs, but this departmsnt is by means immune from criticism. The attackers had reason to complain of lack of service from behind.
If any of the Aberdeen players took crcdit from the game it was the backs, Cooper and McKenna. They weren't infallible, but they stuck grimly to their job. McKenna had no easy task against Oakes, but put up a good show.
Measured by results Queen of the South's was not a bad performance. I thought weaknesses might have been exposed in their defence had it been severely tested.
Denmark was master in the middle and never gave Williams a chance, while Fitzsimmons was a clever, forcing wing-half.
The Dumfries forwards had the chances, but couldn't take them. Oakes and Armstrong were a smart right wing partnership. The former was speedy and packed a good shot, while Armstrong showed some of his oldtime cleverness.

Source: Press & Journal, 4th November 1946