Jimmy Thelin names three Aberdeen improvements he wants despite a near-perfect start

They may be riding high in the Premier League, but Jimmy Thelin doesn’t want Aberdeen to rest on their laurels.

The Swedish manager and his Dons side are rightly winning plaudits from all corners after the most unexpected start to the season saw them draw with champions Celtic at the top of the table.

More notable is the fact that they went their first 16 games unbeaten in all competitions, winning 15 of them.

They are still unbeaten in the league and the only blemish on their 100 per cent record so far is a very creditable draw away to Celtic.

Aberdeen boss Thelin still wants more

Aberdeen now look at least third in the league this season.

Some even make them favorites to finish second ahead of Rangers, who they currently hold a nine-point lead over.

But frighteningly for all the other Premiership managers, Thelin reckons they can and will get even better.

The Pittodrie boss demands three things from his players after the break – that they are sharper, faster and stronger.

He said: “We know we have to constantly improve things and be a bit sharper as a team in our decisions.

“We also need to be a little faster in some parts, a little bit stronger in some areas.

“Those are the things we’re working on and hopefully it gets a little bit better every week.

“It’s the only way I know, and it’s the only way we work.

“And hopefully with every game we can show that we are a little bit better than before.

“It’s more about staying true to the journey we’re on and how we want our team to play – and how we want to show our fans that we’re getting better.

“It’s a long-term process from the beginning.”

Thelin is ‘perfect’ Aberdeen boss

He may have lost the perfect record in the league.

But Aberdeen hero Brian Irvine still believes Thelin is the ideal manager for the club because he is an all-rounder who has proven capable in virtually every aspect.

Asked if it is refreshing to see Aberdeen take games to teams like Celtic and Rangers, Irvine said Not the old company: “Yes, definitely. It comes from the team just having the momentum and the confidence that the results have brought from the early part of the season right through.

“Of course they also work on the training pitch. But when they come to the games, they look good.

“I remember the goal (Peter) Ambrose scored by running from the half-way line, a goal out of nowhere. So the team is on.

“There is just that solidity in the team, but the unexpectedness that the players are able to produce and goals change games.

“So there’s quite a mix in there – stability, defensive solidity, good activity in midfield with Shinnie driving the team. And they have the forwards to score goals.

“There have been a lot of late goals as well, so that’s another thing that should be mentioned – a lot of character in the team.

“It’s a real mix and he also makes substitutions that win games. So he just seems like the perfect manager in terms of getting the players ready and in terms of what he does and changes he makes during the game. “

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