Dundee United 0 Aberdeen 0: Dons stop the rot but left to rue missed chances

Aberdeen avoided a club record eighth consecutive away defeat following a goalless draw with Dundee United – but the Dons left Tannadice wondering how they only had one point to show for their efforts.

A meeting of two struggling sides was never going to be a classic, but a strong second half showing from Peter Leven’s side should have brought a much-needed win for the visitors.

However, Aberdeen could not turn their territorial pressure into attempts at goal.

Kenan Bilalovic had a fresh air swipe in front of goal while Kevin Nisbet missed an open goal for the Dons on a frustrating night for the Dons while United’s Panutche Camara struck the post with his side’s best chance.

Shinnie one of four changes for the Dons

Interim Dons boss Leven made four changes from the weekend defeat by Dundee.

Captain Graeme Shinnie returned from suspension while Jack Milne returned at centre half.

Gavin Molloy made his first appearance since December 3 after being selected at left back and Kenan Bilalovic started on the left of the front three.

Liam Morrison missed out following his red card at Pittodrie on Saturday while Topi Keskinen, Mitchel Frame and Afeez Aremu dropped to the bench.

United boss Jim Goodwin made three changes from the 1-1 draw against Kilmarnock with Kristijan Trapanovski, Krisztian Keresztes and Zac Sapsford coming into the line-up. Ross Graham, and Max Watters dropped to the bench while Craig Sibbald missed out due to injury.

What unfolded was tough watch, and here’s three things we learned following the goalless draw.

Olusanya is a mixed bag for Aberdeen

This was a night which showed why Toyosi Olusanya is proving to be such an enigmatic figure.

The striker has pace in abundance and it sparked fear in the United backline at times. But the end product is often found lacking too.

In his 71 minutes on the pitch Aberdeen’s best chances came from his perseverance.

The Dons had a terrific chance to take an early lead when Olusanya got goalside of United defender Keresztes before squaring the ball to Bilalovic but the winger missed the ball.

United responded by almost taking the lead themselves when a Trapanovski corner was headed out to Camara on the edge of the box and the midfielder let the ball bounce before firing in a shot which struck the post before the Dons scrambled it clear.

Aberdeen then had a gilt-edged chance in the 51st minute when Dennis Geiger’s pass sent Olusanya clear on goal.

The striker raced away from Iurie Iovu before rounding United goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer where the ball ran into Nisbet’s path but his toe-poke effort trundled wide of the empty net.

But the flipside was the frustrating moments where he ran the ball out of play or failed to hold it up. The pace is an asset but with it comes some very rough edges.

Tannadice surface did not help

The playing surface at Tannadice was anything but conducive to passing football to put it mildly.

It made an error-strewn 90 minutes as both sets of players struggled to control the ball.

From balls bouncing over the heads of players to players needing two or three touches to take control, it made for a challenging night for the teams.

As a result of the poor conditions underneath it came as no surprise to see the teams resort to keeping the ball in the air as often as possible.

It made for turgid viewing for the hardy 10,006 souls who had made the trip to Tannadice for this one.

The politest way to describe what unfolded would be attritional.

Central defensive woes continue

Aberdeen’s problem area all season has been centre defence and the sorry tale continued after Tom McIntyre was forced off due to injury just before half-time.

Worryingly, McIntyre’s injury was not a contact one, with the player sitting down on the halfway line before being deemed unable to continue.

With Kristers Tobers and Mats Knoester both out injured, McIntyre looks likely to join the suspended Morrison on the sidelines for this weekend’s trip to Tynecastle to face Hearts.

Leven had the option to move Molloy, who himself has only just returned to first-team duty, to central defence but opted to pair Milne with Sivert Heltne Nilsen following McIntyre’s departure in the 44th minute.

Teams

Dundee United (3-5-2) – Maynard-Brewer 6, Sevelj 6, Iovu 6, Keresztes 6, Stephenson 5, Camara 7, Agyei 7, Ferry 6, Sapsford 5 (Watters 59), Fatah 6 (Dolcek 87), Trapanovski 5 (Strain 59). Subs not used – Richardson, Graham, Eskesen, Farrugia, Naamo, Cleall-Harding.

Aberdeen (4-3-3) – Bratveit 6, Devlin 6, Milne 6, McIntyre 5 (Nilsen 44), Molloy 7, Geiger 7, Cameron 7, Shinnie 7, Olusanya 5 (Lazetici 71), Nisbet 6, Bilalovic 6. Subs not used – Mitov, Frame, Milanovic, Palaversa, Aremu, Lobban, Keskinen.

Referee – Don Robertson 7.

Attendance – 10,006.

Man of the match – Gavin Molloy.

[Source: Press and Journal]