Aberdeen vs St Johnstone: Scottish Premiership stats & head-to-head – BBC Sport

After a blistering start to the season, the busy winter schedule and injuries are catching up with Aberdeen.

The energy, pressing and daring attacking play which carried them to 13 straight victories have all dropped a level.

At the back there is uncertainty, with goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov and left-back Jack MacKenzie injured, and centre-backs Slobodan Rubezic and Gavin Molloy caught in two minds about whether to squeeze or sit off, leading to some awkward moments.

In midfield there are more gaps, less forward passing and fewer bodies getting into the box to create chances.

In general, everything is less connected and convincing.

It was summed up by St Johnstone’s goal, when the usually reliable Sivert Nilsen gifted the ball away, compounded by woeful defending from McGarry.

Thelin did get a reaction again after making three changes at the break, with Palaversa’s wonderful pass allowing Duk to surge forward and set up Clarkson.

However, the continuous slow starts – Aberdeen have scored 70% of their goals after the break – are now more troublesome without the same energy in the second half of games.

Aberdeen look like they could do with a reset and with no game next weekend it might be a timely break.