Just back.
I've been hyper-critical of recent performances so I think it's only fair that this time I give oodles of credit to the players for a really gutsy display.
It did no harm to our chances that Aberdeen were absolutely hopeless today - even with the extra man they forced Tuffey into only one half-decent save in the second half. It was a significant change in shape from recent weeks - the addition of Jones very much turned it into a 4-3-3/4-5-1. Tansey played a bit further forward than OTJ and Foran but not to the extend that Nick Ross or Andy Shinnie normally would. I thought that the extra midfielder meant we were far better in possession than in recent games, and there was little sign of high balls being punted at McKay, thank goodness. We were hugely superior in the first half, especially after the goal. Tade legged it from one flank to another, played McKay through, and with the goalie hideously out of position McKay took it round him and cut it back cleverly from the by-line for Tade to stick into an empty net. A really well-worked goal, I thought. Foran was denied a second by a goalline clearance, and Tade and McKay were causing all sorts of problems. The main concern at half-time was that we only had one goal to show for our dominance - Aberdeen couldn't be any worse than in the first half.
After Meekings was sent off (no complaints - two blatant and foolish bookings), Butcher gambled on packing the pitch with defensive players and hanging on - it wasn't pretty but it worked well. Tade actually should have had another after a defensive blunder, but scuffed it wide with only the goalie to beat. But our backline dealt with everything that was thrown at them. There were no lucky breaks for the Dons, and they didn't deserve any.
I lost count of how often Golobart headed the ball in the last 10 minutes. The Spaniard had one or two 'moments' but otherwise I thought he was sensational. That was Rossco's best performance in ages too, and Graeme Shinnie had a superb game. I'm really pleased for Tuffers, who oozed confidence and had a couple of really good punches. Even those guys who didn't play brilliantly put in heroic shifts. Tade and Foran in particular looked like they were going to keel over at the end. McKay also deserves an honourable mention - he had a super game but had to be hooked after Meekings was sent off.
I can't be bothered going looking for negatives. That was a superb result and a display of real character from the ICT boys today - well done!