Do Aberdeen's new signings suggest a change to a back three?
How do the two defenders compare to Aberdeen's current centre-halves, and will they lead to a change in tactics?
Among the plethora of problems for Jim Goodwin to fix at Pittodrie, strengthening the defence was priority number one.
The Irishman’s 12 games in charge showed little improvement in the back line, with just two clean sheets. But ahead of the club’s pre-season trip to Spain, Liam Scales and Anthony Stewart have arrived, with full-back Jayden Richardson also making his way to Cormack Park.
Scales’ loan move from Celtic was met with a less-than-enthusiastic response, mainly due to the lack of a loan-to-buy option. Named in the PFAI Team of the Year in November last year, and handed a four-year contract with Celtic, there’s a talented player there for the future. But is he yet at the level to give Aberdeen a strong 12 months?
Stewart’s arrival will be a surprise to many. A right-sided centre half did not appear to be a priority for the Dons, with David Bates and Declan Gallagher already on the books, and Ross McCrorie also capable of playing in that position.
However, the 29-year-old Englishman moves north on the back of an impressive stint at Wycombe Wanderers in what was his second spell at the club. He was voted the club’s player of the year in 2020-21 by his team-mates in the English Championship, and earned more plaudits last season as they went close to earning instant promotion back from League One - losing to Sunderland in the play-offs.
Although predominantly a right-sided centre half, he played both on the left-side and at right-back at times last season.
Interestingly, both Scales and Stewart are described as ball-playing defenders, with Stewart in particular having experience of playing in a back three in England. Does that suggest a change in tactics from Goodwin?
How does Stewart rate?
Whether England’s League One is stronger or weaker than the Scottish Premiership is a debate that happens every time a player makes the move in either direction.
Looking at the strikers Stewart was up against, one-time Aberdeen target Ross Stewart hit 25 league goals for Sunderland - a total he never got close to with Ross County. Ryan Hardie, who never broke double figures even in the lower leagues in Scotland, rattled in 15 league goals last term for Plymouth.
But, the counter argument would be Sam Cosgrove, who notched just three goals all season after being prolific at Pittodrie. The caveat to that is his side AFC Wimbledon finished second bottom and it’s unlikely he got anywhere near the same service as he did in the north-east.
New Don Stewart won 57% of his duels and close on 61% of his aerial duels. If looking for a centre-half adept at passing out from the back, he had a 68.5% passing accuracy and just under 56% for long passes.
One area he excelled in was sliding tackles - being successful 75% of the time. He picked up seven yellow cards and one red card over the campaign last season, scoring twice.
In the previous season in the English Championship, although a difficult one for his club with the Chairboys fighting an ultimately unsuccessful battle against relegation, his stats are still similar despite the step up.
His passing accuracy and duels won were actually better. The number of headers he won dipped to 52%, although he actually gave away less fouls.
Stewart v Stewart
It was noticeable in the League One play-off final that Anthony Stewart had been tasked with looking after Scotland striker Ross Stewart. The former often was dragged over to the left hand side of defence to look after the pacy frontman. At times when the Sunderland man received the ball deep in his own half, Anthony Stewart pushed forward to stay near him, even if that left huge gaps behind him.
In 13 duels between the pair, it was the new Aberdeen man who came out on top eight times. But, crucially, the failure to close down quick enough resulted in Ross Stewart scoring his side’s second goal.
How does Scales rate?
Celtic signed Scales from League of Ireland side Shamrock Rovers last summer.
Scales, you imagine, will benefit from being given a more permanent role in the Aberdeen team. At Celtic, in his brief appearances he was played more as a left back, often pushing forward as a left wing-back, and cutting inside as an inverted wing back - something Parkhead boss Ange Postecoglou favours. The Irishman didn’t actually play much in the centre of defence, where he will likely be now at Pittodrie.
One strength he possesses is being comfortable with the ball at his feet, a welcome addition for fans who have watched Bates and McCrorie playing on their weaker side last season.
He boasted an 85% successful pass rate, and also 40% for crosses which compares well to Aberdeen’s other left-footed defenders Jonny Hayes (38%) and Jack Mackenzie (28%).
How do Stewart & Scales compare to others?
The pair’s arrival likely spells the end of Aberdeen’s interest in Charles Dunne, with St Mirren reportedly looking for £300k. But we’ll include him alongside the four centre-backs on Aberdeen’s books anyway just in case Goodwin is planning a late transfer window surprise.
Although it’s hard to compare considering they played in different divisions, but Dunne actually rated highest for defensive duels won - winning 74%. Stewart was also behind Gallagher and Bates in that respect. Scales was lowest.
However, when it came to aerial duels, Dunne ranked lowest of the five, though Stewart again was behind Bates and Gallagher. Stewart is restricted by his height - he’s the smallest of the five.
What Aberdeen appear to have signed are goalscoring defenders. Stewart had 25 shots at goal, Scales 21. The other three combined only managed 34 between them. They both bagged two goals each too.
Change to a back-three?
It remains to be seen if Goodwin will stick with the back four he has played in his 12 games in charge so far, or revert to a back three which he favoured often in Paisley. In a recent interview with Graham Hunter he did suggest a back four was his preferred option.
Tactically, Scales and Stewart’s desire to get forward and take players on suggests both would suit a three-man defence. Scales has been a long-term target of Goodwin who would have earmarked him for that role when playing that system at St Mirren.
Declan Gallagher too has excelled in the past when played in a back three at Motherwell and for Scotland, while in his debut season he didn’t reach those heights for Aberdeen. His duels-won dropped from 72.5% to 65.9%, and the number of headers won and successful interceptions also fell.
In addition, with the signing of Jayden Richardson from Nottingham Forest, Goodwin has added a player with great attacking intent but who has been found wanting defensively, and therefore a right wing-back role may suit him more.
Whatever system Goodwin is thinking of, he now has options, something he didn’t have when he first took over. The injuries to Andrew Considine and Michael Devlin, and the swift departure of Scott Brown, meant a leaky defence still picked itself.
With or without Dunne’s arrival, he has a defence in place before the opening League Cup game rather than having to scramble about.
Next, it’s time for some creativity and another goalscorer.
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