🧵THREAD: Hearts 2-0 Aberdeen - wasteful dons rue missed chances. Having had 24 hours to reflect on the season opener at Tynecastle, here are some thoughts I had on the performance as a whole (both positives and negatives). Any shares are appreciated 🙏.

RT @AFCHereWeGo: Pod on Tynecastle in four words: Disappointed but not surprised.

RT @MWilson1903: @AKBudge This 👆….really could have done with this immediately after the game before the doom mongers got hold of the narra….

RT @ARedPOV: @AKBudge Great thread. Feel like gifting teams the ball to hurt us in transition has been our downfall for years. The eye test….

RT @JamesSimpson35: An excellent, clear headed assessment 👇.

RT @ally_begg: Excellent as always fella.

I mentioned before we need to remain patient throughout the initial months of the season while we balance difficult fixtures with European exploits. The fixtures don’t get easier with Celtic up next up, and we need Pittodrie rocking if we are to get something from the game - COYR.

l found the immediate reaction to the game to be fairly dramatic and over the top. Although the result and the manner of the goals were disappointing, this was a typical high variance game which swung on poor decision making, errors, and each team's ability to convert chances.

Tyncastle was always going to be a baptism of fire for a more diminutive forward like Milanovic, however the Australian competed well in his 1v1s, winning the most ground duels of any Aberdeen or Hearts player (9). Milanovic also had the most successful dribbles (5) of any player

In this example, Milanovic drops deeper in possession to drag Milne, the Hearts wing back, out of position. This allows Jensen to push forward into the space vacated by Milne. Jensen regularly takes up interesting positions in central areas which make him a great passing option

Milanovic was particularly impressive on Monday, demonstrating his directness and ball carrying ability. Milanovic and Jensen showed a good understanding despite the nascency of their relationship, anticipating each others runs to create passing triangles.

Although I have pointed out instances of poor decision making and wasteful passing, I was encouraged by the success we had in playing through the Hearts midfield. Per previous examples, the Dons regularly found Aouchiche in space with freedom to carry the ball forward unopposed.

When collecting a pass, Nilsen’s body shape is closed which prevents the midfielder from identifying Shinnie in space on the left wing, or Aouchiche centrally. By opening his body, scanning, and collecting the ball on the half turn, Aberdeen can shift the ball more quickly

Milne’s closed body shape forces him to immediately play a return pass to Mitov, who is pressurised by Braga, resulting in possession being lost. Were Milne able to shift the ball to Jensen, Aberdeen can exploit the space vacated by Braga and play through the Hearts press

Subtle changes to players body shapes when receiving the ball would help open up play and find teammates. Milne’s shape is too closed in this example, preventing the defender from finding Jensen to his right

The success of this gameplan is dependent upon the players willingness and capability to receive the ball under pressure and move the ball quickly to team-mates in space.

Thelin’s intent to play out from the back was evident in both the league opener and the final preseason game. Milne and Knoester would split and offer short passing options for Mitov. Hearts / Ipswich looked to disrupt Aberdeen’s build up and force defenders into a costly mistake

This is the second consecutive week where Shinnie has lost possession in the build up to the opening goal. This questions the captain’s suitability for the left back spot in Gyamfi’s absence, particularly considering Thelin’s emphasis to play out from the back in both fixtures.

In the build up to the Hearts opener, Shinnie’s lunges in after taking a heavy touch, however McEntee is too quick for the Aberdeen skipper. Braga is released down the right wing, with Shinnie unable to recover. Hearts eventually score as the Dons fail to clear their lines

Hearts again fail to maintain any form of discipline in midfield, leaving Aberdeen’s midfield three unmarked and goal side. This time Jensen's pass to Nilsen is intercepted, which breaks down a promising counter-attack. The turnover leaves Aberdeen vulnerable on transition

Shortly before Shankland’s disallowed goal, Nilsen overhits a pass out of touch from an Aberdeen throw. Hearts are gifted possession deep in the Aberdeen half which again encourages the Tynecastle crowd and puts the Dons on the back foot