Aberdeen v St Mirren: Run of home games gives Pittodrie side chance to build top-six momentum

Saturday 9 February 2013

If ever there was an opportunity for Aberdeen to refurbish their home form this season, it is surely over the next five weeks when four of their fixtures are at Pittodrie.

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Staff Writer

It is sequence of games which Craig Brown's men will need to make the most of if they hope to reside in the top six of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League after the split.

Home comforts have been in short supply at Pittodrie this season – Aberdeen have won only three times at home – and their form has also seemed relaxed since the winter break, with their last league win coming against Dundee on December 29. A win or defeat here and there can prompt dramatic change in the league table and Aberdeen need look no further than St Mirren, the visitors to Pittodrie this afternoon, to be reminded of that.

The Paisley side had been looking towards the top six, too, only to now sit second bottom. "If we get the support at home that we get away and we play the way we can, I am very optimistic," said Brown, the Aberdeen manager. "Although our away record has been better, there is no reason why we can't emulate that at home."St Mirren will feel the same way about their form in cup competitions; the Paisley club having beaten Premier League opponents in both the Scottish Communities League Cup and William Hill Scottish Cup in consecutive weeks. They have owed much of that to the loan signing Esmael Goncalves, who joined last month from Rio Ave, and the forward's penchant for causing concern to Scottish defences has not gone unnoticed at Pittodrie."I haven't seen him in the flesh but on television he looks a player," said Brown, who could include Ryan Jack and Gary Naysmith in his squad today. "You can see how the league can change. Inverness have lost three in a row – although two were cup ties – and St Mirren have won three. Our objective is to get winning."We know that had we scored the two penalties [in successive league and William Hill Scottish Cup defeats to Hibernian] we would be fourth in the SPL and still in the cup, but adversity can make you stronger."Goncalves has scored four goals in his first three matches since signing last month. That record has been enough to bring him acclaim from St Mirren supporters but neither has it been a surprise to Danny Lennon."If I didn't think he would have an impact on our football club and help the group then he wouldn't be here," said the St Mirren manager. "He's certainly hit the ground running and long may that continue."A lot of people don't know a great deal about him but they will quickly. I believe he will be one of those players, whether you know his strengths or weaknesses, who will always cause problems."

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Aberdeen v St Mirren: Run of home games gives Pittodrie side chance to build top-six momentum

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