Source: The Scotsman, 2nd September 1907
Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 2nd September 1907
Weak Defence.
The meeting of the Morton and Aberdeen was of the utmost importance to the followers of the home club, who were anxious to see how their team would fare against one of the smartest combinations in the west. While the forwards and halves put in a lot of good work and were frustrated time and again by a good defence, they had the misfortune. to be supported themselves by a very mediocre pair. The pitch had a slippery surface with the rain and made good footing difficult, but all the same the visitors seemed to steady themselves better at the critical juncture, and let fly when they had a chance. Mutch did not get the work to do he got at Ibrox, but what he was left to gather for himself was well done. Brebner displayed a weakness unaccountable in such a staid player as he usually is, his palpable inaccuracy in clearing giving away the first goal. Observing the weak spot, Morton made the most of it, and our surprise was that more goals did not come. They managed a second just on half-time. Aberdeen set off in surprising fashion in the second period, and had success met them in their initial burst, there is no saying what might have happened. It was Lennie, the ever-green, who scored with a gasper, there being many bad shots after this which had little or no effect. The game ended in a 2-1 victory for the visitors, though our opinion is that a draw would have more fitly represented the run of play.Remarks on the Players.
Morton possess a set of dashing forwards, with perhaps more of the dash and less of combination. They know how to take up a chance when it comes their way. The halves are all triers, with a couple of very good backs, and a custodian who has had plenty of experience and knows a bit. Only at intervals were Aberdeen's forwards seen to advantage; the right wing were the poorest, especially the outside man, who has gone off form just now. The middle line were not so prominent as we could wish, still they put in some good work. The backs were poor - very much so - while the goalkeeper was about the best man on the side.A Suggestion.
We do not know all the details of Hume's suspension. We got it that he had absented himself from training, but he was very badly missed on Saturday. The pity is that this step was necessary on the eve of an important game like that of last week, for Hume was settling down to making a class player. Discipline must be observed, however, but if the suspension is to be enforced, it will be imperative to get a man to fill his place, for we had no confidence in his substitute on Saturday, who played the weakest game ever we have seen him play. The defence was weak, but we are also of opinion that the attack could he strengthened a bit, and that also requires looking after. Our suggestion, then, is that the forward line against the Hibs this week should be:- Muir, Murray, Wilson, O?Hagan, and Lennie. We have seen no one yet who can shoot like Wilson, who is a trier all the time, and in our opinion ought to be given an opportunity. Macdonald is not playing the game he did last season, and will be none the worse of a rest for a week or two, which will do him good.Chatty Bits.
Aberdeen players have been badly slated this week by the press. They seem to have only one notion, and that is that our local players must win at all costs. It was a great mistake to have played Brebner on Saturday. His wounds may have been healed, but he was sadly out of condition. Discipline must be observed, otherwise it would have been policy to have played Hume on Saturday. It seems Hume's offence was that he got a week-end to go home, and only appeared for training on Friday forenoon. After explanations, Hume was cautioned, and ordered to resume training for Saturday's game. If the same team does not score a success on Saturday, there will be several important changes. These have already been contemplated, but the management desire to give the men a fair chance. Has the advertisement appearing in a South paper anything to do with the Aberdeen? We overheard on Saturday that several of the Directors have been on the hunt for players to fill the weak spots. Macfarlane does a lot of good in the team by his judicious coaching, and this is where his understudy fails.Source: Bon-Accord, 5th September 1907