My PL-like 25 man squad for this season
My take on last night's performance is this:
It gave Cocu the chance to rule the roost over the "2nd XI" in a "proper" setting. IMO we saw why most of them are 2nd XI players. Not that they aren't more than capable of slotting in to the 1st XI as and when needed but that, as a whole, we have a better first XI in the main.
Mitchell, Didn't have a lot to do except pick the ball out of the net twice. Not a lot he could do with the first due to the deflection. For the second he was where he should have been and got done by a very good strike.
Shinnie, Decent on the ball and not afraid to get physical when necessary. Match day 18 spot for him.
Dowell, Well in contention for a start
Martin, Isolated for much of the game until Sibley came on and got closer to him. As I mused earlier this pre season, he doesn't have the pace to play the Cocu game. Loaned out or watching from the stands I fear.
Lowe, had a good game and showed he has learned a lot about the defensive side of the game in his time at Aberdeen. His one major error was not covering Bird for their 2nd. he won't make that mistake again. Match day squad?
Anya, looked busy, did his defensive work but too limited in an attacking sense. 2nd XI.
Davies (C), I forecast he will need most of this season to get properly fit. When fit he moves gracefully. He looked ungainly at times. It will be several months before we see him in the first XI
Bird, unlucky with the deflection for the first goal and misjudged a header to let their striker in for their 2nd. Apart from that a good game.
Bateman, looked steady at right back and I wouldn't worry if he got game time (cover) in the first XI
Buchanan, Good cover and I wouldn't worry if he got in if Keogh or Evans was injured
Whittaker. Will push FloJo for a start IMO
That gives us, IMO, the following serious contenders for a match day XVIII place
Keeper - Roos, Mitchell
RB - Bogle, Bateman, Wisdom
CD - Keogh, Evans, Buchanan, Davies
LB - Malone, Lowe, Forsyth
MF - Dowell, Shinnie, Sibley, Holmes, Bird, Knight, Huddlestone
Forwards - Waghorn, Marriott, Bennett, Whittaker, Jozefzoon, Lawrence
Those would be my 25 names for the squad if limited to that number as the PL clubs are.