IMPROVEMENTS ARE NOT COMING FAST ENOUGH FOR THELIN

JIMMY THELIN has seen his Aberdeen team make progress in recent weeks but it still hasn't been quick enough for his liking.

- BY SCOTT BURNS

PROGRESS Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin

The Dons were slow to get out of the blocks in the Premiership, taking just one point and scoring no goals in their first six fixtures.

They have picked up form of late, with just two losses in their last seven games in all competitions.

However, Aberdeen still have much to do to match their feats of last season, when they finished fifth to qualify for Europe and won the Scottish Cup.

Sunday's 1-1 draw at home to Motherwell was their 11th league outing and left the Dons sitting eighth in the table, just three points above bottom spot and a massive 19 points behind leaders Hearts.

That is well below Pittodrie expectations and Thelin acknowledges there needs to be a big improvement after the international break.