8/10
LEAGUE: 2nd, 75pts (2013-14 - 3rd, 68pts)
SCOTTISH CUP: Fourth round
LEAGUE CUP: Semi-finals
MOST USED FIRST XI: Scott Brown, Shay Logan, Ash Taylor, Mark Reynolds, Andrew Considine, Willo Flood, Ryan Jack, Jonny Hayes, Peter Pawlett, Niall McGinn, Adam Rooney
OVERVIEW: Whilst there was no silverware this time around, this was another fine year for Aberdeen; whilst they are still well behind Celtic, they are now miles ahead of the other teams in the top flight. The fact that the title wasn't decided until May was more down to the Dons' quality than to incompetence on the champions' behalf; Aberdeen scored more points than any non-Old Firm team in aeons. The fans have recognised that too, by returning to Pittodrie in droves. After years of struggle, it would be fair to say that they are now firmly established back in the upper echelons of Scottish football.
HIGH POINTS: The European run at the start of the season, with a fine win in Holland and a trip to San Sebastian, was a great excuse for the fans to have a holiday. Between mid-October and the beginning of May, they didn't a lose a league game to anyone but Celtic.
LOW POINTS: Ultimately, if they could have taken some points off Ronny Deila's side, they might have taken the title race down to the wire...but they lost all four matches. Unfortunately, they saved their two poorest performances of the winter and spring for cup-ties, which cost them another shot at a trophy.
STAR MAN: You can't argue with twenty-eight goals in all competitions. Adam Rooney was a goalscoring machine from August to May, whether it was tap-ins, snapshots, bullet headers or twenty-yard screamers. His all-round play and workrate make him a fine striker,
ONE FOR THE FUTURE: There are high hopes for Lawrence Shankland, who failed to score in multiple sub appearances but scored a bucketload for the under-20s. The striker is likely to see more action next term.
WASTE OF SPACE: It's hard to single anyone out here, but injuries prevented defenders Clark Robertson and Joe Shaughnessy and midfielder Nicky Low from making an impact, and ultimately forced Russell Anderson into retirement. At least the latter got a fine sendoff.
THE BOSS: They really should have put up a statue to Derek McInnes in the city by now (I said that last year as well!). It's hard to believe that Aberdeen were such a shambles just over two years ago under Craig Brown, given where they are now. Well-organized, yet not shy of throwing men forward, he's put together a well-balanced and able side. The next challenge will be to keep them at that level now. One wonders how much further he can take this club though, and whether he might be tempted to have another crack down south.
PROSPECTS FOR NEXT SEASON: The target has to be to consolidate their position as the second best team on the country, and to get a little bit closer to Celtic. The former might (or might not) be a touch trickier depending on who wins the relegation playoff. The arrival of Graeme Shinnie from Inverness will improve the team further.
FIRST TEAMERS DEFINITELY LEAVING: Russell Anderson (retiring), Donervon Daniels (end of loan), Andrew Driver, Kieran Gibbons, Nicky Low, Jamie Masson, Clark Robertson, Joe Shaughnessy
Lawrie Spence (LS) has ranted and spouted his ill-informed opinions on Narey's Toepoker since September 2007. He has a life outside this blog. Honestly.
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