This week, the defence is a problem once again for Jim Goodwin’s Aberdeen – are we already getting an idea of what might need done in January to fix it? Can Aberdeen still go into their crucial Friday night clash with Hibs feeling confident? Meanwhile, Ross County are moving in the right direction, despite a continued lack of points, says Andy Skinner, as question marks remain over Mark Ridgers’ half-time exit in Caley Thistle’s hammering at Morton. We’ve also got Jamie Durent on the bizarre tim...
Nov 03, 2022•36 min•Ep. 158
This week, is Jim Goodwin taking Aberdeen to Rangers at the perfect moment? The Dons' new 3-5-2 set-up is creating great combinations between Duk/Bojan Miovski and Connor Barron/Ylber Ramadani – but what about all the wingers now kicking their heels? Plus, Sophie Goodwin on how Aberdeen Women have plenty of chances to make history at Pittodrie on Sunday. Ross County aren’t cut adrift in the Premiership yet – but they need to make pre-World Cup games count, starting with Hearts, while Inverness h...
Oct 27, 2022•34 min•Ep. 157
In this week's episode of Northern Goal, the panel run the rule over Aberdeen's midweek win over Partick Thistle and the emergence of their new cult hero, Luis 'Duk' Lopes. There's also injury news at both Ross County and Caley Thistle, plus Cove Rangers' need to find stability. We also look at what should be expected of Peterhead given their well-documented early-season struggles, plus Elgin City's chances of a Scottish Cup run.
Oct 20, 2022•41 min•Ep. 156
This week, Aberdeen’s ‘bad day at the office’ as Dons let expectant fans down woefully at Dundee United – in the process struggling with defensive issues we’ve seen several times this season. Having had an early glimpse into how his touchline ban might affect the Reds, will Jim Goodwin now regret his remarks about Hibs’ Ryan Porteous? The panel also talk Hearts on Sunday, VAR and whether Connor Barron and Leighton Clarkson fit in the same Aberdeen team. Plus, Ross County have set themselves up f...
Oct 13, 2022•36 min•Ep. 155
This week, Sean Wallace stands by his claim Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski is the Dons’ biggest signing coup since Hans Gillhaus - but is the trip to Dundee United going to be a straightforward as it might look on paper this weekend, for the Reds or Miovski? How bad is the mood at Ross County ahead of their clash with Livingston this weekend? And - on the subject of big games - Inverness have set up a tantalising Friday night clash with Partick Thistle where they could go level at the top of the...
Oct 06, 2022•29 min•Ep. 154
This week, we look at Aberdeen's 3-1 defeat at Hibs, where the pattern of the Dons losing when Ross McCrorie fills in at the back continued after Liam Scales' controversial dismissal. There's more likelihood of Jack Milne getting the nod to partner Anthony Stewart than a free agent coming in to provide back up, isn't there? In attack, could we see Ryan Duncan replacing the likes of Vicente Besuijen in the games ahead? Elsewhere, do Ross County have a scoring problem, and Cammy Harper and Inverne...
Sep 22, 2022•31 min•Ep. 153
This week on Northern Goal - will Aberdeen have been disappointed not to meet Rangers at what feels like a vulnerable moment for the Ibrox side? Plus, why Hayden Coulson could be key to stopping Hibs' Martin Boyle on Saturday. As the Dons spearhead experiments in this area, are Saturday 6pm kick-offs going to boost the Scottish game? We also look ahead to Ross County's favourable-looking clash with St Johnstone, a huge game in the Championship as Inverness take on fellow title-hopefuls Dundee, a...
Sep 15, 2022•34 min•Ep. 152
This week on Northern Goal, the panel look to the positives following Aberdeen's frustrating draw at Ross County. Is it a good time to play Rangers, and - with Leighton Clarkson suspended - might a rejig see Bojan Miovski and Luis 'Duk' Lopes start together? For County, William Akio's Lazarus-like recovery from a knee injury and equaliser v the Dons means the Staggies have the chance to build momentum against Motherwell. Caley Thistle, meanwhile, maintained an incredible record against Raith to ...
Sep 08, 2022•31 min•Ep. 151
In this week's episode of Northern Goal, the panel discuss Aberdeen's 4-1 League Cup success at Annan Athletic in midweek and where, if at all the squad needs strengthening. There were defeats for Ross County and Caley Thistle against Celtic and Motherwell respectively, while we also get the lowdown on how Aberdeen Women have started the season in the SWPL. Cove Rangers, Peterhead and Elgin City have not enjoyed the best beginning to the campaign in their respective divisions, which we also mull...
Sep 01, 2022•35 min•Ep. 150
This week, we discuss Liverpool loanee Leighton Clarkson’s career trajectory after his talents were on full display for Aberdeen against St Johnstone - Can he perform well consistently? Would bulking up make him even better? Plus, Sean Wallace talks up his player of the season so far, veteran Jonny Hayes. How long he could stick around at Aberdeen? Will the Dons build on their win v Saints against Livi, and ahead of their Annan cup clash? Ross County’s win against Kilmarnock was a Premiership ps...
Aug 25, 2022•30 min•Ep. 149
This week, was Aberdeen’s disaster v Motherwell just a blip you’d expect from a completely rebuilt side? There’s clearly a need to keep players in their best positions ahead of St Johnstone on Saturday – although Bojan Miovski, at least, continues to look like he’ll be a goalscoring machine for the Dons. Ross County also showed they still need to build consistency, after having an off-day at the worst moment v St Mirren. They won’t go 10 games without a win again, will they? Meanwhile, Austin Sa...
Aug 18, 2022•36 min•Ep. 148
Following Aberdeen’s scintillating win over St Mirren, we ask if long-range screamer-scorer Leighton Clarkson will be the new Scott Severin for the Dons, while also discussing the startling stats which show an immediate understanding between the Reds’ latest loanee and fellow midfielder Ylber Ramadani. What will Jim Goodwin’s first-choice midfield be going forward as Aberdeen target the first back-to-back Premiership wins of his reign when they host Motherwell this weekend? Plus, can strong-look...
Aug 11, 2022•31 min•Ep. 147
This week, the panel reflect on Aberdeen's league-opening loss at Parkhead and look ahead to St Mirren. Although the need for more centre-back cover was laid bare, there were positives: Bojan Miovski's aerial strength, Anthony Stewart's defensive intelligence and Matty Kennedy with the ball at his feet among them. We discuss why Dante Polvara will be all the better for his difficult afternoon and - while his involvement was a show of faith from Jim Goodwin - the Reds closing in on another winger...
Aug 04, 2022•35 min•Ep. 146
This week, Sean Wallace tells us what he learned about Aberdeen's new attacker Callum Roberts from former Killie boss Lee Clark, while we also ask if Hayden Coulson is going to be the Dons' main left-back this term. Is there enough depth on the left side of defence generally after this week's departures? There are certainly defensive conundrums and questions over who to start in attack at Celtic in Sunday's Premiership opener - Who replaces Liam Scales? Miovski or Ramirez? Does Roberts get a sta...
Jul 28, 2022•35 min•Ep. 145
This week, Aberdeen’s win over (albeit League 2) Stirling Albion suggests they’ve found an attacking verve, building excitement for the Premiership opener v Celtic. What did Sean Wallace make of Luis ‘Duk’ Lopes, and why Ylber Ramadani is worth at least £1 million. David Bates could also be set for the Dons exit door ahead of this weekend’s League Cup group stage-closer against Raith Rovers - lightning won’t strike twice, will it? Plus Kazeem Olaigbe terrorising full-backs in the blue of Ross Co...
Jul 21, 2022•39 min•Ep. 144
This week, the panel discuss Anthony Stewart after he sparkles at Glebe Park and, in his performance and organisation, looks the man to shore up Aberdeen’s defence – with or without armband – ahead of the season-opener against Peterhead. Can David Bates cement his place alongside him though? If he wants to stay at the Dons, the League Cup group games are striker Christian Ramirez’s big chance while we wait for Bojan Miovski’s visa situation to be resolved. However, all signs are pointing to a Vi...
Jul 07, 2022•37 min•Ep. 143
This week, Sean Wallace and Andy Skinner join Ryan Cryle from Spain and Italy, respectively. Sean is embedded with Aberdeen in Alicante and delves into the big themes of the pre-season camp – what the Dons are working on in the sun, who’s there, who has impressed most, what his impression of summer signings like Anthony Stewart have been up close, and what the situation is with Ylber Ramadani and Bojan Miovski as they join up with their new team-mates. Plus, Sean gives a Jack MacKenzie injury up...
Jun 28, 2022•22 min•Ep. 142
This week, we assess Aberdeen’s manic week in the transfer market. The Dons have made four signings – Jayden Richardson, Liam Scales, Anthony Stewart and, most notably, striker Bojan Miovski. We discuss what the experts have told us about them over the last few days, and whether Jim Goodwin’s business so far has shown us how the Dons will line up next term. Who will be next? (It won’t be Liam Boyce or Robby McCrorie...) We also preview Aberdeen’s weekend trip to Buckie Thistle, chat about the in...
Jun 24, 2022•36 min•Ep. 141
This week, reaction to the £8m deal between Liverpool and Aberdeen for Calvin Ramsay – with the initial £4.5m fee set to break the Dons’ club record and previous high for a Scottish teen. Then Sean Wallace – after speaking to his ex-chairman in Norway - gives the inside track on how Reds-linked Tobias Lauritsen became a striker, overcoming adversity to get back to his nation’s top-flight in the process, and what his attributes are. There’s also further discussion on Macedonian target Bojan Miovs...
Jun 16, 2022•43 min•Ep. 140
In this week’s episode of Northern Goal, the panel analyse Scotland’s 2-0 win over Armenia, which got their Nations League campaign off to a winning start. There’s also the big news of Paul Hartley’s departure to discuss at Cove Rangers, following his departure to English League Two side Hartlepool United at the end of last week. We also look at potential comings and goings at Aberdeen, with speculation about Calvin Ramsay’s future continuing and the Dons finally making their first signing of th...
Jun 09, 2022•40 min•Ep. 139
The panel sift through the debris of Scotland’s hugely disappointing night against Ukraine, in this week’s episode, which ended their hopes of making the 2022 World Cup. Where did it go wrong and are some players at the end of the road for the national side? We also look in-depth at a significant period of change for women’s football at Aberdeen and discuss what stories have caught our eye from our SPFL clubs.
Jun 02, 2022•37 min•Ep. 138
This week, how did it all get away from Caley Thistle in their play-off final defeat to Premiership survivors St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park, and following Austin Samuels’ all-action first-half display? The play-off system might be unfair, but Inverness now know – if they want to go up – they need to finish top of the Championship (which they maybe should have done), don’t they? We also discuss the Premier Sports Cup draw for all of our sides, with Aberdeen’s group-mates Raith Rovers providing a...
May 26, 2022•28 min•Ep. 137
This week, off the back of Paul Third’s Reds Rebuild series for the Press and Journal/Evening Express, we discuss what Aberdeen and boss Jim Goodwin need in every area of the park this summer – numbers and skillsets. Plus, Dundee United fans’ disruption mars final Ross County game of the season. How big a loss is the departed Blair Spittal to the Staggies, and are we resigned to Regan Charles-Cook, Harry Paton and Alex Iacovitti leaving, too? Could Roy MacGregor push the boat out to get Joseph H...
May 19, 2022•43 min•Ep. 136
On this week’s Northern Goal, the panel discuss Aberdeen’s 1-0 defeat at St Johnstone, which saw the Dons play without a senior striker after Christian Ramirez jetted off on holiday a week early. Following another soft goal against the Reds, can we see the Declan Gallagher and David Bates centre-back setup working next term? Sean Wallace also discusses the Luke Turner contract situation and how Jim Goodwin justified his decision to let the youngster goal. Plus, how did Ross County let Europe pas...
May 12, 2022•25 min•Ep. 135
This week, with Aberdeen secure in the knowledge relegation won’t be happening, we ask: Is it time to throw Dante Polvara into the team and see what the January signing from the US can do? There’s also praise for developing Dons talents Connor Barron, Vicente Besuijen and Jack MacKenzie following the 1-0 win over Dundee, which didn’t do much to dampen questions over where Christian Ramirez’s future may lie. Plus, despite their awards snub, Ross County had a good week drawing at Hearts - and now ...
May 05, 2022•28 min•Ep. 134
On this week’s Northern Goal, troubling times at Aberdeen as loss to Livi reconfirms bluntness in attack, inability to keep goals out and psychological fragility. No doubt Jim Goodwin's rebuild is needed, but – like Terry Butcher at Hibs – is he learning he should have waited? And is the mood music of the last week telling us Christian Ramirez and Calvin Ramsay are going? Meanwhile, Andy Skinner tells us why he thinks Ross County’s Malky Mackay and Regan Charles-Cook should be named Manager and ...
Apr 28, 2022•51 min•Ep. 133
We start this week's episode of Northern Goal by reflecting on Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack's RedTV Q&A, before previewing this weekend's post-split opener at home to Livingston. Is Calvin Ramsay good enough for Liverpool, and is this the peak of Lewis Ferguson's potential transfer value to the Dons? Plus, Ross County could be even better now the pressure's off - starting with Celtic this weekend - couldn't they? Inverness are so close to sealing third, while surely (surely) Cove Rangers w...
Apr 21, 2022•34 min•Ep. 132
After a meek display against Ross County saw Aberdeen condemned to the bottom six, the Dons are now trying to avoid being drawn into a relegation play-off fight. Did Jim Goodwin’s early squad reshaping moves affect the clash, and what further players are likely to be moved on from Pittodrie? Home top six fixtures have put Ross County odds-on for a transformative European football adventure, while – across the Kessock Bridge – Inverness’ hopes of finishing second in the Championship look to be ov...
Apr 13, 2022•33 min•Ep. 131
This week, we react to the news of Aberdeen legend Andy Considine’s impending departure and the subsequent fallout. We ask how new boss Jim Goodwin’s objective and reasonable (depending who you ask) call to let the veteran go, combined with a likely emotional reaction from the player’s camp and some fans, saw the situation spiral out of control in the build-up to a huge Premiership game against Ross County and on the day a new record-breaking shirt sponsorship deal was announced. There’s also th...
Apr 07, 2022•42 min•Ep. 130
This week, the panel discuss what Aberdeen midfield star Lewis Ferguson is worth now he has started for Scotland. Should he stay this summer, is the best Dons midfield set-up Ferguson, Connor Barron and Ross McCrorie? And why have backroom staff Gordon Marshall and Adam Stokes left the club? With Dundee up next for the Dons and Ross County playing Hearts, the panellists give their verdict on which teams will end up fourth, fifth and sixth in the Premiership for the split. There’s also the Staggi...
Mar 31, 2022•37 min•Ep. 129
