A defensive vulnerability had been one of the key problems in the long run without a Premiership run which finally ended with a 2-1 win at Dundee.
Center-backs Tobers and Knoester, who were both acquired during the January transfer window, were the backbone of the defense in that victory at Dens Park.
They appear to be a well-balanced and powerful combination.
Both Tobers and Knoester are strong, athletic, and dangerous in the other team’s box.
Tobers, the Latvian international captain, was acquired from Swiss team Grasshoppers and has always pleased me when I’ve seen him play for the Dons.
Tobers is a skilled defender who makes things appear simple.
He has provided some steadiness and serenity to the rear.
Knoester, who was signed the day before the transfer deadline after leaving Ferencvaros of Hungary, appears to be a good addition as well.
As Tobers and Knoester gain a better understanding of one another, their collaboration will continue to grow.
Alexander Jensen, who was signed in January, has also been a significant addition because he has shown promise and can play both left and right back.
The center-back Additionally, Tottenham loaned Alfie Dorrington.
Slobodan Rubezic, a center-back, was sent on loan to Novi Pazar, his old team, until the end of the season in another defensive move.
Aberdeen’s board backed Thelin’s rebuild of the defence during the winter window and so far it looks to be paying off.
Following a successful window where Thelin secured six new additions the Reds manager now has options in every position.
Thelin has options to the extent he can leave out captain Graeme Shinnie and vice-captain Nicky Devlin from his starting line-up, which was the case at Dundee.
Having options throughout the team puts the pressure on all the players to perform.
A new manager always needs time to get signings in to build his own team.
At first, it didn’t seem like Thelin needed that time to recover after a spectacular 16-game unbeaten start to the season in all competitions.
But as the season went on, the weaknesses became apparent.
After two transfer windows, we are finally starting to see Thelin’s team.
Thelin and the Pittodrie board displayed patience during the 14-game Premiership winless streak.
That patience is now beginning to pay off with the team looking like they are finally beginning to gel.
The win against Dundee takes the pressure off Thelin and his players as they are now up to third place in the Premiership.
It is amazing that Aberdeen are now third in the table despite a run of 14 league games without a victory.
That is down to a mixture of how well Aberdeen did in the early stages of the season, and the inability of rivals to build any real momentum to punish the Reds’ slump.
When you are in third spot after a 14 game winless league run the other teams like Dundee United, Hearts and Hibs have not performed.
Finishing third in the Premiership has to to be the target for the Dons this season.
Special mention has to go to the Aberdeen fans who yet again travelled in force to Dens Park, despite a long winless league collapse.
The Red Army were absolutely magnificent and created a phenomenal atmosphere.
They were well rewarded by Topi Keskinen’s superb goal to put the Reds 2-0 up.
Moving back into third position will give Thelin and his players a huge boost.
However, there are a lot of games still to be played between now and the end of the season.
The season is definitely looking much brighter after the win at Dundee and a successful transfer window.
Aberdeen must use a successful transfer window and ending the league winless run as a catalyst to reignite the season.
