Northern Goal

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 time-wasting incident which capped Cove’s capitulation to draw 4-4 at Hamilton, following a week where Peterhead and Elgin’s fortunes also flipped somewhat.

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 have a great chance to strengthen their Championship hand against Morton, despite now having at least five starters injured. Striker Gerry McDonagh has staked his Cove Rangers claim, while Peterhead try to stay in touch at foot of League One, and Elgin City’s Kane Hester chases 20 goals before Halloween.

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.

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 for a climb with Dundee United and Kilmarnock meetings to come, the latest Northern Goal derby between Cove Rangers and Inverness previewed, and, while Peterhead look to cling on to Clyde’s coattails, Elgin might now be nailed-on play-off place finishers a division below...

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 Championship. It’s three wins in a row for Caley Thistle, and now two for a Cove Rangers side whose season is unrecognisable from a few weeks ago. Midfielder Connor Scully has had a big hand in this lift. And, while Peterhead continue to struggle, Elgin – with Kane Hester on his latest goalscoring streak – have also landed two eye-catching wins.

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 Inverness make a statement against fellow Championship title hopefuls Dundee. Then it's on to SPFL Trust Trophy previews - Caley Thistle look to make changes but avoid any slip-ups against Brechin City, Cove Rangers host Raith Rovers after their dramatic draw with Partick Thistle, and there's a Northern Goal derby as Peterhead host Elgin C

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, and Cove Rangers meeting their former star Harry Milne as they travel to Partick Thistle. On top of this, there's good news for Peterhead on Andy McCarthy's puzzling ankle problem, and Elgin City go again in the hunt for two consecutive league wins.

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 end a bad run and set up the chance to reel in favourites Dundee over the next couple of weeks. Leighton McIntosh again staked his Cove Rangers starting claim ahead of Friday's historic televised Balmoral clash with the Dees. Plus, when will something go right for Peterhead - after Elgin managed their first League Two win of the season against fast-starting Bonnyrigg Rose?

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 over.

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 psychological boost, although they were on the end of some good fortune in terms of the refereeing. Can Inverness show their miserable night at Partick was an early Championship blip? The early pressure on Cove Rangers shows the standards expected at both the Balmoral Stadium and in the second tier, generally, while the panel also discuss Peterhead’s exciting new signing and hard-to-beat Elgin City.