"When we release the handbrake and start playing, then everybody grows." Aberdeen fans have been waiting some time for Jimmy Thelin's side to take that handbrake off. Following Saturday's 2-0 defeat by Motherwell, the Scottish Cup holders remained anchored at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership without a league goal to their name. The prospect of Shakhtar Donetsk coming to Pittodrie in the Europa Conference League on Thursday would have understandably caused a fair whack of concern. In the build-up, captain Graeme Shinnie admitted the players had "100%" let down Thelin so far this season, but can Dons fans still be optimistic for this season?