Graeme Shinnie admits Aberdeen crisis is real as skipper calls on squad to stand up and be counted
Graeme Shinnie reckons the Aberdeen dressing room is facing its biggest test – and from it Jimmy Thelin will see the true character within his struggling squad.
The Dons are now 13 games without a win in the Premiership and Shinnie is well aware they are on verge of undoing all they achieved in their unbeaten start to the campaign if they don’t get their fingers out and start putting wins on the board. Aberdeen didn’t play badly in this game. They dominated for long spells, couldn’t take their chances and lost some really bad goals.
Shinnie said: “It’s the biggest test. This is the time you see what characters want it and what characters don’t, so we need to stand up. There were some positive moments in the game but the goals kill all of that because it’s 3-0 but I mean in terms of the game we had, almost dominating parts.
“Getting in some good areas, we couldn’t get the ball in the net which is frustrating again but the goals come from split seconds. It’s not as if they have built up passages of play. The second one was almost just a hook down the line and so we need to sort those parts out, we need to sort it quickly.”
The confidence of the Dons team is shot. Some players are struggling to get out of the bit but Thelin sticks by them. There are glaring deficiencies. Slobodan Rubezic has been exposed so many times when the ball is put over him and somebody with pace gets in behind.
That was clearly something that St Mirren had worked on and provided some great joy. The first goal came from that avenue. Rubezic was in control and got back and headed it back but didn’t realise Ross Doohan had come flying out of his goal.
That gave Toyosi Oluswanya an easy tap-in. This was also a St Mirren side who had been struggling for goals in the league but were given a helping hand, through a lack of clear communication. ‘Rubi’ was left red-faced again when he looked to be in control of the situation but let Olusanya outpace him, cut inside and square for Mikael Mandron to net.
That was five minutes before half-time and the big defender put his hand up immediately and asked to be subbed. Thelin said after the game he didn’t know if he was injured or if there was another issue. Captain Shinnie admitted if the finger of blame is pointed it should be pointed at the whole team but knows individuals need to display a stronger mentality.
The midfielder said: “Yes but goals come from all different areas of the pitch, it’s not just one area. We evaluate every part of a goal so it’s not the full blame on him.
“I’ve got an arm around everyone. Football’s football, you need to have a strong mentality, you gain credit when you do well and you get a lot of stick when it’s not going as well. Like just now, we’re on one of the worst runs and you’ve got to meet it head on, you can’t shy away from it.”
Bizarrely, Aberdeen dominated the second half but couldn’t find the goal that would give them a lifeline. Sub Kevin Nisbet looked most likely. He clipped the woodwork with a free-kick and was denied by a superb save by Zach Hemming.
St Mirren then opened Aberdeen up as they charged forward. A simple long ball from Alex Gogic put Mandron in again and he let it fall over his shoulder and fired home first time.
St Mirren were solid defensively and lethal at the top, the exact opposite of Aberdeen. In fact the Dons are screaming out for an Olusanya-type. The striker is exactly what Thelin’s side need.
He has put St Mirren into the fringes of the top six but Aberdeen have gone from clear in second to just 10 points off the relegation spot. They are still fourth but they could plunge if they don’t start to get results.
However, Shinnie stated the time to look at the table is in May. He said: “I mean the first phase of the season you don’t look at the league table and likewise, this part we’re trying to sort of stay away from the table because the football needs to improve and quickly so that’s the part we’re focusing on.
“Yes, we’re still in a reasonable position because of the start that we’ve had but if we don’t change things around now then that’ll quickly deteriorate. So like we said, it’s a big job to now turn this form around but if we can do that then we’ve still got a lot to play for.”
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