Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes has said a lack of pace affected his team against St Mirren.
He made a few changes with one eye on the Europa League third round qualifier against Rijeka. With four changes made to his starting XI, the Dons went down 1-0 in Paisley.
McInnes believes having next to no pace affected his side.
The Dons boss told the club’s website: “It was our job to try and play with a bit more speed. We tried to bring more speed into the team with Scott and Connor and also Ryan, who all played behind Curtis.
“But we never really got as much of that pace into the game as we would have liked.”
Aberdeen were pretty toothless against St Mirren
It wasn’t just a lack of pace that cost the Dons. It was a lack of firepower going forward too.
Curtis Main didn’t do too much to hassle the Saints defence in the absence of Sam Cosgrove. Other attacking outlets like Ryan Hedges and Scott Wright also had very quiet games.
The absence of Cosgrove was there for all to see. He has scored in every game he has played in this season bar one, netting eight goals in six matches.
Last season he netted in three separate games against St Mirren. That extra clinical touch in front of goal would’ve probably resulted in Aberdeen taking at least a point back to Pittodrie.
It wasn’t to be though. A lack of pace as McInnes states and firepower going forward ultimately lead to a disappointing day for the Dons.