Aberdeen may have a clutch of new players but their problems on the pitch continue.
The Dons’ home game against St Mirren turned into a dismal afternoon as they went down 3-0 for their 13th Premiership game without a win.
After looking like top two contenders, and certainly stick-ons for third, they are are now fighting to hold onto their top six status with Hibs and the Buddies now only five points behind.
Aberdeen were warned they needed to use the Scottish Cup win over Elgin as a ‘catalyst’ but their clearly failed to do that as their Premiership woes continued.
Manager Jimmy Thelin had insisted qualifying for Europe was still on the cards but that will continue to look less and less likely with each passing defeat.
January signings Alexander Jensen, Jeppe Okkels and Kristers Tobers started yesterday, with Tottenham loanee Alfie Dorrington coming off the bench, while Pape Gueye is back leading the line after injury.
But more additions look to be required in midfield and at the top end of the park. Aberdeen do hope to persuade Dundee’s Lyall Cameron to join them instead of Rangers.
Jimmy Thelin shoulders Aberdeen responsibility
Thelin insists everyone at Aberdeen must stick together through adversity and come out the other side. But ultimately the buck stops with him.
Speaking post-match, he said: “It’s a challenge for everyone, for us, for me.
“For our supporters, it’s a difficult time, but the only way for me is to stick together.
“I as a manager am responsible.
“So I need to find a way to balance the team in a different way to not get so exposed to these situations that we are in right now.
“We have lost similar goals in recent games.
“We have to do more in this part of the games when we are attacking and then we get too exposed in these situations.
“Right now because of the balance it’s too easy for opponents to get these goals.
“As manager with my staff, I take responsibility and I need to help the players even more to fix this balance of the team so we cannot get so exposed in these situations.
“We can’t do so much inside a game and then, boom, it’s a goal.
“We have to just find a way to rebalance.”
Thelin on Rubezic sub
Slobodan Rubezic was taking off during the first half after indicating he wanted to be subbed, despite not appearing to pick up an injury.
Asked about that, the Pittodrie boss said: “He (Rubezic) said he wanted to change and let’s see, I haven’t spoken to him yet.
“I will do that after this press conference and then talk to him with some feelings or whatever it is.”
Asked if Rubezic was injured, Thelin said: “That’s what I don’t know yet.
“I haven’t spoken to him.
“No, I think it’s emotions in football, but I’m always supporting my players.”