Derek McInnes told the AberdeenFC website Aberdeen have to refocus ahead of the visit of Motherwell.
Last weekend was turgid for the Dons losing 4-1 to Ross County for the first time in five years.
In the previous five games up in Dingwall Aberdeen have won but last Saturday the Dons were swept aside by a Ross County team that started the day at the bottom of the league.
The scoreline doesn’t tell the whole story with Aberdeen having numerous gilt edge chances to up their goals tally against the Staggies in a game that was end-to-end.
“We have done enough this season to suggest we can finish the season where we want to finish. We stay quiet, we work harder and remind the players we are not a poor side.”
Aberdeen have had a poor start to 2021 not winning any of their three games – a draw and two losses.
Boss Derek McInnes believes Aberdeen have proven they can finish third and that they are not a ‘poor side’.
McInnes told aberdeenfc.co.uk: “We have done enough this season to suggest we can finish the season where we want to finish. We knuckle down and get on with the job. We stay quiet, we work harder and remind the players we are not a poor side.”
On the trip to Dingwall, McInnes admitted it was a bad day but it can be quickly put behind them if they win their two games in hand and reclaim third spot off Hibs.
McInnes said of the situation at the club: “When you have bad days like last Saturday, and we try to keep them to a minimum, it was a horrible afternoon. You come in; you get the boys going again. You get them to refocus. You remind them that it was a poor afternoon, but we are not a poor team.
“If we win one of our two games in hand over Hibs, we will be sitting in third spot.”
Further articles:
–Inquest: Can Mcinnes Reinvigorate Aberdeen After Crushing Defeat To Ross County?
–Take a look at what Neil Lennon said during THAT press conference about the Dubai trip and see some reaction
Aberdeen are a point behind Hibs but if they match the Hibees results and win their two games in hand they’ll go five points ahead of Jack Ross’ side and take control of third place and the chance at another season qualifying for the Europa League.
The dreadful day on the banks of the Peffery were compounded by injuries to star men Ross McCrorie and Jonny Hayes.
Hayes could return for the game against Motherwell after coming off in the second half against Ross County due to an ankle injury.
Ross McCrorie will be out for some time but the manager remained optimistic about the Rangers loanees’ prospects saying his injury wasn’t as bad as first feared.
On the two McInnes said: “Ross McCrorie will miss the next couple of weeks. In terms of what we were fearing it is actually good news with him. He’s punctured his muscle in and around the ankle.
“Jonny is off crutches and is improving. The swelling has come out of the ankle, he has had a bit of history with that ankle. It is too early to say whether he will be available for the weekend.”
Better news for the Dons, Ash Taylor should train tomorrow after coming off injured last weekend.
Other injury concerns Greg Leigh and Connor McLennan will be available but the Motherwell clash is too soon for Dylan McGeouch.
Motherwell come into the game having had a tumultuous season after finishing third last year.
The Steelmen beat Aberdeen the last time they played at Pittodrie and drew at Fir Park but since then Graham Alexander has replaced Stephen Robinson as manager after Robinson surprisingly stepped down at the end of December.
Motherwell are currently 11th but the position could be considered somewhat false considering the Fir Park outfit were ranked the third best team in Scottish football less than 12 months ago.
Analysis: “We’re not a poor team” says something
One assumes Derek McInnes was not prompted into using the term ‘poor team’.
It’s a strange term to put anywhere near his side who are still favourites to finish third in the league.
But Aberdeen’s run of form in the second quarter of the season has been poor.
Following their opening day loss to Rangers they won eight of ten games in all comps.
In the last ten they’ve come away with three wins, three losses and four draws.
The main issue has been scoring goals and no matter how many games Aberdeen have in hand on Hibs they need frontmen Curtis Main and Sam Cosgrove (combined 6 between them) to start firing regularly if they are to claim third.
Aberdeen vs Motherwell, SPL, Saturday, KO 3:00pm.
Harry Jamshid Reporter Sports Pages 