Embarrassing and a disgrace. Ross McCrorie didn't hold back in his criticism after Aberdeen's dire 5-0 defeat against Hearts.
But the defender is certain the blame lies at the feet of the playing squad and not under-pressure boss Jim Goodwin.
Had Aberdeen triumphed at Tynecastle then the gap in the race for third would be down to three points. Instead, it's nine.
It was a cataclysmic result - and one which only serves to further put the spotlight on Goodwin's position at Pittodrie
For McCrorie, the result at Tynecastle was unacceptable - and in his mind it comes down to the mentality of the players, not Goodwin's tactical or personnel decisions.
“I wouldn’t say it’s on the gaffer, no - it’s on the players," explained McCrorie. “We had a good starting eleven out but the mentality wasn’t there. To be honest, it was an embarrassing scoreline. It was a disgrace.
“It should be a much closer game because Hearts are our rivals this season for third and fourth, the top end of the table.
“So it’s embarrassing to come away from there with that result.
“There are no excuses. We can’t talk about Sunday’s game because we should have the fitness levels to go again a few days later. We should have the fitness and the energy levels, so it’s something that you have to question the mentality.
“Because I don’t think it was there with some boys.
“We still have a very good team but we just need to sort a few details out within the ranks, tidy things up and do the analysis.
“We need to get rid of the mistakes we keep making - that’s a mentality thing as well and we need to cut it out of our game.
“We need to do that ASAP if we’re going to accumulate the points we need between now and the end of the season.
“It’s not beyond us [third], there are still plenty of games to go.
“I won’t get into positions where we want to finish in the table, but there are plenty of points to play for.
“But we need to pick ourselves up and go again because we have a difficult game on Monday against Darvel."
The fact Aberdeen were a deflected goal and extra-time away from a Viaplay Cup final and win over Rangers was quickly forgotten as Joe Lewis picked the ball out of his net for a fifth time on Wednesday night.
Aberdeen rightly earned plaudits for their performance level at Hampden, but McCrorie fumed over the drop in display just days later.
He insisted: “We can’t go getting plaudits for the performance last Sunday, even though we didn’t get the result we wanted, and then produce that. We have to be able to go a few days later, especially in a big game against Hearts.
“But we never had that, we were second to everything and the goals were extremely sloppy. You have to be able to go again, week after week.
“You are only as good as your last game, as they say. And we can’t dwell on having one game here and there, then expect to roll up to places and put on a show.
“You have to have the right mentality, the attitude to work hard and put in the hard yards in every game.
“You have to earn the right to play in every game and cut out the silly mistakes."
McCrorie has never lacked desire or effort on the pitch and demanded he and his team-mates show the necessary desire and mentality to improve results starting in the Scottish Cup against Darvel.
On his mentality criticism, McCrorie added: “As team-mates can you instill that in people? Yes, you can but it’s difficult because it’s something some people have got it naturally and some others don’t.
“But it’s something we can work on in training, work on bits and bobs to tidy up mistakes.
“We need to do that ASAP."
A Monday night trip to Darvel in front of the television cameras offers somewhat of a shot at redemption for Aberdeen - even if they head into the match as heavy favourites.McCrorie has urged his team-mates to handle the pressure of the fixture and shut down any possibility of falling victim to a Scottish Cup upset at Recreation Park.
“Monday’s game was a big one anyway because we want to do well in the cup," he said.
“Darvel will have a good support down there, they have been buzzing for the game since it was drawn.
“It is probably the biggest game in their history so they will be right up for it.
“So we have to go there with the right mentality, play the best we can and come back up the road with a victory.
“Playing with Aberdeen there’s always going to be pressure and that’s something we have to cope with. If you can’t cope with the pressure of playing here then you’re not at the right club.
“So it’s something we have to cope with. Hopefully we can put on a show and get into the next round.”
