Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin has the full backing of Dons hero Graeme Shinnie - with the versatile star admitting he 'feels responsibility' for the club's recent downfall under the Irishman.
Aberdeen went into the World Cup break with 25 points from 15 games in the league, a decent return with results expected to continue once the league restarted. But just four points from seven games since has shrouded a huge cloud of doubt over Goodwin's head, with the 5-0 loss to Hearts in midweek really setting the cat amongst the pigeons.
The side from the Granite City have a Scottish Cup tie away at sixth-division minnows Darvel on Monday evening, with some thinking the unthinkable may just happen in East Ayrshire - a result that would leave Goodwin in the lurch. But Shinnie claims he also feels responsible, admitting he has to drag the younger players through the campaign.
Shinnie said: “I always feel responsibility along with the other senior lads at the club. It’s a young squad we have here, young boys who are still learning the game. So it’s very important the likes of me and the other older ones drag them through this. We have to give them the platform to play, express themselves and enjoy themselves.
“I’m 31 now and have been in football a long time. I’ve been at Aberdeen before and there is massive pressure on me. I wasn’t happy with my performance against Hearts. I put pressure on myself to do better and play better. As a team there’s always a pressure to do well and win games. If you can’t handle that pressure then you shouldn’t be in football because it will always be there. It’s about overcoming that and having confidence in your own ability to do the business on the pitch.”
Aberdeen have struggled for clean sheets and wins on the road but defeat in Darvel would be unthinkable. Shinnie knows they need to stop gifting cheap goals. He added: “I don’t think you can question the workrate, heart or the desire of the team.
"It’s about trying to drag everyone through at times like this. As a team we have to cut out the stupid errors at the back so we can let the front boys flourish. There are always responsibilities when you’re in tough moments, you have to drag others through it. We’ve been in tough situations before and I’m sure we will be in them again further down the line. We’re fortunate we have a game so soon so it’s a chance to turn things around.”
The Dons players held a frank, clear-the-air meeting on Thursday morning after the Tynecastle rout. Shinnie knows Aberdeen are entering a pivotal part in the season, with the Scottish Cup and a big league game against Hibs in the fight for the top six upcoming.
Shinnie said: “As a squad it’s about us dealing with the next few games and trying to turn our form around. I’ve only been in three games now and the first two were very good. But Wednesday wasn’t acceptable and will never be acceptable for Aberdeen. We need to turn that around. The performance in the Ross County game the week before I came in was very good but we didn’t get the win.
“It’s about putting in the performances but turning around the results and winning games. To do that is tough but with the squad we have here we can do that. We need to start in Darvel by trying to get through that tie and build on that going into Hibs the week after that.”
Many neutrals will be looking at Darvel and putting money on them to cause an upset. Shinnie knows Aberdeen just need to concentrate and get the job done.
He said: “It's the pressure that comes as players and with playing at Aberdeen. We need to do a professional job and play to our full potential. We need to play well and not concede sloppy goals. It’s a game we can win if we do that.”
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