Frustrated Jim Goodwin told the Red Army to direct their anger at him rather than his Aberdeen players. The Dons were dominant at home but couldn’t find a way past bottom side Ross County and were left to settle for a dull draw.
It saw Aberdeen pick up just their first point in 15 but it wasn’t enough for a number of fans who booed at the final whistle and when Goodwin went around the pitch to clap the Red Army. Aberdeen still sit in fourth spot but Hearts have pulled five points clear in third while their chasing rivals could also overtake them with their games in hand.
Goodwin said: "We recognise the fans' frustration and supporters up and down the land are all very similar. When their teams are winning they are happy with what they're seeing but when they are not picking up points they are not long in letting you know about it. Our supporters are obviously showing their disappointment and frustration at the end of the game.
"I hope it's not aimed towards the players because they showed a lot of commitment and effort. I would imagine it's more aimed my way which is part and parcel of the game that we are in.
"Ten or twelve weeks ago we were all walking about with our heads held high getting lots of pats on the back because we were playing well. Since the World Cup break we haven't picked up enough points and I've been in the game to know how it works. I've also been in the game long enough to know how you come out the other side of it.”
Goodwin claimed that progress has still been made but the damning statistic for him is that he now has a worse record than his predecessor Stephen Glass after his first 20 games and he didn’t see out the season. Aberdeen are currently better placed in fourth although they can drop out the top half if their chasing rivals were to win their games in hand.
The aim was third place but Hearts are now streaking away. The Dons went into the World Cup break best of the rest and unless the Dons can recapture their form then they could be chasing shadows. The Irishman is adamant he won’t panic and he can still turn their stalling season around.
"I certainly won't panic as that reaction at the end doesn't phase me as I believe in the players and my staff. I believe in the vision that we got at this club and if you look at where we are now compared to last season being fourth and in a cup semi final we have made progress," Goodwin claimed.
"Probably not as much as some people would like as there is a real lack of patience in society now. Everyone wants instant success and instant returns but the reality there is always eleven players in the opposition trying to stop you. We gave our all today but unfortunately it wasn't good enough to get the win we needed."
Goodwin has had far worse runs, going 11 league games without a win at St Mirren last season. Ironically, he then went on a five game unbeaten run and that coincided with him landing the Aberdeen job, despite never having finished in the Premiership’s top six.
Goodwin claimed he was going to hold talks with his players about their poor form. It was action not words that were being demanded by the Aberdeen support.
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