Joe Harper has hit out at Aberdeen for delivering a 'disgraceful' performance as they fell to a humiliating 4-0 defeat against Dundee United last Saturday.
The Dons were backed by a four thousand strong Red Army at Tannadice but the team couldn't deliver on the pitch with goals from Aziz Behich, Tony Watt and Jamie McGrath adding to a Ross McCrorie own goal to leave Jim Goodwin's men soul-searching. And Harper insists the players should be ashamed of themselves as he shut down any ready-made excuses with the Pittodrie boss serving an eight game touchline ban.
"Not a single Aberdeen player that started at Tannadice deserves pass marks – they should all be ashamed of themselves for that shocker," Harper wrote in his Press and Journal column. "The exceptions are youngsters Connor Barron and Leighton Clarkson who both came on as substitutes and did well. But two players is not enough.
"The absence of manager Jim Goodwin from the dugout at Tannadice due to his ban is not an excuse for that performance. All the players will have been given their instructions by Goodwin in the week leading up to the game. They shouldn’t need the manager in the dugout to do the jobs asked of them.
"Aberdeen are set to appeal the eight game ban, two suspended, for Goodwin. As it stands he won’t be in the dugout for Sunday’s game against Hearts at Pittodrie. The Dons players shouldn’t need mollycoddled – they should be able to carry out instructions if their manager is in the stands.
"Aberdeen’s defending against Dundee United was a disgrace and the goals conceded were amateurish. The midfield failed to get any grip on the game and the attack looked toothless.
"What also concerned me is they played like 11 individuals which you can’t do in a game.You have to play as a team and have unity on the pitch. That just wasn’t there as 4,000 Aberdeen fans were let down."
Hearts travel to Pittodrie this weekend as Aberdeen look to return to winning ways. Just a point separate the pair in the Scottish Premiership with the sides locked in fifth and sixth position. And Harper reckons they have to make home advantage count and grab all three points to repay the Dons faithful for the horror show in Dundee.
He added: "It is vital Aberdeen show an immediate response against Hearts to that shocker. They have to deliver a win for the supporters. Sunday’s game is absolutely massive and Aberdeen must make home advantage count."
