On your marks, get set, GOAL!
Ferguson says Dons must fire back – and fast
LEWIS FERGUSON insists misfiring Aberdeen’s short-term goal is simple – to start hitting the net again and show new boss Stephen Glass they can be Scotland’s third force.
The Dons’ lack of a cutting edge has cost them dearly, as it effectively ended Derek McInnes’ reign early and has left the Pittodrie outfit playing catchup to Hibs.
Aberdeen have scored just two goals since February and both came from Callum Hendry, who can’t play today because he’s on-loan from St Johnstone.
Glass is finishing off his quarantine period after his switch from America and will take over first-team duties after this weekend’s visit to Perth.
Ferguson knows the Dons squad are playing for their futures and hauling back Hibs’ seven-point advantage means there is little room for error.
He said: “We have struggled trying to hit the back of the net recently. Our build-up play has been pretty good but we’ve been struggling with the last bit of the puzzle, that bit in the final third.
“Whether it is the final pass or hitting the target we’ve struggled. The longer games go on and we haven’t scored we start to get a bit more nervous and it eats away.
“We need to put that to the side, keep working on our build-up play and hopefully the goals will come.
“We just need to be a bit more calm and composed in the final third. For a striker and a forward-thinking player, it is probably a confidence thing.
“When confidence is high, everything hits the back of the net and when it’s low you really struggle.
“I heard the Chelsea manager talk about Timo Werner the other day. He has not scored in a while and he sent him in from training because he wanted to do extra shooting. He said it would come naturally and I think it does. That’s a top manager saying that.
“Once the confidence is high you can go and score more often because we are creating more chances at the moment. We are just not managing to find the back of the net.”
Ferguson admitted interim boss Paul Sheerin and coach Barry Robson have worked hard on that front.
He said: “Paul and Barry have been really good with us. They are two good coaches who everyone respects.
“We’ve worked on our build-up play recently and that’s shown. We’re doing loads of drills to get into the final third and apply that finishing touch, which is really needed.”
The fact Ferguson is Aberdeen’s top scorer sums it up. He has nine goals but his l a s t strike was in October. The Scotland Under-21 said: “I was really enjoying it, I was scoring goals and we were playing well. It is difficult and at times you need one to come off your backside but unfortunately it hasn’t happened.”
The Dons’ season has been underwhelming but there is still plenty to play for, in terms of a European place and a Scottish Cup assault.
Ferguson added: “Third place is in our sights. Hibs are in a good position but we need to focus on ourselves. We’re still in the cup and looking forward to the next round.”