Betfred cup Lewis urges Aberdeen to wise up after woeful week
JOE LEWIS insists he and his Aberdeen team-mates can’t afford to display the kind of naivety they’ve shown in their last three games if they are to make progress in the Betfred Cup by eliminating Dundee at Dens Park tomorrow.
The Pittodrie side are reeling from Europa League losses to Rijeka which sandwiched a domestic defeat by St Mirren at Paisley last Sunday, performances that will give James McPake’s hosts more than a little hope of causing a cup upset.
Despite accepting that the Thursday night collapse against Rijeka was unacceptable, the goalkeeper cannot contemplate anything other than victory in their second-round tie.
“We have to show real character,” he said. “We will be favourites to win the game, so it will be about bravery and character to come back from what has been a disappointing week.
“I know that character is in there, we have the right mentality in the squad. The supporters will turn up in their numberstogiveustheirbackingandwe have to deliver a performance so they’ve got something to be happy about.”
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes concurs as he calls upon his team to sweep away any doubts there might be from supporters that his squad isn’t good enough to do well on the domestic front this season.
However, he recognises McPake’s men will take confidence from their opponents’ recent performances, especially after having watched them surrender to Rijeka on Thursday night.
“There will be loads of doom and gloom,” he said, “and there will be many people doubting my team.
“I believe when I put this squad together that we will do well domestically.
“We have all the season ahead to show that now.
“We will be ready, re-energised and re-focused on the task of getting the club into the next round.
“Dundee will think they can get a result against us, but we have to show we are a really good team and we want to get that place in the next round.”
McInnes revealed there were no injury concerns following the 2-0 defeat against Rijeka, although midfielder Lewis Ferguson is suspended.
Meanwhile, Paul McGowan insists Aberdeen will be like a wounded animal as Dundee prepare to welcome the off-form side.
And midfielder McGowan is