Glass remains half-full for optimistic Hayes
TRUDGING off the pitch at full-time has been a sobering experience for Aberdeen’s players over recent weeks.
Last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at home to St Johnstone prompted yet more anger from Dons supporters as they witnessed their team extend their winless run to seven matches.
The previous weekend, Stephen Glass’ men fell to a 2-0 loss at Motherwell. The pain of that failure was intensified by the fact the away dressing room was located in the same stand as their fans, meaning there was no place to hide as the players walked up the steps.
It’s safe to say, then, that Aberdeen could do with a victory against St Mirren in Paisley this afternoon to ease the tension that is rising.
The opening weeks of the campaign showed signs of promise for Glass, who is in his first full season in charge at Pittodrie. But an exit from Europe against FK Qarabag, as well as a humbling defeat at Championship outfit Raith Rovers in the Premier Sports Cup, were major blows as the team strayed off course.
Slipping up against a Saints side who have yet to win in the Premiership so far would only increase the fury.
‘I think the manager did hit the ground running,’ said Dons winger Jonny Hayes. ‘We started quite well. It’s tough for a new manager and new staff with half-a-dozen new signings. We started well and came up against a good team in Europe.
‘We’ve had a couple of bad results over the last four or five weeks but it happens in football. It’s not to do with the manager or individuals. It’s more about the squad looking for form.
‘The manager is fine. I’ve not noticed any difference. He is a positive manager. Everyone has to start somewhere and the gaffer has started off well here.
‘This is where he’ll hope the experience of the squad comes into play. We have plenty of it. He’ll want some players to put in better performances through this sticky phase.’
Hayes knows the demands at Aberdeen but claims the supporters are realistic as to what was expected in the early stages for a team that saw 10 new summer arrivals.
‘We’ve always had good support in my time here,’ said the Irishman, who joined the Dons from Celtic for a second spell last summer. ‘I don’t think that will change.
‘A lot of fans understand the club has gone through a change in the last six months. I don’t think anyone was expecting us to come in and win 10 games on the bounce.
‘The last few results have been disappointing but there is more than enough quality here to turn it around.’