Gales, big freeze and a goal drought for Dons
Aberdeen made it five games without a goal for a recordequalling fourth time in the Pittodrie club’s history to increase the pressure on Derek Mcinnes.
What must be concerning is one of the previous three was just last season, emphasising why sections of the support are frustrated with their manager.
Mcinnes was given the dreaded vote of confidence from chairman Dave Cormack after last week’s defeat at Easter Road.
Now this result leaves them four points adrift of third-place Hibernian after going 463 minutes without scoring.
Mcinnes still believes the addition of Fraser Hornby, Callum Hendry and Florian Kamberi during the recent transfer window will solve the problem.
However, the gale-force wind that ruined this game as a spectacle did at least offer a genuine reason for this latest failure.
Mcinnes said: “It is a
concern. We brought players in to change that.
“I think it is hard to assess the players today but the intention is to be better because one point doesn’t get the job done.
“It is clear these boys are going to take a while to get up to speed but I thought the willingness of both lads and Callum Hendry when he came on was great.
“We need to be patient but we are at that stage in the season where we need those boys firing now.”
Kamberi made his debut after the striker, on loan from Swiss side St Gallen, got his work permit while Niall Mcginn was recalled from the start.
The bitterly cold sub-zero temperature when the game got under way was bad enough, but a ferocious swirling wind made it impossible for either side to play decent football.
Instead, everyone of them deserved credit for the effort put into trying to win the game for their respective sides.
In eight minutes Ilkay Durmus did make space for a cross from the left but Ryan Flynn could only steer a sixyard shot straight at Joe Lewis.
At the other end Matty Kennedy let fly from long distance without troubling Jak Alnwick and the same was true when Kamberi had a go in 29 minutes.
The former Rangers player’s physical presence was tough
for the Buddies backline to deal with at times.
He was also keen to prove his worth on the deck and smashed a powerful shot Alnwick dealt well with after Ross Mccrorie won possession in midfield.
Then, just before half-time, Jake Doyle-hayes challenged Fraser Hornby for a high ball at the back post but his momentum saw him painfully collide with the advertising boards.
Cammy Macpherson replaced him for a second half that was really no better in terms of the quality of football the poor players could produce.
There did seem to be more purpose to Aberdeen’s attacking performance with the wind at their backs.
However, a combination of the dreadful weather and dogged defending by the Buddies foiled their efforts.
Of course there was always the chance that a mistake could settle things and that so nearly happened 10 minutes from time.
Mccrorie’s long throw saw the first bit of hesitation from Goodwin’s men as Alnwick and Joe Shaughnessy got in a fankle trying to deal with the bouncing ball.
They were bailed out when Ryan Flynn stepped in to lash it clear just as Lewis Ferguson threatened to take advantage.