WHAT A TURN ON
Adam: We heaped pressure on Dons by getting their fans to vent fury at players
CHARLIE ADAM revealed making the Aberdeen fans turn on their own team and manager was part of Dundee’s game plan.
It worked a treat with the travelling support venting their fury as the Dons fell two goals behind while boss Stephen Glass’ ears were ringing with chants of, “You’re getting sacked in the morning”.
Aberdeen pulled a goal back but lost their fifth game in a row and are now winless in 10 matches.
This match was one neither side could afford to lose, with Dundee also having suffered four defeats on the bounce and sitting bottom of the table.
However, once the dust had settled on a pulsating game played like a cup tie, James McPake’s men had finally ended their hefty wait for a first league win of the season.
Man of the match Adam admitted he was fully aware the Dons fans were turning against their team, who have tumbled to ninth in the table.
He said: “Oh yes – and that was part of the plan. There was big pressure on them and they have invested well.
“There’s big pressure on Aberdeen and you have to handle that.
“But we focused on ourselves as well and we knew if we came with a game plan and kept to the right way of playing, then we would cause them problems. And that showed.
“We were the far better side and deserved the victory.”
Adam was making his comeback after being sidelined since the end of August with a groin injury.
He said: “It is just great to be back playing. It was a big challenge.
“You know, it’s Aberdeen, one of the top five clubs in this country.
“What they are trying to do at the moment, they are in a process and it’s been difficult for them.
“It’s been difficult for us as well, sitting at the bottom. It has been tough to take and it is even worse when you are sitting on the sidelines unable to contribute.
“It’s nice to get back to support the team and get back winning. We did that. The performance was outstanding.”
Dundee carved out a chance in the first minute as Luke McCowan smashed a shot from the edge of the box with keeper Gary Woods having to push the ball to safety.
Aberdeen created their first opening in the 10th minute, Jack MacKenzie hitting an angled drive Adam Legzdins comfortably held.
Christian Ramirez then saw his diving header cleared off the line by Leigh Griffiths before Dons team-mate Jonny Hayes rattled a long-range shot just wide.
The deadlock was broken just three minutes after the restart. Paul McMullan hit a great cross-field pass to Griffiths in space and the on-loan Celtic striker made no mistake, drilling a low shot into the back of the net in his fifth appearance on return to the club.
The home fans were celebrating once again in the 62nd minute as Dee doubled their advantage through McCowan, who hit a crisp drive from the edge of the box past a helpless Woods.
The Dons grabbed a lifeline just five minutes later when MacKenzie sent a low cross in from the left all the way to the back post where Ramirez was waiting to turn the ball home from a tight angle.
As tempers boiled over late on, Dons goalkeeping coach Gordon Marshall and Dens boss McPake were both shown red cards and sent to the stand.
Skipper Adam was pleased for Griffiths netting his first goal since joining Dee at the end of August for what is his second spell in dark blue.
He said: “It was only a matter of time as he is a top striker.
“I still believe he is the best finisher we have in the international team.
“He just needs to keep scoring goals, and get that opportunity again.
“Hopefully he starts to enjoy it again and a run will come from it.”
While the skipper walked off with a bottle of champagne for his man-of-thematch performance, he joked he would also like a win bonus after being locked in talks with managing director John Nelms over bonuses for this season.
He added: “I was looking at my bottle of the champagne but hopefully we get the win bonus sorted out.
“Listen, there is no issue with it. The lads showed they are not worried about win bonuses.
“You saw that from the performance. I will speak to John next week and will get it sorted.
“Hopefully this victory will give us a springboard for the rest of the season.”