The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Truths can help to lift Aberdeen out of mire
Interim boss Peter Leven says he delivered “home truths” to the Aberdeen squad during a team meeting less than 24 hours after losing at Dundee.
That damaging defeat means the Dons are only three points above the relegation playoff spot with nine games remaining.
Leven revealed captain Graeme Shinnie also held a separate talks with the squad on Thursday, in a bid to haul the Dons out of their damaging tailspin in the Premiership.
Aberdeen’s winless league run extended to 11 games when losing 1-0 at Dundee on Wednesday.
Leven revealed he studied the video nasty with the squad of footage from the Dundee defeat in a bid to isolate what went wrong – and fix it.
He also made the Dons watch footage of games where they have played well this season in an attempt to spark them into reproducing those levels.
The interim gaffer will demand an immediate response after those meetings when the Dons face Motherwell away on league action today.
He said: “There were some home truths to the players, I am not going to lie, and then Shinnie had a chat with them on their own.
“We showed them the video on Thursday of where they could have done better against Dundee. We have a loop of things that we needed to show them.
“The good things to show them what they have previously done, to show them how good they are.
“But we also had to show them things from Wednesday where they need to get better.”
Aberdeen have taken just five points from a possible 33 in failing to win a Premiership game since returning from the winter break in January.
Asked if he expected an immediate response to the loss at Dundee, Leven said: “I hope so. Actions speak louder than words. There is no point in saying it, you need to go and do it.”
Aberdeen’s squad was expensively rebuilt during last summer’s transfer window with 13 new signings secured.
Having woefully underperformed in the Premiership, with just six wins from 29 games, how can that potential be realised – if it can?
Leven said: “Having individual meetings and group meetings. Talk to them, get to see what drives them and what I need to use to motivate them.
“I have a great captain in Shinnie and Jonny (Hayes), along with the other senior players who help to drive this changing room and know the expectations of this club.
“The fans drive the expectation of this club. They let you know when you are not doing well and that should tell you as well.”
Aberdeen’s previous clash with Motherwell – at Pittodrie a month ago – saw the Dons fight back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 in Warnock’s third game in charge.