Ryan Jack says Dundee United clash not a 'must-win game' for Aberdeen
Captain Ryan Jack refused to put added pressure on out of form Aberdeen ahead of their clash with Dundee United at Pittodrie on Saturday.
After storming to the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership table with eight straight wins from the start of the season, a subsequent collapse has brought just one point from the last 15 as well as an exit from the Scottish League Cup to Championship side Hibernian.
Derek McInnes's side have dropped into third place behind Hearts and leaders Celtic, although bottom side United also have plenty on their plate under new boss Mixu Paatelainen.
Two defeats and a victory in the league following the appointment of the Finn was followed by a crushing 3-0 loss to Hibs in the League Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday night.
However, Jack, speaking to RedTV, was not keen to overstate the importance of the United match.
The 23-year-old midfielder said: "I would never put that type of pressure on ourselves and say that it is a must-win game.
"We set out to win every game we play in and we want to win every game that we play in, but we don't put that pressure on ourselves to say that we must win.
"We just need to keep working hard and I am sure that it will come together.
"It is important that we stick together and if we play the way we have been training the last week or so, and take that form in training into the game, I am sure we will do fine.
"It is a great dressing room. Everyone knows we are going through a sticky spell and hopefully we can get back on form on Saturday."
Forward Cammy Smith is back in training following a groin injury.
Andrew Considine has recovered from the head knock that forced him off at Celtic Park, but Josh Parker is a doubt after picking up a knock in training.
United skipper Sean Dillon has warned his team-mates to stop hiding behind excuses in the wake of their dispiriting defeat to Hibs.
Dillon insisted the United squad need to take greater responsibility for their miserable run of form.
The Irishman told Press Association Sport: "We had a good result at the weekend so we were confident going into the Hibs match, so it's disappointing how we played.
"I'd still like to think we have turned the corner even if Wednesday night was a poor result. I don't think we played well enough though. We gave the ball away far too cheaply.
"Confidence was up after the weekend but maybe it was a fragile confidence.
"However, it's a game of football. I don't think it's acceptable to say, 'Oh, it just didn't go for us'. We should have been better."
Aidan Connolly is banned for the Dons clash after he was booked twice against Ross County last Saturday.
Paul Dixon is still not ready to feature after hernia surgery, while Mario Bilate (knee), Chris Erskine (pelvis), Paul Paton (knee), Ryan Dow (groin) and Callum Morris (calf) also remain on the sidelines.
Source: PAR
