Source: Team_Talk
McGhee pleads for time to buiild
McGhee made an instant impact at Motherwell and achieved a top-three finish in his debut season, but Aberdeen have conceded 11 goals in his first three matches in charge.
The Dons travel to Hamilton on Saturday looking for their first win under McGhee after comprehensive defeats by Europa League opponents Sigma Olomouc and Celtic.
But the former Aberdeen striker has dismissed claims he is under pressure to deliver that victory in his second Scottish Premier League.
"Not in a million years is it a must-win game," McGhee said.
"I have just arrived at this football club and I intend to make an impression. But I'm not going to do it in a week.
"We need to broaden the depth of the squad and improve the quality within the squad and find a way of playing that suits every member of the squad.
"That may happen tomorrow or it may not. We have another 36 games after that to find our feet."
McGhee left Aberdeen in 1984 fresh from winning the double, but this summer he rejoined a club who have finished in Scotland's top three just once in 13 seasons.
The former Scotland striker has since discovered the club does not have the finances for an instant fix.
"I intend this club to be the third best in the country at worst," McGhee said.
"It's going to take hard work to get us there. There is not the financial help to make quick change so we have to be crafty and determined about how we find players and change things. But it will happen."
McGhee has identified one route to instant improvement after being disappointed with his side's workrate before they went into half-time against Celtic three goals down.
"I felt at times in the first half we simply didn't work hard enough," the former Wolves boss said.
"Some of that may be because there are young players who don't really realise what they are doing.
"I'm looking for us to be flat out and when that half-time whistle comes, they need that rest."
McGhee could add to his squad soon after being impressed by trialist Davide Grassi, a former Parma left-back, but Spaniard Aitor Lopez has failed to win a deal.
"We have a problem with Sone Aluko going to Africa with the Under-20 World Cup so we need to fill that gap in the left-hand side," McGhee said.
"We can maybe push Charlie (Mulgrew) further forward."
McGhee is hopeful of bringing more players in before the transfer deadline, but he does not expect Zander Diamond to move despite reports crediting Charlton with an interest.
"I have got about a dozen irons in the fire so I expect to be busy," he said.
"We have had no approach for Zander Diamond and not even any hint that there's an approach."
