Source: FOOTYMAD
Rumours Of My Demise Have Been Exaggerated
Aberdeen's playing staff have had a heart-to-heart with Mark McGhee but he says the frank exchange of views was helpful rather than hurtful. Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee will have none of the stories that he was "slaughtered" by his players during hour-long crisis talks after their defeat at Falkirk. McGhee invited his squad to provide 360 degree feedback on his performance since he took charge last summer following Saturday's 3-1 loss in a desperate bid to prevent their season spiralling out of control. Rumours have circulated that his disgruntled players have criticised McGhee's training methods which has led to the side failing to win any of their last seven games. The squad trained for the first time since the weekend on Tuesday morning and McGhee said: "The important thing for the supporters to know is that there was a really positive atmosphere and really positive attitude at training this morning. Anything they read about dissent or this business about criticism is absolutely rubbish. My reaction to what happened in the dressing room was not one of shock and we weren't slaughtered by the players. That is absolute ridiculous nonsense. We had a really constructive discussion, after which I was feeling much, much better than I did at the final whistle. Some people have tried to put a spin on it this morning, that it was in some way critical of me and my methods, which is just not the case. There were some positive observations, some of which I had to go away and think, 'Right, OK, what do I do about that? What do I think about that?' But there was nothing offensive, nothing that I had any worries about." McGhee admitted after the Falkirk game he had struggled to recall a worse week in his managerial career, with Saturday's defeat coming on the back of a shock Scottish Cup exit at the hands of Raith. That result was the latest in a long line of cup upsets for Aberdeen that date back to before McGhee's time in charge, but he was not spared the fans' vitriol, claiming he was spat at as he left the field last Tuesday. McGhee is not about to give up and is determined to win over his critics. He said: "Those who are mailing in support, I appreciate it and I thank them for that sincerely. Those that aren't, I just hope that eventually they'll realise that we're doing a good job and that we'll win them over. I'm very focused and remain very determined about what I am doing here and what I came here to do." It is Aberdeen's inconsistency which has been the most frustrating for fans, doing well and getting results against Celtic, Hibs, Dundee United and Hearts but suffering defeats against the likes of Raith, Falkirk and St Mirren. McGhee believes the Dons' form may be the result of being forced to play 12 games in the last two months without being able to make too many changes. McGhee said: "You have to wonder about the consequences of playing the number of games we have with the few players that we have at our disposal. We have to be careful of making sweeping statements about attitude and all of that. Of course, I was the first after the Raith Rovers game to be critical. But you just have to be a wee bit careful." Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba net)This is Scottish-Fitba Net
