Aberdeen: Jim Goodwin under more pressure after Darvel loss
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'Disappointed, embarrassed, humiliated' - Goodwin on Scottish Cup exit
For the second time in six days Jim Goodwin apologised for an "embarrassing" Aberdeen defeat while vowing to fight on as manager.
The 5-0 drubbing by Hearts, Scotland's third force, was bad enough.
The 1-0 Scottish Cup exit to Darvel - a part-time club five divisions and 56 places below Aberdeen - has plunged the fan base to new depths of despair and surely left Goodwin clinging to his job.
The former St Mirren boss admitted after the match that he has no assurances over his future and had yet to speak to chairman Dave Cormack, who was in attendance at Recreation Park to see the Premiership club humiliated.
The former Republic of Ireland defender, however, remained defiant and said: "I do believe I can turn it around, absolutely.
"I have confidence in the squad. We are going through a difficult period but we have to stick together and keep fighting and put on a good display at Easter Road on Saturday.
"The last two results have been extremely disappointing. To concede five against Hearts and then to come here and get turned over by a junior team is embarrassing and humiliating for everyone connected to the club and we can only apologise."
Away woes and 'scared' players
Whether Goodwin remains in charge for Saturday's trip to the capital to face Hibernian remains to be seen.
His side have won just once in nine games in all competitions, have fallen to fifth in the Premiership and any goodwill from supporters from the narrow defeat by Rangers in the Viaplay Cup semi-final has swiftly evaporated in the following two games.
Three of the defeats in their recent poor run have been against the Old Firm. But no amount of excuses can mitigate for the cup exit to Darvel.
It comes on top of Aberdeen having the second-worst defensive record in the top flight and having lost half of their 22 league games - eight of those away from home.
Those vulnerabilities on the road were laid bare on Monday in East Ayrshire in a tie that was part of a pivotal month for Goodwin. Next comes the league visit to Hibs - whose manager Lee Johnson is also under severe pressure - then home games against St Mirren and Motherwell, a visit to Celtic Park and a home meeting with Livingston.
The Pittodrie boss raised eyebrows by benching combative midfielder Graeme Shinnie and top-scorer Bojan Miovski on a night that was always going about showing battling qualities.
Miovski and fellow forward Vicente Besuijen were thrown in at the break, but the damage had already been done and proved irreparable as Aberdeen crashed out at the first hurdle.
Sportscene pundit Leanne Crichton said Aberdeen's players looked "scared to make a mistake".
The former Scotland player added: "Individuals were more comfortable passing the buck onto other people and having them make decisions.
"There's real question marks over the style and identity of Aberdeen."
'Huge decision' for chairman Cormack
Highlights: Darvel 1-0 Aberdeen
It all leaves Aberdeen facing a similar situation to last season. Under Stephen Glass the side started the 2021-22 campaign positively but faded until February, when the manager was dismissed and Goodwin was brought in.
The two managers have similar records, so time is running out for Goodwin. Ominously, it was a Scottish Cup exit - to Premiership rivals Motherwell - that spelled the end of Glass' tenure.
Enough has been going well at the club. The academy has been producing players and, lack of defenders aside, the summer recruitment has delivered a squad - including Miovski, Duk and Leighton Clarkson - which is capable of better.
Early home performances proved that, when Aberdeen were strong going forward. But Cormack is now pondering the same dilemma. Sack the manager and hope a better one will get more from the squad? Or have faith and stick with him despite the poor results?
Former Aberdeen captain and manager Willie Miller says Cormack is in a "really difficult situation".
"It's a huge decision for him," Miller said. "I think Jim Goodwin and the chairman will have to have serious discussions. I don't know if there's enough goodwill from the chairman to allow Goodwin to stay."
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