Aberdeen fans chanted "sacked in the morning" as embattled manager Jimmy Thelin's miserable start to the season continued with a meek Scottish Premiership defeat against Dundee United at Tannadice.
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Image source, SNSAberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin: "It's tough.
"The supporters after the game, they're angry and frustrated with our performance and result.
"We need to find answers really quickly now to get the team going in the right direction and show our fans much more.
"The expectations are really big. Right now we have one point and zero goals and there are a lot of things to fix, in both boxes. Now we need to step up again and we have another chance on Saturday.
"We have to be more mature at the moments when the goals are scored and play the game another way.
"We need to step up and not have this tension when we play. We're all too tense. As individuals, I know the players can do better but we have to be more focused and trust our quality.
"I'm a strong believer this was rock bottom today. We can't go deeper than we are right now.
"Stuart Armstrong did really well today, he was experiences, there are a lot of expectation but he plays very composed and that's what we need to spread through the whole team for Saturday."
Adam Binnie
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSAberdeen's Premiership clash with Dundee United on Tuesday night provides the ideal opportunity for Jimmy Thelin's side to kickstart their season, according to former Pittodrie winger Niall McGinn.
The Dons have had a torrid start to the campaign. They are bottom of the Premiership having taken just one point from four matches and failed to score in any of them, while hopes of League Cup success were ended by Motherwell last weekend.
United pipped Aberdeen to fourth place in the league last season and, having started steadily this term, will go into the game at Tannadice as favourites.
"I think there was a lot of hope and a lot of optimism coming off the back of Aberdeen winning that Scottish Cup, the first one in so many years," McGinn told BBC Scotland.
"You're probably thinking they're going to kick on from the start of last season, but it's been the complete opposite. It's been a surprise.
"The Aberdeen fans will go down to Tannadice probably in hope more than confidence at the moment, but it's a game that has expectations.
"It's been a tough venue over the years for Aberdeen, but it's been a venue where they've won big games as well.
"If there was a game for Aberdeen to get their season up and running, it's going to be this one.
"If you look at last season, how Dundee United won towards the end of the season, they sort of pipped them in the league table to fourth. So, there'll be a wee bit of rivalry there, which has always been there in the New Firm derby."
McGinn insists Aberdeen have the talent to turn their season around, having signed Stuart Armstrong, Kevin Nisbet and Jesper Karlsson at the end of the summer window.
"The squad, first and foremost, is definitely strong enough to be picking up wins, but it's just about getting that consistency right," McGinn said.
"One of the key reasons at the moment why things aren't maybe clicking is that there are a lot of new faces integrating, coming from different leagues.
"But the thing is, when you're coming to a club like Aberdeen, you have to hit the ground running as quickly as you possibly can."
Calum Wright
Fan writer
A lack of width is hurting Aberdeen right now.
The club have spent big fees on Topi Keskinen, Nicolas Milanovic and Kenan Bilalovic and added what should be a standout performer in on-loan Bologna winger Jesper Karlsson on deadline day.
But during Saturday's defeat to Motherwell in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final a severe lack of attacking threat was clear for all to see – especially on the wings.
On far too many occasions Alexander Jensen, in particular, was wide open on the right when receiving the ball, but had to turn back to play it inside with no real options ahead of him down the line.
The Danish full-back has been criticised for his lack of prowess going forward. However, from my view in the South Stand on Saturday, the winger ahead of him didn't help him one iota.
Both Keskinen and, latterly, Karlsson continually moved in far too narrow and forced Jensen to go back the way.
There must be some thinking behind this coming from boss Jimmy Thelin, but what that is, I have no idea.
We seem to be shooting ourselves in the foot, as it continuously slows down and limits our attacking play at a time, and during a run of results, where we can't afford that to be the case.
Aberdeen are hoping to turn their bad fortunes around rather than having to part ways with manager Jimmy Thelin, although the club recognise fan frustation and are doing due diligence in case the bad form continues. (Anthony Joseph on X), external
Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Ivan Dolcek has scored (4) or assisted (1) a goal in each of his four Scottish Premiership appearances for Dundee United. The last player to be directly involved in at least one goal in each of his first five appearances in the competition was Scott Sinclair for Celtic in September 2016.
After their 2-1 victory on the final day of last season, Dundee United could win back-to-back league meetings with Aberdeen for the first time since November 2008 under Craig Levein.
Aberdeen have lost five of their past six league visits to Tannadice, including their latest two in a row, since a 3-1 victory in March 2023.
Dundee United have scored 2+ goals in each of their past five Scottish Premiership games, last doing so more times in a row in the top flight in March 2012 (6) – a run which was ended by a 3-1 defeat against Aberdeen.
With just one point from four games, this is Aberdeen's poorest start to a league season since 2011-12 (also one point from first four), while they last had one or fewer points from their opening five games in 1999-00 (0).
Image source, SNSDundee United remain without Ross Graham, Isaac Pappoe, Ryan Strain, Kristijan Trapanovski and Max Watters for Tuesday's Scottish Premiership visit of Aberdeen but right-back Strain has returned to training.
The Dons have a full squad to choose from.
Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator
The gleam from Aberdeen's Scottish Cup win has faded dramatically since that stunning triumph at Hampden Park.
Barely four months since those incredible scenes in Glasgow and the following day in the Granite City, manager Jimmy Thelin is fighting for his future as Dons boss.
With each passing game the pressure is mounting and Saturday's League Cup exit at the hands of a well-oiled Motherwell was a sobering wake-up call for the club.
Fans were not shy in letting the manager and players know exactly what they think of the tailspin they find themselves in at full-time.
Some of the facts are stark as they prepare to head to Tannadice and a meeting with former manager Jim Goodwin's Dundee United on Tuesday evening.
It is now one win in eight this season. Five league wins in 31 since last November. Bottom of the league without a goal scored. Out of two competitions before September is out.
And as they head to Tayside, with a trip to last weekend's conquerors Motherwell to come on Saturday, Thelin has only won at one of the 11 Premiership grounds they will visit this season - twice at Dens Park last term.
If they lose at Tannadice, it will equate to their worst start to a league season since 1999, when Thelin's fellow Scandanavian Ebbe Skovdahl was in the hot seat.
It took them until match-day seven to score a goal that season, when Andy Dow scored against United at Pittodrie. The jubilation that greeted that goal was wild - but even then they lost the match.
The incumbent retains the support of the board despite their cup exit, perhaps unsurprising given the player budget they have afforded Thelin, but he faces a difficult week with an ominous-looking Europa Conference League opener with Shakhtar Donetsk to come next Thursday.
You feel he has to win at least one of these two away games to get an ever-increasing section of the support back onside.
Robbie Boyle
BBC Scotland
Image source, SNSAberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin insists "nothing has changed" when it comes to his relationship with the club's chief executive Alan Burrows and chairman Dave Cormack amid a poor run of form.
His side are under pressure to get a win at Dundee United on Tuesday night following a winless start to the league campaign.
That pressure increased with the League Cup quarter-final exit against Motherwell.
But the Dons boss believes he and the club's hierarchy are still on the same page about the long-term project at Pittodrie.
"I still have dialogue with the CEO and the chairman every day." Thelin said.
"Nothing has changed in our dynamic but we understand we haven't started well."
Thelin was asked whether he has been given assurances by Cormack and Burrows that he'll be given time at Pittodrie and said "we are all on the same page".
He added: "It is only 5 games in but it is still just one point and zero goals scored and they feel the performance is not exactly the way we want.
"We are working really hard and have a clear and open dialogue on what we want to improve."
Image source, SNSAberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Scottish Premiership match with Dundee United at Tannadice.
Here are the key lines from his media conference:
Thelin said he and his squad had a "clear conversation" after the weekend defeat in the League Cup to Motherwell and it is "now up to us to turn things around".
On the game with Dundee United, the Swede told reporters his side need to put in a good level of performance and act like a "really good team" to give themselves the best chance to earn three points.
When asked about conversations with the board given the side's poor run of form, he said: "Football is a sport of results. I still have dialogue with the CEO Alan [Burrows] and the chairman [Dave Cormack] every day. Nothing has changed in our dynamic."
When asked about whether those conversations have reassured him he will be given time to turn things round at Pittodrie, he added "we are all on the same page" and "we have a clear and open dialogue on what we want to improve".
Thelin's side were booed by some supporters following the defeat to Motherwell but the 47-year-old said his advice to his players is always to just focus on the things they can control.
The Aberdeen manager added he has young players who will continue to grow but admitted they will "have to learn quickly" with results not going their way.
Thelin said it is "super clear" to his players what they need to do at Tannadice, and that included being better at the basics of the game.
Goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov says the players must shoulder all the blame for Aberdeen's disastrous start to the season. (Press & Journal)
Read the rest of Monday's gossip.
Image source, SNSFormer Aberdeen manager Willie Miller on BBC Sportsound
Aberdeen were hugely disappointing.
They had two great opportunities, but two defenders were on the end of them - Mats Knoester and Nicky Devlin.
Jimmy Thelin will point out they hit the crossbar, but it's not enough.
Motherwell were the better team. They created the better chances, scored a wonderful goal and were easy on the eye.
They go into the semi-finals and they deserve to be there.
The pressure has got to come on Aberdeen now. You're bottom of the league, can't score goals and you're out of the cup.
They looked a disjointed team.
You can't expect anything else than fan frustration.
It's very difficult to find a positive message at the end of this game with where Aberdeen sit.
This was a great opportunity to give the fans hope going into this crucial week against United and Motherwell again.
We asked for your views on Aberdeen's 1-0 defeat against Motherwell.
Here's what some of you said:
Sean: Jimmy Thelin has no 'Plan B'. Same issues every week. Other Aberdeen managers have been sacked for less. Our league form has been poor since November last year.
Karl: Never seen a team so easy to defend against in all my life. Slowest team to counter attack ever. We get the ball in promising positions, only for it to end up passed back to Dimitar Mitov.
Thelin has Tuesday to show he can change formation and tactics or he has to go.
Garry: That's it for my sympathy. It has to be over for Thelin. Nothing in logic says he's going to improve our situation. It's almost like he's so stubborn, he simply can't see our best team and if that's his job then he's the single point of failure.
I like the guy, but the club is bigger than a one man mission to play his system at all costs. Players looked bemused at times, especially those watching from the bench.
Peter Leven has to replace him to save our season. He was at least animated and encouraging. Something's not right in all of this mix. Oh to be a fly on the wall in that dressing room.
Bernie: How long do you give a "long term" project, before it becomes a "terminal" diagnosis? The current squad, undoubtedly, has talent and in some positions a fair amount of depth, yet Thelin continues to play the same players, in the same formation, until it gets to the last roll of the dice.
Speaking of dice - they must now be in the hands of Dave Cormack, already shaking, ready to let them roll, as these abject performances can not be tolerated for much longer.
Scott: I have always been supportive of Jimmy, even throughout the winter slump, saying that things will change, but I think he needs to go. He hasn't changed anything while having all the correct cards and is unable to get them to fit together. I seriously think that Aberdeen will be relegated this season if Thelin is not sacked within the next two weeks.
Graeme: Enough is enough. Thelin has to go, and I wouldn't shed a tear if Cormack went with him. It's all well and good getting backing from him and the board in the transfer market, but not one of the signings has shown anything, not even Kevin Nisbet, who promised so much after last season. The cup honeymoon is over, it's time for change.
Image source, SNSAberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin tells BBC Scotland: "Really disappointed. Motherwell did more than we did to deserve it, so that's really disappointing for everyone.
"The performance is not there. Everybody has to look in the mirror now to change the run we're on. It's the small things that make a difference in the end. What we're showing isn't acceptable or good enough for Aberdeen.
"It's not working the way we want. We have to do better, because if we keep doing it like this, it won't be good for us.
"The fans' frustrations are the same ones we feel ourselves. We're losing games in the wrong way right now. The fans deserve more and we have to show them that.
"I focus on doing my job as best I can. I still have a strong belief we can change this and turn it around.
"I don't think about [my position]. The frustration is there - I understand that and respect that but I'm not thinking about my job. It's not my call.
"You never give in. You always want to fight. If you have a strong conviction, then things will turn around."
Motherwell booked a Premier Sports Cup semi-final spot for the second season in a row after Regan Charles-Cook's fine strike piled further pressure on Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin.
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSAberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin says fans are entitled to their opinions but believes "they should always support their own players".
Thelin was responding to questions on apparent cheering and clapping following the withdrawal of Sivert Heltne Nilsen during the second half of last weekend's goalless Premiership draw with Livingston at Pittodrie.
"I can understand emotions, but they should always support their own players," said Thelin, who was unaware of the reaction to the substitution.
"There are always going to be opinions, but we have a good staff here, we have training every day that shows the qualities and what they contribute with, and then it is our decision and my decision as a manager.
"If other people have opinions, they can have opinions, but it is not going to impact our decisions.
"We have a lot of good midfielders, but so far he has been one of the better ones in the training sessions and we are trying to build a culture with the hard work we do. Some of the players are trying to get up to the same level Monday to Friday before the game and keep the same standard."
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSStuart Armstrong realised a lifelong dream when he made his Aberdeen debut last weekend.
Twenty years on from failing to make the grade on trial, the 33-year-old Scotland midfielder is now a first-team player for the team he used to go and watch as a child with his dad and brother.
Armstrong, who joined the Dons on a two-year deal at the end of the transfer window, said: "I think when I was around 13 I had six trial games in total for Aberdeen and never quite made the cut, so I had to do the long way round and finally they let me through the gates.
"It was a dream of mine when I was younger. I grew up here, I went to school here, I used to go and watch the games here.
"Some of the first professional games I watched were Aberdeen with my dad and my brother and when I got older I used to go with my friends, so it was a dream of mine and then when I didn't quite make it I was gutted to be honest.
"It is funny being back here and playing in the stadium that I used to watch in all those years ago, so it is a nice feeling for me.
"I was very young back then, and then when something like that happens, you think 'I am never going to be a professional football player?'"
Despite the Dons sitting bottom of the Premiership amid a poor start to the season, Armstrong insists "it is only a matter of time" before they get it right on the park.
Speaking before the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final with Motherwell on Saturday, he said: "There is a lot of quality here. Within each position, there are different types of players who bring different qualities.
"The quality is really high [from] what I have seen so far, a lot of competition for places, so that is the exciting part.
"I think if that wasn't there, then you would be worried, but it is definitely not the case.
"I think it is only a matter of time before the aspects of different players' games gel and result in a positive outcome."
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSAberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier Sports Cup quarter-final with Motherwell.
Here are the key lines from the Dons boss:
On fan frustration amid the poor start to the season: "I respect emotions, I always respect our fans. We want to give our fans more but also look ourselves in the mirror and do better in the future."
Thelin says he hasn't been happy with the intensity of his team in recent games, and on the challenge they face this weekend: "We know the importance of it."
Aberdeen "have to do more" to get better results and "the position for us now is to turn this around and the only way to do that is to be a stronger team".
Thelin notes it is "still early in the league" and that "my job is to focus on getting the team better, the players better".
The Dons boss says Motherwell counterpart Askou - his former managerial rival in Sweden - has "done a really good job" since arriving in Scotland but he adds: "I believe our team are growing."
Team news: "Everybody is ready to play."
We asked for your views on Jimmy Thelin after Aberdeen's disappointing start to the season and run of one win in 31 Premiership games.
Here are some of your comments.
Stuart: I don't like to see managers losing their job. However, if Aberdeen lose to Motherwell on Saturday I fear for Jimmy being able to keep a hold of his job.
Chris: Aberdeen have a good squad on paper but we are not playing to our strengths and persist with the same tactics that have failed to work since late last year. Picking Sivert Nilsen is also a huge concern. Thelin needs to refresh the tactics and quickly. Cup exit and a loss at United and the fans will, rightly, turn.
Scotty: He delivered the Scottish Cup in May and guided the team into the top six during a clear period of transition. This league is a marathon, not a sprint. I've got full faith in Jimmy to get things right, the squad isn't short on talent, just confidence. This is a long-term project. If we want lasting success, the fans need to show patience and back the process.
Neil: Winning the Scottish Cup, as fantastic as it was, shouldn't be a free pass for poor form and our league form since last October has been nothing short of absolutely shocking. I like Jimmy but I think a lot of supporters would agree that he definitely seems to have his favourites that are playing week in, week out in favour of better players that are sitting on the bench. Could it be that stubbornness that ultimately costs him?
Gordon: He simply must start playing his best players in midfield otherwise he will have to go. It's criminal to have Ante Palaversa, Kjartan Kjartansson and Dante Polvara sitting idly on the bench while two geriatrics like Graeme Shinnie and Nilsen are in the so-called engine room.
Justin: Results have to change as soon as possible. The pressure that comes with being bottom of the league will only get worse if it continues, and then he's in real trouble if that's the case. The team should be gelling more every day so here's hoping.
Charlie: It has always been a long-term project. The final league placing of last season would have been more accepted if the manner in which it was achieved hadn't been so dramatic. The results this season are concerning but there are many new players to gel and Europe to contend with as well. We will finish in the top six and hopefully be in the latter stages of the cup.
Cameron: Thelin will only have the support of the fans if he stops playing Shinnie and Nilsen together. The fans are feed up hearing the same reasoning week after week. Lose to Motherwell and fans will turn 100% against Thelin.
Perry: The great run of form at the beginning of last season was off the back of Peter Leven. As soon as Thelin embedded his style we have regressed! The cup win was only shadowing over the cracks, his ability to pick the wrong team week in, week out has been consistent. I really want him to do well, however the league is looking grim!
Justin: He is not under immediate pressure but it's not far away if things don't improve and quickly. He'll get the team right but it needs to happen fast, please.
Andrew Southwick
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSHe may be new to Scottish football, but Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou will come up against a familiar face in Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin on Saturday.
And his opposite number may well have revenge on his mind, after Askou ruined Thelin's Elfsborg farewell.
The two go head to head at Pittodrie for a place in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final, for what will be the second consecutive year Aberdeen or Motherwell have reached the last four.
And it will be the fourth time the two Scandinavians have met each other in management.
Askou made the move from his native Denmark across the border to Sweden to take charge of IFK Goteborg in June 2023. Four games in to his reign, his side made the one-hour trip to Boras, where Thelin's Elfsborg was there to welcome them.
That game ended 1-1, but they would meet again in October in the third-last match of the season. This time Thelin - whose side were battling Malmo for the league title - posted a 2-1 win in Gothenburg.
However, Thelin's side failed to win their final two games of the season, agonisingly losing out on the title on goal difference.
The final time they met was in Thelin's farewell game for Elfsborg before his move to Aberdeen.
Thelin's tenure ended in disappointment after Goteborg eked out a 1-0 win to send the Swede to Scotland on a sour note.
However, Askou was not far behind him in the departure terminal. Just two weeks later he would leave his post to take up an assistant manager role with Sparta Prague.
