Aberdeen’s defensive frailties returned with a vengeance against Motherwell but there is no need to hit the panic button.
Despite an expensive summer rebuild costing in excess of £1.5 million in transfer fees, there was an alarming sense of deja vu in the loss to the Steelmen.
That defensive vulnerability – which was so damaging last season – was back.
Aberdeen’s defence were nervous, disjointed and fortunate to only concede three goals.
It was concerning as the fundamental basis of a successful team is a solid defence.
Aberdeen have conceded in all three Premiership games so far this season and taken just three points.
However, as alarming as the performance against Motherwell was, there needs to be calm.
After such a major squad reconstruction it was never going to be smooth sailing.
There are going to be choppy waters which need to be navigated by the Reds to get to where they have to be – which is Europe.
Being outplayed and outfought by Motherwell was a sobering reality check following the high of overwhelming St Mirren 4-1 just seven days earlier.
Yet it is vital to take a step away from the raw disappointment of being soundly beaten by Motherwell to look at the bigger picture.
The Dons are only three Premiership games into Jim Goodwin’s revamp. It is very early days.
Goodwin clearly aims to bring a high tempo, attacking philosophy to his team. The defeat of St Mirren is proof the attacking players can deliver that.
However, the defence have to provide a strong platform for that to work and, against Motherwell, they failed to do that.
Yet the back-line are not solely culpable for the defeat.
The midfield was ponderous, lacked any creative spark and too many passes went astray as attacks constantly broke down.
Ideally the Reds still need to sign another centre-back as cover before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
Aberdeen fans can be forgiven for feeling like they have been in this movie before.
There was also much optimism after a summer rebuild and early winning streak last season under former manager Stephen Glass.
That quickly disintegrated and the season went into freefall.
I am confident this will not happen under Jim Goodwin and the loss to ‘Well was a blip.
Goodwin has added attacking intent, pace and creativity during the summer.
He has a goal-scorer in Bojan Miovski and players who can deliver the ammunition for the North Macedonian international striker.
The defence is still gelling, but there is no doubting the quality of on loan Celtic centre-back Liam Scales.
Centre-back Anthony Stewart and right-back Jayden Richardson are still adapting to the game in Scotland.
The understanding and chemistry will inevitably come. And signing another centre-back will put pressure on defenders to deliver.
If they don’t they will be dropped.
This is an Aberdeen team in transition. Eight of the starting XI against Motherwell were summer signings.
Of the 14 players used in the loss, 11 were drafted in during the ongoing transfer window.
The absence of Connor Barron due to injury so far this season cannot be underestimated either.
Scotland U21 international Barron was a standout after making his breakthrough in the second half of last season.
He brings a drive, intensity and creativity to midfield, but he has yet to feature this season.
With Ylber Ramadani adopting a deeper, holding midfield role, this will allow Barron to push forward and unleash his creativity when he returns to action.
Rebuilding a team who wholly under-performed last season and getting them consistently firing on all cylinders is not an overnight job.
It takes patience and time.
However, the brutal reality is the Dons must start winning consistently soon.
Aberdeen have to finish August on a high with wins against St Johnstone, Livingston and Annan Athletic.
That would alleviate any concerns raised by the Motherwell defeat.
It would prove to the Red Army the loss and performance against Motherwell will be an aberration and not the norm.
McDougall should be in Hall of Fame
I interviewed Aberdeen legend Frank McDougall earlier this week to get his take on the summer rebuild and season so far.
It was while looking at his incredible playing stats that I began to wonder why isn’t the Pittodrie great in the club’s Hall of Fame?
McDougall scored a phenomenal 59 goals in 82 appearances for Aberdeen.
Although he only played at Aberdeen for two full seasons, he left an indelible impression on the club.
Still a fans’ favourite, McDougall won every domestic honour with Aberdeen.
His goal haul was fundamental to Sir Alex Ferguson’s Reds winning the league title in in 1984-85, and he also won the Scottish Cup and League Cup with the Dons.
That trophy and goal haul alone should be enough to merit a spot in the Hall of Fame.
But McDougall also famously scored four goals in a 4-1 defeat of Celtic at Pittodrie on November 2, 1985.
Will an Aberdeen player do that again? I very much doubt it.
On top of this, he scored a hat-trick against Rangers in a 5-1 win in January 1985.
McDougall also won the coveted Golden Boot, having scored 22 league goals in his debut season at Pittodrie to fire the Dons to the title.
He looked on course to challenge Joe Harper for the mantle as the club’s all-time leading goal-scorer.
However, his career was cruelly cut short when forced to retire at the age of just 29 due to a chronic back injury. McDougall was at his peak when he was sadly forced to hang up his boots in 1987.
Had he been fit to carry on, many more goals – and potentially winner’s medals – could have followed at Aberdeen.
McDougall’s absence from the Aberdeen FC Hall of Fame is surely an oversight which has to be addressed.
Usyk will defeat Joshua in rematch
I’m backing Oleksandr Usyk to win the world heavyweight title rematch with Anthony Joshua.
They will go head to head again in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
Ukrainian Usyk outclassed Joshua in September last year to secure a unanimous points victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
I expect the same outcome this weekend.
Usyk outpunched Joshua in the first fight with his jab and quick combinations.
He is a highly intelligent boxer who is too quick.
There is also the added complication Usyk is a southpaw.
Joshua has the power and a big punch, but Usyk should win on points again.
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