NICHOLSON SOUNDS DONS RALLYING CALL

 

08:50 - 07 February 2008

 

Aberdeen's Barry Nicholson knows how much the fans were let down by Tuesday's League Cup defat by Dundee United - but urges them to remain behind the side ahead of "massive" home games against Celtic and Bayern Munich.

 

The Dons were masters of their own downfall in front of 7,000 dismayed travelling supporters at Tynecastle on Tuesday - surrendering an early lead before gifting the Arabs three second-half goals on their way to a miserable 4-1 defeat.

 

Nicholson knows the display was unacceptable but insists the players must pick themselves up before the SPL visit of Celtic on Sunday and then the Uefa Cup last-32 home leg against Bayern next Thursday.

 

Nicholson said: "The manager got stuck into us afterwards - and rightly so. But he also said we have to pick ourselves up quickly because there are still some massive games in front of us.

 

"We owe the supporters a performance but it is vital we all stick together. Tuesday was really disappointing for everybody. We believed we could make the final and it hurts to think we will not be there.

 

"Most of all we are disappointed for the supporters. They travelled in big numbers, I can only imagine how many would have gone to Hampden if we had made it.

 

"They made a lot of noise, right up until the game was beyond us at 4-1, and hopefully they can get behind us in these two games because we will need them."

 

Nicholson knows the Dons will need to tighten up their fragile defence going into this crucial period.

 

He added: "It was not good enough against United, simple as that. We started very sloppy again but we got into the game and were in a decent position before we gave away some terrible goals. I am not blaming anyone because we win and lose as a team but the individual errors are punishing us and we need to work hard to cut them out.

 

"I can't put my finger on why it keeps happening but the mistakes are really costing us at the moment.

 

"We have to look at it and take responsibility."

 

Nicholson believes there is no better match to get the semi-final defeat out of their systems than against champions Celtic.

 

But Aberdeen have not beaten the Hoops at Pittodrie since December 2001.

 

The Dons also play host to the Parkhead men on March 8 in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup.

 

Nicholson said: "The Celtic game is a big one for us. They are the champions and look to have come into a bit of form so we will have to be at our very best.

 

"The Dundee United game was disappointing but it is in the past and we can't change it. We suffered disappointments last season, such as the League Cup loss at Queen's Park, but we responded and went on a run and need to do so again.

 

"There is no better way to start one than against Celtic.

 

"They are the only team the manager has not beaten in his time here and we want to put that right for him."

 

Former Celtic forward Jamie Smith remains a fitness doubt for Sunday with a hamstring strain and will be assessed tomorrow.

Well that didnt blow up in his face at all, did it? 

 

Monday night we will have another "rallying call" for Munich. Couldnt have said it better myself Glasgow sheep.

I'm wondering if we've seen the last of him, he seemed to hobble off quite badly.

Hope not, he's been our only creative player for weeks now.

Maybe some reverse psychology is needed. A player should tell the press this week that on Thursday we'll give the ball away a lot, fail to string three passes together, punt the ball upfield hoping someone will run on to it, wander around the park aimlessly and concede soft penalties.

Double edged sword that tho min! Everybody around KNOWS thats what we will end up doing, think Right, lets have em and motivate themselves even more.

 

Te only thing that is mising Swaddon is for said player, instead of giving a groveling apology for not performing is to say "the players would like to say to the fans fuk you and go and fuk youselves if you think we can be BOTHERED to play any better. "

I'm wondering if we've seen the last of him, he seemed to hobble off quite badly.

 

Radio said he had two deep stud marks below his knee.

It looked like a horrible challenge. Hope he's not out for too long.

Good to see Severin fired up and getting stuck in today after that rallying call. It was a shame he couldn't have done that for 90 minutes instead of the last 10, when we were already 5-1 down, but then if we'd got that, i'd be wondering where my moon on a stick was to go with it.

Jesus, a good performance AND a result? Some folk just want the earth!!! ;D

Radio said he had two deep stud marks below his knee.

 

That was a nasty, nasty challenge and he could have probably walked for it. Referee was in clear view and didn't even deem it worthy of a free kick, never mind a card of any sort.

 

We were bullied out of the game today.

Good to see Severin fired up and getting stuck in today after that rallying call. It was a shame he couldn't have done that for 90 minutes instead of the last 10, when we were already 5-1 down, but then if we'd got that, i'd be wondering where my moon on a stick was to go with it.

 

The first line of that filled me with rage.... until i realised..!!!

I just dont believe that any one of the old firm would bully us out of a game whilst the officialla stand back and do nothing. Seriously. I dont. Not even a little bit.

 

 

Honest

The phrase,s i hate is "we must try a bit harder to win games" or  "we are up for this game"

what the fuck they should be trying there hardest in every game and be up for every game

also agree with the ralling call coming from someone like diamond and not someone who might be off somewhere else