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Aberdeen defender Zander Diamond has urged Dons supporters to channel their frustration positively following another night of disappointment at Pittodrie.

 

The Dons were held 1-1 by Motherwell last night despite Diamond's first-half goal and a penalty save from Derek Soutar but Darren Smith's late goal earned the Steelmen a valuable point to cement their challenge for a Uefa Cup place.

 

The frustration threatened to boil over among the home fans, with striker Darren Mackie singled out by a chorus of boos for his display. Diamond insists the jeers are doing little to help the players.

 

He said: "We are disappointed. We wanted all three points and we are not happy having to settle for one. We knew we had to put in a big performance as the fans would start getting on to the players. We had lost five on the trot before this game and it was a crucial one for us.

 

"I think we gave a good performance and we had great chances to get a second goal but the Motherwell keeper made two wonder saves. The fans will be disappointed again but I don't think they can fault our effort.

 

"As players we need to blank out those supporters who are having a go. The supporters have followed us everywhere this season and we had to give them a response. We have let them down but it still doesn't help when they have a go. "Tonight we had fans having a go at Darren Mackie, unfairly in my opinion, but themajority came through to cheer him when he went off.

 

"At this time we need them more than ever. The fans are frustrated as theywatched us finish third last season and, as a result, the expectation levels have become higher." The two points dropped at home leave the Dons scrambling for a top-six place and with a trip to Rangers next up, where Aberdeen have not won since 1991,Diamond has pledged he and his teammates will be attack-minded against the SPL leaders.

 

He said: "We know the league position is not good enough for this club but we have to be upbeat and take the positives from this game as we prepare for Ibrox on Saturday.

 

"We have to go out and have a go against Rangers as we will be picked off if we sit back. From one to 11 we have to be confident and get it in our minds that we can win. The fans will come down with us again in good numbers and they will sing their hearts out. If we can silence the Ibrox crowd then we have a chance.

 

"There are a lot of games to be played next month before the split and it is going to be close.We need a break and we need to go on a run, but we are capable of doing it."

My issue here isn't that Mackie was getting booed, it's that Lovell wasn't even though he was at least as bad as Mackie was on Wednesday.  I don't like to see any of our players getting booed and it's not something I've ever found myself doing, but if you're going to be a boo boy at least be fair and abuse everyone who deserves it.  Otherwise you're just a vindictive fucktard like the obnoxious shouty man who sits behind me.

My issue here isn't that Mackie was getting booed, it's that Lovell wasn't even though he was at least as bad as Mackie was on Wednesday.  I don't like to see any of our players getting booed and it's not something I've ever found myself doing, but if you're going to be a boo boy at least be fair and abuse everyone who deserves it.  Otherwise you're just a vindictive fucktard like the obnoxious shouty man who sits behind me.

 

But this situation is brought about because of Calderwood. It's because of the old favourites and non-favourites situation that I'm sure I don't need to explain to you. Not saying it's right, but that's the reason for it. Think there's a genuine feeling that Lovell hasn't been given a fair crack at it this season and that guys like Mackie - who's been incompetent for a decade now - will continue to be picked regardless of form. Unfortunately, if fans want to get their feelings across about the situation they don't really have that many other ways to vent it.

Lovell hasn't been given a fair crack. Amy will help wi that though. But the reason for that isn't really down to Mackie being picked ahead of him, he's been absent most of the season.

 

Folk do have to bear in mind the utter desperate performances that guy Lovell put in when he was given a chance, it really was dismal and distinctly lacking in application and effort. This has notabley changed of late but he was absolute dung for a long time.

 

The picking of Maguire ahead of anyone though (never mind Lovell) is without any shadow of a doubt the biggest scratch heed and shake heed moment I've experienced in all of Calderwood's time at AFC. I do not fucking get it.

But this situation is brought about because of Calderwood. It's because of the old favourites and non-favourites situation that I'm sure I don't need to explain to you. Not saying it's right, but that's the reason for it. Think there's a genuine feeling that Lovell hasn't been given a fair crack at it this season and that guys like Mackie - who's been incompetent for a decade now - will continue to be picked regardless of form. Unfortunately, if fans want to get their feelings across about the situation they don't really have that many other ways to vent it.

 

I agree there's a certain element of favouritism going on there - it's obvious that JC doesn't like Lovell.  Lovell hasn't helped his cause by looking totally uninterested at the best of times though.  Even on Wednesday, Mackie at least managed to get himself into situations where he had the opportunity to completely cock it up.

I think that is the crux of the matter wazz.

P & J stating Mackie is the key to our success at Ibrox tomorrow due to his pace. Even with his pace, he never takes his chances and he probably won't even get the service as we'll defend and hoof the ball up at every opportunity once we concede the first goal. I admire AFC for standing by their player, but bloody hell. As has been mentioned already, his stats are quite frankly, pathetic. We need a team performance tomorrow and nothing less than a miracle to gain anything. Come on you reds!

Is he actually that fast?

 

Certainly can't run with the ball.

Is he actually that fast?

 

Certainly can't run with the ball.

 

Yeah, his first touch sees to that...

Is he actually that fast?

 

Certainly can't run with the ball.

 

They didn't say anything about with the ball, thats true  

I agree there's a certain element of favouritism going on there - it's obvious that JC doesn't like Lovell.  Lovell hasn't helped his cause by looking totally uninterested at the best of times though.  Even on Wednesday, Mackie at least managed to get himself into situations where he had the opportunity to completely cock it up.

 

Thing is even though he is totally committed and runs and runs and runs every game Mackie has still only managed one goal this season despite starting every game he has been fit to. Lovell on the other hand has scored 4 despite being allegedly uninterested and only getting a game when JC has no other option. Would still rather JC went with ability over effort and played Lovell

 

 

P & J stating Mackie is the key to our success at Ibrox tomorrow due to his pace. Even with his pace, he never takes his chances and he probably won't even get the service as we'll defend and hoof the ball up at every opportunity once we concede the first goal. I admire AFC for standing by their player, but bloody hell. As has been mentioned already, his stats are quite frankly, pathetic. We need a team performance tomorrow and nothing less than a miracle to gain anything. Come on you reds!

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How many times hav we heard this trotted out HE IS NOT THE KEY TO OUR SUCCESS BECAUSE HE IS USELESS. His first touch is aplling. I cant remember the last time he had a decent strike.  He has missed more easy chances and open goals where it was easier to score than to miss. (But miss he did).  I could go into a bookies tomorrow and confidently put money on mackie NOT scoring. But I wont, coz I dont believe betting against your own team

Not to mention the odds would be so shite it would hardly be worth your while.