Win or Bust

After a pleasing few games, the winning run came to an end in disappointing fashion last Saturday at Hamilton. It was not a pleasant afternoon, and not just because Hamilton were not prepared for the large Dons support who filtered into a temporary stand shortly after kick-off. While the players were suffering with flu earlier in the week, we looked second best for large parts of the match, and after going behind it was going to be very difficult to come back.

The usual indignation which follows defeats to "smaller" clubs was tempered by the fact that the players have done well of late, particularly in the previous two games against ICT and Hearts, where on both occasions 3 points were thoroughly deserved.

However, it is going to be a difficult month in the SPL. Kilmarnock away next week is not a trip to relish, then Celtic and Rangers come to Pittodrie in successive weeks, neither of whom can afford to slip up. Both are there for the taking, of course, and Hearts and Dundee United have played both recently and not lost. Given our recent home league record against Celtic, a point would be an excellent result. At the end of the month, a tricky trip to Falkirk awaits to complete a month after which, if we are still a few points off third, we will be doing well enough.

Finally, win or bust this weekend...a Scottish Cup tie at Alloa. The words "banana skin" are written all over this one, and the press up here have shown some signs of concern. In practice, the players should be delighted to get the chance to knock it about on a plastic pitch instead of enjoying a trip to, say, Ochilview. A massive Dons support will travel again, and will expect a comfortable win...with Queens Park and Queen of the South still very fresh in the memory. Jimmy Calderwood survived those two humiliating defeats, but with the season finely balanced between being a success or failure, and the dismal League Cup showing, a Scottish Cup run is hugely important.

Whatever happens, we must be in the hat on Sunday.