Gothenburg Great Neale Cooper believes Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has been unfairly criticised following his side’s recent poor form.
The Dons have endured a sticky period since last month’s Betfred Cup final defeat by Celtic at Hampden with only four points gained from a possible 12 this month.
Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Ross County left McInnes’ side seven points adrift of Rangers in the race to finsih best of the rest behind Celtic, albeit with a game in hand.
Murmurs of discontent have been voiced by sections of the Aberdeen support following the recent below-par displays but former County, Peterhead and Hartlepool United manager Cooper feels McInnes remains by far the best man for the Pittodrie dugout.
He said: “There is no need to panic.
“It wasn’t long ago people were petrified he was going back to England.
“Aberdeen haven’t pulled up any trees since the cup final but these things happen.
“The final was a disappointment but Derek is a strong character.
“This is when he and Tony will show that leadership.
“I have been in football and know what it can be like when you suddenly lose a couple of games and the teams stops performing.
“It is easy to panic but Derek is too good a manager to do that.
“He has been good with his players and tried his best to keep them fresh by rotating his squad.
“The players have to respond now.”
Cooper is backing the Dons to end their poor run of results with a victory at Motherwell on Friday, which would end a run of three consecutive defeats on the road.
He added: “I have heard some of the criticism the manager has received on the radio and online.
“People have their opinions and are entitled to say what they feel.
“I have been a manager and know how quickly things can turn from everyone praising you to then having a go at you.
“The sad thing in football is the buck tends to end with the manager if results haven’t been great.
“Derek knows that more than anybody.
“But they did great to reach a cup final and I think what has happened since them is merely a blip.
“The Aberdeen squad is too strong and has too much quality.
“I think the players need to respond in a big way and I expect them to do that.
“If they win the next three games against Motherwell, Hamilton and Hearts then it will be happy days again.
“It is wrong for everything to be aimed at the manager.
“He has done a great job at the club and it will only be a matter of the time before they are heading back in the right direction.
“Hopefully they can go into the January break on the back of three wins.
“I have really enjoyed watching Aberdeen under Derek McInnes and I hope the supporters stay right behind the manager and the team.”