Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes accepts his side can’t afford another below-par performance when Partick Thistle visit Pittodrie on Saturday.
The Dons are ninth in the Scottish Premiership following two defeats in their opening three matches.
They sit a point behind this weekend’s opponents Partick Thistle, who head into the match on the back of a 2-1 defeat by Hamilton Accies.
The Dons defeated Partick 4-0 at Pittodrie last season but McInnes knows his side will need a much improved display from their Perth performance against St Johnstone if they are to return to winning ways.
The Aberdeen manager said: “We are confident in our own abilities that we can win, whether we are at home or away from home.
“But I think for any team in the league, Celtic included, if you are a bit below par you can lose the game.
“I don’t think there is a lot in it at times and we are all looking for that consistency as quickly as possible and hopefully we can produce that.
“There is a demand on every game, regardless of your opponent and you are always putting that demand on your own team for that performance. You are vulnerable if you are anything short of your best and we are as vulnerable as anyone else.”