Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has urged his players to remember what took them top of the Scottish Premiership as they bid to get back to winning ways tomorrow.
The Dons 100% record came to an end in disappointing fashion as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Caley Thistle.
McInnes took the unusual step of criticising his players’ showing in the first half, calling his side unrecognisable from the team which had won the eight previous matches.
But as he prepares his side to face St Johnstone tomorrow the Dons manager expects a more familiar display from his players.
He said: “We have had a lot of praise recently and rightly so. I have been delighted with what the players gave us because we have 24 points from 27, which is outstanding. But we have to recognise that there’s not a lot between us and others so we have to do better at certain aspects. The good thing about my players is that they are honest and they know the importance of doing things better.”
McInnes is at a loss to explain why the first-half showing was so poor but he refuses to accept tiredness or a change in personnel as excuses.
He said: “I don’t think it was down to fatigue. We always knew the third game in six days would be the toughest but I felt we finished strongly. We were the team we’re accustomed to in the second half.
“We’ve spoken about the importance of utilising the squad. In the past I felt I was too reliant on picking the same 13 or 14 players.
“This time round I want to make changes when needed and we’ve done that to a winning team. It’s like everything else, though, when people sign or re-sign here they have to take the challenge of being a regular. It’s down to the players rather than the scheduling of games.”
Dons attacker Niall McGinn has not trained all week after limping off in the Highlands due to a groin strain but McInnes expects the Northern Ireland international to be available for the Saints game.
Mark Reynolds is also making good progress from his shoulder injury but tomorrow’s match will come too soon for the defender.
McInnes said: “Mark has been training and came through a practice match without any problems.
“He will play a reserve game next week and if he gets through that fine he’ll be ready for after the break.”