Aberdeen captain Joe Lewis found himself in the firing line from the Red Army following his side’s 2-2 draw with Dundee on Saturday.
The Dons led twice at Dens Park against the Premiership’s bottom club, but failed to hang on as Mark McGhee’s Dark Blues pegged Jim Goodwin’s side back twice to earn a point.
The result leaves Aberdeen needing to beat Ross County on Saturday and hope Hibernian fail to win at Hearts in the Edinburgh derby if they are to make the top six.
There was widespread criticism of goalkeeper Lewis following the loss of two goals from set-pieces.
Joe Lewis has undoubtly been the Aberdeen keeper in my lifetime but it’s time to move on in the summer. He looks more nervous every passing week and just doesn’t dominate his box anymore.
— Kieran Gault (@KieranGault) April 2, 2022
Joe Lewis should be claiming that ball
— Greig Duncan (@GreigJDuncan) April 2, 2022
On Facebook, Dons fan Barrie Thompson wrote: “Defending for both goals was terrible. Having said that Joe Lewis should have claimed both of them.
“Anything around the six yard box should be keeper’s ball. We need a keeper that commands his area. Joe Lewis is not that keeper.”
The Dons skipper was not alone in being criticised, with his defence and the performance of referee John Beaton also featuring heavily post-match.
Decent enough performance, controlled vast majority of the game and should have scored more. Let down heavily by toddler like defending at set pieces.
— RedmyRights (@RedmyRights) April 2, 2022
While Gallagher is showing form (he got near enough every header I think today?) Bates is just not. Lewis is also done. But whoever our defence will be needs to learn how to defend. That second equaliser in particular was pitiful.
— Andrew Davidson (@ABDinOz) April 2, 2022
On Facebook, Dons fans Chris Melville – commenting on teenager Calvin Ramsay’s fantastic strike to open the scoring for the Reds and simultaneously open his Aberdeen account – wrote: “Fantastic goal for Ramsay, chuffed for him, dominated the game but those set pieces were a shocker.”
Criticism of referee John Beaton, too
Dons boss Jim Goodwin was frustrated by some of referee John Beaton’s decisions during the game and it is clear the Aberdeen support were less than impressed.
John Beaton… I don’t even have the words. Absolute joke of an official is the understatement of all understatements!
— Marc Emslie (@Choppy_McEmslie) April 2, 2022
Game ruined again by the John Beaton show 🤬
— Carole (@CaroleInnes0) April 2, 2022
Evening Express reporter Sean Wallace, who was at the game, believes the referee also missed a key penalty incident.
A stonewall penalty for a foul on Lewis Ferguson by Jordan Marshall was also missed by referee John Beaton. #aberdeenfc #dundeefc @AberdeenFC https://t.co/cFNzAUHSIB
— Sean Wallace (@EESeanWallace) April 2, 2022
Clearly, Saturday was another sore one for Aberdeen and their fans as their top six hopes are now outwith their control.
Andrew Munro wrote: “Story of the season – cannot defend balls into our box.
“Amazingly a win next week, coupled with a Hibs failure to beat Hearts at Tynecastle, would put us top six.”
And who would bet on us beating County – not me.
We’ll need minimum 2 goals for a start…
— Sug71⭐️⭐️ (@Gussyboy71) April 2, 2022