Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack has a tough decision to make when it comes to the future of manager Jim Goodwin.
The ability to read the room is vital for any football club chairman and Cormack is no exception.
If the banners, social media posts and all-round outcry is anything to go by, Dons fans have made up their minds already.
Monday’s Scottish Cup exit at Darvel was the final straw for many.
They want a change and they want it now, but Cormack, as we’ve seen already, is not one to be swayed easily.
He will take his time in weighing up the pros and cons before making a decision.
The Dons chairman sees himself as a custodian of an entity which is more than a football club.
It’s the heart and soul of the local community, but with it comes the understanding from Reds followers that you can lead it.
It’s a thankless role really. Just ask former chairman Stewart Milne.
Make us proud of our local team is all those who follow Aberdeen want, but it’s a monumental and multifaceted job.
Changing manager is not an easy decision
There is no joy to be taken in making a change of manager.
It’s an admission of failure. An acknowledgement an investment has not turned bad, and most importantly of all a costly exercise.
But can Cormack afford to block out all the noise around him and nail his colours to the Goodwin mast?
It does feel as hard as it may be there really is no other course of action, but, when it comes to Cormack, he is his own man.
We’ve been here before of course, not that long ago.
Stephen Glass was given the vote of confidence following a wretched run in October 2021 with Cormack’s now infamous appearance on national radio, where he made an impassioned defence of his manager, making headlines.
But four months later, with another horror run of results recorded, that backing of his first managerial appointment had gone.
Goodwin making little progress from Glass era
It was unfair to compare Glass’ record to his predecessor Derek McInnes. After all, Glass lasted less than a year. McInnes was in charge for eight.
But a comparison with Goodwin can be made.
Glass was in charge for 42 games at the Dons. Monday’s Scottish Cup exit at Darvel was Goodwin’s 42nd in charge, too.
Glass won 15 games, drew seven and lost 20. Goodwin’s record is almost identical with 17 wins, seven draws and 18 losses.
The critics of the Aberdeen manager – of which there are many – will point to the fact very little progress seems to have been made.
An early Scottish Cup exit, coupled with the team struggling for results, especially away from home, too many players out of form, and a huge question mark over the defence -you could be talking about both men as the same indicators are there.
The only data point in Goodwin’s favour is the fact his team has at least carried more of a goal threat than that of his predecessor.
Both were backed well in the transfer market and the success rate of both has been mixed.
If it had been a success, then it is unlikely this agonising decision would be facing the Aberdeen chairman right now, as it was in February last year when he finally ended the Glass experiment.
But that is where the similarities end.
Glass was a rookie when he took on his first top-level permanent position at Pittodrie.
Goodwin had worked his way up from Alloa and St Mirren before being lured north.
Yet, on the face of it, the end result has been the same.
All that remains now is for Cormack to decide what he is going to do about it.
Deadline day looming in the background as manager speculation continues
The clock is ticking and Aberdeen’s chairman has a huge call to make.
Does he make another managerial change or stand by his man?
Remember, too, this is all happening while there is a week of the transfer window remaining and the issue of strengthening the defence has not been addressed.
It is understood Jay Idzes, a central defender at Go Ahead Eagles in the Netherlands, is close to agreeing a pre-contract agreement to move to Aberdeen.
But few would blame the player if he is having second thoughts following the uncertainty caused by Monday’s Scottish Cup debacle at Darvel.
Whatever course of action the chairman decides to take – and take it he must – it is clear further investment is needed now.
This Aberdeen team has hit rock bottom. Defensively it is a mess and morale is on the floor thanks to a run of one win in the last nine games.
The Dons’ hopes of rescuing the season hinges on it being fixed and the clock is ticking for the chairman to decide one way or another.
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