Dons’ slide into SPL basement makes Mawene a worried man

By The Newsroom
Published 10th Dec 2011, 01:25 BST
Youl Mawene admits Aberdeen’s slide to the bottom of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League has become “cause for concern.”

The Dons slipped into the basement spot last week with a 2-0 defeat at Kilmarnock which owed as much to their lapses as the hosts’ supremacy. The Pittodrie men aim to get back to winning ways at home to St Mirren today, but the French defender, 32, says he is worried.

He told RedWeb: “It has been a difficult week. I am not going to lie. It was a very disappointing result on Saturday. We have been trying to pick ourselves up for what is another crucial game. I keep saying that, but as we are at home we have to be pumped up and ready.

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“We looked at the game against Kilmarnock on the video and again it was a bit of a similar tale – dominating without really any cutting edge, then giving away two easy goals. That has been us. It is cause for concern. I am looking at how I can help improve the situation and turn things around.

“We are looking at getting a clean sheet. From there sneak a goal and then take it from there. If we can just get a result from somewhere, I believe the confidence and belief will come back.

“We have a big week coming up with three important games, but I am personally just looking at St Mirren. We need to concentrate on that game. We are at home and we are looking to take maximum points from that. Then we can worry about the other games.” Mawene has fought previous relegation battles with former clubs Derby County and Preston North End. He believes Aberdeen have to become a “horrible” team to play against, while making life difficult for their opponents.

He said: “This week, we have been speaking about getting back to basics. Look at all the key things you need to win a game: organisation, awareness, desire, being aggressive and, as I say, going back to basics. Everyone has to stand up and be counted.

“Also, being horrible and being difficult to beat. We have to be more ruthless. More pressing when we don’t have the ball. I think sometimes we get comfortable in possession. The effort is there, but we have to have a far higher work-rate running off the ball. All of us.