Mike's Moan: It's Been A Bad Week

We missed Skippy badly against the buddies as we had no goal threat, no one to hold up the ball, no one to make intelligent runs and no one to tell Calum bloody Elliot what to do! It is worrying that a team can rely so much on one player, but without McDonald we just have no bite going forward. Clarkson tries his best, puts in a good shift, but he is not a goal scorer and I'm afraid he never will be. As for Elliot, well, there isn't much to say - apart from the fact that he has done nothing since he arrived from Hearts. He looks unfit, has the touch of a giraffe and couldn't even score past Colin Meldrum after he has rushed out his goals and missed the ball completely. I know Ritchie can be infuriating, but c'mon Maurice he has to play up front when Skippy is injured as no one else can hold up the ball or score a goal.

The Kilmarnock game was a comedy of errors and very disappointing. After we gubbed them 5-0 it was a great chance for us to get to another semi-final, but half the team didn't turn up. Meldrum had his first howler since coming into the team and Fitz and Quinn were very poor and gave away possession far too easily. McGarry was posted missing, and Elliot and Clarkson were - Elliot and Clarkson - far too similar and basically not good enough. Killie were not great but deserved to win and we are left thinking of what ifs.

So bring on the dandy Dons on Saturday, another team who are not great but grind out results and rely heavily on their defence. We have a good recent record up there so should be heading up the road in confident mood. What Motherwell will turn up I don't know, but lets just hope JP is fit and Calum Elliot is dropped as Aberdeen are definitely beatable. Clarkson scored a couple up there last season, so lets hope he can continue that trend and sclaff in another on Saturday.

Mike's Team For Pittodrie:

Smith or Meldrum (not sure who to play - but Melly prob deserves another chance)

Quinn (needs to improve)

Craigan (no mistakes)

Reynolds (needs confidence boost)

Paterson (please be fit)

Fitz (deserves chance as attacking midfielder)

Kerr (has been good lately)

Lasley (hard-working, needs to stop getting booked)

McGarry (in for work rate - last chance)

Foran (only one that can hold the ball up for runners to get beyond strikers)

Clarkson (puts good shift in)

MM