what the managers said
Motherwell beat the Dons 1-0 this afternoon at Pittodrie. The only goal of the game had come on the break. Henri Anier raced forward as the Dons were caught short following a corner, and he squared for Lionel Ainsworth to stroke home at the back post.
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes was more than happy with his side’s performance in a match he felt they dominated.
Missing a recognised left-back, he was forced to put out a much-changed side, with winger Jonny Hayes handed a more defensive role on the left of a 3-4-3 formation.
And McInnes had praise for the performance of the Irishman, saying: “We spoke to Jonny a couple of days ago, and he knew he would be playing there. I thought he did really well, not just on the defensive side, but he also got himself forward too.”
Hayes missed a header in the early stages which could have given his side the lead, but McInnes was not too disheartened by that.
He added: “We were in a real ascendancy at that stage and really stretching Motherwell. We missed some chances but we were getting forward and were really positive. Games like that can happen.
“There’s no shame in losing to Motherwell. They’re a good team and you don’t always get what you deserve.”
The manner of the goal that eventually separated the sides was of most frustration to the Dons boss, who added: “We lost a really untidy goal which gave Motherwell something to hold on to and, from that perspective, it feels a bit smash-and-grab.”
Motherwell boss Stuart McCall was delighted with the character of his team after a 1-0 win over Aberdeen lifted them into second place in the Scottish Premiership.
McCall said: “We had a hard couple of weeks after going out of the cup and lesser teams would have crumbled after what had happened. But I said at the time that we have some good strong characters in the dressing room and those are the times you have to stand up and be counted.
“We were getting flak, which was rightly deserved at the time, but those are the times you have to show a bit of steel and character. It gets a monkey off our back in terms of having not beaten a side in the top six this season.
“It’s a good boost to come and take three points from what is a difficult place to come to.
“Aberdeen started well and we were forced to dig in a bit but, the longer we went on, the better we started to play and we started to get on the ball a bit.
“It was a hard-earned three points and I’m not saying we didn’t deserve them but we’re certainly thankful for them.”
“It was a hard-earned three points and I’m not saying we didn’t deserve them but we’re certainly thankful for them.”
“It was a hard-earned three points and I’m not saying we didn’t deserve them but we’re certainly thankful for them.”
