Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson called his side's performance unacceptable after a 2-0 defeat against Dundee at Dens Park ended their five-match winning start to the season. The Dons had won five out of five in all competitions, but were second best throughout against Steven Pressley's side.
Goals from Joe Westley and Joe Bevan on either side of half-time secured a comfortable victory for the hosts. Dundee were aided by a shambolic defensive display from Aberdeen, whose 4,500 away supporters booed the team off the pitch at full-time.
"To state the obvious, it's a disappointment," Robinson said after the game. "I thought they ran all over us physically. Collectively, as a team, we weren't at the races. A lot of bad decisions in and out of possession, and when you play for Aberdeen, you can't do that. We got what we deserved."
Robinson insisted he takes full responsibility for the display. "We have to be better than that, it's simple," he said. "It's my team, it's my job to pick them back up again and I take full responsibility for that. It wasn't acceptable today."
Squad performance and upcoming cup tie
Aberdeen winger Tony Yogane was substituted at half-time on his return to his former club, though Robinson declined to single out individuals for criticism. "I'm not going to pick individuals out. We need more from everybody," Robinson said. "Nobody has come out with any sort of credit. I've come out with zero credit."
The two sides meet again next weekend when Aberdeen host Dundee at Pittodrie in the Premier Sports Cup. Robinson hopes to include new Belgian forward Mitchy Ntelo, who signed a two-year contract with the club.
"We hope he'll get international clearance," Robinson said of Ntelo. "He adds pace and strength to the forward line. He can play anywhere across the front three, so he'll hopefully add physicality and goals, which we require, and it gives us another option."
Dundee manager Pressley praises team display
The result gave Dundee their first three points of the new season. Pressley, who took charge of Dundee just over a year ago, hailed the display as his side's finest during his tenure.
"Since coming to Dundee just over a year ago, I think that's been our most complete and our best performance," Pressley said. "It had everything that I look for in a Dundee team."
"It had speed, it had excitement, it had composure at the right times, but, boy, did it have resilience," Pressley added. "Some of the players were running on empty the last 20-25 minutes because of the style of football that we're trying to adopt, and it will take time for us to reach the levels of fitness that we truly need. I couldn't be prouder of the group today. They were just incredible."
Pressley singled out winger Bevan for praise after he scored Dundee's second goal and assisted Westley's opener. "We're really excited with Joe," Pressley said. "He's got English Premier League physicality, he's got incredible speed, he's really strong on one-to-one, he's actually a good finisher. We just want him to grow and keep believing in himself because he gives us something different."
