Dons defensive woes ahead of Accie clash

Last updated : 15 October 2014 By Stand Free Ed

SNS/Alan Harvey

Eight goals in the last three games suggests comfortable victories against Inverness, St Mirren and Dundee, but in actual fact one game was drawn and the other two were victories by the narrowest of margins.

With Aberdeen preparing to face league leaders Hamilton in the live TV fixture on Friday, boss Derek McInnes is attempting to patch up a defence left exposed by an injury crisis.

Club captain Russell Anderson, left back Clark Robertson, and the versatile Ryan Jack are still weeks away from a Dons return making the gaffer rue his decision to let defender Joe Shaughnessy go to Falkirk on loan.

Defensive cover is light, with winger Johnny Hayes forced to cover at left-back and new boy Ashton Taylor thrown in at the deep end.

"It's far from ideal," McInnes has told Herald Sport. "I'm disappointed because Clark [Robertson] has worked hard to get fit. We were looking forward to getting him back and trying to force his way into the first team.

McInnes also told the Herald: "Any team would miss a midfielder of [Ryan Jack's] quality as I always feel we are a better side when Ryan is playing in it."

Meanwhile, Daily Record columnist Andrew Southwick said: "Russell Anderson is badly needed in defence. So often underrated, you don't appreciate what you have until it is no longer there. But there can be little doubt now the Dons are severely weakened without their captain."

All of which means that the Dons on-form strikeforce of David Goodwillie and Adam Rooney, supported by Peter Pawlett and Niall McGinn, are likely to need to keep banging in the goals to overcome the leaky back line against Hamilton.