I won't blast unlucky Aberdeen stars, vows disappointed Jimmy Caldwerood

Oct 5 2008

DEJECTED Dons boss Jimmy Calderwood refused to slate his under-fire stars despite yet another dismal home defeat.

Aberdeen have taken just a point on their own patch this season - against high-flying Rangers - having now lost to Inverness, Hamilton, Dundee United and Hibs.

They remain second bottom of the SPL but Jimmy insisted his players couldn't have given him any more yesterday.

A Derek Riordan double, which included a controversial penalty, sealed a 2-1 win for Hibs but Caldo is sure his side's luck will turn.

He said: "We should never have lost because we totally dominated. Again we've conceded from an individual mistake - by Lee Mair who has been excellent this season.

"I think you'll find every one of our defenders has made a mistake like that this season.

"That's just the phase we're going through. I've been raging after games even when we've won but I couldn't have asked any more today.

"I know they can play better but we just need a rub of the green. Maybe Sol Bamba could have been sent off when we got our penalty.

"Then it looked as though Steven Fletcher was offside at their spot-kick which would have meant Charlie Mulgrew, one of our best players, staying on.

"The fans are disappointed but I think they realise the players gave everything they had in this game."

Dons striker Lee Miller (below) was devastated to suffer more Pittodrie misery but is convinced they can turn things around.

He said: "It's gutting to lose here again. The breaks aren't going for us, we're not getting the bounce of the ball.

"I feel for Lee Mair who made a mistake but he won't let that affect him.

"At their penalty apparently someone was offside and that's the way things are going for us. But if we keep grafting it will come good."