Aberdeen

Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin tells BBC Scotland after the 3-2 home defeat by Motherwell: "I don't think we did enough to warrant taking anything from the game. I thought from the opening minute we were very sloppy, we gave Motherwell a lift psychologically with how slow we were in possession.

"It was quite simply not good enough. Too many were not at the levels they've been at recently, and that's why we lost the game.

"We have to be able to handle teams coming here and hitting us on the counter attack and setting traps from it. We didn't do things quick enough, we didn't find out forward players in good enough positions. We didn't anticipate danger enough. I will take full responsibility for the goal from the corner because I set them up in a certain way, but the other two goals are very avoidable. 

"Everyone was raving about the performance last week and today it's very much back down to earth with a bang."

By Andrew Southwick, BBC Scotland

Aberdeen had received plaudits for their performances this season; cruising through their League Cup group, and responding to an opening-day defeat by hammering St Mirren.

However, perhaps the real test of their mettle would be provided by Motherwell, a side the Dons had failed to beat in four meetings last season, losing three of them.

They look to have more firepower than last term, and they scored twice from just three shots on target. But defensively they were pulled apart time and again and manager Jim Goodwin still has plenty of work to do.

Motherwell's start to the season was as bad as it gets; losing their Europa Conference League clash to Sligo Rovers which led to the dismissal of manager Graham Alexander before a Premiership ball had been kicked.

Two wins from three gives Steven Hammell a solid base to start from though, and they looked like they could score at will at Pittodrie as the newly-found confidence flowed through the side.

Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin tells BBC Scotland: "I still think we need to add one players, possibly two, but the squad is quite big at the moment and we've had conversations with the players about maybe moving some on.

"But if the window closed today and I had to go with the current crop of players that I've got, I would be more than pleased because when I look at the strength in depth we've got I'm a very lucky manager."

Jayden Richardson says Aberdeen "legend" Scott McKenna's fulsome praise of the club helped sell him on a move from Nottingham Forest.

The 21-year-old right-back quizzed Forest defender McKenna and Derby County's Max Lowe, who had loan spells at Pittodrie and the City Ground, before leaving the Premier League newcomers.

“I spoke to them and they couldn’t speak more highly of the club, Aberdeen and Scotland itself," said Richardson. “Scotty is a legend here.

“He couldn’t speak more highly of the club. When I asked him what it is like he talked about the city and the club and because of the new training ground now, he said the facilities are top."

Ahead of Motherwell's visit this weekend, he added: “We’ve not had long to adapt to each other’s playing styles but there is no excuses in this league.

“We have to get on with it and work every day to learn how each other plays so when it comes to game day we can implement it on the pitch.”

Jonny Hayes is still going strong in the Aberdeen first team at age 35, but the winger is now stepping up his coaching career too.

The Irishman has been appointed Under-16s coach alongside Stuart Duff as the pair help to nurture the club's next generation.

It marks a firming up of duties for Hayes, who has been working with the academy for the past year.

Having racked up over 200 appearances in two spells with the Dons, as well as winning six trophies with Celtic, he has plenty of experience and expertise to pass on.

Aberdeen winger Callum Roberts is faces months out with a hamstring injury. (Sun), external

However, the news is better for Aberdeen defender Hayden Coulson after a scan on his injury. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

Dons boss Jim Goodwin is "not really worried about getting every player into the team" after a busy summer of recruitment at Pittodrie. (Record), external

Aberdeen have warned fans about their behaviour after £1,000 worth of damage was caused during the 4-1 win over St Mirren last weekend.

The club say 14 pyros were discharged, some of which burnt the pitch and the surrounding astro turf. One teenager has been charged by police.

More than 40 seats and frames were "vandalised", while the club say an object was thrown at a St Mirren supporters' bus.

"For the past 10 years, St Mirren games have not required a Police presence," a club statement said. "As a result of these issues, that is now under review and could change. With that comes yet further unnecessary cost for the club.

"We strongly advise that no balaclavas are worn whilst approaching or within the stadium – this will only attract attention, it unnerves other fans and it’s not an image we want to encourage.

"A small, disruptive group is tarnishing the reputation of the club, impacting the matchday experience for others and costing us a lot of money that could be better spent elsewhere."

What should Jim Goodwin's starting line-up be at home to Motherwell on Saturday? Here's your chance to pick your XI.

Pick your team here.

Former Aberdeen player Steve Tosh says the club's summer signings show they intend to be the third best team in Scotland this season. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin expects more departures than arrivals before the summer transfer window closes and is targeting one more addition to his squad. (Press & Journal), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Speaking to BBC Scotland ahead of his side's match with St Mirren, Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin said: "The squad is quite large now. We've had conversations with one or two guys who are maybe a bit frustrated in regards to the lack of game time. There might be some business going out the way, in the next few weeks before the window closes.

"I'd still like one more, maybe an attacking midfielder or creative type. Everywhere else around the squad, we're strong. It's the top end where we were really light last season and that's where you win games. We've got to have options on the bench which allows us to freshen things up.

[On potential Liverpool link] "It would be great. If this loan with Leighton [Clarkson] is a success, I'd imagine Liverpool will look fondly on us next time.

"We don't want to fill our team with a load of loan players. I'd rather have our own contracted players but if the loan market has players we couldn't normally attract on a permanent basis, it would be a valuable thing to do."

Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin spoke to BBC Radio Scotland after his biggest league win as Aberdeen manager - a 4-1 victory over St Mirren at Pittodrie.

"I've not been standing here as manager too often after a 4-1 victory in the league," he said. "It was important to get off to a good start at home.

"Some fantastic goals, some decent build-up play, some good possession. We probably should have had another two or three goals in the second half. Bojan Miovski is disappointed in there, to not have scored a hat-trick. We should have done it a bit quicker. All in all, I'm delighted.

"Even at 11 v 11 we were dominating the ball, as you would expect. I've played against 10 men myself in the past and it's not always quite as straightforward as my players made it look. It can be difficult to break down a solid back line and a compact midfield.

"Yes it's 4-1 but it should have been six or seven, realistically."

Aberdeen: Roos, McCrorie, Scales, Stewart, Miovski, Besuijen, Ramadani, Hayes, Coulson, Richardson, Kennedy

Substitutes: Lewis, Duk, Watkins, Clarkson, Polvara, Duncan, Milne, Roberts, Ramirez

St Mirren: Carson, Gallagher, Shaughnessy, Dunne, Strain, Baccus, Kiltie, Erhahon, Tait, Ayunga, Main

Substitutes: Urminksy, Flynn, Reid, Taylor, Henderson, Olsuanya, Offord, Greive, Brophy

Aberdeen are looking to seal a loan deal for Liverpool midfielder Leighton Clarkson, 20, as manager Jim Goodwin aims to land his 11th summer signing. (Daily Record), external

Aberdeen midfielder Callum Roberts reveals the pain at being let go by boyhood club Newcastle United left him on the verge of quitting football. (Press & Journal - subscription required), external

Read the rest of Saturday's Scottish gossip.

Loan defender Liam Scales returns to Aberdeen's squad for the visit of St Mirren after being ineligible against parent club Celtic. Connor Barron and Jack MacKenzie remain out.

St Mirren's Mark O'Hara misses out because of concussion protocols but attacker Greg Kiltie returns from suspension. Defenders Marcus Fraser and Scott Tanser will be assessed.

Did you know? St Mirren have not won on 13 visits to Pittodrie Stadium since a penalty shoot-out success in the League Cup after a 2-2 draw in October 2012.