RED FRIGHTS SPELL DANGER

Thelin insists he is still the man for Aberdeen despite fans heading for exits long before full-time whistle

- DAVID REID AT PITTODRIE

JIMMY THELIN admits Dons' start to the season has been unacceptable as they slumped to another deflating loss.

But in the wake of the 2-1 defeat to Hibs, the boss insisted he still has the backing of the Pittodrie board.

Thelin came under fire from the Red Army during a pitiful early opening to the season as they didn't score or win in their opening seven encounters.

And boos rang round Pittodrie at full-time and a few minutes before when Elie Youan smashed a decisive second into the back of the net in front of the Red Shed.

Any optimism after wins against Dundee and St Mirren turned out to be short-lived, with supporters heading for the exit minutes before Marko Lazetic gave the Reds some hope in the dying embers.

But it was too little too late as Aberdeen remain second-bottom as the Dons boss refused to blame their current activities in Europe.

Thelin said: “I'm the manager and I know as the manager what happens when you don't get results, but we're still aligned in what we want to do.

“We have a strong chairman and a strong board. They always look after the club. My job as manager is to get results I'm working for.

“I'm responsible for the results. We need to do better - everyone knows that if results don’t turn round then you're under pressure. But we have to step up, it’s not good enough.

“We have a good relationship, they're super-supportive, they have a clear direction in where they want to go.