Nicholl Backs Dons To Avoid Drop

Last updated : 15 October 2008 By Stand Free Ed

ABERDEEN assistant manager Jimmy Nicholl believes the Dons will avoid relegation from the SPL.

The former Northern Ireland international has experience of the dreaded drop from his time in charge of Millwall twelve years ago.

But despite the Dons currently sitting at the foot of the SPL, Nicholl insists the mood at Pittodrie is very different to his time with the Lions

He said: "I know we are bottom of the league at the moment but we will be fine.

"The players have to stick together. During a game they have to focus on what they are doing, their opponents, their team-mates and the ball. Nothing else matters.

"I am surprised at the position we find ourselves in but we are only eight games into the season.

"There is a way of losing a game and if you lose 2-0, 3-0 or 4-0 regularly then you can tell something is not right.

"We're not covering over the cracks here but there is no getting away from the individual mistakes which have cost us.

"We haven't won at home, which is a worry, but the away performances - with the exception of Kilmarnock - have been very good.

"We are confident we will turn it around.

"If we were in this situation with eight games to go I would be worried, but I really can't see that situation happening."