Mawene admits Aberdeen players can’t keep hiding behind excuses

Mawene watched from the sidelines while nursing a minor hamstring strain as Aberdeen lost on penalties to the Second Division bottom club on Tuesday.

But the centre-back, who will return today against Motherwell at Fir Park, made a point of not excluding himself from his frank assessment of Aberdeen’s disappointing start to the season. The Dons have failed to score in six of eight SPL games and Mawene admits they cannot hide behind excuses any more.

The Frenchman revealed he felt at his lowest ebb when assistant Archie Knox spoke in the dressing room after Aberdeen crashed out of the Scottish Communities League Cup following the 3-3 Pittodrie draw. And he believes each player needs to give more to Knox and manager Craig Brown.

Mawene said: “There’s been a few things said head to head and maybe it’s the right time to have a heart to heart and have an open meeting to burst through a few things that haven’t been working for us.

“Looking at the potential of the group, we have to improve. There is no point looking for excuses – ‘it’s not him, it’s me, we hit the post, got a red card’.

“Too many times we look for excuses or easy solutions. Sometimes we have to look at ourselves in the mirror and give more to the team. I think it’s a mental thing. People have to realise football is a competition. In competition there is a winner and a second best. If you are second best too often you lose games. We have to give a lot more.”

Mawene described Motherwell as a “great team”, but he warned Aberdeen’s approach had to improve no matter the quality of the opposition.

“The squad, the staff, the fans and the football club itself, there is nothing wrong with it,” he said. “That’s the frustrating thing. But I think the players have to do more. We have to go out there and compete. We are far off the mark. So this is a must-win game and we have to see what we’re made of.”

Motherwell full-back Stevie Hammell admits motivation comes easy against Aberdeen because of the managerial connections between the clubs.

Motherwell are unbeaten in six games against Aberdeen since Mark McGhee and then Brown left Fir Park to take charge at Pittodrie.

Brown and assistant Knox received a hostile welcome when they returned in April, not least from chairman John Boyle, who was fined for his part in a touchline confrontation.

Hammell said: “I’m sure the atmosphere will be tastier than usual.

“I’m not going to lie, it is disappointing to see your manager leave, because the last couple of managers have done so well. When they come back you do want to show them that the team they left is a decent team, and we believe a better team. It does add a little bit to the game and you want to make sure you don’t lose these games.”