Jimmy Thelin wants Aberdeen to ‘break the circle’ against Dunfermline

Jimmy Thelin has told his beleaguered Aberdeen side there is still plenty to play for this season if they can snap out of their malaise.

The Dons have slipped from joint-top of the William Hill Premiership in November to fourth place after failing to win any of their last 14 league games.

Ahead of their Scottish Gas Scottish Cup fifth-round tie at home to Dunfermline on Sunday, Thelin challenged his players to “break the circle” of negativity.

“Sometimes when you’re on a specific run it can be difficult to get out of this but I think the energy was here now from Tuesday, and it’s really strong, and everybody is looking forward,” said the Reds boss.

“We’re still in the cup, we have an important game this weekend and we still can catch the third place. That should be our focus.

“Push for that instead of looking back now and go around the mistakes and what we actually have to do now to catch that third place.

“It’s time to move on and break the circle and that’s what we’re trying to focus on now.”

Thelin, who could hand a debut to Dutch defender Mats Knoester, has been encouraged by what he has seen on the training ground this week and expects a fired-up approach from Aberdeen as they bid to get their campaign back on track against a Dunfermline side who appointed Michael Tidser as manager last month.

“I think it’s another chance for us to change the way we approach games and the identity we want to show,” he said.

“They have a changed manager, they are playing more now in how they build up the game. They are a good team, but we’re also a good team.

“We’ve just been out of form for a while and I think how the players have responded this week and the training sessions, and with the new players, we are really ready to show our fans we want to win this cup game.

“We’re looking forward to the game and it’s going to be a more intense, aggressive Aberdeen on the pitch.”