Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes insists his side can still achieve their aims this season despite scoring just one goal since the winter break.
Since scoring a penalty against League One side Dumbarton in the previous round of the Scottish Cup, the Dons have gone five straight game without scoring.
Their latest blank came against Kilmarnock in the Scottish Cup fifth round on Saturday as the sides played out a 0-0 draw at wind-hit Pittodrie that leaves them facing a replay.
With a televised trip to Hamilton next up on Tuesday night, McInnes said: “We may have to shake things up again in the forward areas. We’ve tried a front two, different combinations and sometimes it just comes down to real determination.
“I feel under pressure to win a game, but I’ve felt pressure since I took over as player-manager of St Johnstone 12 or 13 years ago.
“I’ve spoken to other people in the game, other managers who watch us, and they say there’s not a lot wrong with us and I agree with that, but it’s difficult to defend when you don’t score again.
“We’ve set a standard here. I still believe we can finish third in the league and I still believe we can have a cup run, and that is what we are working towards.”
Kilmarnock host Rangers on Wednesday night and Alex Dyer feels his side still have work to do to be where they want to be despite halting an alarming winless streak and subsequently going three unbeaten.
“We haven’t turned the corner,” he said. “You’ve not done so until you reach the goals that you’ve set.
“When I first got the job that was to get us back in the top six and that’s what we want to do.
“We’re not patting ourselves on the back yet. It’s only three unbeaten after nine without a win so it can change quickly.”
