Jim Goodwin admits he sympathises with under-fire Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin following their disastrous start to the league campaign.
A 2-0 win for Dundee United at Tannadice on Tuesday leaves the Dons rock bottom of the Premiership with no wins and no goals from their first five games.
Some Aberdeen fans joined in with chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” aimed towards the Scottish Cup winning manager.
The current United boss faced the same anger when he was at Pittodrie two and a half years ago.
Goodwin was eventually sacked from the role, but he insists that Thelin can still turn it around and used the example of David Gray, who was in a similar position at Hibs a year ago before going on a winning run and eventually finishing third.
And while his full concern is on his own team, he admitted he had feared his former club’s fortunes would turn at Tannadice.
Speaking after the game, Goodwin said: “I know what the man is going through and I sympathise with any manager in that situation.
“We were all talking about Hibs and David Gray last year when they were bottom. David found a way to get a tune out of the team.
“Aberdeen have invested well, they spent a fortune in the summer, and that’s why I was a wee bit nervous coming into this game because the run can’t continue with the quality they have.
“We were on a bit of a hiding to nothing but I’m sure Jimmy will respect my concern isn’t Aberdeen.”
Goodwin, whose side moved up to third, added: “Consistency in the 11 was important but this was probably the most comfortable we’ve felt for a number of weeks.
“The last ten minutes we get deeper and nervy naturally, Aberdeen threw every attacking option at us, but the guys showed great resilience.”
Goodwin also revealed that he is constantly demanding more from Ivan Dolcek, despite a flying start to his Dundee United career.
The former Hajduk Split player made it five goals from five Premiership games when he fired home a first-time volley on the bounce from 18 yards against the Dons.
The 25-year-old Croatian has been one of many summer transfer success stories for United after arriving from Slaven in his homeland.
“It is some return,” said Goodwin.
“He’s got the knack of being in the right place at the right moment.
“He sometimes drifts in and out of games. I am constantly on at him to be a little bit more involved and to go and get on the ball a little bit more and find those pockets of space.
“But you find it very hard to criticise him when he has had the kind of impact he has had in such a short period of time.”
Bert Esselink was also on target in the comfortable win.
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