Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin faces a busy summer transfer window to fix the problems that were exploited in concerning losses to Celtic and Rangers.
Suffering heavy defeats to the Old Firm inside a few days will have been tough viewing for Aberdeen fans, and worrying.
Aberdeen were ripped apart in both games and the 5-1 loss to Celtic and the 4-0 defeat by Rangers could have both been by more emphatic scorelines.
Only a number of key saves by keeper Dimitar Mitov prevented that.
Sadly many Aberdeen fans will now be looking at the Scottish Cup final against Celtic next Saturday with some trepidation.
Hopefully the Reds can overturn the odds to lift the trophy, but being overrun at Pittodrie by Celtic is a major blow.
Hard questions need answered
Aberdeen boss Thelin needs to be brutally honest in the summer window about who is good enough to play for this great club Aberdeen… and who is not!
The concerning losses to Celtic and Rangers suggest some are not good enough.
Aberdeen need players who can consistently deliver a high level and some are not doing that.
The Dons were blown away in the second half at Ibrox by a Rangers side that had failed to win their previous seven home games in all competitions.
Rangers last won at Ibrox in early February but they destroyed the Dons in a second half where Thelin’s side completely collapsed.
The home game against Celtic was the chance to right the wrongs of that heavy loss at Ibrox.
Thrashed by Celtic and Rangers
They failed to take it and were thrashed at Pittodrie by a Celtic side where many first team regulars were dropped by boss Brendan Rodgers.
Thelin has had two busy transfer windows since arriving at Pittodrie last year – and this summer may be his busiest yet.
The Dons boss has already started strengthening with the capture of winger Nicolas Milanovic from Australian A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers.
The 23-year-old has signed a pre-contract agreement with the Dons after the clubs agreed a transfer fee.
Securing Milanovic is a positive start
Milanovic will officially move to Pittodrie in the summer on a three-year deal, with Aberdeen having the option to extend that to a fourth year.
Winger Milanovic scored 12 goals and had six assists in 25 league games this season and is tipped as future Australia international.
His capture is a good start but much more arrivals are needed in the summer.
Thelin needs to sign an out-and-out goalscoring striker on a permanent deal.
The Reds gaffer must also sign a couple of midfielders and further bolster a defence that has been ripped apart in recent games.
Vital change that can be made now
Before the summer window there is one change I would love to see with Aberdeen in the remaining two games of the season.
And that is for the Dons to stop trying to play out from the defence.
Aberdeen continually play four or five passes along the back and inevitably the ball ends up with keeper Mitov who kicks it long up the park.
Just get the ball quickly up to the midfield to instigate an attack and put the pressure on the opponent.
Playing out from the back not only kills momentum it also allows opponents to put pressure on the Dons in their own final third.
It is not working.
Conversation