Lewis Ferguson in brutally honest Aberdeen confession but midfielder delivers blunt verdict on Max Stryjek

The form book doesn’t lie and Lewis Ferguson was frank about Aberdeen’s immediate priority.

One win from their last 14 games has anxiety levels rising around Pittodrie and the Dons midfielder didn’t shy away from the big issues.

A three-way fight between them, St Mirren and St Johnstone to avoid the relegation play-off now appears to be the scenario after defeat by Livingston.

Ferguson is already looking at Premiership salvation arriving this Saturday when bottom side Dundee visit and the midfielder is well aware losing is no longer an option.

He said: “We need to win this week. It’s a big game at home in front of the Aberdeen fans and we have to try to get maximum points.

“There is not long left in the season, only four games, and we have to try to get maximum points.

“We must try to end the season strongly because it’s been really poor – as this club is nowhere near where it should be in the table.”

Ferguson is right to believe his side just can’t catch a break and he could have highlighted the performance of referee Grant Irvine who had the howler of all howlers.

We’ll get to him shortly but the Scotland midfielder insists shunting blame for their predicament isn’t going to aid their survival cause.

He said: “I don’t want to sit here and moan about refereeing decisions. It’s us that need to go and win the game. The referee isn’t going to win you the game. We’re more frustrated at ourselves we can’t go and win.”

Aberdeen’s lack of goal threat was a key feature in their latest defeat against a Livingston side who had boss David Martindale making tactical decisions via his mobile from the comfort of his living-room couch after missing the game through a kidney stone scare.

As the Dons huffed and puffed and dominated the ball without looking like making their possession tell, there was always the feeling around Pittodrie a smash and grab for the Lions was on the cards.

That game-changing moment arrived just before the break and it was rookie whistler Irvine who took centre stage.

Livi keeper Max Stryjek gathered a Ross McCrorie header from a corner before charging out with the ball and slapping his palm into the face of Vicente Besuijen.

It appeared a simple call, as the Dons fans waited for a red card to be issued to Stryjek and the referee to point to the spot.

Irvine opted to book both players and award a free-kick for Besuijen apparently trying to prevent the Pole from quickly fielding the ball.

Bizarrely, Livingston retained their full complement of players and went straight up the park. Odin Bailey met a Joel Nouble cross with his head and keeper Joe Lewis made the save. But Nicky Devlin reacted first to slam the ball home at the second attempt.

A huge turning point and chain of events that could have the SFA compliance officer dragging Stryjek over the coals.

Ferguson said: “You can’t strike someone in the face and stay on the park. I get that people sometimes make silly challenges and mistime it. But if you’re going to hit someone in the face and the ref books our player?

“I get that Vinny stands in front of him which the ref could have blown for a foul or whatever.

“It’s simple. I think everyone saw it. He hit him in the face, Vinny went down. It’s a penalty kick.”

That sense of injustice wasn’t helped by a late red for McCrorie after two bookings as well as Irvine adjudging Jack McMillan had been tripped by Funso Ojo to allow Livi to double their advantage as Jason Holt side-footed home the spot-kick.

Ferguson scored a consolation at the death from the spot and believes the loss of confidence within his dressing room is a concern. He added: “Confidence is pretty low but the only way you can get it back up is by going and winning games.”