Derek McInnes believes Aberdeen have provided replacement Stephen Glass "every chance to be a success this season" amid an eight-game winless streak.
The former Dons boss was a roaring success during eight years at the helm in the Granite City but was replaced by the former Pittodrie star after his own sticky run during the last campaign.
And McInnes believes Sunday's opponents Celtic will provide Aberdeen with openings of their own to try and end a luckless record that stretches back to August 12.
The 50-year-old has been impressed by the recruitment spearheaded by chairman Dave Cormack and sees a squad that he reckons would be the envy of many. But he does fear they have too many senior players sitting in the stands.
Speaking in his Mail on Sunday column, he said: "Stephen Glass will be disappointed with the team's points return but I do think the squad he has assembled is talented and capable.
"The depth available would be the envy of every club outwith the Old Firm, who run with deeper pools to cope with their involvement across all competitions including Europe.
"So you have to say the club has given the manager every chance to be a success this season.
"But sometimes having too many players can bring its own problems. Last weekend, Aberdeen had eight senior players not involved in the matchday squad.
"And when things go wrong people start targeting and pointing the finger at individuals."
The knock on Aberdeen under McInnes' watch from punters was the football on display was failing to provide thrills in his final season.
Glass' arrival led to a pledge of a more expansive playing style but McInnes reckons that has yet to show itself on the pitch during his successor's seven months at the helm.
He added: "Victory over Celtic would give the club a huge lift in confidence and optimism.
"They do have a squad capable of that and they also have the potential to make up ground in the league. But they're now at a stage where there is not much more room for error.
"They've maybe put themselves under pressure by making a pledge to play exciting and expansive football, with hard pressing.
"I have to be honest and say I haven't seen that.
"What is important for any team, and this is not exclusive to Aberdeen, is to find a way to win."
But McInnes believes all hope is not lost for Aberdeen when they take on Celtic as he remains sceptical over the balance of Ange Postecoglou's side.
He likes what the Australian is about but concedes the high risk strategy Bayer Leverkusen exploited is always likely to come unstuck.
He said: "At Celtic, Postecoglou is fully committed to playing a certain style and the team will either sink or swim with that.
"If they show more resilience and control, they have the potential to make it a title fight.
"But they still need to convince. The manager has to keep convincing the players that his way will work. And the fans need persuading, too.
"I think the Celtic supporters want Postecoglou to succeed, they are hoping this is the way forward for their team.
"But if they do not win at Pittodrie today, there will be doubts.
"Losing 4-0 On Thursday night was damaging. Not many people would have expected them to beat a strong Bayer Leverkusen.
"But while there was no disgrace in losing, that scoreline is damaging in terms of the message the manger is trying to get across to his players and also in terms of the confidence of the support.
"I like Postecoglou, I like how he talks and how confident he is in how he wants his team to play."
