ABERDEEN’S Derek McInnes admits he has sympathy for Kilmarnock boss Lee McCulloch as the two prepare to go head to head this weekend.

McCulloch’s Kilmarnock have made a slow start to the season, taking just one point from their opening five matches ahead of tomorrow’s trip to face Aberdeen in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

However, McInnes, whose Aberdeen side are unbeaten and currently second in the league, expects McCulloch to get his players firing before long.

“It’s very early,” he said. “You see a lot of teams have slow starts and Kilmarnock have probably the biggest turnaround in players (in the league).

“I think Lee has probably made the most signings (14) and with that comes that extra responsibility to try and find that understanding, so that may be a factor.

“But when you look at the squad, they have some good players. Last year they picked up some very good results on the road and I think they’ll be confident coming here.

“Their home form has maybe not been as good as it can be, but they’re a team who possess good qualities: they have goals in them and good experience at the back now especially.

“They’re a team who on their day, as with many in the league, can give you problems.”

The Dons boss has called for a better performance from his side after they were indebted to goalkeeper Joe Lewis for rescuing a point against Hearts last week.

Lewis pulled off a string of fine saves in a disappointing team performance, and McInnes is keen for his men to move on.

He said: “We’ve had a 100 per cent record at home in the league and we’re looking to continue that.

“We were disappointed with the second half last week but we will take the point with a clean sheet.

“It’s a totally different scenario at home, we need to try and get a better 90-minute performance and try to win the game.”