At the end of October, Aberdeen's season was being referred to as 'record-breaking' for all the right reasons.

Now, in January, the same description could be used, but for all the wrong ones.

A meek 3-0 defeat by Rangers at Ibrox was the club's 12th league game in a row without a victory, equalling a club record.

With misery and concern growing, the 10 wins and draw at Celtic from the first 11 league games seem like a different season.

There can scarcely have been a greater drop off from a team in the space of a few months.

Jimmy Thelin's start to life as Aberdeen manager was a dream one.

Thirteen wins from his first 13 games in all competitions, beating Martin O'Neill's record of 12 at Celtic for the best-ever start as a manager in Scotland.

That winning run was halted at Celtic Park, but even then a comeback from 2-0 down kept the feel-good factor alive and helped Aberdeen take 31 points from the first 33 available.

They went nine points clear of Rangers after defeating them 2-1 on 30 October, and were 13 in front of Dundee United.

Now, after four points from the next 36 on offer, they are sitting fourth, two behind third-place United and 12 behind Philippe Clement's Ibrox side.

Even those who predicted Aberdeen's start would be impossible to maintain, would scarcely have believed the scale of the drop off.

After the defeat at Ibrox, Thelin's biggest complaint was his side's poor passing and erratic play with the ball.

Their passing accuracy was at 80% but dropped to 60% in Rangers' half and 54% in the final third.

Despite Rangers creating a host of chances - they had 12 shots on target and hit a post and the crossbar - Aberdeen were somehow still only one goal behind deep into the game.

But they were repeatedly unable to pick out a team-mate at crucial moments.

"We have to be more composed and find better rhythm in games," Thelin told BBC Scotland.

"We had too many transitions against us, and they are good in transitions.

"The fans' expectations are higher. We are in a challenging time right now, a mix of everything, we are in a bad run, some injuries and new players [bedding in]."

Despite some suggestions to the contrary, Thelin insisted the players are still giving everything and attitude was not an issue.

"When we don't have the rhythm with the ball, the players run and fight for each other," the Swede added.

"They still tried with everything they had, but it costs a lot of energy when you give away the ball too many times."

Not everyone agreed with Thelin's assessment of his players, though.

Former Aberdeen defender Andy Considine said he was concerned with the lack of intensity and agression from his old club.

"As a team, there was no energy, we didn't go toe-to-toe with them," he said on Sky Sports. "We were passive.

"The opportunities Rangers got down both wings to get balls into the box... and when Leon Balogun came on, every ball that came in Aberdeen couldn't defend.

"It was disappointing to watch. We lacked a lot of fight, to be honest with you."

Former Aberdeen captain Willie Miller believes Thelin will be given time to try to build long-term success at Aberdeen.

However, he warned that Saturday's Scottish Cup tie at League 2 Elgin City could proved pivotal.

"The fans have stuck with them through poor performances, which is unusual in football," Miller said on BBC Scotland's Sportsound.

"You can see he's changing the personnel quite substantially, and that needs time. But he desperately needs that win against Elgin. You can't envisage anything else.

"But there's got to be a question mark over where the team is going.

"They have the long-term plan but between now and the end of the season they need to find that spark in the final third."