I don't think being in the bottom six is the end of the world. For a start I've always said the split is stupid and I don't agree with it. But last year we were third, pushing for second, having been knocked out both cups at the first time of asking. This year we have a small squad, quite a few injuries, lost some players in January, got to the semi finals of both cups and played 8 games in Europe. Of course of squad is capable of playing better than we have at times, but none of them except maybe Jackie Mac are experienced in playing so many games or travelling in Europe then coming back and having to travel to Kilmarnock a few days later. It's been a learning curve for a lot of them.
Additionally I think the league has been a lot closer this season than it has been for a while, a few teams are playing a bit better than they have been in the past too (namely Motherwell and United) and as a result we've probably lost a few more games that we maybe won before.
But it's not the end of the world. It doesn't matter to me if we just miss top 6 because we had a great European run other teams would love to have the chance of and given a new generation of fans the chance to experience a Pittodrie European night. At least we've made some progress and aren't sitting 12th and only saved from relegation by a first division team having an inadequate ground.