Jim Goodwin insists Aberdeen are ready to go on the offensive against St Mirren and set out their stall for the season ahead.
The Dons boss believes his team can harness the change of mood music at Pittodrie ahead of a clash with his old club as they aim to put their first Premiership points on the board tomorrow. A defeat to Celtic in their opener hasn't dented a belief amongst the Red Army that this campaign can deliver better fortunes than last season's struggles and Goodwin hopes to keep the support onside with a front-foot forward approach.
He said: "There was a real feel-good factor after the League Cup group stage, albeit we've not allowed ourselves to get carried away with that because we know we should be beating teams that were in our group. I think it was the manner in which we did that and that's what pleased us most.
"We need to get back to doing that on Saturday and the games coming up in August where we are on the front foot, we are dominating possession, we are in control of the game and we need to be taking the game to the opposition going forward.
"We went into the Celtic game with a bit of belief and a little bit of momentum, but we knew it was going to be a huge step up in quality in terms of opposition we faced prior to that.
"We weren't pleased with how we did on the attacking front but that is probably credit to Celtic. This is a different task against St Mirren, the polar opposite probably with regards to how St Mirren will set up in comparison to Celtic.
"Stephen Robinson has spoken openly about how he wants his team to be a counter-attacking team. They'll probably sit off the game a little bit and allow us to have possession of the ball and try to hit us on the counter. That brings with it different challenges to the ones we faced against Celtic on Sunday."
Goodwin's desire to be reunited with former St Mirren player Jamie McGrath ended with the midfielder's move to Dundee United but he was only interested in wishing his old charge all the best. He said: “Jamie is obviously a player I know extremely well, he’s one I’ve got a lot of time for. I think he’s well suited to the Scottish Premiership, I told him that before he went to Wigan.
“Unfortunately for Jamie that move to Wigan didn’t quite pan out how he would’ve liked but he’s back playing in a league he is comfortable in and that he’s already had relative success in. I think it is a fantastic move for both him and for Dundee United.
“We’ve got other targets, it’s as simple as that. I wish Jamie nothing but success at Dundee United.”
Goodwin also provided an update on possible exit from the club such as defender David Bates as well as potential arrivals. He said: “There’s nothing really to report. There's been speculation about players we’re bringing in and a lot of speculation about players who are going but until everything is signed and sealed then there’s not really much point in me talking about it.
"With regards to the weekend, there is not going to be any new signings done by then. The squad will have Liam Scales back in it. Other than that there will be very little changes."
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