Aberdeen assistant manager Tony Docherty reckons his side’s winning mindset can help the Dons continue to flourish on the pitch.
The Reds’ more resilient mentality was perfectly exemplified in Wednesday’s 2-0 League Cup quarter- final victory at Motherwell when the team was forced to play with 10 men for 77 minutes after Joe Shaughnessy’s early red card – yet still managed to progress to the semi-finals.
After four seasons of bottom-six finishes, the Dons find themselves second in the Scottish Premiership and with a cup semi-final against St Johnstone to look forward to in the new year.
Docherty is pleased to see a feelgood factor enveloping Pittodrie once again and attributes the positive start to the campaign to having the right characters in the dressing-room.
He said: “It is all about getting the right types in your squad.
“We have brought in a few, such as Barry Robson and Willo Flood.
“But there were guys here already like Russell Anderson and Andrew Considine who are winners. Jamie Langfield is another fantastic professional with a real desire.
“We also have players breaking into the first team like Cammy Smith who play without fear.
“It is about having that blend of the experienced players and the young enthusiastic ones.
“But we are only a quarter of the way through the season so we won’t get ahead of ourselves.
“It is a work in progress and we need to make sure we keep working hard to get to where we want to go.”
Aberdeen host Partick Thistle on Monday and confidence is high in the Dons camp as they aim for a fourth victory in succession.
Docherty added: “I know it is an old cliche but it is just a case of taking every game on its own merit. We had big three games against Dundee United, Hibernian and the cup game against Motherwell which we thought could shape our season.
“We have come out of them having done well, keeping three clean sheets and scoring five goals. We are pleased and there is a feelgood factor about the place. The squad is buzzing and the most pleasing thing from a managerial point of view is we have a squad where everybody is chipping in.
“In the recent game against Hibs, Scott Vernon and Gregg Wylde came off the bench to score and then Andrew Considine came off the bench to score the vital goal against Motherwell.
“There is an adaptability about the squad as well and the players are working hard and putting the team before the individual. That is so important and we are delighted with what we are getting from them.”