The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Dons bank on home comfort
Premiership: McInnes seeks repeat of Motherwell mauling for crucial run of matches
There can be no place like home f o r Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes who is counting on his side’s formidable home record to push them out of sight in the race to finish second in the Scottish Premiership.
The Dons have taken 27 points from 36 at Pittodrie this term, with a 1-0 loss to Celtic last October their only defeat in 12 matches.
Five of Aberdeen’s next seven league games are at home, starting with today’s visit of a struggling Ross County side without a victory in five matches.
The Aberdeen supporters will be hoping for a similar showing to their most recent Pittodrie outing when the Dons ran out 7-2 winners against Motherwell. Victory would move the Dons nine points clear of Rangers and the manager said: “Our last home against Mother well showed our capabilities.
“We have conceded only eight goals at home in the league this season so we have also been good at keeping the ball out of our net. We have a good attacking threat so when it clicks, like it did against Motherwell, we do show our strength.
“We have a lot of home games coming up and it’s important we concentrate on the next one against a very experienced Ross County team.
“They will feel they can get a result as some of their best results have been on the road this season.
“They have conceded more goals at home this season than theyhave away from home this season which is quite an unusual statistic.
“We are going into the game in good form and we want to keep our run going.
“The performance against Motherwell was of such a high quality and we had so many players playing close to their top level, but we know we won’t always get that.”
McInnes has been surprised by County’s underwhelming campaign, but believes they are more than capable of ending the season in the top six.
He added: “We know each other’s strengths.
“Last home against Motherwell showed our capabilities”
“County have plenty of threats and when they are on top of their game they have a really good side.
“Like most teams in the middle of the table, they will be looking for a consistent run. They are capable of going on that type of run and I’m sure Jim McIntyre will be doing all he can to get that going.
“Hopefully that run of results comes after our game.”