Don Cowie expects different Aberdeen challenge for Ross County
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Ross County assistant manager Don Cowie suspects the Staggies will be going up against a changed Aberdeen compared to the side they have faced earlier in the season.
Twice already this season, County have drawn 1–1 with the Dons, but then Aberdeen were under the guidance of former manager Stephen Glass.
Now, it is Jim Goodwin in charge at Pittodrie, and Cowie believes that will lead to a slightly different challenge for the Staggies.
“Under Stephen it was a bit more about passing and patterns of play,” Cowie recalled.
“Jim was doing ever so well at St Mirren, and got the job at Aberdeen off the back of that. Maybe he’ll be a bit more direct, and put a bit more energy towards the team.
“He has reshuffled it a wee bit, but he hasn’t had a transfer window to get his own players in.
“He’s had to deal with what he has. That throws up its own challenges, however he’s still in a position where they’ve got a chance of the top six.
“We’ll be ready for a team that’s going to come flying out of the traps.”
Both teams will be desperate to win given that County and Aberdeen are two of the sides still in contention for a top six berth ahead of the final Premiership match before the split.
Four points separate Dundee United in fourth with St Mirren in 10th, but while results elsewhere will determine whether County or Aberdeen can get into the top half all they can do in the meantime is win the match in front of them.
In a way, it is a surprise that either team are in this battle. The Staggies were tipped by many to be relegation favourites, while Aberdeen were expected to be comfortably in the top half by now.
“Historically they’re a club that finish in the top six,” Cowie said of the Dons.
“They’ve done that for a number of years, but that’s probably testament to how strong the league is.
“Everyone is fighting and challenging, teams have had good runs of form and then maybe struggled a little bit, and that’s what makes it so exciting. There are so many teams fighting for the top six.”
