Jim Goodwin believes Aberdeen’s hard-fought 1-0 win over St Johnstone on Saturday proves they are heading in the right direction.
The Dons clinched their first Premiership away win since last December thanks to a stunning second-half free-kick from Liverpool midfielder Leighton Clarkson on loan.
The visitors had more chances to extend their lead early in the game but were wasteful with their finish.
And after being beaten by the same result on his last visit to Perth in May, manager Goodwin is hoping the nature of the weekend’s win is a sign the Dons are a more formidable force this season.
Goodwin said: “We played at a faster pace and it’s a lot more fun to watch.
“The last time we were here last season it was one of the worst football games I’ve ever seen and it must have been awful for the players.
“We’re not going to get it right every time, but I thought Saturday was better than last time and that’s the most important thing for us.
“Do we look like a team that’s improving, do we look like a better group than last season?
“I think that’s clear to everyone at the moment. It’s still a new team, we brought in 11 new players and it takes time to bring these guys together.”
Goodwin recognized two of those new players, fullbacks Jayden Richardson and Hayden Coulson, for their contribution against Saints.
Goodwin was particularly pleased for Richardson after a tough turnaround in last weekend’s loss to Motherwell.
He added: “There were so many good individual performances. Jayden Richardson was criticized a bit last weekend for a few goals we conceded, but I liked his reaction.
“Hayden Coulson at left-back was fantastic. As a manager you hate to single out individual players, but those two were the key to us keeping a clean sheet.
“Brilliant individually, but collectively as a team I found the group outstanding.”
Saints manager Callum Davidson, meanwhile, insists there are doubts within his team whether the free-kick that led to the goal should have been awarded.
Graham Carey was penalized for a foul on Johnny Hayes from 25 yards and the midfielder was visibly upset by referee Craig Napier’s decision, who also cautioned five Saints players during the game.
Davidson added: “I’m not sure if there was contact on their free-kick but Graham insists he didn’t touch it.
“We also received five warnings and as a result had to make a lot of changes because so many people were just one foul away from another map.”
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