Aberdeen's Tony Docherty aims to get one over Ross County friends
Assistant manager Tony Docherty will put friendship aside in the quest for an Aberdeen victory over Ross County.
Dons boss Derek McInnes and his number two have personal and professional respect for the Staggies management duo, Jim McIntyre and Billy Dodds, the quartet all having been at Dundee United together.
However, Docherty is focusing only on securing three Ladbrokes Premiership points at Pittodrie on Saturday and avenging the 2-0 defeat in Dingwall last month.
"We managed to get to watch County's last game, they got a good win against Motherwell, their first win in four," he told Aberdeen's official website.
"They have done great this season under Jim McIntyre and Billy Dodds who are good friends of ours.
"It is a difficult game as we found out when we played them recently in Dingwall so we know what to expect.
"They are well drilled. They have good individuals and they play to their strengths.
"We know we will have to be at our best to pick up maximum points on Saturday.
"It is a good fixture as it is two attacking teams. It should be an exciting encounter."
Third-placed Aberdeen drew 1-1 at Hamilton last week but in their last home match goals from Adam Rooney and Jonny Hayes gave them a 2-0 win over bottom side Dundee United.
Docherty is looking for more of the same against County as he stressed that the Pittodrie side, whose form has shaded after a sizzling start to the season, are actually better off in terms of points than they were at the same stage last season.
"We have worked hard this week and the boys have been fantastic in training," he said.
"We have a confident bunch of players and they are desperate to get back to winning ways.
"Everyone is working hard to make it happen. I thought we were fantastic last time at Pittodrie against Dundee United.
"Hopefully we can have a repeat of that performance.
"I think is worth remembering we are one point better off than we were at this stage last season.
"We think we have improved the squad from last year but you can't stand still.
"We will always look to identify areas where we can strengthen and get better."
Ryan Jack is likely to be missing again with an ankle injury.
Martin Woods insists he never doubted Ross County team-mate Liam Boyce's value to the Staggies during the striker's goal drought.
Northern Irish frontman Boyce is County's top scorer with 12 goals this season.
But Woods admits the 24-year-old faced flak during a seven-game run that saw him draw blanks for both club and country.
Boyce finally ended his wait for a goal when he netted against Motherwell in last weekend's 3-0 triumph and midfielder Woods is glad to see his colleague back in scoring form ahead of Saturday's game.
He said: "Liam has done brilliantly for us and that stretches back to January last season. He's been doing a great job.
"Sometimes when he doesn't score people begin to worry, but we know how important he is.
"As a midfielder, I find him great to play with. We seem to have a good relationship and I know where he's going to be.
"I know I can trust him with the ball. That's a big thing because when you know you can count on somebody to take care of the ball when you pass to him then it gives the team a good outlet."
Scott Fox is closing in on a return to the squad. The goalkeeper has trained all week ahead of the game.
Michael Gardyne (ankle) and Brian Graham (groin) remain on the sidelines.
Source: PAR
