Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes insists his players can handle the pressure of being the team everyone wants to beat in the Scottish Premiership.
The Dons suffered their first defeat of the league campaign on Saturday, going down 2-1 to Caley Thistle in Inverness.
The loss followed the League Cup exit at Hibernian last Wednesday but the Reds remain four points clear at the top of the table after champions Celtic were held to a goalless draw at home to Hearts.
McInnes believes the first-half showing was the reason for the Dons’ 100% winning start to the league coming to an end in the ninth match but is confident his players can handle both the increased expectation of their supporters and the status of being a target for opposing teams.
He said: “There is a feeling of disappointment as we had a big support behind us and we didn’t produce a performance near the level expected.
“Saturday was a reminder of what we are which is a hard-working team which needs to stop the opposition first and foremost. If we do that we then have the quality within our own team to hurt the opposition.
“We let ourselves down in that respect at Inverness and it’s something we have to get back to doing.
“There is always expectation on Aberdeen teams to perform but we’ve now got a team that can meet that expectation.
“Last year there was desire and expectation from everyone to keep a title race going of some sort. We learned to deal with that week in, week out, home and away.
“There were a lot of supporters with a real need for the team to keep winning and we managed to deal with that.”
Saturday’s loss at Inverness was a disappointing one for the Dons but there will be no kneejerk reaction from McInnes or his players as they turn their attention to the visit of St Johnstone on Saturday.
McInnes said: “What players have to do is keep trusting in how they work Monday to Friday. They need to focus on their performance and not be too anxious about things they can’t affect.
“Results will come if you do things properly. So, don’t get too down when you lose and don’t get too high when you win.
“Inverness showed they can hurt teams if they are given time and space and we were guilty of doing that in the first half.
“Our appetite and enthusiasm in the second half was brilliant and what I expect of the players and we have to get back to that approach from the first whistle.”
Three away games in a week have also tested the manager’s squad, with Niall McGinn forced off with a groin strain in the Highlands on Saturday.
McInnes hopes the Northern Ireland international will be fit to face Saints at Pittodrie.