Aberdeen assistant manager Tony Docherty has not been surprised to see Ross County flying high in the top six.
The Staggies were thumped 4-0 by the Dons on their last visit to Pittodrie in February.
That loss left Jim McIntyre’s side rock bottom of the Scottish Premiership with a mere 12 points from 24 matches.
But the crushing loss proved to be a turning point for County. They went on to win nine of their next 10 matches to escape relegation and eventually finish the season in ninth position.
That upward trajectory has continued this season with County in fifth place ahead of today’s meeting with the Dons.
Dons assistant Docherty is far from shocked by County’s success this season.
He said: “They are not a surprise for me. Jim and Billy have recruited well.
“I know the way they work and they have the team playing in a very well-drilled manner. They have a certain style of play and they are picking up results.
“They have had that wee dip as well – I think they have only won one of their last four games and lost three – but they had a good victory against Motherwell last weekend.
“They will be tough and we won’t underestimate them.”
David Goodwillie and Josh Parker were both on target for Aberdeen’s under-20 side in their 3-2 midweek win against St Johnstone in the SPFL development league.
The Dons assistant says both players have done their chances of starting today’s match against County no harm.
Docherty added: “As a management team it’s healthy to have competition all over the pitch.
“We had two development matches this week and Craig Storie was great in them both. Young Frank Ross, Scott Wright and Joe Nuttall are all doing well and are consistent in the reserves.
“Paul Sheerin has built up a real winning mentality and a good way of working with the young players and we have good young ones coming through.
“We’re lucky at the club that the senior ones that come in and play in the reserves always help the young ones with the attitude they show.
“It’s healthy to see the level of competition for places in the starting eleven.”