Jimmy Thelin insists Aberdeen have to face the challenge of Ross County full on as they try to arrest their slump at Pittodrie on Thursday.
The Dons’ 1-0 defeat against Dundee United at Tannadice in the Premiership on Sunday was the third in a row for the Granite City men, who have not won in eight as their early-season form has been turned on its head.
Amid a relentless fixture schedule, third-place Aberdeen get the chance to bounce back on January 2 against the Staggies, who have taken four points from their last six including a late comeback to draw 2-2 at home to Hearts on Sunday.
Thelin believes there were positives to take from the United game and hopes they turn into points against Don Cowie’s side.
The Swedish boss told RedTV: “We still can take a big step forward as a platform. You can recognise from the beginning of the season how players run for each other in a better way, are compact, and we have to just keep working from here.
Join our Aberdeen FC Facebook group for all the latest Dons news
“We can’t hide or wait for some magic thing to happen. We have to just go through it and try to be better. You always get what you deserve in the long run.
“It’s not over yet. It’s just a part in the season that we are not happy with. But the only way to go out is work hard and keep the head high and take the next challenge, because you get challenged in life, in football sometimes, and you have to take them and try to fight them and be stronger.
Sign up to our Aberdeen F.C newsletter to get the latest headlines, transfer news and more sent to your inbox
“Most important is that the performance is getting better and better, so it can give us the chance to win the games and (despite) the result (against United), it was a big step in the performance. But still, everybody knows the results count in football.
“So the emotions get really strong when you lose a game at this point, but I have to see behind that and get ready for the next game.”