Aberdeen's poor early-season form had the fans calling for boss Jimmy Calderwood sacking. But Calderwood has now guided the Dons into the top six, and has won back the confidence of the Pittodrie faithful.

Calderwood believes the disappointing early form was the result of the new faces in his squad getting accustomed to the demands of playing for the club.

"At the start of the season, we were getting a lot of flak but we have recovered well," the Dons boss said.

"There were a lot of changes in personnel at the club during the summer and I think the new players that have come in are starting to realise what it is like to play for a big club with a great tradition like Aberdeen.

"But our football is getting better all the time and we have got one of the best defensive records in the league after Celtic and Rangers, which is not bad going considering how awful we supposedly were at the start of the season."