The key thing that feels different at Aberdeen as Motherwell boss reckons they will be tough to crack at Pittodrie

Stuart Kettlewell reckons on-form Aberdeen are riding on a real wave of Pittodrie positivity under Jimmy Thelin.

The Dons made it 10 wins on the spin under their new manager, as they edged their way past Kettlewell’s Steelmen on Saturday. The Motherwell boss knows the Dons are on form and reckons they will be a tough nut to crack this season, especially in the Granite City.

Kettlewell stated: “They have quite clearly got their tails up at this moment in time. They won’t get carried away on what will come for them over the course of the season. The one thing I can comment on is that it felt different at Pittodrie. There was a real positivity. You can tell their players have a belief and a confidence in what they are doing. Winning games of football has that impact on players but I felt it was a more difficult task coming into this game.

“I didn’t see anything differently from what we experienced it. I don’t think it is going to be an easy place to come.”

Aberdeen will look to make it 11 wins when Spartans travel to the Granite City on Saturday in the quarter-finals of the Premier Sports Cup. Motherwell also face Dundee United on Friday night for a semi-final place and a possible trip to Hampden.

Kettlewell added: “We start to focus on this cup game that comes on Friday. It is a wee bit of relief from the league action.”