Jim Goodwin paid tribute to his players for producing the perfect reaction to their dismal defeat at Tannadice by coming out on top against a wasteful Hearts.
Aberdeen heaped more misery on the struggling Edinburgh side thanks to second half strikes from Luis 'Duk' Lopes and Vicente Besuijen at Pittodrie this afternoon. The 2-0 victory over Hearts was a welcome relief after their woeful 4-0 loss against Dundee United last weekend.
And Goodwin believes clear the air talks held at the start of the week helped pave the way for their impressive win against the Jambos. He told BBC Sportsound: "I spoke before the game about the criticism that's come our way because of a lack of clean sheets and the goals against column. We had an honest group meeting on Monday and we were all in agreement that we need to do better, myself first and foremost. It always starts with me the manager.
"Collectively we're a very honest group and we all agreed we need to work harder to protect the goal. We've been giving away far too many soft goals.
"We opted to go with a back three. As a manager that opens you up to a different level of criticism, if it doesn't go the way you want it to. Thankfully today we got away with it. It worked well throughout the game and I thought we were deserving winners in the end."
Goodwin admits that Hearts' European exploits may have played a factor as the visitors began to run out of steam towards the end of today's clash. While revealing he had some sympathy for Robbie Neilson, the Aberdeen boss is adamant picking up all three points for his own team was the ultimate target this weekend.
Goodwin added: "From a neutral's perspective it must have been very entertaining. It was two attacking-minded teams, there were opportunities at both ends and both goalkeepers were having to make saves. It was strange we went in 0-0 at half-time.
"We controlled the game better in the second half. We were on the front foot, people will say Hearts are tired because their squad has been stretched to the limit. I feel for Robbie a little bit, but not too much because we've all got a job to do and we all want to beat each other. I'm delighted for the supporters. It was the right reaction to what was a very embarrassing weekend last weekend."
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