Jim Goodwin has been left speechless at the "incredible" Aberdeen support with the Red Army set to travel in large numbers once again this weekend when the Dons visit Dundee United. Over 3500 tickets have been snapped up with four days of sales to go.
There is a UK-wide train strike and with a rare 6pm kick-off time, meaning there is no way back to the Granite City by rail with buses already packed to the rafters. But despite that almost four thousand fans are set to pack out the away end with the Dons being granted both the Shed End and the Jim McLean Fair Play Stand for the Scottish Premiership clash.
Aberdeen go into the game on a high after easing past Kilmarnock on Saturday while United have yet win any of their opening eight league games and sit at the foot of the table. And Goodwin reckons the sheer number of fans travelling down to Tannadice is giving him a taste of something he's never witnessed before in his career as they approach selling out their bumper allocation.
He told RED TV: "First and foremost the support we got at home on Saturday against Kilmarnock was outstanding. With regards to the weekend I wasn't expecting the numbers that people are talking about. I know we have brung two to two and a half thousand to places. Over a thousand down to Annan which was just ridiculous but the travelling support have just been outstanding.
"It is something that I have never been used to at any of the clubs I go back to even some of the bigger clubs down in England. When I was at Huddersfield I can't remember them ever bringing three or four thousand fans to an away game so that's the numbers we are talking about at the moment. The potential of their being over four thousand Aberdeen fans there will feel like a home game and they make such a huge difference."
Goodwin was also quick to praise the Dons youth academy after Jack Milne made his Pittodrie debut in the rout of Kilmarnock while promising winger Ryan Duncan was also given minutes.
They are the latest pair to emerge into the first team under Goodwin with Connor Barron and Calvin Ramsay both having breakthrough campaigns last time out. "It's a big part of the club and it's something that I have always believed in as a young manager", Goodwin added.
"I tried to get as much experience for some of the young players at St Mirren during my time there and we will continue to try do the same here at Aberdeen. I mean even prior to me coming in Aberdeen have had a great history of giving young players an opportunity.
"Jack Milne and Ryan Duncan at the moment are the ones that have been in with the squad consistently since the first day of pre-season. They are learning all the time in training against top players."
