PARTICK THISTLE boss Alan Archibald is preparing to face an adaptable Aberdeen side at Pittodrie on Saturday.
Dons boss Derek McInnes added to his squad in the summer and strengthened his attacking options in particular with Jayden Stockley and Miles Storey signed on free transfers from Bournemouth and Swindon respectively, with Wes Burns coming on loan from Bristol City.
Results have been mixed so far as the men from the Granite City were knocked out of the Europa League third-qualifying round by NK Maribor and drew 0-0 in their first two Ladbrokes Premiership games against St Johnstone and Hearts, which sandwiched a Betfred Cup win over Ayr United.
Archibald, who revealed midfielder Stuart Bannigan was to undergo surgery on his knee earlier in the day, admires what McInnes has done with his squad.
He said: "I have seen them in Europe, seen them down at Ayr and I got the chance to see them on Saturday close up and they have been different every time I have seen them.
"Derek has strengthened very well at the front end of the pitch and given reinforcements for when (Jonny) Hayes, (Adam) Rooney and (Niall) McGinn are maybe not at their best. He has other options now.
"He can change it and it doesn't really weaken it and I saw that first-hand against Hearts on Saturday, he went a bit more physical as Hearts are a big strong side and they more than matched them all over the pitch.
"He might change things again so we just have to adapt and adjust to whatever he does."
Bannigan, 23, has been out since suffering a knee injury against Hearts on March 5.
He had been expected back early in the season but his knee did not respond to treatment and he is set to be out for between six and nine months.
Archibald said: "He had surgery at 11 o'clock so hopefully that has gone well and it's just about recovery and rehabilitation for Stuart and with the determination he has got as a player, I am sure he will be back to his best.
"Last week when he heard the news he was a bit disappointed obviously.
"If he got the surgery done at the time he would nearly be back so that was a hard one to take for Stuart.
"Sometimes you take that gamble not to have surgery but it didn't work out this time.
"It is a cruciate ligament. It will be a long process for Stuart, he has to be patient and make sure he listens to the physio.
"We have to be on hand to mentally keep him strong.
"We might need to try and get reinforcements in that area because we have Gary Fraser who has a niggling knee injury as well, we might need to find money from somewhere to gets someone else in."
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