THERE is something different about Aberdeen this season.

Given the malaise that suffocated the club last term – and for a few years before then if you care to open those wounds again – such words can only sound like a good thing to supporters.

The sight of their side dismantling St Johnstone yesterday en route to a 2-1 win that was their first victory of the season will have satisfied those who squeezed into their replica shirts and then into the away end at McDiarmid Park. But it was the astute manner in which it was achieved that will have been particularly appealing.

The winds of change did not so much whistle through Pittodrie this summer as flatten the place. Aberdeen seldom rose above competent as they grappled with survival last season, but Craig Brown appears to have got it right with the surgery he has performed on his squad over the past few months in an effort to improve the aesthetic of their performances.

The initial signs point to the patient making a full recovery. Yesterday's result was the product of an enterprising and impertinent display. Goals from Isaac Osbourne and Jonny Hayes early in each half did for their hosts and the flag of the assistant referee denied Aberdeen a couple more.

Brown had addressed a lack of guile and width in his side with the addition of Hayes and former Celtic winger Niall McGinn, who missed the trip to Perth due to an ankle injury.

So it was somewhat ironic that his team's most conspicuous threat came from a player already on the books. The Aberdeen manager spent the latter part of last season insistent that he had a surfeit of young talent scurrying about in the background and one such player, Ryan Fraser was at the forefront of many of his side's attacks.

One surging run by the 17-year-old was brought to an end by a thudding challenge from Steven Anderson, resulting in a booking for the St Johnstone defender.

Fraser raced forward unperturbed minutes later only for Fraser Wright to hook the ball away. His third foray came after 16 minutes and resulted in a cross that broke for Osbourne, who drilled a low shot into the net. Fraser's prodigious zeal can be engrossing – or downright unnerving if you are a defender – but he remains a raw talent, one prone to the odd errant delivery and rash tackle, such as the one on Murray Davidson just before half-time.

"He has a lot about him, a lot of potential," said Brown. "Ryan is one of the brightest young players. He doesn't realise how good he is."

The winger was joined in the matchday squad by three other recent graduates from Aberdeen's youth system but it is the more established names that Brown will rely on to ensure his side are consistently impressive.

Hayes added a second goal just three minutes into the second half when he seized upon a bizarre mix-up between Wright and goalkeeper Alan Mannus, robbing the St Johnstone defender and rolled a shot into the net after 48 minutes. Scott Vernon, meanwhile, had two headers ruled out for offside.

"I think the score doesn't quite reflect the superiority we had," Brown said.

That was a nod to the late goal Nigel Hasselbaink pulled back for the hosts, which arrived with seven minutes to go, Sean Higgins nodding down for the Dutch striker to chest and volley a shot into the net. It was a late act of defiance but the shortcomings of this St Johnstone team – without new striker Craig Beattie due to illness – had already been exposed by Aberdeen.

"I've said all along that we still need two or three more players in," said manager Steve Lomas.