Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes might not have said as much, but he has clearly been angered by critics pointing to his side's loss of too many goals this season.

The manager believes there has been a massive over-reaction to his side's 3-0 defeat at Hamilton 10 days ago and plans to put that right when Accies visit Pittodrie tonight on League Cup quarter-final duty.

Since that game, which brought the tally of goals conceded in just four games to nine, Aberdeen beat Motherwell 1-0 last Friday night with McInnes underlining that they are on as good a run as they've enjoyed in recent times.

"People keep talking about the Hamilton game or us not keeping clean sheets," he said. "Rather than dwell on that side of it, look at the fact that we've only lost one game in seven. We have won five and we drew against St Mirren, whom we battered. So it's a decent run we're on. One defeat in seven would have been good enough for this club for a long time. The reality is that we lost a bad result."

McInnes revealed that Scott Brown, who featured in goal against the Fir Park side, would retain his place tonight, and he insisted that his side was not about to loosen its grip on the League Cup, the trophy they lifted with a penalty shoot-out win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Celtic Park last March.

He was adamant that Aberdeen had improved immeasurably since then, hence a greater number of goals from them.

"Last season, we were praised for our clean sheets and defensive work," he added, "but we haven't had enough of that this season. Now, we are carrying a bigger goal threat, despite not having enough clean sheets. It's about getting the balance right.

"It was a heavy defeat against Hamilton and we were deservedly beaten, so you have to analyse it and take the punch on the chin. But it's a new game, another competition and one we've done well in."

Defender Andrew Considine, meanwhile, would love nothing better than to turn out at centre-back, but is just happy to he in the side. He said: "Getting a shirt on a Saturday is the main thing, whether it's at left-back or centre-half. I'd like to play centre-half but it's up to the manager and with the way Mark and Ash have been playing, they're a strong partnership.

"You just have to get on with it. If I'm at left-back, I'm at left-back and that's it. Left-back is different, you are involved in the game more and you need more energy to get up and down the lines. So I am enjoying being involved in things more."

Considine admitted the defeat at Hamilton last week was a sore one to take but said the attacking talent in the Aberdeen side as a big reason to expect a resurgence from his side.

"With Jonny Hayes, Peter Pawlett, Niall McGinn and David Goodwillie up front we have plenty of attacking options," he said. "We wanted to get back to basics and start from there again."

Having all but achieved their aim of retaining their Premiership place after a stunning start to the season, Hamilton can afford to give the knockout competitions their full attentions this term.

Goalkeeper Michael McGovern is one of the few members of the New Douglas Park squad that has experienced the thrill of a day out at Hampden and had a winner's medal round his neck.

The former Celtic, Ross County and Falkirk shot-stopper is determined to relieve those magic moments once again with Accies. He said: "It's different from being at a big club, it just means so much more. I was at Celtic and on the bench when we won the Scottish Cup a couple of times. There are celebrations after the game, of course, but it is almost the norm at a club of that size. You are expected to win things.

"For us at Hamilton to progress in this cup would be a great achievement. I don't think the club has been in a semi-final for the best part of 40 years. It's another chance to make a bit of history. We have been doing well and breaking records this season so hopefully this is another one.

"There is no reason to say why Hamilton can't get to the final, but Aberdeen is probably the toughest draw we could have got away from home."