The former Dundee United striker has found life difficult since quitting Tannadice in the summer of 2011. He sealed a £2million move to Blackburn but failed to hit it off with Rovers and eventually returned to United on loan last year.
But his move back to Tayside also ended in disappointment as boss Jackie McNamara opted against signing the Scotland international permanently.
Goodwillie, though, has found a new lease of life after McInnes took a chance on him in the summer. He has scored just three goals in 17 outings for the Pittodrie side but is starting to show glimpses of the talent which first won his move to England. And the 25-year-old said all that is down to boss McInnes and his number two Tony Docherty.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's Granite City clash with Hamilton, Goodwillie told the official Aberdeen website: "I know the manager from when I was a youngster at Dundee United and he was in the first team. We trained together quite a few times.
"He was a senior player and very well respected by everyone at Tannadice. He was a good player, a fantastic professional who always made time for the young boys.
"He was good with the young players back then and he is still very good with them today.
"He has not changed. His management is very good.
"He knows when you are unhappy and he will take you aside and speak with you.
"He will take players into his office in a weekly or even daily basis.
"He knows how to handle different players and different types of personalities.
"At the end of the day, footballers are no different to the general public, we all have to be managed in different ways.
"The gaffer is very good at that."
Source: PA
Source: PA