'Aberdeen fans still want to see better product on pitch'
Saturday's win over St Mirren was a vital victory for under-pressure Stephen Robinson, says Sportscene pundit Richard Foster, but the former Aberdeen defender believes Dons fans will still "want to see a better product on the pitch".
Watch Sportscene highlights of the weekend's top-flight action
Nesta Guinness-Walker is determined Aberdeen now power their way into the Premiership top-six, believing they could have scored "four, five or six" in their vital weekend victory over St Mirren. (Press & Journal)
Read the rest of Monday's gossip.
Watch all the highlights as Aberdeen inflicted a fifth successive defeat on St Mirren with their second Premiership victory at Pittodrie. Available to UK users only.
Aberdeen fans, we asked for your views after Saturday's victory over St Mirren.
Here's what some of you had to say:
Richard: Serious questions needs to be asked about why Stephen Robinson persists with this mindless hoofing of the ball up to Toyosi Olusanya. It's contributing to our poor starts within games. Robinson's bought himself a very temporary reprieve but fans don't want to win ugly. Football is supposed to be entertainment, not a form of torture.
Struan: Hats off to Mr Robinson. Going in at half time many a Pittodrie, myself included, had that familiar sinking feeling. St Mirren had totally outplayed us and another home loss beckoned. His half time subs were strong and set the foundation for Ayoub Mouloua to come on and make the difference, he may be the one to drive us up the league. Also that was a great goal by Brad Lyons and an even better call to sub him at half time.
Scott: I just don't know how good a win that was. Were we good in the second half, or were St Mirren poor? One thing is certain, Mouloua has to be starting every game, as he's the one piece of class we have up front. I remain far from convinced by Robinson. We have another international break coming up, and for me, results between now and then will determine his fate.
Graeme: Three points, but still this is not a convincing team. It will take a lot more than this to get me believing that Robinson has what it takes to manage Aberdeen
Neil: The proverbial game to two halves. After a flying start we slipped back to default settings and invited all the pressure that came our way, a better team than St Mirren would have buried us by half time. Having said all that a much improved second half I don't think anyone saw coming. Happy to get three points at home and surely Mouloua has to start against Dundee United next week
Richard: Not quite as big a steal as against Hearts but result hugely flatters us. Mouloua was great (and should start), Mats Knoester as ever a rock. Other than that only highlight was it was sunny. We are still a woeful team.
Image source, SNSAberdeen manager Stephen Robinson: "We had to dig deep for it.
"We started really well with a great goal and then we sat back and were way too cautious and played with little bit of fear. Credit to St Mirren, they played some really good stuff.
"In the second half we were very, very good. Showed real bravery and we could have had more goals as well. We had numerous chances when we were through on goal and didn't take them.
"You go in at half time a little bit disappointed and you get a reaction - they either hide or they come out and fight and show their quality and they certainly did that second half.
"I think we've lost one in six now so we have positivity in the camp and there's belief in the staff and the players.
"Sometimes there's the fear factor and you take a step back, but when we took a step forward in the second half we showed we can be really aggressive and a good side with good players."
Aberdeen ended their recent home goal drought to overcome St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership and ease some of the disquiet surrounding manager Stephen Robinson.
Image source, SNSAberdeen captain Kevin Nisbet is a doubt with a hamstring issue, while Ayoub Mouloua will be assessed as he recovers from a head knock sustained last weekend. Hicham Mahou is set to miss out due to illness, while Kristers Tobers is still out.
St Mirren forward Nikolas Agrafiotis (calf) is a doubt while Keanu Baccus, Jonah Ayunga and Malik Dijksteel are out, but Richard King and Jayden Richardson are in line to return.
Image source, SNSAberdeen head coach Stephen Robinson has called on his side to show more bravery and determination in the final third as their dismal run continues.
The Dons have only won once since mid-August, but could climb into the top half of the table this weekend if they beat visitors St Mirren and other results fall their way elsewhere.
Josh Fowler's early penalty proved decisive for Simo Valakari's side at Pittodrie last time out, with a Martin Boyle penalty denying them all three points in the game prior to that too.
Robinson wants his side to make their dominance count going forward.
"We're getting into lots of areas with 22 shots, it was 65% possession or something close, loads of corners, loads of entries into the box," Robinson said.
"But I'd say a little bit more quality is needed with that final decision and that final pass.
"As I say, that's what we've worked on, maybe try and encourage more people to get into the box, which is something we've continually tried to do, and being brave in possession of the ball.
"As there has been since I came in the door, there's a lot of positivity, and as I say, we have got wingers in the building."
The Dons' profligacy in front of goal means they are the joint-lowest scorers in the top flight, along with Kilmarnock and Falkirk, who are the bottom two sides in the league.
Aberdeen have failed to score in each of their last three home league games, attempting 43 shots without finding the net.
They haven't drawn a blank in four successive home league matches since September 2012, when there was a run of four goalless draws in a row, two of which were against this weekend's opponents, St Mirren.
"It's something we've looked at, something we may have to tweak," Robinson added.
"Certainly, the big thing is trying to get more numbers into those areas, because we've had a lot of domination of the ball.
"So that's something about belief and confidence and that's what I've tried to give the boys. "
Image source, SNSAberdeen head coach Stephen Robinson has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premiership visit of St Mirren.
Here are the key points:
Robinson says the task for his side is simple, they must get back to winning ways: "We were disappointed with the result last week. We have to win on Saturday. We're really determined to do that, and that's what we'll set out to do. We have to be the best version of ourselves."
Quality in the final third is something they have been keen to emphasise in training this week too: "But I'd say a little bit more quality is needed with that final decision and that final pass. As I say, that's what we've worked on. Encourage more people to get into the box, which is something we've continually tried to do."
On the opposition manager Craig McLeish this weekend, and St Mirren's recent form, Robinson said he admires the work he's done and doesn't expect a much-changed side to line up at Pittodrie: "I think he's done a really good job and recruited really well, of course, you have spells in the season where things don't go your way, and he'll learn from that. But as I say, he's a very confident coach, very confident in his ability. So, no, I don't envisage loads of changes."
Robinson is keen to "change the narrative" around his side and backs them to make a move up the table soon, adding: "We want to win the game. And that changes the narrative completely. We could have gone fourth with a win on Saturday. We didn't. We didn't do enough to win the game, but a win on Saturday can change that whole perspective."
Despite no wins in the previous two games, Robinson says the performances on the park aren't necessarily an issue, but the fine margins are: "We totally dominated the game, take away everything, we dominated the game from start to finish. St Johnstone had two touches in our box, and one of those was a penalty. We lost the game to a penalty. We lost two or three points at Hibs to a penalty."
Robinson said players on the periphery of the squad always have a chance to break into the first team, but they have to seize the opportunity when it's presented to them: "But if you're not involved and you're not starting, then of course, you need to do more in training when you get that opportunity every day, and in-game situations when you get that chance."
Kevin Nisbet is doubt for this weekend due to a hamstring injury and has missed training this week, Ayoub Mouloua will train today for the first time after a head knock. Hicham Mahou is out ill.
Shayden Morris insists he would have been happy to stay at Aberdeen after becoming a firm fan favourite in his final season at Pittodrie, but he says he felt a lack of respect from the club during contract talks before the 24-year-old winger finally joined Luton Town. (Daily Record, external)
Finlay Neat, currently on loan to Swedish second-tier club Norrby, hopes to follow fellow Scottish striker Robbie Ure by making a name for himself with Sirius after the former Aberdeen academy 20-year-old overcame an 18-month battle with a fractured spine. (Press & Journal, external)
Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Two of the top three players for true tackles attempted in the Scottish Premiership this season are St. Mirren's Ryan Carr (46) and Aberdeen's Afeez Aremu (39, level with Dylan Tait).
St. Mirren have lost each of their last four Scottish Premiership games, last losing five in a row in the competition in October 2020 (6).
Aberdeen have failed to score in each of their last three home league games, attempting 43 shots without finding the net. They haven't drawn a blank in four successive home league matches since September 2012 – a run of four goalless draws in a row, two of which were against St. Mirren.
St. Mirren have won four of their last seven league visits to Aberdeen (D1 L2), after having been winless in 15 beforehand (D8 L7).
Aberdeen have won just one of their last seven league meetings with St. Mirren (D1 L5), a 1-0 away victory in October 2025.
Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator
Any horror movie buffs who have dragged themselves to the cinema to watch the seventh Scream movie, the 10th Saw film or the 13th Halloween flick, in the hope of salvaging something from the respective franchises, are probably the same people who part with money to watch Aberdeen play at home against sides they are favourites to beat.
Aberdeen v St Johnstone matches wouldn't look out of place at your local multiplex during the October period, and Sunday proved no different.
It is far from a vintage fixture at the best of times.
Of course, Simo Valakari and the Saints' fans won't see it that way, given their 1-0 victory was a superb three points for the visitors.
They executed their gameplan perfectly, but for the home supporters, it was the same ghoulish tale they have grown accustomed to witnessing in recent years.
One of Aberdeen's biggest shortcomings over the last half-decade has been their inability to win games of football when they have been asked to break down a team with vastly inferior resources, and once again they came a cropper.
When Josh Fowler stroked home his first-half penalty, harshly yet correctly awarded, you got the sense that Stephen Robinson's side could have played until Christmas and not scored against a side who won away in the top flight for the first time since March 2025 and kept their first clean sheet of the season.
It was like watching an unneeded and unwanted sequel for the Pittodrie faithful; they'd seen it all before.
Loose passes, shots slashed at, unforced errors. It was all there in abundance.
After a relatively promising run-in to the international break, this is a huge setback for Robinson, with chairman Dave Cormack and new chief executive Adrian Bevington in the stand and subjected to what was a toothless display.
Just two wins from their opening eight league games, including this latest defeat to the newly promoted side, is a worrying statistic for Robinson, who has only won five of his 17 Premiership games since being appointed in March.
They have a chance to bounce back immediately against the Northern Irishman's former side, St Mirren, this weekend, but if he doesn't win that one, Halloween could come early.
Glen Schreuder
Fan writer
Well, congratulations Stephen Robinson. That was one way to kill the enthusiasm of club football returning.
Just when we thought we might be turning a corner after cup progression alongside points on the road at Motherwell and Hibs, it turns out the corner led to a dead end.
The lack of creativity is alarming as St Johnstone earned their first clean sheet of the season and all three points at Pittodrie on Sunday.
It's now three games without a goal at home for the Dons, and no goals from open play this term on their own turf.
Robinson spoke about players feeling pressure and apprehension - you could apply both to the fanbase towards the manager after yet another damaging result to his tenure.
The excuses keep rolling out. They preform in training. Well, we need to see it when it matters, starting this weekend.
Sadly I have little faith, and I think the rest of the support's faith and patience is as low as our threat on the opposition's goal this season.
Image source, SNSAberdeen manager Stephen Robinson has told his wingers he wants more end product.
The Dons boss has been utilising wing-backs and more central attackers in recent games, but his side lacked creativity in Sunday's 1-0 home defeat by St Johnstone, which left them eighth in the Scottish Premiership.
Lewis Smith played most of the game after striker Ayoub Mouloua suffered an injury, while wingers Tony Yogane and Hicham Mahou came on in the second half.
"I need more out of the wingers. I've told them that," Robinson said.
"I thought Lewis, up to a point, was good. And then it's the end product, which we see every day in training from him.
"Tony's just turned 21. He's a baby. He's a kid. He's a project. We're going to have up-and-down moments with him, but I know they've got the quality. I've got the belief in them."
Frenchman Mahou made his debut as a 68th-minute replacement for defender Nesta Guinness-Walker.
"Hicham is not fully fit yet," Robinson added. "It was a case of getting as many creative players on the pitch as we could to see if we could break them down, but we didn't manage to do that."
Aberdeen fans, we asked for your views after Sunday's 1-0 defeat at home to St Johnstone.
Here's what some of you had to say:
Peter: Any form/momentum we had prior to international break has gone. Stephen Robinson managed to get results at St Mirren but whatever is happening at Aberdeen, he's not getting the same effect. Poor result and never a penalty.
Atulan: Very disappointing. We had a month to prepare and gel as a team and it looked like a team of strangers. No movement off the ball and no clear plan. The coaches are clearly either not getting their message across or hopelessly out of their depth, I think it is probably the latter. Won't be long until the Dave Cormack merry-go-round starts again.
Andy: Yet another extremely disappointing result, all huff and puff but no reward. The manager suggests that it all looks good on the training pitch however, as he well knows, there is nobody seriously trying to frustrate your efforts on the training pitch.
David: No fight, no desire and no leadership on or off the park. Players played out of position. We were at home game against a team in the bottom six and Robinson plays five at the back. We were promised free flowing, attacking football. I'm very worried for this team.
Malcolm: Once again people were carried away with one performance against Motherwell before the international break, back to normal against St Johnstone. If Robinson sees so much in training apparently then why can't it be replicated when it matters? Poor attack against poor defenders in training perhaps. Tired of the excuses, time for change.
Simon: Aberdeen take underachieving to a new level. I feel disenfranchised with the club, I'm not alone, we expect better with our budget. The stewardship of the club seem to have different ideas, I cannot listen to our manager's post-match interviews anymore as they are not based on reality. Everything about our club is third rate. No direction, lack of quality throughout the squad and everyone except those at the club can see it. The new CEO has some big decisions to make. Crowds will start to dwindle and who can blame them.
Watch all the highlights as St Johnstone narrowly defeat Aberdeen at Pittodrie to move into the top six of the Scottish Premiership. Available to UK users only.
Image source, SNSAberdeen head coach Stephen Robinson: "Disappointed in the result, frustrated with our end product. First half, we moved the ball too slowly, backwards and sideways.
"We rectified that in the second half, got into very good positions. But ultimately didn't have the final decision to win, or get back into, the game.
"The pitch is the same for both teams. We dominated possession, had 22 shots. We can't have excuses, the pitch can be better but that's not the reason for today.
"We need to be finishing teams off, making better decisions. What I see in training is that we have that quality. We've not been able to convert that.
"It's the hardest bit of the game. You see teams like Rangers and Celtic struggling to break down teams that sit deep. We're no different.
"There's no hiding place. Our last pass, last decision, wasn't what I know it can be today.
"We have to give them belief and confidence. That final action is the million dollar question because it wins football matches. Outwith Kevin Nisbet, we're not scoring enough goals. We need people to step up.
"Do I believe they can? Yeah, but we have to be brave to do that."
St Johnstone rose into the Scottish Premiership top six with a rare away victory over Aberdeen as Josh Fowler's early penalty proved decisive.
Image source, SNSAberdeen pair Brad Lyons and Emmanuel Gyamfi are both back in contention so Kristers Tobers (knee) is the only definite absentee.
On-loan Saints defender Zach Mitchell has returned to Charlton with a season-ending knee injury and Cheick Diabate is suspended after his red card against Falkirk before the international break.
Croatian centre-back Bozo Mikulic could make a return from his lengthy injury lay-off, having come through two closed-doors matches.
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSStephen Robinson has urged his Aberdeen side "to capitalise on those home games" as they look to continue their improving form.
Four of the Dons' past five fixtures in all competitions have been on the road. Despite that, Robinson's side, who are seventh in the Scottish Premiership, have turned their fortunes around.
Four of their next five league games are at Pittodrie, starting with Sunday's visit of St Johnstone.
And Robinson said: "It was a tough start, we can't deny that. We find ourselves in an OK position and now we have to capitalise on those home games.
"We want to win both games [against St Johnstone and St Mirren] and I believe we have got the squad to do that. I believe the squad is now starting to get fitter, to get an understanding and whatever team I put out, my changes."
Nevertheless, Robinson is under no illusions about the challenge they face against a Saints side that have adapted well to life back in the Premiership.
He said: "Simo [Valakari] has done a fantastic job, a really good job.
"Obviously, they got promoted and they have caused every team problems and I think that is just the nature of the league now - there are no games where you turn up and think, 'Aberdeen should win this game'. Everything is tough.
"Simo has put a really good squad together, he has kept a lot of boys from last year as well and they have lots of threats but we have to concentrate on us, our good points, what we can bring to the pitch and I believe we have got a lot of options to do that now."
