Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson has declared his side must win Saturday's home match against Hibernian to arrest a damaging slide in form. The Dons host their Premiership rivals at Pittodrie on Saturday night with the pressure mounting after three consecutive defeats in all competitions.
Robinson addressed the media at Cormack Park on Friday morning, leaving no room for ambiguity about the task ahead. "We need to win," he said. "As I've said previously, every game you go into as Aberdeen manager, you need to win." The manager acknowledged that supporters are tired of excuses and that the team's recent results, which have left them 10th in the table with 11 points from 11 games, are unacceptable.
Defensive crisis deepens
The need for a result is made more urgent by a severe injury blow to the back line. Centre-back Mats Knoester and left-back Emmanuel Gyamfi have both been ruled out for a minimum of 10 weeks. Knoester suffered a tendon injury in training before the 3-2 defeat to Dundee United last month, while Gyamfi sustained a recurring thigh muscle injury during the Premier Sports Cup semi-final loss to Rangers. Their lengthy absences are compounded by the illness of Ayoub Mouloua, adding to Robinson's selection headache.
Some relief comes with the return of defender Dan Happe and forward Toyosi Olusanya to full training, making them available for selection. Midfielder Brad Lyons, who took a knock, is also fit and expected to be in contention. Robinson believes securing a positive result is vital not only for league position but to help build momentum for the return of other sidelined players, like Chris Cadden.
Table context adds pressure
The fixture pits 10th-placed Aberdeen against 12th-placed Hibernian, with only three points separating the sides. Aberdeen's form reads one win in their last five league outings, a sequence that includes narrow losses to Falkirk and Rangers. They have scored just 12 goals this season, the joint-lowest tally in the division alongside their upcoming opponents. A glance at the standings shows the Dons are 17 points adrift of leaders Celtic, underlining the need to focus on climbing away from the bottom.
Robinson pointed to Hibernian's recent League Cup semi-final victory over Hearts as evidence of their quality, warning his team they face an excellent squad. He stressed that his own side must be more proactive. "We must win Saturday's match and take the game to Hibernian," he stated, adding that history shows success comes from stability and direction, elements he is trying to instil.
The manager concluded by noting the decision on his future is not his to make, but his immediate focus is solely on delivering a performance that yields three points. Aberdeen's next chance to do so comes under the Pittodrie lights on Saturday night against a Hibernian side they drew 1-1 with back in September.
This story first appeared at google.com
