Stephen Robinson has pushed any significant planning for the January transfer window to the background, insisting his full focus is on Aberdeen's immediate results. The manager confirmed that while initial conversations have taken place, the winter market is not a current priority for a side sitting eighth in the Premiership with eight points from eight games.
"We’ve had conversations but January is a long, long way away at this moment in time," Robinson said. He believes the Scottish top flight is as evenly balanced as he has ever seen it, with just 11 points separating third-placed Hearts from bottom side Kilmarnock. "I think it is arguably the most competitive I have been involved in," he admitted, describing a league where a couple of wins can propel a team into the top six and a couple of losses can bring relegation fears.
For Robinson, the short-term objective is clear: string together victories to move up the standings. That push begins with Saturday's home match against St Mirren, who sit one place above Aberdeen in seventh. The Dons are looking to bounce back from a 1-0 home defeat to St Johnstone last time out, a result that halted momentum from a 4-1 win at Dunfermline. Aberdeen's recent form shows they have scored an average of 1.25 goals per game but conceded 1.63, a defensive record Robinson will be keen to improve starting this weekend.
Academy midfielder secures future
Central to Robinson's approach is a continued faith in youth, exemplified by midfielder Findlay Marshall. The academy graduate, who was told he could leave by former manager Jimmy Thelin, revived his prospects with a successful loan spell at Arbroath. His performances convinced the club to offer him a new contract, and he has since nailed down a spot in the first-team squad in recent weeks.
Robinson pointed to his track record of giving young players an opportunity as proof of his commitment. "I have shown I will give young players their chance," he said. "I gave Andrew Fasanya his debut at 15 years of age." This philosophy is part of a broader squad strategy following a significant summer overhaul, with other youngsters like Cooper Masson also gaining experience on the bench at Dundee.
Immediate concerns ahead of Saints visit
A more immediate concern is the fitness of striker Ayoub Mouloua, who went off after a heavy head knock against St Johnstone. The club's medical staff conducted concussion protocols as a safety precaution, and a decision on his availability for the weekend will be made later in the week. Mouloua's potential absence would be a blow; he scored twice in the win at Dunfermline and is a key attacking option alongside top scorer Kevin Nisbet, who has three goals this season. The team's overall goal minutes data reveals that 40% of their goals have been scored in the final 15 minutes of matches, a trend they will hope to continue against St Mirren.
Robinson acknowledged the different tactical challenges each game presents, from dealing with direct play to controlling possession. He referenced the styles of Hibernian's David Gray and Motherwell's new manager Alfred Johansson as examples of the varied opposition in the league. Aberdeen will need to be adaptable against a St Mirren side that beat them 2-0 in their last meeting in April. The manager's final preparation will involve assessing his full squad ahead of the 17 October kick-off at Pittodrie.
This story first appeared at Daily Record Football
