Stephen Robinson has confirmed Aberdeen FC's coaching team is working to improve Ayoub Mouloua's hold-up and link-up play. The manager highlighted the striker's physicality as a key trait they want to develop to make him a more complete forward.

Robinson pointed to the 24-year-old Moroccan international's recent contributions, including two goals in a 4-1 friendly win at Dunfermline Athletic. "Ayoub’s finishes, the two of them were excellent," Robinson said. "He has that in his game." Mouloua, who joined from FUS Rabat in the summer, also scored his first competitive goal for the club against Motherwell and netted a memorable Rabona penalty against Kilmarnock earlier in the campaign.

Building momentum

The weekend friendly at East End Park served as a vital workout during a three-week break from league action. Robinson noted his side moved the ball much quicker with effective one-touch play in the second half, with pressing triggers also looking sharp. The squad had been put through intensive fitness work on Friday, deviating from the normal pre-match routine, to regain an edge. Players have been operating in a 3-4-3 shape in training, with wingers playing higher up the pitch, as the team prepares to host St Johnstone this Sunday.

Aberdeen go into that match sitting seventh in the Premiership with eight points from seven games. Their recent form shows one win, one draw, and one loss in their last three league outings. Key striker Kevin Nisbet leads the team's scoring charts with three goals this season, having played 494 minutes. Mouloua has scored two competitive goals in his 301 minutes of action.

Squad competition

Other players also benefited from the run-out against Dunfermline. French winger Hicham Mahou, deployed as a wing-back, continues to build fitness as he pushes for a competitive debut. New goalkeeper Daniel Klein got valuable minutes, with Robinson praising the strength of the club's goalkeeping department. The manager also singled out performances from Alex Briedl and Mats, emphasising that with a squad of 24, nobody can take their place for granted. The full roster competing for spots is available on our squad list.

The immediate focus is on carrying this positive momentum into the league restart. Aberdeen entertain St Johnstone, who are one place above them in sixth with nine points, at Pittodrie on October 11. The team's upcoming schedule, including this key fixture, can be found on our fixtures page.

This story first appeared at Daily Record Football