Robinson urges togetherness in Aberdeen fight
Stephen Robinson experienced a difficult return to St Mirren last weekend.
Robinson has emphasized the need for "togetherness" amid Aberdeen's relegation struggle, stating that the time to "scrutinise" matters will come at the end of the season.
Heading into Saturday's home Scottish Premiership fixture against Hibernian, Aberdeen sit three points above second-bottom Kilmarnock, who currently occupy the relegation play-off position.
With only one victory in their last 16 league matches, Aberdeen have been subject to intense criticism.
"We scrutinise everything at the end of the season and that is where I will make changes to things but right now it is a togetherness that will get us through this situation," Robinson said. "The players have been ridiculed from pillar to post and some will say it's justified but certainly in these last six games that doesn't help, we need everybody together, we need them to be really believing in themselves, which is my job to do."
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Hibernian's visit marks only Robinson's fourth match in charge since his appointment from St Mirren last month.
While aiming to halt Aberdeen's decline and prioritizing top-flight survival, the Northern Irish manager was asked if this represents the biggest challenge of his managerial career.
"It is one of them," he responded. "There is no two ways about it, it is a huge challenge and it is one we are right up for. I will use every bit of experience I have got out of all the league games I have had to try and give the boys confidence. My job has tried to be this week to be positive for the players, to try and get them to believe in what they have. At the end of last season, they were lifting a cup and you have to try and remind people there are good players there and you have to get that belief within the team.
What I have found this week is nobody has gone hiding, nobody is looking for excuses; we all know it hasn't been good enough, we all know that nobody has chosen this and it is now to fight and scrap our way out of that and I believe every single person - staff and player - is up for that."
'People would enjoy Aberdeen relegation'
In addition to being close to Kilmarnock, Aberdeen are positioned above St Mirren on goal difference and trail Dundee by two points.
Robinson commented on the relegation battle:
"There is more than Aberdeen in a relegation fight. People would enjoy it because it is not meant to be. The teams that are down at the bottom have been down at the bottom previously and have lost their status in this division previously so that obviously adds to it with the size of the football club.
We have to stick together, ignore the outside noise and try and get everyone together for Saturday. And the remaining five games after that to use that energy to guide us through this situation."
On player availability, Robinson is expected to make a late decision regarding midfielder Dennis Geiger, who is dealing with a minor hamstring injury. Defender Mats Knoester is set to resume full training next week and could be available for the second game after the split.
