Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson praised match-winner Kevin Nisbet after his double secured a 2-0 Premier Sports Cup victory over Brora Rangers, but joked the striker could have already reached double figures.
Nisbet's clinical double seals opening win
Robinson's new-look side avoided an upset at Dudgeon Park, with captain Nisbet scoring a first-half penalty and adding a second after the break. The Dons boss was pleased with the three points, clean sheet, and valuable minutes for his squad.
"We said to him he could have had 10 tonight. If he keeps getting in there then, as a striker, you will score goals. He is clinical," Robinson said. "His penalty was nice and composed. He felt he could get more but it was enough to win the game. With some of the other games from the Premiership teams tonight it was an important three points."
Chances missed but positives taken
Aberdeen created numerous opportunities in the first half but failed to convert, leaving Robinson frustrated. "It should have been a lot more. The first half their goal had a charmed life and their goalkeeper was excellent. They defended really well and you have to give credit to Brora. The game should have been out of sight," he admitted.
"In the second half, we had quite a few chances we didn't take. Ultimately, if you look at the results tonight then they are all hard games. The pitch is sticky. It looks very nice. It was job done. Boys got more minutes in as well."
Robinson's cup format criticism
Despite winning the Premier Sports Cup with St Mirren last season, Robinson remains critical of the early group stage. "I don't like the format of the league section in this competition. I have said it since I started managing. We are still in the process of building our squad. You are expected to win 5 or 6-0 on these sticky surfaces but that is not how it happens," he said.
"Especially, in the first half. There was so much possession and they sit so deep so it is difficult to break any team down when they sit that deep. The amount of chances we create over the last two games is really refreshing. We have to put those chances away."
Guinness-Parker and Smith impress
Robinson highlighted the performances of summer signing Nesta Guinness-Parker and debutant Lewis Smith. "I thought Nesta (Guinness-Parker) was very good. He has only trained a few times after having nine or 10 weeks off in England. There are a lot of positives and it was good for fitness," the manager said.
On Smith, who made an instant impact from the bench, Robinson added: "I am not sure he was expecting it. We have a couple of injuries in that area. It is important to bed him in early. There were little glimpses of what he can do. There is a lot more to come from Lewis."
Looking ahead to Queen's Park
Aberdeen host Queen's Park in their next group fixture, and Robinson expects an improved performance. "It was something I wanted to change (bring pace to play higher). We had to sit in and could be aggressive with our pressing. These games are not the real ones because we have so much of the ball. Lewis gives us pace and Dan for the size of him is real quick. We can be more aggressive. Our press wasn't tested and it was more about moving the ball on a sticky pitch," he concluded.
