Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson has urged patience with Tony Yogane, pointing out that the winger is only a few months older than Findlay Marshall.
The Dons paid a six-figure fee to sign Yogane from Brentford, where he had impressed on loan at Dundee last season. Yogane is now starting to make an impact, as he did on Saturday when he won the penalty in the 3-1 win over St Mirren.
Robinson backs young winger
“Tony won the penalty and did really, really well. He needs to keep working on his end product. He wasn’t in those positions previously,” Robinson said. “So if we can get my wingers in those positions then you can see they have the talent to score goals.”
“We will keep driving them. Tony has just turned 21. He is six or seven months older than Findlay Marshall. We have to put into context, his age, experience and the expectation has to be managed.”
Admission over early selection
Robinson admitted he did not help Yogane when he threw him into the team right away. The winger struggled and on a few occasions was hooked at the interval.
“Maybe I threw him in too early and I take the blame on that. He is a young boy, super character and a super, super player, but it takes time,” Robinson acknowledged. “It is a tough club to play for because the expectations are very high. He is adjusting to that. He will be very good in the future and going forward.”
Yogane is laid back and wears his boots without tying his laces. Robinson claimed the Englishman has already made his mark in the Pittodrie dressing room.
Character in the dressing room
“That is the modern player, isn’t it? I would have tripped over if my boots weren’t tied,” Robinson insisted. “He is brilliant kid and an absolute diamond of a boy. He is a character in the dressing room and for such a young boy, he holds court with some of the stupid things he says.”
“He is loved by the players because they can see what a talented boy he is. I know he is going to get better and better. I would put an arm round him and help him keep that belief.”
Robinson has challenged all his wingers, including Yogane, Lewis Smith and Hicham Mahou, to up their game and make a mark on his team.
Looking to build momentum
Aberdeen took care of St Mirren at the weekend. It was only their second league win at Pittodrie and it relieved some of the pressure that was starting to build around the team.
The Dons had built up momentum on the road before the international break. Robinson is looking for his team to build on that when they make the short trip down the A90 to Dundee United. Aberdeen could go into the top six with a win, although a defeat would leave them four points behind Jim Goodwin’s side.
“It should give the squad a good boost in confidence,” Robinson claimed. “What we haven’t done is get a good result and then follow it up with another. We need to do that.”
“That is the thing that has been missing that consistency. That belief we can take games to anyone at Pittodrie and anywhere. We have a template that we believe works really well. We have pace and energy and at home you have to be brave and step forward. We have to get used to that.”
