Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson believes home form is the key to sustained success as the Dons prepare to host St Johnstone at Pittodrie. The Reds enter the match on the back of a four-game unbeaten run, with recent away fixtures at Kilmarnock, Hibs and Motherwell.
Booed off after goalless draw
Aberdeen were booed off in their last home game following a goalless draw against Kilmarnock. Robinson now wants to give the supporters something to cheer as the team faces three home games out of the next four.
“Any home game for Aberdeen we expect to win so we go into it with that intention,” Robinson said. “We are four unbeaten so we have to try to continue that. We are looking to take things forward and keep progressing.”
Home form carries teams
Robinson acknowledged the difficult start to the season but stressed the importance of capitalising on upcoming home fixtures. He pointed to his past experiences with other clubs as evidence that strong home form is crucial.
“Any team I’ve been at where we’ve went on runs or finished and got in Europe, which we’ve done with a number of teams, it’s always been the home form that carries you,” he said. “If you can pick points up away from home, great, but your home form is what carries you. It’s very, very important we get that run at home, get the fans behind us and get that positivity around the stadium.”
“I believe we have the squad to do that, I believe the squad is starting to get fitter and understanding what we’re looking for. Results change the narrative, goals change the narrative but we have to make sure we don’t get too up and down with that.”
Respect for St Johnstone
Robinson is aware Aberdeen must maintain their standards against Simo Valakari’s St Johnstone side. “Simo has done a fantastic job there, obviously they got promoted last season and have caused every team problems,” he said.
“That is the nature of the league now, every game is tough and there’s no games you turn up and think ‘Aberdeen should win this game’. Everything is tough.”
