Stephen Robinson hosted his pre-match press conference at Cormack Park on Monday afternoon ahead of our trip to Queen of the South in the Premier Sports Cup.

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Looking ahead to Wednesday

“It is another chance to build on what we’re doing, another chance to progress in the cup, and another chance to get a little bit fitter and stronger. These games come very early, but they also prepare you well for the league campaign, so we’re looking forward to it.

“We’ll make a couple of changes and freshen things up a little bit, but not too much because it’s still a very important game."

Reflections on Queen's Park

“There are elements of the performance that were really, really good as well. I thought the first half was very good. We should have been out of sight and, of course, there’s lessons in every game.

"Set plays change games, we spoke about it after the game, and we’re creating a lot of chances, so we have to start taking those chances. We know that."

Preparing the new recruits

“Fitness levels are different with each player based on where they’ve come from and which club they’ve come from. Obviously, the English boys have had a long, long time off. Nesta, we’re throwing him in at the deep end with probably two days’ full training in ten weeks, so there are different variations of fitness levels.

“It’s important we get them all right for the Hearts game and, in between times, you need to win football matches, which we’re doing.

“I suppose we are where we are. There’s a lot of new faces, so it takes time. That understanding and those relationships are building on the pitch as well as off the pitch, but that does take time when you bring that many players in.

“As I say, we’re doing that by winning games at the same time. I feel there’s been an improvement in every game we’ve played, including the pre-season ones, and we’re looking for that step forward again on Wednesday night."

A tricky test in Dumfries

“A big challenge. They play some really nice football and play out from the back. They’ve been very progressive with their play.

“No game is easy at any level now. You used to play teams, even in pre-season, where you’d win very convincingly, but that’s very rare now. There are good coaches, good players and everybody’s fitness levels are higher.

“Everything’s a challenge. It’s a pitch they’re used to playing on as well, but it’s one of the better Astroturf pitches in the country, so we’re looking forward to another challenge."

The transfer window

“We’re always looking to strengthen and see what’s there that improves us or improves a position we feel we’re a little bit light in.

“We’re still looking. There are plenty of people we’re speaking to. I wouldn’t say any are imminent, but we’re certainly still speaking. The recruitment guys and Lutz are working very hard in the background as well.

“Nothing really, no (fresh news on outgoings). We obviously know we want to get down to a squad of 23 outfield players and three goalkeepers, and we’re a little way from doing that at the moment. To be manageable, that’s what has to happen.

“Again, the boys are working hard in the background to do that. There are options for some players and we’ll see what comes of that."

Findlay Marshall and the Young Dons

“One hundred per cent it's about that (being patient). Playing for Aberdeen isn’t easy. If you look at the top five teams last year, I don’t think there were more than one or two young, young players playing in those teams. If you look at Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Hibs, Motherwell, there weren’t many young players playing.

“It’s a real hard league to come into and, playing for Aberdeen with the expectations that are here, they have to be ready.

“We do it in different ways. Marsh has gone out on loan. He has to come in now and be better than what’s in front of him. That’s the reality of being a first-team footballer. It’s not the democratic society at Aberdeen where everybody gets equal game time. You have to be better than the person in front of you.

“Marsh is working his way towards that. We’ve got other younger players who we believe going out on loan is going to be a real benefit to.

“People have played game time. It doesn’t mean to say they’re going to be top six Aberdeen player right now just because they’re young players from our own academy.

“Ultimately, they have to play football. Developing isn’t sitting on a bench.

“I think the club does this really well with the loan system they have and we’ll continue to do that. We’ll look at those boys at the end of August and decide whether they need to go out on loan again or develop further.

“We’re talking about very, very young boys with little experience. To play for Aberdeen you need that mentality, you need that backbone, you need the experience of playing football matches and you only gain that by playing. We’ll look at that very closely and Marsh will be one of those players as well."

Team News

“Not too much change. Kenan Bilalovic trained but has re-injured himself. He’s re-injured his back.

“Stuart Armstrong should be available, which is a bonus for us. Other than that, Mats Knoester has started training and will join in fully on Friday, which is another good boost for us.

“We don’t think (it's a bad one, Bilalovic injury). His back seized up yesterday. We don’t think it’s a bad one, but it’ll be something that needs further investigation."

New signings starting well

“It’s always nice to see new signings hit the ground running. I believe all the new signings have really made an impression.

“Big Dan, we said he needed to win more headers and he won the first header of the game and scored, so that was good.

“Lewis Smith as well, we know he can play at this level. He’s proved that and to get off to a flying start is fantastic for him.

“I’m happy with all the new players who have come in. Big Marius showed what a really good goalkeeper he was, even though we didn’t really want him to, but that’s what he’s there for. He’s doing his job.

“I believe all the boys have done well. Alex Briedl had his first proper competitive game as well. Brad Lyons has been very consistent since he came in. To name just a few, a lot of the boys have come in and hit the ground running, which I’m really pleased with."

Pressure to win games

“We’ve only been back just over three and a half weeks, so it’s strange you’re getting judged already, but that’s what the competition is.

“Everybody says it’s the same for everyone, but it’s not because Aberdeen have to win and all the Premiership clubs have to win or it’s a disaster.

“You’re doing that under the pressure to win football matches, but that’s the reality of playing for one of the top Premiership sides. You need to win football matches, even when maybe your squad isn’t fully settled or fully prepared.

“We’re getting there. I see big improvements. I can see an energy and an aggression about the team, real creativity and we’re creating a lot of chances. There are lots of things to improve on as well, so there are good things and bad things.

“As I say, we’ll keep moving forward with these games."

Ambitions of winning silverware

“It’d be fantastic. Last year is still very much in the memory and it’s every manager’s dream to win silverware. It’s very, very difficult to do.

“To do that with Aberdeen would be special. It’s certainly what we set out to do. It’s one of the reasons I came here. I believe we’re capable of doing that and we’re putting a squad together that I feel can do that."