Stephen Robinson met with the media on Thursday afternoon ahead of Sunday's return to action against St Johnstone.
RedTV subscribers can watch the press conference in full now.
Coming back from the break
“It’s been really positive. We managed to get a game in between that as well, a game among ourselves in training as well, and it gives you a chance just to keep pushing it forward in terms of fitness levels for some of the boys that needed it, and information for boys that are just in the door. We found it really positive over the last two weeks."
Team news
“Kristers Tobers is back fully training. He’s had his third day. He’s been fully training, but he’s still a little bit away from being considered. Obviously, he needs game time. He’s been out a long period of time. So, for the next two or three weeks, Kristers won’t be involved in the matchday squad, I can’t imagine. We’ll need some games under his belt first of all.
“Brad Lyons has trained all week and was involved in the practice game we had against Dunfermline in the testimonial. Emma Gyamfi was involved in it for a short period of time as well. We’ve got a fully fit squad available, out with Kristers.
“It’s certainly what we want. We want options. We want to have them decisions to make. And it creates a problem, but a good problem as well because people want to play football.
“But it’s the first time since I came into the club that everyone’s been fully fit. I say, out with Kristers, who’s not expected to be involved in game situations yet, but everyone’s on the training pitch anyway.”
Picking up where we left off
“We’re four unbeaten, I believe, so it’s about trying to continue that.
“That seems like a long time ago since we played Hibs, but as I said, there’s been a lot of positivity. We did have a hectic start, a lot of games. So I think the break helped reset everybody and refocus everybody because they’ve come back very fresh, and it gave me time to get minutes, and running and fitness into the legs of the boys that had just arrived at the last minute as well.
“So we go into it really positive on Sunday. We know we have to play to the best of our ability to win every match, and we’re looking to take things forward and keep progressing."
St Johnstone
“I think Simo Valakari has done a fantastic job. A really, really good job. Obviously got promoted, then they have caused every team problems. And I think that just is the nature of the league now. There are no games where you turn up and think Aberdeen should win the game. Everything is tough.
“And as I say, I think he has put a really good squad together. He’s kept a lot of boys from last year as well, and they’ve got lots of threats, but we have to concentrate on us, our good points, what we can bring to the pitch. I believe we’ve got a lot of options to do that now, in varying different systems and with varying different players."
Backing our Dons
“Any home game for Aberdeen, we expect to win. So, we go with that intention.
“There was a lot of travel. There was a heck of a lot of travel in that short period of time. So obviously that can be an advantage as well. And the crowds we’ve taken away from home and the positivity that they’ve shown to the players, if we can create that atmosphere at home, then it is like having 12 men on the pitch.
“I hear managers say that all the time, but it genuinely is. They are young boys trying to make their way in life. (They need) encouragement, and the enthusiasm that we’ve seen in the games so far, and their away support has been incredible. And if we can replicate that at home, I think it’s invaluable."
Options up top
“I believe Ayoub’s going to score goals. There’s a language barrier. He’s getting better. I think he might understand more than he lets on as well, so he just keeps doing that to me all the time (thumbs up).
“But you can see his confidence growing, his fitness levels, his understanding of what we want. And two great finishes against Dunfermline as well. So that gives us options.
“We’ve got Kevin Nisbet, who’s scoring a lot of goals at the moment as well. So that’s nice to have. Goals win football matches, and when you’ve got those live options, we’ve got minutes into Hicham Mahou as well. It’s been a long time since he played regular football, so again, that has to be managed."
Mo Hutton testimonial
“It was a very competitive game. I believe Dunfermline will be right up the top end of the Championship, with a top manager, and we came out with some really good performances, which was pleasing.”
Options aplenty
“You put Stuart Armstrong, Connor Ronan, Afeez Aremu into that (midfield options of Alex Briedl and Findlay Marshall), it makes a strong squad. There’s going to be boys miss out on the bench.
“I think picking my bench will be the harder thing for Saturday because there’s boys that I really like and have done well that won’t be involved because we need to balance that squad up and balance the bench up.
“Alex is taking a little bit of time. He knows that himself. We knew that the physicality of Scotland is certainly different, but he’s a very good footballer and no doubt in time he will come and do very well for us.
“In terms of Findlay, the minutes I have seen him, I really like him. I like his attributes. I think he’s got goals in him, and nothing seems to phase the young man.
“If they’re good enough, they’re old enough. And he’s certainly showing that. If you’re good enough here, you’ll get the opportunity.”
Having belief
“It was a tough start. We can’t deny that. We find ourselves in an okay position. And now we have to capitalise on these home games. We want to win both games. I believe we’ve got the squad to do that. I believe the squad is now starting to get fitter, to get an understanding, and whatever team I put out I believe we can win the game as well.”
