Stephen Robinson was pleased with his side’s second half display, but challenged his side to produce a complete 90 minutes.
“We started brilliantly, a cracking goal from Brad, and then we just sat back and didn't press properly. We sat back, we allowed them into our half too easily, we didn't press the ball aggressively at all, certainly not what we planned to do. We didn't play the way we wanted to play, but we got a massive reaction after half-time.
“We changed it a little bit, mainly the mindset of stepping forward and pressing, and credit to the players because that's difficult when the crowd are making their feelings known at half-time - rightly so. They responded to that, and then you get people behind you, because you're on the front foot. I thought it could have been more, it should have been more.
“I thought the subs were excellent, they really made a real difference, and that's why you have a squad. Stuart gives us a forward pass, a forward thinker in the middle of the pitch and I thought he was terrific when he came on. I think the difference between the first half and the second half, we may have played that free-kick backwards and safe, but Afeez had a forward thought, we had a forward run, we had forward movement and it ends with a real quality finish from Ayoub.
“I'm really pleased with them, pleased with the reaction, I'd rather not have to have a reaction, I'd rather dominate the game fully, but football isn't that simple.”
Kevon Nsbet was on target with goal 13 of the season after a difficult week without much training.
“Kevin had an issue with his hamstring, but obviously he was fine, and probably could have had two more goals. He's vital to us and I think his reaction in the second half in terms of leading the line was so important. Pressing the way we want him to press, that takes the team up when the two strikers press, so credit to him for getting through that today after not training all week.
“Three goals shows that we've got the ability to do that, the bravery to do it at home when the pressure's on. I think in the second half they proved they can deal with that, but in the first half when the game's quite even and they're there on top of us, then you still have to be brave and that's our thing we have to be better at. We have to take the game to opposition at Pittodrie, you can't sit back and wait. We corrected that in the second half.”
Tony Yogane was one of the substitutes, coming on at the break and having perhaps his most influential game for the Dons thus far.
“Tony wins a penalty, and he’s done really, really well. He wasn't in the positions previously, so if I can get my wingers in the right attacking positions, we can see that they've got the talent to score goals. Tony's just turned 21, he's six, seven months older than Findlay Marshall, so it's got to be that put into context, his age, his experience. The expectation has to be managed. Maybe I threw him in too early, so I take the blame on that.
“He's a young boy, he's a great character, I think he's a super talent. But it takes time, it's a hard club to play for because the expectations are very, very high and he's adjusting to that. I think he will be very good for us in the future.
"He's a very laid-back character, the boots are untied as well, that's just his character. That's the modern player, isn't it? I'd have tripped over if my boots were untied, but he's a brilliant kid, an absolutely diamond of a boy. He's a character around the dressing room for such a young boy, but he's loved by the players, because they see what a talented boy he is. I know he'll get better and better and it's about putting an arm around him for that kind of belief.”
