Aberdeen Hosts St Johnstone With Robinson Backing Squad Options

Aberdeen will return to Scottish Premiership action against St Johnstone at Pittodrie on Sunday 11 October with Stephen Robinson's side seeking to build on improved form. The match follows an unbeaten run of four games and comes as the squad reaches near full fitness. According to AOL, Brad Lyons and Emmanuel Gyamfi are available, while Latvia defender Kristers Tobers remains the only absentee after returning to training following a long injury absence.

Aberdeen entered the international break in seventh place. Robinson said the wider squad availability has created selection pressure ahead of the fixture.

"It creates a problem - but a good problem as well because people want to play football," said Stephen Robinson, Aberdeen head coach.

Robinson also highlighted the challenge of choosing his matchday substitutes as more players become available. "There are going to be boys that miss out on the bench, I think picking my bench will be the hardest thing for Sunday because there are 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," said Stephen Robinson, Aberdeen head coach.

The manager said the international break helped refresh the team after a demanding schedule. "There has been a lot of positivity," said Stephen Robinson, Aberdeen head coach.

"We did have a hectic start, a lot of games, so I think the break also helped reset everybody and refocus everybody," said Stephen Robinson, Aberdeen head coach. Robinson added that returning players benefited from extra training time before the home fixture. "They have come back very fresh and it gave me time to get minutes and running and fitness in to the legs of the boys that just arrived at the last minute as well," said Stephen Robinson, Aberdeen head coach.

He said Aberdeen must maintain their progress as they prepare for the next league matches.

"We know we have to play to the best of our ability to win every match and we are looking to take things forward and keep progressing," said Stephen Robinson, Aberdeen head coach. Aberdeen have four of their next five league matches at Pittodrie, and Robinson wants the team to take advantage of the home schedule. "to capitalise on those home games" said Stephen Robinson, Aberdeen head coach.

Robinson said the early season difficulties have improved but the team still faces demanding fixtures.

"It was a tough start, we can't deny that. We find ourselves in an OK position and now we have to capitalise on those home games," said Stephen Robinson, Aberdeen head coach. The Aberdeen manager believes his available squad can compete across the upcoming fixtures.

"We want to win both games [against St Johnstone and St Mirren] and I believe we have 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, my changes," said Stephen Robinson, Aberdeen head coach. Robinson also assessed the challenge from St Johnstone and praised manager Simo Valakari's work after promotion.

"Simo [Valakari] has done a fantastic job, a really good job," said Stephen Robinson, Aberdeen head coach. He said St Johnstone have made an impact in the Premiership and warned there are no straightforward matches. "Obviously, they got promoted and they have caused every team problems and I think that is just the nature of the league now - there are no games where you turn up and think, 'Aberdeen should win this game'. Everything is tough," said Stephen Robinson, Aberdeen head coach.

Robinson added that Aberdeen must focus on their own strengths while facing St Johnstone's threats.

"Simo has put a really good squad together, he has kept a lot of boys from last year as well and they have lots of threats but we have to concentrate on us, our good points, what we can bring to the pitch and I believe we have got a lot of options to do that now," said Stephen Robinson, Aberdeen head coach. The matchday guide from Aberdeen FC said the St Johnstone fixture will include community activities, with more than 25 grassroots football and school groups attending as part of the club's Biggest Dons Day Out event.