'Curtains for Robinson' or can floundering Aberdeen boss survive?

Published6 hours ago

Stephen Robinson has vowed to "keep fighting until told otherwise" as his Aberdeen future hangs by a thread following the "unacceptable" 4-0 defeat by Hibernian.

The Pittodrie manager, who was already under intense pressure, had labelled the visit of Marink Reedijk's side - bottom of the table going into the game - as a must-win.

But his bedraggled team were no match for Hibs, and home fans began streaming for the exit at 2-0 down. By the bitter end of the four-goal mauling, chants of "You're getting sacked in the morning" rang out and those that had stayed vented their ire at a miserable-looking Robinson as he made a beeline for the tunnel.

"Stephen Robinson looks beleaguered down there, a man lost," said Aberdeen legend Willie Miller on BBC Sportsound.

The television cameras then panned to Adrian Bevington, the chief executive appointed in September. A month and a half into the job, he has a big decision to make.

Aberdeen now occupy the relegation play-off place, above only Kilmarnock, after a fourth Scottish Premiership defeat in five.

"I don't know [what the implications may be], I don't make that decision," Robinson said post-match. "I'm Aberdeen manager until told otherwise, I'll keep fighting until told otherwise.

"The performance isn't acceptable, the result isn't acceptable.

"It's the story of the season - if you don't take chances, you lose matches. They had five opportunities, scored four of them. That's the difference."

Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton says it feels like "the club is too big for him, the job is too big for him" and suggested the 51-year-old should "do the honourable thing and walk away", but is "probably going to end up getting the sack".

Rampant Hibs off bottom as Robinson's Aberdeen gloom deepens

Rampant Hibs off bottom as Robinson's Aberdeen gloom deepens

Aberdeen news, views and analysis

Aberdeen news, views and analysis

Poor recruitment & 'major issues'

Pre-match, the Aberdeen head coach had insisted his players knew the "magnitude" of the situation in front of them.

It didn't seem that way, as they went on to turn in an insipid performance, spurning a few decent opportunities before completely capitulating in the second half.

"It's utterly embarrassing," said Miller.

"They look ashen-faced down there. Robinson was depressed after the Falkirk result [1-0 home defeat] and this one is 10 times worse than that, so I don't know how he'll cope with it."

Robinson, appointed in March, has won just six of 21 league games, losing 11. He steadied the ship last season and steered the club clear of relegation worries, but the trap door has already started to loom.

"He has now made sweeping changes in personnel," Miller said. Fifteen players were signed in the summer. Few have made a positive impact.

"Recruitment is vital and when you look at the performances, the recruitment is poor. The players aren't up to scratch, not up to playing at this level and dealing with high-ish expectations," added Miller.

"I'm not talking about trophies, I'm talking about being in the top six and they're nowhere near that. There's major issues that have to be confronted."

Should Aberdeen dispense with Robinson, it would be their sixth managerial change since Derek McInnes left in 2021.

"I don't know [if he can survive this]," Miller added. "He had an opportunity to get to a cup final. They lost that and then get beat 4-0 by a team at the bottom of the table. Put all that together and there's major decisions to be made over this weekend."

Robinson 'not the right fit' for Aberdeen

Aberdeen have now lost four consecutive games in all competitions. At home, they've won two of seven in the league.

They've scored three goals in their past six league outings at Pittodrie, and they all came in the 3-1 win over St Mirren. The Dons are the joint lowest scorers in the league, alongside the Buddies, on 12 goals.

"You do get that feeling it could now be curtains for Robinson," former Scotland midfielder Michael Stewart said on Premier Sports.

"You get a sense sometimes with the nature of a result, it can be what finally pushes something to the point of no return."

His colleagues Alan Hutton and Charlie Mulgrew, a former Aberdeen defender, concurred.

"I felt like [the players] gave up towards the end," Hutton added, with Hibs scoring twice in the last six minutes. "The reaction of the fans, to boo the team and manager, doesn't look great coming into an international break.

"I've watched Aberdeen this season and I don't see an identity from them, I don't see a clear plan moving forward. There's been so much change in terms of personnel and formation. I just don't see it in the pitch, it's as if they're hoping for something to happen."

Northern Irishman Robinson earned the move to Pittodrie on the back of three successive top-six finishes and a League Cup triumph with St Mirren, but he wasn't a popular choice among some Aberdeen fans.

"I don't think Robinson seems to be the right fit for Aberdeen," Mulgrew said.

"His style with his St Mirren team, it's not what the fans at Pittodrie like to see on the pitch. They tried to go with wingers today but there was no end product, they huffed and puffed.

"Chances fell to [Kevin] Nisbet but he looked like he had no confidence. I think that'll be the end for Robinson."

What are the fans saying?

Colin: We're a relegation waiting to happen. I wasn't thrilled to see Robinson to take over but I expected him at least to make us hard working and organised. But I can't believe how sloppy and passive we were. And, apart from Ayoub Mouloua, there's no pace, creativity or goal threat from anywhere.

Bill: Robinson was a panic purchase at the time. He has been always well out of his depth and he must go but the problem is higher than him, which needs to be acknowledged by the board.

Mikey: Changing so many players at once was a mistake. Brought too much risk and placed too much trust in a manager just in the door who was stepping up a level. He looks like doesn't want to be there any more.

Greig: Time is up, it's clearly not working. Zero improvement in the playing squad/performances this season. It runs deeper than Robinson, six managers, likely seven since Dave Cormack took over and McInnes left the club. Serious questions have to be asked about the club's direction from the top down.

Sandy: Robinson says he will keep on fighting I see no signs of fighting. I sincerely hope Dave Cormack has someone on the backburner or it's Championship for us next season.

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• Published18 June 2023

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Published18 June 2023