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Robinson urges togetherness in Aberdeen fight

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Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson
Stephen Robinson endured an unhappy return to St Mirren last weekend [SNS]

Stephen Robinson has called for "togetherness" amid his Aberdeen side's relegation battle, saying the time to "scrutinise" things will be at the end of the season.

Before Saturday's home Scottish Premiership meeting with Hibernian, the Dons are three points above second-bottom Kilmarnock, who occupy the relegation play-off place.

And with just one win in their past 16 league games, Aberdeen have faced heavy criticism.

"We scrutinise everything at the end of the season and that is where I will make changes to things but right now it is a togetherness that will get us through this situation," said Robinson, who is seeking his first win as Dons boss.

"The players have been ridiculed from pillar to post and some will say it's justified but certainly in these last six games that doesn't help, we need everybody together, we need them to be really believing in themselves, which is my job to do.''

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Hibs' visit is just the fourth match in charge for Robinson, who arrived from St Mirren last month.

While attempting to arrest Aberdeen's slide and with top division survival the immediate priority, the Northern Irishman was asked if he was facing the biggest challenge of his managerial career.

"It is one of them," he replied. "There is no two ways about it, it is a huge challenge and it is one we are right up for.

"I will use every bit of experience I have got out of all the league games I have had to try and give the boys confidence.

"My job has tried to be this week to be positive for the players, to try and get them to believe in what they have. At the end of last season, they were lifting a cup and you have to try and remind people there are good players there and you have to get that belief within the team.

"What I have found this week is nobody has gone hiding, nobody is looking for excuses; we all know it hasn't been good enough, we all know that nobody has chosen this and it is now to fight and scrap our way out of that and I believe every single person – staff and player – is up for that."

'People would enjoy Aberdeen relegation'

As well as hovering precariously close to Kilmarnock, Aberdeen sit above St Mirren on goal difference and are two points behind Dundee.

And Robinson said: "There is more than Aberdeen in a relegation fight.

"People would enjoy it because it is not meant to be. The teams that are down at the bottom have been down at the bottom previously and have lost their status in this division previously so that obviously adds to it with the size of the football club.

"We have to stick together, ignore the outside noise and try and get everyone together for Saturday.

"And the remaining five games after that to use that energy to guide us through this situation."

Meanwhile, Robinson will make a late call on midfielder Dennis Geiger, who has a slight hamstring injury. Defender Mats Knoester will resume full training next week and may be available for the second game after the split.

Original Article

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