Aberdeen's Goal Drought: Can Robinson Turn It Around?
Aberdeen's season has hit a troubling snag, with manager Stephen Robinson's side failing to score in five of their eight matches so far.
After a disappointing home defeat to St Johnstone, club legend Willie Miller didn't hold back, calling the performance "depressing." Despite dominating possession and unleashing 22 shots, the Dons looked like they could play forever without finding the back of the net.
In their first eight league encounters, Robinson’s men have netted just seven times, with four of those coming in a single match against Motherwell. This latest defeat marked their fifth scoreless outing, raising urgent questions about their attacking prowess.
Robinson is adamant he can turn things around, but time is of the essence. The defeat to St Johnstone was particularly painful, as the Dons struggled to break down a side that isn’t known for its defensive strength.
Miller was clear in his assessment: “Very little was done when Aberdeen had the ball, and St Johnstone didn’t have to think too much about defending. It got so predictable.” Despite controlling 65% of possession and attempting a season-high number of shots, the quality just wasn’t there.
The Dons’ center-backs resorted to long balls, and their wide players failed to make an impact. Miller pointed out, “Aberdeen got what they deserved.”
Creativity was sorely lacking, and while subs like Lewis Smith and Hicham Mahou tried to make a difference, far too many crosses went astray or failed to beat the first defender.
Aberdeen’s goal-scoring woes aren't unique; they share this struggle with Falkirk and Kilmarnock, both of whom have also managed just seven goals. However, given Aberdeen's larger budget, expectations are understandably higher.
Their expected goals (xG) stands at a league-low 8.3, indicating they aren't even creating a wealth of chances. Averaging only 2.9 shots on target per match and having created just 12 big chances across eight games, it’s clear they need to step up their game.
One of the glaring missed opportunities came when Kevin Nisbet, who has scored three of the team’s seven league goals, was one-on-one with the St Johnstone keeper but failed to convert. Robinson acknowledged the need for others to contribute, stating, “Outwith Kevin Nisbet, we’re not scoring enough goals.”
After the match, Robinson expressed his belief that his squad possesses the quality needed to improve. “What I see in training is that we have that quality. We’ve not been able to convert that,” he said. He also emphasized that breaking down deep defenses is a common challenge for many teams, including the likes of Rangers and Celtic.
Fans are starting to draw parallels with Robinson’s previous tenure at St Mirren, where goal-scoring was a significant issue, particularly last season. However, during his successful run the year prior, his squad scored more goals than both Aberdeen and Dundee United, even without a standout striker.
There’s a chance that a bit of luck could change their fortunes, as Miller suggested on Sportsound. Robinson’s determination is evident as he stated, “Do I believe they can? Yeah, but we have to be brave.”
Frustration among fans is palpable, with comments highlighting the lack of joy in watching Aberdeen play. One fan lamented, “There’s absolutely no joy in watching Aberdeen anymore,” while another criticized the lack of pace in the lineup.
Critics are calling for accountability, with some insisting that the team’s lack of clinical finishing is unacceptable. With the pressure mounting, Robinson needs to find a way to get his players firing on all cylinders before it’s too late.
