Aberdeen's difficult start to the Scottish Premiership season deepened on Saturday as a scoreless draw with Kilmarnock left the Pittodrie faithful venting their frustration at head coach Stephen Robinson. It was the fourth consecutive league match in which the Dons failed to find the net, and supporters made their displeasure known with boos at the final whistle.
The result leaves Aberdeen with just four points from their opening five league fixtures, having managed only a single win so far this season and scored just two goals in total. For a club accustomed to competing near the top of Scottish football, the mood around Pittodrie has turned notably sour.
Robinson himself did not shy away from criticizing his players' performance, describing it in blunt terms afterward. "We looked tired, we looked lethargic," he said. "We've had two very hard games, a lot of travel. We got a little bit more energy in the second half, without the quality." He added: "We got out of the game what we deserve. It's frustrating. We made tired decisions, too many touches on the ball, too many passes backwards." The manager pointed to a congested schedule that included matches against both Rangers and Celtic, along with extensive travel, as contributing factors to his side's flat display.
However, that explanation has been met with skepticism. Former Aberdeen defender Richard Foster, speaking to BBC Sport Scotland, questioned whether fatigue could really be the root cause so early in the campaign. "If you're looking tired and jaded and lack of energy this early in the season, then you're not living right, because that shouldn't be a problem," Foster said, noting that the squad has had a full pre-season to prepare and settle in.
The numbers underline Aberdeen's attacking struggles. Their expected goals tally of 5.2 ranks third-worst in the league, and no side has managed fewer shots on target. Only Falkirk have created fewer clear-cut chances. Foster argued that the team's approach under Robinson has strayed far from the energetic, direct style he showed at previous club St Mirren, saying the current Aberdeen side