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Stephen Robinson's Aberdeen have failed to score in five of eight matches this season

ByAndrew Petrie

BBC Sport Scotland

Aberdeen v St Johnstone highlights

11/10/2026

Aberdeen legend Willie Miller summed up the Dons' home defeat by St Johnstone on Sunday as "depressing".

Although they dominated possession and had 22 shots at goal, there was a feeling they could have played all night and not scored.

Stephen Robinson's side have scored just seven goals in the first eight league games of the new season, with four of them in a 4-0 rout of Motherwell. This was their fifth blank.

Robinson insists he can reverse their woes in front of goal, but the manager must act fast to ensure it does not become a fatal flaw.

Miller delivered his damning verdict on the final whistle, as the home fans who remained until the end jeered their beleaguered team.

"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," Miller said.

Indeed, the hosts had 65% possession and attempted a season-high number of shots and passes.

However, the quality of both were poor and Toby Steward in the St Johnstone goal only had two impressive saves to make.

"The centre-backs were playing long balls," Miller added. "They had three wide players and couldn't punch holes in a St Johnstone side who are not noted for their defence.

"Aberdeen got what they deserved."

The lack of creativity was stark. Although substitutes Lewis Smith, Tony Yogane and Hicham Mahou - making his Aberdeen debut - did get involved, far too many crosses either sailed over red heads or failed to beat the first man.

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Aberdeen aren't alone in their barren run. Falkirk and Kilmarnock are both on seven goals scored from eight, but the Dons' targets will be far loftier given their superior budget.

Their xG is just 8.3 - the lowest in the league - so they aren't missing lots of chances either.

Just 2.9 shots on target per match stands alone as the worst record across the division, while the 12 big chances they have created across eight games is another joint-low.

One frustration against St Johnstone was they did have two big chances, and one fell to the man they would want it to.

Kevin Nisbet was put one-on-one by a brilliant through ball, but the striker seemed to panic and had his shot easily saved.

Nisbet has netted 43% of the team's league goals - three of seven - from just five shots on target.

"Outwith Kevin Nisbet, we're not scoring enough goals," Robinson admitted post-match. "We need people to step up."

'Even Celtic and Rangers struggle to break teams down' - Robinson

The head coach admitted his side have an issue, but was also adamant in his resolve that his players can find a solution.

"What I see in training is that we have that quality," Robinson said. "We've not been able to convert that.

"It's the hardest bit of the game. You see teams like Rangers and Celtic struggling to break down teams that sit deep. We're no different.

"There's no hiding place. Our last pass, last decision, wasn't what I know it can be today."

Fans may point to St Mirren's lack of goals under Robinson last season. The Buddies scored 30 across the campaign - the worst record in the league by 10 goals - although it must be noted Robinson departed in March to take over at Pittodrie.

The season before, when the Northern Irishman guided the Paisley Saints to a third consecutive top-six finish, they scored more goals than Aberdeen and Dundee United - who also finished in the top half.

Those impressive returns were also often done without a proven, consistent goalscorer in the St Mirren ranks.

It's not a problem that has plagued him before, so perhaps Robinson can find the answer. Perhaps his side is simply missing a bit of "good fortune", as Miller pointed out on Sportsound.

Robinson's mettle is certainly not in doubt, with the manager adding: "Do I believe they can? Yeah, but we have to be brave to do that."

Darren: Zero goals at home again, against a newly promoted club, following a goalless draw with bottom club Kilmarnock. There's absolutely no joy in watching Aberdeen anymore, we've forgotten how to play football and score goals. There's a brand new team every year. Something is broken, and loyal fans deserve so much more than what Robinson is serving up.

Neil: Three centre halves at home to St Johnstone, with no wingers and no pace. Was always going to be a struggle. Don't create chances and the few we do, we are not clinical enough. Very poor.

Alan: Robinson keeps harping on about what he sees in training but what he doesn't appreciate is, it's mediocrity versus dross. Any modestly-equipped player will look good. Bottom line, we are mediocre at best having signed no quality.

Robert: It's just not good enough. To say Rangers and Celtic struggle to break down teams is a pathetic excuse. The difference is they do break down teams that sit in to get three points. Aberdeen are just simply clueless when it comes down to having the quality pass or movement. At this rate, a top six finish is beyond us.

Graham: Nowhere near good enough from the players. No quality in front of goal and still clearly need a number nine. Robinson needs to accept his part in this weekly dross but the players need to play for Aberdeen and each other.

John: To say the team's display was disappointing is an understatement. We were absolutely awful. St Johnstone did enough to stop us from scoring. Afraid our cash is being spent on quantity and not quality. A lot of problems from the top down.

Extracted and lightly reformatted for readability. · Source: pt