Aberdeen managed just 40 goals in 38 league games last season—only St Mirren scored fewer—and their output dipped even more away from home.
If the Dons want to climb back into the top half, they must fix their attacking woes. So what could change?
Across Stephen Robinson’s four-year spell at St Mirren, no side attempted more long balls, and only Celtic and Rangers delivered more crosses into the box.
His default there was a back three with wing-backs—sometimes paired with two strikers, other times with a lone forward supported by two advanced midfielders.
Might Robinson stick with that blueprint? He leaned on it after arriving last season to tighten things up defensively.
However, the signing of winger Tony Yogane from Dundee, the return of Toyosi Olusanya, and a determination to unlock more from Kenan Bilalovic suggest a 4-3-3 could better suit the personnel—especially as Aberdeen’s full-backs aren’t natural wing-backs.
Only Sebastien Tounekti, Alexandros Kyziridis, Mikey Moore, and Djeidi Gassama fashioned more dribble-created chances than Yogane last season.
And while Dundee often used a back three with wing-backs, the ex-Brentford wide man thrived most when given open grass to attack rather than relying on overlaps—aligning with Robinson’s repeated emphasis on exploiting the team’s pace.
Up front, Kevin Nisbet led Aberdeen with 11 goals despite limited service.
With Marko Lazetic possibly departing, Moroccan forward Ayoub Mouloua arrived last week after netting 19 in 53 for FUS Rabat.
Like Nisbet, the 23-year-old isn’t a classic target man, another clue that Robinson may tweak the team’s approach.
Saturday’s friendly with FC Twente, wrapping up a week-long training camp in the Netherlands, should offer a clearer picture of Aberdeen’s intended style.