Stephen Robinson has steered Aberdeen to the brink of safety [SNS]After a dogged win over Kilmarnock moved Aberdeen eight points clear of the Scottish Premiership relegation play-off place with four games left, manager Stephen Robinson was calm."Until someone tells me mathematically we're away from the play-off then we'll be continuing to work and build on that performance," the head coach told BBC Scotland.It is the right attitude of course. But an eight-point advantage over Kilmarnock and six on St Mirren, with all the threatened sides facing each other in the run-in, is a comfortable position.The victory over Kilmarnock was a triumph of grit - and a goal after 51 seconds - rather than class and style.But it was all that mattered and in its own way showed some progress since Robinson was appointed in March, as Aberdeen secured back-to-back league wins for the first time since October.All the best Aberdeen content in one placePodcast: Reaction to day of Premiership dramaBack to basics for AberdeenIn the process Aberdeen also managed back-to-back clean sheets in the Premiership for the first time since November.In the wins over Kilmarnock and Hibernian, Aberdeen conceded 0.54 and 0.19 expected goals (xG) respectively, and allowed a total of 26 touches in their box.It is a marked improvement in the number of chances they are allowing the opposition compared to the 2-0 defeat by St Mirren the previous week.Craig McLeish's side - the lowest scoring in the league - took 23 touches in Aberdeen's box and managed 0.9 expected goals.Centre-back Liam Morrison, who was quickly becoming a figure of ridicule after his January move on loan from Queens Park Rangers, looks more assured under Robinson.There are caveats of course.
Hibs were reduced to 10 men early in Aberdeen's win, and Kilmarnock did rattle Aberdeen's bar three times.You have to look hard to see the improvements, but Robinson is convinced they are there. Regardless, the results are."I thought we started really, really well and played brilliantly for 15-20 minutes," Robinson said. "Then we looked very nervous after that."It's to be expected of course.
But one thing that hasn't been said about an Aberdeen side for a while is they're hard to beat, they defended crosses well and defended set-plays well."Their character was questioned throughout the season and I thought to a man they stood up today."'Can we be better on the ball? Of course'The fans at a nearly sold-out Pittodrie watched a very similar story unfold to many home games this season.A decent start for the first quarter or so, before quickly fading and then struggling to recapture the momentum.This time, at least, they scored when on top. Afeez Aremu swept into the net in the first minute via a deflection after a well-worked move from a throw-in.The way Aberdeen got the ball forward early from kick-off and played from there is more like what Robinson wants from his team.The drop-off, was not.
The Northern Irishman was annoyed at their slackness in possesion and they ended the game with just over 40% of the ball at home."I thought we got quite casual with it," he said. "After 20 minutes we had the game in our control and then we started doing stupid things on the ball."But that comes with the position we're in at the moment and we'll get better at that."Controlling games from midfield has been a fatal flaw of Aberdeen's all season. Their inability to dictate from the middle of the pitch has impacted their creativity, which is why they are one of the lowest scorers in the division.Continuing the baby steps made in defence while adding more from middle to front is next on Robinson's list."Can we better on the ball?
Of course we can. We can be more composed, take more touches and create more chances. "But overall we created more chances, we allowed Killie to have the ball in certain areas, pressed them well and took the ball off them at times."I'm really proud of how they conducted themselves today, how they played, the energy, aggression, organisation - that's the basics."That's what hasn't been done for a long time here.
We have to build on that. The nervousness will calm down hopefully and we'll add to that."Improving will not just be a matter of coaching. Twenty players have been signed by Aberdeen since last summer and some did not even see out the season.None of them could be called a roaring success.In a different environment next season, they might improve, but Robinson and sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel have a big job on their hands this summer to reshape the squad.The club have already talked about pivoting to signing more players with experience of Scottish football.But whatever the plan they can start to execute with the reassurance of - in all likelihood - being in the Premiership next season.Visit our Aberdeen page for all the latest news, analysis and fan viewsGet Aberdeen news notifications in the BBC Sport app