Barry Robson has called out the SPFL over a torturous fixture schedule for his Aberdeen side.
The Pittodrie boss wholly accepts performances following Europa Conference League matches haven't been good enough but suggested fixture planning hasn't helped matters.
To further compound Robson's frustrations, this afternoon's opponents Hibs played 24 hours earlier in midweek in the build-up to the Viaplay Cup semi-final. The fixture switch was confirmed in September following a request from both clubs.
“We’ve got four games off of the back of Europe away from home and we’re up in Aberdeen as well," sighed Robson when quizzed on a travel-intensive fixture list.
“When you look at our fixture list, what we’ve played and what we’ve got coming (extends arms)…..but it’s good, it’s what we want. We want to be here playing all these big games.
“We want to be in there fighting and it’s going to be difficult as it’s the first time some of these players have ever done it. It doesn’t need me to tell the league that they should [be doing more]. They should and they have to.
“Hibs got to play on Tuesday, we had to play on Wednesday, and then they make us play Saturday. That’s fair again eh?
“After the other games when they’ve given us four away from home on the back of Europe. They’ve been really good to us."
Pressed on whether a case could or would be made to the league, Robson added: "You’ve just got to get on with it. I’m not going to get into it because the most important part for us is to try and perform tomorrow and we will do that."It’s not something for today but we all know it isn’t right."
On the double-edged privilege and plight of competing in Europe, Robson added: “We know we’ve struggled off the back of Europe. West Ham have struggled off the back of Europe.
“Tactically we have been very good and the players’ numbers have been very good. It’s the emotional side that has caught us out.
“I remember as a player hearing that Champions League music and then playing the game which came after that was always really tough. I’ve walked in their shoes, I know how they are feeling. We just have to get better at handling it.
“But tactically the players have been good and hopefully we can get it right tomorrow and deliver. “We need to get every little detail right to win."
