Stephen Robinson voiced his dissatisfaction with the Premier Sports Cup structure after leading Aberdeen to a second successive victory in Group A.
Robinson, who lifted the trophy while in charge of St Mirren the previous campaign, believes the initial group phase of the League Cup is scheduled too early in the calendar.
The Dons secured a 2-1 win over Queen’s Park at Pittodrie on Saturday, having started their campaign with a 2-0 triumph at Brora Rangers on Tuesday.
“I don’t like the format of the competition. The competitive games come really, really early,” Robinson told a national radio sports program.
“It’s three weeks just into pre-season where you’re playing competitive games and we have to win. You have to win as an Aberdeen manager or a Premiership manager.
“We use it for what it is, we get our fitness, we get things we’re keeping trying and we know there’s lots of things to be better at.
“It’s very difficult because there’s that many new signings. Everyone’s still getting to know each other. There’s different levels of fitness within the squad. Ultimately, it’s a pre-season game that you need to win, simply you have to win.”
The group stage for the opening round was launched in 2016, featuring 40 clubs across eight sections. Scottish sides participating in European competitions only enter the tournament at the second-round knockout phase.
Aberdeen head to Dumfries to face Queen of the South in their next match on Tuesday (19:45 BST), before concluding at home against Kelty Hearts on Saturday.
“We have a hard game Tuesday night, another long travel,” Robinson said.
“You come to Aberdeen to win things. Cup competitions are your best chance to do that normally.
“I’ve had good success in the tournament, I know what it means to win it but you still have to give people good game time, you still have to try things.”
What do you feel about this post?
Like
Love
Happy
Haha
Sad
