AFC Wimbledon teen talent Ayoub Assal backed to stay grounded despite attention-grabbing displays

BY DANIEL MARSH

AFC Wimbledon head coach Mark Robinson has backed Ayoub Assal to stay grounded after his storming start to life in senior football.

The tricky teenager has netted three goals in seven games – including a brace in last weekend’s 5-1 trouncing of Accrington Stanley.

Robinson is confident that the 19-year-old’s education in the Dons’ academy will stand him in good stead as his performances attract attention.

Assal joined Wimbledon at U12 level after leaving Millwall.

He was called up to a national training camp for Morocco’s U20 squad earlier this season.

“Certainly with Ayoub, the way that he is as a young man, I don’t see that [getting carried away] being a problem at all,” said Robinson. “He sets himself very high targets and he’s not easily pleased with his own performances.

“Obviously this is new to me as a first-team manager. I’ve only ever experienced that when lads have done well at youth team level and possibly broken into the first team and you have little chats with them.

“But, if I’m honest, the way we educate them within the academy, it’s rarely a problem. Sometimes you may need to keep them in check, but we’ve never really found it an issue. That’s because of the way we educate them to have that humility, humbleness and the stuff that we do – that you have to be relentless in your pursuit of improving.”

Assal’s impact in the final third has played a key part in Wimbledon’s recent resurgence in front of goal.

Robinson admits he’s been a bit surprised at the youngster’s goal threat – but isn’t shocked with the impressive start he’s made to his Wimbledon career.

“I’m not surprised because I’ve got massive belief in him,” said the Dons chief. “I wouldn’t have put him in there if I thought it was a gamble. Possibly the amount of a goal threat he is has come as a little bit of a surprise. He should have got himself another one [against Ipswich].

“I know he can handle himself physically. I know he’s a nuisance. As I said, just because I’ve come from the academy there’s no way I’m playing players just because of that. I play them because I think they can have an impact – that’s why he got in the side.

“It’s not a surprise [how well he’s done] but once he becomes more known to other teams obviously they’re going to target him a little bit. That’ll be his next challenge, but it’s one I’m sure he’s capable of overcoming.”

PHOTOS: SEAN GOSLING