AFC Wimbledon head coach Mark Robinson determined to sign off in positive fashion at Lincoln

BY DANIEL MARSH

Mark Robinson has challenged his AFC Wimbledon players to leave a “positive mark” when they finish up their 2020-21 campaign at Lincoln City on Sunday.

The Dons saw survival confirmed last weekend, when defeats for Rochdale and Northampton ensured they couldn’t be caught by the teams in the drop zone.

They did however taste defeat for the first time since April 5, a 3-1 home reverse to Portsmouth ending an impressive six-game run.

Robinson is keen for his side to respond in the right way when they head to the LNER Stadium on Sunday.

“There’s still a massive focus on winning on Sunday,” said the Wimbledon head coach.

“The lads deserve that and I want them to have that. Over our 21-game spell together, winning eight, drawing seven and losing six sounds a lot better than winning seven, drawing seven and losing seven. That over 21 games would still be a good return. But I think if we won on Sunday, in terms of the 21 games [since taking charge] it would put us somewhere like eighth or ninth in the form league over that spell, which is somewhere you want to be for the future.

“That’s almost half a season – that’s almost like saying, ‘look you’re capable of this’. And that’s without a pre-season, that’s without maybe strengthening some areas. You haven’t done it over eight or 10 games, this is over 21 games. So it’s really important on Sunday that we leave a positive mark.”

There are unlikely to be any selection surprises on Sunday, as the Dons look to finish strong.

Robinson added: “I think the players have done a fantastic job and I want them to enjoy the last game together as a collective.

“To be honest, quite a few of our younger pro’s are injured anyway. I think I’ve shown already that young players are going to get their opportunity.

“The fact that I put Ayoub [Assal] in, who was nowhere near the first team before and probably most of our fans hadn’t even heard of him [shows that]. So the players know that there’s going to be a pathway for them in the future if they’re good enough, so I don’t feel I have to make a gesture of playing young players to prove that. They need to earn it.”