AFC Wimbledon boss: We’ll go full strength in FA Cup – I get angry at way some clubs treat competition

AFC Wimbledon head coach Mark Robinson plans to put out the strongest side he has at his disposal in the FA Cup first-round tie against National League North outfit Guiseley AFC.

The Dons lifted the FA Cup after beating Liverpool in 1988 thanks to a goal from Lawrie Sanchez.

The South Londoners were knocked out of the competition in the second round last season under Glyn Hodges – losing 2-1 to Crawley Town.

Robinson told the South London Press: “Irrespective of the club’s history in it, which is obviously massively important to us, it’s just a cup competition which is wonderful  – it’s the greatest club cup competition in the world.

“Over the years, when I wasn’t a manager, and I was a football fan, it angered me a lot in the way in which clubs have treated the FA Cup.

“It needs to be treated with the respect that it deserves. Win, lose or draw, it’s an incredible competition, and I hope for the day when it gets back to being like that.”

Asked whether there will be the chance for some of the squad’s fringe players to impose themselves on Robinson’s plans going forward, he added: “No, we will be going as strong as we possibly can with the players we have got available. The competition warrants it.

“If we had games Saturday, Tuesday and Saturday, I would still be treating it in the same vein because that’s what the competition warrants.

“As well as being past winners, there is no way that I would put out a side that’s anything less than as strong as we can possibly go.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD