AFC Wimbledon head coach Mark Robinson not set to make early calls on transfer window reinforcements

BY EDMUND BRACK

AFC Wimbledon head coach Mark Robinson has said that he won’t be assessing the option of picking up a loan signing in January until the transfer window rolls around.

The Dons have made two temporary signings in the summer, agreeing season-long stays for Chelsea full-back Henry Lawrence and Brentford forward Aaron Pressley. Five loanees are allowed in a matchday squad.

Wimbledon chief executive Joe Palmer told the 9yrspodcast before Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Sheffield Wednesday that there could be more funds freed up.

“We are looking at a small increase for a potential loan if we require it, just to give us that buffer or ability,” said Palmer. “But, it’s largely dependent on where we are with our budget and being on the line with our target.

“There is a small amount that we are sort of leaving aside should we need it, but there is certainly no big spending plans – January is never a really great time to do proactive business.

“Mostly, what we look at will be around loans. They typically have been quite effective for us – we have had a number of good loans that have come in January.”

Robinson admitted he could look at adding a forward to the squad.

When asked by the South London Press about the possibility of plugging into the loan market again over the winter, Robinson said: “We will see.

“I love building cultures, so by that time we could have Ollie Palmer back, Will Nightingale might not be too far away, and George Marsh will definitely be back, so it’s important that we just assess where we are at the time.

“I am a big believer in giving all my focus on what we have got in the building. I have seen it before in January transfer windows, everyone gets so excited, and you lose your focus on what you have got in the building. I’ll just assess it when it comes. If we feel we need something, and the money is available, then you look to do it. But the biggest key is to focus on the great group of lads we have got.”

Robinson attempted to sign another striker on loan on the last deadline day but nothing materialised.

On his reasoning behind why he chased another forward, the Dons chief said: “Because you felt that if we had an injury, that’s where we could have been weaker with just having Aaron.

“That’s what you would obviously look at come this window – is Ollie fit? Is he fully fit? How are we looking in that department? And see if we need one.

“But we have got lads out on loan as well, who you might look at and say: “Are they better than what we can bring in on loan?’ We just need to look at the situation.”

Robinson was keen to praise Aaron Pressley following Tuesday night’s victory against Lincoln City.

The 19-year-old, who was nursing a slight tear in his quad, played the full 90 minutes, scored the match-winner and won 10 aerial duels as the Dons secured their first win since the 4-3 away victory against Morecambe in mid-September.

“I love him. He’s just a fantastic lad,” said Robinson.

“His attitude is absolutely spot on – he’s everything you want. You wouldn’t think that he was a loan player, you would think that he was one of ours.

“He comes in every day and wants to listen, get better and reflect. Straight after the final whistle on Tuesday, he came over to me and apologised because Lincoln had a corner at the end, and he switched off a little bit and turned his back. He said: ‘I’m sorry, gaffer,’ because he realised it could have cost us.

“He is going to go on to be one hell of a player. He has all those right aspects where he understands how hard he has to work, and he’s honest in his reflection. I am so pleased with him.”