AFC Wimbledon podcasters give their verdict on head coach Mark Robinson’s departure

AFC Wimbledon parted company with Mark Robinson by “mutual consent” this week – and we got some reaction from Wimbledon podcasters.

The Dons announced the decision that head coach Robinson was leaving on Monday, just five days after the board had written a statement saying they would back him.

Robinson’s managerial record was 17 wins, 23 draws and 28 defeats in his 68 matches in charge of the South London club – a win ratio of 25 per cent.

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How would you describe Mark Robinson’s reign in charge of AFC Wimbledon?

Wombles Had A dream Podcast: “It started positively and it was some of the best football I’ve seen at Wimbledon but his lack of experience and naivety has been shown in recent months and it became very negative.”

9yrs Podcast: “Mark turned our fortunes around last season to keep us in League One. We lost just six of his 21 games in charge, and turned in some sensational performances, at one stage scoring 14 times in four consecutive wins, including a 5-1 win at Accrington and a 3-0 home victory over Ipswich. He brought through some very talented young players in Ayoub Assal, Jack Rudoni, and Paul Osew, while also attracting the likes of Luke McCormick to the club. He changed the playing style of the first-team with a belief in passing, attacking football.”

Do you believe it was the right time for him to go – or do you believe he should’ve been given more time?

9YP: “I thought we had a long-term plan in place that might have had to suffer a relegation, but would have given us a platform for the future, considering our current budgetary constraints that are not going away in the immediate future. However, given our drop into the relegation zone, and a winless run of 21 games in all competitions it is difficult, especially in today’s instant-gratification culture, for a lot of fans to stick with the plan, which in turn places pressure on the decision makers at the club.”

WHADP: “I don’t think it was the right time to go – I think we should have parted ways a few months back. We should have said goodbye after Lincoln at home.”

Do you think the recent dip in form was solely down to Mark Robinson and his tactics  – or do you believe anything else could be a factor?

WHADP: “The last five games have been down to Robbo. We’ve lost five in a row and scored one goal. We were not creating chances and that is down to the manager. We haven’t helped Robbo off the pitch – a very low budget, selling Ollie Palmer in January and not replacing him or investing the money.”

9YP: “There are always a number of factors as to why a team struggles. It’s rarely just one thing. Aside from the “uncompetitive” budget the club’s leadership admitted handing to Mark this season, we have also had to deal with injuries to key players at key times, and a long period of inactivity due to COVID-postponments called for by opposing teams around the Christmas and New Year period. The loss of Ollie Palmer in January – most likely a decision made to raise much-needed funds for other areas of the club – without a ready-made replacement, seems costly in the context of avoiding relegation.”

Have AFC Wimbledon moved forward as a club because of Robinson’s time in charge?

9YP: “We should have done. His departure sets us back, in my opinion. But without doubt, the club has a huge debt to pay Mark over his 18 years in charge and his outstanding – absolutely outstanding – work with our academy.”

WHADP: “This is a really hard question because I don’t believe we are in a better place. We have struggled on the pitch again this season. Players who looked good at the start of the season have gone backwards. Off the pitch we seem to be a bit of a mess and the board need to review everything and either stick with the process or rip it up and start again. The issue is you can’t keep starting again.”