‘Dose of reality’ – Wimbledon head coach Robinson on recent losing streak in League One

AFC Wimbledon head coach Robinson has called his side’s recent run of form a “dose of reality” after they suffered their third straight defeat in League One, 3-0 at Rotherham on Tuesday night.

Prior to the game against Plymouth on September 18, the Dons were sitting in the play-off positions and only three points behind top of the table Sunderland, with their free-flowing football at that point recording the most goals out of any side in the top four professional divisions in England.

But three losses on the spin to Plymouth, Shrewsbury and Rotherham have seen the South Londoners slip to 14th in the League One table.

Robinson said: “The players can still believe they can do something special, which is important. I don’t want to stop them dreaming, but at the same time, there needs to be that dose of reality here and there, and I think that’s what this week has been – a bit of a dose of reality.

“We were well-beaten at Rotherham. They looked like a side that had come down from the Championship and a side that are certainly looking to get back there. The relentlessness of their play and what they did, shows the level that you have got to be at.

“But we do have to remember that at the Plymouth game, it wasn’t that case at all, it was the odd goal, and we feel we should have come away with something – the same at Shrewsbury. The players weren’t down, they are just determined to get to where they want to be.

“We had a long chat with the lads on the coach on the way home. At the moment we seem to get a little bit frustrated when things don’t go our way. It’s probably down to the youthfulness of the squad that if decisions don’t go our way – such as the penalty [against Rotherham] and a few other decisions – our body language changes and we seem to give away these cheap goals and not see our jobs through. It’s something we have got to address, and the lads agree.”

The Dons take on Burton at Plough Lane tomorrow.

“I said to the players that it’s ideal,” explained Robinson. “It’s going to be another physical challenge against a good side, who have good physical attributes, and it’s the perfect opportunity to show that we’re learning. We’re looking forward to it.”