Managers give Dons plenty of plaudits for style of play – but not enough points

BY TOBY PORTER
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

If only praise from rival managers automatically converted into points!

AFC Wimbledon boss Mark Robinson has been lauded by bosses of teams they have played against since taking over the hot deat at Plough Lane.

In a battle against relegation, which is so vital for his and the club’s future, the words are reassuring – but don’t help their plight.

The Dons’ head coach has revealed he got messages from Fleetwood Town manager Simon Grayson, Plymouth boss Ryan Lowe and Charlton manager Nigel Adkins in the last four games – but they only got one point from them.

Robinson said: “Ryan and his coach both rang me saying ‘well done – no one has done that to us’.

“Simon Grayson said he knew I would be down but that we were doing all the right things.

“Nigel said how impressed he was with how we played.

“I can’t lie – when a fellow professional and experienced guys say that sort of thing to you – with what they have done in football – it does help.

“It’s a nice thing to have happened but we need to turn it into points.

“When I say that we are optimistic people say ‘Oh, he’s bound to say that.’

“But the players believe in what we doing. Obviously after those games, they have been crestfallen.

“It is great managers saying that we should keep doing what we doing because we have done well.

“But my job now is to warn some of the younger players that despite how well we’re playing, the situation is very real. We have to find our cutting edge and score goals so that we can keep this club in League One.

“Because of the way we’ve work from day to day, there isn’t a lot I have to say to the older ones – they are fully aware of the situation. They want to do well so much I don’t have to keep giving them pep talks. They’re driving it themselves. We are playing well but we have to find solutions in the final third.

“Maybe if we can take some anxiety away from our decisions in the danger area that will help.”

Nicola Tsanev’s error gave Fleetwood all the points on Monday. “He felt he had let the lads down but he was back in the next day we had a chat,” said Robinson. “It would not help to put pressure on players about that sort of thing because he knows he made a poor decision.

“You can’t go mad when someone makes a mistake. I’m massive on players reflecting on what they do – and then moving on.

“I have every confidence in him – he’s made one error of judgement – but he has no lack of ability.”

AFC Wimbledon have one of the youngest squads in the division with an average age of just over 22 – Lincoln are the only near rivals for that stat. So Robinson does rely on the more experienced heads like will Nightingale and Joe Pigott.

“We have players who have been in this position before like those two,” said Robinson. “But I do like the more senior players to guide the younger ones. I train them not to over think the game. I couldn’t change the squad by bringing in new players but the lads here have been fantastic.

“Accrington will be difficult tomorrow because their results have picked up again – they can still get into the play-offs.”

Robinson does not know what his situation will be next season, let alone whether there will be talks with some players about extending their contracts.

He said: “We’ll have to focus primarily on getting points in the games coming up.

“I’m a big believer in planning for the future but at the moment there’s only so much we can do – that is just trying to get us winning these last games. I have clubs calling and asking to play us in pre-season and I’m trying to organise that but it is hard because we can only plan so much.”