‘They are in the best place for their careers right now’ – Ollie Palmer offers advice to AFC Wimbledon youngsters

Ollie Palmer has offered his advice to his former AFC Wimbledon young team-mates and believes head coach Mark Robinson can get the club promoted with the right tools.

Palmer completed his move to Wrexham at the start of the week after the Dons agreed a £300,000 fee with the National League side. The 30-year-old scored the winner on his debut for his new club on Tuesday night in a 1-0 victory against Grimsby Town.

Palmer, who was the focal point in Wimbledon’s attack this season, was the club’s top goalscorer with eight before his departure.

His former head coach Robinson also praised Palmer for his link-up play and ability to bring the flourishing attacking talent of Ayoub Assal, Jack Rudoni and Luke McCormick into matches.

Speaking about the young players at Wimbledon and the advice he would offer them, Palmer told the South London Press: “All the younger lads need to remember to stay grounded. Sometimes, at their age, if you move to a new club and you don’t play, it’s five steps backwards.

“These players are in an environment right now where they’re fortunate enough to be playing week in, week out. Whereas, if you go to a bigger League One club with a huge squad and you don’t perform, you’re straight out, and you have fallen down the pecking order.

“You’re currently learning the game and being put on a platform to improve – they’re in the best place for their careers right now.

“I would urge them to stay for at least one more season. I know they are probably going to want to leave for bigger clubs, with their agents calling them to say: ‘Championship this and top League One promotion team that’.

“But it doesn’t always work out that way. If you don’t play in football, you quickly get forgotten about.

“They’re all talented lads, and I really hope they can get more experience with the club so they can build and learn their trade.

“If the club can bring in a few more experienced players, around 25 or 26 years old, then they can really climb that league table. With a very good squad that has a bit more experience, Robbo can easily get Wimbledon promoted.”

See tomorrow’s South London Press for an in-depth interview with Palmer about his emotional AFC Wimbledon exit.