Academy Head of Football Mark Robinson is aiming to create a "strong mentality" within this season's crop of Under-18s, as the squad prepare for tomorrow night's FA Youth Cup tie.
After two successive seasons of reaching the last-16 of the national competition, AFC Wimbledon will once again be aiming to make notable progress this time around.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday's first round tie at Marlow, Mark Robinson said: "I've had a chat with the squad today and there are going to be some players left out who are going to be disappointed. I have said, 'listen, if you are not disappointed, there is something wrong'. At the same time, it is about how they deal with that disappointment. What we have had in the last two years is a really strong group mentality. When players have been left out they have dealt with it in a professional manner and they've still been a part of the group. That needs to be the same this year.
"There is definitely a mentality growing. We are quite light due to injuries and I may have to step some of the younger lads up. The spirit is good. We had a session yesterday with the lads studying for their level two coaching badges. They had to coach their own players and the attitude shown was fantastic. I am definitely seeing a turn in their mentality, attitude and spirit between them."
Click on the video link below to watch the full interview with Mark. Look out tomorrow for an interview with Great Nii-Okai Evans.