Ryan Longman made his name at Brighton as a dynamic winger – and he is confident of making an impact in that position during the all-important run-in.
The 20-year-old striker who is on loan from the Seagulls, scored six goals before Christmas in a forward role, but Robbo has switched him to the right wing in recent weeks and he came close to a winner at Bristol Rovers on Saturday.
Speaking ahead of tonight’s home game versus Wigan, Ryan said: “Throughout my time at the Brighton academy I had always been a winger. I have played striker now and then during my career, but I think it’s good to be versatile in those positions and to be able to play across the front line, and even in the number 10 position. It just gives the manager different options.
“With Ollie coming back, it brings a different dynamic to our game, and I think it will help Pigs as well, as shown at Bristol Rovers on Saturday. We’ve got to play to our strengths and use the best of our abilities. It’s a lovely stadium (at Plough Lane) and it’s great to play there, but I just want to get back on the scoresheet.
“Robbo has been a breath of fresh air, he’s been brilliant. It’s a different style of football, and I think we are still adapting. There’s still a lot to learn with the way he wants us to play, but I think we will get there soon. He wants to develop me and to keep pushing me, so that I become a better player.
“We are not really too concerned about where we are at the moment in the table and we are just going to crack on. I think we will be fine. We just need to keep working hard and with the way Robbo is guiding us through it all I think we should be able to pick up the points.”
Ryan added that Joe Pigott and the senior lads have helped to make Wimbledon feel like a second home in his first loan spell away from Brighton, a club he joined back in 2012.
“Pigs brings an aspect to the squad that I don’t think anyone else can in the changing room. He brings the spirits up with a bit of banter. He welcomed me into the group, but all the lads have been very welcoming. It has been a good atmosphere here, even during the tough times as well.
“The results have not been going our way recently, but overall, for myself, it has been a really good experience. I have played a lot of minutes, more than I thought I was going to. The people at Brighton have been happy with the amount of minutes I’m playing, and they just want me to keep cracking on. It has already been a long season, but we still have loads of games left, and I’m just looking forward to the rest of it.”