Mark Robinson was in no mood to sugar-coat the proceedings which took place today as his side let victory slip through their fingers.
Headed goals from Jack Rudoni and Luke McCormick had looked to have put the Dons in complete control of a game we dominated for the best part of an hour. Alas it wasn’t to be enough as Tommy Rowe struck a brace in three minutes, thus seeing the lead eradicated with Wimbledon left somewhat shell-shocked.
Naturally our Head Coach was straight to the point and underlined how this cannot be allowed to happen if we are to get back to winning ways.
“Totally unacceptable,” said Robbo. “You need to smell blood – and I don’t want to be disrespectful to them (Doncaster) – but they hadn’t done a thing. When you go 2-0 ahead you have to show in your body language that it’s going to be three, that it’s going to be four, but from their first goal onwards it just wasn’t good enough.
“The first goal can’t happen. I’ve spoken to players about taking control of situations. Once they got that goal, we looked like that side who have been on this run. Mentality comes into it, but we need more if we are to go again and find that extra goal. There wasn’t enough personality, and the players know that it wasn’t acceptable.”
The return of Rudoni was one of the main highlights of the day and he put in a Man of the Match performance. It was capped off by yet another headed goal for the midfielder – an area of his game that Robbo says has been worked on over the years.
“It’s development. Rudi never headed the ball when he was 14, 15, 16 years old and we’ve worked hard with him to make him that player,” he explained.
“I honestly believe in the future he could be a number eight, an attacking midfielder. He’s got that in him, to be that player, once his decision making improves.”
Now attentions turn towards our next game against Wigan Athletic a week today, with Wimbledon still searching for that elusive win. With this in mind Robbo was quick to emphasise that more character is required in order to get the results we need over the line.
“Fundamentally we need some manning up to happen so that we can get that win. Six losses in 15 games isn’t bad, but nine draws is ridiculous. We’ve got to get that winning feeling back for everyone.”
Pic credit: Ian Stephen, Pro Sports Images.