Experienced players are leading Dons the right way

MK Dons midfielder Darren Potter discusses tactics with MK Dons defender Dean Lewington during the Sky Bet Championship match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Milton Keynes Dons at the American Express Community Stadium, Brighton and Hove, England on 7 November 2015. Photo by Bennett Dean. PSI-1119-0060

Dons' experienced heads aren't shying away from responsibility, insists Karl Robinson.

Saturday’s lackluster and drab performance against Bristol City lacked desire, passion and leadership as Dons crashed to a 2-0 defeat at home.

While captain Dean Lewington has been seen to vocalise his displeasure towards match officials, he isn’t often seen barking out orders to those on his team in a way the likes of Roy Keane or Tony Adams would.

According to the manager, Lewington, along with experienced heads Darren Potter and Nicky Maynard, do more of their speaking in the dressing room rather than out in full view of the fans.

MK Dons defender George Baldock, MK Dons midfielder Darren Potter and Derby County striker Chris Martin during the Sky Bet Championship match between Derby County and Milton Keynes Dons at the iPro Stadium, Derby, England on 13 February 2016. Photo by Jon Hobley. PSI-1557-0017

While Robinson admits there isn’t a strong sense of on-field leadership, as there was when first team coach Keith Andrews skippered Dons, he feels his side have the right sense of direction.

“There’s not Keith Andrews leadership. It’s what we’ve been used to in years gone by,” he said. “If you speak to Jake Forster-Caskey, or Dele Alli or Samir Carruthers, they’ll tell you Darren Potter has a go at them all the time to get them going.

“Or the captain puts his arm around them and speaks to them, driving them on. We have a lot of leadership, but we don’t have the visual leader.

“I don’t want bullies. The young players have to be taught in a different way. The way Darren Potter, Dean Lewington and Nicky Maynard go about their business is in a much quieter way. They offer constructive criticism. There are different types of leaders.

Milton Keynes Dons defender Dean Lewington (3) during the Sky Bet Championship match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Milton Keynes Dons at the American Express Community Stadium, Brighton and Hove, England on 7 November 2015. PSI-1118-0070

“Your boss might be a motivator, an educator, someone who cares or someone who bullies. Different traits get the best out of different people at different times. You want someone who cares, not just someone who looks like a leader.”