Robinson set for summer overhaul

MK Dons manager Karl Robinson accused some of his players of a lack of effort following their 1-0 defeat at Port Vale.

The visitors' failed to build on a bright first-half display when Izale McLeod and Matt Kennedy had struck the woodwork. Vale showed more gusto for the battle and secured their fourth straight home victory with a goal by substitute Jordan Hugill. Robinson's side were lacklustre in the second-half and the disappointed manager pulled no punches afterwards. He said: "I was disappointed with the effort of some of the players. "If they are upset with what I say, then that's tough because it's the truth. "The ones who did work hard will know who they are, but the ones who didn't should also realise they didn't do enough. "We started quite brightly, but we didn't put our chances away and our second-half performance was way short. "My standards demand a lot more effort than what we showed. "Some of those players are on trial and there will be an awful lot of rebuilding in the summer. "We've recruited poorly and in small numbers this season and that has to be put right. "We've got a lot of young players and we need some experienced professionals who have been there and done it. "It's going to be a busy time and I'm looking forward to it. There is a lot of work to do." MK Dons dominated the opening stages and McLeod cracked an 18-yard shot against the woodwork in the 11th minute. But Vale improved as Ben Williamson caused problems and Hugill squandered a gilt-edged chance. Hugill came on in the 30th minute after Tom Pope was stretchered off with an ankle injury. MK Dons striker Sanmin Odelusi suffered a head injury in the same incident and was replaced by Brendan Galloway. Kennedy rattled the woodwork when his 37th-minute strike struck the crossbar, then Vale's Carl Dickinson did likewise with a looped shot at the other end. The goal came two minutes after the break when Hugill capitalised on a terrible mix-up between Dons' goalkeeper David Martin and defender Alan Smith. Billy Knott lofted a pass down the middle and Hugill got between Martin and Smith to chest the ball down and roll it into an empty net. The visitors did not do enough to earn a point in a far less eventful second-half, although Vale goalkeeper Sam Johnson made one fine save from Daniel Powell.