Martin Allen believes supporters do not see beyond Sam Muggleton’s long throw when they assess the impact of the Barnet defender, insisting that although he respects supporters' right to express an opinion, he cannot take them on board.

Muggleton, 19, followed Allen on loan from Gillingham when he was appointed in March 2014 and made the move permanent the following summer.

The Melton Mowbray born full-back has made 25 appearances for the Bees since, with 16 of those coming as a substitute.

On Saturday Allen once again turned to Muggleton for his long throw as Barnet tried in vain to unlock a stubborn Wimbledon defence.

The decision drew vocal criticism from the Bees’ 500-strong travelling support and has since on social media.

Allen said: “Because he’s got a long throw on people only see that. He’s only 19, he’s improving constantly and I never have a problem with him.

“He gives us something different when we can’t get past people, he can bypass that.

“He’s down here living in a flat on his own and he’s become better as a player.

"People need to remember that in one of our biggest games of last season, away at Eastleigh, I played him from the start and I doubt many people would say how well he did that day [even though he did].

“He may not always be pretty on the eye but he offers something we haven’t otherwise got.”

A section of Bees supporters made their feelings about Muggleton’s 74th-minute introduction on Saturday clear but Allen insists those who made the journey to Kingsmeadow had every right to voice an opinion – regardless of whether he agrees with it or not.

“Each and every supporters that’s paid their hard-earned money to watch us is entitled to their opinion,” said Allen. “That’s what being a football supporter is about.

“If you can’t handle that, don’t do the job – it is part and parcel of the job and I’ve had it all my life, right from when I was eight years old.

“It was something I was trained to deal with by my dad. I would shout and kick everybody as the smallest player on the pitch. And I would be kicked, shouted at and spat on back – and that was just by the parents.

“It is up to us to deal with it.”

Muggleton has drawn particularly stern criticism on the prominent Barnet forum, Only Barnet, but Allen says whilst he respects the views of those who pay to follow the club, he cannot take them on board too.

“I can’t get into all that,” he said. “I can’t and won’t comment on what people think or say.

“I’ve got a first team coach (Gary Waddock) who’s a UEFA A Licence holder, Graham Stack has a UEFA A Licence, I’ve got an Under-21 coach (Ross Eames) who’s about to go on his A Licence course and I’ve got a UEFA Pro Licence.

“Gary Waddock is a former international, Ross Eames got his team to a title last year and I’ve got enough years of experience and titles under my belt [to not need the opinion of others].

“We’ve got enough good people to discuss these things with and I value all their opinions.

“I would be bonkers if I listened to all the fans and read all the papers. They don’t see the players train and don’t know what their lives are like behind the scenes.

“I don’t read all that stuff because you’d go to bed with a Neurofen every night and wake up in a cold sweat unable to sleep.”