Aron Sasu is keen to payback his manager with more goals after the work invested in him resulted in his first senior one at Fratton Park.
The young forward intercepted and cut in from the wing to score our first goal of the night early on, as we dispatched League One leaders Portsmouth 5-2 on their patch, to help set up a New Year meeting at home to Oxford United in the last sixteen of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy.
“He keeps giving me opportunities and we’ve had a good performance here tonight, so it’s paid off a bit for both of us,” said Aron afterwards.
You can listen to everything Aron had to say below.
“The manager keeps giving me opportunities and I’m just trying to take them as much as I can. I’ve now got my first goal, so that gives me more confidence. Hopefully it’s given him something to think about too. He keeps backing me and that’s all I can ask for from my gaffer.
“I haven’t really changed anything I’ve been doing - the way that I’ve been playing and training - it hadn’t been coming, but this evening it has. The process and the mindset that I’ve had is what has got me the opportunities.
“The gaffer has seen the things that I’ve been doing on and off the pitch and he still has faith in me. I think I’ve just got to keep doing what I’ve been doing, and more goals will come – I’m sure.”
Eligible for Norway, that was Croydon-born Aron’s eighteenth appearance of the season for the Dons last night - on a memorable occasion where squad members stepped up to keep our impressive campaign rolling.
“it had been a while coming, but it was good to finally get my first and get through to the next round,” said Aron. “It was a great performance from the team and we’re happy all round.
“We came into this game knowing the ability that the team has and with the form that we’ve been in recently, we’ve put another good performance together. Everyone is buzzing and pleased, but now we’ve got to go and do it again – at Crawley in the league on Friday night.
“Charlie Lakin gave an amazing performance, I think, personally. There’s a lot of competition in the team which is great – all pushing each other. Whenever people get opportunities they’re performing – like you saw tonight. It’s also good that we have that team ethic for all of us to go and push each other.”
On an evening of firsts – it was also vice-captain Alex Pearce’s first competitive goal in Wimbledon colours.
“I loved his celebration to be honest!” said Aron. “It summed him up – just enjoying the moment. You saw it from the celebration!
“Harry Pell had the composure to find the net for our fourth at a vital time and it was another great celebration too. With five different goal scorers it showed that everyone is playing their part for the team.
“Ali can’t stop scoring! He’s a great player and it summed him up that he came on for just a few minutes and got a goal.”
Photos: Graham Hunt (Pro Sports Images).