Manager's approach pays off for winger
Neal Ardley believes that giving Alfie Potter the freedom to express himself has rejuvenated the winger after his excellent display against Luton Town on Saturday.
Potter told Dons Player that he’s gaining in confidence and fitness after netting his first Wimbledon goal on Saturday and Neal was delighted with his performance.
“When I signed Alfie I knew what I was getting,” said Neal. “I knew he had suffered from a lack of confidence. I watched his last couple of games at Oxford and the fans were getting on his back a bit. You could tell that he was not enjoying it and that he did not have the licence to be the player that he is.
“When you are a wide player you have to take some risks and try and make things happen. Certainly in the first half on Saturday Alfie was full of confidence and full of beans. I said to Alfie after he signed that I would never have a go at him for trying things as long as he worked hard for the team. He was out on his feet at the end of Saturday’s game, but he really enjoyed it. Alfie looked like a quality player.”
Dons Player subscribers can watch Neal Ardley's full seven-minute update ahead of Cambridge on our premium channel, along with an extended interview with James Shea.