Dons striker in upbeat mood ahead of Exeter City
Bayo Akinfenwa is convinced that hard work on the training pitch will pay off and Wimbledon will soon start climbing the League 2 table.
The Dons host Exeter City tomorrow bidding for a first home win of 2015/16 with all of Wimbledon’s four points so far having been earned away from the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
Speaking during an interview for Dons Player, Bayo said: “We have to try and find that balance, but I have no doubt that we will. We have a very good squad here with strength in depth. We have some new players and we started the season with one formation, which we worked on during pre-season. Now we have changed it and that will take time. Nothing happens overnight, but we have very good players, great team spirit, and a good manager and coaching staff.
“We just need everyone to believe in what we are doing and we will get it right. The manager is meticulous in his training sessions. The manager has said that we need to be better at set-pieces because we have conceded quite a few goals from them this season. We have done a double session on set pieces. We are not taking it as a punishment and we just need to get better collectively as a team.”
Bayo started on the bench at Carlisle on Saturday and he accepts that players these days have to accept that it is a squad game. During the interview with WDON’s Rob Cornell, Bayo had high praise for 21-year-old striker Ade Azeez – and he believes his team-mate has a big future.
“I have been very impressed with Ade since he first came in last summer,” added Bayo. “If I had his pace I would be a scary individual! The boy is quick. Training with him every day you can see the confidence that is coming into his game. I think he needs to be a little bit more arrogant. His hold-up play is coming good and maybe he is watching me!
“As a striker it is hard to show what you can do with 20 minutes here and there. He just needs a run of games. Ade is young, but he has the potential and desire to go all the way. I tip him for big things and hopefully if he keeps putting in the hard work he will get his rewards.
“Any player who says he wants to start on the bench is lying, but there are only 11 players who can start. ‘Bayzo’ says that the team starts the game and the squad finishes it, which sums it up. You just have to take it on the chin if you are not playing and keep going. Collective effort is the key because we will succeed together.”
The full interview with Bayo Akinfenwa is on Dons Player, along with Neal Ardley’s full update ahead of Exeter City.