Manager says opposition provide good example
Neal Ardley is full of admiration for the success of Exeter City’s youth policy – and he says it is an example for his own club to follow.
The Dons host another fans-owned club tomorrow with visiting manager Paul Tisdale having sustained Exeter as a force in League 2 on a tight budget, thanks to an ability to keep bringing players through.
Speaking during an interview for Dons Player, Neal Ardley said: “Exeter have been in League 1 as well in the past and Paul has done a great job there. They have had difficulties with transfers and stuff in the last couple of seasons, but 10 years’ worth of work on their youth set-up has paid dividends. A lot of their players over the years have gone into the first-team squad.
“It is what a club like that should be and a club like ours too. Full credit to them for that. This season they have strengthened and brought in one or two good players. They are stronger like many teams in this league.”
With 10 goals scored in matches between Wimbledon and Exeter City last season, it could be another entertaining affair tomorrow. Neal added that the attacking style deployed by manager Tisdale always makes them a difficult proposition.
“In my two-and-a-half years of running battles with Paul we seem to have had the upper hand at home, but they have had the better of it at their place. The one thing I have experienced against them is that they will always create chances. They are very good going forward and I never feel comfortable when we are playing against them.
“On the flip side, we always create chances at the other end, hence the entertaining games. I would much rather us be more sure at the back than in previous encounters, but Exeter are good enough to make that difficult to do.”
bulletin yesterday, Tom Elliott and Lyle Taylor have shrugged off knocks to be in contention, but Dannie Bulman is doubtful.Team NewsAs we mentioned in our
Dons Player subscribers can watch 10-minutes worth of interviews on our premium channel with Neal Ardley and Bayo Akinfenwa looking ahead to the Exeter game.