Post-match reaction from the boss
Neal Ardley saluted Steven Gregory’s impact at Wimbledon after the end of his three-month loan spell from AFC Bournemouth.
His final game since re-joining the Dons may not have ended the way he would have wanted with today’s 1-0 defeat against Rotherham, but Steven has undoubtedly been a success during his second spell at the club.
Speaking to Dons Player, Neal Ardley said: “Steven has done really well and been our captain since I have been here. Whether we will be able to get him back in January is another matter as there will be a few clubs interested in him. But he has been a great servant for us and whatever happens, we certainly wish him well.”
In his post-match press conference, the Wimbledon manager admitted that his side lacked quality at times in the final third, though he could not fault his side’s effort.
“I do not want to talk about good performances too much because it is disappointing when you lose,” he added. “We did say to the boys that whatever happens, you have to come off the pitch having given everything so that the fans can go home and say that they were proud of the way that the team played. Yes, we lacked quality in certain areas and we could have been better with our final balls, but every player gave their all out there.
“I watched the DVD of Rotherham in their match against Gillingham and they could have won by six so for us to give a performance like this was pleasing. When I say that I am trying to make us harder to beat, it is maybe not working. I do not remember Neil Sullivan having much to do and he only had two or three saves to make against Barnet. I would like to think there is progress though in our teamwork and the way that we are playing.”
Neal Ardley admitted that the club’s medical team are struggling to get to the bottom of Byron Harrison’s back injury after the results of a scan proved inconclusive and Charlie Strutton missed Rotherham due to a knee injury.
Dons Player subscribers can now view the full video interview with Neal Ardley.