Simon salutes Rashid after Plymouth win
Simon Bassey saluted Rashid Yussuff after his match-winning display at Plymouth yesterday.
There may have been a touch of fortune about Rashid’s deflected late winner, but it was perhaps just reward for an impressive performance from the midfielder that fully indicated his inclusion in the side.
Speaking to Dons Player, Simon Bassey was full of praise for Rashid’s display and our caretaker manager says he has tweaked Wimbledon’s approach since being placed in temporary charge.
“Rashid is a really intelligent guy,” said Simon. “He is really good technically and he gets in good areas. I watched a DVD of Plymouth and they tend to sit a bit deep so I went for ‘Toks’ instead of Christian Jolley. Rashid has a lot of craft and guile and I thought he had an excellent game.
“I have tried to get us on the front foot a bit more and playing further up the pitch in the opposition half, rather than dropping deep in our own half. The front six we had today with Luke Moore, Sammy Moore, Steven Gregory, Rashid, Jack Midson and Byron Harrison are a fantastic six to have going forward. If you get the ball into them then they will create chances and score goals. I thought that we played fantastic stuff at times in the first-half. We could have gone in at half-time in a more positive position than 1-0, but in the second-half I did not think we played well at all. We isolated our forwards too much and we did not take the extra pass on when it was there. We worked our socks off though. I thought the penalty was harsh and maybe we had a bit of luck at the end with Rashid’s deflected goal. Overall though, I thought we thoroughly deserved the win.”
Simon Bassey added that he could not have asked for more from his players during the four matches that he has been in charge.
“We have taken six points out of 12 and that is not too bad,” Simon said. “I thought that we should have got more if I am honest, but if that was my last game in charge, then I have enjoyed every minute of it. Whatever happens from here I will continue to give my best for the club. The response I have had from the boys has been fantastic and I have not have asked for anything more from them. They are a cracking group, they are all young players and they worked really hard today. They will be better after that performance today.”
The full video interview with Simon can be viewed on Dons Player and we will also feature an interview with stand-in captain Sammy Moore later today.