Our number one on Neal Ardley's impact
Seb Brown admitted his pride after being chosen to be AFC Wimbledon captain today and he is relishing the first full week of training under new manager Neal Ardley.
As a boyhood Wimbledon supporter who watched Neal play for the Dons, no one was more privileged to be handed the captain’s armband than Seb for the 2-1 defeat against Cheltenham with stand-in skipper Sammy Moore out injured.
Speaking to Dons Player, Seb said: “It is a real honour to be captain at any time, but especially in the gaffer’s first game. It was a disappointing result and whether it is something that Neal wants to stick with is up to him. I used to watch Neal play and I can remember him often coming along to football in the community programmes. He obviously has his community loyalties, which is a big thing at this club. Neal has gone away after he stopped playing and got his knowledge of the game with his coaching badges and that shows in the way that he comes across. It has not been long enough to implement the ideas he wants to, but all the boys are looking forward to a week’s training to really start working on what he wants to implement.”
Seb admitted he was caught off guard by Cheltenham’s opener from Marlon Pack, but he added that the Dons must not become too reliant on Byron Harrison for goals at the other end.
“I was anticipating the flick-on and so was on the front foot,” Seb said. “As I was trying to get into a set position, he has struck it early and it has gone past Yado, skipped off the surface, and gone in. On another day I would have got enough of a touch to stop it going in.
“We had chances to have got something out of the game today. Jack Midson had a chance, but their goalkeeper made a great save. Byron has really stepped up his game this season and he is a totally different player from what we saw at the end of last season. His goal record has been brilliant and it shows if he gets the service, then he will put them away. It is a case of us being a bit more ruthless in front of goal. I think Terry Brown used to say we cannot rely on Jack, but now we cannot keep relying on Byron. Once everyone starts firing on all cylinders and we start getting goals from other areas, then we will be alright.”
The full video interview with Seb can be viewed on Dons Player.