Interview with Stacy Long on his return after injury
Stacy Long says he is determined to recapture his best form under new manager Neal Ardley after returning from injury.
The summer signing from Stevenage put a three-week lay-off with a foot injury behind him with a 30-minute substitute appearance in Neal Ardley’s first match against Cheltenham on Saturday.
And the 27-year-old told Dons Player that he will relish a chance to prove himself to our new management team if selected at Fleetwood tomorrow.
“I was frustrated to come off at Wycombe as we were playing decent football at the time,” he said. “We were worried that it might have been a fracture to my foot at first, but fortunately, it was just bad bruising. Mike Rayner and the physio staff have done well to get me back so soon.
“When a new manager comes in during the season, it is difficult to adjust, but I think he has been very clever by making little adjustments. I am sure that in the weeks and months to come we will develop more to how Neal Ardley wants to do it. It is great that the manager wants more from you. That is the best thing for me to improve as a player. Even if you think you are playing at a good level, then you want to push yourself and get better.
“The lads have dealt with the changes really well. ‘Bass’ did fantastic and all the lads gave everything for him and he is still with us so we still have respect for him. The new manager got our respect straight away.”
Despite the Dons currently occupying a position near the foot of League 2, Stacy says confidence in the camp is high.
“It is obvious that we are all together,” he added. “I think that is a really big point, it is important that we have that and it is something for us to build on. They (Fleetwood) are a good side, but I think that we can play some great football and if we play to our potential then we believe we can beat anybody in this league.”
The full video interview with Stacy can be viewed on Dons Player.