Kennedy, Mohamed and Neal's interview on You Tube
Callum Kennedy says that AFC Wimbledon will have to draw on all the resilience and resolve that earned a clean sheet in their last match when they take on Southend United tomorrow.
The left-back (pictured above) is under no illusions that it will be a tough task against a Southend side flying high in League 2 and Wimbledon will need to nullify the threat of towering striker Barry Corr, who Callum previously played with at Swindon Town.
Speaking to Rob Cornell on Dons Player, Callum said: “As a defender, it’s all about clean sheets and it was a brilliant feeling last time out to keep it at 0-0 against Mansfield because we had a bit of a makeshift back four. They were a big side who played direct football and we had to win the ball a lot in and around our box. But we dealt with that really well and we can take a lot from that.
“We know it will be a tough game tomorrow because Southend are flying at the moment. I know a couple of their players, including Barry Corr, who is a good striker. We will have our work cut out, but we are confident going into it. It was unfortunate that our game was called off on Saturday, but as soon as that decision was made we started focusing on the next game and we’re looking forward to it.”
Southend United are seventh in League 2 after a fine start for Phil Brown in his first full season in charge and they are currently seven points above Wimbledon in the table. The Dons ended their miserable run against Southend in emphatic style in March with a 3-1 win at Roots Hall in March.
.Dons You TubeThat was a night when it really all came together for Wimbledon in their fight to stay in League 2, but Neal Ardley is expecting a much tougher match tomorrow. A video interview about Neal's thoughts on tomorrow's Southend challenge is now available by clicking on
“That was a very good performance,” said Neal. “Kevin Sainte-Luce started the game and he gave their full-back a tough time. The most pleasing thing for me is that it showed we had made strides from three months earlier (4-0 home defeat to Southend) with a team that we had put together during the second half of the season.
“There was not much to play for when Phil Brown took over at the end of last season and I think he spent time looking at what he had. Now he has turned it into his own team and I’m sure they will be there or thereabouts this season.”
Kaid Mohamed told Dons Player that he’s determined to make the most of his AFC Wimbledon return and the winger would love to prolong his stay with the Dons when his current loan spell from Port Vale expires on 4 January.
“I am playing regularly and enjoying working with the manager here so it is going really well,” Kaid said. “I have spoken to my agent a couple of times, but I’m just focusing on playing for AFC Wimbledon and trying to do well here. My target is to help Wimbledon push on and if the option (of staying) is available then definitely.
“Southend will be tough, but our home record is decent and after a good week of training hopefully we will go into the game flying.”
.match arrangementsTickets are still left for this match. If you missed our earlier update, please click on
Dons Player subscribers can watch the full video interviews with Neal Ardley, Kaid Mohamed and Callum Kennedy on our premium site.