Post-match reaction from the Wimbledon manager
Neal Ardley said that today’s last-gasp victory against Bradford City could be “massive” for Wimbledon in their battle for League 2 survival.
The Wimbledon manager had spent all week building up his players’ confidence for this match and he believes the manner of his side’s dramatic victory may provide a turning point in their season.
Speaking to Dons Player, Neal Ardley said: “That is a massive win for us as it gives us that belief that we can go and achieve what we want. We talked about positivity all week and trying to show a lot of character. The mentally strong teams will be the ones who survive in this battle and I thought the character that the boys showed was phenomenal – I am proud of them.
“Football is a cruel game and it can knock you straight back down in three days’ time. We have to prepare well, have another go at it, and hopefully produce another good performance on Tuesday against Northampton.”
Neal Ardley added that the dramatic events of the second-half had taken it out of him – and he paid tribute to the impact of his substitutes in turning it around.
“I did not stop encouraging the players and I am bit hoarse now,” he said. “I kept trying to push the players forward from the sidelines to make them believe they could get a goal. I had a bit of a headache afterwards as I had put my heart and soul into the game. I think the positivity from all of us paid off because we kept going until the end.
“I think all the boys who came on did really well. Kevin Sainte-Luce is not quite fit enough to start matches, but he showed in glimpses what he can do. Pim Balkestein was very solid at the back when he came on and Jack Midson did very well. I was very pleased with all three substitutes and they added to a performance of real character from the team.”
Dons Player subscribers can now watch the full video interview with Neal Ardley on our premium site.