Dons favourite eager to stake his claim
Sammy Moore admits he has a big battle on his hands to win back his first-team place in the Wimbledon midfield.
Speaking to Rob Cornell on Dons Player after he returned to full training yesterday, Wimbledon’s 2011/12 player of the season has endured a difficult campaign this time around after suffering a broken leg at Fleetwood in October.
And with Neal Ardley having signed central midfielder Peter Sweeney yesterday, Sammy (pictured above after scoring the winner at Wycombe in September) is determined to stake his claim as soon as possible.
“We have got some good players and I have got to work my way back into the team,” he said. “I will be training really hard, staying behind after training and trying to work on the things I need to improve upon to get myself into the team. We have a new signing, who looked decent in training, and Stacy has scored important goals lately. That is healthy competition in there and everyone has to want to put on that Wimbledon shirt.
“When I put that shirt on it means a lot to me. I love this club and I want it to do well. I am not here to sit on the bench and to make the numbers up. The supporters have been brilliant to me since I have been here and I want to repay them for that. When I get my chance I will make sure that I take it. I have been sitting at home having weekends off and I am itching to get back playing again.”
The 25-year-old believes manager Neal Ardley will guide Wimbledon up the table during 2013 after strengthening his squad during January.
“I think the gaffer is going to add a few players and if we can all gel together and work hard as a team then we can get up the table,” he added. “We have had two great wins and the place is buzzing now. There is no reason why we cannot kick on and improve. Looking at the teams we have played already this season, they are no better than us. We have just given away sloppy goals at the wrong times. If we keep doing the right things, which we are now doing at the moment, then we can move in the right direction.”
The full video interview with Sammy Moore can be viewed on Dons Player.