Post-match reaction from the Wimbledon manager
Neal Ardley said that victory was the least his side deserved today for a battling performance against York City.
Speaking to Dons Player, Neal admitted it was not the best Wimbledon display in terms of producing quality on the ball, but he believes they were full value for the win that lifts the Dons out of the relegation zone.
The Wimbledon manager said: “I thought we were good today. Not with any fantastic passing quality, but I thought we were the better team. We looked like the team that would carve out opportunities and fair play to the boys because they kept going and going. We do not care how the goals go in. We have good characters in the dressing room now and that is something I felt we lacked earlier in the season.
“I managed to stay quite calm even when they pegged us back because I liked the performance levels and the way that we constantly pushed forward. I thought that we could have been out of sight after the first-half. I did not think they offered any threat, but it was 1-1 at half-time. I had to keep the boys pushing forward in the second-half. I thought we were the most likely to win it, but I had to keep directing the boys to play the right way and take the emotion out of it.”
Neal Ardley confirmed that left-back Chris Hussey missed the match due to illness and goalscorer Brennan Dickenson was substituted due to a hamstring strain after making a superb impact during his hour on the pitch.
“Brennan did very well, he was a threat with his crosses, he has a great left foot, and good pace,” added Neal. “But he started to feel his hamstring tighten so we took him off. Everyone has played a part today, but Rashid Yussuff played very well considering he has been in and out lately.
“I am trying not to look at the league table and what the other teams are doing. We just have to keep worrying about our performances. We have Southend and Aldershot coming up so we have a busy week coming up.”
Dons Player subscribers can watch the full video interview with Neal Ardley on our premium site and an interview with new Wimbledon goalkeeper John Sullivan later this weekend.