Left-back earns high praise after Luton run-out
Callum Kennedy’s display at Luton yesterday was hailed as “outstanding” by Alan Reeves and the left-back believes he’s ready to step forward if required for first-team action on Sunday.
Kennedy, who was Wimbledon’s senior player at the age of 25 in the development match at Kenilworth Road, was deployed in a more advanced left-sided role by coach Reeves.
It was a match played at a frenetic pace for a game of this nature and Kennedy believes the work-out has put him in good shape if he’s involved at Wycombe.
Speaking to Rob Cornell during an interview for Dons Player, Kennedy said: “On a personal level it was good to get 90 minutes under my belt. It was a game that felt like it was played at 100 miles per hour as everyone involved had the bit between their teeth. It did not feel like a reserve game and it was exactly what I needed to get some match fitness.
“Nothing changes for me because I will prepare for Sunday in exactly the same way as I have for every game. If I get a game then I will be over the moon to play and I will do my best. Hopefully, it’s not a bad injury for Jack Smith, but if I get a chance then I will take it.
“I just want to enjoy my football and I like getting forward to put balls into the box. It was a little bit strange not supporting the play and being the one to take the ball forward, but I enjoyed it.”
Kennedy saluted Wimbledon’s young defence for their performances in the 1-1 draw at Luton with 17-year-olds Ryan Sweeney, Callum Wilson and Ben Harrison coping admirably alongside 19-year-old Will Nightingale.
“Luton had a very strong team out in terms of senior players and professionals,” added Kennedy. “But I was very impressed with our young lads at the back. Ryan and Will were commanding at the back in terms of winning their headers and we obviously know that Ben is a very good player. Callum also did well and I think he only found out on the day that he was playing.
“Alan Reeves afterwards said that they could have been a bit higher up the pitch in the second-half, but that’s more about experience than anything else as they dropped deeper because we were under pressure. They were up against good players and I thought our young lads handled themselves well. If it had not been for a wonder goal near the end then we could have won it.”
The full interview with Callum Kennedy appeared on Dons Player yesterday, along with post-match reaction from Alan Reeves.