Wimbledon manager's reaction
Neal Ardley said that Wimbledon’s performance against Torquay United was unacceptable and he refused to make any excuses after the defeat.
Though Wimbledon had to do without key midfield man Harry Pell due to illness, Neal pulled no punches with his assessment of his side’s display.
Speaking to Dons Player, Neal said: “It was awful in every possible way. I had 10 players turn up and they did not look like they had any intensity in their games. Torquay were lifted by a new manager, but our performances levels were lower than they have been for a long time. We did not win any of our individual battles and you’re not going to win a football match if that’s the case. We were poor all over the pitch and no matter what team we had out, that is unacceptable.”
Neal revealed that Pell contacted him at 7.30 am this morning to say he was unwell and the Wimbledon believes that he caught a stomach bug that Andy Frampton was suffering from earlier in the week.
Despite those circumstances, Neal was at a loss to explain such a flat performance from his side after the euphoria of last Saturday’s superb victory at Wycombe Wanderers.
“I will take responsibility and I always do,” added Neal. “It is difficult because I don’t know what I could have done differently during the game. I saw players that had been outstanding all season and they looked like they couldn’t play football today. There were a number of things that left me dumbfounded today. When it’s like that, then it is very hard to turn it around. Credit to Torquay because they raised their game for a new manager, but it was poor from us.”
Dons Player subscribers can now watch a video interview and we will feature the thoughts of Chris Arthur on his return tomorrow.