Reaction from manager after defeat
Neal Ardley said the manner of Wimbledon’s defeat at Northampton was tough to take as he accused his side of lacking the necessary fight at Sixfields Stadium.
Speaking to Dons Player, Neal sympathised with Wimbledon supporters for having to watch a performance that he admitted was sorely lacking.
“We were second best all over the pitch,” said Neal. “They worked harder than us and wanted it more. I know that will be hard for our travelling fans to take because it’s not the Wimbledon way. It’s not what we should be about. But I can assure our fans that it’s just as hard for me to take.
“I don’t set my team out to play like that and with that sort of mentality. It was really frustrating during the first-half when you are watching that because it was as poor as we have played for a long time. There were so many things to try and change and I cannot tell you how disappointed I am with the performance.”
Neal took no consolation from an improved second-half showing that threatened to turn around a half-time deficit.
“Northampton had bundles of injuries and they had to put out a patched-up team,” added Neal. “It’s a long, hard marathon of a season, but it is a concern when the opposition do what League 2 demands better than you.Their first goal came from something that we work on every day in training. It came from a throw-in and two experienced players who should know how to defend that did not do it."
Neal Ardley confirmed afterwards that Tom Beere missed out on a place in the squad today due to a toe infection and George Oakley was drafted in as a late replacement on the bench.
Dons Player subscribers can now watch the full video interview with Neal Ardley.