Striker says he's fighting fit ahead of Oxford
Bayo Akinfenwa believes he is in great shape to help deliver a strong finish to 2014/15 for AFC Wimbledon.
Bayo reckons he has confounded those who doubted he could play 90 minutes on a regular basis and the striker is determined to end the season with a flourish, starting against Oxford tomorrow.
this season and he is still feeling strong. At the age of 32, Bayo has featured in 47 out of 49 matches in all competitions for AFC Wimbledon
Speaking to Rob Cornell during an interview for Dons Player, Bayo said: “I just want to help the team, whether that is scoring goals, assists or contributing in a positive way during general play. I feel that I have done that for most of this season, apart from a blip around December time when I felt my energy levels and performance was not up to par. I feel stronger and fitter than I have previously. I am playing 90 minutes regularly and it’s not about just getting through it.
“I am feeling good personally, but I know that the team are too. The play-offs are out of reach, but we will keep going until the bitter end on 2 May. Then we can have a break. This season has been pretty decent, but we don’t want to have a bad end to it in the last five games. We will keep working hard for everyone affiliated to the club.”
Bayo appealed to Wimbledon supporters to stick with the team after the disappointment of their heaviest defeat of 2014/15 at Dagenham – and he says the players have been left in no uncertain terms by manager Neal Ardley about what is required.
“Training has been vigorous and intense,” Bayo added. “The manager came in and told us that he is not settling for any end of season blues and that we are not on holiday mode. I am looking forward to Saturday. I do not want to jinx our home form, but I think we are a match for any team that comes to our place. We have shown that this season. We will take it game by game, but Oxford better believe that they will be in for a game. As long as we keep playing the way we have been at home then we can get the three points.
“Anybody who attended Monday’s game could not believe it was 4-0, but it is all about both boxes. We never scored and did not defend well enough in our own box. We are hurting after that and we want to put it right on Saturday against Oxford.
“I am not trying to be clichéd, but our fans have been tremendous this season. The fans are so important, we feed off their support, and they have to keep going with us. We were disappointed with the result on Monday for the 800 fans who travelled to watch us and we will strive to finish the season as strong as possible.”
The full interview with Bayo Akinfenwa is now on Dons Player, along with Neal Ardley’s update ahead of Oxford.
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