Rising talents have set the standard says coach
Alan Reeves says that AFC Wimbledon’s young talents have set a high standard for future performances this season after an impressive Final Third Development League win at Cambridge.
came thanks to an overall team performance that promised so much for the rest of the league campaign and development of players moving forward.4-0 winThough Ade Azeez stole the show yesterday with a swashbuckling forward display, a
Speaking during an interview for Dons Player, Alan Reeves said: “Overall, I thought the boys were different class. The work ethic was unbelievable. The front two (Ade and George Oakley) ran in behind a lot and we had chance after chance. We did well all over the park from the lads at the back to the forwards. Tom Beere and Dan Gallagher in midfield were playing some great balls through.
“Ade probably had seven chances and scored two of those. Fair play to Ade in that he kept going and he does not get disappointed after missing. He was a constant threat.
“Everyone wants to win football matches, but it is not the be all and end all. There were a lot of positives. We had things we wanted to brush up on during pre-season and I said to the boys afterwards that they have now set the bar quite high. I am going to keep demanding those levels and similar performances week after week.”
AFC Wimbledon’s youngsters will face a stern test in their next match with a game against a Premier League club’s development set-up scheduled for Tuesday, 8 September at AFC Bournemouth.
“Bournemouth have a big squad because they are now in the Premier League and it will be a difficult game,” Alan added. “But we beat Bournemouth twice last season and we will go there confident again.
“I have purposely not arranged a game for next week because it is the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy (versus Plymouth) and I am hoping a few of the lads might be involved.
“Under-18 players will get their chances for my team and five of them were on the bench (against Cambridge). They have seen the work-rate that I demand in the Under-21s. You have to earn the right to play. I demand 100 per cent every week from the team and the lads are giving me that. When the Under-18s step-up I will expect that as well.”
The interview with Alan Reeves featured on Dons Player this morning.