Striker puts the team first in pursuit of glory
Tom Elliott said it’s a “great feeling” to be playing his part in a squad full of confidence after five successive wins and he is not concerned by his own lack of goals recently.
The towering striker was yesterday described as the “battering ram” up front by captain Barry Fuller with Elliott acting as a foil for strike partner Lyle Taylor to strike the killer blows.
Speaking during an interview for Dons Player, Elliott said he’s delighted to be doing his bit for a squad that has developed much more belief since the start of this season.
“We are just going out there full of confidence,” Elliott said. “Earlier in the season we were not really believing in ourselves a lot, but now we are going out there and being ruthless. We are getting those clean sheets, scoring goals, and I think we have that bit of arrogance now. Everyone doubted us, but now people are talking about us. We are still going to stay level-headed though and keep going because that’s what the manager has drilled into us.
“There is a buzz around the place and everyone can see that on the pitch. Every time we go out there we are all as one as a team. The coaching staff and the fans are supporting us in every game and it’s just a great feeling to be out there. We are all buzzing.
“Earlier in the season we were conceding set-pieces and leaking goals, but that’s not happening now. Darius Charles is an experienced player and so too is Paul Robinson. Callum Kennedy came in for Jon Meades and did well and Barry Fuller is probably the best one-on-one defender in the league. It’s a great back four with lots of experience. If we keep clean sheets we know we will be a threat and score goals.”
Despite not scoring since the end of January, Elliott has been integral to Wimbledon’s play-off push and he will continue to sacrifice personal glory for the team.
“My shot (for the winning goal) got blocked and Lyle is always there as a goal poacher,” Elliott added. “I love playing with him, but we have five good strikers and so much firepower on the bench. We have Bayo, Ade and Rhys Murphy, who can all come off the bench, and also Sean Rigg too. We have a really good squad and the manager has a selection headache.
“I know I have to keep working hard for the team and it will fall for me, hopefully it will be 1-0 in the play-off final with a winner from Tom Elliott! I don’t care who scores as long as we achieve our aim. Hopefully we will get there, but we have to keep working hard and seal a play-off place first.”
.Dons PlayerTom Elliott’s full interview with Rob Cornell posing the questions is now on
Interviews with Barry Fuller, Neal Ardley and extended highlights of the win against Leyton Orient are now also on our premium channel.