Popular midfielder renews acquaintances with League One
Midfielder Jake Reeves goes into tomorrow’s big kick-off at Banks’s Stadium against Walsall buoyed by promotion and a new contract.
“Preparation has been going well,” said Reeves in an interview to Dons Player. “Pre-season we got out of it what we needed. Teams have been mixed and matched and last week we had four games which was hard for the manager to rotate around, but I think everyone is on the same page and all the new boys are bedding in well.”
The popular player in the middle of the park is aware of the strong competition for places with manager Neal Ardley having brought in Dean Parrett from Stevenage to battle with Reeves, Dannie Bulman and Tom Beere for places.
“He’s doing really well,” added Reeves. “There’s things he needs to understand as obviously Neal Ardley is different from what other managers want, but everyone’s got different qualities so whoever the gaffer chooses I’m sure they’ll do a good job.”
The Dons worked on a diamond formation last weekend in their final build-up win at Dagenham and Redbridge and Reeves, pictured scoring a memorable injury time winner against York last March, can see progress being made
“It’s been going alright. We played it in certain games last season, but it’s a different squad now and the new players have got to try and learn how we play it and that’s probably why the gaffer has used it so we can switch. It’s gone quite well.”
Reeves isn’t unaccustomed to life in League One, having helped Brentford win automatic promotion in season 2013/14.
“It’s unknown territory for the club as a whole, but in terms of the players I don’t think it is. Some of the players have been here, coaching staff have played higher, so it won’t be a shock to the system that much, maybe for the fans going to different places, but for the players it should be fine. There’s a lot of players that have played at this level.”
“I’m looking forward to the London derbies with Charlton Athletic and Millwall. Sheffield United is a lovely place to go and play football and obviously Bolton Wanderers are in this league now so they’ll be the ones everyone will look out for.”
The 23 year-old also welcomed the two latest additions to the squad this week – left-back Sean Kelly and forward Tyrone Barnett.
“Tyrone has only been with us a few days and he looks sharp and he looks like he’s had a good pre-season, but he’ll need time so we need to bear with him and let him understand how we play. Sean is a class act and he’s going to be good competition throughout the year at left-back.”
“Personally this season I want to do as well as I can and chip in with a couple of goals and a couple more assists, but ultimately carry on playing and winning games and helping the team. For the squad, we’d like to finish as high as we possibly can and that’s what we’re aiming to do.”
The full interview with Jake Reeves ahead of our trip to Walsall, in which he talks more about signing his new deal with the Dons, is available to Dons Player subscribers.