Interview with goalkeeper ahead of Bristol Rovers on Saturday
James Shea showed plenty of determination to come through a testing time in his career and he knows that similar battling qualities will be required if AFC Wimbledon are to bounce back at Bristol Rovers tomorrow.
Having lost his place between the sticks almost a year ago, Shea knuckled down to regain it and he has played all 16 League One games since being recalled for the win at Charlton Athletic in September.
Speaking during an interview for Dons Player, Shea said: “The year did not start too well for me, but thankfully I am back in. I want to keep my place, but I have to keep working hard because I have ‘Macca’ breathing down my neck. ‘Bayzo’ has been absolutely brilliant for me since the start of the season. When I was not starting, he kept me motivated and sharp in training. I owe a lot to him because he has got me to where I am now. There have been some bad days, but thanks to him I am back playing. I am really enjoying it and long may that continue.”
In a good season so far for the Dons at League One level, Boxing Day at Southend was a low point and Shea says that the squad will be giving everything to end 2016 on a high.
“We have to get ourselves back on the go and get ready for Bristol Rovers,” added Shea. “I felt that we lost it in the first 30 minutes at Southend. I thought we did a lot better in the second-half and we gave it a right go, but if you don’t turn up for the first half hour that’s all it takes to lose a game.
“We had a good, tough training session today (Thursday) and hopefully that will stand us in good stead for the weekend. We’ve had setbacks already this season and we have always bounced back strongly. Hopefully, we will do it again on Saturday. Wherever we go, our fans turn up in their numbers and hopefully they will be great for us again this weekend. At home and away, our supporters have been brilliant.”
.Dons PlayerJames Shea’s full interview with WDON commentator Rob Cornell and an update from Neil Cox ahead of the game at Bristol Rovers are both on