Manager wants fans to be proud of achievements
Neal Ardley said he is determined to engineer a finish to the season that will make AFC Wimbledon supporters proud.
Speaking after defeat against League One leaders Sheffield United, Neal said: “We have got to set targets for the rest of the season. The play-offs might be too far, but we also have to look below us and make sure that we get to the points total we need. The games start coming on Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday, and we have to make sure we are ready for that. Before you know it, you could be four games in, and you have not done what you wanted to do.
“My job is to set the tone for the week as a leader. The players also have to take responsibility and motivate themselves now so that we reach the targets we want. We want our fans to look back and say, ‘it has been a really good season and we are really proud of how far we have come’. That has to be our aim.”
Midfielder Tom Soares made his Wimbledon debut at Bramall Lane and Neal believes there will be much more to come from him after a game when it was tough to show his best.
“I thought he did as well as he could,” added Neal. “It was a really tough one; he was never going to be able to shine and do the things he wanted to do. Too many players did not play well and they were too good for us. Ultimately, Tom had to dig in and do his best for the team, and that’s what he did. He will dust himself down and hopefully it will be a better performance from everyone next time.”