Manager interviewed ahead of game against Southend
Neal Ardley is demanding an all-action display from his players against promotion-chasers Southend United tomorrow.
Phil Brown’s side visit the Cherry Red Records Stadium occupying the final play-off place in League One, but Wimbledon have lost just once in seven matches.
Speaking during an interview for Dons Player, Neal said: “Southend are typical of Phil Brown’s teams. They are very well organised, they have got good players. At their place on Boxing Day their tempo was too good for us. They played at a tempo and we didn’t. It was not until the second-half that we woke up and it was too late then. They are very good at set plays and long throws, but that is not all they have in their locker.
“They are a big, athletic team, but they’ve got good players and they have recruited well. When you put all of that together, it will give you a team in and around the top-six. We need to turn up with our A game and the players have been told that. We need to have a real energy about us, otherwise it will be a really difficult afternoon.”
Neal added that a ‘breather’ without a midweek game has served the players well ahead of another busy spell and he believes his squad is in good shape.
“We’ve planned the whole week ahead and it’s good to get back playing again,” said Neal. “Last week was a decent one and we want to try and continue that. It was good to give the boys a breather, but we have two home games coming up now and our form at home has not been too bad. We will do our best against a team in the play-offs. They have something to play for and I think the atmosphere will be good.
“The players are in a good place. Physically they are okay and we have a good enough squad. I feel that we could change four or five players and still get a similar level of performance. That is a nice place to be in, but we are playing against a play-off chasing team and it’s going to be a tough one.”
During Neal’s interview, our manager also talked about having one eye on next season and making plans to progress the club further. Dons Player subscribers can view the video via the link above.