Neal Ardley is pleased with the squad options available to him for Rochdale on Saturday – and he says the players must keep believing that results will change.
Speaking during his Thursday update for iFollow, Neal said: "We need to keep the spirit bubbling and it's all about trying to keep the performances at the levels they have been. We've got some good players who it has not quite happened for really. We have to try to keep them feeling good about themselves. We have got good players coming back from injury, as we saw the other day with Darius Charles and Tom Soares. You look at the bench now and it is strong. We just have to try and get that nice feeling that comes with a win and maybe a little unbeaten run for a few games.
"Since the Gillingham game, the performances have all been of a high standard. We've won one, drawn one, and lost two. The two we have lost we feel aggrieved about. We have to try and get our noses in front in a game and give us something to hold onto, something to turn. It will turn and we have to keep believing it will."
Jon Meades is making good progress after starting light training with Sports Scientist Jason Moriarty, but it's too soon for him to be considered for a first-team return.
Neal added that it's still early stages in a marathon season and his players have to keep battling away for points.
"It doesn't matter whether you are playing Blackburn away or Rochdale at home, it is three points for a win," said Neal. "The season is a marathon and we have to keep chipping away. We have to try not to have hard-luck stories. We cannot feel sorry for ourselves and we have to keep going. Every point that we can put on the board will be a good point, but before you know it there are 15 games to go and the points you can get are running out."
Your support will be gratefully appreciated as the Dons go in pursuit of three important points on Saturday. Tickets can be purchased online for the Chemflow End and the RyGas terrace, but they will also be available on the day.
The full update from Neal, with Rob Cornell posing the questions, is now on iFollow. Look out tomorrow for an interview with Darius Charles about his return after long-term injury.