Luke O’Neill’s latest expert delivery conjured up a vital goal at Swindon last weekend – and led to him being dubbed ‘The Mail Man’ by team-mates!
Since joining us in the summer of 2019, Luke has earned a reputation for delivering the goods for others to score, and he was referred to as ‘Pat’ on Instagram after the famous cartoon postman! That came after he delivered the assist for Joe Pigott to score the winner in Wiltshire. Though enjoying the banter, Luke is deadly serious about a part of his game that he takes great pride in.
“It was a bit of a laugh with the boys, but I was really pleased to get the assist at the weekend, it was a great set back by Shane and I think we link-up really well. It was a good cross and a great finish by Pigs. Hopefully, I can build on that now and get a few more assists. I have always liked my crossing, and I try to get as many assists as I can.
“I’m really enjoying it (playing right centre-back), it comes naturally to me now. I played a bit there last season and I think I did really well there. I just want to continue that now and keep building.
“Shane has been brilliant. We had ‘Wags’ there last season and he did well in that position, but Shane came in and we’ve linked up really well. We just have to keep working on it. We want to stay strong at the back and get another clean sheet at the weekend."
Luke believes that Glyn has assembled a squad with a good balance of youth and experience, midfielder Alex Woodyard having brought an assurance to our midfield this season. The Dons face Shrewsbury at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium on Saturday with a first home league win as the target in our penultimate match at the venue before we move to Plough Lane.
“Alex is an experienced head, he’s a great lad around the camp as well,” added Luke. “The young lads we’ve brought in have been brilliant and hopefully they can keep learning from the older players in the squad. They will get that from playing games, and they’ve been different class.
“We just have to stick together out there if we go a goal down. I think we’ve been playing well, but it’s just a few mistakes in games that we need to cut out. If we can just take the form from Saturday’s game into the Shrewsbury match I think we will do really well.
“It’s going to be different class (playing at Plough Lane). We’ve seen the pictures on social media and we are all itching to get out there, especially when the fans are back as well. It will be really special.”
Take a look below at Rob Cornell's full interview from the training ground with Luke.
Don't forget to snap-up a copy of our new-look online matchday programme on Saturday!
Packed with content for all ages, Back To Plough Lane will be available this weekend via the Matchday Digital app and is priced at £2.99/ issue or £49.99 for the full season, which is paid in the app.
Simply visit the app store on your mobile device, type in 'Matchday Digital' and download the app to your phone.
Once in the app, you will see our Matchday Magazine displayed in the top left corner of the home screen page – click on the image of the cover and then select one of the subscription options.