Johnnie Jackson has told our squad that our pre-season friendlies will only get tougher as the weeks go on, with National League Woking up next tomorrow.
Victories over Reading (1-0) and Met Police (4-0) have got our preparations for the 2023/24 campaign off to the perfect start, however our next opponents and further games against QPR, Portsmouth and Southend United are sure to be difficult tests.
After seeing our side hit the goal trail at Imber Court, Johnnie pressed home that fitness takes on far more importance than results at this stage of the season.
“There’s a real emphasis on our fitness and performance, we won’t be focusing too much on the result,” he said. “It’s about implementing what we’re working on during the week. It’ll be a tough test. I’ve told the lads that the tests will only get tougher.
“The game against Met Police was a certain test that we passed but the match against Woking will be a proper game. They’ll be organised, they’ll be hard to beat – it’ll be interesting to see how we go again.”
DONS FANS CAN BOOK STANDING OR SEATING TICKETS FOR OUR MATCH AGAINST WOKING (12 NOON KICK-OFF) AT THE FOLLOWING PRICES:
ADULTS, CONCESSIONS, 17-22 YEARS - £10
UNDER-17S (14-16 YEARS), UNDER-14S (13 AND UNDER) - £6
Our total of summer signings was taken to nine on Wednesday evening, as goalkeeper Alex Bass arrived on loan from Sunderland.
Johnnie feels we’ve added an extra level of quality between the sticks, as he praised the positive attitude of our newest addition.
“As soon as I spoke to him, you could see that there was a dead keenness to come to us,” said our manager. “It’s one thing us selling the football club to players but you want them to want to come here as well. He’s a lad who wants to play for Wimbledon, so we’re delighted to have him.”
“The opportunity to sign someone of his calibre - you only have to look at the clubs that he’s played for and the level that he’s played at to realise he’s a top goalkeeper. His attributes fit right into our team and what we want to do.”
MATCH PICS: Ian Stephen (Pro Sports Images)