Dons manager on JPT match

Neal Ardley says that his players will be giving everything to cause an upset in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie at Milton Keynes tomorrow night.

Though this month is packed full of league fixtures, the Wimbledon manager is eager for his side to put on a better show than when they were beaten 3-1 at the same venue in August.

Speaking to Dons Player, Neal Ardley said: “There are lots of incentives for us tomorrow night. It’s a big game because of the history of this fixture and with it being for a place in the last-16 of the competition. It’s also a big game because you always want to try and build momentum by winning matches. There is not one player at this football club who does not want to win every game that they play in and we will be giving absolutely everything for the cause tomorrow.

“They are a very good team and one of the better sides in League 1. We had a go at them in the second game of this season and we caused them some problems, but in the end they beat us comfortably. We need to find a solution to the open, expansive game that they play and that’s not going to be easy. Goals and moments change games and we have to carry a threat at the same time. They are going to be strong, but we want to give them a really good game.”

On a busy night for the club, AFC Wimbledon will also be aiming to make progress in the Premier League Cup competition for Under-21s with the young Dons taking on Charlton Athletic. But Neal Ardley confirmed that there will be little first-team involvement for this fixture.

“We sat down and looked at what style, system and personnel we wanted for the first-team,” added Neal. “If one or two players really needed game-time then they could get that by playing for Alan Reeves tomorrow rather than sitting on the bench for the first-team. But there will only be one player who was in our squad against Cheltenham who will play for the Under-21s tomorrow. The rest of them will be travelling with us.”

Dons Player subscribers can now watch interviews with Neal Ardley and Alan Reeves on our premium channel. We will also feature an interview later on with George Oakley, who makes his competitive return after injury for the Under-21s against Charlton tomorrow night.