Neal Ardley knows his future hangs in the balance

Posted Sunday, November 04, 2018 by PA

Manager Neal Ardley fears his AFC Wimbledon future hangs in the balance after a 2-1 Shrewsbury defeat condemned his side to seven straight League One defeats.

The Dons looked like securing their first point since September but Luke Waterfall scored his second just two minutes from time to give fellow strugglers Shrewsbury a vital three points.

James Hanson had given the hosts a half-time lead but, with just three league wins this season, Ardley knows questions will be asked of a job he has held since 2012.

“This leaves me in a very difficult position,” he conceded. “I guess in some people’s eyes I’m still fortunate to be in a job, and there comes a point when the board will have to make a decision.

“When that will be I don’t know, whether it’s this week, next week, we’ll just have to wait and see now.

“We didn’t take our chances and when you do that this is what happens. We just didn’t carry enough of a threat.

“We started off okay and created quite a few good chances, but we have to be more clinical.

“Despite some of the recent results, there have been good signs in our play and in the attitude of the players – it’s just not happening for us for one reason or another.

“It’s difficult, and when you’re hit by blows it doesn’t help the cause.
“We’ve just got to keep working hard and give it everything we’ve got.”

The hosts went in front after 35 minutes when Hanson headed home Mitch Pinnock’s far-post cross.

But the Shrews improved after the break, and after Fejiri Okenabirhie had gone close, Waterfall levelled as he poked home from close range after a corner was not cleared.

Wimbledon goalkeeper McDonnell was called up again to keep out a firm drive from Greg Docherty, before Waterfall swooped to secure a precious win for the Shrews.

“That was a great three points for us,” said assistant manager John Filan. “We really had to work hard for it and players had to put their heads in where it hurts at times.

“That was a much-needed three points of course, but that’s what we’re all here to do – win games.

“We’ve got enough players here who want to win games, so we need to be a bit more patient maybe.

“We need a little bit of calm around the place, and maybe a bit more sense.

“This result is nice for everyone, and to get it like this is even better, but these players deserve it.

“We gave everything right until the end and we will go away with the rewards. I was delighted for the fans too. They are really close to the pitch here and they really made themselves heard throughout the game.”