Alex Woodyard: Blame should not be directed at one individual for Dons slump

Alex Woodyard does not believe that just one person should be blamed for AFC Wimbledon’s start to the season.

The experienced midfielder added that manager Johnnie Jackson has yet to have his strongest squad to pick from due to the injuries the Dons have suffered during the season.

Wimbledon recorded their seventh loss of the League Two campaign last weekend, losing 1-0 to local rivals Sutton United.

The South Londoners only have four league wins at home since the start of last season. They are just three points off the relegation zone heading into tomorrow’s game away to Rochdale.

Tensions after the game reached boiling point at Plough Lane on Saturday.

It led to The Dons Trust board member Niall Couper resigning due to physical and verbal abuse from another fan following the defeat.

“It’s a collective environment, so I don’t think any single person should take the blame,” Wimbledon captain Woodyard, 29, who signed a new two-year contract extension over the summer, told the South London Press.

“The performances haven’t been great as of late, but everyone is working hard and pulling in the right direction to make sure we bring success back on to the pitch.

“There are still a lot of good things going on throughout the club, but at the minute, the performances are taking the shine off the good things which are going on.

“It’s time to stop talking about it and start putting actions into place. We have shown in games this year what the team is all about – we have had some really good performances.

“It has happened with teams before. It’s about getting that win, going on a run, and then kicking on.

“Everyone needs to come together to fight for the cause – fans, players and the coaching staff. Everyone who works within the football club needs to start pushing in the right direction to try and put a team together that the fans are proud of.”

The Dons have been plagued by injuries at points throughout the season.

Summer signing Nathan Young-Coombes, who picked up five goal contributions in his first eight games, could be out until the new year with a knee injury sustained in the 2-0 loss at home to Northampton in the middle of September.

Will Nightingale also suffered a serious knee injury during the 2-2 draw with Bradford City, which could rule him out for up to three months. Fellow first-team members Nathan Broome, Paul Kalambayi, Alex Pearce, Lee Brown, George Marsh, Paris Maghoma and Paul Osew have also spent time on the sidelines through injury or illness.

“The manager has never had his full team to pick from,” added Woodyard, who only recently returned to being available for selection after a six-month lay-off with a calf injury.

“A couple of weeks ago, away at Walsall, we had to put defender Ryley Towler in midfield.

“It’s been tough. If we can get all the bodies back, we have a really good squad. It makes it easier for selection, and there are more players fighting for positions, which always drives standards.

“We just need to stay calm, keep working hard, and I’m sure things will change.”

Woodyard picked up his initial calf injury in the penultimate home game of last season, being forced off in the 83rd minute in the 1-1 draw against Wycombe as the Dons were relegated from League One.

He broke down just three days into pre-season training.

The former Lincoln City and Peterborough player ended up being out for the longest spell of his career.

“It was tough,” explained Woodyard.

“It was the setbacks which were challenging. When you get the initial news of how long you’ll be out, and you work so hard to get back, but you break down in the first day or two – it’s tough

“Also, it was my first time dealing with it. I have been a player who has trained every day and played every game. I wanted to hit the ground running and do as much for the team as possible, but it wasn’t to be.

“There are plenty of more games to go in the season, so hopefully I can have a real impact on the squad as the season goes on.

“I still have a lot of work to do on my fitness. I haven’t had a pre-season. It’s like asking the boys to come back in August and crack on with the season.

“I’m playing catch up, but I’m trying to do everything I can to make sure I’m in the best position when called upon.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD