Exclusive: AFC Wimbledon midfielder confident of signing contract extension

BY EDMUND BRACK

Alex Woodyard has confirmed that talks are ongoing over a new deal at AFC Wimbledon.

The midfielder, 28, signed for the Dons in 2020 following his release from Peterborough United and penned a two-year contract with the South London club.

Woodyard was appointed club captain one game after Mark Robinson’s appointment in January 2021 and has played every minute of the games he has started this season.

“We are talking with the club at the moment,” said Woodyard when asked by the South London Press about the situation surrounding his future with Wimbledon. “Hopefully something will get done soon – I’m sure it will.

“I am pretty relaxed about it at the minute. A thing such as that will take care of itself, and the only aspect that I can focus on is winning games.

“I have played many games with quite a few teams now, and playing for Wimbledon is the most I have enjoyed football in a long time.

“I know that it’s very hard sometimes to be in an environment similar to the one I am in at the minute. Of course I want to be a Wimbledon player, and I want to be a part of this journey.

“We’re in a good place – it’s been a positive season so far. We started well and then we dropped off – but we’re coming back strong. We have got to keep on getting the points, keep improving and keep going.”

Woodyard has thrived in the midfield two alongside Dons academy graduate Anthony Hartigan. The pair earned praise from their head coach as the “most effective” partnership in League One, with Woodyard’s tenacious bite and Hartigan’s passing range complementing each other’s style of play seamlessly.

Woodyard said: “It’s a great compliment from Robbo for the both of us. Even last year in training, Ant and I have always had a good understanding with each other.

“In training games, we have always played well together, but we never really got the opportunity. I really enjoy playing with him and I also get satisfaction seeing him do so well because he is so young.

“We both get on with each other off the pitch, and it makes it easier because when you’re close off the pitch, it comes out in your football.

“Sometimes you just click with people.”

Not only are Woodyard’s marshalling duties a pivotal asset to Wimbledon and Robinson, but his expertise to execute a pinpoint tackle has also not gone under the radar. He had won the most challenges (60) in League One at the start of this month.

“When you enjoy going to work every day, and I can see a vision within the club, that’s when you can get the best out of me,” said Woodyard.

“I say it to Robbo quite a bit, but sometimes I wish I was a few years younger and playing in this environment. Everyone is so lucky at the football club to have that.”

Woodyard’s form has also seen his head coach Robinson urge Wales to call up the Gravesend-born midfielder, who qualifies to play for Robert Page’s side through his nan.

“It would be great,” said Woodyard. “It’s obviously another great compliment from Robbo, but I’m not one to overthink things.”

Wimbledon were on a run of five games unbeaten before games against Portsmouth and Charlton were postponed due to Covid-19 outbreaks in the opposition squads.

“Robbo talks about the process and trying to improve every single day – that’s the same for the season,” said Woodyard.

“We know that if we do things right and play as well as we can, then come the end of the season, it will be a positive one.”

Woodyard is closing in on a year since becoming AFC Wimbledon skipper. He said: “It’s an unbelievable privilege, personally and for my family as well. My father was a massive Wimbledon fan back in the day.

“I have got to know a few of the old Wimbledon fans who come to the games, seeing what the club means to them, and it does hit home how lucky I am to be the captain of this football club.

“My dad loves it. He comes to the games every other week at Plough Lane. It’s the happiest and excited he’s been coming to watch me play.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD