Simon Bassey explains Dons boss not speaking post-match against Luton – and why January transfer window will need a player overhaul

BY MAX HALL

First-team coach Simon Bassey was on media duty after Wimbledon’s second-half capitulation against Luton on Saturday – and offered a stark contrast to the approach taken by Dons manager Neal Ardley, who is usually quick to defend his players.

“If we get to January,” said Bassey, acknowledging the pressure building on the backroom team after a run of one win in 10. “We’re going to have to try and do some business, because clearly we’ve got too many [players] that are not fit to wear Wimbledon’s shirt.”

Asked what other teams are doing that the Dons aren’t, the long-serving coach replied: “They’re keeping it out at one end and putting it in at the other, to state the blindingly obvious.

“They’re working their socks off to represent their club … second half today, we never done that, if we don’t do that, we don’t deserve to win football matches.”

Bassey could not disguise his anger at the nature of the 61^st-minute goal which destroyed shot-shy Wimbledon’s resistance, and came after a Dons throw in their own half.

“The first goal’s disappointing,” he said. “If we get a throw in our final third… you don’t get close enough to people, they roll out of tackles and we end up, you know… we’ve got two defenders that cross over in the box, we should never cross over like that – one does, anyway, the other one stays where he is and the guy’s left unmarked to put it in.”

Bassey explained why he was facing the media, with Ardley still fuming.

“He’s upset, he’s disappointed he’s been let down by lads that he cares for. He gives them everything and they’ve let him down and I’m sure he’s deeply hurt, and rightly so.”

IMAGE BY PAUL EDWARDS