Wally looking up not Down despite defeat by Barnsley
Posted Sunday, January 20, 2019 by PA
Wally Downes insists improvements are being made despite the fact AFC Wimbledon remain rooted to the bottom of the Sky Bet League One table following a 4-1 home defeat by in-form Barnsley.
Kieffer Moore’s 15th goal of the season and assist for Mamadou Thiam earned the visitors all three points after Joe Pigott had cancelled out Cauley Woodrow’s opener.
Cameron McGeehan then added some late gloss with the Reds’ fourth but Downes was only taking the positives from his side’s display against the Tykes.
“Until the time of the second goal I thought we matched them. It was a terrific fightback from going a goal down to equalise,” said Downes, who took over at the start of December and was on a four-match unbeaten run at home before this defeat.
“When we’re at our best we can compete with any side in the division.
“We’re not going to be playing Barnsley with their resources every week. When we get some teams around us then perhaps results will reflect the improvement that we’re making.
“We went toe-to-toe with them and got knocked out but if we maintain the level of performance that we had in the first half then I’m sure results will go in our favour.
“You have to be disciplined as a manager and not worried about the position you’re in. You’ve got to focus the players on what’s in front of them and the points will take care of themselves.
“You never know what the goings are going to be but there’s a possibility of a couple of comings. You have lists of players that you want to get in on loan from higher clubs.
“It’s a scramble – a lot of clubs are vying for the same sorts of players.”
The Tykes are now seven games unbeaten in the league and sit fifth in the standings.
Boss Daniel Stendel is hoping for more from his charges next time out.
“We started well, then 1-1 and Wimbledon had a big chance to go ahead,” he said.
“We needed a reaction and we scored really early. The last 20 minutes we were more controlled and more like a team from the top of the table.
“When we were 1-0 up we played a little bit lazier and lost the ball too easily.
“The second half we controlled the game more and scored three goals.
“Mamadou Thiam can play even better even though today he was very good.
“When he has the power to play 90 minutes his self-confidence will improve and he can get even better. He has adapted very well.”
On new signing Jordan Green, Stendel added: “We lost Brad Potts, we needed another option for the right wing.
“He is a player who has played only in League Two but he is very quick and is ready to have success. He can be the quickest player in our squad.”
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