AFC Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley is hoping his side can exploit Rochdale’s ‘open’ style of football when the two sides meet at The Cherry Red Records Stadium on Saturday.
The Dons stunned Dale with a 2-1 victory at Spotland back in November and will be hoping to become the second team in a week to complete a league double over Keith Hill’s side after Dagenham & Redbridge did so last Saturday.
Ardley acknowledged the threat Dale pose but is hoping his team can take advantage of the adventurous approach Keith Hill’s men adopt.
“Rochdale are very good going forward and if you get it wrong when you haven’t got the ball then they will punish you,” Ardley told Dons Player.
“On the other hand, they do play open and try to get at you so if we do get our defensive side right then we should get chances at the other end.
“We’ve struggled against teams that sit in front of us and make it hard for us to break them down at home.”
When recalling his side’s victory in Rochdale earlier in the season, Ardley was quick to acknowledge it was something of a smash-and-grab.
“It was a gritty performance from us, but I would not say that we were the better team on the day,” said Ardley. “We just managed to dig out a win.”
Ardley, who played for the original Wimbledon FC known as ‘the crazy gang’ during their years as a top-flight club, has been in charge at AFC since October 2012 and spoke of his respect for Keith Hill’s courage as a manager.
“It’s difficult in this league (League Two) to get the ball down and play, but Keith has got that philosophy and credit to him for being brave,” Ardley added.
Image courtesy of AFCWimbledonTV, with thanks.
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