AFC Wimbledon boss Downes – Birmingham man is type of player I like to build my teams around
BY YANN TEAR
Wally Downes admits he was not aware that loan signing Steve Seddon has picked up four bookings in his first six games for Wimbledon – but says he is far from worried about his discipline.
In fact, he has gone so far as to say the left-back, on loan from Birmingham City since January, is the sort of character he wants to build the team around.
“To be honest, I didn’t know the stats, and now you’ve mentioned it, I’ll probably have a word with him, but I wouldn’t want to temper his enthusiasm,” the Dons boss told the South London Press.
“To me, he’s a wholehearted player, who goes in where it matters. I suppose he’s a throwback to how the game is meant to be, and too many refs are too strict in their actions.
“I have spoken to the players a lot about the discipline of not giving too many free-kicks away in dangerous positions but I don’t want to curb their energy and determination.”
Downes continued: “One of his bookings for celebrating his winner for us at Walsall, so I really don’t think we have a problem with Steve at all.
“On the contrary, he’s been absolutely terrific for us and he’s the sort of players I like to build my teams around.
“He’s also bought into us as a club. He gets caught up with the fans and theyb enjoy that. I can’t speak about what happened before but there does seem to have been a disconnect between players and fans and I’m trying to rebuild bridges. Steve seems to get that and they relate to him.
“There have been no conversations with Birmingham about his future, but we do give feedback about his progress and they do have high hopes for him. They wanted him to play in a higher league, after he went to Stevenage on loan in League Two, and he’s now getting that experience with us. He’s doing really well.”
IMAGE BY PAUL EDWARDS
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