Town boss has high praise for Ardley

The Dons’ midweek 2-0 win over MK Dons all but secured the 12th-placed side’s safety in their first season in the third tier.

AFC Wimbledon were formed by fans of the original Wimbledon Football Club after it was relocated to Milton Keynes from its South London home and renamed as MK Dons in 2003.

They picked up a historic first win over MK on Tuesday night and Rosler praised Ardley who has guided the Wombles to the third tier in his five years in charge.

He said: “We go back a while. When I was at Brentford Neal started at roughly the same time.

“He is a young manager doing a very good job and now they look upwards.”

And Rosler says his second-placed side needs to start quickly to stop AFC’s momentum as they bid to beat them for the first time after nine failed attempts.

He said: “They come here on a massive high, a win from their biggest game of the season. We have to be prepared for that momentum, start quick, alert and on the front foot and be creative and give ourselves a chance to score.”

There is another familiar face in the visitors’ camp for Rosler in 23-year-old midfielder Jake Reeves to whom Town’s head coach gave a first league start at Brentford in 2012.

He said: “I always had a soft spot for him, I think he is a very talented player.

“He came to Brentford and I gave him his debut. He’s a very good trainer, very athletic, and he is showing his qualities. I’ve followed his progress and he is a player I admire.”