IT WILL BE ARD FOR DONS TO REPLACE NEAL...

I WAS sad to see Neal Ardley part company with AFC Wimbledon last Monday.

I think he did a magnificent job, and no doubt my old club are years ahead of where they were expecting to be now, competing against giants such as Sunderland and Portsmouth in English football’s third tier.

Against those sides, the Dons only lost by the odd goal, although it was against the sides in and around them where I believe Neal will feel ground was lost.

Against Blackpool, for example, they lost 2-0 but had 16 shots to only six from the home side. Sadly, they couldn’t take their chances and that’s been the story of their season.

Ardley led the Dons to League One for the first time in their short history via the play-offs and although it hasn’t all been plain sailing, I wonder what else he could have done managing within the constraints of balancing the books, working with a tight budget and with a new stadium on the horizon.

The goals of Lyle Taylor (Charlton) and Tom Elliott (Millwall) have been sorely missed, and Wimbledon now have a dearth of goalscorers.

Under Ardley, academy players were given a chance and in Will Nightingale and Anthony Hartigan, the Dons have two promising players.

The job advert for the vacant position highlights that the successful candidate will ideally have a proven track record of success and a clear vision of success on and off the field, not to mention a track record of developing young players.

Ardley ticked a lot of those boxes and finding someone else who does will be a tough task.

Perhaps he will also benefit from a change after six years at the helm. He can certainly hold his head up high after what he’s achieved.