Matty Stevens admits there will probably be nerves forward of Monday’s League Two play-off ultimate however insists AFC Wimbledon are assured as they put together to face Walsall at Wembley.
The Dons booked their place within the showpiece occasion with a 2-0 combination win over Notts County within the semi-finals.
Stevens has been fast to underline how essential the 1-0 first leg win at Meadow Lane had been.
Josh Neufville struck within the eighth minute of the return at Plough Lane so as to add an extra cushion.
“To take a 1-0 win again to our residence floor, the place we’ve been strong all 12 months, it gave us a whole lot of confidence,” stated the striker, 27.
“To attain early, it at all times helps. We defended very nicely and we might have gone on to win by two or three.”
“Everybody on that pitch had a little bit of nerves. If somebody stated they didn’t, I believe they’d be mendacity.
“There have been occasions within the recreation the place we needed to hold our form and I hoped that when we did that, we might break – which we did – and get a objective. That gave us a bit bit extra confidence once more.”
Stevens practically added his title to the scoresheet with a header that was saved by County keeper Alex Bass.
“I don’t suppose I might have executed any extra with the header,” he stated. “I bought good contact.
“Other than our personal goalkeeper, he’s most likely the perfect within the league. He pulled off an excellent save at their place too.
“There have been a few probabilities Brownie (Marcus Browne) had, which you’d again him to attain. For myself, you hope you’ll be able to see it out as a result of these are moments that come again to chew you. Fortunately they didn’t – we defended the entire 94 minutes and bought the job executed.”
Wimbledon have a nine-day hole till they play once more at Wembley.
“I’d moderately be taking part in subsequent weekend – it’s a very long time to attend,” stated Stevens. “There are going to be nerves since you wish to win, you wish to do nicely. You’ll be able to’t cease that – you are able to do your greatest – however it’s the manner it’s.
“Generally that helps you, typically it doesn’t. However hopefully we will persist with the sport plan.”
Stevens, who scored 17 objectives within the league, felt the Dons have been underestimated by many heading into the play-offs.
“I noticed lots of people saying that they thought Notts County and Chesterfield have been going to be the ultimate – and so they have been confirmed mistaken,” he stated. “We have been at all times quietly assured once we drew Notts. We’ve most likely performed a few of our greatest soccer towards them, and we appear to play a form that fits us higher than them.
“It’s higher in that manner. The 2 groups most likely need to be within the ultimate due to the place we completed within the league. But it surely’s a one-off recreation, so we’ll see.”
After a short stint at Walsall prior to now, Stevens admitted there’s no added motivation on a private stage – simply the need to win.
“They’ve bought nice assist, good followers, however I wasn’t there lengthy sufficient to type of maintain a grudge,” he stated.
“Walsall are an excellent workforce. You aren’t high of the league for so long as they have been this season with out being an excellent aspect.
“They completed one place above us within the league. We’ll present them respect, however clearly we’re coming there to win, and we imagine we’ve bought the workforce to take action.”
PICTURE: KYLE ANDREWS
