Adebayo Akinfenwa may not be playing as much as he would have liked but he still holds manager Neal Ardley in high esteem.
The Beast has spoken highly of his manager in the past, constantly referring to him as 'gaffer', but is thoroughly enjoying working under the AFC Wimbledon boss.
And Ardley's attribute of admitting his mistakes is something that sets him apart from previous bosses and gives the 34-year-old a sense of freedom to admit his own.
Akinfenwa said: “He's a new age manager. I think managers, and players are the same, don't like to take the blame but gaffer is not like that.
“If something has gone wrong and he feels he's to blame he puts his hand up and says he's got it wrong.
“He says that in training but he's meticulous at what he does. I think as a player, if your leader can say that how can you not take the blame yourself.
“I haven't played as much as I'd like. I've been around managers that haven't played me and it's left a bitter taste in the mouth.
Watch Adebayo Akinfenwa make a surprise admission:
“I'm not that bitter although gaffer knows I hate sitting on the bench and not playing. He's not disrespected me and he's always talked to me.
“He's always done better and the sign of a good manager is progression. Every year he's progressed and he's leading us to the play-off final and hopefully we can win this.”
The Beast is naturally excited at the chance to play at the national stadium and is determined to right the wrongs of Northampton's defeat there two years ago.
He added: “The gaffer isn't taking his foot off the pedal. It's exciting. Every kid wants to play at Wembley. I didn't get the result I wanted there two years ago but hopefully it'll be a better memory.”
To mark the League Two play-off final, the club are opening a pop-up shop in Wimbledon that will help build the atmosphere and general air of excitement. The pop-up shop, which will be selling official merchandise for the game, will be located on the ground floor of Centre Court Shopping Centre, and will be open every day from Thursday until Sunday.
