Neal Ardley admits he hit rock bottom at AFC Wimbledon this week.

The Dons manager was distraught after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Stevenage and couldn’t bear to face the cameras for his post-match media duties.

He hauled his players in early for training on Monday morning and read them the riot act after a dismal display that came just hours after the news Wimbledon fans had been waiting for.

Erik Samuelson had taken to the pitch before the game to welcome a Merton Council planning committee’s decision to sanction a return to Plough Lane and a wave of optimism swept in.

However, the performance didn’t match expectations and Ardley says going from one extreme to another left him feeling drained.

He told Dons Player ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Newport: “It’s probably the worst three days I’ve had at the club in terms of how low I felt and the stuff that went on in and around the game. We had them in very early the next day for two-and-a-half hours before training. A lot has been said and done and it hurts. It does hurt.

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Tough times: Neal Ardley looks on

“We talked to the players about this club represents and what they’ve been through over the last 13 years and the qualities they’ve shown. To me, it’s simple, the fans only expect the same as what they’ve given to the club and they care deeply. They’ve faced adversity, come together and battled on.

“That’s the message and the spirit we want to show. I’m confident that the performances will show that. Saturday’s performance was poor, probably our worst of the season, sometimes you have to put that aside. Obviously there’s stuff that’s gone on before the game and after the game.

“You can spin it whichever way you want but we’re five points off the play-offs. Sometimes you have spells where no matter what you try things don’t go your way. We’re clearly having a bit of a sticky spell and yet we’re still five points off the play-offs. We’ve got to retain the belief.”

Meanwhile, Ardley has confirmed James Shea and Andy Barcham are available for selection. The former is particularly important given Ben Wilson was sent back to Cardiff under a cloud this week.

Barry Fuller is also available again after serving a one-match suspension against Stevenage.

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