I HAVE always loved to spend time with ‘football people’ – those who still have that passion for the game after a lifetime spent playing and working within the industry.

I like history anyway, so hearing stories about football is always fascinating for me.

When I was at Swansea we had Jack Cork as a player and his dad Alan was one of the most famous players for Wimbledon in the ‘Crazy Gang’ era.

Alan told me so many stories about those days – none of them repeatable in a family newspaper though!

Hearing tales of Vinnie Jones, John Fashanu and Dave Beasant really brought home the importance of team spirit and togetherness. Today we face modern-day AFC Wimbledon.

It is a different era and they are literally a new club, but the game comes at the perfect time for me to talk about that togetherness once again.

I thought we really showed that characteristic last week at Peterborough.

We had not picked up the results we would have liked in the three games before and then fell behind against a good side who will be in the promotion chase this season.

To come back from that and collect our best away win in the league so far was a fantastic effort from the players.

They refused to feel sorry for themselves, preferring to fight for the points and battle for every ball.

It was hugely encouraging and the celebrations at the end came equally from the players, the staff and the fans, who were brilliant once more.

Everyone played a part and it was a really important victory and a big step forward.

We want to build on that performance today when we host Wimbledon.

The message will be a simple one – work hard for each other, keep your minds clear, stick to our game plan and be faithful to our style, just like we did in the second half on Saturday.

It will not be easy. Wimbledon are not in a great position in the table right now, but they have been fiercely committed in each game and every result has been close.

We have to match their intensity and then, hopefully, our football can shine through.

A DRAW against Brighton on Tuesday leaves us in a strong position to make progress in the Checkatrade Trophy.

Derek Fazackerley did the interviews before and after the game, just to change things a little and let fans hear a different voice.

We think along the same lines and I felt that Tuesday gave us the chance to look at ideas such as the three centre-half shape, and to look at players maybe in slightly different roles.

We may need them to do so again during the course of a long season.

Players like Xemi, Aaron Martin, Scott Shearer and young James Roberts all got game time, while Josh Ashby made his return after injury.

All in all it was another positive game for us – only Agon Mehmeti’s injury really hurt us.

Our attention switches back to the league today, but Tuesday’s game has given me food for thought before I hand in today’s teamsheet.