AFC Wimbledon skipper Will Antwi would travel to the ends of the earth for a chance to put things right after Tuesday night’s shocking 4-0 home defeat to Southend United.

The 30-year-old admitted the players let themselves down in the League Two thrashing, especially in defending set pieces, but is looking forward to playing again.

Boss Neal Ardley described the second half performance as “unacceptable”, and demanded that his players take a long, hard look at themselves and decide if they are part of the team ethic, or not.

However, Antwi, who took over the armband from Mat Michel-King who was missing through personal reasons, was in a more positive mood.

“What was nearly a good performance, turned into a horrendous result – but there are a few positives. We started how we wanted to and we imposed ourselves on the game, we just let ourselves down defending set pieces and that is what cost us,” he said.

“If you take out the set pieces it was not a half bad performance.   We probably did not create as many chances as we wanted, but the intent was there, the style was a bit better compared with previous games. If we can tidy up on the set pieces we will have a better game next time round.”

The former Crystal Palace and Wycombe Wanderers defender added: “We’re near the bottom and you cannot ever escape that, but we’re working at it, it’s a work in progress.

“It has been a difficult couple of weeks, with the trips to York and Exeter.

“Yes, Morecambe is another long trip, but if anything, we’re just grateful to get another game to remedy what went wrong today, so it does not matter to me where we go next – I would go to Egypt to play – I am just looking forward to playing again.

“We want to go to Morecambe, get some points and climb up the table.”

Ardley, with a record after 10 games in charge of won three, lost four, drawn three, was scathing of individual performances.

He said: “As soon as we conceded the second goal, all the good play, the hard work, the focus to be there for your team-mates went out the
window.

“Players started going against instructions, wandering where they wanted to try to get on the ball rather than keeping their shape for the team.

“It’s a character thing, it’s time to roll your sleeves up, and somehow we have to find it before Saturday.

“Too many players, other than perhaps Neil [Sullivan], Will [Antwi], Jonathan [Meades], Jake [Reeves] and Charlie [Strutton], were worried about themselves and playing for themselves.”

The Dons travel to Morecambe this weekend, then preparations start for the FA Cup match at MK Dons.