We take a look at what the managers have said ahead of the 24/25 EFL League Two playoff semi final 2nd legs this week.
League Two
Semi-final first legsSaturday May 10: Notts County 0-1 AFC Wimbledon – Meadow Lane, kick-off 8pmSunday May 11: Chesterfield 0-2 Walsall – SMH Group Stadium, kick-off 3.30pm
Semi-final second legsFriday May 16: Walsall vs Chesterfield – Poundland Bescot Stadium, kick-off 8pmSaturday May 17: AFC Wimbledon vs Notts County – Cherry Red Records Stadium, kick-off 12.30pm
FinalMonday May 26: TBC vs TBC – Wembley, kick-off 3pm
SKY BET ODDS:
League TwoAFC Wimbledon – 5/4 (was 5/2)Walsall – 5/4 (was 3/1)Notts County – 13/2 (was 9/4)Chesterfield – 11/1 (was 3/1)
NOTTS COUNTY’S STUART MAYNARD:
He said, per London News Online: “We need to make sure we play to the same level that we did in the first leg.
“We need to make sure we put that level of performance in because that is what it is going to take if we want to get through and get to Wembley.”
“I am confident,” said Maynard. “Even though they have got the best defensive record in the league, you will not see another team open them up the way we opened them up in the first leg.
“We will prepare exactly the same as we prepared for the first leg.
“I believe in this group, I believe in what we have in this squad, if we have to make changes I believe in the players that will come on the pitch. I am very confident.”
“Everyone’s seen the performance of the officials, I don’t really need to comment on it”
Hear from the #Notts boss Stuart Maynard after last night’s 1-0 defeat to AFC Wimbledon, a game in which Alassana Jatta was shown a straight red card.
🔊 https://t.co/vlfzR2lFE8
— BBC Nottingham Sport (@BBCRNS) May 11, 2025
WIMBLEDON’S JOHNNIE JACKSON:
“This is why we do it – to be involved in these games,” he said, per London News Online. “It has taken me a while to get to this stage with the club. The club has not been here for a long time – so we need to embrace it.
“Arguably it is the biggest game that the new Plough Lane has seen. I can’t wait.
“It is probably going to be a full house. It is going to be bouncing. Notts are going to bring a load. It’s going to be a special atmosphere down there Saturday.
“We need to thrive on it which, in the main, we have done this season. We have had some big wins there and some big performances. One more of them and we’ll be there.
“We’ve got to be calm and composed as well because there is always chaos in these play-off games and you’ve got to keep your head when it is going on.”
“At Charlton (when he was assistant manager to Lee Bowyer) we went to Donny and won the first leg but then lost the home one – ended up going to penalties,” said the 42-year-old.
“Crewe were 2-0 down after losing at home to Doncaster last season but still went through.
“There is loads of football left but we’re in a good position. We have to go out to win it – like we did at Grimsby (on the final day of the season). We only needed a draw but you have to go out and win, try to put pressure on other teams. We’re not going to sit back and play for a draw.”
🗣️ REACTION FROM MEADOW LANE 🏟️
Here’s what manager Johnnie Jackson had to say, as we head home with the goal advantage going into the second leg of our play-off semi-final next weekend. #AFCW 🟡🔵 pic.twitter.com/mZnnAIFIQO
— AFC Wimbledon (@AFCWimbledon) May 10, 2025
CHESTERFIELD’S PAUL COOK:
“We will travel across to Walsall on Friday with no fear,” Cook told 1866 Sport. “We don’t fear failure because we haven’t failed this season.
“As everyone knows, we are desperate to be promoted like everyone else is, but we won’t take that into the game.
“We will try our best to overturn the result. It is half-time, the next goal in the tie is absolutely huge and we carry enough quality to be able to get it. We will lick our wounds but there is still a long way to go yet.
“Nothing has been won yet. What would it mean to our supporters and our players to overturn the scoreline and get to Wembley? Watch this space.”
Cook said on being grateful to be in this position, per Sky Sports: “Like all clubs, I feel our injuries this year have probably handicapped us in relation to where we could have finished.
“We had a period at Christmas time where we had 15 senior players out, and I don’t think any club could carry that.
“It was impossible. We named subs against MK Dons on New Year’s Day that were injured. That was a tough time for us, but my bosses, Phil and Ash Kirk, are amazing guys to work for, so supportive, and would always bring a player in if I needed one.
“It probably stopped us maybe going up automatically, if the truth be known, because the gap from us to the automatics wasn’t as big as people might have thought at one time.
“But they’re your hard luck stories. We could all write books on what-ifs, buts and maybes. I do believe, and I’ve always been a great believer, the final league table tells no lies.
“When you finish eighth, you’ve probably had equally as good a season, just a minute difference out, yet that difference can be deemed as success and failure. We fell the right side of the line. We’re delighted to have done that, especially in the position we were in with probably 10, 12, 15 games to go, where it looked difficult.
“Sometimes, you can talk too much to players. I think the amount of information going into players now is ridiculous, and it’s no different after a bad defeat or any disappointment. I feel the disappointment has to sink in. I really believe in feeling pain.
“When I managed Portsmouth, we lost to a 91st-minute play-off goal against Plymouth at Home Park and the pitch invasion that ensued was painful. Twelve months later, we celebrated a league title victory at Fratton Park in front of our own fans.
“That pain drives you on and I do believe in letting the lads feel that over a period of days. We also needed to pick ourselves up off the floor. To a man, the players have done that, and I pat them on the back hugely.
“Our season now can go to Wembley. I’ve never been promoted at Wembley and I’m sure some of ours haven’t, so we can all dream. It’s a great dream, it’s great to go to bed at night dreaming like that.
“Unfortunately for us, we’ve got a set of lads not far away who’ve got the same dreams, and want to upset my dreams. We haven’t managed to beat them at all this season, and I’m sure they’re very much looking to have the same dreams as us. May the best team win.”
WALSALL’S MAT SADLER:
“Looking forward to the end of that week, it’s one that we know the second leg is going to be a big game,” Sadler said.
“The game was a little bit funny with it being Sunday and then Friday so we just had to work the week out and do it the way we always like to build into a week, but it’s a really good, positive week on the training ground. We enjoyed working hard this week, as we always do, and it’s been enjoyable.
“People spoke about going into the first leg knowing there’s a second leg, and it was exactly the same trying to play the game.
“I’m sure that they [Chesterfield] will do the same, so we just have to focus on us, focus on what we want to do, focus on our game plan, focus on being ourselves, being front foot and being the best versions of ourselves.
“It’ll be a red-hot atmosphere in the ground, and as this week builds up to it, we’ll really look forward to it the closer it gets.”
“We’ve been close to a sell-out before,” Sadler commented.
“If we think back to the Leicester game and some other games we’ve had in recent weeks, but I don’t think any of them have quite been the full sell out, so delighted for that.
“The support has been unbelievable this season as I’ve said numerous times, and to have Friday night, under the lights, on Sky, it’s an unbelievable opportunity to show what we are as a football club. That positivity, that togetherness, the things that have made the bedrock of who we are, players, staff and everyone coming together on a proper occasion at home.
“Thank you for everyone buying their tickets, I know it’s been tough for the girls in the ticket office, thank you for everyone for getting there for another game, an exciting game and one we’re all looking forward to.
“It’s exciting for everybody and an exciting game to be a part of.
“I think it was nearly 2,500 for Crewe, and probably could’ve taken more. I don’t know how many we could’ve sold for Chesterfield, I’m sure it was going to be a lot more than we did, and our support has been unbelievable.
“We’ve said that this year with the numbers at home and away. This is the next occasion to show what support we have at our place, where we’ve had so many amazing nights.”
