Neal Ardley reckons the face of League Two football is changing fast, and the Dons boss is fighting hard to keep up with the evolution.

Last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Carlisle United could be considered a positive having earned a hard-earned point on the road.

However, Ardley was left not necessarily ruing the loss of two points, rather knowing for certain that he and his players are in for a tough season.

The Dons have recruited heavily over the summer, and while from the outside the signings appear to have lifted the Dons above their rivals, Ardley knows all too well that they were necessary to simply keep up with them.

He said: “The one thing I have realised from the Carlisle game is just how much stronger every team is this season compared to last season.

“Carlisle last season was a game we felt we should have won, especially at home, we were much better than them although we lost.

“But they have changed their style and have been dominating teams without creating chances.

“We had to dig in, in the end, to the get the point.”

He added: “All the teams have spent money.

“Last season when teams came down, they were not as strong as they thought they were and the likes of Tranmere Rovers and others struggled.

“But this year, look at Leyton Orient, the players they’ve got, Notts County, the players they have brought in, and how much Luton Town, Portsmouth and Cambridge United have strengthened.

“The more you go through it, you more you realise that as much as we’re the strongest squad we’ve ever been, we need to be because everyone else’s squad is as strong as it’s ever been. That’s the situation.”

Wandsworth Times:

Tough battle: Carlisle United sub Alexander McQueen hurdles the challenge of the Dons defender Karleigh Osborne