‘A few too many aren’t doing enough’ – Johnnie Jackson reveals message to AFC Wimbledon squad after Carlisle defeat

Johnnie Jackson believes that a few too many of his AFC Wimbledon squad who “aren’t doing enough” after they suffered their fourth League Two defeat in a row away to Carlisle United.

The hosts took the lead on the stroke of half time when Callum Guy took aim from the edge of the box and curled a left-footed shot around a challenge from Ethan Chislett and past Nik Tzanev.

Wimbledon found an equaliser through Ayoub Assal midway through the second half. Josh Davison rose highest to head Tzanev’s clearance onto Assal. The England U20 trainee controlled the ball and set his sights towards goal before confidently slotting a right-footed shot past Tomas Holy.

Paul Simpson’s side claimed all three points in the 81st minute when Jack Armer nodded Omari Patrick’s cross into the box towards the back post for Kristian Dennis to head past Tzanev.

“Ultimately, it’s disappointment again,” the Dons boss told Wimbledon’s official media.

“We got ourselves back into the game and had a really good spell after we equalised – we felt like we might go on and win it.

“Both goals that we have conceded are disappointing to me. Something we speak about a lot is not letting [opposition] players cut inside to get shots or crosses off, and we have allowed that on both occasions – it’s cost us.

“Losing is frustrating. At the moment, small moments are costing us. There is nothing in the game in the first half – it’s a bit of a stalemate. 

“It was a really even game, and then we go in one down because we allowed their player to come back inside. 

“It changes the complexion of the game, but we get back in it, and I thought we had a really good period there where we scored. 

“After, we looked like we were in the ascendency, but we knew they would rally and have a period. That’s when you need to stand up and be strong defensively, but in that moment, we weren’t strong enough.”

Jackson revealed what his message to the Wimbledon squad was after the defeat: “People have to stand up, take a look in the mirror, and ask themselves: ‘Are they bringing the best of them every day? Are they implementing the stuff we are asking?’

“It’s a good group of lads – they do work hard – but in the moments that matter at the minute, we’re just finding ourselves a bit short.

“We will continue to work hard. There is no easy solution – you have to work through these tough periods. 

“I firmly believe that we will. As a staff, we need to keep pushing them, keep asking the questions and keep driving them, but as players as well, they need to do that.

“The individual has to question themselves and ask: ‘Are they doing enough at the minute?’

“The answer, probably, in the last few games is that a few too many aren’t doing enough.”

Jackson reverted back to a three-at-the-back formation after tinkering with tactics in midweek during the 2-0 home defeat to Northampton Town.

“It’s the way that we have been playing. I wanted to try and get back to what we do well today, and I thought we periods we did do it – we played out, got through the lines and created openings.

“I still think we could have been more incisive in those moments. But, at the end of the day, it’s not come down to shape or tactics, it’s penalty boxing and not dealing with the situations that have been presented.

“We haven’t done that in the two moments that have cost us for their goals – we haven’t dealt with their threats.”