AFC Wimbledon boss Glyn Hodges gives verdict on 3-0 loss to Sunderland

BY DANIEL MARSH

Glyn Hodges admitted he was “disappointed” by Wimbledon’s lack of creativity in their 3-0 defeat to Sunderland at Plough Lane.

The Dons were put to the sword by former loanee Charlie Wyke, who netted a hat-trick to leave Hodges’ men without a league win in seven games.

Wyke broke the deadlock after just seven minutes in SW19. He grabbed his second in the 87th minute before finishing his treble in injury time as Wimbledon chased a way back into the game.

Hodges felt as though the score line flattered the visitors after Wyke’s late double – but he did concede that his side needed to “smarten up” after again conceding “avoidable” goals.

“Not at all,” said the Dons boss when asked if he felt it was a 3-0 game.

“That’s what I was saying to the boys. There were three errors and a lack of concentration, but when you’re one nil down at home and you’re trying to chase the game you can get done on the sucker punch like we did with the last two goals. But I’m disappointed, we didn’t create enough ourselves today.

“I’m proud of the boys – when you’re playing against Sunderland with the resources they’ve got and you you go to toe with them. We should have won against them up there and we’re kicking ourselves for that. Today, we didn’t hit them heights but you can still compete. The score line doesn’t reflect it and the boys are feeling sorry for themselves in there.

“But we’ve got to smarten up – the goals could have been avoided. That’s disappointing. We’re not complaining, the goals should have been avoided. The secret is not to lose heart. The next game you can win and you’re back on the road.

“Collectively, the attitude, the application [is good]. They want to do well. They’ve got energy, they have legs, it’s just sometimes their concentration [goes] or they’re trying too hard. It’s a simple game. Sometimes we overcomplicate it – definitely for the third goal we tried to overcomplicate it, there were easier things on. They’re learning on the job. So far they’ve done brilliant, but we’re in a sticky patch at the moment where three points will do them the world of good.”

The Dons midweek win at Bristol Rovers was a brief respite from their stuttering league form of late. They now face a tough trip to Portsmouth in midweek having taken just one point from the last 21 available. Hodges expects his side to be written off at Fratton Park, but is adamant that his side can get a result.

“I’ve just said that we’re only 90 minutes away from a win, and we can win anywhere. So people will probably write us off at Portsmouth on Tuesday, but we should have won up at Sunderland. Today we huff and puff and we compete but we didn’t show the quality that we did up there, that’s the disappointing thing and then you leave yourself open for the sucker punch at the end.”

PHOTOS: PAUL EDWARDS