Dons boss highlights fighting spirit and hails Al-Hamadi after victory vs Notts County

BY JACK BURGESS

AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson was full of praise for the fight that his side showed in their thrilling 4-2 victory over Notts County at Plough Lane.

His side went into half-time 2-0 up thanks to goals from captain Jake Reeves from the penalty spot and Ali Al-Hamadi added a second just before the break.

Notts County managed to produce a quickfire double in the second half to draw level before another Reeves penalty in the 86th minute, with Al-Hamadi also grabbing his second to seal the deal in stoppage time.

When asked by The South London Press about his team’s fighting spirit after initially surrendering a two-goal lead, Jackson said. “It was probably one of the most pleasing aspects because I’m sure a lot of people, when it got to 2-2, thought we were going to get beat, because previously that has happened.

“I think this group is made differently, and they showed that. When it got to 2-2, we came again and we didn’t stop believing in what we were doing.

“We kept going and going – we got a fair reward for that.”

Ali Al-Hamadi, fresh after scoring for Iraq in the international break, produced another fine performance. His two goals on the day took his league tally up to eight goals and three assists in 16 appearances this season. 

Asked how far he feels Al-Hamadi can go, Jackson said: “He can go all the way. He’s a top player and at this level, he’s a shining light. 

“He’s adding goals now. At the start of the season, he wasn’t scoring but playing like he was today. We knew that they would come because of the way that he plays and the way he goes about it. 

“Top Performance, top lad, and I love working with him. But it was a top performance amongst a top team performance. It’s not fair that we single out individuals today because that was a real group effort.”

There has been a noticeable change in atmosphere and feeling among fans at Plough Lane this season, with a positive start to the season filling fans with enthusiasm in the hope of achieving something special this season.

When asked whether this is the best and most aligned atmosphere since joining the club, Jackson said: “I think so. It’s bouncing. It’s about the fans responding to what they’re seeing on the pitch and what we’re doing.

“If you look at the way we’ve built the squad and the way we’ve gone about our business with the work we did in the summer, there was a real intent about us and that we’re going to be a different outfit this season.

“There have been setbacks along the way, but the fans can see that it’s coming together and that we’re a really good team at this level.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD