Every word from Johnnie Jackson after AFC Wimbledon’s FA Cup defeat at home to Ipswich – Dons boss on Stockport loanee’s absence, Pell’s red card and Neufville’s injury

Johnnie Jackson spoke to the written press after AFC Wimbledon’s 3-1 FA Cup third round defeat at home to Championship side Ipswich.

The Dons boss was asked about the performance, Harry Pell’s red card and Joe Lewis’ absence.

Here is everything Jackson said:

ON THE GAME:

“It was a really good performance.

“We competed against a top team in Ipswich and we were in the game for the whole 90-plus minutes.

“We can feel a little bit hard done by – I don’t think it was ever a sending off in my book.

“Harry Pell had eyes on the ball the whole time. He catches him with an arm, but he hasn’t led with an elbow – that was an aerial dual all day.

“If you’re going to give people yellow cards for that all the time, there will be nobody left on the pitch.

“It robbed us of our chance. Even with 10 men, we’re pushing and forcing their keeper into mistakes. 

“They get their third when James Tilley is down, having been fouled in my opinion, and needing treatment, so we have nine men when they get their third goal.

“It doesn’t tell the story of the game. But I’m really pleased with my boys.

“We have mixed it with everyone. We have taken some scalps in the cup competitions. Even in the defeats, it was against a Premier League side and a high-flying Championship tea, – both times they know they have been in a game both times. 

“You could argue from both of them, we deserved to come out with something.”

ON JOSH DAVISON’S AND ARON SASU’S PERFORMANCE:

“They did really well.

“We have high hopes for Aron.

“He’s not had the opportunities, but he’s going to get them now with Ali and Omar being away and Josh Neufville being out.

“There are opportunities there and I have full confidence in him and Josh that they can lead the line.”

ON NEUFVILLE’S ABSENCE:

“He’s injured.

“We will know more next week, but we need to get scanned, and we will know a bit more then.”

ON HARRY PELL’S RED CARD:

“I thought we were well in the game. 

“I just feel like we have been robbed of an opportunity there. 

“Does Pell deserve to take no further part in the game because of that? I don’t think so.

“He’s got eyes on the ball – he’s never looking at anything else but the ball. He’s not swinging his arm with an elbow. You can’t get any leverage for a header without your arms going up. 

“I’m not saying he hasn’t caught the guy, but I’m sure at some stage some of my players have been caught by an arm when you go up for a header – that’s football.

“Poor decision in my opinion.”

ON WHEN JOE LEWIS WAS RULED OUT:

“Probably Thursday.

“He’s been unwell. He hasn’t been able to train on Thursday or Friday.

“He hasn’t been recalled.”

ON CONCEDING GOALS FROM CORNERS:

“It was [a frustration] I can’t lie.

“If Ipswich cut you open with good play and good movement and patterns of play or if they score a worldie from distance, it’s easier to swallow.

“That bit was on us – we need to defend those situations better.

“We were poor.”

ON BUILDING CONFIDENCE FROM THE RESULT:

“We had confidence anyway.

“We’re not going to win every week. We’re a good team playing well – the performance levels have been very consistent.”

ON ALEX PEARCE’S INJURY:

“It looked like a thigh strain.

“I don’t know the extent of it but will we find out next week.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD