‘It’s got to come from all of us’ – Dons defender on FA Cup exit and stresses renewed focus on climbing League Two

BY MITCHELL HALL

Isaac Ogundere said all eyes are on AFC Wimbledon gaining promotion after a disappointing exit to National League side Dagenham & Redbridge in the second round of the FA Cup at the weekend.

The defender was given a rare start at Plough Lane on the left side of Dons boss Johnnie Jackson’s back three, and produced a strong showing despite the Dons’ ultimately losing.

Junior Morias gave the visitors the lead in the 35th minute before Wimbledon saw two near identical chances blocked at the back post. A frantic Matty Stevens finish eventually pulled the hosts level just before half-time, but would not be enough to launch a comeback as the Daggers’ Josh Rees found a late winner in the 79th minute.

“We didnt take our chances and we conceded two sloppy goals,” said Ogundere. “When we’re conceding goals like that it’s hard to come back, but we have to take our chances in the first place.

“That goes for all of the team, Owen [Goodman] is the first line of attack and the attackers are the first line of our defence. You can’t just pin it on the strikers or the wing-backs, it’s got to come from all of us.”

Ogundere has been one of Jackson’s go-to options off the bench this season, but was handed a start yesterday, being deployed as a mobile left-centre-back who got the team moving from back to front quickly.

He said: “I love that I’m allowed to go forward, especially playing as a centre-back. I love to go forward and join in with the attack and it just makes everyone’s life a bit easier when we’re attacking with more numbers.

“I felt good out there today, I’ve been coming on quite a lot as well lately. It’s been good to be back out there in front of our home fans and hopefully I get some more minutes.”

Despite the frustrating result, Ogundere said the team had to shake the loss off and remain fully focused on fighting their way up the League Two table.

“The atmosphere in the dressing room is fine,” he said. “We’re in the play-off positions in the league. Obviously it would be nice to get a good FA Cup run, but our main goal is to get promoted this year and we’re in the play-off spots. We want to get higher as well so that’s the main aim of the season.

“When we’re looking at these games in the league we’re going into them and we’re grabbing them with both hands and trying to get as many points as possible.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD