‘Mayhem’ – AFC Wimbledon boss asked about Crystal Palace loanee’s long throw

AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson described Kofi Balmer’s long throw-in as an added bonus after the Crystal Palace loanee made his home debut in the 2-0 win over Barrow on Saturday.

Balmer spent the first half of the season on loan at Port Vale before being recalled by the Eagles and sent to Plough Lane for the rest of the campaign.

The 23-year-old started in a back four alongside Lee Brown as the Dons kept their 11th clean sheet of the League Two season.

Northern Irishman Balmer took nine throw-ins, which caused problems for the Barrow defence constantly throughout the contest.

“I feel like in the 18 or so months that I have been here, every team has had a long throw except us,” said Jackson.

“Not just at this level, I look up and down the leagues and there are a lot of teams that use it.

“We haven’t had that. If he can do it, you have to use it.

“It can get you up the pitch or opportunities to get penalty box entries and the mayhem that comes from that.

“You don’t always score off of it, but it causes a bit of carnage and you can get a corner or another set-piece.

“The way he does, it’s not loopy, is it? It is like an arrow – that’s difficult to defend.

“It’s important to say that Kofi is a defender and he defended brilliantly today.

“It’s an added bonus.”