‘Nobody has taken their opportunity’ – Dons boss criticises performance following Crawley defeat

Johnnie Jackson said not enough of the AFC Wimbledon squad are ‘stepping up to the plate’ after their 1-0 defeat to relegation candidates Crawley.

The visitors claimed all three points – and their first victory in the league away from home this season – in the sixth minute when Ashley Nadeson turned James Tilley’s low cross beyond Nik Tzanev. 

Wimbledon are now winless in 10 and have slipped down to 17th in the League Two table.

The Dons failed to register a single shot on target against Scott Lindsey’s side.

“I thought it was a poor performance from ourselves,” said Jackson.

“I have been saying in this run where we haven’t picked up a win that the performance levels have been really good, but today I can’t honestly say that.

“We were well below par. We lacked energy and bravery about our play. There was an anxiousness about it that I didn’t like. 

“We knew that they were going to come and fight – that’s what they have done. There should be no surprises about that. When you are where they are in the league, they are going to be fighting for every point. 

“With where we are, there shouldn’t be an excuse that the lads think they have got more to play for than we have – that’s nonsense.

“It’s a game of football – you should always do everything you can to perform. But we haven’t even performed today. 

“I need more from a lot of these lads. Not enough of the boys are stepping up to the plate at the minute and saying: ‘You can’t leave me out.’

“I haven’t got the luxury of making wholesale changes because of the injuries and the squad [size], but if I could, I would after seeing that today.

“I would argue that nobody has taken their opportunity today. You have got to make a case for me wanting to select you.”

PICTURE: LUCY DIXON