Wally Downes: We need a win – and AFC Wimbledon players need to take responsibility for delivering it
Wally Downes has told AFC Wimbledon’s players that only they can turn around the club’s fortunes.
The Dons are winless in League One this season and in the relegation zone.
Downes masterminded one battle against the drop when he arrived midway through the last campaign.
“We’re creating chances every game and scoring goals but it is the usual thing when you are not having a great time,” he said. “If you are scoring you have got to make sure you keep a clean sheet – if you keep a clean sheet you have got to make sure you are popping them in at the other end. It is what happens in both boxes that determines how you do.
“The really important thing is we get a win. I’m telling the players that what they are doing is largely very good. We’ve had chances to win but haven’t seen games out or have made errors.
“We’ve done well enough to have won a couple of games. It is about time we turned in a full performance and won.
“Confidence comes with victory. It is their job to take that responsibility and turn it into a win.”
Marcus Forss came off the bench in the closing stages to score in the 2-1 loss at Milton Keynes on Saturday.
Downes only handed a starting role to one of his three signings on deadline day – central defender Ryan Delaney – with Brentford striker Forss and Brighton midfielder Max Sanders on the bench.
“Those three only came in on Thursday so I had picked a team already – even though I was hopeful of getting them all,” said Downes. “Ryan came in because Rod McDonald is out with a knee ligament injury.
“Chances fell to our strikers and if we’d stuck our chances away prior to that then perhaps he [Forss] might not even have got on. It was great he made an impact.”
Sanders, 20, was struggling near the end of the match in Buckinghamshire. He needed lengthy treatment but stayed on as Wimbledon had already used all their alloted substitions.
“He may be okay for Saturday,” said Downes. “I thought he had twisted something but it was an impact injury on the inside of his knee.
“It is the sort of thing which is painful but should not be a major problem.”
Photo: Keith Gillard
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