Johnnie Jackson was pleased with a tidy sheet and a point on a day when Wimbledon almost came away with a win away at Grimsby Town.
In a 0-0 draw of couple of well-defined possibilities it was the Dons who had the very best chance throughout the 90 minutes, with Ali Al-Hamadi seeing his charge saved well by Simon Eastwood.
Up the other end Sunderland loanee Alex Bass needed to remain in great form to stay out a cluster of long variety efforts – maintaining our tidy sheet on the opening day of the League Two season.
Here our supervisor talks about the video game, the effect of numerous gamers and the lack of Lee Brown and Jack Currie.
Watch the complete interview.
https://www.youtube.com/view?v=uKMdamxuLSU
ON THE DRAW…
It was an actually good video game that was carefully combated. We understood it was a difficult location to come after the last time we came here. We saw our development however likewise how Grimsby have actually enhanced too. We come away with a clean sheet and nearly came away with the win in the end. We have to be pleased.
ON ALI AL-HAMADI…
He was excellent when he came on. He’s a little bit behind after pre-season so we wanted to time it and bring him on at the right moment. I felt we got it right because the impact he had was instantaneous. He won the penalty through all his own work.
Listen forward’s miss penalties don’t they? If you’re a penalty taker you’re going to miss a few. We win, lose and draw together. I said to him at the end that he’s going to score a lot more penalties and a lot more goals because of the way we’re set up as a team. We’re playing to his strengths.
ON ALEX BASS…
He had to be on it. There was periods when Grimsby built up pressure and had corners. They had a few shots from range that he dealt with well. They didn’t really break through us and we limited them to that. We needed him in those moments. They were important saves.
ON ARMANI LITTLE AND JAKE REEVES…
Armani and Reevesy looked excellent, they were really solid. They give us a calmness in the centre and pull people around which maintains a solid shape. Armani missed a lot of pre-season, so for him to get through 90 minutes – and look as strong and powerful as he did – is great. I thought he may tire towards the end however he was still full of running. I’m delighted with them both.
ON THE ABSENCE OF LEE BROWN AND JACK CURRIE…
Jack picked up a niggle in the Wealdstone game. He managed to finish the game but he was feeling sore on Monday. Unfortunately he missed out today since he wasn’t able to train this week. Browny has had problems with his back, but we’re hopeful that it’s sorted and that he will train this week.
ON RYAN JOHNSON…
I chatted with Johnno a couple of days ago. He has played left-back before in his career however he’s not tried and tested. I asked him to do a job for the team and he said absolutely no problem gaffer. He has actually a wonderful mindset.
MATCH PHOTO: Simon Davies (Pro Sports Images)
