Glyn Hodges has saluted the attitude of the players since he took charge of first-team matters, as Wimbledon go in pursuit of a fourth successive win on Saturday.
Following the 4-1 win at Southend, Glyn has enjoyed working with the players on the training pitch and he is looking forward to the big clash against Pompey on Saturday.
“The players have been magnificent with the attitude that they’ve shown,” said Glyn. “Training today was good and everything around the place has been fantastic. I asked them to continue, but I think they’ve gone up a level. The fans have seen that and we are in a good place, so we are looking forward to Saturday.
“We had a practice match today with the team we are looking to start against the other lads and both teams were terrific with the way they passed the ball about. There was a lot of good play out there as the players are in good places and I would have no qualms that, if needed, they can all come in and add to the mix. The way things are going I’m sure they are itching to get involved.”
With 12 goals scored in the last four games, Wimbledon are full of confidence heading into Saturday’s match and Glyn believes an in-form Mitch Pinnock has made a big difference.
“We’ve probably gone a little bit more attacking with putting Mitch in,” added Glyn. “He adds a little bit of spark to the attack. He has scored two goals and contributed at the weekend. The way we are playing we are creating more chances. The big difference though is that we are taking our chances. When you are down, the ricochets don’t go your way, you hit the post, and the keeper makes saves, but at the moment we are in a rich vein of form and long may it continue.
“Joe (Pigott) scored a penalty against Orient, he was unlucky at the weekend. I thought he was terrific with his work-rate, he was looking sharp out there again today, so I think it’s only a matter of time before he starts scoring again.”
Joe’s strike partner Marcus Forss scored a superb hat-trick last time out at Roots Hall and Glyn believes his introduction here is another example of the importance of getting in loan players at the right time.
“We’ve got a database of players with the recruitment onside,” said Glyn. “We know where the players are: some you get, some you don’t. We were lucky with a couple that we got last season as Rambo and Steve Seddon were terrific for us, they changed the season, and now Marcus is banging in the goals for us. We are trying to get a tie-up with Brentford to get their good, young players, but there are more out there. In January, there will be opportunities, whether we need to strengthen or not. We know where they are, but it’s just whether we can get them, if they want to come, and does it all work? Luckily, since I’ve been here we’ve had some great ones who have loved the place and gone onto better things.”
