Glyn Hodges said the squad can take confidence from a clean sheet and an away victory tonight after AFC Wimbledon marched into the last-eight of the Papa John’s Trophy.
A first win since early December was achieved thanks to Jack Rudoni’s strike on the hour, and our manager believes the 1-0 win versus Bristol Rovers gives the Dons something to build on with Sunderland up next at Plough Lane.
“We needed a win and a clean sheet and I don’t care what competition it came in,” said Glyn. “The boys can take confidence from this going into Saturday. Sam (Walker) came in and did well and the back four in front of him were excellent. We worked our socks off and we got the rewards.
“You always want that second goal, but there’s no better score-line than winning 1-0 away from home. I felt in the first-half that the quality could have been better. I thought we were getting in good positions, we turned down a couple of chances to shoot, and I felt we could do better. We did that in the second-half and we caused them a few problems.
“We went quite strong tonight, but we put a few in. We had to rest a few and there were players getting back to fitness and a few getting over Covid, so there was a mixture out there tonight, but it was just pleasing to get the win and take the confidence into the next game.
“I don’t think we’ve been playing badly, and the win has been coming. I think we’ve played better recently than tonight and lost, so it’s just about finding that chemistry and balance that gets you over the line.”
Jack Rudoni’s first goal for Wimbledon was the difference tonight, and Glyn believes he is capable of getting more goals from midfield.
"It’s not before time, he’s had a few chances and he always gets in good positions. We spoke about it in all the games because if you have a shot and it takes a deflection it can go in. I think there was a a slight nick, but it is his goal, and his performance deserved a goal. I have said that he should get more goals and he has come up with one tonight."
Pic credit: Graham Hunt, Pro Sports Images.