Glyn Hodges felt that a lack of conviction in the final third let Wimbledon down during today’s match against Sunderland at Plough Lane.
The Dons were just one behind until the latter stages, but a lack of cutting edge proved pivotal, before two late goals sealed a 3-0 win for Sunderland.
"We haven’t played as well today as we didn’t ask enough questions," said Glyn. "The attitude of the boys was fantastic, they gave everything, as they always do, but when we were 1-0 down and trying to get the equaliser, maybe to even get the win, we were caught on the sucker-punch. I was disappointed that it ended 3-0 as it was never a 3-0 result. We didn’t create as much. We pride ourselves on getting crosses into the box, but for no reason we turned down chances to cross so many times and that’s a fundamental way that we play. The boys are aware of that and we have to continue believing in what we do. It has worked before.
“We have just gone through the goals in there, and they are things we have highlighted and worked on. It’s just a lack of concentration, or going to sleep and not dealing with things. That’s the disappointing thing, they didn’t carve us open and score with an overhead kick or a shot into the top corner, anything that you can applaud and say ‘great goal’. The boys know, you ask them questions in there, and they know the answers.
“I changed the formation three times today in the game. We are trying everything to get out of this run. We know that the same players started the season fantastically, and got points on the board. We are trying to help them and help each other. It wasn’t to be today, but you are only one game away from three points, so we cannot wait for Portsmouth.”
Our manager felt that today's match officials failed to control the game adequately, hindering Wimbledon's attempts to get back into the game.
“I’m a bit disappointed with the refereeing today. I don’t normally have a go at the referees, but he was so naïve. They (Sunderland) have run the game, they went down with head injuries and he blows the whistle, he doesn’t get them off the pitch, the keeper trying to get the ball from behind the goal, and there is one by his feet. It was just so frustrating and that didn’t help us get any momentum.”
Glyn confirmed afterwards that Ollie Palmer missed today's game with a quad injury that he suffered at Bristol Rovers on Tuesday.