Johnnie Jackson is far from content with our top ten finish and already has an eye on striving for more next season.
Although it’s been a season of progress for the Dons under Johnnie’s leadership and we achieved what we set out to do for this afternoon, our manager is aiming for further improvements over the summer break.
Lebanese international forward Omar Bugiel took his goal tally for the season to fourteen and took home the match ball, after his first hat-trick for the Dons.
Republic of Ireland winger Ronan Curtis notched his fifth goal, since joining us in January, as we wrapped up the campaign with an impressive 5-1 victory over Walsall at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
JOHNNIE ON THE PERFORMANCE
It was a really good day and a top performance from the boys. I thought we were excellent, scored a lot of goals, could have scored more, and even the goal we conceded was harsh.
It’s what I asked of the players before the game – can we go out in style? I wanted them to express themselves and enjoy it.
I knew that if we won, we would leapfrog Walsall and if we did get the win we would get a top-ten finish. That was something to aim for, but not what we set out for this season, but it gave us a little goal and the lads certainly produced.
JOHNNIE ON IMPROVING
We’ve moved things forward hugely this season, but I’m not going to pat myself on the back and be satisfied with tenth. That’s not what we’re in football for, we want more.
We didn’t quite get there this season, but with the foundations we’ve put in place and the improvements that we’ve made, it gives us a lot to be positive about. We're always striving for improvement.
If we make similar improvements next season, then it puts us right amongst it. We came close, but not close enough and I’m here to win for this football club.
JOHNNIE ON OMAR
Securing Omar was an important one for us. We made that a real priority.
He’s massive a part of what we want to do here, and he gets it. He’s enjoyed it as much as we’ve enjoyed him. It’s a really good fit all round.
He’s a proper Wimbledon player and he leaves his heart and soul out there. He gives everything for the shirt, he’s a really good player as well and he showed that again today.
Sometimes he’s got to have that selfish streak and he’s starting to do that really well. You’ve only got to look at his goals today, it was the perfect hat-trick and just rewards for all of his efforts.
JOHNNIE ON RONAN
Players like him have got star quality and have got match winning moments in them, you want them to be a part of what you’re doing.
He’s been brilliant for us and we’ve been brilliant for him. We’ve given him an opportunity after a really bad injury, but he’s repaid that. He’s a great lad and a real character about the place and he’s come up with some big moments.
His goal today was a great finish on the volley, and he’s given us some real moments of quality and some moments to shout about since January. He’s been a pleasure to work with.
Photos: David Cliff (Pro Sports Images).
