Hodges happy hat-trick hero Forss snubbed Finland duty
Posted Sunday, October 13, 2019 by PA
AFC Wimbledon’s caretaker boss Glyn Hodges was delighted hat-trick hero Marcus Forss opted to put club before country.
Forss, who scored three times in the Dons’ 4-1 win at Southend, turned down the chance to team up with Finland Under-21s this week.
And Hodges was thrilled the on-loan Brentford forward opted to stay put.
“Marcus was called up for Finland’s Under-21s but he asked me if I wanted him to stay and I’m obviously delighted he did,” said Hodges.
“He can see the value in playing at this level and he scored a hat-trick to keep his good run going.
“He wanted to stay and he scores all types of goals.
“If you give him a chance you always expect him to hit the target and he’s done that again today.”
Forss, who has now scored seven goals in six Sky Bet League One matches, bagged a brace inside the opening 11 minutes.
And Hodges felt the quick start was key to his side’s first away win of the season.
“We had a quick start and backed it up,” said Hodges. “We went 2-0 up but we didn’t see it through and caused ourselves some problems.
“We got a bit nervous but we calmed it down at half-time and we went about it really well after that.”
Forss took just five minutes to open the scoring at Roots Hall as he fired home a deflected right-footed shot from 12 yards.
Six minutes later, Forss scored his second as he netted from close range following a goalmouth scramble.
Southend replied instantly, with Timothee Dieng heading home Nathan Ralph’s left-wing cross, but the Shrimpers were unable to find an equaliser during their best spell of the game.
Wimbledon hit back after the break and made it 3-1 in the 52nd minute, with Forss slamming home a penalty after Rob Kiernan had brought down Ryan Delaney.
The Dons remained on top and extended their lead in the 72nd minute, when Ryan Delaney headed home Max Sanders’ corner.
And that made it another frustrating afternoon for Southend caretaker boss Gary Waddock.
“It was a poor start to the first half and the second as well, but it’s been a common theme,” said Waddock.
“It gives you a mountain to climb and we had to climb a lot of mountains today.
“It was always going to be very difficult for us after that start and the goals we concede are sloppy.”
Henrik Larsson and Sol Campbell remain in the running to be Southend’s next boss, but Waddock is unsure what the future will hold.
“The chairman put a statement out and whatever comes of that we’ll see this week,” said Waddock.
“I don’t know any more than you do.”
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