Downes demands more fight from Wimbledon

Posted Sunday, February 10, 2019 by PA

AFC Wimbledon boss Wally Downes insisted his team will not suffer relegation without a fight despite a disappointing 2-0 defeat at home by Burton.

Jamie Allen and David Templeton struck in either half for the Brewers to leave the hosts 10 points from safety at the foot of League One.

Yet Downes, who is without a win since Boxing Day, wants more effort and application as they battle against the drop.

Downes said: “It is difficult to find any positives from a performance like that, and the players have been made aware in no uncertain terms that if we are going to go down we are going to go down fighting. Going down the way we went is not what this club is about.

“This club was born out of a fight and it has fought its way to this position.

“I am going to demand that they fight for this club. If we go down we down but we go down fighting and what happened was unacceptable.

“It is a gargantuan task, it is going to need heart and it is going to need fight and it is going to need better fight than today.”

The Dons had a penalty shout turned down just one minute in when a shot appeared to hit a Burton defender’s arm, but was waved away.

Marcus Harness then slipped a well-judged through-ball to Allen, who calmly slotted home to break the deadlock after 14 minutes.

The Dons responded well, forcing a number of set-pieces, but could not capitalise as Will Nightingale was unable to force the ball in from one corner.

The game was sealed on 57 minutes when Templeton raced into the box and flashed a low, left-footed strike into the far corner.

Downes also apologised to the supporters for the display and suggested his squad lacked the leadership required to survive.

He added: “It’s terrible, you feel for the fans because they were excited after the previous home game they had and they look for that as a springboard and not being able to perform for the fans is one of the worst crimes.”

Burton boss Nigel Clough said: “It was a good all-round professional team performance.

“No mistakes, we did both sides of the game. Played some great football and scored two brilliant goals.

“The first one especially, the passing and the movement was excellent and a great finish.

“We know we can play football and create chances as we have done but is about having that resilience to keep clean sheets. We have shown that in the last month or two.

“The defence was immaculate. It was a good solid all-round performance.

“I think that first goal will be our goal of the season come May with the passing and the movement.”