Johnnie Jackson takes positives from another clean sheet for AFC Wimbledon

Posted Sunday, September 22, 2024 by PA

AFC Wimbledon manager Johnnie Jackson was pleased with another solid performance as his side recorded a fourth consecutive clean sheet in the league.

The visitors also had the best chance of a hard-fought goalless draw with Bradford at Valley Parade when Myles Hippolyte’s shot hit one post, ran along the line and bounced away off the other.

“It’s unbelievable how that’s not gone in,” said Jackson. “That goes in on another day and you see it out and win 1-0.

“We haven’t had loads but I think we had the big chances in the game.

“We haven’t dominated by any means but the big moments were for us: (James) Tilley had a couple of good chances, we hit the bar and had an offside goal ruled out that was really tight.

“Despite their pressure and penalty-box entries, I don’t think they’ve had anything too clear-cut.

“But it’s important if you don’t win it, you don’t get beaten and I didn’t feel we were hanging on to not lose.

“I’ve been here enough times in my career to know you don’t often come away with something. So, it’s never a bad point.”

Jackson says confidence will be high heading into Tuesday’s Carabao Cup third-round tie with Newcastle.

“Quite a few people I haven’t heard from for a while have come out of the woodwork.

“I can’t wait. It’s exciting for me to go up against Eddie Howe, a Premier League manager, and Premier League opposition but I’m more excited for my players to test themselves.

“We’re not there to just make up the numbers. We do want to attack the game.”

Bradford manager Graham Alexander praised his side for standing up to the battle after Lewis Richards and Joe Adams added to a growing injury list for the Bantams.

He said: “They were two competitive teams and physically it was a real tough game for us. I thought the players were excellent with how they defended against it.

“Apart from the shot that hit both posts, Sam (Walker) didn’t have a save to make.

“That’s great from our perspective because we’ve been hit hard with a lot of players missing and we’ve lost two today through the game.

“I was really pleased for the players to be in control for the majority of that game and finish the stronger team.”

Alexander felt Bradford should have had a penalty when on-loan Wigan midfielder Adams was knocked down in the box, landing awkwardly on his knee.

“He’s in front of the opponent who has run straight into him,” he said. “I don’t think the opponent meant to do it, but he was running back at such a pace, he just went straight into the back of Joe.

“He’s not touched the ball and took Joe out. It’s a difficult one to take.”