AFC Wimbledon manager Johnnie Jackson feels he is reaping the benefits of keeping faith with his players after they continued their fine recent home form with a 4-0 win over Swindon.
The Dons have now won their last six games at Plough Lane, scoring 22 goals in the process, and that run has lifted them up to seventh in League Two and earned them a place in the third round of the FA Cup.
It is quite a turnaround for a team who struggled for results on their own patch in the previous two seasons, but Jackson believes his players always had it in them to go on such a streak.
He said: “I got asked a lot about the home form, but my answer always was, ‘I think we’re playing well’.
“It’s just the results weren’t quite coming and you can do two things – you can try and change what you’re doing or you can believe in what you’re doing, you continue to put the level of performance in and the results will naturally come, and that’s what we’ve done.
“We carried on the work that we’re doing, we doubled down, we worked harder and the lads believe in themselves.
“We spoke a lot about trying to start fast, building on the momentum that we’ve created here.
“Going into the game, we’d won five on the bounce here and it’s become a really difficult place for opponents.
“We wanted to make it uncomfortable for Swindon in the opening exchanges.”
Flying out of the traps brought reward for Wimbledon after just six minutes when Omar Bugiel turned in Joe Lewis’ cross from close range.
The hosts really pressed on after doubling their lead in the 59th minute through a stunning long-range strike into the top corner by Armani Little.
Dons top-scorer Ali Al-Hamadi then took advantage of the widening gaps in Swindon’s defence by producing two clinical finishes in the closing stages.
Swindon boss Michael Flynn lamented his side’s frailty at the back, saying: “We were very poor defensively and I don’t mean just the defenders.
“We’ve conceded 40 goals now in the league, which is way too much – some teams will go through the season probably conceding that many.
“We’ve got to improve and I’ve got to improve in that area, which is what I’ll be looking to do.
“The second goal, they don’t even sense there’s danger from the free-kick, everybody’s switched off.
“The first goal shouldn’t have been allowed because there were two down with a head injury for over 10-15 seconds and the fourth official was telling the referee.
“It’s a diabolical decision for him to play on there because it’s the safety of the players, but we weren’t good enough today and that was only one goal.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
