Glyn Hodges admits AFC Wimbledon must improve in front of goal

Posted Sunday, March 08, 2020 by PA

Glyn Hodges lamented his side’s lack of a cutting edge after AFC Wimbledon were held to a dour 0-0 draw by Bolton.

The result left the Dons sitting just six points above the League One drop zone, with 21st-place Tranmere having two games in hand.

Kwesi Appiah had a goal ruled out for offside while Adam Roscrow and Mads Sorensen both went close late on, but there was to be no breakthrough against the side rock bottom of the table.

And Hodges, whose team travel to play-off chasing Doncaster next weekend, believes his players need to do more in front of goal if they are to avoid relegation.

“We need to be more clinical,” he said.

“I think we only had one shot on target from a lot of attempts and that needs to improve.

“We pushed and pushed for a winner, but it just wasn’t to be unfortunately.

“We’ve got a point, we’ll take that and move on – it was a battle and they held firm.

“You’ve got to give credit to Bolton for coming here in their situation and giving it their all, and a point was probably a fair result at the end of the day.

“We know we’re in a battle and it’s going to be that way until the end of the season – we just need to keep focusing on ourselves and picking up points.

“We can’t look at other results around us – if we win games of football then we’ll stay up and we know that.”

The visitors have endured a difficult season blighted by off-field issues including a points deduction, lying bottom of the table on 13 points after 33 games.

But Hill, who took over the job last year after a successful spell at Rochdale, was far from all doom and gloom after watching his side’s display in the capital.

“It’s a positive point, it’s a positive afternoon,” he said.

“The supporters were great all throughout, before the game and during, and the players were as well.

“They definitely deserved a point – with a bit of better decision-making in the final third then we win that game.

“Two clean sheets on the bounce is pleasing – I’m really proud of my players and we’re struggling with injuries again. They’ve stood firm and I’m pleased with them.

“I thought they defended really well and I’m pleased for the back four – they were immense today, they didn’t make too many mistakes. Essentially that’s the rock which you can build success on.

“We have to work as hard as we can at making positive, good, clinical decisions in front of goal.

“It gives us confidence, it’s the key component of building success.”