Bassey sings praises of players after comeback victory

Posted Sunday, November 25, 2018 by PA

AFC Wimbledon caretaker manager Simon Bassey sung his players’ praises after his side came from behind to end a sorry run of nine consecutive defeats to beat Southend 2-1.

A misdirected cross from Mitch Pinnock clinched the three points after Deji Oshilaja brought Wimbledon level on the stroke of half-time.

And the Dons boss was delighted with the character his men showed as they wrestled their way back into the game following an honest discussion in the dressing room.

“It’s been a difficult period but we are absolutely thrilled with the lads’ efforts and the character they showed to come from behind at home,” said Bassey.

“We asked questions from them in wide areas. I thought we could have had one or two more.

“We have been under-performing and we stressed to the players what it means to represent this club.

“I asked them to have some fun in the second half. I asked them if they wanted to have fun playing football.

“They said yes, and I said ‘go and show me that then’. The second half I thought they were excellent.”

Pinnock came back to haunt his old team with the decisive goal at Kingsmeadow, but Wimbledon had to do it the hard away after an early Liam Trotter own goal.

But the hosts scored twice in the league for the first time since September as two Pinnock crosses were enough to breach Southend’s defence.

Pinnock whipped a ball in on his weaker right foot towards the back post and Shrimpers defender Stephen Hendrie kicked the ball onto Oshilaja to score in first half stoppage time.

Wimbledon’s winner came with 20 minutes to go as an overlapping run from Oshilaja gave Pinnock the required room to bend in a cross from the right wing which evaded everyone and found the bottom corner.

Joe Pigott hit the post before team-mate Scott Wagstaff had two efforts cleared off the line late on.

The result had Southend boss Chris Powell questioning the desire of his players as they fell to a fourth consecutive defeat in League One.

“We’re in a tough place. Whether that be losses, whether that be loss of players, we’re in a tough place as a football club,” he said.

“As this game went on, we knew they would put crosses in. You’ve got to stand up for yourself, and in the main we did it. But again we let a cross in and then it causes a bit of havoc, 1-1, and then their tails are up.

“They’re two ugly goals really but they count.

“It’s a tough result to take. By the end of the game, we looked as if we’re the side in the lower reaches.”