JOHNNIE Jackson believes his five-star Wimbledon side have nobody to be scared of in the EFL Trophy after last night’s stunning 5-2 win dumped League One leaders Portsmouth out.
The Wimbledon boss made 10 changes to the side which drew 0-0 at Salford on Saturday and was rewarded in emphatic style with goals from Aron Sasu, Josh Davison, Alex Pearce, Harry Pell and Ali Al-Hamadi.
Next up is a home tie with another League One team, Oxford United, on 9 January and Jackson is confident Wimbledon can repeat the trick again having already enjoyed some memorable cup moments so far this season.
He told AFC Wimbledon’s website: “Honestly, I wasn’t really looking past tonight.
“They’re (Oxford) amongst the highest ranked teams left in the competition, another in League One.
“I said to the boys that on our day we are capable of mixing it with anyone.
“We’ve shown that constantly, we’ve done it at Stamford Bridge, we’ve done it here tonight – we don’t fear anyone, we want to go as far as we can in this competition.”
Jackson was delighted for Sasu after the 18-year-old grabbed his first ever AFC Wimbledon goal.
The Dons boss said: “He was brilliant in pre-season, he forced our hand to keep him around the group.
“His chances have been limited in terms of his involvement of late but what I’ve been waiting for is that.
“I’ve been on at him about a goal.
“For someone as good as he is, it’s taken too long to come because when he has come on he’s had chances to score.
“I’m buzzing for him tonight, I thought he was a menace all night.
“The way he got at them and was direct with his play, he was such a threat.
“He will remember this one for a while.”
Sasu was also keen to thank Jackson for all the first-team chances he has been handed so far, with the youngster eager to add to his goals tally now he is finally off the mark.
“The manager keeps giving me opportunities and I’m just trying to take them as much as I can,” the academy graduate said.
“I’ve now got my first goal, so that gives me more confidence.
“Hopefully it’s given him something to think about too. He keeps backing me and that’s all I can ask for from my gaffer.
“I haven’t really changed anything I’ve been doing – the way that I’ve been playing and training – it hadn’t been coming, but this evening it has.
“The process and the mindset that I’ve had is what has got me the opportunities. The gaffer has seen the things that I’ve been doing on and off the pitch and he still has faith in me.
“I think I’ve just got to keep doing what I’ve been doing, and more goals will come, I’m sure.”
