Will AFC Wimbledon be ordered to practise penalty kicks ahead of League Two play-off final? Boss Johnnie Jackson answers that question
Johnnie Jackson is not ordering his AFC Wimbledon players to practise penalties ahead of their League Two play-off final against Walsall on Monday.
The Dons secured their place at Wembley with a 2-0 aggregate win over Notts County.
Leyton Orient boss Richie Wellens admitted after their League One play-off shootout victory over Stockport County that he did not make his players practise in the lead-up to the second-leg tie due to fact it was impossible to recreate the tension at the finale of a match with such high stakes.
Jackson was a spot-kick taker during his playing days at Charlton Athletic.
Asked if he would be able to look if a penalty shootout scenario happened against the Saddlers, the Wimbledon manager told the South London Press: “Yeah, I’ll watch them. It will be torture! But I’ll watch them.
“We had a little practise in the week and then I just put the onus on the players, if they felt they needed to then by all means do it. But we didn’t make like a huge big deal of it because, I agree with Richie.
“You can try and put all the pressure in the world on a training penalty but how are you every going to recreate walking up to that ball at Wembley with however many people are going to be there? It is just impossible to replicate.
“I put it in the players’ hands. If they want to do it then by all means do. But I don’t think you should overthink it either.”
Jackson was on BBC London Sport punditry duty last week to see the Addicks secure their own trip to Wembley after defeat Wycombe Wanderers.
His former club play at the national stadium at 1pm on Sunday.
“We’ll be in training and I’ll be concentrating on my team – prepping my team,” said Jackson. “Hopefully I get to watch it afterwards. It is quite an early kick-off, so that doesn’t help. I’m sure I’ll grab some of it – certainly the later parts of the second half.
“That morning will be working day for us.”
PICTURE: KYLE ANDREWS
