AFC Wimbledon manager Johnnie Jackson has warned his players they will be fortunate to start against Mansfield Town after Saturday’s 5-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday. The Dons boss believes nobody can point to their performance at Hillsborough as justification for keeping their place.

Wimbledon welcome Mansfield on Tuesday with an immediate opportunity to respond to their heaviest league defeat since a loss by the same scoreline at Peterborough United last November. They are now without a win in four league matches, with Jackson facing decisions over who should be trusted to deliver a reaction.

Speaking to BBC Radio London, Jackson welcomed the quick turnaround between fixtures. However, his assessment of the players’ claims for selection was blunt.

“It’s a really good thing that we don’t have to stew on that for a week.

“We have to just focus on Mansfield now and pick a team that we feel can hurt them.

“But anyone who’s in that team needs to know they’re lucky they get the opportunity to start the game, because I don’t think anyone can honestly say on the performance at Hillsborough they deserve that opportunity.”

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The scale of the task facing Jackson was underlined by Wimbledon’s failure to register a shot on target at Hillsborough. Three goals in the closing stages of the first half put Wednesday firmly in control, with Barry Bannan opening the scoring in the 38th minute before Davis Keillor-Dunn and Harry Gray added to the lead.

Callum Slattery made it four after the interval, before Keillor-Dunn scored his second late on to complete the 5-0 victory. Myles Hippolyte sent efforts off target either side of half-time on an afternoon when Wimbledon offered little threat.

Jackson can at least draw encouragement from the way his squad have responded to previous setbacks. With Wycombe Wanderers also due to visit on Saturday, the Dons have two home fixtures in which to begin repairing the damage.

“When we’ve had one of these types of days, we’ve seen a reaction from the group, so I can take a little bit of solace in the fact we normally react in a really positive way and that’s what we need to do.

“We’ve got two home games now to try to right some of the wrongs.”

Jackson’s warning leaves his players with little room to hide, but it also presents a selection dilemma. He must decide whether changes will improve the side or whether those involved at Hillsborough should be given the responsibility of responding.

The lack of a shot on target makes his reference to picking a team that can hurt Mansfield particularly relevant. Wimbledon need a stronger attacking performance alongside greater defensive resilience, and these two home matches offer an opportunity to address both. A positive response on Tuesday would give Jackson something to build on before Wycombe arrive.