It is far too early to talk of must-win games, certainly six-pointers, and after all, there has only been one loss so far this season, but are AFC Wimbledon facing a tipping point in this campaign already?
Far from the type of results that would have alarm bells ringing, it is the manner in which they have got their points so far that could be cause for concern, and as very recent history has shown, it is a slippery slope that the club will wish to avoid.
Reasons to be cheerful
On Saturday the Dons lost a lead (again), along with their 23-24 season unbeaten record. On the face of it, this isn’t a disaster, given this was their first league loss this season, and they have shown some great form during August, so much so that manager Johnnie Jackson was shortlisted for August’s Manager of the Month.
The team has improved significantly over the summer, with a front foot brand of football coupled with a tight defence that is exciting to watch. Saturday saw the visit of Stockport County, who have had a slow start to the season, but are a few pundits’ favourites to be at the top end of the table come next May. The Dons are still missing key players, with Jake Reeves and Armani Little being the most notable. Stockport loan signings Joe Lewis and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans were ineligible to play, and Ali Al-Hamadi is on international duty with Iraq. The squad depth is being tested and perhaps it is not quite as strong as what fans thought, or hoped, it was.
The 2-1 loss was the third game in succession that the Plough Lane club have thrown away leads, which is a worrying trend for fans who feel that they have seen this play out before. It is one thing playing more attractive football, but if the resilience and nous goes missing, what then? If the past two seasons are anything to go by, fans fear that there will be no Plan B and the heads drop, and the points don’t magically come back. It is perhaps an overreaction given that this is a first loss, and there were key players missing, but other teams have the same issues, with County themselves missing 10 players that could have been called upon.
Worrying trends
Home wins have been scarce since the club returned to its spiritual home, and it has become another albatross to hang around the players’ necks. So much of the game is in the head and with a lack of home wins, only nine in the last 49 league games, coupled with the times they have let leads slip, it does knock the confidence. New players should make a difference but should the 50th home game come and go this coming weekend with a loss to the visiting Crewe Alexandra, then the players may well be adversely affected. Cautious not to lose, the freedom starts to go from their play, and the manager second-guesses himself… it’s all a bit doom and gloom.
Crewe will visit The Dons off the back of a huge 4-1 away win at Forest Green Rovers, a result that propelled them into sixth place. They have also scored a lot of goals this season, and are the joint second-highest scorers in the league, but their away form isn’t as strong, with the 4-1 win at FGR their first away victory this season. Jackson went on record after Saturday’s game to say that The Dons will “have to use the frustration as our fuel”, meaning that there should be a response, and a much better performance. If this doesn’t come to fruition it could be a long September with a trip to Walsall, and a home game against Tranmere Rovers to follow.
Writer’s View
AFC Wimbledon will want to put the home “curse” behind them, and in doing so break this run of losing points from winning positions. They are missing important players, and some will still be out this week, but hey can’t afford to start using this as an excuse. A win will see a decent return from the first eight games of the season, a loss and it will be a poor start. No team can say they deserve more than what the end product is in terms of points gained and position in the table. The two wins so far have been against teams in the lower reaches of the table, but they will be hollow if they cannot pick up points elsewhere. This will be a test of their resolve and one which they will have to get past to keep any potential wolves from the door.
