AFC Wimbledon supporters will be hoping for some news from the club this week regarding players coming into the club. The playing squad has been exposed as being thin, especially in the striker department.
With the front line ripped apart as the leading two players, Ali Al-Hamadi (Iraq) and Omar Bugiel (Lebanon), away on Asian Cup duty in Qatar, the forward line is somewhat threadbare. Josh Davison, who was the bright young hope at the start of the 2022/23 season, has been playing in the shadow of Al-Hamadi for the past year, and as a consequence, his form has dropped off considerably.
Manager Johnnie Jackson has often used Harry Pell as the replacement for a tiring Bugiel during matches, but with the former Cheltenham man suspended this past weekend for the 2-0 loss at Wrexham, the manager had to turn to James Ball. The midfielder did well, but it would be fair to say that even Pell cannot match the Lebanese man for work rate and ability.
Aaron Sasu and Josh Neufville are two players that have been sparingly used so far but will have to fill in the gap that has been created by Stockport County recalling Connor Lemonheigh-Evans.
The big problem the Dons have is the lack of cash to lure any new potential signings. This was evident when they secured the services on a long-term contract of central defender Joe Lewis. The player who has become a firm favourite with fans, was on loan from Stockport, and the final fee was helped over the line by club sponsor and novelist John Green.
A short story about shorts 😅🩳#AFCW | @sportswithjohn 🟡🔵pic.twitter.com/ya1HRMYOfy
— AFC Wimbledon (@AFCWimbledon) January 10, 2024
This underlines how much, or little, is available to spend on players. So, once again the Plough Lane outfit will be forced into loans.
At present, there are no strong rumours, apart from the usual internet musings. With games against teams in and around the playoff places coming up before the end of the month, there is again a feeling that the January blues are about to surface.
For Wimbledon to avoid another second-half-of-season slump, the squad must be kept together and at present Jackson is under no pressure to sell players. This is of course subject to any unbelievable offer coming in for the likes of Al-Hamadi, and young left-back Jack Currie, who once again has turned Championship club heads.
For now, it is a case of grabbing points from matches against Crawley Town, Milton Keynes, and Mansfield Town, before players return from Qatar and injury. As well of course rolling out the red carpet for any new players.
