AFC Wimbledon manager Johnnie Jackson has announced in an interview with the South London Press that new deals have been offered to forward Omar Bugiel and midfielder Armani Little.
Both players joined the Dons last summer, and have been mainstays in Johnnie Jackson’s side this season. Bugiel has appeared 35 times in League Two this season with Little playing one game more. The latter joined from Forest Green Rovers having had a loan spell with the Dons in 2023 and has proved to be a solid acquisition with four goals and four assists so far this season.
Lebanon international Bugiel joined from Sutton United, where he had made over 130 appearances. The 30-year-old striker is the club’s second top scorer behind Ali Al-Hamadi and has nine goals and two assists to date. Since Al-Hamadi left to join Ipswich Town in January, Bugiel has seen an upturn in his minuted, which has also coincided with recent productivity.
The South-London-based club are aiming to finish in the play-offs this year and currently sit in seventh, the final play-off position. Walsall, Crawley Town, Gillingham, Newport County and Morecambe are all within three points, waiting to pounce, should Johnnie Jackson’s side falter.
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Speaking to the South London Press, the manager said:
“We’re in talks with them both, We have made the offers which we think reflect their standing at the club and how much we think about them.
“We want them to be a part of what we’re doing. These things are never straightforward, but all the talks we have had have been really positive – we can see no reason why they can’t both be with us longer term.”
Speaking on Bugiel, Jackson added:
“He’s involved in a team that’s pushing at the right end of the table to get into the play-off spots and do something special – he’s happy to be a part of that.
“Of course he wants to score goals – it’s what every striker wants to do – but the work he’s doing off the ball is equally important. He needs to keep doing that and the goals will come. He’s scoring in training and his confidence is still there.
“He’s making all the right runs – it’s just a matter of time. If he keeps doing those sorts of things, it will come. We’re not worried.”
The Wombles head to Crewe Alexandra on Saturday, hoping to return to winning ways following last weekend’s defeat to Newport. They then host Harrogate Town on Easter Friday before a trip to Edgeley Park to face second-placed Stockport County on Easter Monday. It’s by no means an easy run of fixtures especially with two of the three being sides in the top five, but recent performances are encouraging.
Writer’s View
The timing of this seems impeccable, with just seven games remaining in the season. This will act as a boost to the whole squad. If you perform then you will be rewarded.
Bugiel and Little both bring a whole host of experience that will help their fellow players next season. Bugiel has had a really productive season, one that could be considered his best to date. As for Little, he’s rightly earned his place in the heart of the midfield and looks to play an integral part in the coming years. The duo would both do well in League One, should the Dons gain promotion and although that would be considered a step-up for both, they could well take that in their stride.
