Preparing for next season
Following an incredible 2024/25 season, in which they achieved promotion to League One via the playoffs, AFC Wimbledon will now look to use that momentum to pull off a stellar season in the third tier. However, they face an uphill battle. As expected, given the fact that they got to League One via the playoffs and therefore in theory are the weakest team in the division, they are many people’s favourites to make an instant return to the fourth tier. Their survival attempt has only been made more difficult by the players that they have lost since last season. Goalkeeper Owen Goodman has returned to Crystal Palace following his loan spell and has since headed out on loan once again. This time to fellow League One side Huddersfield Town. Josh Neufville and James Tilley have also departed the club, both on free transfers. All three of them started the play off final victory over Walsall at Wembley.
Transfer Business
On the plus side, midfielder Alistair Smith, who also started the play off final, has joined the club on a free transfer following his successful loan spell from Lincoln City last season. To replace the departed Goodman, Nathan Bishop has been brought in from Sunderland. This, for me, is an interesting acquisition. Bishop has got experience in this league but aside from the 2021/22 season, he hasn’t really been first choice consistently. Even in the 2021/22 season when he was first choice, he was playing in League Two. Getting their new first choice goalkeeper right is imperative for the Dons given how important their defence was to their promotion triumph last season. The London side only conceded thirty-five goals, the lowest in the league. Delano McCoy-Splatt has also come in from Fulham following his release from the Premier League side.
Daniel Kanu
Another player the Dons are interested in is Charlton Athletic striker Daniel Kanu. With Charlton being promoted to the Championship, opportunities for the 20-year-old will be even more limited. Similarly to Bishop, I think this is an interesting signing. Kanu has scored goals in this league before, bagging six goals in thirty games just two seasons ago. This might not sound particularly impressive but given his age, this is not a bad return. During this season, he would join Southend United in the Vanarama National League for an initial one-month loan spell. On his first start for the club, Kanu would stun Roots Hall with four goals in a 5-0 win against Solihull Moors. He was recalled by the club after only six appearances in Essex. AFC Wimbledon could certainly do worse than an exciting prospect like Kanu, but I feel as though they will need even more firepower if they are to not make an instant return to League Two.
To potentially add insult to injury, their biggest rivals MK Dons have been conducting some impressive transfer business so far this window and are already considered the favourites to win League Two next season. Being relegated from the third tier, whilst their biggest rivals are promoted from the fourth, would be a nightmare season for AFC Wimbledon. A scenario that they will be keen to avoid at all costs.
