AFC Wimbledon are just over halfway into their first season back in League One since the 2021/22 season, where the club finished 23rd in the table and were relegated.
After conquering an intense play-off period at the back end of last season with three consecutive 1-0 wins and involvement in a busy transfer window, Wimbledon fans were hopeful for the step up to League One.
Wimbledon’s opening fixtures saw two narrow 1-0 losses to newly relegated sides Cardiff City and Luton Town.
Meanwhile, wins were also achieved against Lincoln City, Reading and Barnsley before four consecutive defeats in the league and a Carabao Cup First Round exit.
The Wombles then went unbeaten for seven games with six wins and one draw in this period, leaving them in fourth place and just one win off top.
After the unexpected positive start to the campaign, fans began to dream of much more than another season in League One next year.
However, despite the strong start, expectations have started to become reality with Wimbledon now sitting 17th in the table after a poor run of form that has seen only one win in the last ten league outings.
These results have left AFC Wimbledon on 31 points and only two above the drop zone currently.
Therefore, results in upcoming fixtures against Rotherham United (23rd) and Port Vale (24th) could prove vital if the Wombles are looking to maintain their League One status.
Wimbledon have very much gone with the approach that secured promotion last season with 3-5-2 in possession and wingbacks providing the chances from out wide, whilst a 5-3-2 transition when out of possession has also been present.
James Tilley and Josh Neufville were key providers in the wingback position last season. With Wimbledon losing both of these over summer to fellow League One opposition, signings in those areas were high priority if they were to stick with the shape that brought success last campaign.
These wingback spots were filled in the shape of former AFC Wimbledon favourite Steve Seddon and promising loan signing of Nathan Asimwe from Charlton Athletic.
Both signings with a combined nine goal contributions so far this season showing how reliant Wimbledon are with crosses into the box.
However, over reliance on the two, has seen Nathan Asimwe come off the boil in recent games, resulting in manager Johnnie Jackson changing up the formation.
Recent games have seen the League One side line-up in a 4-2-3-1 setup with Matthew Stevens leading the line, experienced Marcus Browne on the right of the three, and recent senior debutant Junior Nkeng on the left.
Callum Maycock has been placed through the middle of that three whilst Ogundere has shifted to right back, seeing Asimwe spend a prolonged period on the bench.
This formation has not yet proven fruitful however January loan signings of Luton’s youth prospect Zack Nelson and, most notably, the re-addition of James Tilley can help to provide Dons fans with hope that this can change.
Steve Seddon was always going to be an addition that was liked by fans but some feared that it was one more of nostalgia than quality. The defender has enjoyed two loan spells previously with the Dons, coming in the 2018/19 and 2020/21 seasons respectively before two strong seasons with Oxford United.
He joined Wimbledon on a permanent on the back of a season in Scotland with Motherwell. This season,
he’s proven to be ‘Mr Consistent’, featuring in 31 of the side’s 33 games in all competitions. Meanwhile, just two of these appearances have come from the bench.
Furthermore, his dangerous crosses from the left side have provided three assists so far helping the Wombles in their campaign so far.
Marcus Browne can play anywhere across the front line and performs his best when behind the striker.
He showed sparks of what he can do last season with four goals and an assist in 21 appearances. This year, he’s really come into his own and it’s clear to see that he’s enjoying his football.
With eight goals this season, the attacking player is currently AFC Wimbledon’s top scorer.
Joe Lewis has experienced a period on the side-line this season which looks like a recurring wrist injury that’s causing him some discomfort.
As a standout the last two seasons, he’s not a player that fans like to see out of the squad. Missing seven league games already has proven difficult for Johnnie Jackson to discover his best centre-back partnership.
Another player that AFC Wimbledon fans never like to see injured. Appearing in a huge 57 games last season in all competitions, contributing to 24 goals, Matthew Stevens is the talisman in the squad.
He started this campaign where he left off, with five goals and two assists in his first ten league games before a hamstring injury that saw him side-lined for 11 weeks.
He’s recently come back into the starting line-up as he aims to regain form and give Wimbledon fans a much needed boost.
As Wimbledon sit in 17th place, the aim is to remain in League One this season. The strong start has shown that they can compete with teams in this league and fans should be encouraged by past performances, that the squad is capable.
With the second lowest budget in League One, 17th is hardly a position to be sniffed at and one which fans may now be happy with come May
