Four takeaways from AFC Wimbledon’s 0-0 draw with Hartlepool – Ponderous performance but back-to-back clean sheets recorded

By Dave Hunt-Jackson

AFC Wimbledon were unable to repeat their opening day performance as they played out a frustrating draw at Hartlepool United on Saturday.

Although they were able to keep a second clean sheet, in part thanks to Nik Tzanev and in part thanks to the woodwork, this was a poor and largely disjointed display where the Dons were unable to create much in the way of meaningful chances against a defence that had leaked four goals on the opening day of the season.

Indeed had Euan Murray’s effort been just a shade lower, Hartlepool would have claimed all three points in a game that offered very little by way of entertainment.

Here are Dave Hunt-Jackson’s four takeaways from Victoria Park:

Far too ponderous from the visitors

From the way that Wimbledon were slowly passing the ball around at the back and, at times, standing aimlessly on the ball, you might have thought you were watching a World Cup match in the midday heat in Qatar. The fact that this pace hardly changed for 90 minutes would have revealed otherwise. 

This was the epitome of a lacklustre display, and a poor Hartlepool side were allowed to dominate in the second half as the South Londoners lost their way completely.

At half time it was clear that the visitors only needed to find a little more urgency, and the three points were there for the taking. But it was their hosts who improved, albeit marginally, and the chance for a winning away performance at the first time of asking was squandered.

Ayoub Assal is not a target man

This should be stating the obvious, but for the second week running, Johnnie Jackson effectively started Assal alongside Josh Davison. Assal is at his best running at players or running onto through balls and the sight of Nik Tzanev launching long balls in his direction was painful to watch. 

The side looks out of shape with Assal so far forward, and although he was probably Wimbledon’s most threatening player, this is in the context of a pretty toothless attacking display.

Assal would surely be more effective if he was playing off a front two made up of himself, Davison, Kyle Hudlin and Nathan Young-Coombes. Instead, that role went to Ethan Chislett, who struggled to make much impact on the game and was caught offside in wide positions far too often.

Another clean sheet

If Wimbledon are to mount a challenge for a swift return to League One or at least make light work of staying in League Two, a solid defence is essential. Tzanev will be delighted to be unbeaten after 360 minutes of football, and it is due in no small part to an excellent second-half double save.

The back three are vastly experienced, with the excellent Alex Pearce, a composed and reassuring figure between Will Nightingale and Lee Brown. 

They will hope that Paris Maghoma gives the ball away a little less in front of them and will face sterner tests than Hartlepool provided, but the signs are good for a significant improvement this season in the goals against column.

 An accident waiting to happen

What Tzanev will be less delighted about will be the number and quality of passes back to him from all over the pitch. The obsession with passing the ball around in triangles in and around their own box was a contributing factor in too many goals last season. A change of manager has not seen a change to this questionable tactic.

Tzanev’s ball control skills have improved, but he remains not a natural “sweeper ‘keeper”, with most of Hartlepool’s limited threat on Saturday coming from defensive passing errors when a ball forward would have been safer and more likely to cause the opposition problems. The over-emphasis on defensive possession seems to be high risk for little or no reward. 

You can only wonder what Dons’ legend Mick Smith, who was on commentary duty, would have made of it all. The 332 travelling fans would certainly have breathed more easily with a bit more of an old-school “laces through the ball” approach.

One thing is clear, the Dons will need to produce an improved performance for the upcoming games against Gillingham in the EFL Cup and Doncaster to ensure their promising start to the season does not unravel.

PICTURES: LUCY DIXON