Bristol City loanee has been ‘real success story’ for AFC Wimbledon

BY EDMUND BRACK

Johnnie Jackson has called Ryley Towler’s loan spell “a real success story” for AFC Wimbledon’s recruitment team.

Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson confirmed last week that Towler, who joined the Dons on the final day of the summer transfer window on a season-long loan, needed to spend the campaign with Jackson’s side.

There is a January recall clause in the loan deal, but the 20-year-old defender looks set to spend the season with the Dons.

Towler has started the last 11 League Two games under Jackson, with the Dons recording their fifth clean sheet in a row in Saturday’s 0-0 draw away with Swindon Town.

“Ryley has been a real success story as far as our recruitment has gone,” Jackson told the South London Press. “We’re delighted to have him – he’s doing really well under us. He’s improving every week and I know that he is really enjoying being here and his football as well.

“Bristol City are really happy with that and see us as the best place for him to progress at the minute.

“All parties involved are happy with it. We’re really pleased that he will be staying with us.”

The oldest player in the backline for Wimbledon in recent weeks has been 23-year-old Paul Kalambayi, with Towler, 20, Huseyin Biler, 20, and Jack Currie, 20, making up the rest of a back four that have kept three clean sheets in a row in the league.

Ex-Millwall captain Alex Pearce, 34, and Wales international Chris Gunter, 34, have returned from injury and international duty, and the Dons boss believes their presence is helping to drive standards.

“It’s why I brought Pearcy and Gunts in,” explained Jackson.

“We knew we had quality youngsters with bright futures, but sometimes they need a little bit of help. Along with Lee Brown and Will Nightingale, Pearcy and Gunts really help the younger lads.

“They mentor them, speak with them and help encourage them. They want to see them progress, but the young lads know that the older ones want to be playing – it drives healthy competition.

“Those older guys have been brilliant with the younger ones, whether they have been playing or not.”

Club-record signing Josh Davison bagged his seventh goal of the season in the 3-2 win over Harrogate Town on October 29 but the ex-Charlton striker has failed to find the back of the net in his previous eight appearances.

“He’s playing really well,” added Jackson. “He’s playing his part in a side that is performing well and winning a lot of games.

“As a striker, he’s always going to want to score goals, but Josh is about a lot more than that – what he brings to the team is huge.

“He is creating opportunities himself. The Swindon keeper [Sol Brynn] made a really good save last Saturday in the first half.

“With the quality that we have in the team, I know that we will create for him as well. We’re really pleased with what he brings to the team – he is vital to what we do.

“I knew exactly what I was getting when I signed Josh. I had worked with him previously, and I knew he was the type of lad that leaves absolutely everything out on the pitch.

“He is willing to run everything down and is a nightmare for defenders to play against.

“I have no worries at all with Josh – I know the goals will come. He continues to work hard and gets into the right positions.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD

Main Pic: Ryley Towler