Edmund Brack’s assessment of AFC Wimbledon’s 2022-23 season – A dismal 2023, player of the season and what has to happen to hit the ground running next campaign?

AFC Wimbledon finished 21st in the League Two table in a failed attempt to gain promotion back to League One at the first time of asking.

Here, Edmund Brack runs the rule over the Dons’ campaign:

How do you assess the season?

Considering that AFC Wimbledon came into the campaign on the back of a 27-game winless run that culminated in the club’s first relegation as a phoenix outfit, fans were looking for stability and for Plough Lane to finally become home.

However, apart from a 10-game run before the January transfer window, which saw the Dons climb to the cusp of the play-offs, the season has been nothing short of disappointing, only winning twice in 2023 and finishing as the fourth worst team in the football pyramid.

There have been positives. Ali Al-Hamadi joined on a free from Wycombe, who retain a vested interest in the forward down the line, on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

The Iraqi international has offered solace in the second half of the campaign, scoring 10 goals in 19 appearances. The 21-year-old will be spearheading the attack next season as long as the Dons can keep hold of him during the summer.

But apart from Al-Hamadi, since late February, Dons fans have been counting down the days until the final ball was kicked at Grimsby last Monday.

Where did the season go wrong?

A switch in formation following the 1-0 defeat to Sutton in October, and the emergence of Ryley Towler, with Ayoub Assal finding a shrewd eye for consistency in front of goal, saw the Dons climb to the cusp of the play-offs by the end of 2022 – things were starting to click for Jackson and AFC Wimbledon.

But come January 1st, the League One promotion push began to collapse on itself.

Loanees Towler and Paris Maghoma – both key starters in Jackson’s side – were recalled by their parent clubs and sold or loaned out to League One sides.

And even more detrimental to the Dons, Assal had drawn interest from the Middle East.

Qatari side Al-Wakrah initially tested the waters with a bid in the region of £250,000 for the academy graduate.

By the time their second offer came around, it trigged Assal’s £1.2million release clause in his contract, leaving the club with no option but to let the 21-year-old leave Plough Lane three appearances shy of a century.

And a string of poor results and injuries to key players – Davison, Pell, Pearce, Huseyin Biler, Diallang Jaiyesimi, Lee Brown, Nik Tzanev and Paul Kalambayi – during the second half of the season saw Wimbledon drop down from play-off hopefuls to two places away from the National League.

How would you rate the transfer windows?

The summer started with promise. The club broke their record transfer fee to bring in striker Josh Davison from Charlton Athletic, also adding experience in the shape of Alex Pearce and Chris Gunter to set the tone for the squad’s younger members.

Harry Pell also arrived from Accrington Stanley, coming back to the club to help guide the Dons back into the first tier at the first time of asking.

Ryley Towler, Paris Maghoma and Nathan Young-Coombes, before he suffered a serious knee injury, were all key members of the squad for the first half of the season.

However, it was clear that the 3-5-2 Jackson wanted to play did not have the players capable of fulfilling the formation to its potential.

The main baffling decision was allowing Zach Robinson to head out on loan to Dundee in the Scottish Championship – the 20-year-old recorded 20 goal contributions in 35 appearances for the Dark Blues.

The most goal contributions a player has registered for the Dons this season is 15 [Josh Davison].

Winter window plans were forced to be rejigged following Towler, Maghoma and Assal all leaving.

But January loanees Saikou Janneh, Sam Pearson and Diallang Jaiyesimi have failed to have an impact.

However, the Dons unearthed a gem in Al-Hamadi.

Overall, five out of 10 for Wimbledon’s recruitment across the two transfer windows.

Most disappointing transfer?

Diallang Jaiyesimi. The Charlton loanee was brought in to replace Ayoub Assal in the January window, but injuries have stopped him from truly showing what he is capable of.

There have been flashes where he has shown he is a cut above the level.

How has Johnnie Jackson done in his first season as Wimbledon boss?

It’s certainly been a rollercoaster in Jackson’s first full season in football management.

After a difficult start to life at Plough Lane, the former Charlton boss claimed the November Manager of the Month award and took his side to just a win away from climbing into the top seven.

There were serious highlights – the 2-0 win over Leyton Orient and dramatic later winners against Harrogate and Colchester were impressive performances.

He has also got the best out of the likes of Ethan Chislett, who has transformed himself into a goalscoring threat at League Two level.

But throwing away 40 points from winning positions shows there is still a lot to learn with in-game management.

Player of the season

Jack Currie. The young left-back has been extremely consistent in his first full season in league football.

Former Eastbourne Borough loanee Currie has interest from Bristol City in the winter and will have suitors higher up trying to secure his services this summer.

Currie has kept some of the best wingers in League Two quiet this season, with his battle against Paul Smyth at Plough Lane one which showed the 21-year-old is destined for big things.

Ali Al-Hamadi was nothing short of sensational during the second half of the season. Ethan Chislett has also been outstanding throughout, but over the course of the campaign, Currie takes the crown.

He will go on to have an excellent career.

What has to happen to hit the ground running next season? 

It’s quite simple, win. Wimbledon failed to register an away win after the turn of the year and only picked up two wins at home.

For the fans to truly believe that next season will be any different, Johnnie Jackson and Craig Cope have to assemble a side capable of taking the lead and holding onto it. It is no secret that AFC Wimbledon’s squad will look starkly different next season.

The understanding is that Wimbledon will be looking to recruit players who have the durability to play over 35 games in a season and the physical prowess to battle their way out of the division. Walsall centre-back Emmanuel Monthe is one name who has been mentioned in despatches in a long list of free agents the club are considering ahead of the next campaign.

But an early string of wins is imperative for fans to get on board and find that reconnection with the management and playing staff once again.

Prospect to key an eye on

Morgan Williams. The 18-year-old midfielder has excelled out on loan with Eastbourne Borough in the second half of the season.

Expected to be involved with Johnnie Jackson’s first team over pre-season to see whether he can mix it in League Two next season.

He made his senior debut for the Dons in the 1-0 defeat at Grimsby on the final day of the season.