Four takeaways from AFC Wimbledon’s goalless draw at Barrow – A lack of cutting edge but defender’s contract extension could be shrewdest piece of business

AFC Wimbledon maintained their unbeaten away record with another goalless draw, this time at Barrow’s SO Legal Stadium.

 In a drab encounter that suddenly came to life in the last few minutes, both sides had chances to grab all the points, but Jake Reeves will be particularly disappointed that he could not convert after a clearly exhausted Ali Al-Hamadi put him through one-on-one with Barrow ‘keeper Paul Farman.

Here are Dave Hunt-Jackson’s four takeaways from the game:

 A LACK OF CUTTING EDGE

Despite three excellent defensive displays at Mansfield, Harrogate and now Barrow, AFC Wimbledon have gone almost four games without a goal.

Not since Omar Bugiel’s sixth-minute winner at Harrogate have the South Londoners found the back of the net, with James Tilley’s early season goalscoring form evaporating. 

Josh Davison is a shadow of the player he was last year, lacking match sharpness and confidence. 

Ali Al-Hamadi does look a genuine threat but is more effective when he can use his pace, but unless Johnnie Jackson is prepared to use him more sparingly, he is at risk of an injury due to burnout. 

Having played two internationals in four days with the associated travelling, it was always likely that he would struggle to play 90 minutes on Saturday, and he looked exhausted by the end and clearly needed a rest. The Dons need goals from elsewhere and perhaps by trying either Josh Neufville or Aron Sasu in Al-Hamadi’s role on Tuesday, they could kill two birds with one stone.

TIME TO BE BRAVE

The Dons still sit one place of the play-offs despite taking just two points from the last three fixtures and their recent form with clean sheets matched by a lack of goalscoring is worryingly reminiscent of the form of January this year. 

After some gritty performances at the start of the year, the South London outfit slipped from the fringes of the promotion race to eventually finish 21st.

It is a fate that must not be repeated, especially with a squad that looks every bit as talented as the one that took Wimbledon into League One under Neal Ardley.

For the campaign to stay on course, they will need to show imagination in breaking down teams such as Barrow and especially in their performances at home. At present, their away form is promotion form, but at the Cherry Red Records Stadium, it is frankly not good enough. 

Two League wins at Plough Lane in the calendar year is unacceptable and with just one this season, it is clear where improvement is needed.

The Dons need to learn to bully their visitors and be prepared to change their formation where necessary. The likes of Ryan McLean need to be given more opportunities and the bench and substitutions need to be designed to open up the opposition rather than simply offering like-for-like cover.

The more of the squad that are match fit and regularly involved in proceedings, the better. With fixtures coming thick and fast, rotation will be key and there is no point in having a bigger and better squad if you are not going to use it.

ISSAC’S CONTRACT EXTENSION MAY BE THE BEST BIT OF BUSINESS ALL SUMMER

There is no question that this summer’s recruitment under Craig Cope has been a vast improvement.

For all of Cope’s excellent work, perhaps the shrewdest bit of business was in persuading the 20-year-old academy graduate to extend his stay until 2025. 

The emergence of Ogundere and fellow full-backs Jack Currie and Huseyin Biler (a welcome returnee to the bench on Saturday) was on a very few positives from last season, and Ogundere goes from strength to strength. 

He is both a source of quality crosses as well as an assured member of an impressive first-choice back four.

Against Barrow, he did not put a foot wrong and made a vital first-half block to prevent the home side from opening the scoring.

LITTLE GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH 

Another player who seems to get better with every game is Armani Little. 

His ability to break up play and his accuracy of passing is matched only by that of captain Jake Reeves and the pair provide the same solid base at the heart of midfield as did Reeves and Dannie Bulman when the former was last at the club. 

Little also shares Reeves’ leadership qualities and is part of creating an environment where the Dons young players are really starting to thrive. 

The value of this midfield partnership was underlined when both were sidelined early in the campaign and you feel their presence and form is central to how the season unfolds.

 Best Moment: A lovely run from Aaron Sasu, leaving his full back on his backside and ending with a fine save to deny him the winner.

 Star Man: Issac Ogundere. Looking ever more assured both in defence and going forward. A key block and some fine crosses.

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD