Dons boss Johnnie Jackson not expecting any transfer window loan recall setbacks

BY EDMUND BRACK
edmund@slpmedia.co.uk

Johnnie Jackson is confident that AFC Wimbledon loan sensations Alex Bass, Joe Lewis and Conor Lemonheigh-Evans will not be recalled in next month’s transfer window.

Goalkeeper Bass joined the Dons on a season-long loan from Championship side Sunderland and has established himself as the number one between the posts, starting every League Two outing and keeping eight clean sheets.

Defender Lewis has also been a success at Plough Lane since completing a loan switch from league rivals Stockport during the summer window.

The 24-year-old has made 24 appearances in all competitions and formed a partnership at the back with fellow summer arrival Ryan Johnson.
Lemonheigh-Evans also joined from Stockport, who are top of the fourth tier, on a temporary deal.

The attacker has started the last five outings in all competitions after having the beginning of his stint at Plough Lane disrupted by a hamstring injury.

Wimbledon were hit with a number of loan blows last January when Ryley Towler, Paris Maghoma, Nathan Young-Coombes and Kyle Hudlin were all recalled by their parent clubs over the winter window.

Dons boss Jackson told the South London Press: “I often get asked about whether we can protect ourselves in those situations, but you can only do that to a certain extent. You’re guided by the parent clubs, to a certain extent on that.

“The indications that we’re getting is that the parent clubs are really happy with what we’re doing with those lads – they’re happy that they’re playing week in, week out.

“What I do know for certain is that those lads are really happy being here and they’re enjoying what we’re doing.

“We’re confident that it won’t be disrupted, but some of that is out of our hands. We’re in constant dialogue with those clubs and the feedback we’re getting is that they’re really happy with it.

“We’re hopeful that they’re not going to disrupt it just for the sake of it.”

The January window opens when the Dons head to Forest Green Rovers on January 1.

Wimbledon have seen their past two seasons disrupted by sales during the winter window, with Ollie Palmer moving to Wrexham in the 2021-22 campaign and Ayoub Assal sold to Qatari side Al-Wakrah.

Ali Al-Hamadi, who has 19 goal contributions in 23 games in all competitions this season, has interest from sides in the Championship.

Sides higher up the football pyramid also admire Jack Currie, with the Dons turning down multiple bids from Bristol City last winter for the left-back.

“Our focus needs to be not coming out of the window weaker,” added Jackson. “That’s something I’m really big on in the meetings that we have had.

“The messages I have given to the board are about keeping the group together first and foremost.

“January is a tricky window and often deals come up you might not think were there – it’s a moving market that you have to keep your eye on.

“There could be stuff that is of interest then that perhaps isn’t today. If there is something there that we think can make us better, then we will look at it and have a conversation with the powers that be.

“We’re not going to have bags of riches to go and really do loads of business, but I’m really happy with my group now.

“I have competition for places and two good players in every position – that’s a credit to the recruitment that we have done over the summer.

“If we can make improvements then we will look at it. But the most important thing for me is about keeping this group together.”

James Tilley joined the Dons in the summer in a permanent switch from Crawley Town.

The attacker hit the ground running under Jackson, picking up nine goal contributions in eight games in League Two but he has dropped out of the starting line-up for the past two outings – a 5-0 FA Cup win over non-league Ramsgate and a 4-0 win over Swindon in the league – with Lemonheigh-Evans and Josh Neufville starting in the wide positions.

“I’m just trying to freshen it up really,” said Jackson. “I have asked an awful lot of Tills from the start of the season. Don’t get me wrong, he wants to play – he wants to play every single minute of every game.

“If you look back as his history – and it’s the same with Josh Neufville as well – they haven’t been week in, week out, type of players throughout their careers.

“It’s been a different story for us with both of them. Tills has played a lot of games and done a lot of 90 minutes in those games, which perhaps he hasn’t done before.

“We have good options in that area of the pitch and I wanted to keep it fresh going into the busy festive period. We’re going to need everybody.

“It’s not a given, with the competition for places, that anyone will be picked week to week.

“Everyone is making a case to play. It’s so tough picking an 11 or even a seven to be on the bench, knowing that I’m going to have to leave three or four lads out.

“I honestly hate it – it’s the worst part of the job. Sometimes it’s not deserved. I wish I could put everyone on the bench to keep people involved and happy.

“I would much rather be in this position where I’m leaving three or four established players out than I was this time last year after January when I was having to call upon untried kids who had a lot of potential but no experience.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD