Dave Hunt-Jackson’s takeaways from AFC Wimbledon’s goalless draw at Salford

AFC Wimbledon could only manage one point against a poor Salford team at the Peninsula Stadium on Saturday despite bossing the game from start to finish. If Ali Al-Hamadi had had his shooting boots on, or the referee his glasses, then the Dons would have come away with the three points they deserved.

As it is, they were left to curse their luck as their star striker blew three good one-on-one chances, and the referee turned down shouts for what looked like two clear penalties.

They will need to improve their finishing over a busy Christmas period if they are to maintain their position in the last of the play off places.

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

HUS GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH 

Issac Ogundere is a more than capable right-back whose talents were recognised with a new deal at the start of the season, but Huseyin Biler’s form is such that he finds himself a permanent fixture on the bench. 

Biler seems to get better with every game looking ever more comfortable whether defending or going forward. 

He is part of a settled back four that racked up another clean sheet and, despite the horror shows against Morecambe and Accrington, and has conceded just a shade over a goal a game as we near the midway point of the season.

FINALLY LIVING UP TO THE POTENTIAL

It has been too long coming but the Dons are finally beginning to live up to their potential. In truth, 7th place is the very least this team should be capable of. In 

Jake Reeves and Armani Little are the engine room at the heart of midfield that must be the envy of most of their League Two rivals, whilst Ali Al-Hamadi would walk into any starting line-up in the Division and is surely destined to play at a much higher level. 

A settled and solid back four and at last a style of play that works and there is reason for some optimism. The test will be when key players pick up injuries or suspensions or if the club allow anyone to leave in January. It must be remembered that the club were just three points off the play-offs last January, but there are signs that this campaign could be different to last.

A TIME TO BUILD

Despite all the positives and the upbeat feel around Plough Lane, now is not a time for complacency. Al-Hamadi’s off day in front of goal was a reminder of how much the South Londoners rely on him. 

Yes, many others have chipped in with goalscoring contributions, but he has played almost every minute he has been available and Wimbledon are significantly weaker when he is not involved.

Assuming that the club do not repeat the Ollie Palmer blunder and sell him in January, which would be unforgivable given he still has 18 months on his contract, they will still need to bring in at least one forward.

Josh Davison is way below the level he was last year and, at his best, is no substitute for the Iraqi international, so the club should be looking to both increase their options up front whilst having an eye on next year when Al-Hamadi will very likely have moved on.

It is to be hoped that the club are already looking for his replacement and also looking to persuade Omar Bugiel to renew his one-year contract, as a matter of urgency.

The standout result on the weekend was Stockport County’s 8-0 thrashing of Sutton United which keeps them six points clear of second place and 14 ahead of the Dons. With loanees Joe Lewis and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans in such fine form, Johnnie Jackson will be hoping that neither are recalled in January and on the face of it, unless they attract interest from clubs looking to sign them, that seems increasingly unlikely.

A KEY FESTIVE SEASON

With AFC Wimbledon flying high it is crucial they maintain the recent momentum over the four League games in ten days that await over the Christmas period. In truth, Jackson could hardly have asked for a better set of fixtures.

After a trip to Crawley, Wimbledon face the bottom three and anything less than 10 points from these games would be disappointing. It is a real opportunity to strengthen their promotion challenge and build up a real head of steam before the visit of Ipswich in the third round of the FA Cup.

Best Moment: A cracking strike from birthday boy Jack Currie that had Alex Cairns at full stretch to deny him.

Star Man: Huseyin Biler: A masterclass of the wing back’s art looking a threat going forward and a rock in defense.