Dons boss has positive future update on Brentford loanee
Johnnie Jackson is confident that Paris Maghoma will see out the season with AFC Wimbledon.
The 21-year-old joined the Dons in the summer on a season-long loan from the Premier League west Londoners.
He has made 23 appearances in all competitions under Jackson.
When asked if it was safe to assume that the Premier League side were keen for Maghoma to see out the season at Plough Lane and were happy with his development so far, Jackson told the South London Press: “Yep.
“As far as the conversations that we have had, Brentford are really pleased with how it is going for him.
“They have sent him out for a reason – to have that exposure to go and play games.
“He is getting a great education with us. He is playing regularly and is seeing what it takes to be a seasoned professional.
Picture : Keith Gillard
“It’s been a really good fit for both parties. Brentford are really happy with him and with us for providing that platform for him.”
Maghoma won 100 per cent of his four tackles in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Grimsby Town.
“Paris has done great this season,” added Jackson.
“As with any young lad, you’re going to have ups and downs and dips in your levels – that’s natural with young players.
“You have to remember that this is his first exposure to senior football.
“He started really, really well. He had the suspension and a couple little of injuries to deal with, and perhaps his levels dipped a little bit.
“But he has come back and shown, especially on Saturday, what a really, really good player he is.
“The fact that he gets picked in the team most weeks is testament to that. I see these boys every day on the training pitch and what they’re doing – I always take that into account when I’m selecting the team.
“I thought Paris was excellent on Saturday. The best thing was his out-of-possession work.
“We always speak about ability on the ball and what he can do, but what Brentford and what we want to see from him is how he deals with the uglier side of the game.
“He excelled at that on Saturday.”
The former Spurs youngster has started the last five games alongside captain Alex Woodyard, 29, with box-to-box midfielder Harry Pell, 31, just ahead of the central midfield duo.
Picture : Keith Gillard
“For someone so young, to have that experienced around him and to see how they conduct themselves is invaluable for him,” added Jackson of the influence Woodyard and Pell have had on Maghoma.
“They recognise the talent there, which they do with all the youngsters, and they push him and try and keep his levels up.
“Paris responds to that and is happy to push back as well.”
PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD
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