Johnnie Jackson: ‘Dons attacker one of the best in League Two’

AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson believes that Ayoub Assal is one of the best players in League Two.

Academy graduate Assal has scored five in his last six appearances in all competitions under Jackson.

The 20-year-old opened the scoring in the 2-0 win of top-of-the-table Leyton Orient in the 19th minute as Plough Lane on Tuesday evening after his shot from just inside the penalty area deflected off Tom James and looped over Lawrence Vigouroux.

“Since we changed the system, he has been playing more of a left-wing role,” said Jackson 

“But we have been working a lot with him in training and with analysts, trying to get him to shoot more as he gets himself in unbelievable positions.

“Sometimes he looks for a pass, or sometimes he beats the defender twice, and I said to him: ‘You need to start taking more shots on because you get in such great positions.’

“He wants to score goals. I’m actually delighted with the goal tonight. It gets a deflection, but it shows that he is taking shots on where a few weeks ago, he might have turned that opportunity down.

“I’m really pleased for him.”

England U20 trainee Assal has recorded 32 goal contributions – 21 goals and 11 assists – in 88 appearances since making his debut for the Dons in March 2021.

When asked whether Assal was one of the best players in the fourth division, Jackson said: “Of course he is.

“He has so much ability. I really enjoy working with him and managing him – he’s a different type of player. You have to really, really work with him with the out-of-possession side of the game, because he just wants to get on the ball and make things happen.

“He’s in great form – scoring and creating. I’m really pleased with his trajectory.”

Assal will be missing from Saturday’s trip to Salford after he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season 72nd minute.

“I think he’s probably the most fouled player I have ever seen,” added Jackson. 

“Some he gets and some he doesn’t. Often he will get fouled, and then in his frustration, he will then make a foul. 

“I know it frustrates him, but I said to him: ‘That’s part and parcel of being the type of player that you are – small and tricky.’

“Defenders find it difficult to handle him, so inevitably, he will be fouled.”

PICTURES:LUCY DIXON