Talking points from AFC Wimbledon’s 2-0 win at Tranmere – back-to-back victories but defending from corners remains a concern

27 November 2024 Sports Reporter

AFC Wimbledon made it back-to-back away league victories for the first time in more than a year after a 2-0 win at Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday night.

It was an especially welcome result given that their home form has been so poor in recent weeks, with the Dons picking up just a point from their past three fixtures at Plough Lane.

Here are Dave Hunt-Jackson’s talking points from the match.

SOME SHOCKING DEFENDING

Quite how AFC Wimbledon went into the break with their noses in front is hard to fathom as their defending, in particular from corners, was woeful at times.

Jordan Turnbull was guilty of two glaring misses from consecutive set-pieces as he contrived to shoot over from a yard out and then sent a free header wide.

At times it was hard to see any evidence that the South Londoners have even the basic understanding of defending a set piece.

If they are to mount any sort of challenge for promotion this season the Dons will need to improve significantly on this display although this has been a recurring problem season after season.

SOME SHOCKING TACKLES

Wimbledon may find themselves counting the cost of this victory as both Callum Maycock and Ryan Johnson limped off the field as they fell victim to some overly-aggressive tackling from their Merseyside hosts.

A stronger referee would have produced at least one if not two red cards, with Sam Finley and Tom Davies lucky only to have received yellows.

Isaac Ogundere is a more than decent replacement for Johnson but Maycock’s injury is a greater concern with Alistair Smith missing on Tuesday and Jake Reeves still recovering from a long-term injury.

With their inconsistent league form becoming a concern, the last thing the Dons need is an injury crisis as they look to make good on the pre-season promotion talk.

GOODMAN TO THE RESCUE

Although this was a largely straightforward win against a poor Tranmere side, clearly low on confidence, it needed Owen Goodman to make two excellent saves in an impressive all-round display.

A deserved clean sheet will do the Crystal Palace loanee’s confidence the world of good after a couple of costly recent errors.

CONSISTENCY IS KEY

Wimbledon are once again handily placed with a game in hand over three of the clubs above them.

We have been here before though. In Jackson’s first season in charge the Dons were just below the play-off places at the end of January before an
appalling run saw them even begin to flirt with relegation.

If they are to achieve their aim of promotion to League Two they need to string a long run of positive results together, something they have failed to do since they last got out of this division.

They have the potential to do it, as shown in the early season home form and all four performances in the two main cup competitions.

On Tuesday they won somewhat ugly, which all good teams have to be able to do.

This is Wimbledon’s best starting 11 for some time and the strongest squad, with the likes of Ogundere and Hus Biler unable to get much of a look in.