The talking points from AFC Wimbledon’s 1-1 draw at Crewe – Browne has ability to be key in Dons achieving promotion goal
Here are Dave Hunt-Jackson’s talking points from the League Two fixture.
NEUFVILLE A REVELATION
Josh Neufville struggled for consistency in his first season with the Dons but this term he has been outstanding in virtually every game he has played. On Tuesday he added another stunning finish on the stroke of half-time to make boss Johnnie Jackson’s team talk a whole lot easier.
Indeed it was the launch pad for a second-half performance that was as dominant as you could ever wish to see.
Neufville has never lacked application, taking as much satisfaction from his defensive performances as when he is ranging forward, and has become a more than accomplished wing-back.
Not only is he arguably Wimbledon’s most improved player but he must be a very strong candidate for Player Of The Season.
Even when he is relatively quiet, as he was for large parts of this encounter, he always seems to produce a match-changing moment of brilliance just when it is most needed. Like fellow wing-back James Tilley, he seems only to deal in quality goals and this was another corker.
A GAMBLE THAT JUST ABOUT PAID OFF
Away from home against a side second in the table is not an obvious time to push the boat out but Jackson made four changes with only one – Sam Hutchinson – seemingly forced on him.
In dropping Omar Bugiel, Tilley and Josh Kelly to the bench he was arguably setting up for a draw and inviting Crewe to attack a side missing two of its three-pronged attack.
It was an invitation the hosts declined as they looked surprisingly disjointed and, given their lofty league position, astonishingly lacking in forward threat or ideas.
Filip Marschall in the home goal spent every opportunity to waste time over goal-kicks from the start of the second half.
No doubt his team-mates would have done the same if they had ever managed to hold on to the ball long enough.
So outclassed were Crewe that Jackson threw all three players on to try to grab all three points with the Cheshire outfit offering so little.
It is a mark of the Dons’ current state that they will be gutted with a draw away to a side three places above them.
BROWNE FINDING HIS FEET
Marcus Browne, at 27, should be nearing his prime as a footballer but injuries have robbed him of a much more productive career.
He came to AFC Wimbledon having been without a club since the summer, with both match and general fitness to prove.
In his third match for the Dons, and his first start, he lasted an impressive 75 minutes and showed what we already knew – that when fit he is a class above League Two level.
His signing is one that should be mutually beneficial, as was that of Ronan Curtis last season. Unlike Curtis, Browne looks to have the potential to progress to a bigger club than Port Vale if he continues as he has started.
It was a fine display from the former West Ham youth player. Alongside Jake Reeves and Alistair Smith, the trio gave Wimbledon total midfield domination. Had his effort from the edge of the box been an inch or two lower then he would have capped that display with a goal and likely winner.
If he can stay fit he could be the difference as the South Londoners seek to fulfil their ambition to return to League One at the third time of asking.
DECISIVE FEBRUARY?
Wimbledon remain unbeaten in January but, despite this fine performance, have only taken two points from the last six.
That is not form that will see them in the play-offs come May, let alone promoted automatically.
On Saturday they face Bradford, another side now above them in the table and the division’s form side.
While it is not a must-win, a loss would be very damaging. The rest of February’s fixtures are not much easier and how Jackson’s men negotiate them will go a long way to showing whether they are ready to finally fulfil the potential they clearly have.
With a bigger and stronger squad than ever, and relatively few unavailable, there can be no excuses. Bradford will arrive without their top scorer Andy Cook, out with an ACL injury. It is to their great credit that the run they are on has been in spite of Cook’s absence – but it is a run the Dons need to stop as they look to maintain their own unbeaten streak into February and beyond.
PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD