Tinker in tactics fails to deliver points – or goals – as AFC Wimbledon slip to 2-0 defeat to Northampton

It all just felt a bit too familiar for AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday evening.

There was a 20-minute spell of optimism in the opening stages at Plough Lane, sparked by a change in formation which looked better suited to the players at Johnnie Jackson’s disposal.

It’s no secret that the former Charlton manager has an attachment to the 3-5-2 system but after two lethargic performances – a 1-0 loss at home to Barrow, which was followed up by a defeat away to Stockport by the same scoreline – a tinker in tactics was needed.

Deploying a 4-3-3, with Harry Pell and Ethan Chislett as the two creative outlets behind wingers Ayoub Assal and Nathan Young-Coombes, and with Josh Davison leading the line, it was the most aggressive attacking force the Dons boss had named all season.

They were adventurous going forward and should have put themselves 1-0 ahead before the game imploded right in front of them – Pell shooting straight at Lee Burge from just outside the six-yard area after Assal collected the ball on the edge of the box.

But similar to last season, the Dons failed to find a way back as soon as the opposition asserted their dominance on the game.

Nik Tzanev appeared to be at fault for the opener, allowing Jon Guthrie’s header from a floated Mitchell Pinnock free-kick to crawl underneath his hands and slip into the net. On closer inspection, Guthrie’s header ricocheted off Pell and wrongfooted the New Zealand stopper.

While Tzanev arguably should have done better to stop the ball rolling over the line, it was an unfortunate way for the home side to find themselves a goal down after 26 minutes.

But instead of using their bright start as a catalyst for bouncing back, you struggled to see a way for the deflated Dons to find a route back.

In an identical performance to the last home game against Barrow, Northampton seemed to grow in stature compared to Wimbledon. The Dons, shocked by the goal coming against the run of play, shrunk into their shells.

The visitors saw out the rest of the first half with little fear of the home side finding an equaliser – Chris Gunter testing Burge from long-range was the only chance of note.

Wimbledon’s attacking composure suffered a further blow when Young-Coombes was forced off with a knee injury in the 44th minute with full-back Paul Osew, who does boast a quick turn of pace but lacks a finisher’s instinct, was his replacement on the right-wing.

Jackson’s half-time team-talk was unable to change Wimbledon’s approach to the second half.

Frustrated by their inability to carve their way around the stubborn and more physically equipped Northampton midfield, the only other resort was hitting in hope towards Davison.

While the 22-year-old is relentless and chases down every lost cause, he was no match for the six-feet-plus pair of Jon Guthrie and Tyler Magloire, who won 15 aerial battles between them during the 90 minutes.

Northampton eventually wrapped up all three points in the 69th minute. Ali Koiki chipped an aimless cross into the box. Northampton forward Sam Hoskins showed more desire than Alex Pearce to get to the ball and directed it closer to goal, and Ryley Towler, on his debut, diverted the ball past his own goalkeeper.

Gunter went close with a header off the bar in the dying moments of second-half added time, but it was too little too late.

It’s just not clicking in either box yet for Wimbledon under Jackson. They have lost that early defensive shield that the experienced Pearce, Lee Brown and Gunter formed. Instead, with only one clean sheet in their last eight in all competitions, costly mistakes and lapses in concentration are becoming apparent again.

Northampton secured their first clean sheet of the season – no surprise considering the Dons’ only second-half attempt on target came in the 73rd minute from Assal shooting from distance straight at Burge.

The attacking force of Assal, Davison and Young-Coombes are yet to find a connection and have not demonstrated that they can all fit in the same line-up.

With Zach Robinson scoring three in six on loan at Dundee in the Scottish Championship, you can’t help but feel Wimbledon’s attacking threat would be more significant with his presence.

It’s easy to see why there were a handful of disgruntled boos at full-time after Tuesday’s defeat – Wimbledon fell into a rut last season and failed to find a way to claw themselves out of it.

With three games having passed without a win or scoring a goal, anxiety and frustration from last season will quickly build.

STAR MAN
Josh Davison. The club-record signing has been one of Wimbledon most consistent players this season. He chased everything on Tuesday until he was replaced by Kyle Hudlin in the 70th minute.

BEST MOMENT
The goalmouth scramble at the end.