What we learnt from AFC Wimbledon’s 0-0 draw with Bradford City – Bristol City loanee will be popular with fans as Paul Kalambayi delivers imperious performance at the back

Laurence Lowne reports from Cherry Red Records Stadium, Plough Lane

Manager Johnnie Jackson has had a busy time in the transfer market during the past week.

The Dons boss found space to include Sam Pearson in the starting line-up, who is going to be popular with the Wimbledon supporters since he is keen to take on a defender and create openings.

He will complement Jack Currie on the left-hand side. Whilst on the bench were Armani Little -signed on loan from Forest Green – and Ali Al-Hamadi, who joined on a permeant deal from Wycombe.

With Ayoub Assal still unwell, Al-Hamadi, when he came on, made people sit up and take notice with great acceleration and directness.

So much so that Bradford City should have been down to nine players, having already seen Jamie Walker red-carded in the 60th minute for yet another lunging foul – opposition manager Mark Hughes was not best pleased.

In the 80th minute, Al-Hamadi was onto a lovely through ball, and in came Romney Crichlow with a tackle worthy of the Six Nations Rugby to stop him from progressing.

Many will suggest there was a defender covering. However, it was a cynical take out of an exciting player, and a Red Card should have been shown. In old-school language, it was a Professional Foul.

Aside from these two incidents, this was an entertaining 0-0 draw, and the 8383 in attendance will have headed home happy with what they witnessed.

Both goalkeepers had to make crucial saves to retain their clean sheets, and in respect of Wimbledon’s Nik Tzanev, it was his tenth this season in the League.

Promotion sides are built on great defences and they simply need a few goals.

Those new signings could well provide those goals as they settle in.

What we learnt:

• Sam Pearson loves taking on defenders. 
• Armani Little enjoys getting stuck into midfield challenges and has a good turn of speed, whilst Ali Al Hamadi is simply too fast for many defenders.
• Huseyin Biler put in yet another man-of-the-match performance, providing wide right balance to a team looking to get forward – he’s not afraid to have a shot too. Also found time to make a goal-line clearance to keep up his defensive credentials.
• At the back, Paul Kalambayi was at his imperious best – dealt with whatever was thrown his way. h3 has added calmness to his repertoire when playing a simple pass to Biler, who then sped forward.
• For a couple of seasons, the team had been crying out for extra height in midfield. The returning Harry Pell delivered that. He was subbed off in the 78th minute as new signings joined the fray, and Johnnie Jackson may now have a credible Plan B up his sleeve since the bench offers variety. Speed vs the long ball. The second half of the season promises an exciting ride.