Johnnie can't wait to take his place

Our new Manager has been counting down the days

15 July 2022

Johnnie Jackson will finally get to take up his place in the home dugout for a game on Saturday, exactly two months to the day since he took the managerial reins.

Our new boss has been counting down the days to sample the atmosphere as the man in charge at the Cherry Red Records Stadium, when we face Ipswich Town (kick-off at 2.30pm).

“I can’t wait,” said Johnnie. “It’s something I’ve been looking forward to. Obviously, I’ve been to the stadium and looked around and had a taste of it last season in the away dugout with Charlton. To be in the home dugout, in front of our own supporters, getting back to our home and on our pitch, I’m really, really excited!

“It will be a tough test. I expect Ipswich to be right up the top of League One this season. They’ve got a very strong squad, some top players at that level as well. I know their manager Kieran McKenna well and he had them playing some nice stuff towards the end of last season, and I’m sure they’ll start the season well. They’ll see it as a good test for them and it certainly is for us as well.”

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While for many Dons fans it will be the first opportunity to look at new recruits Alex Pearce and Chris Gunter in Wimbledon colours, there will be a few absentees from the line-up.

“Alex Woodyard has got a calf issue, which needs managing conservatively for now,” explained Johnnie. “He’s a little bit away from gaining any minutes.

“Lee Brown has missed out on the last couple of games, just because he’s had a stiff back. There is nothing untoward there, we’re just managing him carefully because he is an important player for us, and also someone we don’t want to lose for any period of time. We’re keeping an eye on that.

“David Fisher (hamstring) is two weeks away. That’s a similar sort of timeframe for Aaron Cosgrave (ankle). It’s disappointing that they picked up the knocks when they did, but again it’s not too serious. We’ve got to be careful that they don’t come back too quick, but we’re keen to get those guys back with us."

Unfortunately, though, promising defender Huseyin Biler has suffered another injury which will again keep him out of action for quite a while.

“Huseyin is long term,” said Johnnie. “I couldn’t put a time frame on it. He suffered a bad knee injury in our opening pre-season game at Bedford, so we won’t be seeing him for a while. “

“We’re disappointed for the boy, it’s not nice, especially to happen in the opening game as he was looking really bright in training. We’re all rallying round him; he’ll get good care and hopefully he’ll come back stronger."

Watch the full interview with Johnnie Jackson below, via the link to our official YouTube channel.

Match Reports

Ipswich too strong for the Dons

Wimbledon well beaten

16 July 2022

AFC Wimbledon were comfortably beaten 3-0 by Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon as the League One side showcased their ruthlessness in front of goal.

A double from the Tractor Boys’ captain Sam Morsy and a tap in from Tyreece John-Jules was the difference between the two sides as the Dons struggled to get into their stride.

The gap between the divisions was there for all to see in the end, with Wimbledon chances being at a premium on a baking hot day at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.

However this defeat is bound to serve as a good learning experience for our squad as the season approaches, with almost every member of the team getting yet more minutes into their legs ahead of further friendlies against Reading and Oxford United.

Johnnie Jackson once again rotated his squad for this fixture, with the likes of Nik Tzanev, Ayoub Assal and Chris Gunter coming into the starting eleven.

The visitors were quickly into their stride, with Tzanev being called into action early on to deny Conor Chaplin at his near post.

Ipswich weren’t to be denied a second time round however as they took the lead. Morsy collected a pass on the edge of the area before volleying home from just outside the box.

Assal carried the main threat for Wimbledon in the first-half with his direct running causing problems for the opposing defence, however there was still a lack of clear chances as the clock moved past the half-hour mark.

In the end it was a largely comfortable first 45 minutes for the Tractor Boys, with the Dons needing to step things up in an attacking sense after the break.

However things got worse for Jackson’s side as Ipswich doubled their lead. The influential Chaplin was at the heart of the action again as he tip-toed his way through before the ball found it’s way to John-Jules, who directed the ball home.

It was then 3-0 some 10 minutes later as Morsy spotted Tzanev off his line and executed a spectacular lobbed finish from 40 yards.

Tzanev was then called into action not long after as he did well to prevent Freddie Ladapo from making it 4-0 after the substitute beat the offside trap.

The one way traffic largely continued into the final 10 minutes, with the visitors emerging as deserved winners on the day.

Wimbledon will be hoping for a better outcome this coming Tuesday as we play host to Reading at Plough Lane.

AFC Wimbledon: Nik Tzanev, Chris Gunter (Ben Mason), Will Nightingale (Isaac Ogundere), George Marsh (Trialist), Trialist (Zach Robinson), Ayoub Assal (Trialist), Ethan Chislett (Kwaku Frimpong), Alex Pearce (Ethan Sutcliffe), Luke McCormick (Alfie Bendle), Jack Currie (Dylan Adjei-Hersey), Paul Kalambayi (Luke Jenkins)

PICS: Ian Stephen