The Opposition: AFC Wimbledon (H)

The Opposition: AFC Wimbledon (H)
The lowdown on Saturday's opponents

August 22nd 2023FGR Media

Rovers are on the road this weekend, making the trip to AFC Wimbledon on Saturday for our fifth game of the new League Two season.

The Dons have had a fantastic start to the campaign. Here's the lowdown on this weekend's opponents...

THE GAFFER

Former Charlton Athletic midfielder Johnnie Jackson is now making waves in coaching following a stellar career in the EFL. Jackson featured for the likes of Notts County, Colchester United and Watford during a 19-year playing career, although he's best remembered for his eight years at Charlton.

Jackson retired as a player in 2018, immediately joining the Addicks' coaching team. He had two spells in caretaker charge before taking the managerial vacancy permanently in December 2021 following an impressive stint in temporary charge.

However, he was dismissed at the end of the season with the club finishing in the bottom half of League One.

The 41-year-old wasn't out of work for long, becoming AFC Wimbledon's Head Coach just 13 days later. The Dons finished 21st in England's fourth tier last term, finishing five points above the drop zone, but they have much higher ambitions this season and are unbeaten in their first five games in all competitions.

ONE TO WATCH

The second half of last season was a miserable one for AFC Wimbledon with two wins from their final 23 League Two games. However, one shining light was the form of forward Ali Al-Hamadi.

Born in Iraq, Al-Hamadi joined the Dons in January on a two-and-a-half year deal from Wycombe Wanderers. He scored 10 goals in 19 games last season, scoring 55% of AFC Wimbledon's total goals between January 14 and May 8.

SUMMER BUSINESS

Johnnie Jackson and his recruitment team have been busy this summer to improve on the side that finished 21st in League Two last season.

Omar Bugiel, a former fans' favourite at Forest Green, has arrived from Sutton United. Bugiel is a hard-working forward who has scored 10 goals across his last two seasons at this level, but he offers far more than just goals.

James Tilley, a summer addition from Crawley Town, has arguably been the Dons' star performer so far this term. He has four goals and one assist in his last three appearances, including a brace in a 2-0 win at Colchester United.

A couple of defenders have swapped Greater Manchester for West London, with Ryan Johnson and Joe Lewis coming in from Stockport County. Johnson is a permanent addition who can play anywhere across the backline. He played 27 times for the League Two play-off finalists last season.

23-year-old Lewis has signed at Plough Lane on a season-long loan. The defender was highly-rated during his time at Torquay - and was snapped up Stockport at the start of last season. He has started all four league games so far this campaign.

Josh Neufville, a pacy wide player, is an exciting addition from Luton Town, while Jake Reeves, Armani Little and James Ball add energy and creativity to the Wombles' midfield.

There's also a new man between the sticks, with former Portsmouth shot-stopper Alex Bass impressing since arriving on loan from Sunderland.

FAMILIAR FACES

There are three former Forest Green players in the AFC Wimbledon ranks. Omar Bugiel directly contributed to 15 goals in 41 appearances during his two seasons at The New Lawn.

Bugiel arrived from Worthing in February 2017, scoring on his FGR debut and also bagging the winning goal in Forest Green's first ever Football League victory, a 4-3 triumph over Yeovil Town.

Also in attack, Josh Davison scored nine times last season for the Wombles. The 23-year-old spent the second half of the 2020/21 season in Nailsworth, contributing three goals as he helped Rovers finish in the League Two play-offs.

Armani Little played 17 games on loan at Plough Lane last season from Forest Green and rejoined the London outfit on a permanent basis in July.