AFC Wimbledon Set Unwanted EFL Points Record for 2022/23 Season
AFC Wimbledon set an undesirable EFL record of dropping the most points from winning positions in the 2022/23 season for the second year running.
The Dons gave up a staggering 40 points after taking the lead in games this term, only just eclipsing their own previous record of 39 from last season.
In the last two years, Wimbledon have surrendered an eye-watering 79 points after taking the lead.
League One’s Fleetwood Town are a distant second for this unflattering dataset, dropping 66 points from winning positions in that time, with Championship side Bristol City in third with 58.
The statistic couldn’t sum up the Dons 2022/23 season more perfectly as they narrowly avoided consecutive relegations.
The hangover of their 2021/22 League One relegation clearly lingered for Johnnie Jackson’s side, and they will need to overcome it if they are to make any improvements.
Following their final home defeat of the season, a 5-1 loss to Swindon Town, the manager said: “The goals we’ve given away this season have been criminal, really criminal.”
“We struggle to do the basics at times, give away penalties, let people run past us, not getting tight enough in the box, not enough quality in our clearances.”
Wimbledon did enjoy a brief spell nearer the top of League Two. They went 11 games unbeaten from mid-October to the end of 2022, a run that saw them in the hunt for playoff spots and earned Jackson Manager of the Month for November.
However, the Dons endured several dramatic collapses and a winless away run in 2023, which saw them drop down the table.
They finished the season in 21st place, just one position and two points above the relegation zone.
What can Wimbledon do next season to rectify this issue?
The players have looked physically exhausted this season, which could be down to poor squad depth and injuries.
Furthermore, on more than one occasion, substitutions have not had the desired impact the manager or the club would, leading to the high number of late goals the team concedes.
You can also question how deep the mentality goes through the club.
But it’s difficult to pick out common themes.
In the last two seasons, the club had three different managers, one season with a psychologist and one without.
Plus, there’s been such a high turnover of players that only 11 have been at the club throughout this two-year barren run.
Throwing away points in the way Wimbledon have done will undoubtedly have had an impact on the players and the fans, and you can sense that nervousness amongst them, often late in games.
There was a very vocal rejection of Jackson from Wimbledon fans in their two final home games of the season, and plenty had been calling for the manager’s head before that.
In response to the frustration, Jackson said: “I understand it, that’s supporters, that’s their right, they’re passionate about the team.
“It’s disappointing for me because I’m passionate about this football club and want to deliver what the fans want.”
The Future
Ultimately the club have decided to stick with Jackson for the 2023/24 season, with AFC Wimbledon Chairman highlighting his reasons at the end-of-season fans forum:
“This campaign has been undeniably challenging, but let’s not forget it wasn’t so long ago that Johnnie was receiving the Manager of the Month award after a run of results that had propelled us to the brink of the play-off places.
“It is our job to do everything we can to equip Johnnie and his team with the tools they need to succeed. We are doing everything we can and we have a real sense of optimism about the next campaign. Our preparations for next season are weeks ahead of where we were this time last year.”
When asked about reasons for the poor results, the Chairman said: “Our analysis shows that the top teams in the division have enjoyed 86 per cent player availability this season – whereas we have been reduced to barely 57 per cent.
“Our playing budget this season puts us around 17th in the division. We need to bring in more to give every part of our club more resources.”
Dons fans have already been given small reasons to get excited for next season.
The return of popular former player Jake Reeves was announced earlier this week, providing much-needed midfield quality and leadership, both of which were lacking near the end of the season.
Plus, fierce rivals MK Dons will be League Two opponents next season following their relegation from League One.
There’s a lot of work for Jackson and the club to get Wimbledon back to where the fans feel they belong.
Overcoming the bad habit of throwing away leads should top their list.
