Why This League One Club Must Back Their Boss Before It's Too Late

Why This League One Club Must Back Their Boss Before It's Too Late

When the fixture list was announced at the end of June for the upcoming League One campaign, it left a newly promoted side feeling very apprehensive in South-West London. The club in question was AFC Wimbledon, who had to look forward to facing two of the relegated Championship teams in their opening four games.

Despite a resilient opening day defensive display on the road against Luton Town, they lost 1-0. They would be on the wrong end of the same scoreline when Cardiff came to Plough Lane on the fourth matchday. Positive signs were there however, as they beat Lincoln and Reading in between these games, with Matty Stevens scoring in both, coming as no surprise given last season.

🚨 AFC Wimbledon striker Matty Stevens wins 'EFL Player of the Year' at @TheLFAOfficial 🔥#AFCW pic.twitter.com/XSJXDfN0Zx

— BBC Sport London (@BBCLondonSport) February 27, 2025

Wimbledon's Winning Fever

Entering a new league after gaining promotion is always daunting, particularly for AFC Wimbledon, who were very much outsiders for promotion from the fourth tier last season.

They will have accumulated some financial benefit from their League Two play-off triumph, although they still entered the new season with one of the lowest budgets in the division. Six of those players who started in that promotion final against Walsall back in May started on the opening day against Luton.

Whilst this season has been tough in moments, it cannot be understated what a fantastic job Johnnie Jackson is doing in charge of the former Premier League club this season.

After a really poor performance away at Bolton at the start of September, it appears that they have turned a significant corner. Four straight wins have moved the Dons up to 5th in the table, which they would've taken all day long at this stage when the fixtures were released.

FOUR LEAGUE WINS IN A ROW 🔥🔥🔥🔥#AFCW ⚫️🟢 pic.twitter.com/G4zMgPmZHu

— AFC Wimbledon (@AFCWimbledon) October 4, 2025

Jackson is the Mastermind

If you've watched Wimbledon over the past month, you will have noticed the one small change that they have made. Whilst they still play in their recognised three-at-the-back system, the manager has now moved one of the number tens into a central midfield role, giving them an extra man in the middle of the park.

This slight tweak, which he did make at times last season to change the dynamic of some games, has made them so much more difficult to play against. Take the Wycombe game from a couple of weeks ago. Despite having much less of the ball, they limited their opposition to taking pot shots from outside the area due to their improved defensive stability.

A fine start to life back in #SkyBetLeagueOne for Johnnie Jackson's men! 👏#EFL | @AFCWimbledon pic.twitter.com/QwHvZckUsZ

— Sky Bet League One (@SkyBetLeagueOne) October 7, 2025

You could argue that this was a clear and obvious change to make to the formation, as they faced teams who liked to overload the midfield. But it's the balance of the three in the middle that is the important factor. It helps that they are all accustomed to playing with one another and are all comfortable on the ball. They understand when one goes roaming forward, the other two must protect the back three from a potential counter.

The wing backs are getting joy as well, given licence to almost be the second support to the two strikers as they break down the channels. Embodying this is Nathan Asiimwe, who won the August player of the month award. His athleticism to get up and down the right side is his most impressive attribute, while showing high-level defensive instincts when he is called upon. With Steve Seddon on the opposite flank, he has exceptional deliveries from set plays, which have tested the majority of defences in the league this season.

Introducing our first @SDSLondon Player of the Month: Nathan Asiimwe 🏆#AFCW 🟡🔵

— AFC Wimbledon (@AFCWimbledon) October 3, 2025

Uncertainty Around The Manager's Future

Johnnie Jackson has done incredibly well since being appointed Wimbledon boss at the end of the 2021/22 season, which saw the Dons relegated to League Two. Three seasons they spent there, before the 43-year-old got them promoted back to the third tier. His previous stint in management came with Charlton, where he was sacked after achieving a 13th-place finish in League One.

Nevertheless, the man from Camden was not out of a job for long, as he embarked on a new challenge with a Dons side who had lost their identity under Mark Bowen, after struggling for several years in League One.

Taking the reins in the fourth tier of English football was always going to be a difficult task. Jackson, though, would not have predicted it to be as difficult as finishing 21st in his first season as boss. They dropped a startling 40 points from winning positions in that season, but the owners held firm in sticking with their man in charge. Injuries were being labelled the key reason that they were way off where they should have been that campaign.

JOHNNIE JACKSON. WIMBLEDON LEGEND. ❤️#AFCW 🟡🔵 pic.twitter.com/Vkf8C4FxY5

— AFC Wimbledon (@AFCWimbledon) May 26, 2025

A far more convincing season from Jackson's team the following year earned the young manager a new contract in February at the club. This contract runs until the beginning of 2026, and fans have been quick to voice their concern over the delay in offering an extension to their current boss.

It's possible that JJ is looking at what other clubs in the division are paying their managers. He might even be open to offers, because Wimbledon are unwilling to match his demands. It might be seen as naivety from the Wimbledon board if they were to part ways with Jackson, considering where he has taken the club in a relatively short space of time.

It is clear that conversations will have taken place and continue to do so from both parties. Fans have been demanding that their manager show loyalty to the club after his wobbly first year in charge, alluding to the fact that he shouldn't get ahead of himself.

Should He Stay Or Should He Go Now

The feeling around the club, particularly from the fanbase, is that they would very much like him to stay. The manager took some time to implement his style of play at Wimbledon, but the team are now all on board with his philosophy and reaping the rewards.

The longer the manager's contract situation drags on, the more it increases anxiety around the place that could potentially affect the performances on the pitch. Of course Jackson warrants a higher wage, given his recent promotion success, but thinking that the grass is greener elsewhere would be a bold decision to make at this stage of his managerial career.