AFC Wimbledon: Grimsby Town loss showed Johnnie Jackson must act in January | OneFootball

The loss to Grimsby Town highlighted that the Dons boss needs to make further additions if the club are going to challenge at the top of League Two

Having remained undefeated at home all season so far, AFC Wimbledon fans were expectant of another game at Plough Lane without a loss against Grimsby Town on Saturday.

However, the opposite occurred, and the Dons looked a completely different outfit to that which had gained and maintained that unbeaten run, and had also embarrassed MK Dons in their own backyard the week prior in the FA Cup.

And while individual errors in big moments did occur during the game, the bigger picture paints an image that this squad is actually still light in areas, and must be improved by Jackson in January.

AFC Wimbledon v Grimsby: What were the big differences between the sides?

Going into the game, it was always going to be an intriguing match-up. On one hand, there was the only side in the entire league to not record a loss at home so far, coming against the team who had struck a rich vein of away form.

And after kick-off, there was still not much to draw between the sides, with both looking fairly matched and the game already appearing to be headed for a well-fought draw.

However, a lapse of concentration and judgment from the backline saw the Dons concede an easy goal and that is how it remained until full-time, but the scoreline was not the only difference between the two teams on the day.

The Mariners seemed a lot quicker, fitter and sharper than the Dons. Both were equally drilled, but everything Grimsby did was to a tee, and Wimbledon, meanwhile, for all their huffing and puffing, could not put together that finishing touch to complete a pass or take on a good shot at goal.

Both had a similar amount of preparation leading up to the game, with the Dons perhaps having one day less due to the FA Cup clash against MK being a day later than Grimsby's shock exit to non-league Wealdstone, but the gulf was big.

Sprints from the away team were undertaken with more vigor, and passes, for the most part, were finding their teammates. For Wimbledon, however, the legs just did not seem there all the time, and any searching balls to find a fellow Dons were just that, and rarely-found another yellow and blue shirt.

Defensively, the team from Lincolnshire looked confident and trusting, and while, for the most part, the team from South West London did too, after conceding the goal, there were some moments where sharp intakes of breath were needed.

Having now discussed some of the differences that were apparent during the game, what does Jackson and his transfer team need to do in the January transfer window to ensure that the Dons can challenge the team at the top of League Two?

Well, while things such as fitness, quickness, strength and willingness were all potentially exposed over the weekend, it does not mean that Wimbledon have a large lack of players with any, or all, of those attributes as part of their game. Instead, they just need some quality backup options.

The treatment table has seen some fairly lengthy, and or, impactful visitors this season, with the likes of John-Joe O'Toole, Jake Reeves and Aron Sasu currently on there, having already been out for a while due to injury issues sustained either in pre-season, or during the early parts of 2024/25.

The club, though, have, for the most part, coped fine with these longer-term absentees and have also managed to negotiate shorter-term injury layoffs, though that is now coming at a cost.

That cost being the lack of zip and energy that is found wanting in the team from time to time. Whether it be straight from the off, or after a little longer in slow-burning games, the Dons, especially in the league in recent weeks, have looked leggy.

And when Jackson has turned to the bench, there are just no options for him to pick from, despite having made some strong moves in the summer, signing ten players.

These players, however, were needed additions, with complete overhauls of the goalkeeping and midfield areas being of the highest importance over the summer window, and now, there is little space or budget going spare to find and utilise to keep the team balanced, the academy pleased with progress of youngsters, and players happy with their playing times.

The aforementioned Reeves as well as Myles Hippolyte, Alistair Smith and Callum Maycock have all been brilliant in Jackson's three-man midfield setup, complimenting each other all so well. However, the repeated appearances of the latter three recently is slowly starting to catch up with them, with all looking a little tired against Grimsby.

Which is why the Dons do need to go out and spend a little on a player or two in midfield, maybe putting their faith in a relative unknown, who is happy about sitting and waiting for their opportunity, to help bolster their squad numbers at a crunch time in the season and allow young players such as Morgan Williams time to develop away from the club and away from the pressures of a promotion-chasing League Two side.

They could also do with a new creative spark higher up the pitch too, with the likes of Josh Kelly and Joe Pigott not always providing what is wanted and needed by Jackson and the fans in games where Wimbledon are chasing a deficit.

However, with Pigott taking up one of those loan slots currently, that would mean having to sever ties with Pigott and his parent club, Leyton Orient, and find a potentially more expensive loan instead. Or taking a punt at an important time for the club on an unseen talent from the depths of non-league when there is still plenty of experience on the pitch, with plenty of skill to back that up with too.

It is perhaps clearer than ever then that Wimbledon are screaming out for more signings to be made, as competitiveness has been unexpected, but welcomed, and now that surprise factor of happiness has been kicking in, there has surely got to have been some eye-opening somewhere behind the scenes that this squad can't maintain this all season long and not expect some injury setbacks.

If the club, playing staff and every other member of personnel want to achieve great things with this team, then a little reinforcement in midfield, added flair in attack and overall robustness for the Wombles of Wimbledon is what is on the menu for Jackson in the New Year and something that needs to be digested soon to make sure nothing is rushed or missed.