JOHNNIE Jackson says AFC Wimbledon want a left-back and are looking at “one or two other positions” in the summer transfer window.
The Dons have so far signed eight players, five permanent deals and three loans, as they strengthen their squad for the 2024-25 League Two campaign.
Wimbledon defeated non-league Met Police 3-0 in their latest friendly, with goals from James Ball, Josh Kelly and Morgan Williams.
“I think we still need a couple,” Jackson said on the Dons’ website after the game. “A left-back, someone who can play that position, is the obvious one. It’s a position we’re looking at and there’s one or two other positions where we feel we can bolster the squad, but I won’t rush into anything as there’s loads of work going on behind the scenes.
“We’ve found a way of playing in pre-season that really suits what we’ve got in the building. We played a lot of games last season and we’re going to need to be flexible and versatile as to how we go about things and we showed that using many different systems, but you do need the personnel to do it.”
Joe Pigott was one of the new signings to feature.
Jackson said: “Piggy did well I think we saw glimpses of the player that we know that Joe is, the way he dropped into the pocket at times and caused problems. Some of his link up play was really good and if we play to his strengths he’s going to be a top player for us.
“Josh Kelly looked bright and sharp. It took us a while to play through them, but we managed to eventually when Isaac Ogundere crossed and that’s what Josh wants to feed off and he took his goal really well. We want to get more of our strikers on the scoresheet in pre-season.
“We had to make a change early on when Harry Sidwell came on for Paris Lock, who took a little knock. When we made that, James Ball got a little bit higher, and I thought he impacted the game well from that position and that’s what I want from someone in that position. He timed his run really well and finished it nicely for our opener.
“I thought Morgan Williams was excellent in the time that he was on for the second half, he got his goal and got into some really good positions. It’s good to see the young lads taking on the information. It’d be easy for them to switch off and think that they’re not going to be involved, but they’re taking things on board and doing well.
“James Tilley and Joe Lewis absences were precautionary.”
Wimbledon host Brentford on Saturday, their first game at Plough Lane since they defeated Walsall 5-1 in their last match of last season.
“We’re expecting Brentford to bring a strong team,” Jackson said. “They’ll be a completely different test for us and one where we’ll have a lot less of the ball, but it’ll be a great workout for us in terms of what we look like out of possession. We’ll take it to them though, as we’ve won two out of two and we want to keep that going.
“Walsall seems a while ago now and to get back home in front of our supporters and on own patch with a new pitch will be great. We’ve got a couple of good games coming up back there, with a match against my former club Charlton coming up as well.”
