No Manager of the Month curse for Dons boss Johnnie Jackson

BY LAURENCE LOWNE

The curse of League Two’s Manager Of The Month award for November did not befall Johnnie Jackson and his Wimbledon players in a hard-fought entertaining 0-0 draw at Swindon on Saturday.

It was a bitterly cold day with the pitch getting icier by the second, and becoming frozen as the second half progressed.

Both teams did very well to keep on their feet and pass the ball with speed and accuracy.

Wiimbledon were in the ascendancy in the first half with both Josh Davison and Ethan Chislett denied by some excellent goalkeeping from Sol Brynn.

A 0-0 draw was a fair reflection of the match, but for Nik Tzanev it was one of his quieter afternoons since his defence were dealing with most things Swindon tried.

Here are Laurence Lowne’s takeaways

SHUT OUTS GALORE

Goalkeeper Nik Tzanev and his defence are gaining better understanding game by game. This was their fifth clean sheet on the spin in the league and they have become ever harder to beat.

STRIKER IS A HANDFUL

John Davison is so active and must be every defender’s nightmare to play against. Early in the first half his full-blooded shot from 18 yards was turned away by home keeper Sol Brynn.

GAMBLING NEEDED

Youngsters Jack Currie and Hus Biler found time when not defending to get forward and ping in some accurate crosses – oh for one midfielder to gamble and try and get on the end of them. If they had, then three points might have been bagged.

POOR OFFICIATING

Fussy referee Sam Allison, who last officiated Wimbledon at Weymouth in the FA Cup, collected far too many yellow cards. In the second half he failed to take account of the increasingly icy conditions underfoot.

A sterner test awaits when second-placed Stevenage come to Plough Lane on Saturday. Manager Steve Evans is sure to get a warm welcome from Dons supporters….