Alex Bass repeat looms: 2 transfer regrets AFC Wimbledon should have after summer transfer window | OneFootball

With the summer window now shut, we look back at two regrets AFC Wimbledon may have looking back

The summer transfer window slammed shut last week and, with that, saw the final opportunity, until January, for AFC Wimbledon to poach talent from other clubs.

While there have been multiple excellent signings over the summer with Johnnie Jackson assembling a near-perfect squad, there are a couple of areas where Dons fans know the squad is not as strong as it could be.

With chances for all the new signings to showcase themselves in upcoming league matches and earn themselves some credit, the small break Wimbledon have due to international call-ups this weekend means we can assess the regrets that the club may have about the window.

Failure to sign a permanent first choice goalkeeper to replace Alex Bass

First up on our list of transfer window regrets, is the failure of Jackson, Craig Cope, and the rest of the transfer team at the club to sign a permanent number one goalkeeper.

In 2023/24, the Dons had Alex Bass on loan and during his spell in SW19, he developed from a reserve goalkeeper unwanted by Sunderland into, arguably, League Two's best goalkeeper and a strong option for any EFL club.

The former Portsmouth keeper seemingly really enjoyed his time at the club, and left it open-ended as to whether he would return by posting on his Instagram: "I can't wait to return to Plough Lane in the future".

However, any hopes of that return being swift were dashed when he joined League Two rivals Notts County, permanently.

Clearly, Sunderland were not interested in reintegrating a quality goalkeeper into their setup, so while the club must feel it was a shame that they failed to pounce on an open opportunity to tie down a goalkeeping talent for years to come, the opportunity arose to replace Bass with some brilliant business.

However, weeks would go by before any signing was made in goal, with only 27-year-old Lewis Ward bought in on a free from Charlton Athletic before the first pre-season test came in the form of Peterborough United. Though, from the number of games he had played in previous seasons, it was clear to see that he was going to be the backup option to a younger first-choice keeper.

It would only be after the club's trip to Spain to play Peterborough United that the club would announce the long-awaited signing of Owen Goodman on loan from Crystal Palace.

However, while his acquisition has since proved to be a smart one, with the young Englishman playing a huge role in Wimbledon's shootout victory in the Carabao Cup over Ipswich Town, his signing is far from ideal and must surely leave some at the club feeling a little disappointed.

While it is most likely that this loan deal was always a top priority to be completed, it must have crossed the minds of Jackson, Cope, and others that the club may just benefit from having a permanent first choice.

The Dons are going to be gunning for promotion this season, having already had a great start in the league. However, once this season is over, they are more than likely going to have to bring in another new face, either permanently or temporarily again, and integrate them into the team.

And that team could look very different depending on the outcome of this season. If it is a promotion-winning team, then the quality will have to be there from the get-go and the club cannot risk upsetting the chemistry of a squad that got them out of League Two either.

However, if it is a team that fails to get promotion, then Wimbledon have to find a keeper that is great for this level, but perhaps available on a tighter budget than what was available this summer.

So, simply put, the fact that a permanent bynber ine may not have been considered at all, is going to leave Wimbledon starring at the drawing board yet again next summer, and wondering whether a loan deal really was the best choice when chasing a keeper this campaign.

Missing out on getting cover at left wing-back for James Furlong

The other disappointment and surefire regret is the fact that the Dons have not got themselves a natural backup option at left wing-back.

The club had to deal with the double departures of Lee Brown and Jack Currie this summer, and only truly replaced the pair with James Furlong on loan from Hull City.

So far, the Republic of Ireland youth international has impressed, earning rave reviews among many fans for his ability to attack the wing well, but also defend superbly.

However, there is going to come a point in the season when he is going to need a rest, or worse, be out with an injury, and so somebody will have to deputise.

In the wings, Wimbledon currently have the likes of James Tilley and Myles Hippolyte, plus Aron Sasu, when he is fit and available, to fill in for Furlong. However, all three options are not brilliant backup options considering they are all wingers and have not spent much time, if any, during their careers playing at left wing-back, so it is a risk for Jackson to place trust in them.

To give credit, Tilley has looked the best of the trio, with the former Brighton and Hove Albion youth prospect filling in for Furlong in the cup upset over Ipswich and holding his own against Chiedozie Ogbene and Omari Hutchinson in a brilliant display.

However, he has mixed that with a poorer performance when given his chance in the league against Bromley.

Meanwhile, both Hippolyte and Sasu have not been properly tested in the position at all, with the pair filling the position during multiple pre-season fixtures.

Truly, it does not matter how well all three have performed early on in the season, as slow starts are expected from sides up and down the league, and it will be a case of measuring how well the trio perform in an unfamiliar position when facing up against a strong side that have found form later on in the year to see if they are up to scratch and able to consistently perform if relied upon.

Ultimately, the Dons do still have a strong squad regardless of being able to bring in the cover at wing-back. However, there is a feeling among many that the addition of a strong backup option in the position would have completed the squad and given Jackson one of the strongest squads in the league to try and navigate to a much-wanted promotion.