AFC Wimbledon boss has selection issue and it could force transfer decision 

James Tilley’s form in the Carabao Cup for AFC Wimbledon is set to cause manager Johnnie Jackson a headache for the remainder of the transfer window, as the former Charlton boss has to make the decision to play him or cash in.

The winger recorded an assist as the Dons defeated Bromley, a London rival, at Hayes Lane on Tuesday night, overcoming an early goal by the hosts to win 2-1.

Tilley received an assist for the game-winning goal in the Carabao Cup triumph. This is Tilley’s first goal involvement in a competitive setting since early January, so it presents an intriguing problem for Jackson.

Tilley’s contribution to the match on Tuesday and his overall performance suggested to both staff and supporters that the former Brighton young player is far from done at Plough Lane.

Since the wide player’s form started to decline in the middle of the previous season, there have been doubts about his future.

Though he scored seven league goals in his first two months at the club last season, he had a great start to life in a Dons shirt. However, his explosive form quickly faded, leaving many fans wondering where their dangerman had disappeared.

Because he did not exactly fit into Jackson’s wing-back scheme, he also appeared to be a player who was going to spend a significant amount of time on the team’s fringes over the majority of the preseason.

He was, however, somewhat unexpectedly deployed in a left-midfield/left wing-back spot against the newly promoted team, as some supporters feared they might witness a recurrence of his early-season display against Peterborough United.

That proved untrue, though, as the Englishman excelled in the wide position, maintaining a 7.7 match rating on FotMob, winning half of his tackle attempts, and providing the assist for Joe Pigott’s winning goal.

Despite witnessing him try to create more difficult opportunities for himself rather than find an easier pass to a teammate for several months, the assist demonstrated that he still has an altruistic side to his game.

The question that this possible emergence of newfound form presents for Jackson and the team is whether they should cash in on Tilley’s current value or keep the 26-year-old in the final year of his two-year contract and hope he produces good form to possibly bring about a renewal.

Given that he had a strong start to the previous campaign, potential suitors would have been drawn to him regardless of how he finished. Consequently, if a move were to be made for the winger during the remaining summer transfer window, it would probably be motivated by his recent cup performance as well as any additional appearances before the window closes in early September.

Because of his versatility and ability to play both left and right, he would be a wonderful addition to the Wimbledon team. Jackson chooses a defensively oriented lineup every week, therefore his lack of defensive experience could be a liability. Jackson was formerly a midfielder for Tottenham Hotspur.

Tilley may, at most, be third choice because it is improbable that he will ever be selected ahead of James Furlong, the Dons’ current first-choice left wing-back. Jackson said at the end of the preseason that the team was still looking for players in that position.

Once again, he is on the right side, probably ranked third among wing-backs, behind Hus Biler and Josh Neufville. Nevertheless, he might have a better chance of playing considering the pair’s history of injuries at the team.

This leaves Tilley in the middle of midfield, where he might play a more advanced position. Even Morgan Williams and Myles Hippolyte are more likely prospects for any cameo roles in that position, so he is once again far down the pecking order.

When all is said and done, the question is whether the club should part ways with Tilley, who at first seemed like such a perfect fit, or whether a slightly high-value member of the squad is forced to sit around and impact games as a substitute and play the occasional cup game.