Wimbledon will host Reading on Saturday in a League One clash, with fans expecting a 2-1 win. The match is a key test as the Dons look to avoid another relegation scare in 2026/27.
Season review
The 2025/26 campaign saw Wimbledon finish 19th with 57 points, a narrow escape that mirrored the club’s 19th-place finish the season before. Injuries to key players, a drought in goals and a late winner from substitute Antwoine Hackford at Wigan highlighted the squad’s fragility. The club’s 15th-place finish in 2016/17 remains the highest point total under former manager Neal Ardley.
Squad overhaul
Director of football Craig Cope has worked hard to rebuild the squad. Departures included Joe Lewis, Patrick Bauer and Omar Bugiel, while skipper Jake Reeves went on a season-long loan to Barnet. The club retained Steve Seddon and Callum Maycock, recruited defenders Dan Sweeney and Steve Sessegnon, and signed permanently Zach Nelson and James Tilley, who were on loan last season.
A key signing was experienced target man Jayden Stockley from Port Vale, signed with just under two weeks left in the summer window. The club also brought in Chelsea midfield youngster Ollie Harrison on loan and secured former Reading captain Andy Yiadom on a six-month deal until January.
The Dons are still expected to add a couple more players before the window closes, with the club hoping to bring in additional depth.
Youth loss
Junior Nkeng, a 19-year-old winger, was sold to Nottingham Forest for a fee that could exceed £1m with add-ons. The move was a blow to the club’s academy output but provided a significant financial injection.
Fan expectations
Wimbledon fans, represented by the Wombles Downunder fanzine, anticipate another struggle this season. They hope minority outside owners will soon provide the financial boost needed to pay off stadium debt and stabilise the club’s finances.
Managerial outlook
Young manager Johnnie Jackson leads a squad that is hard-working and determined to start the season positively, mirroring the approach of the previous year. The focus will be on how the experienced backline can keep the defence tight while the new forwards deliver the goals needed.
Saturday’s showdown
The Dons will look to secure a 2-1 victory over Reading, a result that would lift morale and keep the club’s survival hopes alive. A strong defensive display and timely goals from Stockley and the new signings will be crucial.
The match will also test whether the club’s financial strategy, including the sale of Nkeng and the arrival of Yiadom, has begun to pay dividends on the pitch.
Looking ahead
Wimbledon’s 2026/27 campaign will hinge on the squad’s ability to adapt to injuries, maintain a solid defensive line and find the back of the net consistently. The club’s future will also depend on the timely arrival of minority owners’ investment to clear stadium debt and provide a platform for long-term growth.
