It might have been a while since the news broke that Josh Neufville was leaving AFC Wimbledon for Bradford City. For everyone of the AFC Wimbledon persuasion, though, it has enabled the dust to settle.
Many supporters would prefer that the team choose a more seasoned, seasoned professional over releasing academy players from higher tier teams.
In order to replace the former Luton Town youth Neufville, we at FLW have put together a list of three possible wing-backs who would also, ideally, fit the fan base’s preferences.
      Gus Scott-Morriss
To start, we’ll look into Southend United’s top goalscorer for 2024/25, Gus Scott-Morriss.
Yes, with 17 goals from the right-sided full-back/wing-back position made the 28-year-old the Shrimpers’ leading marksman, and alerted the radars of many EFL clubs in the process.
He performed extremely well across the campaign in a similar role to that expected of a player in that position in Johnnie Jackson’s AFC Wimbledon side, and so, logically, has become a likely target for the Dons. Combined with his location over in Essex, his relative locality means a move to South-West London would not cause much upheaval for the player and his family.
However, he has only ever played in the non-league system here in England, with him spending a large chunk of his career with current Step 3 side Royston Town before moving first to Hemel Hempstead Town and then to Southend back in 2022, and while during that time he has amassed, to date, 334 appearances in senior football, none of those have come at a football league level, which does label him as a risky signing for Wimbledon.
With the Dons likely to be a contender to head straight back down to League Two next season, they are going to be wanting players with plenty of experience in League One and Scott-Morriss will not be able to offer that, meaning despite a good amount of positives, a lack of higher-level playing experience could count against him.
Additionally, given his experience at an EFL level, or lack thereof, combined with his current age does make him an awkward signing for the club. If they want to show faith in him, they will offer a longer-term contract, and then, if that faith and expectation are not met, the Dons are stuck with a player who is not up to scratch for what they need.
Alternatively, they could offer him a short-term deal, but equally this could backfire, as if he performs well over the next season, potentially in the yellow and blue of the Dons, there is every chance vultures could come picking again like they did following promotion this summer.
Macauley Southam-Hales
Macauley Southam-Hales, however, is a lot less risky in terms of transfers, with his experience of the EFL stretching all the way back to the early 2010s.
He has accumulated a good number of appearances, goals and assists across spells at Fleetwood Town and Stockport County, standing him in good stead for what the Dons are likely looking for in a potential player this summer.
In addition to his match experience, he also carries the fact he has been on the books at Stockport County, where the likes of Ryan Johnson, Joe Lewis and Myles Hippolyte have all played in recent years. During his time with the Hatters, he will have likely played with all of them, meaning he will not have much trouble slotting in amongst the group, meaning team cohesion will be strong from the start.
He is also currently available on a free transfer following his release from Stockport at the end of 24/25, meaning Wimbledon will primarily be spending money on his wages, and not a transfer fee.
It is likely, though, that Southam-Hales may be skipped by the Dons completely this summer, due to his age and injury troubles.
Since 2022, he has struggled with various knee-related troubles, and that could be a cause for concern for Johnnie Jackson and his staff.
The former Charlton manager is likely going to be dependent on one of these three potential right wing-backs to play the majority of the season, and with Southam-Hales having completed a total of 38 games across the last two seasons, less than one full campaign, it does make him a big fitness risk and someone who the Dons should perhaps steer clear of unless they are absolutely sure on his ability to complete a large chunk of the season.
Callum Johnson
Last up is Callum Johnson, a player that was reportedly, if social media reports are to be believed, already set for Wimbledon nearly a month ago.
A highly thought of player at Bradford by some fans, upon hearing of Wimbledon’s interest, they were quick to pass on positive remarks about his quality, but made sure to emphasise his troubles with injuries too.
Having arrived in Bradford last summer following spells at Mansfield Town, Portsmouth and even north of the border in Scotland at Ross County, Johnson was brought in by Bantams boss Graham Alexander, due to his experience of success at both League Two and League One level, and that is likely what is tempting the Dons in now.
Available on a free after his contract expired, he is a great versatile option, with the 28-year-old having playing experience at both centre-back, and in central midfield too.
It does have to be said, however, that, like Southam-Hales, Johnson is a big risk when it comes to fitness and injuries. Despite joining Bradford last summer as a player, he only made 11 appearances across the season due to recurring fitness issues and now finds himself without a club after Bradford opted against keeping an injury-prone player on the books.
Before anything else happens, Wimbledon must carefully consider the best right wing-backs to help replace Josh Neufville’s impact on the team. He does have good output for his position as well, having played in a season that is very similar to Scott-Morriss’s. He would undoubtedly fit right into a squad that is determined to disprove many doubters.
