Johnnie Jackson made mistake in giving AFC Wimbledon youngster a superb second chance

Hus Biler is another proud product of the AFC Wimbledon academy, having made his debut in 2022 and becoming a strong competitor for the right-back spot in Johnnie Jackson’s team.

However, a rash red card against MK Dons last season mixed with fitness and injury issues meant that, following just over a year in the first team, he was ousted, and Isaac Ogundere took up his spot.

Many fans expected that, come the summer, Biler would then be released. However, that has not happened, with Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson instead giving the youngster one last opportunity with a new one-year deal.

Early signs suggest that the new contract may have been a mistake.

Hus Biler’s breakdown from breakthrough

The youngster was initially behind the aforementioned Ogundere but his brilliant debut against Tranmere Rovers in November 2022, playing on his unfavoured left-hand side as the Dons facing an injury crisis at the time in the left-back position, showed Jackson enough to start playing the 22-year-old at right-back.

Throughout the remainder of the 2022–2023 season, he would continue to showcase his attacking prowess, frequently launching daring raids up the right side and using either foot to find a good cross into the opposing area. By the end of the season, a lot of supporters believed that the team had Biler and Ogundere nailed down for years to come in the right-back position.

However, upon the start of the 2023/24 season, Biler had seemingly developed a more aggressive, terrier-like defensive style. In his breakout campaign, he had slid into one or two dangerous tackles, but given the excitement at breaking through into the first team, many fans did not mind and felt it would be a problem that would be ironed out by Jackson over the break between seasons.

That was far from the case though and Biler was very quickly becoming a small liability in the team, often committing too far forward in attack and, instead of staying composed while coming back to defend, he would often make a rash decision and choose to attempt a tackle, something which rarely paid off.

This newly developed side to his game came to a head in the previously mentioned away game against MK Dons. Trailing 3-1, the Dons were very open at the back, looking to score a second goal in what they hoped could be a momentous comeback. However, that was exploited, with MK pumping the ball long, leaving Max Dean bearing down on the Dons’ net.

In order to give the referee the impression that the bout was fair, Biler decided to take Dean out by tussling with him and making a trip. Though the manager did not see it that way, he sent Biler off. Having already used up one defensive substitute, the Dons were then forced to substitute Ogundere for an attacker, which helped Wimbledon avoid further losses even after another dismissal but also hindered their attack.

Due to this red card and a number of other health and injury concerns, largely relating to a hamstring injury he initially sustained in February 2023, Biler was unable to play for Jackson again in the 23–24 season, which led many to speculate that his Wimbledon career was over.

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