With seven goals in 10 games, it’s hard to ignore Ayoub Assal’s sparkling form in AFC Wimbledon’s recent resurgence over the past month.
From a potential relegation dogfight to being unbeaten in the last six league games and now just five points off the Play-Off places, everything appears to have clicked into place for the 20-year-old under Johnnie Jackson’s tutelage.
The 1-0 defeat at home to local rivals Sutton was the Dons’ nadir, leaving them with just three league wins from 40 games and Assal, like the rest of his team-mates, battered, bruised and beaten.
Since taking over at Plough Lane in the summer, much of Jackson’s early problems have been down to a mountain of injuries forcing constant formation changes and player rotation to a side already low on morale.
Continual injuries to the likes of Alex Pearce, Lee Brown and Will Nightingale have led to an unsteady defensive structure that opposition teams have easily broken down as Jackson alternates between a back five and a back four depending on the personnel at his disposal.
In a five at the back, Assal predominantly found himself isolated in the central No.10 role where, at just 5’8, he would often get bullied by League Two’s physical defenders.
At this level, Assal has never received the protection from referees he deserves as he continually picks himself off the floor more than anyone else on the pitch due to the physicality of the opposition he faces.
“He must be the most fouled player I’ve ever seen,” remarked Johnnie Jackson.
“But we told him that’s part and parcel of being the player he is – small, tricky, twisting and turning. A lot of defenders’ struggle to handle him.”
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However, once the early season injury crisis eased, Jackson has been able to switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation, shifting Assal from the centre of the attacking midfield onto the left-wing.
Harry Pell is now playing through the middle, bringing aggressiveness, size and leadership with his versatility also meaning he can drop back into a deeper midfield role alongside Paris Maghoma and Alex Woodyard if necessary.
Assal, with Ethan Chislett on the opposite flank, now has more creative licence to cause trouble by running at isolated defenders and his upsurge in stats and goals prove this.
In this formation, Assal has been transformed and as a result Wimbledon look a different team with both player and side finding a consistency which has been missing for months.
Playing on the wing has allowed Assal more space to use his raw pace and rapid feet to cut inside and create chances and he is aggressive with his positioning, always hanging on the shoulder of the full-back to pounce on a ball over the top.
It has led to the playmaker being caught offside more than any other Dons player, but the gambles he takes with his forward runs often pay off and, combined with the pace of striker Josh Davison, cause opposition headaches on the counter.
On Assal’s new-found form and goal threat, Jackson said: “We think the world of Ayoub.
“We’ve been working hard with him in training and with (video) analysis, trying to get him to shoot more because he gets in unbelievable positions.
“Sometimes he looks for a pass and sometimes he looks to beat the defender twice, and we said to him ‘you have to take more shots because you get in such good positions’.
“The goal (against Leyton Orient), the way it takes a deflection, shows that he is now taking these shots on whereas a few months ago he maybe would’ve turned that opportunity down so we’re delighted with him.”
Assal also plays with a fire unlike many in the league – when defenders or opposition fans give him stick, he gives it right back while he’s not afraid of the inevitable hard hit or two that he receives during games.
This fire comes at a cost though, as Assal has already picked up five yellow cards in the league so far this season, leading to his suspension for the goalless draw away to Salford.
“If you took that away from him, you would be taking a big chunk of his game away,” admitted Jackson.
“That’s what he’s about. I feel sorry for him at times because he gets fouled all the time. Due to his size I think some people think they can take liberties with him – but they can’t.
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“He’s a tough little cookie and he gives as good as he gets. Sometimes that boils over in frustration, but I understand why because he gets the physical end of it quite often, but I think he kind of enjoys that side of it and the challenge.”
Assal’s wonderful run of form will no doubt bring about some admiring glances from clubs further up the Football League but for now, Jackson believes the player should be in no “huge rush” to move on.
“He’s young – every player wants to play at the highest level, but there doesn’t need to be a rush with Ayoub.
“A good season with us, scoring goals and playing well will attract attention but if he is getting attention, it’s because he is doing well for us, so we’re happy with that.”