The Game
Argyle v AFC Wimbledon. Saturday, 18 October. 3pm. Sky Bet League One.
The Opposition
AFC Wimbledon were promoted last season, winning the League Two play-off final against Walsall, 1-0, and have started life back in the third tier impressively, too. They have 22 points from 12 games, and are sixth in the table.
An opening-day defeat to Luton Town was followed by wins over Lincoln City and Reading. The Dons did lose three of the next four, but then won four in succession, defeating Rotherham United, Doncaster Rovers and Wycombe Wanderers, all 2-1, then winning 2-0 against Blackpool. Most recently, like Argyle, they had their first draw of the season, drawing 1-1 with Port Vale.
The Gaffer
Johnnie Jackson, 43, grew up in London and represented Tottenham Hotspur on the pitch as a youngster. Loan spells came in the EFL with Swindon Town, Colchester United, Coventry City, Watford and Derby County. The former England youth international departed White Hart Lane and had permanent spells with Colchester United, Notts County and Charlton Athletic before retiring in 2018.
Jackson would stay at Charlton as a coach, working under Lee Bowyer for a few years, before becoming caretaker manager in 2021. When Nigel Adkins was appointed, Jackson resumed his role as a coach, but was asked to step up again following Adkins’ sacking just months later. Nine wins in 13 saw Jackson appointed permanently midway through 2021/22, but he was sacked at the end of the season after a string of poor results.
Just over two weeks later, he was announced as AFC Wimbledon’s manager.
The Squad
Central defender Ryan Johnson has impressed in the ten games he has played this season. Early in his career, the 29-year-old from Northern Ireland struggled to break into the EFL, playing in the National League with the likes of Hartlepool and Kidderminster. Another National League stint, with Stockport County, yielded a promotion to the league. In the summer of 2023, Johnson moved to Wimbledon.
A year later, he was joined by Myles Hippolyte (below). A 30-year-old midfielder, Hippolyte has racked up a number of clubs, spending time with several south-east non-league sides before a move north of the border, playing for Livingston, Falkirk, St Mirren and Dunfermline. Returning to England, he played for Yeovil and Scunthorpe before heading to Stockport, and then to Wimbledon, for whom he scored the winning goal in the play-off final last season, writing him into the club’s folklore.
With top scorer Matty Stevens sidelined, strike partner Omar Bugiel offers the Dons' next biggest threat in front of goal. The Lebanese striker joined in the club in 2023, and has netted 23 goals in all competitions. Born in Berlin, Bugiel featured for several non-league clubs, starring for Worthing, where he was spotted by Forest Green Rovers. After a brief spell in Gloucestershire, Bugiel was sent on loan to Bromley, before joining permanently. A switch to Sutton United followed, before moving across the capital to Wimbledon.
Previous Meetings
The last time these sides met in the league was in 2021/22, in League One. Argyle won both games, with Ryan Hardie scoring the only goal in Argyle’s first visit to Plough Lane. Hardie was joined by his fellow Ryan, Broom of that ilk, when the Greens won 2-0 at Home Park.
Argyle TV
Argyle TV’s coverage will begin with Argyle Breakfast, starting at 10am, brought to you by Erin Black and Aaron Cusack. Erin will return for the Pre-Match Show, from 2.30pm, alongside Brian McGlinchey, before commentary of the game comes from Charlie Price and Marc Edworthy.
Supporters overseas can watch this game for free, as part of the EFL's Free International Streaming Weekend. You don't need a match pass, just log in to the website.
Audio match passes are available for supporters worldwide - click here to get yours.
