AFC Wimbledon: Johnnie Jackson has James Tilley selection issue and it could force transfer decision - View | OneFootball

The former Crawley and Brighton winger's Carabao Cup performance is set to cause a problem for Johnnie Jackson

James Tilley's form in the Carabao Cup for AFC Wimbledon is set to cause manager Johnnie Jackson a headache for the remainder of the transfer window, as the former Charlton boss has to make the decision to play him or cash in.

The winger grabbed an assist as the Dons overcame London rivals Bromley at Hayes Lane on Tuesday night, turning around an early opener for the hosts into a 2-1 win.

In the Carabao Cup victory, Tilley grabbed an assist for what turned out to be the winning goal, and with this being his first competitive goal involvement since early January, it now poses an interesting dilemma for Jackson.

James Tilley's re-emergence against Bromley

Tilley's assist and overall performance in Tuesday's cup tie has given an indication to fans and staff alike that the former Brighton youngster is not finished at Plough Lane just yet.

There have been question marks over the future of the wide-man ever since his drop-off in form since the middle of last season.

Despite an excellent start to life in a Dons shirt last season, netting seven league goals in his first two months at the club, his explosive form soon petered out and left many fans wondering where one of their dangermen had gone.

He spent the majority of pre-season too looking rather lost and seemingly a player that was set to spend a good amount of time sitting on the fringes of the squad, mainly down to the fact he did not quite fit in Jackson's wing-back system.

However, he was somewhat surprisingly placed in a left-midfield/left wing-back role against the newly-promoted side, with fears from some fans that they were about to see a repeat of his performance against Peterborough United at the start of pre-season.

That was not the case though, with the Englishman instead performing well in the wide role, sustaining a 7.7 match rating on FotMob, winning 50% of the tackles he attempted as well as grabbing the assist for Joe Pigott's winner.

The assist showed that he still has an unselfish nature to his game, despite the many months of watching him attempt to craft harder chances for himself than pick out an easier pass to a teammate.

James Tilley's form gives Johnnie Jackson a dilemma

The problem this potential sprout of new-found form gives both Jackson, and the club, is whether they should keep the 26-year-old around in the final year of his two-year deal and hope he produces good form to possibly bring about a renewal, or simply cash in on the value that Tilley currently holds.

His brilliant start to last campaign would have no doubt had suitors begin to look at him already, but his tail-off is unlikely to have kept them around, meaning that if any move were to be made for the winger in what remains of this summer window, it would likely be based upon the promise he has shown in the recent cup game, plus any future appearances before the window shuts in early September.

He would be a good option to keep around at Wimbledon, with his ability to play on the left or right-hand side being very handy. However, his lack of defensive know-how is what may hold him back when Jackson makes his team selection each week, with the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder favouring a defensively focused setup.

He is unlikely to ever get in ahead of current first-choice left wing-back James Furlong, and with Jackson confirming at the end of pre-season that the Dons were still in the market for players in that position, it means Tilley may, at best, be third choice.

On the right-hand side, he is again, most likely down as third choice behind both Josh Neufville and Hus Biler in the wing-back position. However, given the duo's injury record at the club, he may have a higher chance of featuring.

This leaves the centre of midfield, where Tilley could operate in a more advanced role. However, he is again far down the pecking order, with even the likes of Morgan Williams and Myles Hippolyte the more likely candidates for any cameo roles in that position.

Ultimately, it comes down to whether a slightly high-value member of the squad is kept around and forced to sit around and impact games as a substitute, and play the occasional cup game, or whether the club and Tilley, despite seeming like such a perfect combination in the beginning, should part ways and become yet another summer sale.