Reviewing 2025/26

Starting the season as the bookies favourites for relegation always seems to give teams something extra when it comes to staving off the drop. The Dons survived by four points in the end though they lost 7 of their last 8 games, giving the other strugglers more than a fair opportunity to catch them up.

At this level, the gate receipts and tv money from Cup competitions are vital so it will have been bitterly disappointing for them to lose 2-0 at home to Gateshead in the FA Cup first round.

Looking ahead to 2026/27

They have a bottom four budget and as such it's always hard to predict them to finish anywhere other than in amongst that group fighting against relegation.

Losing Omar Bugiel and Patrick Bauer on free transfers will be disapponting but the arrival on a permanent basis on Zack Nelson after a succesful loan spell will help soften the blow. Couple that with the free transfer singing of Steven Sessegnon from Wigan and there's shoots of hope. Another 3 or 4 strong experienced players are vitally needed but I struggle to see them arriving.

Court Offside Tip

I don't want to see them go back down to League 2 but I just can't see them sustaining it at this level. 11/10 is a pretty healthy return on investment given than four go down from this division. Unfortunately, I think life in the third tier comes to an end in May.