The transfer deadline passed without event at AFC Wimbledon this week - but that is exactly how the Dons had planned it.
Seven new players were signed by manager Neal Ardley with the same number being shown the door as part of the rebuilding process at Kingsmeadow.
Wimbledon’s transfer activity began in the build-up to their play-off triumph at Wembley as new contracts were thrashed out with key players before promotion was sealed.
Darius Charles made his loan move from Burton Albion permanent and Ardley surprised himself at how quickly he was able to home in on his targets.
That meant the Dons boss could put his feet up and watch the drama unfold on Sky Sports News on Wednesday as presenter Jim White went into meltdown as the clock struck 11pm.
Other clubs were still scrambling around to complete their squads, including this weekend’s opponents Chesterfield, ensuring team sheets will look a little different on Saturday.
Chesterfield signed two players and shipped out three before the close of business and Dons assistant Neil Cox was happy to have a calmer end to than tomorrow's visitors.
“We’re looking forward to this game,” he told Dons Player. “This is why we got promoted. Danny Wilson is a really good manager and has had some good jobs in football.
“He’s got the experience but we have to make sure we do our jobs, get focused on what we need to do, and make sure the players know what we expect from them.
“If you look through all four leagues, everybody has been spending and that’s the football is going at the minute. It’s been difficult.
“We just have to get organised and not worry about what happened in the transfer market for other clubs.
“We’ve got a good squad and we did our business early, which is what we wanted to do, and we’re now getting a fit full squad together.”
AFC Wimbledon have slight fitness doubts over Charles, his central defensive partner Paul Robinson and captain Barry Fuller, however all three are expected to shrug off the problems to take their place in the squad to face the Spireites.
