Charlton Athletic vs AFC WimbledonSaturday 5th February 2022 - 3pm Kick-OffReferee: Christopher PollardIntroductionI dont think there was anyone who expected a positive result against Portsmouth on Monday evening. When you look at the Charlton performances on the road, any result (albeit at one of our favourite away venues) certainly looked a tall order prior to kick-off. In typical Charlton fashion though, the win was well deserved, goals coming from Conor Washington and brief signing: Clark Robertson - We now welcome AFC Wimbledon to the Valley, relegation once again looks a tall order, defeat though this Saturday, could once again undo all the hard work achieved under the South Coast floodlights.
The OppositionName: AFC Wimbledon (20th) | Manager: Mark RobinsonGround: Plough LanePrevious Meeting: AFC Wimbledon 2-2 Charlton AthleticEveryone probably knows that AFC Wimbledon have never been relegated as a Football club, since the Dons formation (in well known circumstances) on 30th May 2002, its been a continuous upwards trajectory, one level completed after the other - Perhaps a lesser known fact is that Morecambe have never been relegated as a Football club either.
These two sides, with more history in Non-League than the Football League, appear to be fighting it out to avoid that unwelcome first relegation tag - The two currently find themselves separated by two points, and that's it - Of course, there is nothing to suggest that both clubs wont survive this season - AFC Wimbledon are enjoying their 20th season since their formation, and have already avoided the drop in each of their last five seasons at this level.
The difficulty going into this campaign was an obvious one... How to replace Joe Pigott - The ex-Charlton graduate would go on to score twenty times in the League last season, understandably earning a move to Ipswich Town - Into his shoes have stepped Ollie Palmer (who himself has now moved to Wrexham), and Ayoub Assal. Both have scored eight goals for the Dons, and the Wimbledon graduate, in just his second season, must now shoulder the burden alone.
Charlton Team NewsThe big news prior to the Portsmouth clash was the incoming signing of Scott Fraser from Ipswich Town - The Scottish playmaker has long been admired by Addicks fans, so many will now be excited to see what he can bring to our midfield, which sadly at times has lacked that final killer instinct. Of course we may require patience (as a former Manager would say); Fraser hasn't played since December so will be lacking match fitness.
The other way of looking at it is this... Who from the team do you drop after what was a splendid performance against Portsmouth - The natural suspect is Albie Morgan, not because he has his doubters, yet more for the similar styles in play, yet the Academy player is finally showing glimpses of consistency so wouldn't deserve to be dropped at present. Elsewhere and Mason Burstow should return to the bench at the very least this Saturday, the youngster was of course missing from the trip on Monday night, after completing a life changing move to Premier League: Chelsea.
On the injury front it appears that both Ryan Inniss and Chuks Aneke should be available again this Saturday (after being withdrawn on Monday as a precaution) - Jayden Stockley and Jake Forster-Caskey remain our sole absentees.
MacGillivray
Clare - Inniss - Famewo
Matthews - Dobson - Gilbey - Blackett-Taylor
Morgan
Washington - Aneke
Substitutes Bench: Henderson - Purrington - Pearce - Fraser - Lee - Burstow - Leko
PredictionWimbledon have always been a thorn in our sides, especially at Plough Lane... Thankfully due to match postponements, our first encounter with the Dons this season will be at the Valley - Yet Wimbledon have shown in recent weeks that they'll be a tough side to break down, five draws in their last six games, a sign that we can once again expect a wintery scrap on our hallowed turf.
Comments
I note that JJ does not mention Lavelle as injured, I wonder if we will see him on the bench?
incroyable!
2-1 again. In all honesty I cannot rule out a routine defensive bollock drop after Iniss goes off for a precaution.
Am worryingly optimistic about this one which is normally not a good sign.
Difficult to be confident or excited but I will stay up to watch the stream in the hope of catching a glimpse of the Scottish Pele.
2-1 (Purrington, Fraser)
2-0 victory and the banter and work place bragging rights will be ours all over the South East of nowhere till we meet again next month , oh such joy
Win and we put real distance between us and the bottom 4, probably enough to see us through. Lose and we may be only 5-6 points off, not panic stations, but we have 4 tough fixtures after this which may yield very few points.
Still we never seem to play to the form book so who knows, what every the result
Draw 1-1
Some of us just want the boys to win.
Maybe Man City is a good fit for you.
Important we get a win tomorrow as the next 6 matches look very difficult. As always when playing teams of this manner, need to get an early goal and don’t give away the first goal as you know they will be running the clock down.
He always looks to me that he puts in 100% and gets back to defend well. Attacking and closing down is a much larger part of his role than (say) Purrington or Mathews who tend to stay more defensive, and I can understand why he is knackered on 75-80 minutes.
Wimbledon are just another team like Oxford and MK who are so unpredictable and can win or lose any game against anybody … interesting Scott Gosgrove as gone there always rated him
at Aberdeen and one player fans wanted us to get .. but just shows the worth of a recruitment team .. his career as really stopped and gone backwards … but one we will have to watch
still expect 3points but might not be as plain sailing as some expect
Our failings have been in end product and clinical finishing and I'd like to see us take one of the struggling sides apart for a change.
I'd like to see Fraser introduced, but I'm guessing he'll start with the same side.
I'm happy with Matthews/CBT over DJ/Purrington if they play like they did Tuesday.
Having said all that, first team to score wins it.