AFC Wimbledon v Charlton AthleticTuesday 5 April | Kick-Off: 19:45Live on Charlton TV (UK included)Referee: Neil Hair - Previously officiated Charlton in our 2-1 win away at Portsmouth.Introduction
The last preview I wrote I explained about the lack of discipline that runs through the squad and how far and away we are in front of others in the league for yellow cards. Since, jokes have been made out of the ill discipline and so much to my surprise, not, we had a perfect example yesterday with Gilbey being sent off for the same type of foul just 12 minutes apart. People might not feel we have a discipline problem, we aren't a 'dirty' side, but 101 yellows and 3 reds suggest something isn't right and needs to be addressed going into next season. So after the disappointing result at home against Lincoln, where it highlighted our vulnerabilities even more in both boxes, the poor goals and the lack of ruthlessness in front of goal, we move onto a fixture that seemed like it would never be played, AFC Wimbledon away.
OppositionManager: Mark Bowen | Stadium: Plough LaneLeague Position: 22nd | Nickname(s): The DonsLeague Form: LLLLLLAFC Wimbledon played away at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, losing 2-1, their line up was:
Tzanev
Nightingale | Heneghan | Csóka
Lawerence | Marsh | Woodyard | Rudoni | Osew
Robinson | Assal
The Dons have failed to win any of their last 22 league games, a run that goes back to 7th December where they pulled off an impressive 2-0 victory away at Accrington Stanley. Since, they've drew 10 and lost 12; they have also only scored 13 goals too. In fact, in the same time since Jackson took charge of us, they have won 2, drew 11 and lost 15. Newly appointed manager and ex-Charlton play-off winner, Mark Bowen, has a huge job on his hands with confidence at the club at an all time low, not helped any further by conceding in stoppage time to lose in Sheffield. AFC Wimbledon find themselves 4 points from safety with 6 games to go. A mountain to climb when you have no momentum and you've failed to beat the sides around you at the bottom. This could be the year we see them return to League Two, and it would be no surprise when it's the first season without a Taylor or a Pigott putting the ball in the back of the net. The latter a player we should be going after in the summer having struggled to adapt to life in Ipswich. Goal scorers are crucial no matter the level or position. However, we can't boast as Charlton have scored just a measly 6 goals more than The Dons this season, we're 18th in League One in comparison to their 20th. Shocking. Additionally, another couple of stats that are interesting and condemns The Dons further into relegation is only rock bottom Crewe Alexandra have a lower percentage of clean sheets with 10% than AFC Wimbledon's 12%, and although The Dons have only lost 6 games at home this season, very respectable when you consider we've lost 8, they have only won twice on home soil. Things don't look promising.
Player wise, I will be honest and say I don't know much about them. Assal seems to be a player who has got most of their headlines this season. A small attacker who can play in midfield or up front will look to cause problems against Lavelle, especially as he is our least mobile defender. Another player who has caught the eye amongst those in League One is Jack Rudoni. The 20 year-old midfielder who can play on either side or through the middle has scored 9 goals this season, the same amount our whole entire midfield have scored put together...
Charlton Team News
It was a beautiful sight seeing Forster-Caskey return to the pitch after his horrible second ACL injury. A proud moment for all connected to him and one that exhibits how hard work pays dividends. The cultured midfielder looked the part and set up our only goal from a typical Forster-Caskey delivery from a corner. How we have missed him this season. The next goal is can he start a game? The answer ought to be yes, but will Jackson feel it is too early to risk it? Will he come off the bench and manage those minutes for another week? With Gilbey out for Tuesday night's fixture and Fraser looking tired, it does allow him the opportunity to freshen up the midfield if he sees fit.
Elsewhere, I don't anticipate Gunter being involved so other than the return of Forster-Caskey, this fixture could, and probably should, have gone ahead a couple of weeks ago. Leko came off the bench only to frustrate against Lincoln with countless opportunities to put the ball into the box, just for some further hesitation and the moment is gone. Jaiyesimi will be looking to be involved once more and will have his impressive assist against AFC Wimbledon to armour his fight.
Subs: Harness, Pearce, Famewo, Jaiyesimi, Fraser, Morgan, Burstow
PredictionAs we have picked up more points away from home than AFC Wimbledon have at home all season, added onto that they have not won in 22 league games, it would be typical Charlton that we go and hand our London rivals a much needed 3 points. However, chances have been created in the last two, probably enough to win 3 or 4 games, and if we continue to do that eventually we will score more than 1. A must win game for AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday night adds extra pressure they could really do without and if we score early enough, their heads will drop. The Addicks to do the double over another team for just the 4th time this season.
AFC Wimbledon 0-2 Charlton Athletic
Washington
Lavelle
Comments
2-1 win. Stockley and Washington.
After what happened yesterday I'm expecting nothing other than a defeat.
out of the current crop there are not many you would gladly see here next season.
Hull
Peterborough
Reading
Derby
Barnsley will be down.
then you have clubs that will not go up this year
pompey
sunderland
wycombe
ipswich
will be a v tough league 22/23
Curious to see Ayoub Assal again, he looked decent at the Valley, a right little nuisance - He'll probably end up higher, but would hope that the scouting team are looking at him.
Never seen us lose at Plough Lane.
There’s a first time for everything.