I thought I’d try and say something nice about the Franchise this week, but I couldn’t be bothered thinking that hard.

I don’t know the latest, but I do know there was a campaign started to get them to drop the “Dons” from their name, as they really don’t have any connection left with the club known as Wimbledon. That’s a campaign I have every sympathy with!

I suppose we are stuck with them as a club now, but that doesn’t make me look forward any less to the possibility of AFC Wimbledon overtaking them in the League. As far as I am concerned, they are, and always will be, an abomination and the epitome of everything wrong with the modern game.

The word in the press seems to be that there is a reluctance from Jimmy Mullen to shuffle the pack, following last week’s win at Colchester. That’s a brave decision. Normally, changing a winning team can be the wrong think to do, but last week’s enforced absence of the suspended Jabo Iberhe meant a 4 5 1, which can be far more suited to an away game than a home one. Iberhe has now got a knee problem, apparently, which means that “no change” is the most likely line up:-

Ince, Weston, Roberts, Gerrard, Palmer, Taundry, Hughes, Mattis, Nicholls, Ricketts, Deeney.

Subs: Bradley, Gilmartin, Boertien, Reich, Zaaboub.

Personally, I’d go for a 4 4 2, (and bring Boertien back!), but we’ll see.

As for the Franchise, Kevin Gallen departed on loan to Luton despite the injury problems the Dons have had in their own forward department (although these are now clearing up).

Torre Andre Flo has joined the camp, ostensibly to train with his former team mate Roberto Di Matteo, but there is not chance of him signing yet.

The future is brighter up front now with Aaron Wilbraham getting some pitch time at Hartlepool, young Daniel Powell getting his debut goal in the same fixture and Sam Baldock returning to full training after his hamstring injury. Di Matteo has actually a bit of a selection dilemma as Ali Gerba has proved a willing worker in the absence of his colleagues.

Further back in the Dons line up Carl Regan and Jude Stirling are still struggling for fitness whilst Sturm and Swailles remain long term absentees.

On top of all of that, I suppose I ought to mention the return to the Banks’s of Mark Wright. Not one of my favourite players, but even I’ll admit a real danger on his day.

Predictions?

The Franchise go into the game in fourth place, with an away record of won 5, drawn 2 and lost just one, scoring 17 and conceding just 9 in the process. 17 goals in 8 away games is even more than they’ve managed at home, so our defence needs to be at it’s very, very best! I think this has got score draw written all over it, although the worry remains of how we will react to any tactical changes from the opposition.