AFC Wimbledon (H) 29th March, 3pm kick-off

Match Centre 24/25
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"Underground, Overground, wombling free,
The Wombles of Wimbledon Common are we"

(Intro song, Mike Batt)

Well,

Amazingly, Incredibly, Unbelievably, after our most recent results of DLDLDD …

It’s STILL in our hands to finish top of the pile, but the need for a WIN is now paramount - and what better match for it than against the Wombles, currently in 3rd place in League 2. We did manage to win the away fixture back in November with a score of 0-1, our goal being scored by Nathan Lowe (who else?). AFC Wimbledon’s current form looks like this:-

March 1st Bromley (H) Lost 0-1
March 4th Morecambe (A) Lost 1-0
March 8th Notts County (H) Won 2-0
March 11th Cheltenham Town (H) Lost 1-2
March 15th Carlisle Utd (A) Won 1-2
March 22nd Barrow (H) Drew 2-2

The Barrow result is interesting, because the Wombles “did a Walsall”, being 2-0 ahead in the 88th minute but then conceding 2 goals - just like us against Cheltenham Town.

Their current squad includes one ex-Saddler in the shape of Matty Stevens, and other players who have graced both clubs include Dan Agyei, George Dobson, Liam Gordon, Chris Hussey, Charlie Lakin, Derick Osei Yaw, Romaine Sawyers, Robin Shroot and Rhys Weston.

Various suggestions have already been made as to the make-up of the team Mat Sadler will select for this fixture. The only certainties are that (a) Connor Barrett is still suspended, and (b) our international qualification players will be returning and available. As always, it’s a case of “wait and see” - but the likes of Alfie Chang and Nathan Asiimwe might well be considered for a starting place, although it seems that Danny Johnson doesn’t come into the manager’s assessment for anything more than a 10-minute cameo, no matter what the score is.

Prediction? With Bradford City’s game at Accrington Stanley starting at 12.30pm it could well be that we kick-off against AFC Wimbledon in 2nd place in the table - a motivating factor? One thing is for sure - it’s not easy to score against them, they’ve only conceded 28 goals in 38 games, but with us having kept a clean sheet at Gillingham let’s hope for a 1-0 home win, the scorer’s name being completely immaterial.

UTS

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Due to unforeseen circumstances I will disappointingly have to miss this game and possibly the fail one as well. Well frustrated! We can do it. UTS.

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As much as we may want to down play this fixture I don’t think we can overstate the importance of this game. I expect the Undercroft to be absolutely rocking and surely a bumper audience in store as the season enters the home straight? I will be sporting a brand new pair of homespun trousers for the occasion.

3-1 to the Super Saddlers.

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Looking like 23 degrees and sunny here on Saturday, so I will be sporting a lightweight pair of golfing shorts and flip flops as I watch on the balcony with a couple of cold beers.

I’m going for a tight 2-1 win to settle a few nerves.

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We need a win and I think we will get it…2-0

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Huge, huge game.

Beat these and hopefully it will give confidence to get over the line.

Really hope the fans get right behind the players, not saying they haven’t done this season, but for one game it’d be nice to hear no booing, sarcastic chants or “top of the league and we’ve fluked it up” chants IF we’re not ahead.

Thinking back to the Accrington game last season, the atmosphere was amazing for a Tuesday night and despite going behind, we helped the team come from behind.

Big crowd there this week as it’s the schools game, so probably close to 8000 there.

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Absolute must win game.

But as it stands were completely bottling it.

2-0 Wimbledon

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Can’t see past a draw

But only if we score first

They score first and we’ll lose

But a draw ain’t the end of the world

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We’re due to win a game at home so why not this one. It won’t be easy and there’s going to be a lot of supporters from both clubs expecting the worst but it’s eight games to go so let’s all get behind our team and do our bit.

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A win would be fantastic but i see it as a must not lose rather than a must win. Both sides are nervous, have thrown points away recently and will be nervous. I see a 1-1 draw with both managers happy but a lot of moaning Saddlers on social media.

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If Vale win tomorrow, I doubt either manager will be happy with a draw on Saturday….

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Simkin, Gordon, and Dave (plus the 2 non-appearing loanees) will be back, but Barrett still has another game to his suspension.

Stick with Hornby after his clean sheet, or go back to Tommy?

Did Asiimwe do enough to keep his starting place or should it be Albert there (assuming he doesn’t start up front)? The other possibility is Rico Browne be he’ll be joining George Barrett back in the kit room dubbing the senior pros’ boots again.

Should Gordon come straight back into LWB, or stay with the Weir/Allen combo (in whatever combination)?

Choose 2 from McEntee, Williams, Dave and DD for the other 2 CB positions. Most people wanted to see Oss back in there but now the loudest voices are for him to be dropped, and DD will be a bit ring rusty, so back to Dave and Harry?

Midfield has plenty of pick and mix opportunities, but guessing it will be the triumvate of Stirk, Jellis and Lakin. However, Chang looked OK for the minutes he was given; doubt he’ll start but should he keep a place on the bench (keeping in mind that Hall is apparently available again)? Very short odds on Comley being in the 18 - either replacing Stirk from the start or at least the last 20. I imagine Lipsync will slope off back to Stoke U21s.

I think we’re all resigned to it being Albert alongside Jamma up front (as Sadler’s captain he’s invariably the first name on the teamsheet) - is thay the best option we have? No Harrison, but there is still Amantchi, DJ and (least likely even though he scored an international goal) Wheatley.

We all know what MS will pribably do, but if you were the manager …

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1-1.

Asiimwe with the goal for us.

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I’d put Simkin back in, and I think Sadler will too.

I’d stick with the same midfield, but wouldn’t be surprised if Lakin is taken out for Comley. Comley wouldn’t even be on the bench if I was picking the team.

Anything but Matt and Adomah up front. I suspect with Harrison out he will persist with it.

No need to change Asiimwe, he did well. Gordon will definitely go straight back in, providing he is fit.

Back 3, I think Allen will return to the back 3 and Big Dave will come back in for McEntee or Williams, probably Williams.

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Team I’d play but won’t happen

Simkin

Assimwe
Dave
Williams
Allen
Gordon

Stirk
Jellis
Lakin
(With Chang and Hall replacing them after 65/70 mins)

Harrison
Wheatley

Subs : Hornby,McEntee,Chang,Hall,Albert,Matt,DJ

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Really hope we can sell out a few of our remaing home games… get the crowd behind the team and whos knows what will happen

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Team i think we’ll go with

Simkin

Asiimwe - McEntee - Okagbue - Allen - Gordon

Jellis - Stirk - Lakin

Matt - Adomah

Hornby - Weir - Williams - Chang - Hall - Amantchi - Johnson

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That’s the team I think he will go with also.

I suspect he may go for Comley instead of Chang or Hall on the bench, and wouldn’t be surprised if DJ was left out for Wheatley.

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Also got DD back in the fold.

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I don’t like making predictions, but I believe that if we draw, then Sadler will say that he was pleased with the performance.

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