Southend United vs AFC Wimbledon Preview

Southend United Vs AFC Wimbledon

Roots Hall – Tuesday 19th August 2014, 7:45pm

Home Side: WLW

Away Side: DLW

Southend United last XI: Bentley, White, Bolger, Prosser, Coker, Hurst (Worrall 74), Clifford, Coulthirst (Barnard 81), Leonard, Corr, Weston. Unused Subs: P Smith, Ibenfeldt, Thompson, Payne, Layne

AFC Wimbledon last XI: AFC Wimbledon: Shea, Barrett, Fuller, Bennett, Kennedy, Bulman, Moore, Rigg (Pell 79), Francomb (Sainte-Luce 79), Akinfenwa, Tubbs (Azeez 75). Unused subs: Worner, Phillips, Nicholson, Beere.

Match Odds from William Hill: Southend 21/20; Draw 23/10; AFC Wimbledon 13/5

Head to Head:

Since AFC Wimbledon formed in 2002 these two clubs have met six times in the league, and once in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. Southend have triumphed five times but most recently, in April, The Wombles defeated The Blues at Roots Hall for the second consecutive season. The three games that have been played at Kingsmeadow have resulted in Southend victories; we are yet to see a draw between the two. Southend’s ‘Road To Wembley’ in 2012 began with a first round 2-1 win over The Dons courtesy of a Ryan Cresswell 95th minute winning goal.

Southend United:

Phil Brown said, “There is a lot more to come from us,” after his side’s 2-0 success over Stevenage at the weekend, but after winning both league games, and being the only team not to concede in the division, it must be pretty pleasing for him. Brown saw his Southend side lose narrowly in the League Cup to Walsall but they responded by picking up the full three points against Stevenage in the league. New signing Myles Weston grabbed his first goal for the club which was followed up by a goal from Southend left-back, Ben Coker.

Will Atkinson will miss his second game in a row due to an eye injury
Will Atkinson will miss his second game in a row due to an eye injury

Midfielders Will Atkinson and Michael Timlin sat out of the win against Stevenage, due to a serious eye injury and dislocated elbow respectively. Both will miss this game as well. As of the moment, there are no new injury concerns for Brown and staff to worry about.

Player to Watch Out For:

Myles Weston:

Myles Weston is particularly known for his speed, and against AFC Wimbledon this could play into Southend’s favour. He bagged his first goal of the season and he will be a keen favourite to add to it.

Myles Weston
Myles Weston

 

 

Phil Brown has utilised Weston as a striker to partner Barry Corr; the partnership has blossomed so far. Weston was playing for Gillingham in League One last year but he has stepped down a division to guarantee a starting position in a team.

 

 

 

AFC Wimbledon:

Wimbledon fans will make the one hour and thirty minutes car drive to South-East Essex feeling confident after their hard fought win at Luton. The Hatters were defeated by a Matt Tubbs goal after having a considerably more amount of shots than their opponents. Like Southend, Wimbledon was defeated in the League Cup 3-1 in the favour of Milton Keynes Dons. It was the second time the two met since Wimbledon F.C.’s relocation to Milton Keynes. The Wombles replied by beating Luton at their first home football league game for five years.

Mark Phillips returns to Roots Hall as a Womble
Mark Phillips returns to Roots Hall as a Womble

Manager Neal Ardley has made some top quality signings which has improved his squad. Most notably Adebayo Akinfenwa is seen as a great addition, along with loanees Tubbs and Adam Barrett. Dannie Bulman, Mark Phillips and Sean Rigg have also been signed by Ardley this summer. These six signings add quality, depth and vital experience at this level to bolster Wimbledon’s squad. Phillips was signed from Southend at the beginning of this season. He spent four years with The Seasiders and Barrett too is former Southend. The 34 year-old defender is considered to be a Southend legend having played 290 times in six seasons at his hometown club.

Defender Andy Frampton will miss the game through an ankle injury but it is unclear if Jack Smith will feature as he has a knee injury which kept him out of the Luton game. It is also unlikely Phillips will start for the London club as he is short of match fitness.

 

Player to Watch Out For:

Matt Tubbs:

25-SP-Matt_Tubbs_&_Neal_Ardley
Matt Tubbs and new boss, Neal Ardley

Like Myles Weston, Matt Tubbs signed for Wimbledon in the summer, on a season-long loan from AFC Bournemouth. The 30 year-old has always been a threat in front of goal, which justifies his three goals in as many matches for the Wombles. Ardley has partnered him with the well-known Akinfenwa and they have got off to a great start together. Tubbs netted 40 goals for Crawley Town when they won promotion to the Football League, therefore Southend will need to limit the amount of chances he gets in the game.

Prediction:

It will be a tight and cagey affair seeing as both sides have improved their squads. Southend have a strong defence whilst Wimbledon have a scary attack force. Both teams will have to take their chances as we could see a limited amount of them. I’m going for a 1-1 draw.

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