Preview: AFC Wimbledon v Rochdale AFC
Simon Bassey said that there is determination among the staff and playing squad to put things right after Saturday’s defeat to Southend United.
The Dons host Keith Hill’s promotion-chasers tonight with 51 points on the board, but still with work to do to make mathematically certain of a place in League One for next season.
Quotes
Simon Bassey:
“The players came back in yesterday and they were in good spirits. We have a good group: they do work hard, they do care, and they put the effort in. Now they have to dust themselves down and go again. It was a bad 45 minutes on Saturday and we have to put it right. Rochdale are a good side and Keith Hill has done a fantastic job there. We know what sort of game it will be as the staff do a lot of work to analyse the opposition. That will be relayed to the players.
“It is our home game on our pitch and it is tight. We hope to be in good shape for it. We set a target in terms of 52 points being enough to keep us up, but we want to win every game, especially after Saturday. We were really disappointed with that so we’ll be focused and we’ll be going for the three points.
with seven games to go and in no real danger of being in a relegation battle, we would have been happy with that. We’ve put in some really good performances and had great days. Yes, we’ve had some disappointing ones as well, but so far it’s been a really good season from everyone.”th“If anyone would have said at the start of the season that we would be 13
Keith Hill:
“With respect to the play-offs, we’re just focusing in on the games and the mini-group of games that we’ve got left to play. We’ll have had seven games this month, including against AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday night, then we’ll roll into April and we’ll see where we are with respect to points.
“It’s a very difficult league and it’s a different kettle of fish from League Two. When you get promoted, you have to consolidate and you have to reach the 50 points mark as quickly as you possibly can or you can get sucked into a relegation battle.
“A relegation battle shouldn’t be termed or deemed from the last 10 games only. You’re always fighting relegation from the get-go when you’ve just been promoted, unless you’re a massive club who are going to go through the leagues.
“I think they’ve adjusted superbly well and they deserve credit. They’ve got good management, they’ve recruited really well and they’re a good opponent for any League One side. That’s testament to the way that they’ve adjusted.”
Form guide (last six)
AFC Wimbledon LDWLDW
Rochdale WDWLDD
Last time out
AFC Wimbledon 0-2 Southend United
Chesterfield 1-3 Rochdale AFC
Last meeting
Rochdale AFC 1-1 AFC Wimbledon (27 August 2016)
Tickets
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Commentary
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