Preview of Wimbledon's game at Chesterfield
Neil Cox expects new Chesterfield manager Gary Caldwell to revitalise tomorrow’s opponents, but he says that the Wimbledon squad must concentrate on themselves and pull together as a group.
Our Assistant Manager talked enthusiastically about players, staff and fans working together to reignite the season after Tuesday’s FA Cup disappointment.
spot to mount a challenge for the top-10 and Neil is keen to build-up momentum in League One after the impressive victory against Oxford United last Saturday.thOf course, the Dons are still well placed in 12
It’s almost four years since AFC Wimbledon visited the Proact Stadium as the bottom club in League 2, the Dons eventually surviving on the final day of the 2012/13 season.
QUOTES
Neil Cox:
“We do not worry about other teams. We have to focus on what we are going to do and what we are going to do well. We are going to work hard as a team and everybody will get behind each other. It’s not an individual sport, it’s a team sport. The staff will all get behind each other and we will have a really good go when we go up there.
“I know we lost the game the other night and we conceded the third goal when we were chasing the game, but the fans clapped us off. They were supporting us at the end of the game and they were still giving us a lot of encouragement. They have a massive role to play.
“Gary went in at Wigan and he did a great job there. They tried to pass the ball out from the back and play out, which is what Chesterfield like to do. I don’t think there will be much difference, but I think a new manager coming in gives people confidence. We have to play our game; we must work hard, defend really well and hopefully our forwards get hold of the ball, like they have been doing all season, so that we can create chances.
“Our mentality is that we want to get three points. It does not matter what has gone on during midweek. This is a Saturday and our bread and butter. This is the league form and we want to get pushing up that league and put everything behind us.”
Gary Caldwell:
“When you come in to a new club, you want to get off to a fast start and build some momentum from that.
“When working with the players this week I’ve seen a great desire from them to work hard and get us up the table, and now it’s a case of adding little things in to help them when they’re out on the pitch and in the game.
“Neal has done a fantastic job at Wimbledon, getting them promoted and so far this season they’ve been very competitive so we know it will be a tough game, they’re a physical side who put you under pressure.”
TEAM NEWS
For Wimbledon, Dean Parrett (bruised ankle), George Francomb (illness), Tom Beere (back) and Andy Barcham (hamstring) all trained yesterday and they were due to be assessed, but Saturday is likely to come too soon for Jon Meades (ankle) to return. Centre-back Paul Robinson is suspended for Saturday after his red card against Sutton United. Lyle Taylor’s foot injury is not as bad as first feared and he was due to be assessed about his possible involvement.
For Chesterfield, Gary Caldwell will be forced to make one change to his starting line-up after central defender Tom Anderson suffered concussion in last week’s match with Coventry City. Otherwise he has no other injury concerns.
(Last 6 in all competitions, starting with most recent)FORM GUIDE
Chesterfield WLLDLL
AFC Wimbledon LWDDLL
LAST MEETING
AFC Wimbledon 2 Chesterfield 1 (3 September 2016)
LAST TIME OUT
Chesterfield 1 Coventry City 0
AFC Wimbledon 1 Sutton United 3
TICKETS
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