Assistant boss talks about Strutton's return
says that Wimbledon are under no illusions about the size of the task facing them at Hartlepool United tomorrow night.Neil Cox
Colin Cooper’s side entertain Wimbledon after four successive wins and Neil believes the Dons will need to repeat the resilience that earned an away point at Morecambe on Saturday if they are to get anything at Victoria Park.
“We worked all week on a set game plan for Morecambe and I think we did really well,” said Cox. “Hartlepool are on a good run at the moment and will have a lot of confidence. We cannot go there and play open. We have done our homework and we will have to organise ourselves in the right way to get the points. It is another long journey for us and we will have a look at the players tomorrow as regards picking the team. All the lads should be a bit more confident after Saturday’s result.”
will be back in the squad for Hartlepool after staking his claim with six goals in seven games during a loan spell at Braintree Town. Neil has stayed in constant contact with Strutton during his time away and Wimbledon’s assistant manager added that the Dons now have a much more confident striker at their disposal. Charlie Strutton could be back in contention after coming off on Saturday following a clash of heads and Neil said he will be assessed tomorrow by Wimbledon’s medical staff. As previously announced earlier today, Barry FullerRight-back
“Charlie needed to go out and get games because he had not really played since pre-season,” Neil added. “Charlie has now gained some experience and a lot of confidence so he will be back in the squad for tomorrow night. We will select the team that we think has the best chance of winning the game.”
Following relegation last season, Hartlepool endured a difficult start to the season back in League 2, but their 4-1 win at Mansfield on 5 October proved to be a turning point as they have won all three matches since. That included a 1-0 win at League 1 Sheffield United in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and their recent good league form means they are just three points behind Wimbledon ahead of tomorrow's match. Hartlepool will be without winger Jack Compton for tomorrow night due to suspension after he was sent off in the 1-0 win against Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.
The Dons have two home league matches out of three after tomorrow night and tickets for both Oxford United and Portsmouth are now available online by clicking on Your AFC Wimbledon . If you missed our earlier announcement about the Portsmouth game, then please click on Ticket Update .