Simon Bassey said that the Dons will go to Peterborough United in confident mood tonight after an encouraging return to form.
A revitalised Dons side edged out Southend United on Saturday and our Interim Manager feels that the players are capable of providing a big test for Peterborough once again at the ABAX Stadium (the picture above shows Andy Barcham in action during the 1-0 win two seasons ago).
AFC Wimbledon have taken four points from the last two visits to the venue, but Peterborough are mounting a promotion bid this time around. Though their form has dipped a little of late, Posh are expected to be in the running for at least a play-off place at the end of this season.
Posh have won five and drawn two of the last nine matches in all competitions and are unbeaten in four going into the contest.
Below are quotes from both camps, plus stats and team news, ahead of tonight's match:
Simon Bassey
"Results-wise, I'm disappointed not to have four points from the last two games as I thought we deserved a point at Doncaster. I'm really pleased with the three points from Saturday because home form will be imperative to where we finish this season. We had 14 left, now we have 13, and we've won one so we have to keep going with that. The players have recovered well since Saturday and it's a good game for us coming up.
"I am very much of the mindset that if they're doing well and it's not broken, then don't fix it. You can try to be too smart for yourself at times. They boys have given everything for the last two games and if they all feel fine to play again, then so be it, but we will have a look at a few.
"Peterborough are one of the top sides in the league at the moment, but they've been struggling a little bit at home. We've done quite well there in the last couple of seasons and I envisage us doing exactly the same this year. The way that they are run and managed, they will certainly change players around. They've done that and good luck to them, but we will go there in confident mood after Saturday."
Steve Evans
"If you put me two points away from second in the table in January, I'd take that now. We will be better in the second-half of the season. We will have a look at the detail when the Chairman arrives here in December, as to what we do. There are one or two in the squad that are not contributing where we need them to contribute. That might allow us to do something in the market, but, of course, our leader makes those decisions. All I do is present my proposals, as a manager should."
"Paul Raynor watched them first hand on Saturday and we didn't want them coming here on the back of nine straight defeats. Simon Bassey, who has been around the club for a long time and helped the club when it reformed, does a good job and I look forward to seeing him. They will come here and they have good players. They have players who have played at a higher level and a bit like us they've bought one or two from non league. They were very good on Saturday, so we've had a look at that, and we will go through that with the group."
Team news
Peterborough have a full squad to choose from and the Dons have virtually a full complement too. Kwesi Appiah is likely to be a part of the squad after shaking off a dead leg that he suffered on Saturday. Only James Hanson (knee) and Tyler Garratt (knee) are unavailable from the Wimbledon squad.
Past meetings
Peterborough 1-1 Wimbledon (Feb 24 2018)
Lyle Taylor's strike, early in the second-half, appeared to have won it for Wimbledon, but Marcus Maddison secured a point for Peterborough with a goal 10 minutes from time.
Wimbledon 2-2 Peterborough (12 November 2017)
All the goals came during the first-half in this televised match with Lyle Taylor getting the ball rolling after just 40 seconds. Danny Lloyd equalised for Peterborough and Marcus Maddison edged the visitors in front, before Cody McDonald levelled just before half-time.
One of Wimbledon's best away displays since promotion to League One came at the ABAX Stadium on 22 October 2016. Though it only ended in a 1-0 victory to the Dons, thanks to a winner from Tom Elliott, it could have been more. A reshuffled Wimbledon back-line – Chris Robertson and Will Nightingale were paired together at the heart of defence – coped well with everything Peterborough could throw at them.
Highlights of this victory are available to watch again by clicking on the link below.
Current form (all competitions, starting with most recent)
Peterborough DDWWLW
Wimbledon WLWWLL
Last time out
Coventry City 1-1 Peterborough
AFC Wimbledon 2-1 Southend United
Tickets
This match is not all-ticket, and it will be possible to buy tickets on the day of the game. Below are the prices for tickets purchased on the day:
- Adults £26
- Over-60s £21
- Under-22 £17
- Under-18 £10
- Under-12 £8
- Under-7 £1.
Live commentary
Tune into our iFollow channel for live coverage of the game with our WDON commentators keeping you up to date with events.