AFC WIMBLEDON vs ROTHERHAM - LEAGUE ONE HOME FIXTURE 2021/22 SEASON [8th FEBRUARY]

Tuesday 8th February 2022  KO 7:45pm
AFC Wimbledon will host their latest League One game at Plough Lane for the 2021-22 season against the current league one leaders Rotherham United. With the Dons in the bottom five still this might not go well against a side with the highest number of L1 goals scored this season. It's been difficult year so far, plenty of draws and in need of a win very soon so after the disappointing 3-2 defeat on Saturday against Charlton Athletic. We now remain in 20th position in the League One table having only achieved 30 points after 29 games played. We only stayed out of the drop zone thanks to the very late equaliser by Bolton Wanderers against Morecambe last weekend. 

Mark Robinson rang the changes for Charlton game including Sam Cosgrove coming in for his first start after joining on loan from Birmingham City.  The travelling Dons were certainly making themselves heard during the opening quarter of the second period and there was a sense that the momentum was building again for Wimbledon as George Marsh arrowed a shot just wide. Having gone behind again the response was to see Sam Cosgrove withdrawn after an encouraging display, replaced by Aaron Cosgrave entering the play as he looked to repeat his heroics from last Tuesday night. Chances were few and far between in the closing stages for the Dons as the match ticked into injury time, Nightingale coming closest with a close-range effort that was beaten wide by MacGillivray.

Head Coach Reaction; Mark Robinson was left feeling disappointed by the manner of our South London derby defeat at the hands of Charlton Athletic. However, our Head Coach believes that the recent performances are an indication that the Dons are close to getting back to winning ways. With the ultimate League One test coming up against Rotherham on Tuesday, Robbo said: "We’re competitive and it’s the small margins that we need to turn around. I want to see the boys step up to the challenge now. Fundamentally before this game it was three defeats, seven draws and two wins in our last 12 games. The main issue has been those seven draws, so we’ve been looking at turning those draws into wins. We’ve talked about staying the hunter and not being the hunted.”

Team News - will update as and when further news is available, the January signings are beginning to settle in including Lee Brown who looks like could be a solid addition. Last Monday we also brought in two more signings with Nathan Broome arriving as a back up goalkeeper from Stoke on a two and half year deal, along with striker Sam Cosgrove from Birmingham who ticks the boxes as the target man we were after, has also had experience at Aberdeen and is here on loan till the end of the season. Goalkeeper Zaki Oualah has joined Billericay Town for the remainder of this season on loan. Following the arrival of Nathan Broome on transfer deadline day Mark Robinson said it was important for the 26-year-old keeper to get game-time elsewhere. 

Recent League One Results
Charlton Athletic 3 - 2 AFC Wimbledon
Rotherham United 1 - 0 Accrington Stanley

Looking at today's game itself this Tuesday evening in League One and our opponents today; Rotherham are currently managed by one of their former players Paul Warne who has been in the position since November 2016 making him almost a veteran manager in the modern era. They currently have the top spot in League One, having accrued 62 points in 29 games so far. A win and we could move up a few places which would be welcome. Rotherham beat Accrington on Saturday 1-0 to remain at the summit of the table. They had their captain Richard Wood sent off in that win for a handball but the resulting penalty was saved.

Men to watch for the opposition;
Michael Smith leads the scorers charts with 17 this season and also the assists too for the league leaders, will need to keep a close eye on him, the experienced Freddie Ladapo is also feared. 

Head to Head

Our head to head form against Rotherham since our return to the league as AFC Wimbledon amounts to a rather one sided series of results, nine games played only the one win for the Dons back in Oct 2017, while there have been seven defeats and the other game a 2-2 draw. The reverse meeting this season was a thumping 3-0 win for the leaders and I hope we can improve today.

Starting XI's [Confirmed]

AFC WIMBLEDON 

Win Odds - 9/2 [William Hill]

Tzanev (Gk),  Kalambayi,  Heneghan(c),  Csóka,  Alexander,  Hartigan,  🟨Marsh,  Guinness-Walker,  Rudoni,  Cosgrove,  Assal

SUBS - Broome (Gk),  🟨Nightingale,  Chislett,  Awokoya-Mebude,  Ablade,  McCormick,  Osew

ROTHERHAM UNITED
Win Odds - 6/10 [William Hill]
Vickers (Gk),  Harding,  Ihiekwe,  🟨Mattock,  Barlaser,  Ogbene,  Lindsay,  Wiles,  Ferguson,  Smith,  Grigg

SUBS - Johansson (Gk),  Ladapo,  Kelly,  Bola,  ⚽Kayode,  MacDonald,  Odoffin

Selected Bets On This Match;

• Over 2.5 goals in 1st half @11/2
• Over 3.5 goals in the match @9/4
• Ayoub Assal to score at any time @4/1
• Penalty to be awarded and scored @9/2
• Bookings over 50 points @21/10.

⚽Half Time Score - 0 - 0

First Half Comments;

Kick Off 7:45pm today at the Cherry Red Records, Plough Lane Wimbledon stadium. The visitors get us underway and on the front foot early doors, but we survive the early barrage after 15 mins it's still all square. Made it through the first half without too much drama with just a booking for Joe Mattock to show. Holding firm so far, but Rotherham winning on corners 0-6.

⚽Full Time Score - 0 - 1  [Kayode 60']

Match Summary;

Will Nightingale comes on for the second half and his first action is to get booked! Then the Dons go behind on the hour as substitute Joshua Kayode scores the opener. Which proved to be the winner, they were not that special despite being league leaders, but sadly we did ship a solitary goal and unable to penetrate their defence sufficiently. Fortunately Morecambe also lost so we still just above the drop zone.

My Man of the Match - Ben Heneghan.

Attendance - 6,387.

Today's Referee - Our match referee for this afternoon will be Mr Charles Breakspear from Surrey, a busy official who averages about four bookings a game, also not afraid to show a red too. Still a lot of penalties in his matches as well so will be looking to play in those markets. His assistants tonight are Paul Yates and Ryan Whitaker on the side lines while on fourth official duties we have Joseph Stokes.

Next league one fixture;
  vs Sunderland (Home)
  Saturday 12th February @3pm.

LOVE YOU ALWAYS DAD - THINKING OF YOU ON YOUR BIRTHDAY TODAY Xx

 

Today would have been my Dads birthday, he'd have been 88 years old. Naturally I miss him so very much. Not sure he'd have enjoyed the last couple of years with all this virus and lockdowns going on, but it would have been so nice just to see him and spend time with him again Xx

Nothing so far has come close to filling the void left behind when you passed. No words or deeds can bring you back, yet you still fill my days with joy, and the memories are very fresh in my mind. I will continue to remember you and your work, along with the help and love you showed all of us not just on days like this but always. Family ... it's the most important thing.  I hope you are still with us in some form, keep watching over us all, some of us need all the help we can find. Xx

He never looks for praises

He's never one to boast

He just goes on quietly working

For those he loves the most

His dreams are seldom spoken

His wants are very few

And most of the time his worries

Will go unspoken too

He's there.... A firm foundation

Through all our storms of life

A sturdy hand to hold to

In times of stress and strife

A true friend we can turn to

When times are good or bad

One of our greatest blessings,

The man that we call Dad.

2021/22 FA CUP FIFTH ROUND DRAW - SUNDAY 6th FEBRUARY 2022

 

The draw for the Emirates FA Cup fifth round proper will be made on Sunday 6 February 2022, before the fourth round tie between Liverpool and Cardiff City. That match will kick off at noon so the draw will be around 11:40am a far cry from the regular Monday night slot it used to occupy. Former Manchester United and Newcastle United striker Andrew Cole is given the role of pulling out the balls under the watchful eye of host Seema Jaswal.

The FA having scrapped replays in rounds three and four this season now we have reached the fifth round there will still be no more replays now a decision that was made some time ago now. So all games to be decided on the night. 

In the UK the BBC / ITV will now share the broadcasts of the FA Cup ties, this arrangement will continue until the 2024-25 season at least. BBC Sport will show 18 Live matches per season, with highlights of the FA Community Shield. BBC Sport has second and third picks of matches in the Second Round, Fourth Round and the Quarter Finals, as well as first and fourth pick of matches the First, Third and Fifth Rounds, and first pick of the Semi-finals.

ITV Sport will show at least 20 live matches per season, plus live coverage of the FA Community Shield. ITV has first pick and fourth pick of matches in the Second Round, Fourth Round and the Quarter Finals, as well as second and third picks for the First, Third and Fifth Rounds and second pick of the Semi-finals.

My team AFC Wimbledon got beaten by non league Boreham Wood in round three so I've no longer a personal interest. The #1 ball will be Crystal Palace who saw off Hartlepool while other notable clubs to look for include holders Leicester City (#14) who play on Sunday against Nottingham Forest Forest won that 4-1!) while Premier League leaders Manchester City (#15) beat Fulham 4-1, Liverpool (who played Cardiff Sunday) (#12) plus Chelsea (#7) and West Ham (#9) who both had to survive a scare on the weekend winning 2-1 in extra time to progress. The shock of the weekend coming in the final tie when Boreham Wood defeated Bournemouth 1-0 at the Vitality Stadium to set up a trip against Everton.

The full fifth round draw will appear here during Sunday lunchtime as the ties are confirmed ... These fifth round ties will be played in the week commencing Monday 28th February 2022 according to the FA Website, with winning clubs picking up £180,000 from the competition prize fund. 
Fifth Round Draw
    Luton Town  vs  Chelsea

    Crystal Palace  vs  Stoke City

    Peterborough United  vs  Manchester City

    Liverpool  vs  Norwich City

    Southampton  vs  West Ham United

    Middlesbrough   vs  Tottenham Hotspur

    Nottingham Forest  vs  Huddersfield Town

    Everton  vs  Boreham Wood

Let's see how this plays out later on Sunday. If your side is still involved in the competition then good luck. All the best.