Southend United vs AFC Wimbledon
Blues make a quick return to league action following Saturday’s superb away win at Fleetwood as they welcome AFC Wimbledon to Roots Hall this evening.
Southend’s 4-2 win at the weekend ended their nine-game winless run and Blues will be keen to keep the momentum going as Neal Ardley’s Dons make the short trip to Essex.
AFC Wimbledon come to Roots Hall off the back of a 2-0 home defeat to bitter rivals MK Dons on Friday night but will hope the extra day's rest will hold them in good stead.
On their last away trip, Wimbledon claimed a surprise 1-0 win at Ewood Park against Blackburn Rovers so they are not to be taken lightly as both sides look for their third league win of the season.
Southend United: WDLLDL
AFC Wimbledon: LWDLLW
25th March 2017: AFC Wimbledon 0 vs 2 (Ranger, Cox) Southend United
26th December 2016: Southend United (Cox 2, Atkinson) 3 vs 0 AFC Wimbledon
3rd March 2015: AFC Wimbledon 0 vs 0 Southend United
Phil Brown will be sweating on the fitness of Jason Demetriou, Anton Ferdinand and Stephen McLaughlin after all three picked up knocks against Fleetwood at the weekend.
Should they all fail to feature tonight, Blues have cover in Elvis Bwomono, John White and Jermaine McGlashan with the latter hoping to build on his goalscoring appearance off the bench on Saturday.
The visitors will be without Kwesi Appiah after the striker picked up a hamstring injury in last Friday’s defeat to MK Dons, however, Will Nightingale and Callum Kennedy look set to return.
Their returns will bolster a Dons defence who are still without Jon Meades whilst fellow defender Darius Charles and midfielder Tom Soares may feature as they both continue to build their fitness.
Phil Brown, Southend United Manager;
“I went to the AFC Wimbledon game on Friday night and there was a spice to the game due to the history of the two football clubs. There was something about the game that I really enjoyed.
"I would imagine Neal will be very down after the game, but if he looks back in the cold light of day, they had opportunities to get something from the game.
“Before that, they went to Blackburn and won 1-0 and not many teams will be doing that this year, so we won’t be taking them lightly.”
Neil Cox, AFC Wimbledon Assistant Manager;
"They had a good result at the weekend and I know he was at our game on Friday, watched us and will know how we play, but we've got to make sure we defend well and be aggressive against them.
"We've got to win a lot of second balls and make sure we defend really well. We know we'll get opportunities on the night and, as I've said, if we keep creating opportunities we will score.
"We're probably a little bit disappointed with where we find ourselves. We've created a number of opportunities and not taken them, but the forwards are being positive and getting in positions. We just need to sharpen up in front of goal and every now and then we need a little bit of luck."
Southend United are continueing to support the Grenfell Tower victims by donating £1 from every home match adult ticket sold until Saturday's game against Blackpool
Tickets are still available to purchase here.
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