MATCH PREVIEW: Swindon v AFC Wimbledon

Swindon Town are hoping to end their three-game winless run this weekend as in-form AFC Wimbledon visit the County Ground. Total Sport’s Joe Acklam previews the League Two clash.

Swindon put in another disappointing display last weekend as they failed to register a shot on target in a 2-0 defeat away against Crawley Town.

Hoping to break their recent poor run, Swindon will have to beat a Wimbledon side who have not lost in seven League Two matches, and it also sees the return of former Town loanee Josh Davison.

Scott Lindsey said: “They are on a good run, we are probably playing them at the wrong time, and they are a good side with some really good players.

“Obviously they have Josh Davison, who we know really well, he is a real force at the top of the pitch, Harry Pell plays just off him and Alex Woodyard in midfield is a really good player.

“I liked Josh, he was brilliant to work with and a great lad, we took him on and a lot of people were like ‘why are you signing him? He doesn’t score.’

“But then he scored a lot of goals in the short space he was with us, he is a real handful, he never stops working and pressing, he is an aerial threat, holds the ball up well, and he is going to be a handful against us on Saturday.”

Despite reverence for the way the Dons are performing right now, Lindsey still expects Swindon to play the match on their terms.

He said: “I am looking forward to the game, but I am not looking forward to it being open.

“I am hoping that we control the game and it is not open, I would like to think we keep the game tight in many ways and they won’t get many chances on our goal.

“And I am hoping that we can get plenty of chances on their goal.

“Last week we got into good areas with great build-up play, some of the best build-up play we have had all season, but the final decision was poor.

“The other two things that were lacking was a bit of composure in front of goal, and a little bit of aggression to go and put the ball in the net.

“I think if we add those three things to our attacking play, then I think we will score goals.”

On the injury front it is not good news for Swindon, as Lindsey said four of his five substitutions last week were injury enforced, as well as Mathieu Baudry and Reece Devine picking up injuries in a development game against Newport during the week.

However, this weekend could see the return of Jonny Williams from the World Cup and Rushian Hepburn-Murphy from injury.

Town have only played the new iteration of Wimbledon seven times, of which four have been draws and Swindon have only won once back in 2012 when Paul Caddis and Alan Connell got on the scoresheet in a 2-0 on route to a league title.

During the 2020/21 season the Dons did the double over Swindon, Town losing 1-0 at the County Ground and 4-1 on their only visit to the new Plough Lane, with Tyler Smith scoring the only goal.