Wimbledon v Cardiff City. Match preview
Last updated : 21 November 2003 By Michael Morris
City start a busy week at Milton Keynes. The Bluebirds have three games in 8 days with two home matches against WBA and Ipswich following the first ever visit to Milton Keynes.
City, unbeaten in 6 games take on the roving Wimbledon FC. The MK Dons are bottom of Division 1 but have managed three victories in the last 5 games. Prior to that they went on a 12 game run without a win.
The clubs have only ever met 4 times. Wimbledon only came into the football league in 1977. Soon after Sam Hammam took control and took the small South London side through the divisions to Division 1. 11 years after their entry to the league they won the FA Cup. Lawrie Sanchez the former Wycombe manager scoring the winner against Liverpool at Wembley. Division 1 turned into the Premiership and still Wimbledon held their status despite having to ground share after the original home of Plough Lane was unusable. (There's a lot of history regarding Plough Lane, Wimbledon and Sam Hammam that has left a bitter taste to many Don's supporters. That's not for this article).
Sam has since come to Cardiff City and we are now riding high in Division 1, history repeating itself maybe, many City fans would settle for a run in the Premiership and an FA Cup win. The huge fan base at Cardiff and the imminent new stadium are things that were lacking in South London borough of Merton.
The first meeting of the clubs was in December 1984. Wimbledon won the old Division 2 game 3 - 1 at Ninian Park. They won the return match 2 - 1 to complete the league double. That game on May 11th 1985 at Plough Lane was the last game played by Cardiff City at that level of football until we kicked off at Rotherham this season. Defeat on that May afternoon sent Cardiff into 18 years of lower league football.
Then teams then met in 1999. One year before Sam moved to the Welsh Capital. City drew the first leg of the league cup 2nd round game
1 - 1 but went down
3 - 1 in the second leg at Selhurst Park. (Click scores for match reports). The first round saw City beat QPR on penalties over two legs. While the defeat to Wimbledon had no effect on our league form that season it was also a year that we were relegated.
So we had played them during two seasons, not won a game and been relegated at the end of both seasons. With City in 9th place, just outside the play offs and Wimbledon 24th at the moment we may get to see the reversal this time around.
On the pitch City will be without Graham Kavanagh. Kav was injured in Ireland and will mis a few games before being back. We may see the return of Peter Thorne and Rhys Weston, both saw an hours play for the reserves in midweek. I will take a look at squad news for both teams later in the day.
Lennie has thought about resting Daniel Gabbidon and Robert Earnshaw saying they are physically and emotionally drained and "broken hearted" after Wednesday night's play off defeat for Wales. I don't think we can afford not to play them. The club will assess their condition ahead of the Wimbledon game.
Earnie is on 98 goals for Cardiff. I'm sure he'll feel a whole load better if he gets 99 and 100 tomorrow.
Reflecting on the loss of Kavanagh and the involvement of his players for their countries Lawrence said
"That's the price you pay.
"First and foremost, the club has progressed enormously and that's reflected in the number of players who are called away on international duty. That's a source of pride for us and the players; but sometimes there's a price to pay, and we've paid a heavy one.
"We've lost Alan Lee when he went away with Ireland and now we've lost Kav. There's nothing to say or do. You sympathise with the players first, but it means we're losing someone who I believe is the best midfielder in this division for however long.
"But what do you do? I have to pick up the pieces."
The game tomorrow kicks off at 3:00pm. Cardiff could move up as high as 6th depending on the games involving Ipswich, West Ham and Reading.
City face three games in 8 days. We have picked up 12 points from the last 18 and I think if we manage 7 points from the three games coming up we will be right in contention for a play off place.
Wimbledon FC v Cardiff City
The National Hockey Stadium, Milton Keynes.
Saturday 22nd November 2003, ko 3:00pm.
