View from Kingsmeadow, Volume 27: Hit-and-Miss Week To Begin February

It seems that AFC Wimbledon is destined for the lottery of the playoffs rather than contending for the 2010-11 Football Conference crown.

On Tuesday, Wimbledon traveled to the Bootham Crescent in York, North Yorkshire for Conference action against York City F.C. They would walk in wounded.

"The treatment room was full to overflowing this morning with both Luke and Sammy Moore looking doubtful for tomorrow," said AFC Wimbledon manager Terry Brown on Monday. "Toks Yussuff is also doubtful. After treatment it looks as if Kirk Hudson will be OK for the game and he rejoins the squad, as does Ricky Wellard who played on Saturday for the reserves and did well—including scoring a headed goal!

"A big bonus is that Brett Johnson also got through a good 60 minutes on Saturday for the reserves and he too got a goal. He trained well this morning and will travel to York with the squad. One reason for this is that Ismail Yakubu has gone to have a knee injection similar to the one that seems to have sorted Brett out. Yaks's injury is a little bit different but the consultant thinks the injection will help, so we agreed to go ahead and he will be out for ten days while he recovers.

"After tomorrow's game the season settles down to a more sensible pattern with only one midweek game before the end of the month, although Seb Brown, Sam Hatton and Steven Gregory are likely to turn out for England C in one of the 'rest' weeks. This is great for them but my heart will be in my mouth until they finish the game uninjured.

"Our last trip to York was one of my worst memories of last season as we capitulated 5-0. I think we are a tougher nut to crack now but we know it will still be a very difficult game. York have had two fairly heavy defeats recently, but both followed the sending off of a key player early in the game. They will be looking to get back to their improved recent form and put those two games behind them.

"We know from experience that Gary Mills's teams play football and will be very hard to beat. But, as always, we will set out to win the game and bring three points home before the relative luxury of four home games out of five in the remainder of February."

Well, it wasn't as bad as last year, but it was still a pathetic performance.

Christian Jolley's 63rd-minute strike was the only goal in one of the worst defeats for the Wombles this season: a 4-1 shellacking to the Minstermen.

Wimbledon looked to right the ship on Saturday, as they played host to Fleetwood Town.

"The players have enjoyed a two day break after the journey back from York," said Brown on Friday. "They trained this morning and looked very sharp. We have had good news regarding Tuesday's injury to Ryan Jackson—he has now fully recovered. Brett Johnson came through 45 minutes at York unscathed and he will also be fit and available for selection, as will Toks Yussuff who has recovered from a groin strain that kept him out of that game."

Once again, the Dons would not be at full strength.

"There are some players who are not fit for Saturday," Brown said. "Ismail Yakubu is responding well to his injection, similar to the one that Brett had, and we hope for similar success over the next week or two. Kirk Hudson has had a recurrence of an old injury and after discussing it with Brentford, they have arranged a scan for him and we will work with them on any necessary follow up. Finally, Luke Moore's injury will take at least another seven days to clear up."

The Dons manager stressed the importance of winning Saturday's contest.

"So, apart from a bruised ego or two from Tuesday night," said Brown, "we go into Saturday's game against Fleetwood in a positive frame of mind, hoping to continue our excellent home form to date. We are playing both Fleetwood and York within a short time span and, judging by the fixtures away from home, both games will be extremely tight affairs.

"The next two games are against quality opposition who are in contention for a playoff spot. These games obviously take on more significance in the later part of the season.

Jon Main, who was a key component in AFC Wimbledon's success last season and the season before, has been linked to a possible move to another non-league club.

"We don't normally comment on individual players' circumstances," Brown explained, "but there have been press reports recently about Jon Main so I thought we should explain the position. Jon is contracted to us to the end of the season and is getting valuable game time at Dartford where he is on a one month loan. We haven't yet had a conversation with Jon about extending the loan for another month."

Christian Jolley scored in the 84th minute to give the Dons a 1-0 win over a Cod Army side that were reduced to 10 men in the 89th minute.

Consistency will keep AFC Wimbledon in the thick of things. Do they have it in them? The Dons will get one final crack at York City on Saturday, Feb. 12 to see if they do.

Kickoff is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. ET.