TOMORROW they will face the club once known as the kings of long ball football, but Accrington Stanley are determined to use their passing style to go on the attack once more.
The Reds have impressed with their performances on the road this season, with boss Paul Cook sticking to his attacking philosophy both home and away.
A 1-0 win at Southend was followed by a 3-0 triumph at Cheltenham that made many in League Two sit up and take notice.
Stanley may have been beaten 4-3 at Chesterfield in their last away game, but even then they received plaudits from the home fans for the manner in which they played during the 90 minutes.
The Reds are back on the road this weekend, as they face a Wimbledon side who in their previous guise once bullied the big boys before eventually securing an FA Cup final win over Cook’s beloved Liverpool.
Times have changed – the new AFC Wimbledon have a subtler approach these days.
But, as is the case every week, Stanley will still aim to be the best footballing side on show tom-orrow. So far it has taken them to an encouraging sixth in the table.
“We’ll try to play the same way away from home as we do at home,” Cook said.
“If we’ve got lads who are brave on the ball and are prepared to pass it, we’ll have the ball for long periods. If we go away from home, fear the opposition and show them too much respect, we’ll end up defending the 18-yard box.
“It’s something that’s stood us in good stead so far and long may it continue.
“Our principles will be that we’ll keep trying to play and move the ball, hopefully creating chances. If we don’t break teams down because they stop us, we take the draw and we move on.
“Fans want to see a winning team and attractive football. If you can do both you’ve cracked it.”
Stanley face an AFC Wimbledon side led by caretaker boss Simon Bassey, who is aiming to make it two wins out of two since he took over from the dismissed Terry Brown. The Dons had previously conceded 18 goals in seven games.
Cook expects Charlie Barnett to be out for two weeks after hurting his ankle in training this week, but says George Miller will be on the bench after injury.
Toto Nsiala returns from a one-match ban for five bookings but faces a battle to displace loan man Rob Atkinson, who helped to keep a clean sheet on his debut against Aldershot on Saturday.
“We like to think it’s a strong in-house lesson Toto’s learned in terms of discipline and yellow cards,” Cook said.
“But he’s a young boy who has got a good future in the game.
“Any time Toto comes back into the squad is a huge boost.”
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