Cold snap puts AFC Wimbledon in a spin (From Your Local Guardian)

Cold snap puts AFC Wimbledon in a spin

2:59pm Thursday 9th February 2012 in Football By Graham Moody

The recent cold snap has proved very frustrating for AFC Wimbledon manager Terry Brown.

After defeat to Aldershot Town two weeks ago, he spoke of his delight at having time to work with his players before their game with Cheltenham Town last Saturday – which ended up being called off due to the freezing weather.

But while that has given him two full weeks to spend with his squad – much-changed throughout January – the cold conditions meant they have had little time together on the pitch.

Instead though, Brown and his coaching staff found other ways to get the players working, including a spinning session on Monday and five-a-side at Goals on Tuesday.

“We really haven’t been able to do a lot as the weather has been so awful,” said Brown.

“We have not done much on the pitch but we hope to get on there today (Thursday).

“A lot of the stuff we have done has been cardio vascular work – spinning, running and swimming, stuff to keep their bodies ticking over.

“We like to mix it up a bit, the other week we did water polo at Guildford and we did five-a-side at Goals earlier this week too.

“Most footballers always say they don’t like running so we have to find out ways to disguise them doing it.

“If they have got a ball at their feet they are happy.”

The break in action has given the Dons the chance to give injuries to Luke Moore, Ricky Wellard and Jason Euell the time to heal, with the latter expected to train today and be in the squad for Saturday’s visit of Bradford City.

If he does play, it will only be Euell’s second appearance of a loan spell from Charlton Athletic, which is due to end next week.

Fellow loanees Billy Knott and George Moncur also see their deals end but Brown is hopeful of keeping them.

“We are trying to extend both the loans of Knott and Moncur if we can, they have breathed some fresh enthusiasm into the side,” added Brown.

“I don’t really know yet with Jason, it will depend on Charlton as he is their player.”

AFC Wimbledon go into the game with the Bantams this Saturday desperate to alter their home form.

They have lost eight of their 15 games at Kingsmeadow this season and conceded 32 goals – more than anyone else on their own patch in league two.

“We need to turn our home form around,” said Brown.

“It has been terrible this season and the defending has not been good enough.

“I would like to get back to winning ways at home as soon as I can.

“Bradford are a vastly improving side and they should be, they are a big side financially, and I think it will be a tight game.”