MILLWALL manager Neil Harris is not surprised by the form of AFC Wimbledon this season ahead of their south London derby on Tuesday night.
The Dons are in the third tier for the first time in their short history and last weekend’s 5-1 hammering of Bury lifted them into the play-off spots.
Neal Ardley’s side are also unbeaten away from home in the league since the opening-day 3-1 defeat at Walsall.
They lost four of their first seven games but have been beaten just once in their last 11 in the league.
“No, because Ards is a great guy, he was a real grafter as a player so you know his team is going to be really hard-working,” Harris said. “They’re a hard-working physical team who like to get the ball forward.
“They’ve done really well. They took a few weeks to adapt to the league but they’ve had a real go, like Bristol Rovers and Northampton, they’re going out to win every game and the more games they win the more bullish they get in their approach.
“So it’s a really tough fixture and it’s going to be a feisty local derby. It’s a good one for us and I’ll be looking for a reaction from my players ultram after Saturday. We have to be at it (Tuesday) night.”
Harris will again be without Steve Morison, while a decision on Lee Gregory won’t be made until Tuesday morning. If Gregory misses out Harris will have to decide who starts up front between Harry Smith, Fred Onyedinma and Aiden O’Brien.
Harris said: “We’ve no Steve Morison, no Jamie Philpot, we have to see how Lee fares before kick-off.
“You can bemoan a lack of players but, for me, it’s always an opportunity for other players. Aiden, Fred, Harry, they’ve all been in exceptional form. If Lee doesn’t make it they all stake a claim to start up front.
“What they lack in understanding or knowledge of the game they make up for in energy and enthusiasm, a desire to want to win and learn.”
Shaun Hutchsinson is aunlikely to be fit as he recovers from a hamstring problem.
The Dons, meanwhile, will be without suspended midfielder Dean Parrett for the first ever league meeting between the sides.
Millwall record against AFC Wimbledon:
Played 2
Won 2 Drawn 0 Lost 0
Form guide:
Millwall: WWWWL
AFC Wimbledon: DLDWW
Probable Millwall team:
4-4-2: Archer; Romeo, Webster, Craig, Ferguson; Worrall, Thompson, Williams, O’Brien; Smith, Onyedinma.
Match odds:
Millwall 21/20 Draw 12/5 AFC Wimbledon 5/2
Image source: ©Millwall FC