CARDIFF LOOK TO BUILD ON GOOD FORM

ccfcinsider
Feb 16
2 min read

Cardiff City remain at the CCS as they host Johnnie Jackson's AFC Wimbledon.

The Opposition:

After a positive start to life back in League One, Wimbledon hit a rough patch and have struggled for consistency for large parts of the season so far.

Johnnie Jackson usually sets up his teams in a 3-5-2, built on wing-back overloads, high pressing, and quick transitions. At Wimbledon he's blended this with phases of more patient, possession-based play, aiming to work the ball wide and flood the box with late runners. While his sides are hardworking and tactically disciplined, critics note he can sometimes be too rigid in sticking to his chosen system.

The Dons sit fifteenth ahead of kick off, and could move into the top half and twelfth place with victory in the Welsh Capital.

The Bluebirds:

Cardiff come into this one on the back of a convincing 3-1 win over Luton Town. David Turnbull opened the scoring with an impressive finish from close range, before Jordan Clark levelled things from the penalty spot. Goals from Joel Colwill and Perry Ng sealed the victory for City.

City could hurt Wimbledon by dominating possession with structured positional play, using patient build-up to pull apart Jackson’s typically aggressive, high-intensity press. By controlling tempo, exploiting space behind advanced full-backs, and forcing turnovers in midfield, Barry-Murphy’s side could neutralize physicality with technical superiority and smart rotations.

Opposition Player To Watch:

Marcus Browne has hit form this season and shown consistency for Wimbledon. Browne is a dynamic forward who likes to cut inside from wide areas, drive at defenders, and create chances with quick feet and sharp changes of direction. He combines pace and close control with a willingness to press and track back, making him effective both in transition and in high-energy systems.

The forward is a product of the West Ham Academy. After loan spells at Wigan Athletic and Oxford United, Browne completed a permanent move to Middlesbrough. Another loan to Oxford followed, before eventually completing a permanent move to The U's. Browne joined Wimbledon in the winter of 2025, where he's netted thirteen goals so far this season.

Last Meeting:

Cardiff City 1-5 AFC Wimbledon (2025)

The Dons knocked a youthful City side out of the Vertu Trophy in December. Cardiff struggled to get near a Wimbledon side that were just too strong for The Bluebirds.

Aron Sasu netted four goals for the visitors, as Omar Chaaban also netted for Wimbledon. Luey Giles netted a late deflected free-kick to soften the blow of a heavy defeat for Cardiff.

Team News:

Cardiff City - Ryan Wintle back available. BBM hopeful of having Calum Scanlon back available. Late decision to be made on Joel Bagan. Yousef Salech, Isaak Davies and Eli King remain out injured.

AFC Wimbledon - Aron Sasu out for the visitors.

Preferred XI:

GK - Nathan Trott

RB - Perry Ng

RCB - Gabriel Osho

LCB - Calum Chambers

LB - Calum Scanlon

CDM - Alex Robertson

CM - Joel Colwill

CAM - Omari Kellyman

RW - Ollie Tanner

LW - Chris Willock