Mark Hughes says Carlisle United face a “big test” against an AFC Wimbledon side with clear strengths at both ends.
The fifth-placed Dons visit Brunton Park tomorrow as Carlisle desperately seek points to keep their survival hopes alive.
Johnnie Jackson’s side thrashed Mike Williamson’s Blues 4-0 last October and have been in the promotion hunt all season.
Their form has dipped recently, with three defeats from their last four games, and six away games without a victory.
But United head coach Hughes admits they remain a potent force in League Two.
“They’re very strong at the back and they've got good options up front,” said Hughes.
“There are the two first choice players that they have more often than not, the likes of [Omar] Bugiel, certain types of player that will ask questions of you physically.
“They can change them as well – on occasions they've rested the so-called first choice ones and played the other options that they've got.
“So they'll mix things up just to keep their group fresh. You're able to do that if you've got good players. They're having a decent season so it'll be a big test once again.”
One player to watch on Saturday is 20-goal frontman Matty Stevens, who scored a hat-trick in the clubs’ previous meeting.
Wimbledon striker Matty Stevens has hit 20 goals this season, including a hat-trick when the Dons last faced Carlisle (Image: PA)
“If you've got a goalscorer like that then that can get you up the league,” said Hughes.
“That's where we've fallen down unfortunately, so let's hope we can have a really strong finish to the season in terms of goalscoring – that's what we need.”
Wimbledon sit just two points outside the automatic promotion places with ten games to go.
Away from home the south London team have won five, drawn six and lost six, their last win on the road coming on January 2 at Newport, since when they have had five draws and one loss on their travels.
“They’re a good side,” added Hughes, whose side are six points from safety at the bottom of the table. “They know what they're about, they know what they're trying to do within the game and how they go about the business.
“They’re quite prepared to go quite direct. But if you give them opportunities they can play as well. It seems like they've got a good balance to playing when they can and going more direct and physical when they feel the needs must.”
Hughes, meanwhile, has admitted he is leaning more on experienced players in his squad in the current fight – but has not ruled out some of the Blues’ younger players from playing a part in the vital games ahead.
The likes of loanees Charlie McArthur and Sean Fusire have not been in recent matchday squads, while players such as Josh Vela have returned.
Charlie McArthur and other young loanees have been left out of recent matchday squads (Image: Richard Parkes)
Asked if this represented a greater reliance on experience, Hughes said: “A little bit, but it's not to the detriment of the youth, because youth players and players with no scars can give you a lot of energy and enthusiasm.
“Once again it's just about getting the balance and the understanding within the group and I feel we're getting close to that, but there will always be little tweaks.
“Thinking in my mind in terms of leading into a game, I may at the beginning of the week think we're going to go a certain way and then the quality of the training or the performances within the training might make me think of going a different way.
“So that can change from one week to the next. [If] I can see maybe a plateauing of performance from one player, that's when I'll make a change when I think we need a little bit more energy. So that's a fluid thing – it’s ongoing.”
