The Lounge

[onyadon]

I’ve decided to spruce up the web-site a wee bit (even with our new logo – any comments?). Another new feature is the single thread forum, so you can jump on and have your say, ask a question or just read what is being said. As I always say the forum is only as strong as what you make of it, so I would urge you to contribute and regularly to keep it all worthwhile. BTW, if you want to check something in the old forum it is now archived and the link is below… Okay let’s hear from you …

Looking for the old forum? You can view the read-only archived version here.

• This topic was modified 4 years, 2 months ago by Adam Dodds.
• This topic was modified 4 years, 2 months ago by Adam Dodds.
• This topic was modified 4 years, 2 months ago by Adam Dodds.
• This topic was modified 4 years, 2 months ago by Adam Dodds.
• This topic was modified 4 years, 2 months ago by Adam Dodds.

Topic

[Colum]

There are no handshakes allowed, but we still have an utterly pointless sponsors photo opportunity as the teams walk past each other. I loved Ramsdale’s cheeky grin and nod last weekend. What follows is 22 players getting up close and personal in a fashion that would give our government’s Chief Medical Office a heart attack.

Elsewhere my firm has told all staff who can, to feel free to work from home. It looks likely to take a firmer stance in the days to come. There are several reports of offices being evacuated after a worker collapsing. And today the owner of Notts Forest has tested positive.

Can it be long before we follow the example of Italy and cancel all large sporting events? What will that mean to this season? Watch this space!

[Windlesham Don]

Although I expected a disappointing result, even I was shocked at the toothlessness of our attacking play. As well as a strike force lacking any real pace or skill, we are hampered by a midfield without any creativity. In Hartigan, Reilly and Wagstaff we have a central trio without the ability to spot a killer pass. Thus, we get the normal aimless thump-ball down the channel or up to an outmuscled Pigs…

On the bench were Sanders and Rudoni (Wordsworth not even fit enough to warm the bench evidently), both attacking passers of the ball, but by the time Rudoni was introduced the rhythm of the game was set. Once again, the manager’s substitutions failed to impress…

Sadly, it is going to be a nerve-jangling run in. If we need to win a game we do not have the ability to create chances. We are more effective playing the underdog role against opposition happy to attack us.

Of course, despite the toothless performance we did have the ball in the net, Kwesi heading in a perfectly good goal cancelled out by the fluttering flag of the incompetent knobwit of a referee’s assistant.

Let’s hope the Footballing Gods are kinder to us during the run-in…

PS – Congratulations to Singapore Don of this parish, who once again managed to get his picture in the match day magazine – he seems to make more appearances in it than Joe Palmer…

[MacWomble]

0-0, 4804 diehards. Ah well, we are still further ahead than at the same point last season, and average attendance is up. We are on the rise, with the new stadium, and better days are ahead. As for Bolton: like us, once in the premiership and shaking-up a few of the bigger clubs. But look at them now. Jeeze. Actually, I’m of a general view that any season where Liverpool is going to be the top dog means it is instantly forgettable at all levels. Another grimace as that weird, bearded ‘pool manager appears on the gogglebox. I recall seeing Wimbledon play an FA Cup game at Anfield many years ago – what a dump. Was relieved to get back to London (and did not see Brookside Close). A season for the trash can all round.

[Windlesham Don]

Exciting times at the moment with the new stadium now looking secure and apparently due for completion late August/early September. The latest picture I saw actually showed earth being deposited on the pitch!

On field, the boys produced a superb display to deservedly beat Gillingham and in the process stop the whingeing of their hateful management team.

Today sees the visit of doomed Bolton, propping up the rest of the table and with the worst away record in the division. We now have most of our injured players back, with only Nightingale and Osew not available for selection. This has to be a comfortable three points, surely? If only. That is not the Wimbledon way as we all know – when the odds are stacked against us we come up trumps, but when presented with what should be a comfortable afternoon it never is…

Central midfield will be key today, with the three who started at the Priestfield (Reilly, Hartigan and Wagstaff) being pressed by Wordsworth, Rudoni and Sanders. I actually prefer the latter three in terms of talent, but Wordsworth is unlikely to be match fit and Hartigan seems to be the recipient of George Francomb’s incriminating pictures of the manager!

Appiah finally seems to be getting back into the rhythm of playing, which has taken some of the weight off of the Pigs’ shoulders. Defensively, we still look nervous and vulnerable to the odd stupid mistake at times.

Much as I’d love to witness a comfortable victory, my prediction is a dominant performance marred by a couple of defensive cock-ups.

AFCW 2 (Pigott, Appiah) Bolton 2, Att 4670.

COYD!!

[MacWomble]

Wow – who would have thought that raising huge sums of dosh was that easy. Maybe Wimbledon fans are typical of southeners, being more cashed-up than the northern monkeys? Let’s hope the extra costs of the stadium is not being gobbled up by the corporate suites, boxes and viewing areas. As for the 5-0. Ouch! Still a long way to go Wimbledon. COYD.

[onyadon]

What an astonishing response from fans/aficionados/investors to take up OVER 5 million pounds in the Plough Lane Bond in little over a month. With more than 30,000 pounds to be added from the alternative We Are Wimbledon fund for smaller investors the take up more than exceeds the 5 million target to help pave the way for other investments to make up the 11 million pound shortfall for the completion of Plough Lane stadium. It now positions the club to seek a greatly financially reduced and improved environment for the extra funds to be sought through a commercial lender. There is also the possibility of other fund-raising initiatives apart from commercial loans to achieve the goal. Importantly, the prospect (some may say – threat) of seeking capital from outside investors and thereby jeopardising the fans-owned club model has greatly receded following the extraordinary success of the Plough Lane Bond. The completion date of the new stadium is still not entirely clear, although we can probably rule out the prospect of kicking off the start of next season at Plough Lane. Some day August-ish, some suggesting later than that. But the important, and positive, news is that the concerns pre-Christmas of actually completing the new ground have all been vanished given this fans-driven bond initiative. Even the organisers of the bond have been blown away by its overwhelming success. The next few weeks should tell us more. These are exciting and definitive times for AFC Wimbledon.

[Author]

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