The Lounge

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 3 years, 2 months ago by  Adam Dodds.
• This topic was modified 3 years, 2 months ago by  Adam Dodds.
• This topic was modified 3 years, 2 months ago by  Adam Dodds.
• This topic was modified 3 years, 2 months ago by  Adam Dodds.
• This topic was modified 3 years, 2 months ago by  Adam Dodds.

Topic

[Windlesham DonParticipant]

“Hello darkness my old friend,
I’ve come to talk with you again…”

[Windlesham DonParticipant]

Another massive game for us today (aren’t they all from here on in?) The match has been sold out since the start of the week and the club have taken the unusual step of telling supporters not to bother going on the waiting list for tickets as it is too long!

The atmosphere should be great, but the match is too tight to call – we have a solid defence, but a mis-firing attack; Gills have a leaky defence, but are efficient in putting away the few chances that they create.

The absence of Will Nightingale is a blow, especially as Gills have a physical goalscoring front man in Tom Eaves. He needs to be shackled and Will would have been the ideal defender to accept that task – I’m not sure Rod McDonald is physical enough as a deputy and I doubt that Deji will return today. It could be a major test for youngster Paul Kalambayi.

Going forward, it may be key if we can introduce livewire Dylan Connolly against a tiring Barry Fuller for the last 20 minutes. We have threats off the bench and so I will be happy if we follow our recent tactics and stay in the match for the first hour.

For some reason I am more nervous about this match than I have been for a while, perhaps survival is becoming a realistic possibility now? A fifth consecutive clean sheet would be unheard of, as would be a fourth consecutive victory. 2-2 for me and possibly a missed opportunity to ease the nerves…

COYD!!!

[onyadonKeymaster]

I think we can take it after three straight wins (all clean sheets) that the Great Escape is ON… it may not take us over the finish line, but it is with great relief and delight to write that the Dons are giving it a huge crack.
Look at this video to realise this new-found fighting spirit within the ranks. Toby Sibbick sprints around 30m to make the tackle and Paul Kalambayi heads the goal-bound shot over the bar to safety. It must be emphasised under Wally/Glyn that both those defenders are home-grown.

Take a bow @tobysibbick and indeed @Paul_Kalambayi – talk about putting it in. Toby makes up 30-odd yards on the guy who had a clear run on goal, to block, with Paul K getting back to head clear. These things make the difference between 0,1 and 3 points. Absolutely brilliant 👍 pic.twitter.com/uaZruPp1nU

— afc wimbledon (@fcwimbledon) March 17, 2019

And check out the form table..

AFC Wimbledon’s League Form Turnaround. #AFCW #AFCWimbledon pic.twitter.com/h2pvQnILhu

— Aidan Hother (@ahotherdesign) March 17, 2019

And not one, not two, but THREE AFC Wimbledon players in the team of the week with Wally as the manager…

Symbolic of the transformation in #afcwimbledon's season under WaG, THREE Dons in the Team Of The Day … pic.twitter.com/IGOTkx2AIT

— wombles downunder (@WDownunder) March 17, 2019

Eight games left, reckon we need 12 more points to bring it off…

[Windlesham DonParticipant]

Do I hear the theme from the Great Escape playing in the background? It certainly feels that way after another three points and another clean sheet.

A horrible gusty day and an uneven pitch made passing football difficult – basically playing into our hands. Southend were poor and obviously lacking in confidence after a poor run of results. We weren’t any better, but the 750 Wombles cheered the players on from minute 1 to minute 90 and somehow it felt throughout that we would get a result.

It was fitting that the winning goal came from a mistake, as hesitation in the Southend defence allowed the Pig to nip in to score. Once ahead Southend barely troubled our defence and we saw the game out relatively untroubled.

If we are to escape then I suspect that Southend will be one of the teams to fall – they seemed to lack belief and looked similar to us a couple of months ago.

The one area of concern was injuries to Nightingale and Pigott, exacerbated by the absence of Hanson (illness, again) and McDonald (injury, presumably). We need to get these back and fit for the arrival of Fuller, Parrett and Gillingham on Saturday for another big match.

If we can pick up another 3 points, and our results against the Gills have been pretty good from memory, then we could even find ourselves out of the bottom 4…

[MacWombleParticipant]

Remarkable. I look forward to reading your match reports and opinions. Where did all this fightback come from? Is it all that wet weather and impending economic demise? Whatever it is, Wally the Gaffer needs to bottle it and dispense it at will over the last few games of this dreadful season. If the players could spend the off-season with a hod, young Vinnie J-style, building the new stadium, then maybe they would earn a bit of backbone. In the meantime, it seems a bit of excitement has come back into the season. COYD.

[Windlesham DonParticipant]

Off to Roots Hall tomorrow for my first away trip for a while. If anyone is going along (Pete?) then I plan to pop in the Blue Boar for a drink and then across the road for local fish & chips before going to the ground!

Tuesday illustrated once again the confidence that a settled team, a set method of play and some decent results can bring. Peterborough have some talented players, but they seemed curiously disinterested for the most part.

An entertaining first half with few chances ended 0-0. As the second half began word came back that Darren Ferguson had given his players the ‘Junior hairdryer’ treatment during the interval. For 15 minutes or so it seemed to do the trick as Posh looked ominous – a couple of goalmouth scrambles and a disallowed goal had us twitching nervously in our seats. However, whereas a few weeks ago we would have cracked and lost comfortably, we now seem to have more steel and backbone about us. Wally introduced the Irish whippet Dylan Connolly and this seemed to unsettle the Posh. Hanson and McLoughlin were also introduced and made a difference.

The tide had turned. Connolly hit the bar with a viciously dipping shot and Hanson had a header cleared off the line. The crowd were up for it now and another quicksilver break from Connolly saw him hauled down in the area.

I’ve watched every penalty we’ve ever been given, but even I was almost too nervous to watch as the Pig stepped up. There was no need to worry, he sent the keeper the wrong way and the ground erupted!

On to tomorrow and a Southend side who’s home form is almost as bad as ours. IMO we should stick to the same starting XI and same tactics, if necessary bringing the subs on slightly earlier. If we can pick up 4 points from our next two games then we will really be in business…

COYD!!

[Author]

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