The Lounge

[liamwimbo]

Thanks again to Singapore and Windlesham for the PSF match reports. I was feeling pessimistic after the departure of Reeves, but the incoming players and Ardley’s comments at the Meet the Manager evening have given me confidence the Dons can survive again in L1.
It is very dangerous to read anything into PSF results, but two wins over higher division teams is not to be sniffed at. There were doubts over the new goalkeeper, but he apparently had a great game v Watford. The defence looks solid and attacking options are varied. Still think midfield might be our weak point, but In Ardley We Trust!

There seems to be guarded optimism even on the “other” forum, so I am looking forward to the start of the season. Arriving in the UK on Tuesday week so planning to go to Scunny away the following weekend. Shrewsbury on the 12th will be my first home game and I reckon 3 points against them is a must.

COYDs

Attachments:

You must be logged in to view attached files.

[Windlesham Don]

Liam, I’m sure that both myself and Singapore Don would love to meet up with you and chat over the prospects for the new season when you are here!

I’ll not be at Scunny, but I’ll be at KM for the Brentford cup game and Shrewsbury – it would be great to meet up!

Post on here what time you will be at KM and we can arrange to meet. I am normally at the ground pretty early as I have to drive.

COYD!!

[Colum]

If the sign of a good close season is where the team improves in quality, we just may all give a sigh of relief. What was interesting about last night’s performance was the number of academy players who impressed, the new signings all putting in good performances, and the general style of football.

It was evident from the off that we were playing a fast paced, slick, passing game. No more hoofing it up to the big man. This wasn’t a big surprise with the summer recruitment to date, but the ease with which it happened was. True we’ll have sterner tests in the coming months, but it was a pleasure to behold.

Joe McDonnell had next to nothing to do, but coped well with what came his way. He even got a fortunate assist.

Toby Sibbick did excellently at right back for 70 minutes, and looks like an excellent Fuller substitute. No more having to rely on the Francomb sticking plaster.

Paul Robinson was his usual commanding self, and Will Nightingale did OK. He does make errors in judgement, but you can’t deny his commitment. He could have had a goal in the second half too.

Dean Parrett had a fairly good game. He scored the first after a direct run. He does give away a lot of fouls though when tracking back.

Jimmy Abdou played the more defensive role. He did OK without setting the world alight.

For me though, the stars of the midfield were Anthony Hartigan and Egli Kaja. They absolutely bossed midfield against Championship players. Hartigan could (no should) have scored our first after a brilliant run down the right, cutting inside and going past two players.

Up front Cody McDonald was no Tom Elliott. Like in the Watford game, he didn’t see a lot of the ball, but he’s a goal scorer alright. He took his chance clinically. If we can get the ball to him, he’ll get goals. He’s also a threat from set pieces, as his heading isn’t half bad for a relative shortie.

Andy Barcham didn’t get a lot of the ball, but he did his usual party piece. He seemed to be playing more centrally last night, which I don’t think really suits him.

As for Jayden Antwi. Wow! Here we have the sort of exciting impact player that fans love. He came off the bench and proved why he could well prove to be the surprise of the season. All I’ll say about his goal is it is a good job the keeper got no where near it. If he had, he may have landed in the back of the net with the ball in his hands. He’s deceptively powerful, and knows where the goal is.

Rob it may be time to change my prediction of 14th place finish. I left the ground last night looking for the play off final dates!

[Wimbledon_rumours]

Some very interesting but upsetting news this morning about a potential departure if true it could be very heartbreaking for myself and many fans

[Windlesham Don]

Down to earth with a bit of a bump last night, at the hands of our ‘old friends’ from Wycombe.

We couldn’t handle their direct style and in the first 45 minutes Bayo gave our defence a torrid time. He often had several runners off him which he picked out at will seemingly.

In general, Wycombe seemed to treat it as more of a competitive fixture than us, playing what looked like a first XI. They also excelled at their dark arts as normal: pulling, diving and without fail kicking the ball away whenever we were awarded a free kick.

IMO last night was one experiment too far. We seemed to constantly be changing formation and position, to a point where no one seemed to know where anyone was!

Barch kept popping up in centre midfield and between the strikers, which was a mistake IMO. With Barch on the left and Francomb on the right we only have width if they remain in their positions, but both tended to drift inside which clogged up the centre of the pitch.

Will and Deji cannot play together when we go with two CBs. They are both inclined to get lured out of position, which left a gap in the heart of the defence.

Cody and Kwesi have work to do to play together. Kwesi is yet to convince and he needs 90 minutes in a 4-5-1, 4-3-3 IMO to get into the role.

At first sight Trotter is a big physical unit and showed some promise without really standing out. Certainly in the first half the midfield were rotating all over the place, one could even say in headless chicken mode, and so it was difficult for anyone to consistently perform a role.

The good points from last night were the performance of Abdou, who will close down in midfield like a vintage Dannie Bulman, and Cody McDonald, who continues to look sharp.

Once again, there was no sign of Soares, which must mean it is too late for him to figure in the first few matches of the season. Thus we will need to go without him, Meades and Darius for a while.

It was another odd night for Lyle Taylor. He seemed to warm up OK and seemed cheery enough, but only came on after 60 minutes and left presumably injured after 80. There does seem like something is up with him – whether he has had an argument with the gaffer I don’t know, but if there was a simple injury then why not mention it on the OS? I hope he stays and is happy and he makes a huge difference down the right flank.

If nothing else last night seems to have crystallised (in my mind at any rate) the starting line up for Scunny:

Long

Fuller (although he still looks rusty)
Kennedy
Robinson
Oshilaja

Abdou
Trotter (although I’m sure the gaffer will want George)
Parrett
Barcham
Taylor

McDonald (Kwesi needs to step up)

I’d still love to see us try 3-5-2 at some stage with Sibbick and Oshilaja as wing backs – their pace would scare the bejesus out of defences IMO.

COYD!!

[liamwimbo]

Hi Windlesham, hi Singapore. Despite the Wycombe result, I am still quietly optimistic about the coming season. Would be a big blow to lose LTB but that rumour seems to be losing legs so fingers crossed we keep him.
First home game for me will be the Brentford LC game. Arguably the most attractive fixture in the first month.
So how about we meet at KM that night in the back bar about 6.15pm?
COYDs

[Author]

Posts