The Lounge

[Singapore Don]

Hi Liam. Unfortunately O won’t see you at any of the first three games – I’m off in India and Pakistan for the 70th anniversary of Partition, but back till Aug 16. Great shame. How long are you in the UK? I went to Wycombe and am going to Ebbsfleet to see some Dons action and suss some of the new players. It would be great to see you at a game, so hopefully one later in August. Safe travels over here.

[liamwimbo]

No worries, Pete. Am there until early September so will be at the home game v Donny. Also going to Blackpool away, even though I can’t stand the place.
Hopefully no news about LTB is good news. Hope you enjoy the Ebbsfleet game and the Dons put in a good performance.
COYDs

[Windlesham Don]

Hi Liam,

I will be at the Brentford game, but probably won’t arrive until 18:30ish. Will you have a UK mobile when over here? My number is oh771oh 142oh74 – give me a bell if anything changes, or post a message on here.

Looking forward to meeting a fellow WDSA contributor!

John Martin (aka Windlesham Don)

[onyadon]

With unwanted Chris Whelpdale released by ‘mutual consent’ and returning to former club Stevenage, Neal Ardley now has his chance to add a fourth striker to his squad for the coming season. There has been some chatter [and I hasten to add I have no clue of the current situation] about a return of striker Michael Smith, who had an impressive loan spell at the Dons in 2013. Smith has been released by Portsmouth, but a Pompey contact told me that Smith wants to stay in League One and Wimbledon is high up his preferred list, probably top of his theoretical options. He goes on to say: “Pompey apparently currently have no money to pay off players despite selling 14.5k season tickets so they can’t offer Smith that option until at least the take-over by the new owners is complete, probably a week or two away. Smith’s agent will know this and sensibly would wait until then. Smith is in a good position because it’s open knowledge that we have to get rid before we can sign a midfielder (as of now). Smith’s stock is decent from what he did on loan last season at Northampton… but his situation is very much a brinkmanship scenario.”
If (if) Smith is the one Ardley is after, then this might take a little while to play out, but the gaffer may also have someone (cheaper) else in mind to bring in. The plus side for Smith is that he is the tall target man that the Dons are currently lacking from the summer recruitment.

[Colum]

Remind me which month we are in. At Aldershot the weather was more agin to January than July. Heavy rain rolling in with a heavy wind. It ruined the game. The open nature of the Shots ground didn’t help. It meant goal kicks barely reaching the half way line, over hit paces, miss hit passes, lots of mistakes, you get the picture.

We had a VERY makeshift eleven on show, with arguably only Parrett and Trotter with a chance in the starting 11 come next weekend.

The youngsters largely did OK. The usual suspects stood out, Hartigan, Antwi, Sibbick, who should all have been in the goal scored column. Poor old Seth Owen had an awful game at left back. He never seemed comfortable, getting caught out of position time and time again. Best to forget about this one, and move on.

The negatives (apart from Seth) conceding such an early goal, at times giving their midfield too much space, our finishing, players often being forced out of position too easily.

The positives, Appiahs movement and energy, Parrett getting back to his best – although he tired towards the end, the sight of the youngsters standing up to a Conference club’s first team.

[Singapore Don]

Another grey, wet setting for a pre-season friendly, what on earth has happened to our summer?? But there were rays of sunshine in the Dons’ play at Ebbsfleet, and it was a bright outcome with a deserved 2-1 win. I’m happy too to be able say that I was there for the very rare, lesser spotted Fuller goal – only his second in his time at Wimbledon – a well taken effort from a nicely worked Francomb corner.

As for Francomb, I’m one of those who’s never been his greatest fan, but he was busy yesterday and at the heart of much of the Dons build-up play – he had almost a Reeves like role which, to be fair to him, he carried out very well. There were as usual the misplaced passes, but his work rate was exceptional and he looked hungry and commanding in equal measure.

The other player who really stood out yesterday was Callum Kennedy. He was an attacking threat down the left, but what was particularly noticeable was just how vocal he is and how confidently he was barking orders at young Paul Kalambayi playing just inside him and Alfie Egan in front of him. Kennedy looked a real leader, and one day I think he’ll make an excellent coach or manager. He’s clearly a real character which will be crucial in the all-important team spirit that Ardley wants to recreate in this 2017/18 squad.

McDonald impressed up front, apart from missing his penalty. It was well struck but at too comfortable a height for the Fleet keeper. That aside, Cody’s work rate again was terrific, and he was excellent at getting back to cover for marauding defenders at set pieces. I noted one particular moment when he clearly raced back to cover the left back hole as Kennedy got back from a run down the left. Ardley has obviously been shaping him rather in the Taylor mould to be aware of the overall team effort and the need to track back and cover when necessary.

Barcham too looked competitive and tough, and was a real asset in our attacking moves. His goal for our second was a beautifully taken shot from the edge of the box with his right foot. A great goal. He’s looked good and sharp in all the pre-season games I’ve seen. A must start.

Young Paul Kalambayi had a very solid game in central defence next to Oshilaja, and he was helped too later in the game in the advice and positional sense when playing alongside makeshift central back Fuller when he took that slot from the subbed Oshilaja. Deji was replaced by young Osaze Urhoghide at right back. Urhoghide had a great debut, looking comfortable going forward too from defence – indeed he had two great opportunities that could have been goals. So along with Toby Sibbick, another promising youngster in the wings (or backs!).

George Long is the real deal in goal. From my vantage point, I couldn’t see if he could have done better with their free kick goal, but his save from a later free kick was out of this world – one of those match-winning saves that at MTM Ardley bemoaned his predecessors had failed to deliver. Throughout the game, Long commanded his box, clearly preferring to punch clear rather than attempt to catch; he distributed quickly and effectively; and he was vocal throughout with his defence. I can see why Ardley went for him over Shea. He was very impressive.

And lastly Jimmy Abdou. Quiet, understated, I could see at last what he brings to the game. He’s there nipping at heels, digging away, breaking up play, a defensive busy body midfielder doing the dirty work that doesn’t get much attention. I think he will prove to be a great season long signing. If I could have my wish and have the more attacking minded Parrett play alongside him, you have the perfect complementary midfield couple!

So the pre-season friendlies are over, and the next starting XI will be the real League One deal. Having seen the Burton, Wycombe and Ebbsfleet games, this would be my starting line-up:

Long; Fuller, Oshilaja, Robinson, Kennedy; Francomb, Abdou, Parrett; Taylor, McDonald, Barcham.
Subs: McDonnell, Nightingale, Sibbick, Trotter, Egan, Kaja, Appiah.

If Taylor is still injured, I’d have Appiah to start in his place and Antwi on bench. But will Neal go for a 4-5-1 with Trotter in the centre of midfield, Francomb on the right, Barcham on the left and McDonald the sole striker?

I just hope Parrett has worked his way in to Neal’s good books to get a starting place. He’s looked our best midfielder with an instinctive forward drive, which as I said would complement Abdou’s more defensive role.

Unfortunately I’m off with work to South Asia for two weeks this week so will miss our opening two league games. I’m hoping to make the trek up to Fleetwood for my first league entertainment.

Be interested to see others’ starting XI…. COYD!

[Author]

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