The Lounge

[Colum]

If it is any consolation Devon, not being able to watch the final 10 minutes of the game was arguably a blessing. In fact I think spending the entire afternoon in bed would have been a better use of my time. Meeting up with the WDSA massive was a bonus though. They even got a call out at half time on the PA!

We all said after the game that we hoped Neil Ardley wouldn’t use having to play 120 minutes on Tuesday as an excuse, and what does he do? I have some sympathy with this. The players looked out on their feet. Capitano Fuller in particular looked forlorn having to chase back in the second half.

Our problems start and finish in midfield. I actually thought Jimmy Adbou had a decent game. Parrett started OK but faded. Oshilaja was my star player who along with Long deserve some credit. Lyle Taylor did his usual “mix things up” thing, without really threatening. The crowd loved it though. Probably because he was the only one outfield player who looked like he cared.

The goal was a travesty. A decent ball across the six yard box, with Robinson and Fuller both standing still leaving Long with no chance. Robbo in particular seemed to spend most of the first half on his arse. This improved in the second half, probably because the coaching staff insisted he put some longer studs in his boots!

Our midfield was disconnected. If you compared the two teams, theirs was never far away from the ball. The player with the ball always seemed to have someone nearby to pass to. They played with purpose and desire. By comparison we passed square and long. Francomb is a reasonable right sided midfielder, but he is not a central player, has no left foot, and is about as creative as a wet paper bag. Parrett is a decent central player, but he’s not a goalscorer.

Up front both Appiah and Barcham has absolute stinkers. I don’t think either actually got near the ball in the first half. In the second all Barcham seemed to do was give the ball away on the rare occasions he got it. If Appiah is injured (as was hinted during the week) why the hell did he start?

All in all, the Shrews played with a much better tempo and deserved the win. I know it is early days, but if they are favourites for relegation and we don’t improve, we’re in real trouble.

[liamwimbo]

Unfortunately can only re-iterate the thoughts of Colum and Windlesham, which reflect the post-mortem we had in the back bar after the game.
It’s always telling when the goalie gets the MotM award. What makes it worse is that Shrewsbury are a team I was expecting the Dons to beat.
Amongst all the other bad omens, the worst thing for me was the performance of Appiah. He had no impact on the game, and I fear he will be this season’s Barnett.
Very, very early days but we need to improve drastically on this showing to survive in L2.

[Colum]

I have a lot of sympathy with the Premier League clubs complaining about the transfer window being open after the start of the season. For a start it would make selecting my Fantasy Football team easier. Seriously though, if it happens, I hope it also happens to the lower leagues. What do you all think?

[onyadon]

Agree with an earlier close of the transfer window, Colum. You only have to see what damage the Coutinho speculation is doing to Liverpool with the season already underway. Get a conclusion to the transfer window before the season kickoff to stop all this unnecessary disruption.. same for Wimbledon as well.

[Windlesham Don]

Of course, whatever we would like as a lower league club will be ignored. Money talks, so if the big European clubs want it then it will happen. It will only happen, though, if the whole of Europe falls in line, so I’m sure that there is much negotiation to come…

On to today, and do we have a new signing or not? Someone, somewhere has screwed up IMO, as the news flow should have been coordinated between player, agent and club. If we do have Harry Forrester then IMO the last two signings would have been odd – Trotter has been roundly slated by the fans of former clubs as lazy and disruptive in the changing room, Forrester also seems to have a ‘reputation’. He must be talented for Mark Warburton to take him to Rangers, and if he can be integrated into the Womble family then he may be a great signing (loan or permanent – who has any idea as yet?)

On the downside the last two signings are risky. NA has spoken of clearing out the bad influences of last season, but then recruits two players with reputations for being difficult – odd.

Also, as a last piece in the jigsaw most of us expected a lump (for want of a better word) to give us a Plan B. Failing that a wide right player would seem to have been a high priority, allowing LTB to play as a striker. Forrester appears to be an attacking left sided midfielder, in direct competition with Barcham, meaning that LTB is our only real option as a wide right attacker. This would also mean that the squad only has two out and out strikers, and Appiah has been nursing a groin problem since the start of the season.

As you may have gathered, I find the signing (if it is a signing) quite odd. The gaffer obviously has his reasons and I will be keen to understand his train of thought on this one if it turns out not to be a hoax. The midfield certainly seems to be a talented bunch with Forrester’s addition, but does it signal NA’s discontent with both Barcham and Parrett? We will have to wait and see…

On to today, and I feel that Fleetwood may just be too physical and too organised for us. Although we have never lost to them I can see that particular run ending today. Unless George Long can have a blinder, or our misfiring strikers can find the back of the net, I foresee a 2-0 defeat.

COYD!!

[Colum]

After yet another assured performance yesterday, I wonder if young Anthony Hartigan be with us at the end of the season? Maybe we could get Barca to pay £100m for him?

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