The Lounge

[Colum]

From the OS update on catering…

“The number of pies purchased this season has been extremely low so far.”

“As a result of your feedback, Shakey’s Diner will make sure all their staff increase the portion sizes of the chips on Saturday!”

Two points:

1: What is wrong with us. We’re footie fans. We eat pies. What next? Tubs of hummus and taramasalata?

2: Too damn right. The portion size was derisory.

[Devon Womble]

I’ve tried ifollow for a couple of games with much the same (poor) results.
FYI: I’ve spent a lot of my working life in I.T. and in particular building and diagnosing network problems. Thankfully I still have access to most of the tools I used. ifollow’s problem, assuming you have a highly stable and fast internet connection, are largely of it’s own making (or of those who they have contracted to supply the streaming service.)
Having said this, I note that the technology they are using also has compatibility issues with a number of browsers too. So, as much as I hate to promote Microsoft, their ‘Edge’ browser is the most stable for the technology. Try it. If that fails to improve things there is not a lot else one can do.
While mentioning ifollow, they still haven’t found a workaround that prevents you from knowing the result before watching the replay! (Something they were allegedly working on.)

[Colum]

Devon. That reminds me of the “Likely Lads” episode where Terry trying to avoid hearing the result of an England football international until he’d had the chance to see the tape Bob had recorded of the match. Classic!

[Windlesham Don]

Important game tomorrow, as much for the performance as for the result.

Rovers are flying so far this season, unbeaten and with a 100% away record scoring 3 at Bradford and Blackburn. They have also been buoyed by a draw against Arsenal in the League Cup.

I expect Rovers to come at us as Shrewsbury did, but surely we can’t be as bad as a fortnight ago? We need to come out of the blocks with energy and passion, especially as Rovers played a cup game in midweek.

If we can do this, and just as importantly if the Footballing Gods smile on us for once this season, then I feel we should be able to get something from the game.

I can’t see us keeping a clean sheet against their free scoring attack, but I am hopeful of picking up a point in a 2-2 draw.

COYD!!

[Singapore Don]

Happy days again! My first league game of the season, and what a great one (well great second half) for it to be. Two goals, a clean sheet, catching up with lots of olds Dons friends – including Windlesham and Liam – it was a wonderful day in the glorious Kingsmeadow sunshine. And my 2-1 win prediction was only just out, and all the better for it being a clean sheet!

The first half was rather a dire affair, a midfield wrangle with no goal threat from either side. Neither keeper had a save to make. It was rather turgid if truth be told.

But the second half was a very different affair. After George Long did well to save a goal bound direct free kick effort by Doncaster, within minutes we were one-nil up thanks to a moment of sublime brilliance by Kwesi Appiah. He didn’t do much during the game to be honest, but he can be forgiven that for the superb goal he scored which broke the deadlock and put extra wind in our sails. His flick and turn were gorgeous, his cool side foot finish past the advancing keeper immaculate.

Within minutes, Man of the Match Andy Barcham went on a mazy, surging run past three or four Rovers players before belting a shot with his right foot to give us the quick cushion of a two goal lead. Barcham was a constant threat in this game, even in the dull first half he offered the only moments of excitement as he surged down the left wing, skinning their right back to get in behind the defence and ask big questions. All game he was full of pace and threat, he clearly wants that starting place ahead of the newly arrived winger Harry Forrester. And after today’s performance, he thoroughly deserves to keep his place.

After scoring our two goals we could have had more. Their keeper made a “worldy” save when prone on the floor to palm away a goal bound shot. Callum Kennedy hit a top drawer free kick from 25 yards, curling the ball above the wall and only missing by a matter of millimetres as it thundered off the underside of the crossbar and bounced away to safety for Rovers. Lyle Taylor also went close. We could easily have had four goals, so a 2-0 win did not flatter us at all.

Deji Oshilaja was rock solid in central defence, winning everything it seemed, and inventive in his playing out of defence – something which can’t be said of Paul Robinson unfortunately. He was fine today, but his hoof clearances are reminiscent of lower leagues, and when Darius Charles is fit again I’d be surprised if Robbo keeps his place. Barry Fuller had an ok game, making one or two great tackles and clearances, but he was caught out again once too often and doesn’t look the rock he was in seasons past.

In midfield, I thought Abdou and Trotter had decent games, Abdou doing the unsung hero job of breaking up play and mopping up – he was everywhere, quietly doing the dirty but crucial work to keep the team in the game. Trotter too was solid, but he could do with putting in a bit more effort to close down tackles and set up attacks for us. I also couldn’t work out why he wasn’t pushed forward in to the opposition’s box when we had an attacking free kick, in effect to be the target man we don’t now have post Elliott/Akinfenwa. He’s big, tall, strong and I’m sure could make his mark from some of our set pieces.

All round, a lovely summer’s day out with friends and goals and feelgood vibes everywhere. Great to see you Windlesham and Liam – and Liam, enjoy the rest of your visit. I hope you get to see at least one more Dons win before you head to Japan and back DownUnder. It was great to watch the match with you.

[Devon Womble]

Well… There I was with my ‘ifollow’ match pass and a promise of watching the replay when I got home from work today. I had even bookmarked the ‘live’ page in the hope of avoiding the landing page with result blazoned across it.
No such luck. I open the bookmarked page and all I get is their stupid advertising video with it’s sweeping claims… (it’s become almost ‘Trump’ like in its BS.)
After fruitless searches, re-logging in, and page reloads (and having the result spoiled for me in the process), I still couldn’t find the video, so gave up, $7 out of pocket.
Needless to say I’ve emailed them a tirade full of screamers and now await their no doubt pathetic response.
If my I.T. know-how cannot get results, what chance others?
Frankly, unless you plan to watch it live on jittery video quality, it’s not worth a cent.
I see no reason to ‘ifollow’ as I’ve no doubt I will get ‘ilost’ and be out of ‘idollars’.

[Author]

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