The Lounge

[Colum]

That looked like a much better performance, especially in the first half, but our old demons came back to haunt us. The lack of a proven goalscorer. The defensive frailty over 90 minutes over a side that hasn’t won a game in ages. This was a game for the taking, but we just came up short. It’s a good point, but it feels like two lost. Had we won we’d be on 45 points with six games left. On 43 we need more than a point a game to reach the magic 50 point target. We’ve barely managed that all season. It’s going to be tight, but four points from the Charlton and Walsall games would be a welcome addition.

[Ken the Womble]

NA’s job was to keep us in League 1. Recent improvements in performance and a GREAT win against promotion chasing Charlton lead me to believe that we’ll do it. Four points above the relegation line with five games to go takes a bit of the pressure off. A win against Walsall or Oldham should do it: though I hope NA has already started looking for some really good forwards for next season. COYD! –

[Colum]

I wanted four points from the Charlton and Walsall games and got six. Things could have been very different if Charlton had scored rather than hitting the post, and we didn’t have a very generous referee in the 96th minute at Walsall. We could have only two points from those games and on 45 points going into the Oldham game. Another three points would virtually seal League One survival. I see this as being a much harder game though. A point each wouldn’t be a disaster for us, but a loss would put the pressure back on us going into the Wigan and Doncaster games. You can’t see you getting anything from Wigan away, and if we’re lucky a point away to Doncaster. We really don’t want to have to do it all in the last game against Bury. We’re in a good place right now, but that can all change if results go against us on Saturday.

[Devon Womble]

There can surely be no greater motivation for our Manager and players to do what is required of them than knowing the scum, (sorry… those who must not be named) have almost certainly been relegated today. HOORAY!!!!
Equally I guess, there should be no greater motivation for our fans to really get behind the team in these remaining games (me included.)
Let us all hope too that Wigan’s promotion wobble draw tonight continues to filter through on Saturday; while Doncaster, having nothing to play for, roll over for us; and that we do what we know we can do against Bury and put five past them.
We’ll know soon enough…

[onyadon]

That was a gutsy point for the Dons at championship-chasing Wigan Athletic and leaves them just one point from mathematically securing their place in L1 next season with two games left. That draw means Wimbledon have taken 9/15 points in their last five crunch games, all against teams with something to play for. Doncaster Rovers away on Tuesday and relegated Bury at home on the final day to see out this fitful campaign. Of course, even if survival is secured, in my view there needs to be a re-examination of our approach to next season, relatively small budget notwithstanding. Neal Ardley, if he stays on, must get his recruitment right, particularly a more balanced and pacier attack and re-evaluate the defence-minded midfield. I would dearly hope the Club can find some way to keep on-loan goalkeeper George Long, who was again magnificent at Wigan, but the reality is that a lack of funds may be against us to tie him down full-time, but you never say never…Ardley has also had a few off-field pressures to deal with, but you would hope he will get a decent break to refresh, maybe tweak his backroom staff, and shop astutely with his limited funds in the transfer market. Plenty to watch out for in the coming weeks. Just get that extra point to be sure, boys!

[Devon Womble]

Another blood (quite likely in Fuller’s case); and guts display worthy of being listed in this season’s Hall of Fame… especially for George Long (who may have just secured my Player of the Year vote).
However, what I personally feel about our display was that it also demonstrated NA’s misjudgement this season. Misjudgement not only in choice of formation, but also in choice of signings. With virtually every mealticket sidelined, he was forced to go for an attacking set-up and forced to give headway to some of our youngsters (albeit in an almost cameo role.) These
changes (IMHO and not foregoing the near fabled Long), are why we came away with a point.

Onward to Doncaster… With nothing to play for, one would hope that by the time 90 minutes is up Tuesday night, our season will be done and we can finally relax sufficiently to enjoy the Bury game.
Somehow though, there is a nagging conviction inside me which believes it will still all come down to the Bury game… a team who will surely have their tails up in that devil may care attitude teams get when their season is done… as Portsmouth, a team considerably better than us, found out to their cost.
I hope I’m wrong.

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