Well that was a thoroughly enjoyable away day up north – a great win in glorious sunshine. It was a superb team performance, with confident and solid displays by every single player. There was a real togetherness and energy which was utterly refreshing and engaging. We looked a very different Wimbledon to the one of last season – a much, much better and more assured team. Soares and Trotter are different players, more lean and mobile, and rock solid in midfield. My new favourite Pinnock played well again, though he didn’t look as comfortable playing out on the right all game. He’s better on the left. King was a safe pair of hands and made one outstanding save. Oshilaja and Nightingale were rocks too (though Will did have a nervy first half hour). Pigott was good up front, Appiah had a few decent efforts, Barcham worked tirelessly. Hanson and Wagstaff were great reinforcements to bring in and also performed really well. But for me the stand out players were our new young left and right backs. Both were virtually unbeatable, tough tackling and distributing intelligently out of defence. Purrington at left back was my MOTM, outstanding against Fleetwood’s best player, their fast and tricky Wes Burns. It’s sad Jon Neades had to leave, but in Purrington we have actually stepped up our defensive quality. All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable day watching a great Wimbledon team in winning action. It bodes well for the season!
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