The Lounge

[Colum]

If there is one thing we should all learn about the first half against Pompey, it was that starting eleven should never have started. Like Windlesham, it was clear that a change of formation and a more robust approach almost made the difference. Against a weaker team, we’d have got something out of that game. Trouble is we can’t keep giving the opposition a head start before starting to play.

The first half was a horror show. For me the telling sign was when Soares went in for a scything tackle. The home end shouted “Off! Off! Off!” at the referee and booed when he was only booked. I just hope the management team heard that.

At the start of the second half, we expected substitutions, but not the ones we got. There were even chants of “You don’t know what you’re doing.” If there is truth in the rumours of players vomiting at half time, that goes part way to explaining what were, at face value, odd additions.

Those changes may well have saved Neal from answering any awkward questions though. Once Hanson got his goal (admittedly out of nothing) he was a different player. He was winning everything in the air, and his general hold up play was way better than anything we’ve seen from Piggott. It’s just a shame we didn’t have another quality striker on the pitch. Sure Appiah was there throughout, but fluffed the one chance he had.

On a separate note, I was surprised to see the Minithon called off. Yes there was rain forecast, but that didn’t arrive until mid afternoon. Was this a way of preventing the management team from having to mingle with disgruntled fans? Maybe I’m being too cynical.

[onyadon]

What’s the key word in this unsourced piece from the Evening Standard?

Neal Ardley will be given time to turn things around at AFC Wimbledon.
Wimbledon are just outside the League One relegation zone after three straight defeats and Ardley admitted he is under growing pressure after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Portsmouth.
But it is understood Wimbledon will stick with Ardley and back their long-serving manager to drag the Dons up the table.
Last week marked six years since Ardley was appointed at Wimbledon and the 46-year-old, who made over 300 appearances for the original Wimbledon as a player, has done an excellent job during his time at the club.
Ardley, though, knows results must improve. He said: “I know people are not happy and I am not happy. I have got to change things quickly or changes will probably end up getting made.
“The first half against Portsmouth was totally unacceptable for our fans. That was not a Wimbledon team, it was not a Wimbledon performance. I am a Wimbledon boy, I know what these fans want and we did not deliver it in the first half. We have got to change things and that will be happening from Monday onwards.”
——–
From my experience, ‘it is understood’ generally means that a question was asked about Neal Ardley’s position at the club and it was answered ‘off the record.’This is a flimsy story without quotes from a club source, but ‘it is understood’ should be understood (at least for now).

[Windlesham Don]

Thanks for the heads up on the terminology, Rob. Although not fussed whether Ardley stays or goes, I never felt that his sacking was imminent. Certainly with a Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday set of fixtures coming up, those believing he would be sacked after Saturday weren’t being realistic.

Of more interest to be is that in a couple of interviews Ardley has said that things are going to change and that the players aren’t capable of doing what he is asking of them. I just hope that this means a reversion to old school Wimbledon tactics from here on – keep it simple and keep it direct.

The second half on Saturday demonstrated a method playing which I believe will keep us in this division. For me, the next few matches will decide whether the gaffer is man enough to swallow his coaching pride and revert to a no nonsense, practical set of tactics.

COYD!!

[Devon Womble]

Well, break out the ‘Crazy Gang’ videos… Get Anthony Wordsworth to grab somebody’s nuts, and teach NA to shout “Kick the bl**dy ball” in traditional Kinnear fashion and all will be well…. just so long as Trotter and Soares are not ambling around midfield when the ball comes back at us. Frankly Wagstaff, Hartigan, and Pinnock look vastly superior options. In fact I think any of the other three(?) midfield signings would do a better job than they have.
All will be become clear in the next ten days. Ho Hum.

[Wimbledon_rumours]

just seen and been told that apparently ardley handed in his resignation but the club rejected it! no idea how true this is but if so then bit of an odd one and surely that would just add value to ardley?

[Windlesham Don]

My take on that particular rumour is that it is bar talk, initiated by one of the vocal “Ardley Out”ers. However, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if Ardley was feeling pretty down after Saturday and during a post match wash up meeting with Erik pondered over whether he could take the team any further.

I’m sure Erik would have given him backing, but it is interesting to see some of the quotes from Ardley this week. Will we see a change of tactics tomorrow? Will we go more direct? Will we try and cut out the defensive errors by hitting it long?

I certainly hope so.

For me we should be going 4-3-3, hitting the front men as quickly as possible. My starting XI (although I have no confidence of it being anywhere near close) would be:

King (distribution better than McDonnell and a more physical presence),
Oshilaja, Nightingale, McDonald and Purrington (keep Deji at RB, again for his physical presence),
Soares, Wagstaff, Hartigan (Soares holding, Wagstaff for his energy, Hartigan ahead to pick the passes),
Pigott, Hanson, Jervis (Hanson the battering ram, Pig and Jervis to make the runs off him).

Defensively, we may concede more, but we would also create far more chances…

COYD!!

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