The Lounge

[Singapore Don]

I said after the Bradford Tuesday night defeat in September that it was a time for head before heart. Four defeats since then, only one goal scored and seven conceded, yet the heart still dictates to our very great cost. It really does feel
like head in the sand times.

We played ok last night, but as Ardley says time and time again players ar not doing their jobs in the boxes. A terrible McDonnell flap from a set piece again and a Nightingale volleyed own goal highlighted our fatal defensive frailties, while the blank score sheet yet again on our side speaks volumes for itself. Yes we were unlucky: great long distance Hanson shot hit the post, a seemingly ok headed goal disallowed, a clear penalty on Pinnock not given. But ten defeats in twelve and the large number of scoreless games for us can’t all be put down to bad luck. Appiah’s missing an open goal, as Jervis did at Plymouth, highlighted the real reason: we simply are not clinical enough up front. With ten goals in 16 league games, the lowest scorers in the division, our crippling weakness is there for all to see. The team itself lacks belief, backbone and quality. But it’s the lack of quality up front which is killing us.

And those forwards are Ardley’s recruits, coached by his coaching team and playing to his tactics. I’m not sure the forwards or team are good enough even for a new manager to effect significant improvements. But after this latest Tuesday night defeat, what is clear – as if it wasn’t clear before – is that under Ardley we simply face more of the same. We need new ideas, new inspiration, new energy, new motivation, new direction. It’s way past time for change, however desperately sad that is for those of us who love Neal Ardley as a heart and soul Wimbledon thoroughbred. How many mir goal-less defeats before the club board wakes up and smells the coffee?

[Windlesham Don]

Very well put, Rob. After last night’s ‘carbon copy’ performance of so many others I would be surprised if the manager lasts beyond the weekend. I expect the end of Saturday’s game to see him say farewell to the crowd, in much the same way as Terry Brown did six years ago.

The Instagram pictures of King, Pinnock, Pigott and Wordsworth on the piss, backs up rumours that have been circulating for a while and explain why none of these four have been getting much game time. It points to a complete breakdown in discipline within the squad (once again).

At this moment I cannot see a way back for Ardley – we need a new ‘broom’ and we need a strategy in place to release enough funds to recruit a new management team and to give the squad a shake-up in January.

After 6 years, we need to wish the legend that is Neal Ardley well, but turn the page on his tenure. These are sad times for those of us who admired his qualities, but it looks as though when all is said and done he couldn’t assemble a squad of professionals in his own image…

[Singapore Don]

What Instagram pictures Windy? When did they appear, what did they show? I’m not on Instagram to know or see. But I have been struggling to rationalise why Pinnock in particular doesn’t get more game time, and why recently Appiah starts ahead of our top scorer Pigott. McDonnell has been at fault for conceding two set piece goals in the last two games, it will be interesting to see if King is recalled on Saturday – or as you say if he’s blotted his copy book on the Instagram/lash front.

[Windlesham Don]

Pete – Have a look at a WUPGB post from Wazza at 08:43 this morning. It is a link to a forwarded tweet of an Instagram picture apparently posted by Anthony Wordsworth. The responses to the tweet are interesting.

This could of course all be smoke and mirrors, but putting 2 and 2 together, we arrive at 4 – the 4 squad members who definitely appear to have been frozen out…

[Singapore Don]

Thanks for the steer John. It really would explain the inexplicable sidelining of Pinnock and Pigott, and Wordsworth if injury is not the real reason there. King I think was dropped because he was performing poorly, though after McDonnell’s costly errors I wonder if King may reappear.

One point to add from last night. There was no booing or disagreements at the end of the game. The manager and players came over to applaud the fans, and that was largely reciprocated. There just seemed a general sad air of resignation in the stands. It’s the hope that kills you, as they say, and last night sadly it was clear that most of not all fans there have given up on hope. No hopes to dash, expectation levels near zero – so mutual sad clapping is the order of the day now.

[onyadon]

Most disturbing if true and in context….

King, pinnock, wordsworth, pigott. Instagram stories literally 3 times a week. They love a Sunday session which I assume is the night before training… I'm not one to piss on a parade but when you're doing shit at work you tend to avoid nights out the day before it… pic.twitter.com/Q6ZMLqA5PM

— Lawrence Tanner (@LawrenceTanner1) October 23, 2018

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