The Lounge

[Cape Cod Womble]

Got to the ground had an enjoyable pint with Andy Vanstan of the immortal Southampton crying picture. The Donny fans were friendly, a nice club. Inside the ground things were quite muted. It was like we were a bit shell shocked from the events of this week, so attempts at songs fell on deaf ears. There was some fight early on from AFC and the goal was one of the best pieces of play that we have put together all season. Well trapped by Appiah and good finish by our Star Man playing on the right. Confidence was up but it drained away just as easily with Donny’s opener at our end. It looked like it was going high but dipped and nestled in the corner of the net. Wordsworth had a shot effort saved. Second half was pretty well one way traffic in Donny’s favour, although had a good shout for a penalty / free kick just outside the box denied. Their winner started with a mystifying free kick given mid pitch taken quickly and our guys were just dozing, The end of the game however was ugly. The players wen up to our end to clap and half our support (including myself) clapped and the other half gave them the total what for with both barrels. Really bad show from these supposed fans. This is an awful season, we need to regroup even if it is in L2 as the wheels are falling off not only the team but the support as well. And this from one of the most respected group of fans in football. Why would anyone want to go follow AFC this season? Just terrible.

[Colum]

Walking past the dressing room yesterday after the game, and you could hear the lads were buzzing. And rightfully so. That second half was as good a 45 minutes as we’ve seen in awhile. Yes both our goals had elements of luck, and Southend were a shadow of their early season form, but who cares. A win is a win.

That said, the result only papers over the cracks. We still look vulnerable defensively out wide. Purrington for me is not a League One full back, and as for Oshilaja at right back! Purrington gets caught out too much and is very indecisive at times.

On a positive note, the post match huddle was nice to see. It was obvious something Bassey organised, and the way he gestured to the players to go to the cheering fans, left no one in any doubt how much this win meant.

So we take this confidence boost into a much tougher game away at Posh, but let’s just enjoy seeing so many smiling faces around until then.

[onyadon]

It’s been a shitfest so far (at least on social media), but expect some clarity on the announcement of the new manager, hopefully early this week.
Close friends have shed some light as fans (on social media) get wound up over the delay and make wild assertions….

From the horses mouth:

He knows there’s things the Club has to do before they can announce. That suits him – he’s using the time to prepare his plans and hit the ground running.#COYD @AFCWimbledon

— Kevin Gage (@gageykev) December 1, 2018

And this from long-time friend and former Dons physio Derek French and a response to a question I posed…

For me the appointment of Wally Downes at Afc Wimbledon is a master stroke…..it won't be easy but by far and away he's the best man for the job……by a country mile…

— Derek French. (@DerekFrenchMSST) December 1, 2018

Wally as you know is a complex character. ..exceptionally intelligent and an astute football brain….he will expect nothing less than complete dedication to the cause. ..for him..nothing less than a dream come true. https://t.co/hOZuXSxB16

— Derek French. (@DerekFrenchMSST) December 1, 2018

[Windlesham Don]

Being a Wimbledon fan at the moment seems to be both worrying and exciting in equal measure.

Worrying because we are 7 points adrift of safety, still do not have a manager and the expected appointee does not have a track record of managing in League 1. IMO we desperately need a change of playing squad in January, including at least 2 leaders on the pitch. We also need to ditch at least 4 of the 5 existing loanees as simply not good enough. If Wally and Hodger are ‘the men’ then they need to implement this, as well as organising an error-strewn defence and instilling confidence in a misfiring attack, all within a couple of months…

However, it is also wonderfully exciting – we have a FA Cup 3rd round draw to anticipate tonight, we have 4 wins out of 6, and Bass seems to have instilled some fight into a squad that was decidedly lily-livered under Neal Ardley. There are some big league games coming up – Rochdale on Saturday, followed by a couple of local derbies to whet the appetite. If we can put an undefeated run together then confidence will grow.

As ever with Wimbledon anything can happen – triumph or disaster – but we know that without doubt the next couple of months will be a roller coaster ride!

Roll on Arsenal away!!

[Colum]

I’d quite like Man Utd at home. It would be a delight to see Mourinho’s miserable sulking face at KM, and the way they’re playing this season, I’d fancy our chances. After that, then I’d take Arsenal away. Knowing our luck this season though, we’ll get Guiseley away, with the game switched to 12pm on a Sunday!

[Colum]

Bloody hell. I should have kept quiet! Only the date/time to be rearranged now 🙁
Still at least we’ll have Wally and Glynn up to speed by then, and hopefully some new signings.

[Author]

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