The Lounge

[liamwimbo]

Yesterday was the first of three games that I will be seeing in the hope of witnessing the Great Escape. The Dons started very brightly and we’re all over Stanley for the first 20 minutes so it was no surprise when the Pig scored after a good cross by Seaton. However the players then went off the boil and yet another awful piece of defending by Kalambayi gifted Accy an equaliser. It could have been easily worse as Stanley were awarded a penalty, at which point everyone around me said it was going to be a repeat of the Gillingham game. Thankfully they missed the penalty so 1-1 at half time.
The Dons came out strongly after half time and should have scored from a goalmouth scramble before Hanson came so close to scoring with a lob over the keeper. But thereafter, neither team looked like scoring and the game fizzled out into a tame draw.
Wally tried using Connelly and Appiah as subs but Connelly didn’t get fed the ball and Appiah was anonymous.
So a point nearer safety, especially with other results going our way, but a missed opportunity to get out of the bottom four. Home form remains a problem, despite the crowd generating a decent atmosphere.

So Oxford away next Saturday. Definitely a winnable game if we can reproduce our display for the first 20 minutes over the whole of the game. And the presence of the esteemed Robert Smith should help! We are still a good chance of staying up but think it will now need 3 wins from 5 games.

COYDs

[Windlesham Don]

Liam/Rob, sadly I won’t be able to make the Oxford game due to a family commitment, but I’ll be at the Bristol Rovers game on Good Friday.

Can we make a plan to meet up pre-match to chew the fat – it would be great to catch up?

I’m doing nothing before the match so post on here if you can make it. I haven’t seen Singapore for a while, so perhaps a few of us could get together.

[liamwimbo]

As everyone has already said on other forums, I wish to thank Erik Samuelson for all his hard work as CEO and especially for turning the dream of a return to Plough Lane into a reality. Hopefully I will be able to thank him in person at some point in the next two games. COYDs

[onyadon]

The Dons were fortunate to leave Oxford with a precious point in a scoreless draw. It was down to Aaron Ramsdale with a couple of outstanding critical saves against a better Oxford team that earned the Dons the point. In my first of five games over here, it is plain to see how important Rambo is to Wimbledon’s survival hopes. The 532 formation put plenty of heat on the front five and frankly they struggled to put their mark on the game. On my first impression, Wordsworth and Hartigan were not mobile enough, particularly in the first half, when Oxford opened up the flanks in attack and made plenty of space for crosses. Wally played Piggot and Hanson up front, but they had to feed off scraps with no where near enough quality ball from wing backs Sibbick and Seddon to put the Oxford back four under pressure. Will Nightingale marshalled the defence well, but on my first look Terrell Thomas looked a bit shaky and Paul Kalambayi while solid with headers was tested when Oxford turned him around. The Dons were better in the second half. They at least closed down the Oxford defenders playing the ball out from their back after they were given that freedom in the first half, but chances were like hen’s teeth, Hanson had one long range effort which skimmed the bar. At least Dylan Connolly’s introduction in the second half gave the Dons more attacking edge, but yet again he was not given enough quality passes to test Oxford with his pace. In the end it was Ramsdale who protected the point and with four games left the Dons are on the last relegation spot one point behind Rochdale and Scunthorpe. Wimbledon will have to win, in my opinion, two games against any of Bristol Rovers (h), Luton Town (a), Wycombe Wanderers (h) and Bradford City (a) to stay up, of those three games are winnable, championship contenders Luton will be most difficult depending on their situation when we play them. A final word on the Dons support. It was magnificent. I sat among 1300 travelling supporters who kept up the noise and really lifted the atmosphere. Wally is immmensely popular with the fans who sang his name throughout the game. The players came over to clap the fans after the full-time whistle. There is certainly more spirit within the club under Wally. We never thought that was possible earlier in the season. I will be at final four games and will give my thoughts on the forum as we go along. Like to hear other thoughts…

[onyadon]

Some of my twitter reflections on the Oxford match…

Witnessed first hand yesterday how important @AaronRamsdale98 is to #afcwimbledon’s survival chances and don’t the Dons supporters make him know it… 🎶England England No.1 🎶 pic.twitter.com/3zDpqch28z

— wombles downunder (@WDownunder) April 14, 2019

🎶Wally’s behind the wheel …🎶 what a fantastic travelling Dons support, gave their all for the men in yellow and blue #AFCWimbledon pic.twitter.com/PRK0TUJUpX

— wombles downunder (@WDownunder) April 13, 2019

You were blooming magnificent all 1301 of you #AFCWimbledon 🙄💙💛 pic.twitter.com/jdKwDjovjb

— wombles downunder (@WDownunder) April 13, 2019

I was the one 🛬😎 https://t.co/KbMHq10nP6

— wombles downunder (@WDownunder) April 13, 2019

Proud to be among them, the atmosphere was absolutely fabulous https://t.co/9rAlYjsD93

— wombles downunder (@WDownunder) April 13, 2019

[Windlesham Don]

Rob/Liam,
I’ll be getting to the ground early on Friday if you want to have a pre-match chat over a beer?

Respond on here or give me a call on +44 7710142074.

Three points would be massive, but I’m not sure our young and nervy defence will be calm enough to keep out a Rovers side playing well away from home.

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