The Lounge

[Colum]

Just a footnote on getting a drink at the bar…

I’ve stopped going to KM before the game because of the problems getting served. It’s ludicrous why both bars don’t have a queuing system, and why the staff aren’t more efficient.

Instead I’ve started going to the Bricklayers Arms down the road, where I’m always offered a warm welcome, get served very quickly, and can chat with friendly opposition and Dons fans alike. It’s a real shame my money isn’t going to the club, but I’ve had enough of the shoddy service 🙁

[Devon Womble]

Sooo…. Where did all that money come from?
Can’t be from the Bar takings…

[onyadon]

Not one, not two, but THREE loans in on transfer deadline day. It was heartening to see the Dons land young Finnish striker Marcus Forss (may the Forss be with you….) on a season-long deal from Championship side Brentford. Forss is 20, but is thought very highly by the Bees, who signed him to a four-year contract just before the loan deal went through.

Marcus has huge potential as a goalscorer. He might be the best finisher at the club [Brentford] but there are other areas where he needs to learn and improve. The opportunity to play at AFC Wimbledon is a great one for him and will help him to work on all the little areas to turn him into a top striker.

Obviously, he’s a work in progress but if his potential can convert into goals, then the Dons may yet prosper after a tough win-less start to the season. We can only hope.

The other loans are Brighton’s under-23 captain and midfielder Max Sanders, another 20-year-old – who was originally at AFC Wimbledon Under 7’s, so a homecoming of sorts….
Wally Downes on Sanders…

Max is a very accomplished footballer, he can pass the ball very well and he dictates the pace of a game. He links play up and he’s a very talented boy. He’s young and hungry, he wants to come and play. I’d love to get him in the team, but it’s up to him to get in the side.

Initial thoughts: Sanders season-loan helps plug a misifiring midfield in the continuing injury absence of Anthony Wordsworth. It remains to be seen how effective Sanders will be, but he’s young and hungry and will relish the chance of first team football away from Brighton. His signing does not look so good for another under-used squad member Shane O’Loughlin, one of Wally’s early buys.

The third and final loan is Irish defender Ryan Delaney from fellow L1 Rochdale. Delaney, a left-sided defender, has been brought in as cover for the sidelined Rod McDonald up until January. He’s 22 and has played 57 league games for Rochdale, so a handy replacement.

The one disappointment for me was Dylan Connolly sent out for the rest of the season on loan to Bradford City in L2. The Irish flyer has made fleeting appearances for the Dons since he was signed from Bohemians in January. He appeared not to fit in Wally’s 532 playing formation, although I would have thought his pace and direct running could have been used as an impact more off the bench when something different tactically was needed in a game. It looks as though Connolly will be surplus to requirements whatever happens at the end of this season, and I wonder if more could have been done to fit him in somehow. We don’t have the sheer pace in others that Connolly possesses..

Like to hear others’ views on the loans…

[Windlesham Don]

Amazing. Within hours of posting my p*ssed off thoughts and expecting no deadline activity, we get not one but three loanees?!

No idea where the funds have come from, although getting rid of Connolly will have eased the pain, but the club has (finally) seen sense and backed the manager in an attempt to avoid relegation.

At first sight two of the newbies look very promising. Hopefully Forss and Sanders will flourish and kick on during their first loan spells.

I can’t say I’m bothered about seeing the back of Connolly. OK he was exciting running with the ball, but he contributed little else, with no end product and his attitude seemed extremely poor.

Finally, last thing yesterday we got the news that John Green had made a significant contribution to the NPL crowdfunding appeal to take us past the minimum £2m barrier! Hopefully this will lead to a further burst of activity, knowing that any contributions will not be refunded. Also, for our down under Wombles, is there now a method of contributing?

After a dark and depressing start to the season I am hopeful that there is now a light at the end of the tunnel…

[Singapore Don]

It was indeed a welcome, surprising and uplifting end to the day yesterday, with the positive news on both the transfer and stadium fronts. We’ve been bereft of such moments for pretty well the whole of the season so far. I can’t think of any time yet since we kicked off against Rotherham when any Wombles day has ended with good cheer and a smile. Last night was a refreshing change. It introduced a happy high to a season that has been marked until now by being miserably flat.

Forss is not the big target man we wanted, but as Wally explained they’re rare and expensive. A real shame we couldn’t have held on to Hanson who hit form at the end of last season and is carrying that on in to this one with Grimsby. If his sort are so rare and valuable, why did we let him go without a fee? Not great. But now we have the Forss with us, and at last there’s a breath of fresh air and some competition up front. Pigott has been so out of sorts this season, Forss could see him more frequently sidelined. Dropped for two games, Pigott reappeared on Saturday against Wycombe and was invisible. Having Forss as a striking option gives us fresh hope that we might start getting some goals and picking up points. His goal for Brentford against us fin pre-season I remember was a great solo effort which hopefully we’ll now get to see more often for our benefit. Adam Roscrow’s positive, attacking 20 minutes on Saturday adds further hope. He looked strong and sharp and full of hunger – all qualities lacking sadly right now in Pigott. Both could be instant heroes if they could do their business against he unspeakables on Saturday.

Max Sanders is another positive signing, and I liked the cut of his jib in his interview on the club website. Our midfield has been woefully short of flair and creativity, attacking prowess and forward momentum – and young Sanders could well bring these vital ingredients in to the mix. I’d like to see the plodding Hartigan dropped to bring in this energy and dynamism, which alongside Wordsworth/Wagstaff and Reilly with their experience, tough tackling and grittiness could give us a midfield at last that will click and become a powerhouse for the team. We’ve missed having an engine really since the Bulman/Reeves combo; could Sanders with Woody create that new midfield engine we so desperately need?

The only odd thing here is why we kept McLoughlin, who is in the same mould as Sanders but clearly not doing the business given his lack of selection, and released Connolly who – I agree with Windy – is not the best footballer in the world, but is nevertheless the source of hope and excitement when he comes on with his blistering speed and head down determination to get forward. His departure to Bradford takes away that Azeez buzz factor from the bench. I suspect we may not see Connolly come back.

Lastly, Ryan Delaney is our short term replacement for the injured Rod McDonald – and I’m delighted. I remember him from previous Rochdale games, and he’s a huge bulwark to have in our back ranks should we need him. It’s great to have him for back up to our three main central defenders, but also as a possible replacement for Guinness-Walker at left back should, heaven forbid, anything happen to our brilliant young full back. Osew and Delaney give us two very different but welcome options in that back up department.

So all in all, huge thumbs ups all round on an extremely positive day in our Dons world. Let’s hope both the transfers, and the fantastic news on securing the crowdfunding minimum for the stadium, will provide the kickstart our season has so desperately needed. A win on Saturday up at that odious place would seal a fantastically positive week for us Wombles. COYD!

[Colum]

Three loanees in and the big question for me is where did the money come from? Connolly couldn’t have been on such big money to fund all three. Either someone has found a silver shilling down the back of the sofa, or Wally wasn’t telling the whole truth about spending every last penny.

Another question is how we’ll change our tactics. Will we still play 3-5-2? I assume we will, so you’ll play up front? Forss, Appiah, and Fivoli with Roscoe on the bench. Maybe once 100% fit we’ll see Roscoe, Forss, and either Appiah or Favoli. What this means for Pigott is anyone’s guess. I wouldn’t be surprised if he disappears off the radar even further, and is jettisoned in January.

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