The Lounge

[Colum]

Seeing us go 2-0 down wasn’t a surprise, but seeing us get back in the game, not once but twice, was. The key was the more experienced heads of Pinnock and Wordsworth. Both came on, and both scored goals. Their willingness to have a go and actually shoot from outside the box is what made the difference. It was just a shame that the same old defensive mistakes cost us yet again.

It was interesting that Osew was favoured over Guinness-Walker and that both he and Sanders did well. No doubt there will be a real battle for places now.

Could we see a change to a more traditional 4-4-2 under Wally? Possibly if he is given the job full time, but we’ll have to wait to see what happens with Wally before we find out the answer to that conundrum. I do rate Delaney at the back, but he’s not entirely sure about him playing on the left of a back three. I’d much prefer to see him is a centre back position with Nightingale.

It is up front where we also have problems though. Yet again our front pairing drew a blank, relying on the returning midfield duo to come up trumps. Oh how we’ve missed Wordsworth. His drive and first time shot was a beauty. We didn’t really expect much out of Saturday’s game, but with Southend and Rochdale coming up we need to wrap him up in cotton wool between games.

[onyadon]

I’ve been banging on about the importance of Anthony Wordsworth to the team and hopefully sparking a revival (of sorts)… just have a look at these stats ..

Hopefully Anthony Wordsworth has enough minutes under his belt to start league games from now on, as the stats show below, he is absolutely vital. #afcw #afcwimbledon pic.twitter.com/oPVvzP2kNm

— Arash Rezai (@rezla) October 2, 2019

Reckon these guys (playing together) might help turn things around, whether it will be enough, well have to see …..

Key players for #AFCWimbledon revival .. Wordsworth, Forss and Sanders pic.twitter.com/F5kFZWryqT

— wombles downunder (@WDownunder) October 1, 2019

[Windlesham Don]

Back from the beauty of Santorini to the grim reality of Rochdale at home…

In a long hard season I t’s hard to believe that any games in October could be considered “must win”, but Rochdale followed by a trip to fellow bottom feeders Southend are two matches which could be just that.

The good news for today is that Forss returns from suspension and Wordsworth should be available to start. I’m really hopeful that Hodger will pair Woody with Sanders, who could prosper with an experienced head beside him.

With Delaney ineligible and McDonald still injured Glyn may swap to a back four, which would help O’Neill who looks increasingly like a fish out of water as a wing back. I’d also like to see Guinness-Walker restored on the left.

Call it delirium induced by the Greek sun, but I am going to predict a first win for the boys today – a nervy, nail biting 2-1…

COYD!!

[Singapore Don]

First half elation, second half deflation, final whistle relief. In the end, a big “phew” win.

A new air of optimism preceded this must win fixture, with a team sheet that had real promise and reflected what so many in the stands had been calling for in recent weeks. A midfield with Wordsworth and Sanders at its heart, together with Wagstaff and Pinnock, was exactly what the doctor ordered. I must admit I thought it was lined up for a 4-4-2, so was a little surprised to see the team set up for 3-5-2 again at the start of the game, with Pinnock in the central midfield role.

We dominated the first 45 minutes and it was a real joy at last to watch our team play some really decent, passing football and press the opposition with high energy and physicality. Osew and Wagstaff were great down the flanks, Osew rewarded with his memorable first senior goal for the club – what a day for him – a goal made by the indomitable Wagstaff’s hard work down the right. Forss demonstrated his goal prowess yet again – I think that’s four in four now – and Pinnock showed for the second week running why players should just shoot at goal when they have a chance!

Half time, three goals to the good, no real threat from Rochdale at all, it was exactly the relaxing, enjoyable football and experience I’d been craving for so long.

And then the second half happened. We tired, and Rochdale rallied. Pinnock was virtually non-existent, Pigott – who had been a real fire-wire in the first half – was a shadow of himself again, and our midfield just seemed to disappear. We just didn’t know what to do when Rochdale switched to three up front to chase the game, and their sub forward Henderson punished us accordingly.

In the end we were fortunate to come away with all three points. Trott made an outstanding point blank save, they hit the inside of the post (the ball rebounding frighteningly right across the goal line and out to safety on the other side of the goal!), they had a goal disallowed for offside. Somehow we weathered the second half storm to record our first win.

If we can keep this eleven together, improve the fitness levels of the likes of Pinnock and Pigott, we might just start putting a run together. It’s another crucial game at Southend next Saturday against another relegation riddled side, with three points again very much the order of the day.

For now, I’m trying to forget the nerves of yesterday’s second half, and remember the complete relaxation of the first half. It really was an entertaining, fearless first 45 minutes. I’d almost forgotten what it was like to enjoy watching a Wimbledon game….COYD!

[Tooting Womble]

Yes, it was great to get the first win and in the first half we played really well.

My take is that the team were set up to attack and attack they did with the first goal coming after a few minutes. I thought Sanders was excellent as well and I hope he will be a real asset for us this season.

Thought we were the better team and their second goal came right at the end of play but it was two goals let in nonetheless! Before yesterday I’d not seen AFC for over a month so I suggest only tentatively that the team needs to defend better as well as attack. As an ex-attacker himself Hodges might need a more defensive minded number two to provide balance now that Wally- (an ex-defender) has been suspended….

[onyadon]

Relief to finally get a league win at the 12th attempt. But what does this mean for Wally Downes? As we wait on the FA verdict on his betting charges and AFC Wimbledon’s response, the efforts of caretaker manager Glyn Hodges won’t go unnoticed. It’s no secret that there is considerable antipathy towards Wally on both the Dons Trust and Football Club boards. I have it from several sources that there has been a sour mood among some of the players towards Wally. One source mentioned that CEO Joe Palmer met with some of the disgruntled squad. There have been suggestions that Glyn Hodges has been predominantly running the team at training and is prominent during half-time team talks. Wally’s tactically rigid match plans have been criticised and it was noticeable that under Glyn, the Dons raced to a 3-0 first-half lead before clinging on to a 3-2 win over Rochdale. The return of Anthony Wordsworth and his on-field leadership definitely helped and his midfield partnership with on-baller Max Sanders will be worth watching over these next few weeks, while Marcus Forss shows he knows the way to goal — he scored his fourth in the Rochdale game — a technically-pure first-time firmly-struck volley into the net. Put it this way, if Wimbledon’s fortunes improve under Glyn’s watch, a return (if it is possible) for Wally will be contentious for some at the club. It may be how the club go about the changeover and how it is couched to the supporters that will be illuminating, if Wally is found guilty and likely fined. Watch this space…

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