The Lounge

[Colum]

I’m somewhat late to the post match analysis, but can’t disagree with what others have said. In the first half Rochdale was as shocking as their pink away strip. Both our wing backs (including Wagstaff on the right) ran them ragged. Pigott gave their right back a torrid time and we somehow ended up three goals to the good. Were we dreaming?

We knew a response would come, and boy did it. Once their first went in, you could see the fear return. Before their second went in, we could have already have lost the game. Trott made two outstanding saves, a disallowed goal and a strike against the post.

Just a point on Trott’s performance. He arguably played his best game in a Dons shirt. We came for crosses, and was unlucky for the second goal having saved the first effort. Here’s the thing though. Having made a “worldly” no player close by went up to say well done. Only once Wordsworth had run up to congratulate him, did Will and one other go up to him. That looks like there’s an issue there. If Ramsdale had made those saves, the entire team would have been around him. Obviously we don’t know where the issue is, but an issue there most definitely is.

[Singapore Don]

Well that was a entertaining game. We weren’t great in this EFL Trophy game, and were let off the hook by Orient’s woeful finishing. 3-0 rather flattered us. Delaney was good in defence, but Kalambayi had an off day. Reilly poor first half, but very good second half and well taken goal. Osew and Wags again strong down the wings. Sanders excellent when in the game. Pinnock was involved and important throughout. Pigott cut a frustrated figure, constantly body checked off the ball – but a good penalty conversion. Folivi still shy of shooting and needed to, literally, walk the ball in to the net for his goal. Great penalty save by Trott. Main take-out: we scored three more goals, kept a (rather lucky) clean sheet…and ended with another win to buoy up the boys with the big Southend game looming. Another step in the right direction. COYD

[Windlesham Don]

It’s an unloved competition, but the EFL Trophy has presented us with a confidence boost ahead of a vital match at Southend on Saturday. Consecutive victories and 3 goals scored in each should mean that the training ground is a happier place to be this morning. Obviously the defence needs significant improvement, but a clean sheet last night (however fortunate) will lift spirits. There may also be a feeling in the camp that the luck has turned for us, as we seem to have had the ‘rub of the green’ in the last two matches.

On to Saturday and a vital game against fellow strugglers Southend. It is imperative that we do not lose this match, and a victory would have us looking upwards with a degree of optimism.

In my opinion, if we can cut out some of the defensive errors, whilst giving Wordsworth, Sanders and Forss a run of games to gain an understanding, then we have a decent chance of getting out of this mess.

Finally, amid rumours of player discontent during the Downes leadership, I wonder if it is more than a coincidence that both Wagstaff and Pinnock have been restored to the starting line-up under Hodges and both appear to have gained a new lease of life? Whatever the reasons, these are two players who at the top of their games should be valuable assets in the fight against relegation. Whether Downes returns or Hodges continues his promising start, these players need to be kept onside in the months to come…

[Windlesham Don]

Is today the most important October league game in the history of AFC Wimbledon? I can’t remember a more important one.

Lose and we are in deep trouble, a draw would be disappointing, but not disastrous, a win would demonstrate that there is fight in this team and that they are happier under the guidance of Glyn Hodges.

Another grim wet and windy day here in the UK, but hopefully the squad are up for the battle ahead. The attitude has been set by Marcus Forss, who has remained with us instead of joining the Finland U21s – good on you Marcus, perhaps you could discuss ‘attitude’ with Mr Appiah while he warms the bench once more!

Once again, Wordsworth and Sanders will be key in midfield. Wagstaff and Osew will need to show energy from the first minute, and we need to cut out the nervous mistakes in defence. However, this team now seems to have goals in it under the positive guidance of Hodges and if we play as a tight-knit group and with confidence then there is no reason why we can’t return with three vital points.

Southend should be at rock bottom morale, still manageress and with yet another winding up order hanging over the club. They were poor last season when we managed to nick a vital win and they have not improved since.

For me it is three wins in a week with a 3-1 victory.

COYD!!

[onyadon]

Glyn Hodges is building a powerful case to take over as full-time manager after a third straight win (including Leyton Orient in the EFL Trophy). The 4-1 win at Southend, was encrusted by a hattrick from Marcus Forss, his first in competitive football. That’s now nine goals for the rejuvenated Dons in the last three League games — after nine in the first 10 league games under Wally Downes. We are awaiting what is going to happen with Wally as he faces an FA probe over betting charges, but Hodger is doing everything right while he stands in for the suspended Wally. There is a more attacking mindset – Anthony Wordsworth and Max Sanders – are working well in midfield and Scott Wagstaff is providing plenty of assists from the right-wing. Glyn was particularly appreciative of Finland allowing Forss to play for the Dons instead of their Under-21s in the international window and Forss repaid Hodges and Wimbledon handsomely with his hat-trick — that’s seven goals in six outings. May the Forss be with you, indeed…

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EGsWFXJWoAAl_j9?format=jpg&name=4096×4096

[MacWomble]

Fabulous result. Just what the doctor ordered. I did not expect that, especially the hat trick. Oddly I stayed in a hotel in a hamlet called Forss up near Wick and John O’Groats, with the best whisky car I’ve seen. It must be norse in origin. May our Forss therefore have the fighting spirit of the Canberra Raiders, but a tad more luck. (And watching the Scotland Japan rugby last night, dickhead Kearns made some comment about “where’s Wally” of the crowd, i.e. not many Scotland fans among the Cherry Blossom fans. But who knows, maybe he’d seen our wally Wally). COYD.

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