The Lounge

[liamwimbo]

So it’s game on for the second leg. Beast changed the game on Saturday but suspect Taylor and Elliott will start again with the option of bringing Bayo on later. Very evenly poised. A 1-0 lead means it is a 50/50 game tonight. Their confidence must be a bit shot, especially after conceding a late goal. Lots of Dons fans making a tough journey so good luck to them. If the Dons score, they should go through. Nervous and excited all at the same time. Whatever happens, I love this football club. COYDs

[Colum]

With the prospect of Lyle Taylor running himself ragged on the wide expanses of the Wembley turf, I’m starting a sweepstake on when he first gets cramp. The smart money is in the first half 🙂

[Devon Womble]

I have mixed emotions about our game today(!) What we did right and what we did wrong seemed all to evident to anyone watching it, including many on the iploughlane site and even the pundits on Sky.
Sky had us down as playing 4-4-2, but we were sort of playing a diamond shape (apparently). The trouble was, and always is, that the team doesn’t get this formation at all. Virtually the whole time we played in this format, our forwards were served by little more than lobs from the back… almost the old long-ball game. In 4-4-2 our midfield also seemed to spend all their time being a sort of first line of defence rather than a midfield. We sat way to deep and ultimately paid the price for that, albeit by way of a debatable penalty (aren’t they all?) It’s been the same outcome almost every time we’ve played this format this season.
Bayo coming on did change the game a little bit yes, BUT, in reality, it was only after we went 4-3-3 that we ever looked like taking command of the game, and take command we did. OK, so it left us a little narrow but this format works for us. The players all suddenly started linking up, the crosses started piling in, and the pace visibly quickened. The fans responded, and by the time we got into extra time, I think it would have been a cruel injustice (one that could only have been inflicted by the usual abyssmal and frequently biased refereeing), if we had lost.
So this brings me to Plymouth… (well not literally, it’s no longer 65 miles away but 4000 (!) I have seen the Dons play Plymouth a few times and it’s always been a lively affair. They are a class act. They play the diamond formation very well indeed, and they have a formidable following. It is going to be a big game in every sense of the word.
NA may have a quandary over how to play the wide expanses of Wembley but if we start 4-4-2 again, I just don’t see us coming away the victors.

Nevertheless, for now I have only tears of joy, a (very) large Bourbon to celebrate with, and ten days in which to grow a new set of fingernails. As one of the sky pundits said tonight “There’s something about this club”. He’s not wrong.

[MacWomble]

Splendid news! I guess we all had a hunch that DaRealAkinfenwa (or whatever) would eventually arise from his malaise and make it very hard for the manager this Summer. And so he has, twice. Sounds like the team reacted well to a lot of pressure. However, it will be difficult to take them to Wembley and not have the players a bit numbed with the ridiculousness of League Two teams playing at the hallowed-ground for the right to play in a slightly less crap league next season. Let us hope that there are no security drills and plastic pipe bombs in the gents. So, is this where it ends? Plymouth have more preparation time than us, but have to travel further? We may have the larger support? They slightly have the edge on us? But against Plymouth was about the second last time that Da Real Whatever scored. The game now assumes a real importance and it will take all the Gaffer’s skill and the help of ex-players, fans and pundits to emphasise what can be achieved. I have mentioned before that a promotion would possibly lead to a new manager being required next season (due to future bad results from no cash for new players, or him being poached). And who would not bet against a big display from Da Big Man at Wembley. It seems a perfect stage for him. Just that winning goal mate, then the club may realise that it simply cannot afford to lose you, despite the big bucks. I smell Summer! COYD.

[rob]

Wednesday night was one of those amazing nights. I’ve always felt that the team that just misses automatic promotion deserves to win the play offs but on this occasion. It seems only fair! But football isn’t a fair game and Accrington must be absolutely gutted after Bristol Rovers sneaking passed them in the last minute and then losing to a side 10 points behind them. But who cares? We were magnificent over the 2 legs. Accrington didn’t look like scoring and only managed a wonder goal and dubious penalty. They may have played better football and dominated possession but Robbo and Darius Charles were immense. If they play like that at Wembley then we must have a chance. The players ran their socks off. The midfield duo were outstanding and Lyle Taylor Baby could hardly move at the end. The Beast made a real difference: he was outstanding in holding the ball up and having a presence which affected their defence. The floodlights going out was really scary. We were sitting in our seats wondering if the game would be abandoned – 7 minutes from Wembley. But it wasn’t and we had no trouble seeing out the remaining time. But what happened next was the most memorable part iof the evening. The fans spilled on to the pitch to celebrate with the players and that’s exactly what happened. The players were absolutely magnificent. They were quite happy to pose for photos . My boys got loads of pictures with their heroes. Some of the players picked my little one up for the picture. Even Neal Ardley had time to have his picture taken with my 2 boys. It was amazing and a night we’ll never forget. Surely that’s what a Fans owned club is all about. Well done AFC Wimbledon.

Can’t believe I’m in Poland for the final!! Gutted!

[Lmbk]

I’m going to be that guy who never posts on the forum until we make the final.
Are there any Dons fans in Canberra planning on going somewhere to watch the game? Barring that, is there anywhere to watch in Sydney? Assuming of course that anywhere would be open on a Monday night.
I would volunteer my place for people to come watch, but inevitably this was the year where I finally decided to get rid of Foxtel, only to see us charge into the playoffs as soon as I did!

[Author]

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