The Lounge

[Colum]

I rarely get to read the whole of WDSA from cover to cover in one go. Life has a habit of interrupting. Last night I made an exception. I shut myself away and read it.

Maybe it is euphoria still rushing through my veins, but I have to see a massive “Well Done” to Rob and his team for a thoroughly enjoyable, emotional read.

One stand out article for me was Singapore Don’s chilled look back at how we arrived at Wembley. In particular his look back at the second half of the season. His “warm embrace of hope” perfectly summed up the feeling of the Womble’s faithful, and the emotion we all felt came across magnificently.

Another was the interview with Trevor Williams. He may prefer to stay in the shadows, but it is people like him that have got our club where it is today. People like Erik and Ivor are the Generals up front, but Trevor and an small army of volunteers are the foot soldiers. What a top bloke.

Throw in the articles about future recruitment, our women’s team, the academy, and a bit of gentle fun poking fun at the plaudit’s attempt to predict this crazy season, meant it was a great read.

Keep it up Rob, keep contributing people, keep subscribing, and maybe – just maybe – we’ll be pushing to the Championship in a few years.

COYDs

[Windlesham Don]

The close season transfers have started to roll in, perhaps sooner than we were led to believe which is likely to be a good sign.

Ryan Clarke looks like a solid keeper. There may be a few issues with injury and rustiness to iron out, but he has always looked capable when playing for Oxford against us. Roos was never going to stay, and sadly Shea is unlikely to be up to the physical challenges of League 1. We need a keeper who will not make mistakes and who will inspire the confidence of the back four. Hopefully Clarke will fit the bill.

Chris Whelpdale is another familiar face. From Billericay in the Ryman league to Gills and latterly Stevenage, he has played against us many times. In my view he is a superior version of the player he replaces, Sean Rigg. Physical, with a good engine, an ability to cross the ball and, most importantly an eye for a shot. He should be an ideal replacement and regular starter.

Dean Parrett should have the ability to challenge Reeves and Bulman for a centre midfield spot. I’d expect Bully to need nursing next season, with plenty of rest. It looks as though we now have a worthy third centre midfielder.

Dominic Poleon looks to be a bit of a gamble by NA. A chequered past where to date he has not fulfilled his early potential, means that the jury must remain out for a while. As with Tom Elliott last season, Dominic may only need to feel appreciated to produce his best form – if he does then his undoubted pedigree could see him challenging for a starting berth.

IMO we have four solid signings to date and probably need another couple (striker and full back cover) in the coming weeks. More importantly, it appears that we have retained all of our key players from last season.

At the moment it is looking like a very promising summer of trading. If the new signings fulfil their potential then the coming season may not be as scary as first envisaged.

COYD!

[liamwimbo]

Only a few days to go until the Dons start their League One campaign. Still find it hard to believe. Pretty impossible to predict how they will go. Suffice to say, I am sure we will all be satisfied if we are still in this division come next May. The basis of the squad looks solid with Robinson, Charles, Bulman, Reeves and Taylor providing the “spine”. However goalkeeper and other forward positions look a bit more of a problem. The new signings seem to be adequate but nothing to rave about. Hope I am proved wrong by at least a couple of them. Heading over soon to catch a few games in September and early October, so will be interesting to see how the players are coping with a higher level.
On a more positive note, there is finally light at the end of the tunnel as far as New Plough Lane is concerned. The new Mayor’s decision not to hold yet another inquiry is very welcome, but it frankly should never have got to this stage. So we are in yet another “consultation” phase, but hopefully the last and we can redo our pre-emptive celebration from last December.

Come On You Dons

[Devon Womble]

I think many of us share Liamwimbo’s thoughts; league one has the potential to be anything from a nightmare to an entirely satisfactory experience. The friendlies have not really provided any clues towards defining our potential performance either.
From the way NA is still tinkering with his beloved diamond formation, the acknowledged fact that there are still vacancies on the pitch, and the usual hype about our talented youngsters making appearances (not), does lead me to think we are some way from being ready for what we are about to receive.
However, mentally, I think the players will be up for it, for we are still close enough to last season for the belief to be continuing to bubble into this season.
My gut feel therefore is that we will start brightly with a respectable run before having to grind out the points for safety after Xmas. Perhaps by then though, we will know we are coming home, and that may just be enough to carry us through.
COYD’s, I’m as ready as I’ll ever be for my weekly fix of anxiety, nail-biting, tears, frustration, and jubilation.

[Windlesham Don]

So the squad is now complete, with a few days to spare before we step into the unknown of League 1. To me the squad definitely looks stronger than last season, with the exception of Clarke for Roos (who was always beyond our budget) and possibly Kelly for Kennedy (who was only backup anyway). The others all improve the squad, but of course it needed significant strengthening to have a realistic chance of surviving at the next level.

It is interesting how many like for like changes we have made to the squad: Parrett for Connor Smith, Whelpdale for Rigg, Poleon for Azeez and today Tyrone Barnett for Akinfenwa, as well as the two identified above.

To me the squad looks strong, but will it be strong enough – who knows? We may find out over the next couple of weeks, with an exciting opening day trip where the Womble hoardes will travel north to Walsall, followed by a full house at Kingsmeadow for the visit of Bolton (yes Bolton, in a league game!)

I’m with Devon Womble, in that I suspect a fast start to be followed by mid-season struggles. Whatever we get it will be an interesting season…

[onyadon]

Expecting Tyrone Barnett to be unveiled on Wednesday as the club’s sixth signing of the summer. Barnett’s contract was paid out by his former club Shrewsbury Town on Monday and has been signed by the Dons. Barnett is 30, 6ft 3in and has made around 218 League appearances for 56 goals. He has League 1 experience with Peterborough ( who paid Crawley 1.1 million stg for him), Southend and the Shrews. So he has plenty of experience at the level. Expect him to lead the attack with Tom Elliott as his backup and Lyle Taylor and Dom Poleon to play off his him. For the budget Wimbledon have (swelled by last season’s promotion campaign), it is about the best we can expect for a club of our size. I agree that Wimbledon look stronger than last season and they have to be…. keep your views coming everyone…

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