The Lounge

[Windlesham Don]

Having been at the Walsall game and having watched the highlights of Posh, I find it disappointing that already Ryan Clarke is being singled out as a fall guy for our performances. He certainly hasn’t obviously cost us a goal out of the 6 conceded. I feel that the entire defensive unit have reverted to the beginning of last season – the second goal at Walsall is a case in point. A dreadful throw in from us in the Walsall half resulted in a punt forward, Robbo mis-controlled and then committed a needless foul. From the resulting free kick Darius missed a straightforward chance to clear, leading to a goalmouth scramble where we again failed to clear. This sort of defending would concede goals in the Ryman League let alone League 1!

Let’s get off Clarke’s back and support him. Kelle Roos was a competent keeper, but was protected by a solid and competent defence, something that Clarke has yet to see.

At the other end of the pitch, we have attacked brightly but probably missed 3 or 4 open goals to date. Barcham has probably been the chief culprit, but we need to focus on the promising build up play, rather than the missed chances – some pundits seem to have a view on the outcome of the season before we have even played a competitive match at home!!

Bolton on Saturday and an exciting first match of the season at Kingsmeadow, likely to be in front of a full house. If we can sharpen up at both ends of the pitch then I expect a close game against one of the ‘big boys’ in the division.

No predictions from me, but I hope we start to see some defensive solidity and some mor clinical finishing.

COYD!

[Cape Cod Womble]

I’m going for a 1-1 against Bolton.

I think that we will well and truly match them up front but until AFC settles their problems at the back, I can’t see us being able to hold out a full 90 minutes to secure the three points.

[liamwimbo]

Not the start we wanted, but both games have been away. Hopefully with the crowd behind them, the Dons can get something out of this game. Like Dave, I would be happy with a point to kick start the season.

[onyadon]

Singapore Don writes – Well, that was ultimately frustrating – again. We played so well for the first 25 minutes, and had a number of decent chances before Barcham’s goal (was it offside?!). Dean Parrett had a fantastic effort moments earlier, a pile driver of a shot after the neatest of turns – a fierce shot which their keeper did incredibly well to save. Indeed, I thought Parrett had a brilliant game – tough tackling, creative, likes to get forward….a real asset to our midfield. Very happy to be sponsoring his socks this season!! Other stand-out performances for me were Barcham and Elliott. The disappointments? LTB is clearly not a happy bunny and not playing with the gusto of last season; I think it’s highly likely he’s got his eye on the exit door. Kelly, I’m afraid, was poor, often out of position, not getting back after probing forward – maybe it’s his fitness, but he looked out of his depth at times today. And Clarke. I fear we may have got a dud here. Really unimpressed by him, looked too easily beaten for their first, and he’s too often rooted to his line. I just hope he improves, otherwise our goals against column is not going to be looking healthy, as indeed it isn’t already. Overall, we played well, deserved a draw, but this is now sounding all too familiar after Walsall and Peterborough. We need a win to stop a losing mentality set in. We’ve clearly lost the winning momentum from the end of last season. We need a win on Tuesday.

One final thought. Walsall and Bolton got their last goals by driving the ball in low across the box. We need to do the same. We always cross balls from wide in to the box in the air, which fails every time when playing against teams like today’s with giant centre backs. Mix it up I say!

[liamwimbo]

Most annoying thing was going ahead but not holding out for at least a point. I listened in intermittently and got the impression that we did not offer much after going behind. And the statistic of 2 goals from 2 shots on target was reminiscent of last week v Walsall. I suppose we have to accept we are a good L2 team playing in L1, so need to perform at our best to get points. Tuesday v Scunthorpe now becomes very important in terms of morale as well as points.

[MacWomble]

We’ve talked about the advice from a fellow pundit: to wait ten games. That seems to be fair advice, given that every seasons is a rollercoaster. But, are we relaxed, or are some alarm bells ringing? Losing early games makes it hard to play catch-up later in the season. But, I tend to think that we over-achieved last season in the play-offs and hence three losses is just a reflection of the realities of adjusting to life in the Gods. A win will relax the players and management. As for us fans, I’m sure it all comes as no surprise. Seven games to go!

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