The Lounge

[onyadon]

Liam Nolan and Paul Russell christen WDSA's new banner in the official Adelaide unveiling … @AFCWimbledon pic.twitter.com/73hUZXr9Cr

— wombles downunder (@WDownunder) August 23, 2016

[martindownunderdon]

I’m sure I will be Rob also my son and i know of two other Dons in Perth who get on wdon from time to time, so i will see if they will make the trip as well

[Windlesham Don]

It would be great to see a whole bunch of you guys over for the first match at NPL. It will take a bit of organising though, as knowing our construction industry the completion and opening date will probably be set in blancmange!!

Hopefully the completion date will be in the summer, with a few PSFs to iron out issues before a first competitive match as the first game of a new season. Much easier for you guys to arrange flights and holidays if this is the case…

Exciting times…

[Singapore Don]

Just back from the U23s game against Wigan. Wow! We really do have some talent waiting in the first team wings. Pollen was the stand out player, with two excellent solo goals and two assists. His control, quick turns and breathtaking acceleration gave us a real threat up front, and he really does look a much better threat and striking prospect than Azeez: he has the same athleticism and power, but he is a much better footballer technically. His decision making and clinical finishing are far superior. Fitzpatrick was also a livewire and his two goals were also superbly taken.

It was great to see Meades and Francomb back. George looked rusty still, but put in some excellent crosses and ins’t far off being ready for a return to the first team if called upon. As for Meades…well, he has to start on Saturday without question. He was calm, confident, skilful, in control, he was just superb. He is a class above poor Kelly, and gives our back line a much more solid look. As for tonight’s defence, Nightingale had an ok game, but not outstanding. That accolade has to go to his fellow central back, young Paul Kalambayi, who was immense. Big, strong, powerful, confident, he didn’t put a foot wrong, and gives us a great Sweeney youth replacement to be ready to fill in for Robinson and Darius Charles (who was there tonight watching). I believe Kalambayi is only 16 or 17, but he played with outstanding maturity. The other one who really impressed my was 17 year old Toby Sibbick at right back. He’s very tall, but lanky so needs to fill out, but he was strong, read the game well, tackled well, outfought and outpaced the Wigan winger, and again played with real maturity and calmness. I thought he was superb.

My final standout player of the night was James Shea. He was loud, bossing the defence, screaming directions, completely commanding his box vocally and positionally, coming off his line often to great effect, dominating his box by taking all crosses – he was unrecognisable from the Shea of last season who lacked confidence. Shea tonight could be heard for ninety minutes shouting instructions and dominating the Dons defence; he was a real leader. In every aspect, he was head and shoulders above Clarke. I know it’s unlikely that Clarke will be dropped having kept a clean sheet against Northampton, but be reassured that we have an in-form, confident and very capable young keeper sitting on the bench ready to take his place.

Everyone else tonight played well – Beere and young Egan busied and frustrated Wigan in midfield, Oakley had a great header against the bar (but to me looks too slow to be a League One player).

All round, this was a great team performance, watched by Ardley, Cox, Bassey and Bayes – giving them some selection headaches I would have thought for the visit to Rochdale on Saturday. It was performance to leave the small crowd at KM happy and confident that we have real talent waiting in our Dons wings….

[Singapore Don]

By Pollen I mean of course Poleon! Dominic Poleon, a name I’m sure we’ll hear time and again mentioned in despatches this season.

[Singapore Don]

Feeling very disappointed that Kelle Roos has signed for Bristol Rovers for the season. He’ll make them much stronger. It does make you wonder whether the wages issue was a red herring in his not being an option for us, or whether Rovers are splashing out to pay for this loan deal. Irrespective, it would have been great to see him back between the sticks for us. He just inspires confidence, in players and fans alike. But no use crying over spilt milk, we have Clarke and Shea – and as I posted earlier, Shea looked highly impressive last night against the Wigan U23s. Interesting that Meades volunteered his view as well at the end of his Dons Player interview that Shea was a stand out performer last night; Alan Reeves in his interview also commended Shea’s keeping and strong communication skills. Maybe he could fill Roos’ big empty boots and gloves?? He certainly seems a keeper back in form and confidence, and is not now in the shadow of one who is any better than him.

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