The Lounge

[Devon Womble]

Equally gutted about Roos, but it is clear his presence last season was the kick up the a*** that Shea needed. If Shea is shouting the odds in a U23 game, I am quite certain he will be able to do so in a League One game. He is young, quick (much quicker than Clarke), and clearly back on his game… so don’t wait until the 45th game to bring him back NA! (Please?)

With regard to the near certain good news on Plough Lane, maybe we have a chance to not simply make it a ‘Down Under’ return to the ground but perhaps also an ‘over the pond’, and all point north, south, east, and west return to Plough Lane for WDSA supporters?
Think you should book a box Rob… or better still, with your connections get a free one?

[Windlesham Don]

Sadly with regard to Kelle Roos I strongly suspect that Rovers’ new Arab owner has allowed them to splash the cash to get him in. Since their change of ownership Rovers are probably another team with whom we cannot compete. I always suspected that Kelle would turn up at a small Championship or large League 1 club, but his salary was always out of our range.

As far as Shea is concerned, I am happy that he appears to be vocal and confident playing for the U21s. Sadly, there is a vast difference between the 21s and the 1st XI and I cannot see him adding a couple of inches in height and a stone in weight unless he borrows the footwear and diet of Elton John! Sheasy has always been a decent shot stopper and worthy of a first team place judged on this alone. The problem has always been his physical stature and the fact that he can easily be bullied under the high ball. However well he plays for the 21s I cannot see this changing. My guess is that we will keep him on the bench in case of emergency and release him at the end of his contract, which I think is at the end of this season.

[onyadon]

The Dons head north on Saturday for a visit to Spotland and Rochdale AFC. Neal Ardley’s men can be optimistic of a result following on from last weekend’s first point of the season and their good record at Spotland — two wins from two trips. The Dale have had a modest start to the season like Wimbledon 1D 3L including two losses at home. I’m keen to see fit-again Jon Meades get a start at LB and reinforce the Dons back four. New Scottish recruit Sean Kelly was mainly brought in as a back-up for Meades, so we couldn’t expect too much from him in his first games at the club. But Kelly was named in the League 1 team of the week by the Football League Paper, so he must have shown something against the Cobblers to beat every other LB in L1 to get into the merited team. And there’s added pressure on goalkeeper Ryan Clarke with the form shown by understudy James Shea in a mid-week Premier League Cup win against Wigan. But Clarke kept a clean sheet at Northampton, so it’s his place to lose at the moment.

Two trips to Spotland two wins for @AFCWimbledon, better away against @officiallydale than playing them at KM where the Dons are 0-2.

— wombles downunder (@WDownunder) August 26, 2016

[Windlesham Don]

I’m feeling curiously optimistic about tomorrow. The point and display at Northampton, the news on NPL, the return to fitness of Meades and Francomb and the final arrival of summer – all give positive feelings (with of course the normal background nagging dread that it will end in a 3-0 defeat!)

My concerns at the moment are twofold: firstly that our strikers are mis-firing – we don’t look capable of burying chances, despite creating many opportunities. LTB needs to get his mojo back and the new signings, Barnett and Poleon, need to be integrated into the squad ASAP. Second, that our midfield seems to lack balance – we have three strong central midfielders in Bulman, Reeves and Parrett, but NA wants to play two strikers and so we really need two central and two wide midfielders to be balanced. Barch and Whelps got the vote at Northampton, but Barch struggles with his defensive duties and Whelps still lacks fitness.

If we can resolve these two conundrums quickly then I foresee a positive season for us, but it will probably take time.

As for tomorrow, I expect Meades to return if he came through Tuesday’s 90 minutes unscathed. Other than that I expect the same starting XI, but barring injury I would like to see the introduction of Parrett, Barnett and Poleon from the bench with at least 30 minutes to influence the game.

I will stick my neck out and predict a narrow and nervy 2-1 victory.

COYD!!

[Colum]

I’m with you Windlesham Don. I have a sneaky suspicion that we can do a number on Rochdale. It could be close, but a win is a win. It would certainly do our confidence, and our nerves, the world of good.

Our problems (albeit minor ones I feel) are that most of the summer intake, whilst showing promise, are not match fit. That is coming slowly though. I’d also expect Meades to return at left back, and would hope Poleon would get a look in. I can see him replacing Elliott in the longer term.

That must be a cue for Elliott to score a hatrick in the first 15 minutes on Saturday then. I live in hope!

[Singapore Don]

We need a positive result at Rochdale to offset this depressing news that (Tory)Wandsworth Council is appealing to the (Tory) Secretary of State to call in our NPL stadium plan. They say Merton Council has been biased, and it needs an impartial authority to determine the application. What the hell?!! The supposedly neutral Mayor of London has already reviewed all the evidence and decided there is nothing untoward and Merton should be the deciding authority. Added to which Merton Council’s decision was a cross party decision – so hardly politically motivated. We can only hope that the Secretary of State is himself independent and uses his sense to decide there is no bona fide case for calling the application in. Very disheartening. So a result please in Rochdale you Dons.

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