The Lounge

[onyadon]

One of the highlights of the first season in L1 for me, the first visit of Sheffield United, one of the ‘big’ clubs of this league and with pretensions of promotion this time under new manager and former Blades defender Chris Wilder, who guided Northampton Town to last season’s L2 championship. This will be a big test for the Dons, but comes at a time of two draws and a win in their last three games, so maybe Neal Ardley’s men are getting to grips with L1, but they will need to improve even more to get the better of the Blades at KM on Saturday. The Blades moved out of the bottom four last Sunday with a last minute winner at Gillingham for their second consecutive league victory, having beaten Oxford a week previous. It is a richly resourced club compared to Wimbledon and they are prepared for the unique challenge they will encounter at the tiny and cramped Kingsmeadow. This will be a good opportunity to see how our back four along with keeper Ryan Clarke handle the United attack. I reckon we might do well to come out of this with a draw, but maybe SUFC and Wilder might need some more time to bed down their combinations. If you wondered how the Dons would cope with life in L1 you might get a clearer picture from Saturday’s game. Be keen to read the thoughts/assessments of those who will be at the game……

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[Windlesham Don]

Looking forward to a week in the sun in Greece, but having booked it before the fixtures were published I am gutted that I will be missing my most anticipated home AND away fixtures. Bl**dy fixture computer!!

Neal has some important decisions to make – Taylor or Poleon? Barnett or Elliott? How does he get Parrett into the starting XI?

For me, Taylor is a big issue at the moment. He hasn’t been himself all season and spent much of the last game diving, whingeing and sulking, instead of working for the team. He needs to be told in no uncertain terms that we cannot carry anyone. I also do not believe he has come out of the recent racism case with Scott Flinders smelling of roses (Google “Scott Flinders racism” if you are not aware of it).

Fortunately Dom Poleon is a ready made replacement and would have been knocking on NA’s door for a chat this week…

If tomorrow is tough, then next week will be equally difficult, with arguably our biggest away trip of the season to near neighbours Charlton.

Two defeats and we could well be rock bottom of the table again! For me, a par return from these two games is two points – if we can pick up a victory then great, but to survive in this league we must make ourselves difficult to beat, so no avoidable defensive mistakes please!

I’ll be popping here to read some informed and intelligent opinion from the next two games, so keep up the good work guys… COYD!

[rob]

I’ve been away for most of the season so far and have viewed it from afar. Things seemed dire and it seemed like we might be out of our depths. I wasn’t surprised having seen the Dons a few times last year they did not seem like a team who should be playing in League 1. However they are and now have a win and there is hope. There are some big clubs but they are only as good as their current players. They are in the same league as us for a reason. I’ve seen Wimbledon vs Sheffield United many times over the years and still find it hard to believe that we are playing them again as AFC. It will be tough but lets be positive – at least a draw and maybe nick a win. Lyle Taylor to score or lose his place.How will he react to real pressure from Poleon? COYD

[Singapore Don]

It’s a pretty miserable forecast for tomorrow – well for the weather at any rate! We’ll be pitting our wits and battling the odds against the Blades in lashing rain at the meadow of Kings – and I fear it be hardgoing for our Dons warriors. But we shouldn’t fear the foe: if Neal plays an attacking team and we go for it, I don’t see why we shouldn’t get at least a point from the game. What will be crucial will be self-belief, and a desire to really go for the jugular, not sit back and invite waves of attacks which our defence is unlikely to withstand for ninety minutes. To this end, I’d like to see Neal play an attacking 4-3-3, put Parrett with his ferocious forward drive in midfield and Poleon up front with his recent killer instinct let loose on the Blades defensive line. If not Parrett, Whelpdale would be a better bet than Francomb to start, signalling a more attacking approach. What is vital that the team starts with high tempo, excites the crowd to get them fully behind them in full cry, and for a change get a goal or two that can give us a bit of breathing space to build on. United will definitely try to do the same to us, so we should match like with like and not set up defensively to absorb their attacks and look to counter attack. I think the letter would be suicidal. A victory on the football battlefield tomorrow is going to be tough, but it’s not impossible. Having said that, to come away with a hard fought point would be no mean feat – and we should be happy with that. But the goal at kick off, as always, should be the full three points.

[liamwimbo]

Certainly one of the biggest games of the season today. Very surprised that Sheffield United started so badly but am sure they will be in the top six by the end of the season. Like everyone else, I was impressed by Poleon last week. Unfortunately Ardley does tend to be a bit cautious with his starting 11, so suspect he will be on the bench again. After a win last week, I think I would be happy with a point today to keep the unbeaten run going.

Singapore , I hope to be in the main bar from about 12.45 so please come and look for me. Short, stocky guy wearing last year’s home shirt! Windlesham, I know you are away, but I will also be at the Gillingham game on 1/10, so maybe meet up then?

[Singapore Don]

Liam I’ll try to find you! Take your brolly ☔️Awful weather today, I hope it won’t add to any match misery. United are going to be a tough nut to crack. An exciting 2-2 would do me!!

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