The Lounge

[martindownunderdon]

Unbeaten in 3 this should be a close game with us just on top 3-2 COYDSSSSS

[Singapore Don]

A home defeat usually sends me in to pretty despondent post match blues, but not today. We were outplayed, outfought, and outclassed by an excellent Sheffield United who thoroughly deserved their win. In truth, we could have been clobbered and conceded seven or eight; only profligate shooting and finishing by their attackers prevented a hammering of a scoreline. The miserable weather lived up to expectation, but not the post match misery from a defeat because it could have been so much worse.

At last we had a starting line-up that reflected the form of players who have caught the attention of the fanbase but had been overlooked by Mr Ardley of late. Poleon looked lively and threatening up front, and his starting place was justified with a superb header for our first goal. Mention in despatches here though must go to Andy Barcham, who fought and found room for himself and then intelligently looked up to cut back a low pinpoint accurate cross on to the head of Poleon, for the young striker to then do his business. Barcham indeed had another strong game down the wing, and though he did fade out at times, he was a real handful for their right back and a great asset for us.

The other much called for player to win a starting place was Dean Parrett, and he too duly delivered a powerful performance, breaking up play in midfield and offering that forward driving momentum which we lack with Dannie Bulman. Parrett had a superb power shot in the second half which was well worked, and his free kick to set up Elliott for his goal was clever and pinpoint accurate. He tired late on, but like Poleon his work today surely merits another start next week.

So two good if not strong performances from two of our new boys winning their first starting places, so where did it go wrong for us? Well, I’m afraid to say it’s out jittery defence and goalkeeper again. Clarke did do a lot right today, punching crosses clear, coming out to thwart a one on one, a great low dive to his right to stop a certain goal – lots of good stuff, but despite all this there’s just a nervousness about him, in himself, in his team mates and in the stands.

I’m sure that there is a lack of confidence in Clarke which is creating a lot of the cracks in our defence, but to be fair to him, he’s not wholly to blame. Fault has to be attributed to some of the stalwarts of our rock like defensive wall from last season; Robbo is looking slower, Fuller is off the pace (he was easily outrun for their second goal), and Darius Charles is a shadow of the player he was last season. What I don’t like about Charles is that he’s the first to shout at his team mates for errors they may have made, but he’s making far too many of his own. I was rather relieved to see him subbed off in the second half when Ardley was “brave” and decided to go three at the back in his attempt to put on another forward to chase goals as we were 1-3 down. Only Meades played with any real credit today, the other three just weren’t at the races: too often too slow, too often beaten, too often out of position. They were clearly a formidable League Two defence; today they looked out of their depth against a very League One side. I fear age may be one big factor, and wonder whether Ardley just shouldn’t be “brave”and give Nightingale his chance, or certainly weave Robertson into the starting mix (if being 29 is in any way younger!). Whatever the solution, the problem to be fixed in training and team selection next week is in defence.

The other disappointment – again – was Lyle Taylor. He offered nothing really when he came on. We had more of the throwing himself to ground when touched (though this did work to good effect in getting our free kick which led to our second goal). Otherwise, Taylor looked ordinary at best. I can’t see any higher teams coming in for him in January if he continues in his current poor form. We actually really missed having a pacy super sub to bring on. Maybe young Olusunja when fit will be a better bet!!

Elsewhere, we were ok: Barnett huffed and puffed, elliott put himself about and got a goal, both big men solid and decent. Reeves had an ok game, Francomb had his moments but wasn’t anything to write home about, Whelpdale had a fairly anonymous cameo sub appearance.

And overall, that was our problem. We were ok, but we weren’t great. Sheffield United were. They looked a well organised, high tempo, in your face team that are clearly to be right at the top of the table as expected come the end of the season. What can we learn from them? Up our work rate, press the opposition player the ball much more quickly and aggressively, give him zero time to play football. We sat back when United had the ball in midfield, allowing them to boss play there and create their chances; they gave us absolutely no time at all. And it was impressive. fair play to them, they deserved their win, and we should be thankful we’re not drowning out sorrows tonight with a 2-8 defeat!

Finally, great to meet one of the WDSA stalwarts at KM today – a real pleasure to chat with you Liam, and with your gang! Hopefully see you at the Gillingham game where the Dons can end your UK trip with a useful three points!

[MacWomble]

On a separate note, I presume you have all read the suggested standard letter of petition from us fanatics to the Secretary of State (SoS)? I hope it achieves the desired result. Of course it should, as there are no strategic national interest involved in the project. But… does the letter read that well to you? On a minor note, I thought it was a bit sucky in places; along the lines of “this development will create houses, and hey SoS, you really like new houses don’t you?” Anyway, I guess that is standard format. But what really struck me was that the letter’s argument is focused on the housing development and has some oblique references to sporting training and participation – (does that mean watching football noisily in a stadium)? The letter does not talk about what we really care about – having a football club. Why would a fan write to the SoS to focus on houses and not include a line about the beautiful game? Is the housing driving the proposal or is it the our desired football stadium driving the proposal? The letter was silent on the stadium. Another point is that the letter does not include a paragraph explaining why our planning proposal is not a matter of national significance, which is exactly the sort of consideration the SoS has to make. Is it sufficient to have passed a test of localism because local councilors voted for it (of course they did, non-local councillors are not allowed to vote). Perhaps Wandsworth know that they have a chance of extending the process administratively to the point where we run out of cash or the housing proposal gets dropped by the developers. I certainly hope not. I am no expert. I live far away. I am not stirring. But there was something in that letter that left me less than convinced. Maybe it was drafted in a hurry. Anyway, I’m sure everyone will disagree with me. But do take a look and wonder if it really captures the essence of why we are doing this and conveys that sentiment to the SoS. Nuff from me. This is what the forum is for. COYD

[Singapore Don]

Mac, I agree with your comments the BTDH letter. I think it missed a few key points, and decided to write my own letter (while incorporating a bit of the BTDH letter in solidarity with the campaign). Here’s what I wrote:

I am writing to express my strongly held view that Merton Council in London remains the democratically appropriate body to determine the planning application (number 14/P4361) by AFC Wimbledon and Galliard Homes to build a new football stadium and 604 homes in Plough Lane in south west London – and that there is no justifiable reason for this application to be determined by central government.

I want to place on record my firm belief that the unanimous, cross party decision taken by Merton Council in December 2015 to approve this planning application was the right decision, and that this democratic decision was reinforced by the support given by the professional planning officers of Merton Council, neighbouring Wandsworth Council and the GLA.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, added further independent scrutiny after the application was called in by his predecessor, Boris Johnson, and his two week public consultation in August led him to conclude that Merton Council was indeed the appropriate planning authority in this application – so prompting him to hand back the decision making to Merton Council. This application has already, therefore, been through a process of being called in for review and oversight by an external, independent, London-wide authority – and that call-in was reversed to respect the original democratic decision by Merton Council and the professional advice of the planning experts of Merton, Wandsworth and the GLA.

As others will tell you, I believe that this country needs new homes and it was good to read that you will be making the delivery of new homes your priority as Secretary of State. This development will provide 604 new homes. It has passed the Localism test in that it has been approved – unanimously – by councillors on the local authority. It passes all the policy tests, including the borough’s requirement that the site provide an intensification of the current sporting use, including new facilities that will act as a hub for outstanding sports training and participation across south west London. As a former Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport you will know how important this is. As a father of three children myself, I have seen the benefits of AFC Wimbledon’s community work and outreach with all my children having taken part in football training schemes in local parks and schools. This application offers exciting new opportunities and encouragement for more local children to take part in sport and enjoy its numerous benefits, as well as crucially for Londoners to have the opportunity of new homes.

It is also worth noting that support for the application outnumbered opposition by a ratio of 20:1 and that Wandsworth Council’s concerns are met through a number of s106 and other commitments. AFC Wimbledon and Galliard Homes have already throughout this planning process amended and improved their application after much public consultation to take on board the concerns of local residents and Wandsworth Council, and the Mayor of London himself recognised this and decided to hand back the decision making to Merton Council.

This planning application promises hundreds of new homes, which London needs and which the government says need building; it promises an exciting rejuvenation of a terribly run-down area with an active community oriented football club at its heart promoting sport and community engagement; and it will boost the local economy and jobs through the regeneration of the Plough Lane area. Merton Council should be allowed to retain control of the decision making in this application to ensure that all these exciting promises can be realised, and so that local democracy is seen to be guaranteed and respected.

For all these reasons, I hope and trust that you will therefore reject the call by Wandsworth Council to call in this planning application.

[onyadon]

Neal Ardley said the team had a “quite a harsh video analysis” on Tuesday ahead of the London derby at Charlton Athletic. “We challenged them a bit with their mentality. In the second half of the week we’ve tried to work towards the game. We want to get them feeling really good, build them up, and take that anxiety away from their performance,” he said. The Dons defence has been at fault a lot in the club’s first season in League 1. Ardley was disappointed with the manner of the three goals conceded in last week’s home loss to Sheffield United. “We conceded three goals that are so far away from what we do on the training field and that’s disappointing. You cannot concede three goals like that at home. It’s not just the defence, it’s the midfield, because you defend from the front.” So we can expect an improvement in the structure of the Dons defending at Charlton. If not, then that will be a cause for concern going forward. The Addicks, relegated from the Championship last season, are unbeaten at home so far this season, drawing with Northampton, beating Shrewsbury Town and drawing with Bolton Wanderers, so this will be a tough one to get a result. But we’re looking for more improvement then these are the games where we learn a bit more. The Charlton fans are having their issues with the club’s foreign owners and there are protests from the home fans planned for this weekend (bringing back Franchise hijack memories for us). They are asking for the Dons fans to support them. With over 1,200 Dons fans making the trip to The Valley, the atmosphere should be crackling. Not high expectations in this one, but if Ardley’s rebuke is heeded then who knows.

[martindownunderdon]

A few home trooths after last weeks game,a hard game against Charlton but its a london derby with over 1200 Dons at the game should make for a very good game 1-1 CoyDonsssss

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