The Lounge

[Devon Womble]

Sigh…. So we wake up this morning to the inevitable news that Robinson of the unmentionables is almost certainly out of a job. Shame, he was doing such a good job for us. I can only hope they give the job to losing US presidential candidate Donald Trump so that he can use his money to bring in some US ‘football’ stars from the NFL (ahem) and help the continued downfall.
It may be then, that their new manager has a whole month or so to get the unmentionables ready for us, but frankly, in what will be the biggest match in (English) football this year, (move over overpaid prancing Queens of the Premier league), I think we are good enough to destroy them if we play anything like we did yesterday. I and I’m sure many of us, hope so.

As for all my chiding of NA over the last few years, his ‘rotational’ scheme is clearly paying dividends. I have to give him credit for that and perhaps eat a (small) slice of humble pie as a result.
His next challenge though may well be to fend off the queue of big money clubs that is no doubt forming for the January window, ready to snatch away the rising stars he has created among our squad.
But for now, let’s bask in a moment that needs it’s own page in the ever burgeoning scrapbook of great Wimbledon memories.
Sigh, what it is to be a Dons fan.

[Colum]

He’s gone.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/oct/23/league-one-karl-robinson-leaves-mk-dons-by-mutual-consent

Probably good timing for us, as it allows them to have their one or two good games before resorting to type against the mighty Dons.

[Windlesham Don]

…and hot favourite for “Head of Frenzy” is Paul Mitchell. No, not he of hair products fame (although Winky does need something to rectify his matted rats’ tail thatch), but a former Dongs’ player who has never managed a club before.

A “yes man” to take the flack while Winky extracts himself from the financial black hole? Who knows, but things seem to be developing nicely in MK…

[Windlesham Don]

More importantly, we have already announced another sell out for the visit of the Bantams on Saturday! Roll on NPL and the ability to house close to 10k for big games.

Another full house means that average league attendances at KM will be close to 4600 this season, in a stadium which only holds around 4850 – great stuff!

Erik must be rubbing his accountant hands at these numbers. He is notoriously conservative with his budget figures and I suspect our budget would have shown expected attendances of around 4400. The actual number should give us some leeway to make signings in the January window if deemed necessary.

Two other things which will be helping finances at the moment:
1. The hated Checkatrade Trophy is generating £10k a victory at the group stage, which goes up to £20k for a victory in the knockout stages. With a strong and driven squad there is no reason why we shouldn’t go deep in this competition and generate more bonus funds. Erik always budgets to lose every cup game we play in, so this is all bonus money.
2. Ryan Clarke cancelling his contract and James Shea stepping up to the plate in great style will also have helped the finances. If a new keeper is recruited in January, he is unlikely to be a #1 and so should not be on the same salary as Clarke.

So things are looking good both on the pitch and off it at the moment. I’m not expecting us to maintain the current heady heights of 6th in the table, but the additional funds available to NA should enable us to ensure our League 1 place for next season and hopefully strengthen the squad if necessary.

COYD!!

[Colum]

Throw in a bit of TV money Windlesham Don and you’d hope the finances start to look as good as out league position.

As for a new keeper, which must be target number one come January, I don’t quite agree that he’ll automatically be a number two keeper. Sure Shea has improved, but if I was a keeper wanting to sign for the Dons, I wouldn’t want to be warming the bench. I’d expect whoever signs to have to fight for their place with Shea. Therefore they would have to be someone with experience at this level, and perhaps of the same physical stature as Clarke.

[Windlesham Don]

Hi Colum, I think the EFL match against Oxford was included in our overall EFL package, so I don’t believe we get anything extra for that (I could be wrong though). A televised cup game would be great, but I feel that Bury will be out for revenge after the league match and so I’m wary of another FA Cup failure, as things have been going too well recently! :o)

I agree that any new keeper would need to be challenging for a starting slot. But whereas Clarke was undoubtedly recruited as #1 with NA having lost confidence in Shea, now after Shea’s recent performances any new keeper does not need to be on a League 1 starter’s salary IMO – perhaps an ambitious Conference keeper wanting a chance of the big time?

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