The Lounge

[Colum]

Excellent reports by everyone on a great days for Dons fans everywhere. I just want to emphasis a few points.

1. What a save James Shea made in the second half at 2-0 up. It was made all the better that he’d had so little to do all game. If that had gone in, it could have been a very nervy game.

2. Tom Elliott may have got the MOTM award, but for my money it should have gone to Sean Kelly. He had an excellent match, and seems to have learnt a lot from Jon Meades.

3. Tyrone Barnett’s goal was a typical striker’s goal. Excellent play down the right by Taylor, a cross that Tyrone controlled with his back to ball, muscled off the defender, made a yard of space, and a bullet of a shot into the top corner.

4. Even at 4-0 up we were chasing every ball, and closing down players as if we were still pressing to win the game. Lyle Taylor in particular ran his socks off. On another day he could have had a hatrick.

So we go to Southend and Bristol over Christmas before a home derby against Millwall. If we get five points from those games I’ll be happy.

Wishing all WDSA fans everywhere a very Merry Christmas.

[onyadon]

Very impressive and readable posts from the Port Vale game. Thanks to you all and it’s always most appreciated.
Just back from Brisbane and the Test cricket and delighted to see the Dons play so well and get a 4-0 result over PV. Also significant that Neal Ardley described the performance as one of the best by the team this season. Just about halfway through the League season and the lads are continuing to punch above their weight. Couple of things that stood out for me. Apart from Tom Elliott, Lyle Taylor and Dom Poleon, it was heartening to read of the impact of Sean Kelly at left-back and Tyrone Barnett scoring (a well struck goal) again. There is no doubt that Ardley has got his signings (just about all) spot on this season, and also what stood out was how disappointed the team were to ‘let down the fans’ in the MK result and they wanted to redress the situation. That bodes fantastically well for team spirit as we enter the mad scramble of the festive season. Keep them coming, lads, enjoying the observations. All the best to you all over Christmas/New Year, and special thanks to those who continue to ‘put in’ for the WDSA Forum.

[Windlesham Don]

I was lucky enough to get a ticket in the ballot for the Sutton game. I hope that Pete, Liam and any other WDSA potential applicants have had the same luck. I believe someone posted that the match is being show on Fox 1 or 2 in the USA and so hopefully it will be available somewhere on a feed in Oz. It should be an exciting cup tie with a great atmosphere!

A bit of a nothing match on Tuesday in the London Senior Cup, but it was significant because it marked the return from injury of Darius Charles and gave Andy Barcham extra minutes to improve his match fitness. Both played 3/4 of the match and were substituted uninjured.

Approaching the January window there seems to be little business necessary. According to Erik at the DT AGM the other week, NA has a list of long term strategic targets and if one of those happens to become available in the window then we will move. Otherwise I do not foresee much happening, although we may offer extended contracts to key squad members to hopefully ward off any approaches from other clubs.

The only two areas which may need to be considered are Goalkeeper, where with Ryan Clarke’s departure we don’t really have adequate cover for an injury/suspension to James Shea, and Left Back/Centre Back. Dependent on how severe Jon Meades’ ongoing problems are, and the outcome of Will Nightingale’s operation, Sean Kelly may not be adequate cover for both positions. Although we have Seth Owens as well as Kelly to cover Meades, neither have convinced over an extended period. Also, if Kelly has to play instead of Meades for any length of time then we lose cover at Centre Back. If Will is sidelined for a lengthy period again, then we would only have 3 dedicated centre backs in the squad, which may not be considered enough.

I am sure NA has several key Centre Backs on his long term list, as Paul Robinson must be considering his future at the end of the season – it may be useful for us if one of these became available in January…

[liamwimbo]

Just watched the interview with Ardley on Dons Player. He has done a really good job in this last calendar year, not just with the first team, but with the whole spirit at the club, spreading through to the youth teams and the Ladies. This time last year, there appeared to be a disconnection between players and fans for various reasons. At the moment, the atmosphere around the whole club seems to have been as good as ever. No doubt, our success on the field has helped, but if we do have a bad run, I am confident Ardley has the skills to deal with it.

Hi Windlesham. Despite being based in Oz, I have bought a half season ticket with the intention of applying for a Sutton ticket in the ballot and giving it to anyone I know who missed out. Unfortunately it seems to have got lost in the Christmas post, so I wasn’t able to apply. Hopefully get to use it for a few games at the end of the season.

COYDs.

[Singapore Don]

Christmas Eve here in Wimbledon, but of course Christmas Day with you guys down under – so here’s wishing you a very happy Christmas Day and all best wishes for a wonderful festive break. Let’s hope the Dons give us some post Christmas gifts on the pitch over the next week: four points would be a great return at Southend and Bristol Rovers. In the meantime, here’s raising a glass to all fellow WDSA Dons – and special thanks to Rob for the great work in keeping us all informed and united in the great cause. Come on you Dons! Happy Christmas.

[Windlesham Don]

I wonderful Christmas to all WDSA members! Liam, I hope we can meet up during the New Year at a match. Pete, I’m glad you managed to get a ticket for Sutton in the end.

Onwards and upwards in 2017 for the mighty Dons!!

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