The Lounge

[Devon Womble]

I’ve kept my mouth shut for some time now about NA and his tactics, (hooray you say), but I cannot help think that it was his whole approach to the Sutton game that nearly cost us a chance to fight again. His pre-match interview and comments were highly cautious, even somewhat negative. I am sure it is that which filtered through to the players and resulted in what I thought was a wholly nervy display. In fact I think the only time we looked like a League One team was during the last five or ten minutes of the game. Yet, thankful for small mercies, and the ever increasingly confident James Shea, (surely vying with Elliot and LTB as our best player?) we live to fight again.
That said, after the goalfest of early December and a far better than expected first half to the season, our form has dipped somewhat. All this leads my cynical self to believe that right now the team’s morale is at best, fragile. Nothing less than a firing on all cylinders for the next couple of matches would seem necessary to rebuild it and ensure we aren’t all chewing our nails as we watch the Dons under an ever more indecisive and negative NA plummet down the tightest of mid-tables. It’s a mute point but we still need 18+ points for safety…
As for the evocative potential of a tie against Leeds… (yes, we ALL remember THAT moment don’t we?) well, I personally believe it will all depend on whether NA has taken a large dose of Happy Pills or not. He of all people should know that we are never better than when we are enjoying ourselves, and that doesn’t necessarily mean winning every game, just the ones we should.

[Singapore Don]

What a joy. As convincing a 3-0 win as you’ll see, with as polished a team performance as I’ve seen in a long, long time: the U-18s FA Youth Cup victory over Premier League Hull City was simply uplifting. The team purred as one, linking from back to front with pinpoint passes played along the ground; this was a class act. The scoreline could easily have been in double figures, so dominant was the Dons’ performance. Any unsuspecting spectator would have thought we were the Premier League outfit, so outstanding was the team and numerous individuals. The watching Neal Ardley must have been very pleased with what he saw, and indeed should go away with a video of the game to show the first team, to demonstrate to them how decent, quick passing football is played.

To a man, or boy, the young Dons oozed confidence and class. The first goal was a superb pinpoint pass by Nathan Wood to the feet of the marauding right back Toby Sibbick, who controlled it perfectly and volleyed it home with great aplomb. The scouts from Arsenal, Watford and others supposedly interested in young Sibbick would have been impressed with the finish, and his overall attacking defensive role. He really is a bright young prospect.

Paul Kalambayi was a rock at centre back, assured and commanding as captain at the heart of the Dons’ defence. He is a man mountain for such a young man. He didn’t put a foot wrong all evening. Next to him, I was really impressed by his fellow central defender, Sean Bird. Not as physically impressive, his defending and setting up of attacking moves was. Unlike our first team central defenders who can be prone to instinctively playing the hoof ball up to big Tom, Sean was intelligent in the way he looked for the pass through to midfield along the ground, ensuring we kept possession and moved control of play further upfield. I thought young Sean was a stand out player of the night.

At left back, the noisy and bossy, if slightly more diminutive, Thomas Scott was a further robust presence in defence. Again, he showed real football intelligence in reading the opposition’s pass to break up their attacks, but then look up quickly to play an accurate and incisive pass up to the left winger in front of him or central midfielder further in-field. Another impressive young defender coming through our youth ranks.

In midfield, we really do have talent a plenty. Anthony Hartigan was a powerhouse breaking up play and creating offensive moves, always motoring from back to front to keep the Dons on the front foot. He was razor sharp. Nathan Wood was a bit off with his shooting and crosses in the first half, but came good in the second – and for one so small, boy could he jump, winning headers against players inches taller than him all the time. Judah Chapman was a constant threat, again playing quick incisive passes, while the darting Antonio Walker Barth on the right wing was a real menace to the Hull back line. His well worked goal towards the end was rich reward for a fantastic performance. Reece Williams-Bowers was unlucky not to get a goal to reward his harrying of the Hull defence; he too could look back on an evening of outstanding work.

And then Jayden Antwi up front: Azeez like, a supremely powerful athlete, he bullied the Hull back line throughout the ninety minutes, and the penalty he converted was the least he deserved for his industry and pace and power. He is a great prospect in the striker department for us.

Joseph Bursik was solid in goal without too much to do really, while the subs also showed what they too have to offer. Nicholas Akoto came on as right back to replace Toby Sibbick, and his pace down the right was electrifying. Tall and lanky, he had great ball control, winning tackles then setting off like a bullet – wow he was fast. Callum Philip, on for Reece Williams-Bowers towards the end, linked up midfield play beautifully and was at the heart of the near perfect team goal that resulted in young Walker-Barth getting his great finish. It was a brilliantly worked goal, a real team effort.

All round, this was a team performance that was as good as I’ve seen in a long, long time. The work rate, the fitness levels, the togetherness, the creativity, the technical skill, the footballing intelligence – the whole team was outstanding in every facet of the game. They made their Premier League opposition look ordinary at best. I’m sure there will be plenty of Premier League youth managers eyeing our young prospects with great interest. I just hope we can hold on to most of them and see them blossom fully by pulling on first team shirts in the not too distant future.

Be uplifted, the future is bright!

[Windlesham Don]

Well done, Pete, a comprehensive and expressive report of a very enjoyable evening. The young lads are really doing the club proud as they march into the last 16 of the FA Youth Cup for the second consecutive season.

Sterner tests await, especially a potential trip to Goodison Park in the next round, but these kids look to be loving their football. I just hope that they stick with the Womble family and, perhaps more importantly, we have faith in them and move them up through the ranks.

The future is bright, the future is yellow and blue!!

[liamwimbo]

Thanks, Pete, for the Youth Cup match report. A good way to cheer up Dons fans after the negativity surrounding the Sutton game.
I watched that game via an internet stream, and to say it was a poor game is an understatement. However the draw does mean we are still in the competition. Just hope the players and management can pull us out of the minor rut that we seem to be in at the moment, starting with Oxford this weekend.
Speaking of this weekend, Robert Smith, Dave Kenwery and myself will all be in Melbourne this coming Sunday, so we have arranged a get-together in Southbank that evening. If there are any Dons fans based in Victoria, you are welcome to join us to chat about all things related to our wonderful football club. Please leave a message on here if interested. COYDs.

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[Windlesham Don]

Two big games at Kingsmeadow in the next week, and both look like selling out.

Firstly, Oxford in the league and amazingly a chance to complete a double over our former jinx opponents. Of course ‘one swallow does not make a summer’ and Oxford will be formidable opponents. They are on a good run and are still involved in both the FA Cup and Checkatrade Trophy. The minds of the players need to be fully focused on this match and not be allowed to drift forward to Tuesday’s encounter. Personally I wouldn’t be disappointed with an injury-free and evenly matched draw, allowing us to keep ticking up our points total towards safety.

Fast forward to Tuesday and another exciting derby against our friends from Sutton. Further ticketing issues will not dampen the anticipation, with the prospect of £67.5k in prize money, possible TV fee of almost £150k and another full house against ‘dirty Lids’ awaiting the winners. We will need to play far better than we did at Gander Green Lane, but that should not be beyond us and to be honest it would be a major disappointment if we do not progress to the 4th round.

COYD!!

[Windlesham Don]

A curate’s egg of a performance from the team yesterday, although the good parts were very good indeed. Whether deliberate or not we seemed to give up the midfield very early in the game, as once again the 3 man midfield lost out against Oxford’s talented 4. However, despite being dominated in the middle third, we seemed to control both ends of the pitch – our defence soaking up whatever was thrown at them and our strikers looking very effective on the break.

A concern was another blunder by Shea, allowing another shot from outside the area to get past him for Oxford’s opener. I’m not sure whether there is a lack of concentration early in the game, but if he received the benefit of the doubt when conceding against Millwall then he cannot get the same again. Admittedly he made a great save to redeem himself in the second half, but NA must be considering bringing in competition during the transfer window.

Dom Poleon seemed to be trying too hard and sadly his defensive positioning didn’t help our overworked midfield. I suspect that Barcham will be back for Tuesday if his tight hamstring eases.

However, there were some excellent displays as well. Tom Elliott was once again almost unplayable, and Kelly’s straightforward header for the winner had everything to do with Tom drawing at least 3 of their defenders away with his near post run. Reeves was the pick of the midfield and received the MotM award, but personally I would have given it to Baz Fuller, whose normal solid defensive display was supplemented with some storming overlaps and exquisite deliveries. LTB was as hard working as ever, whilst continuing to test the patience of the officials with his normal grumbling and chatter.

And so 3 points in the bag from a game where I personally never felt comfortable, but where we missed 3 or 4 golden opportunities to seal the match.

On to Tuesday and an opportunity to see how Sutton perform on a soft, strength sapping pitch.

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