The Lounge

[Windlesham Don]

Apologies for clogging up the forum, but I thought the following may be of interest to some. I sent my assessment of next season’s squad and tactics to a fellow Womble for comment. He is a UEFA qualified coach who goes to most matches – here is his assessment (apologies in advance for any formatting issues due to the cut and paste):

AFC Wimbledon – End of Season Report 2016/7

First off I would like to state that this has been a fantastic achievement to be lying in 13th position (as of writing) with 55 points, in the first season in League 1. NA and his team should be commended on this achievement despite the many highs and lows that the fans have experienced along the way.

This report is based mainly on roughly 90% home games watched plus a few away games.

The Highs have included: home win over MK, the away win at Scunthorpe, staying up in League 1, the amazing Curzon win, watching a generally higher standard of football (occasionally from AFC Wimbledon too), Tom Elliott, Lyle Taylor, Jake Reeves, Darius Charles showing their true class at times (ably backed up at times by Shea, Fuller, Nightingale, Parrett & Barcham), away day at Bramall Lane watching how to play good League 1 football and finally the general good feel factor around the club.

The Lows have included: Sutton Utd FA Cup defeat, goalkeeper Clarke fiasco, unfathomable managerial selections/tactics/substitutions and on occasions some woeful football just hoofing the ball up front (even when Tom Elliott wasn’t playing).

AFC Wimbledon PLAYERS:

CLARKE:

Not a goalkeeper of League 1 standard. Very poor on crosses, lacked confidence and presence between the posts. Had to leave the club having kept one clean sheet in 7 league games, and only on the winning side once.

SHEA:

A goalkeeper that is also not League 1 standard, but may hold his own in League 2 ?

Shea took his opportunity well (having replaced Clarke) and all was rosy in his garden as he seemed to grow in confidence and stature. At times he was instrumental in helping the team go on a magnificent run of 13 league matches, only losing once (3-2) to a formidable Bradford side. This was one of the best games of football all season, and even talking to some of the Bradford supporters post match, it was felt that AFC Wimbledon deserved a draw. Then as the team approached December the opposite happened and the next 13 league matches procured only 3 wins, leaving the team starting to look rather nervous and shaky. Suddenly from looking like a solid League 1 team the doubts were swirling around Kingsmeadow with the ‘R’ word occasionally featuring in frantic discussions about the players/manager, and above all Ardley’s tactics. If the team carried on their current form there was a distinct possibility that we would be in a relegation battle that wouldn’t end favourably.

Around the time of the poor run of results Shea started to show ‘cracks’ in his game whereby his shot stopping seemed to evaporate, his kicking became erratic, his ability to come for crosses or corners to claim/punch the ball went from average (at best) to hopeless. Above all, his poor decision making led to several errors and all that confidence slowly drained away. He was vulnerable and unreliable and with FULLER soon to be out for the rest of the season, and CHARLES not always playing, the team looked very very vulnerable.

Then…’BANG’….on a Tuesday evening (the last night in February) away to Scunthorpe….like a bolt out of the blue…I witnessed down at Kingsmeadow (courtesy of beamback) a team performance that really blew me away. Scunthorpe were riding high at the time (2nd in the table) and the team lined up in a 3-5-2 formation with NIGHTINGALE, ROBINSON and CHARLES at the back, wing backs FRANCOMB and possibly BARCHAM with REEVES and SOARES holding in midfield and PARETT operating in a more attacking midfield role leaving TAYLOR and POLEON up front. This was one of the best footballing performances I’ve ever seen from an AFC Wimbledon team and ELLIOTT didn’t even start (came on in 63rd minute). That just goes to show that we played real ‘football’ for over an hour without having to resort to lumping the ball up to the big man!

The ship was somewhat steadied during March when some of the better players started producing top performances aligned with the fact that SOARES was gradually getting to grips with his role in midfield.

Come April the team were safe from relegation.

FULLER:

Very reliable player and will always give maximum effort, but given his advancing years his performance levels will only dip, and this RB position will need to be filled by somebody else within 2 years.

KELLY:

A deceptively awkward LB whose performances are rather unpredictable and sometimes clumsy. Likes to support down the left wing but deliveries are inconsistent. His positional defending needs to improve. For me he is not a good defender and needs replacing.

ROBINSON:

Reliable most of the season but lost his way a bit following the Sutton aberration. I think he is vulnerable at CB and is just too old to cut it anymore and needs replacing.

ROBERTSON:

Started off okay but as he got to play more matches his frailties were exposed, namely his positional awareness, his ability to physically compete in the air. Didn’t see much leadership qualities either.

CHARLES:

Exceptional on his day and the key component of the defence particularly his aerial ability, positional play and leadership qualities. Needs to improve his distribution from the back.

NIGHTINGALE:

Academy product turning into a good promising defender at this level providing he stays fit. I prefer him to play in a traditional back 4 defence as opposed to the right side of a back 3. The reason being that I think he is vulnerable positionally in the 3 man defence role and is too easily turned by useful wide players.

OWENS:

Haven’t seen enough of him to comment.

WHELPDALE:

I have failed to see in his 12 starts (4 of them cup games) for AFC Wimbledon what this player has brought to the team? Of these 11 starting appearances he has only ever been on the winning side of a league match ONCE, scoring only 1 league goal for an attacking right sided midfielder.

In addition to this he has had no less than 17 starts as Substitute, and of the 4 times as an UNUSED SUBSTITUTE the team have never lost. On the 3 occasions he has come on as the 1st sub we have never won, and he has only ever been sent onto the pitch once when AFC Wimbledon weren’t winning and then went onto win, was the away game against Charlton when he was introduced in the 82nd minute and BARNETT ended up getting the winner in the 86th minute with the finest header he has ever produced. So… 8 minutes of positive influence!

He is the only player who can jump lower than his actual height (oh hang on… I forgot BARNETT) and also plays football as if he is wearing an underwater diving suit!

One of the most underwhelpdaling signings I have had the misfortune to witness. HAS TO GO.

FRANCOMB:

Ardley’s pet project who is taking longer than expected to become the complete all round player? Where does he fit into the team? Can he play wide right as a winger (doesn’t beat his man enough and crossing too inconsistent)? Can he play wide right in a 3 or 4 man midfield (tends to drift in and out of games in this position and at times totally ineffective. Also prone to playing too many diagonal cross balls to forwards with a low success rate)? Can he play central midfield ( too weak, too many Hollywood passes, no understanding of position)? Can he play right back (possibly but again no real understanding of the position and needs to close down players quicker to prevent crosses coming in)? Can he play right side wing back (possibly and has shown that he can do this well with the away game at Scunthorpe. This is really the only role I see him having and so a 3-5-2 is the only way forward for George.

MEADES:

A class act at times with possibly the best footballing brain at the club. Very versatile player around the left side of defence and midfield. Rather injury prone. Would like to see him in more advanced positions i.e. maybe as the left side of a 5 man midfield between CM and Left side wing back.

REEVES:

A great hard working midfielder fizzing around midfield often providing the energy to offset the somewhat laborious approach of others like BULMAN and SOARES. Needs to tighten his game up by eliminating a lot of his risky passes and running down blind alleys. Also needs more disciplined approach to his game.

BULMAN:

Has been invaluable at times with his experience in helping the team grind out results. Obviously he is very fit but only a year and a half off 40 years old by the start of next season! Also lacks the creativity that the midfield is crying out for.

PARRETT:

Looked a very good addition to the midfield when he first turned up at the club, impressive performances showing that extra bit of quality that we needed at this new found level of League 1. It was also good to see a midfielder trying to get into dangerous positions in and around the opposition penalty area, in support of the forwards. However, seems to have lost a little bit of sparkle and flair to his game and just maybe one of those with his passport and tickets ready by the front door?

SOARES:

A fairly recent recruit with a tough introduction in the centre of midfield away to Sheffield United, where he was totally ‘lost’ along with the other 10 players.

Has improved with more games and is starting to display some of his potential. Needs to get fitter, start getting involved with stronger challenges and start showing some leadership. Also needs to learn better defensive awareness when the team is out of possession.

BARCHAM:
One of those frustrating players who on his day can be a match winner; a real live wire and handful for any team to contain with his wing play. On other days he can drift out of a game and also often forget his other marking responsibilities when the team are out of possession. He should be scoring more goals but unfortunately he suffers from a ‘lack of composure’ when getting close to the goal resulting in scuffed shots or weak crosses, or just making wrong decisions in what pass he is making.

TAYLOR:

The most frustrating player of all. Skilful and majestic on his day but moody, arrogant, ill disciplined and a liability on other days. It’s all in his head and it’s up to him if he wants to progress or regress?

ELLIOTT:

A revelation this season and has undeniably been our most consistent (and best) player of the season. Can’t really fault him other than I wish the team wouldn’t always use him as the ‘default’ option to lump the ball up to because our distribution from the CB’s is so poor, or that are midfield are bereft of creativity to seek out other patterns of play.

BARNETT:

Yes…as the song goes….I definitely “don’t think I understand” ?…

A player that has had two great moments (Charlton and Curzon) but has done very little else. He makes Byron Harrison look like a real mean bugger in comparison, which is saying something when we all know that Byron played as if he was wearing a pink tutu!

Also I’ve never seen a player move for a ball as if he is towing a jumbo jet strapped to his waist? Another player who shouldn’t be plying his trade (whatever that is?) at this club. HAS TO GO.

POLEON:

A useful addition who added some much needed variation and bite to the attack. His positive and direct runs and dribbling in and around the box, in his early appearances, showed real intent on wanting to score. It was good as it added a different dimension to the attack and his shooting was generally very good as he managed to keep shots low (scoring a few too). However, the shine is starting to come off now as he realises that he is the 3rd choice striker and this can be very frustrating as Ardley continues to experiment with different formations.

FITZPATRICK:

Seems to have been in and around the fringes of the team for ages. Apart from a few flashes of great dribbling and crossing this player has been mainly very disappointing. No end product nearly most of the time. I can’t see him in the team next season.

BEERE:

Tidy player who unfortunately hasn’t made the progress expected of him. I’m not convinced he has anything more or different to offer the current crop of midfielders, and can’t see him featuring in the team next season.

EGAN:

Promising academy product in midfield offering something a little different (i.e. A player willing to run between the lines (opposition defence and midfield). However has looked lost at times in midfield with the game bypassing him. Will need more experience and too early to say he can cut it at this level.

The remainder of players (mostly academy products) with a handful of bit part appearances between them are: OLUSANYA, KALAMBAYI, McDONNELL, KAJA, GALLAGHER , SIBBICK and ANTWI. I’m sure most of this list will feature at some point next season (mostly in lesser cup competitions).

TEAM REQUIREMENTS – 2017/8

1.CREATIVE midfielder who is better than REEVES, stronger, extremely fit and works hard for the team and shows leadership qualities. I know it’s a lot to ask but this is imperative if we are to compete next season.
2.New imposing goalkeeper who can come and claim corners, crosses and free kicks.
3.Strong Centre Back, preferably someone who can distribute the ball well.
4.Strong fast left back who can play as a wing back.

RECOMMENDED TEAM IMPROVEMENTS

•Need to close down players quicker around top edge of penalty area as seen too many players able to get a shot off, a few easily beating Shea.
•CB distribution from defence. Charles weak in this discipline and could improve this significantly. ROBINSON also poor.
•Stop crosses coming in from wide positions as we have looked vulnerable at times when we haven’t.
•Move the ball quicker particularly when moving from wing to wing.
•Defending at corners. Hot spot required, meaning that somebody stands on the six yard box line (in the middle) by the near post.
•Distribution from defending corners for quick breakaways to get attacks going (particularly from the goalkeeper) as many opposition teams seem capable of doing this.
•Style of play: desperate need for more creative players particularly in the middle of midfield. But in order to be creative in midfield requires your fellow team mates (particularly the forwards) to be creating space by making the right type of runs.
•Midfield shape and responsibilities and leadership. I would like to see SOARES in a more defensive midfield anchor role, REEVES as the playmaker but be more disciplined and less giddy/excitable when playing forward, PARRETT to play between the lines more and offer himself more to the other midfielders and forwards, MEADES to be more attack minded going forward, and most of all a NEW CREATIVE midfielder as described above. I know it’s a lot to ask but this is imperative if we are to compete next season.

[liamwimbo]

Today is my last day in the UK. I should apologise for not posting more, but in my defence, there has not been much to talk about since that joyous, momentous night back in mid-March. Others have described how disappointing the season has finished, but as Windlesham has said, a mid-table finish with safety assured by Easter was probably a lot more than many of us expected.Since the win over Franchise, I’ve seen one win, two 0-0 draws and two home defeats, in both of which the Dons failed to score. Strangely enough the best performance was the away draw at Fleetwood, which could easily have been a win. Anyway we can now start looking forward to next season. If we can keep our better players and recruit a couple of good players, we should be able to retain our place in this league. And all the time, New Plough Lane is getting closer to reality.

[Colum]

Have a safe journey back Liam. BTW are you leaving because it’s your round 🙂

[Singapore Don]

Safe travels back to Oz Liam. It was great to watch the Rochdale game with you – at least we got to see some goals that night! I don’t think we’ve seen a Dons goal
at our JG Stand end in 2017 though ? As you and others have said, it’s no been a bad season – mid table security in League One in our first season is not to be sniffed at. It would be nice to end on a bit of a goal spree high – and hoping we can do that up in Bradford in Saturday. It will be a long day if we don’t! Good to see you Liam, and take care.

[Colum]

I won’t disagree with a lot of Windlesham’s coach friend says. Some of the criticism seems a bit harsh, but his comments have to be taken with his background as context.

What I will say is that I don’t expect a lot of personnel changes in the close season. Young fringe players like Tom Beere may be off. I’d like to say the same of Barnett and Whelpdale, but I suspect we may have to hang on to them unless NA has been putting 1% of the playing budget into buying lottery tickets and comes up with a big win.

So I’d expect next season to give us pretty much the same as this. It will be harder, so I’m not saying the “R” word won’t feature at some point. A lot may depend on the players we manage to keep in the weeks ahead. If Elliott, Reeves, Charles, or Taylor leave I’d be a lot more pessimistic. Then again if we signed Jermaine Defoe after Sunderland’s relegation….!

[Windlesham Don]

As we limp towards the finish line of our first season in League 1, all of the talk this week has surrounded the possible departure of Tom Elliott.

No news has been released by the club, of course, but reading between the lines I feel that his departure at the end of the season is likely.

If he leaves then I will wish him well, but I will also want to know how the club allowed a situation to develop whereby the season’s best player is likely to depart without a fee being received. It is standard practice to offer a player a new contract in January if his contract is due to expire in the summer. If the player refuses to sign then he should be put on the transfer list so the club can at least get some money for him in the January window.

I do not know Tom’s contract situation and I do not know what negotiations are going on in the background, but his current “hamstring injury” does not ring true to me and looks more like a ‘sign a contract or you won’t play again’ stand off.

With Tom likely to pick up the Player of the Season gong next Sunday, I just hope that the season doesn’t end on a sour note all round.

[Author]

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