Wimbledon Downunder Supporters' Association | Colum | Activity

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Wed, 04 Nov 2020 21:31:14 +1100

In the wider context of our club’s history, the score line of yesterday’s 2-2 draw against Doncaster doesn’t matter. But the fact that the game took place at all was massive. Back in January (just nine short months ago) I sat at the Dons Trust EGM and wondered if we’d even get another home game. Once again funding was the issue, yet somehow we…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Thu, 15 Oct 2020 14:53:52 +1100

Seeing the words “Club Statement” on the OS is enough to send most fans fearing the worst. To find out it was a player who’d been charged with a sexual offence two years ago was bad enough, but the fact that the club only found out about it two days ago raises many questions.

Paul Kamalbayi has been acquitted of the offence, but serious…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Mon, 12 Oct 2020 16:14:23 +1100

Will the real AFCW please stand up! Our away form seems capable to making us look like a good team, whilst our “home” form is as shakey as Mr Stevens himself. Not only do we seem capable (just) of holding onto a lead away from home, whilst we seem equally capable of shooting ourselves in both feet at home whilst blindfolded. Let’s hope this “home”…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Sun, 20 Sep 2020 16:50:22 +1000

The negativity directed towards the iFollow platform proved unfounded as I sat down to watch a Dons game on it for the first time. Registering was effortless (if a little user unfriendly) and the coverage was really fairly good. The on screen adverts for both clubs sponsors were a bit annoying, but you really couldn’t complain.

As for the game,…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Wed, 09 Sep 2020 16:30:42 +1000

It now looks like any WDSA members have extra time to save up for that first visit to Plough Lane. Earlier today it was announced that gatherings of more than six people will be banned throughout England as of Monday. In one fell swoop, any chance of anyone seeing a live football game anytime soon looks very likely. Bugger!

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Wed, 22 Jul 2020 21:10:31 +1000

…and in other transfer news, a certain Lyle Taylor has signed for newly relegated Millwall for a reported £80k a week and on a four year contract.

How can we compete with deals like that?

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Fri, 03 Jul 2020 19:51:12 +1000

So the pre season excitement goes up another notch with the release of details about next season’s season tickets. Some big decisions to be made soon, and do I want a debenture? We’ll have to await on details on those, but the fact we’re having to think about these questions shows how far this club has come.

Decision one is whether I sit or…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Thu, 21 May 2020 15:08:36 +1000

The latest missive from the EFL concludes with…

“The EFL Board has always acknowledged that a single solution to satisfy all Clubs would always be hard to find, but we are at the point now where strong, definitive action is needed for the good of the League and its members.”

That’s not a phrase I’d use!

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Sat, 02 May 2020 22:19:09 +1000

The only thing I want to see happen with this season, is for Liverpool NOT to be awarded the Premier League title 🙂

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 16:02:12 +1100

There are no handshakes allowed, but we still have an utterly pointless sponsors photo opportunity as the teams walk past each other. I loved Ramsdale’s cheeky grin and nod last weekend. What follows is 22 players getting up close and personal in a fashion that would give our government’s Chief Medical Office a heart attack.

Elsewhere my firm has…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 15:34:09 +1100

Peterborough was one of those games. They had LOADS of possession but failed to do much with it. Restricted to long range pot shots, their first real chance came after an hour had elapsed. By comparison we had a few gilt edged chances that their keeper did well to keep out.

It was good to see Mr Toney get his comeuppance. Having spent most of the…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Thu, 19 Dec 2019 19:18:08 +1100

Wishing all Wombles down under, up and over, or just in SW19 a peaceful and happy Christmas. Here’s to a fundraising effort to end all fundraising efforts in 2020.

…and hoping any Wombles in the Sydney area aren’t too badly affected by the 40 degree temperatures and bush fires. Climate change? What climate change?

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Wed, 18 Dec 2019 20:06:14 +1100

From the latest update on the Seedrs campaign…

“Everybody is committed to building the stadium as described during our crowdfunding campaign, with an initial 9,000 capacity, a showpiece fans’ zone and bar, plus vital income-generating facilities such as executive boxes, along with banqueting and conference suites. In fact, recent photographs o…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Sun, 15 Dec 2019 18:37:10 +1100

Maybe I should miss a few more games. I was going to go. My wife even dropped me by the bus stop on her way out. It was then that I realised I’d left my oyster card at home. I could easily have walked back and got it and still made it to KM in plenty of time, but I just thought “sod it” and went home. Such is the air of depression I feel around…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Thu, 12 Dec 2019 14:45:24 +1100

Something has been bothering me since Monday, but it is only now that I’ve had the time to think about what it is. The DTB has approached AT LEAST three investors. It would be churlish to think that the first three that were approached all said “Yes”. If that is the case, who else was approached, what reasoning was used to do so, and why did they say “No”?

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Thu, 12 Dec 2019 13:02:22 +1100

It was stated by the DTB on Monday that the three investors are well aware that they won’t see a return on their investment. Finding one multi-millionaire in Wimbledon willing to throw £2.5m down the drain seems implausible, but to find three?

I wouldn’t be surprised if any conversation with investors went along the lines of…

DTB: Help! We’re…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 13:09:13 +1100

There were three questions at the back of my mind as I attended last nights Dons Trust SGM:
• Just how had things escalated so quickly to the current situation?
• Why is there such a disconnect between the fans and the Dons Trust Board?
• What type of club do we want to be going forward?

The overwhelming feeling of those in the room last night…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Sun, 08 Dec 2019 17:58:10 +1100

On the face of it, a point away from home is a good result, especially when you look at our away form. But the manner by which we conceded both Bolton’s equalisers is a body blow that is tough to take. Thankfully there was no real damage done, as other teams failed to capitalise.

Now we can forget about on the field matters as Monday’s SGM puts…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Wed, 20 Nov 2019 17:54:53 +1100

Cod Womble you cracked me up. Ripping Yarns is (IMHO) among Mr. Palin’s finest work….

“Barnstoneworth United’s Yorkshire Premier League 1922 team…
Hagerty F., Hagerty R., Tomkins, Noble, Carrick, Dobson, Crapper, Dewhurst, MacIntyre, Treadmore, Davitt.”

Classic, unlike Barnstoneworth United’s team of 1935!

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Wed, 06 Nov 2019 16:49:06 +1100

Please don’t “beg” to differ Singapore 🙂

Having looked at the highlights I’m willing to accept I was being harsh on Kwesi. From where I stood it certainly looked like he hadn’t headed it cleanly, but I accept he did. It is just a shame his ability to gel with the fans is lacking.

His celebration was a rather OTT though, and just the sort of…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Sun, 03 Nov 2019 11:50:12 +1100

When Appiah came on the pitch, there was a heavy sigh from all around me. It was an admission of defeat. Within two minutes he’d given away a petulant foul in the opposition’s penalty area, largely because he was too slow to catch the opponent. 15 minutes later with him having even touched the ball, he pops up and scores the equaliser. I don’t…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Sun, 20 Oct 2019 16:02:27 +1100

It may not be three strikes, but for me also it is time to call “out” for Wally. First there was the tweets, now there’s the bets. This shows an error of judgement at best, and feeds into those who feel he doesn’t have the character required of a fans owned club.

It’s an impossible decision for the club’s board to make, as it will divide opinion…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Sat, 19 Oct 2019 21:28:37 +1100

A smash and grab result? No, but we rode our luck, especially in the first half. Pompey are a good side in a false position, and will be in or near the playoffs come May. Their game plan was to pressure us in our own half, overload our wing backs and move faster than a bumblebee on speed. They did it well, but not well enough.

The second half was…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Mon, 07 Oct 2019 22:05:22 +1100

I’m somewhat late to the post match analysis, but can’t disagree with what others have said. In the first half Rochdale was as shocking as their pink away strip. Both our wing backs (including Wagstaff on the right) ran them ragged. Pigott gave their right back a torrid time and we somehow ended up three goals to the good. Were we dreaming?

We…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Sun, 29 Sep 2019 13:14:29 +1000

Seeing us go 2-0 down wasn’t a surprise, but seeing us get back in the game, not once but twice, was. The key was the more experienced heads of Pinnock and Wordsworth. Both came on, and both scored goals. Their willingness to have a go and actually shoot from outside the box is what made the difference. It was just a shame that the same old…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Sun, 22 Sep 2019 09:28:42 +1000

Hello League Two! After yesterday’s display there can be few Dons fans foolish enough to think we can perform the great escape again. It was a horror show. Yes the ref was an officious twat, but we gave him the opportunity to be one.

Here’s what I gleaned from yesterday’s display:

Hartigan is out of his league, quite literally. Yesterday he was…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Sun, 15 Sep 2019 23:06:24 +1000

Those first half stats tell the story perfectly of Saturday’s game. We could have gone in 2 or 3 up, but spurned the chances. Forss looked lively but him and Pigott didn’t really seem to gel together. when we did lump the ball forward it was Pigott who always seemed to be underneath it, and we know that the result of that is.

Shrewsbury came out…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Tue, 03 Sep 2019 11:33:29 +1000

Three loanees in and the big question for me is where did the money come from? Connolly couldn’t have been on such big money to fund all three. Either someone has found a silver shilling down the back of the sofa, or Wally wasn’t telling the whole truth about spending every last penny.

Another question is how we’ll change our tactics. Will we…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Mon, 02 Sep 2019 16:36:17 +1000

Just a footnote on getting a drink at the bar…

I’ve stopped going to KM before the game because of the problems getting served. It’s ludicrous why both bars don’t have a queuing system, and why the staff aren’t more efficient.

Instead I’ve started going to the Bricklayers Arms down the road, where I’m always offered a warm welcome, get served…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Fri, 30 Aug 2019 11:14:59 +1000

I can’t get much enthusiasm for the Wycombe game. I can’t go because of a family event, and even though deep deep I’d prefer to be a Kingsmeadow, I can’t forsee anything other than another loss. Even with Will back. I so hope I’m wrong. The omens may be in our favour though. Last season our best home wins came when I wasn’t able to make it.

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Sun, 18 Aug 2019 17:17:25 +1000

I can’t argue a lot with what others have said, except that Foliva should have fot MOTM. His tireless running and harassing caused Accy untold problems. It even called from some pretty industrial defending from their No.5. How Folivi didn’t win a single free kick in 90 minutes is astounding.

Elsewhere the positives were that we took the lead, had…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Wed, 14 Aug 2019 16:52:57 +1000

I couldn’t be arsed to travel after work to Kingsmeadow for a largely meaningless game. I did occasionally dip into twitter feeds to see what was happening, and stopped once the general emotion was one of “I wish I’d stayed at home.”

We’ve yet to get past round one of this mickey mouse cup since we rejoined the league. I can understand why Wally…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Sun, 11 Aug 2019 11:27:20 +1000

Two matches in and what have we learnt that we didn’t already know? Nothing. Nada. Bugger all. If there was any early season optimism, it must surely have dissipated by now. This will be another long and hard season.

I’m trying hard not to be too negative about those who’ve played in the games so far, but the threadbare nature of our squad is…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Mon, 05 Aug 2019 03:53:03 +1000

I can’t disagree with Singapore’s excellent match report. It puzzles me how a team can be so bad one half, and the complete opposite in the second. This match perfectly highlighted what we already know. Namely:

– It will be a long, hard season near/at the bottom of the table.
– We’re not nearly big or strong enough.
– We can battle hard and…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Sat, 03 Aug 2019 05:42:47 +1000

Yes I agree Rob. Scoring goals is still a problem. Take a look at the last three seasons:

Season GF GA GD P
2018/19 42 63 -21 50
2017/18 47 58 -11 53
2016/17 52 56 -4 57

It is clear from this that the more goals you score, the more points you’re likely to get. Hardly rocket science,…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Wed, 10 Jul 2019 12:45:08 +1000

Having watched two of the friendlies to date (Brentford and Bristolll City) here’s my observations to date.

Guinness-Walker has caught the eye. What I particularly like is his first thought is to get forward, but he’s also eager to get back and defend. He could be a good find.

Adam Roscrow by contrast hasn’t done a lot. To be fair against Brent…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Sun, 16 Jun 2019 15:45:21 +1000

So yet another big earner moves on with the departure of James Hanson. The only real surprise there was that this didn’t happen at the same time as the others. Perhaps Wally felt that a fully fit Hanson still had something to offer, and didn’t want to let him go without a suitable replacement. So does that mean we can expect a new signing sometime…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Sat, 25 May 2019 21:27:08 +1000

A positive start to the close season with Will Nightingale signing a new contract and the arrival of Nesta Guinness-Walker. This would never had happened so quickly under Neal Ardley would it?

Keeping Will is a statement of commitment. He’s in the prime of his career how and has showed us he can make it at this level after a couple of injury…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Thu, 09 May 2019 20:14:45 +1000

Devon it has been reported in the papers about Hodges and Gillingham:

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/gillingham-sound-out-afc-wimbledon-assistant-boss-glyn-hodges-in-new-manager-search-a4129396.html

I can’t really see it happening personally.

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Thu, 09 May 2019 20:07:54 +1000

Judging by the number of Seddon related “love fest” posts on the OS, I’d say he is looking for a contract next season. Cynical? Moi?

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Tue, 07 May 2019 09:16:12 +1000

Never in doubt? Even the born optimist would have looked at the team 10 points adrift in February and with an inferior goal difference to all around them and thought, they’re a gonna.

You have to admire the squad and management team for getting us out of this mess. To survive on goal difference when our own goal difference is so bad, speaks…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Tue, 02 Apr 2019 11:47:17 +1100

Only a win against Accy will make me think the great escape is on. Lose that game, and we’re right back in the steamy smelly stuff. If results go our way, and only the Walsall v Oxford game looks dodgy, we could be out of the bottom four. A win on Saturday and five points from the Wycombe, Oxford, and Bristol games, and we’re on the mystical 50…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Wed, 27 Mar 2019 10:32:55 +1100

When we went 1-0 up on Saturday, it seemed to me out game plan changed. We sat back and let them come to us. If that was the intended tactic, it failed miserably.

Ramsdale’s mistake was the game changer, something he immediately acknowledged. He held his hand up to the players and importantly to the fans. Respect! Even after the Giils equaliser,…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Sun, 24 Feb 2019 22:06:15 +1100

Well Windlesham. We did outplay Charlton for 45 minutes, but to win a game of football you need to do that for the full 90. Unfortunately we didn’t do that.

The warning signs were there in the first half. We were especially prone to issues when Charlton spread the ball wide. I lost count of the number of times our full backs (and especially poor…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Wed, 20 Feb 2019 18:44:29 +1100

Well. Where did that win come from? A win is a win, but now that the initial euphoria has subsided, I can’t help feeling that it just delays the inevitable. We conceded three goals, two of which were virtually immediately after scoring ourselves, and one straight from the KO. Such defending shows defensive and mental frailty. OK we scored one more…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Sat, 16 Feb 2019 22:37:06 +1100

Talking to some Millwall fans after the game, they think we were the better team. Personally I’m fed up with hearing that this season. We’re defensively OKish. In midfield we’re OKish on our day, but it depends who plasy there. Up front we’re severely lacking at best.

Yes it could have been different if Piggott had scored in the first minute…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Tue, 12 Feb 2019 12:26:56 +1100

Singapore. I think any fellow Adelaide wombles may need a few beers to dull the pain of any “tales from KM” this season. Enjoy yourselves.

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Mon, 11 Feb 2019 12:48:26 +1100

Only 4003 there on Saturday including 220 odd from Burton. And there were plenty around me saying this could be the last time they come this season. Whether you say they are fair weather fans or not, attendances aren’t looking too good.

The worst thing of all is that you can’t blame them. Going down with some fight is OK, but on Saturday there…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Sun, 27 Jan 2019 16:58:57 +1100

Wow! Wow! Wow! With cup football, there’s always the chance the minnows can sneak a win, but if anyone predicted us doing it in such style, they’re lying through their yellow and blue teeth.

Walking to the ground 45 minutes before KO, you could hear that Kingsmeadow was already rocking from several hundred yards away. Credit to the fans who…[Read more]

Colum replied to the topic The Lounge in the forum WDSA Forum

Sun, 20 Jan 2019 23:02:09 +1100

Here’s my best moment of Saturday’s game. Ramsey’s knee slide to the edge of the area when we equalised. He really does seem a quality keeper, and I love it when players show some emotion.

My worst moment has to be THAT miss by Jervis. We could easily have gone in at HT 3-1 up. Sure Ramsey was by far the busiest keeper in the first half, but…[Read more]