So, here we are on the other side of the business end of the season and into the holiday period for the players which usually that means lots of changes with the squad and I will pull up my contract update from earlier in the season. I will also bring together all of my scores for the players (and officials) from the games I have seen (with three exceptions where I didn't bother!). I will also give a bit of a 'my opinion' on the season along with my take on the remaining squad. Lots to do and I am not sure exactly where to start.
The season concluded yesterday with a spanking of Walsall taking the aggregate score against them this season to 8-2 and a very generous penalty was one of them two. We played them off the park and looked very composed for the entire game. For their manager to say they were the better side meant some amusement from me. You lose 5-1 when you are the better team, WOW you better not play badly as you could get close to 15 goals conceded. Sadly rather than signing off the season with greatness I see that wonderful result as just another reminded of what might have been. This season will go down as a missed opportunity. There was so many chances to not just get into the play-offs but to go even further than that. Instead we finished 10th which is probably the highest finish in a division since we got promoted to League 1 back in 2016. Yes we have finished higher in the league but this must be one of the highest finishes in a division for ages. Was it a good season, well kind of yes however I dress it up I still cannot help but think we should have got so much more from this season. We took 5 points from a possible 12 from the two sides relegated. We could nothing against the 3rd bottom team either, yet we beat Scum and Mansfield Town and had no fear of the others in the play off places yet we went into the final two games with next to nothing to play for.
I give score grades to each player for each match I report on and I end the season by giving an average for each player. Normally there is a random set of list with players that I don't rate at the top and bang average players get great scores from me as I do rate players based on my feeling of their abilities. If I rate a player (if I think he is good) he will get harsh scores compared to a youth or poor player from me, which appears to be on a subconscious level but looking at the history I do seem to do it. Then feel bad when the season ends and I do the average. This year seems to be different as the list seems about right, just the odd score due low number of games more than regular starter. Here is the total list:-
This is the same but removing everyone that has played less than six games:-
Which to me looks about right there are a few there which I may have rated higher with hindsight but I judged each game as it came low for the games that disappointed me and higher when the whole team did well. That's the scores so I can also use this to update the list of players that have been retained and that have been let go.
Which means that we desperately need a goalkeeper and another goal-scorer or maybe two. We have no goalkeeper at all and are very light in the central defensive position and potentially the backs if Curry and Biler depart. Midfield looks to be the strongest of positions but still some additions are required. We finished the season with just one goal-scorer in Bugiel we cannot pin our hats on Josh Kelly coming good and scoring loads. It would be nice but we cannot get a guarantee on that so we need someone to come in and find or bring that magic. We are in a better position than the end of last season in terms of many more players being retained so a larger squad to build on rather than starting from scratch. Loans signings could be crucial and I will be very interested in the shape the squad takes ahead of the new season.
On the subject of a new season I think the we were awful in the first season with JJ in charge which meant he almost got a free pass this season as anything would be better than what was served up before. That said the decision to sign him up to a new two year deal in February (I think) was a premature to say the least. It ensured a mediocre end to the season and that is exactly what we got. I've heard people say its not a bad thing as we are not ready for League One. Well, if we go up I think the chances of retaining players are higher and the chance of signing better players is also greater. We will never know but I think the important thing for the management is that there is improvement again this coming season. If we go backwards from here will be a great concern and bring the manager back into question. I think that sentence highlights that he still hasn't won me over. Anyone that has one away win in the previous thirty-five games after January per season is a concern. I wish I knew or could do something about the second half of every season as we get to January and generally fall off a cliff. Lets wait and see shall we. This off season I will not be updating until we get close to starting again (Maybe after a friendly or two) but that's it I am giving the typing fingers a rest. Enjoy the break.
Games Review
GAME 28
Saturday 27th April 2024 - Kick-Off 3:00pm
League Two
5 (2) Wimbledon v Walsall (1) 1
Bugiel 9, 34, 52 mins Hutchinson (Pen) 25 mins
Curtis 55 mins
Faal (OG) 62 mins
Substitutes:
Officials:
Summary
Well, that was a case of too little too late, but it was impressive stuff from the rampant Dons over a team which still held faint hopes for a play-off place. Lee Brown has had a great second half of the season although mocked by me every week he has been one that has put in a proper shifts in for this team and today he made goals for others and highlighted whatg he brings to the table. He has not been alone this year as there are others in the squad that have also really put the effort in week-in and week-out. Two of which highlighted their qualities today Jack Curry was on fire today and the obvious other mention is Omar Bugiel the hattrick hero only the second at New Plough Lane for the home side in a league game.
For a side that needed to not just win but to win big the away side seemed to have caught our jitters of have to win so can't control themselves and shoot themselves in the foot rather than going after the game they were behind for all but 18 minutes of this game. If I am honest the home rarely looked in trouble in a dominant display.
Before the game we had a minutes applause before kick-off for the legend that is Joe Kinnear. Which turned into a chant of Joe Kinnear's yellow and blue army. It was also announced of a similar thing for a young Walsall fan on the 8 minute mark. On the 8 minute mark the whole stadium joined in which made our goal celebrations a little awkward to say the least. The goal stood and the referee decided to even things himself rather than see it as a legal goal and no more would need to be applied. After four fouls including two in or on the edge of the penalty area being waved away by the referee. Then in the 19th minute a clash of feet (at worst) when running out of the box Kobi was adjudged to have hauled down the eldow using Mo Faal. It was soft at best and blatantly pathetic but the referee blew his whistle and the home fans threw balls of cards and paper aeroplanes onto the pitch. It delayed the kick for a while but despite getting a hand to it Nik couldn't keep it out and the scores were level again.
9 Minutes later the dons were back in front again from another Bugiel header following another cross from Lee Brown. Cruising into the half time break the Dons didn't look threatened at all but knowing how we can throw games away you could potentially understand our shock as Nik remained untroubled and the Dons scored not one or two but three to end the season on a high of a 5-1 win. The other thing of note was the man felled for the penalty evened up his days contributions by heading into his own net. A great send off and a major highlight of what could have been for this side.
This leads me into what would have been a bit of a season summary which I will do but I will leave it for another day. My usual of who has contracts and not has already been beaten as we have heard that Harry Pell is departing and no doubt others will follow. There has been talk of new player targets as well. There are lots of rumours of Jack Curry also. Alright, alright I will stop now and come back to this later in the week.
GAME 27
Friday 29th March 2024 - Kick-Off 3:00pm
League Two
1(0) Wimbledon v Harrogate Town County (1)1
Curtis 58 Mins Daly 8 mins,
Substitutes:
Officials:
Summary
There is some history I discovered after the final whistle with this referee. He is clearly a northern fan and quite literally hates us. He is not subtle either that aside he didn't prevent us from picking up a point to a woeful Harrogate Town side.
The Dons started the game with an attempt to ease themselves into the game steadily unfortunately they waited too long to settle and the away side capitalised on the Wombles lacklustre entry into proceedings. A wayward pass (there were plenty to talk about today) and being completely honest a great run which looked offside to me but the official disagreed and kept his flag down allowing the away side break down the Dons right. A low cross and a weak shot was frustratingly flicked over a diving Alex Bass by Jack Currie as he tried to block the shot himself.
A goal down and a slap in the face to boot the Dons woke up and took the game to the away side. With countless referee decisions going against the home side. I was beginning to wonder how Levi Sutton and Josh March had stayed on the pitch. Little did I know that the referee was the blatant cheat that rob us of a two goal lead away at Mansfield Town last season.
Kofi Balmer was first sat on and then ridden around like a horse later but all that was given was a passing glance by the bias official. He was later booked for being naughty. Shirts were exchanged often but only Wimbledon were blown up for such digression's. Chances were created and missed, until half time and still losing that Dons needed a kick to start the second period.
It probably should have happened straight after half time when Ronan Curtis won a header yards from goal and failed to direct his header goalwards instead it was directed straight towards me, in the stands. The break through would come via Ronan as his delicate shot found the net and the crowd erupted in pleasure.
This just pissed the referee off and sent Ronan off just three minutes later when he did slide and took the ankle of the opponent but with no appeal from the away side (for the foul) and everyone just going about their business the referee (sorry I meant) Bell End showed a straight red to Curtis. His bias was clearly blatant across the two matches I have seen him. Having sent Gunter off in his previous game for an equally bizarre reason.
This did highlight how poor the away side truly is as the Dons still looked the better side and created the better chances following the referee losing his mask and cheating. The goal never came but I am sure they would find a way to chalk it off anyway. So a point and I agree that JJ had to be optimistic about this point getting us closer to play-offs with the hope that we don't get this Bell-End back in charge of our game again.
I will be away for the next three games so do not expect another update from me on here for a while but the plan is to be back before the end of the season to get a review or two in before the conclusion.
GAME 26
Saturday 16th March 2024 - Kick-Off 3:00pm
League Two
0 (0) Wimbledon v Newport County (1) 2
Morris 10 mins,
Jameson 55 Mins
Substitutes:
Officials:
Summary
The word frustration would best sum up this game from the journey there to the referee performance to the away side demonstrating the dark arts to perfection to an inept attacking threat but sorry I digress.
The game began just as I would have imagined two good sides standing toe to toe and a full blooded game began. Then in the tenth minute Newport County attacked for me was the first one and some fumbling and bumbling inside the penalty area saw Offrande Zanzala do well to keep possession and then lay it back outside the area to Bryn Morris who rifled a shot passed the busy penalty area and passed a desperate Bass and into the net. The silence grew and the shock was very apparent. Rather than rallying the dons took their time to composed themselves.
Growing into the game the Wombles started to create chances, and one of note was when Gordon broke free and was just entering the box when Kyle Jameson slid into his ankles and taking him out. I assume the referee thought the other players that had already been beaten were close enough to catch up and put a challenge in. Despite being in the box a freekick was awarded outside and the booked Jameson went on to score in the second half.
The referee also failed to book Scot Bennet hauled down another dons forward breaking up another attack. No yellow card. Yet two minutes late he does exactly the same again and gets a yellow where he should have had his marching orders. The time the keeper took to release the ball meant we are still waiting for him to kick the ball now and its 9:30pm in the evening. The referee queried this in the first half and then didn't give a shit in the second.
With the whistle going regularly with every Wimbledon attack whilst the same the other way was waved on. Penalty shouts went on death ears. Now the other half chance was taken putting the exiles two goals to the good it just added to the frustration. We just kept looking for inspiration for a goal to just throw some hope this way it wasn't going to happen.
Now that frustration has rubbed off on me as I believe that County did a job on us they went out to frustrate and the referee allowed it to happen. Which happens. Did they deserve the win, well yes based on the chances not taken and that included yet another fluffed line from new signing Josh Kelly who hit the crossbar so it was getting closer. You can see why he doesn't start and why Josh Davison is limited to an even smaller role after his big money signing a season or so ago.
We lost and deserved it, the referee was awful but he was the same for both sides they took advantage and we failed to. That's it. Hang on we are still in the play-off place? Yes but I don't know how but I guess I will take that small crumb of comfort.
GAME 25
Tuesday 12th March 2024 - Kick-Off 7:45m
League Two
2 (1) Wimbledon v Gillingham (0) 0
Bugiel 33 & 65 Mins
Substitutes:
Officials:
Summary
I have said many times this season but I may not have written anything on here but I was becoming concerned about the mentality of this side. In the big games I remember where you could hear the team talk being keep it tight at the back until x time on the clock and then if its still 0-0 then we can develop into this or look to do that. Every time I remember being in that type of game we have either conceded early and/or given (gifted in fact) goals to the opposition. Scum away, Ipswich Town at home, Peterborough away spring to mind. This felt like the first time a big game was on the table but the opposition looked liked those caught in the headlights. They were going in hard and on many occasion's man handling the home side. I remember our boys being thrown aside to get to the ball. The referee could have easily brandished many more yellows than he did and not just to the opposition.
The opening goal came from the head of Omar Bugiel which down the far end of the ground for me went in so slowly that we weren't even sure what had happened. The celebrations finally kicked in we actually realised we were actually winning. The away side seem to realise this quite quickly the anger and annoyance showed and was highlighted around the 36th minutes when Conor Masterson made a red card challenge that the referee decided to give just a yellow. To get away with his second card worthy challenge. Undeterred Conor decided that grabbing the back of John-Kkymani 's shirt was a good idea just feet away from the referee. The second booking was inevitable, and Gillingham were down to ten men with 52 minutes still to go. Unknown to us at the time but that pretty much sealed the game there and then.
The usual nerves kicked in as we have grown used to, and we waited for the silly error to happen and the defence would suddenly smack the panic button over and over. This simply did not happen, yes for ten men they did create chances and they did work hard but it never really looked like they would get the equaliser. Definitely not when Bugiel doubled the Don's lead in the 65th minute after a parried shot came back to him to slot home. The game run its course and the Dons overtook their opponents on the night to take their spot in the play-offs. There is eight games left and the play-offs do look possible again but there is still a long way to go to get there and some tricky twists and turns to follow and who knows what might happen so lets just enjoy the rest of it shall we?
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