The season is nearly upon us and last season I split my thoughts and match reports into separate posts on this blog last year. This year I thought, sod it and I cannot be arsed to do all that so I will try and update this after each match but rather than a straight-up match report I would give you my views and not the same but different info from the official website. This will be the streamlined version, unless I have to moan which may go on for sometime!! Lets see how it goes....
Episode 18 - Saturday 2nd February 2025
Slugfest are go...
We returned to new Plough lane for what feels like an age to face a very in form and upwardly mobile Bradford City side looking to do a number on us at home. Bradford have always brought a physical dominant side whenever we played them whether home or away from my personal memory. This was never going to be any different and with both sides at the right end of the table this was going to be a cagey close encounter. Looking at more of a chess match than a slug fest. We settled into our cold seats and prepared for an epic encounter.
I am not going to call this a damp squib as this was an engaging and close thought battle between two sides that will clearly (well hopefully) remain at the top of the table and duke out a tussle for the automatic promotion and play-off places. Well, I think that is what we got, after what was a dominant start for the away side the home side roared back into control and took the lead as early as the thirteenth minute. A ghosted run by Tilley to the far post where he found an acre of space to place his header into the back of the visitor’s net. The away side roared back and carved out some clear-cut chances and should have equalised through at least one of the two or three clear cut chances they made. They did not and through more luck than judgement in some incidents the Dons held their lead into the second half.
The second half took a change in that the clear-cut chances came at both ends and the look of the heavyweight slugfest was upon us. The Dons had much more of the second half and had a stonewall penalty from my point of view turned down. The next goal was crucial for deciding where the points would be going home with and the home side dominating possession and pushing forward with the away side breaking and creating some great chances to level things up. How the score remained one-nil I don’t know but it did, and the dons took a hard fought three points for a very tough and accomplished opponent.
The season is trundling along at pace there are, but a few days left of the transfer window and so far, no one has left the core squad that hadn’t just joined. In fact, we have more in the squad now than before the beginning of window so we can live in hope that none of the core of the playing personnel departs in the next day or two. Let’s hope shall will!!
Here’s the scores for today:
v Bradford City
1- Owen Goodman (8),
6- Ryan Johnson (8),
33- Isaac Ogundere (8),
31- Joe Lewis (9),
4- Jake Reeves (8),
11- Josh Neufville (8),
7- James Tilley (8),
12- Alistair Smith (8),
9- Omar Bugiel (8),
10- Josh Kelly (9), [Sub 85min: 29- Aron Sasu (7),]
14- Matty Stevens (7), [Sub 72 min: 18- Marcus Browne (8),]
#- Official (7).
Episode 17 - Sunday 19th January 2025
Its already 19 days into a new year...
Now this is game, brought me back to the good old days. It was blooming freezing, the fog chilled the air, you could see the players breath, you could see the steam rising from them as well, it was a chilly, CHILLY game. When you're playing a team that finished the game third from bottom and you are fourth in the table there is this air of confidence with fans that this will be a walk in the park and the result is a forgone conclusion. However, Womble fans (well those that I hang out with) don’t have that confidence and will take each game as it comes.
Tranmere Rovers defied their league place and performed really well. As a shot almost from the kick off from an interested Joe Piggott saw a goal (almost) within the first minute followed by nineteen minutes of Rovers pressure. Although a single header parried away by Owen Goodman was the closest, they got before the Dons nearly took the lead in the twentieth minute. A bitty and non-flowing half eventually concluded, and the game was goalless.
The second half started with an absolute screamer from Josh Newfield. To be fair the goal was the least he deserved as he was perfect for most of this game. Cutting the ball back inside taking it into the penalty area looking up seeing a space and cracking the ball into the top left corner. Keeper had no chance, absolute screamer. Rather than galvanising the away side this kind of put them out of their stride and they got annoyed and frustrating. Giving away a penalty and then getting a man sent off late on meaning the home side cruised to the three points. On to stadium M.T. next week where I won’t be going to so there may be a break in updates here. Here’s are the scores for the players:
v Tranmere Rovers
1- Owen Goodman (8),
6- Ryan Johnson (8),
33- Isaac Ogundere (8), [Sub 82min: 31- Joe Lewis (8),]
41- Sam Hutchinson (8),
4- Jake Reeves (8),
11- Josh Neufville (9),
7- James Tilley (8),
12- Alistair Smith (8),
39- Joe Piggott (8), [Sub 63 min: 18- Marcus Browne (7),]
10- Josh Kelly (8), [Sub 82min: 29- Aron Sasu (7),]
14- Matty Stevens (8),
#- Official (8).
Episode 16 - Tuesday 31st December 2024
Master of dark arts...
Here I am again on a cold winter's day, sat in me shed in me slippers trying to put my thoughts into words from last night's game. Firstly, I need to cover some history in terms of recent games where referees seemed to be out to get us, decisions have gone against us the whole time, and particularly the big decisions at important moments of games. Resulting in at least six points being removed from us and sent elsewhere in the league. To the point where I was starting to think it was an EFL plan to gang up against us or something seriously untoward. The second part of this the the fact that (I will let you read back over my blog posts to confirm 'cause I'm not going to) I have bemoaned about our lack of ability of the dark arts for a long, long time. Now I will begin talking about last night's game.
I will begin by being blatantly honest and say how lucky we were to get that win last night. Now, that goes down to a couple of things. Firstly, I don't think the referee was particularly good, but I will happily accept it when it goes in our favour because in recent weeks it never has. Secondly, we did a real number on Gillingham since they have a reputation of bully boys in this league, we were masters of the dark arts. This second point makes me a bit ambivalent about the result. Matty Stevens scores of his forearm in the only goal of the game. John-Joe O’Toole WWE throws a few of their players around and I assume had completely lost his cool and was substituted off at half-time. Thirdly the number of off the ball incidents that are appearing on social media are growing and it shows us in a negative light. We got the three points but are the League 2 fans going to turn against us. Well, lets be honest whichever league we are in the rest will hate us until we are out of it. Then the fondest will grow a little bit more.
I feel a little bit of a hypocrite as we travelled to the game, I said the three points are the most important thing about tonight – full stop- then we get the three points, and I am a bit concerned about did we do it in the right way. Then I realise that I do not have the right to criticise now after asking the footballing gods to do something they do it and then I nitpick about how the result came about. So right now I'm not going to gloss over anything negative, I'm not going to hide from it either, no I don't think the goal should have stood, they should have had a penalty arguably. However, we've had plenty turned down recently, and blatant ones at that and we are told that the rub of the green will come back around again so this was just our time to get the fortune of the poor officials and last night we got that and I’m not hiding that fact, we got lucky. The teams in League 2 know Gillingham are the bully boys and I think we started that way and continued throughout the game making less of a game but a complete war of attrition and literally fight. Was it a good advert for EFL League 2 for the TV audiences. Hell NO! It was good for us as we got three points, and we moved up to second in the table and that was all I cared about during that game. We end the year and will start new year in 2nd place admittedly many points behind Walsall but we are currently 2nd and there's about a single point between us and not even being in the playoffs at all, so this league is so tight and as last night showed its tough as well but we knew that before a ball was kicked this season.
Moving on we look to January which is literally hours away and a window opens for transfer's which makes me nervous. Only because it will highlight what the senior board want for this club. If they want financial security, then once again for a January window they sell our best players that have managed to get us this high in the table. If they want league one football they will try and retain the players that have us in this good a position and potentially add to them. I am not saying we have the funds to add lots to the squad, but we have the funds to sign two players on really short deals could that turn into one player for the rest of the season on a six-month deal.
We were talking about the squad last night and who would we change. One point before I go on and say we have such an injury list that many players will be coming back soon including Jake Reeves who played last night which was great to see. Joe Lewis will hopefully be back soon along with Hippolyte so January might feel like we have signed a load of players just by getting players back from the physio bench and back in the squad. It will be like restart the season by the end of January slash early February. So sadly, the only player that for me is not carrying his weight (in terms of wages) is sleepy Joe. It really hurts for me to say that, as he is a Wimbledon legend and has done so much for this club but he's not doing it now he cost us goals and as a result games. At the other end of the pitch, he is not adding goals to our game which is his job. If I am completely honest it makes me nervous when he comes off the bench. We believe he is on a full season loan so cannot send him back in January to bring someone else in, but he is the only one. We've got plenty of youngsters out on-loan and I can't see us bringing them back because they're getting valuable game experience where they wouldn't if they come back to us as they would sit on the bench and wait for injuries to occur. That sums up the end of year feeling, lets take a breath and see what January brings here are the scores for last night.
v Gillingham
1- Owen Goodman (9),
6- Ryan Johnson (6),
5- John-Joe O'Toole (6), [Sub 45min: 33- Isaac Ogundere (8),]
26- Riley Harbottle (7), [Sub 79 min: 41- Sam Hutchinson (8),]
11- Josh Neufville (7),
4- Jake Reeves (7),
7- James Tilley (8),
12- Alistair Smith (7),
19- Romaine Sawyer (8), [Sub 72min: 29- Aron Sasu (7),]
10- Josh Kelly (8), [Sub 89 min: 3- James Furlong (7),]
14- Matty Stevens (8),
#- Official (6).
Episode 15 - Saturday 26th December 2024
Three in one for Christmas...
Hey, Myers why are you doing a three for one? Well I didn't bother writing up the Doncaster Rovers game report as I just couldn't be arsed. Then, because I didn't do it I'd pissed off the footballing gods which then meant that we had to lose away to Chesterfield even though we played very well and should have at least drawn the game. So in an attempt to appease the gods here is the review of the Donnie game.
As we were up against a side above us in the table and so far, this season from memory we have faltered and not through playing bad but just not being clinical enough and not getting the rub of the green and not the share of good luck. On this occasion we got the luck they had at least three one on ones and tried delicate little flicks that missed the goal or hit the keeper. We broke down there passing around at the back, where Omar won possession flicked it onto Matty Stevens to head the ball home. Then we were more than comfortable riding out the rest of the game, it was a comprehensive performance. It was a real confidence booster for me as a fan to see that performance because every time we’ve come up against a really good side, they've done a number on us. Walsall were probably the best comprehensively, but others the likes of Grimsby Town nicked a goal and then go into the delay the game and other sportsmanship, all the way through until they had got the three points and ran away. Donnie didn't do that however we had the advantages of the goal lead, and it was a really positive performance by all. I didn’t really have to the time to time to write anything up and by the time I was free before Christmas the Chesterfield game had rolled around and I just let it go, and I'll get to that next paragraph.
The Chesterfield result is all down to me and footballing superstitions all being failed by my poor planning and no matter what the side did it was all down to me. My fault and I am very sorry. As I didn't watch the game I won't be scoring that game so the scores below are for the Doncaster Rovers game where the referee was awful for simply not being consistence with himself. First rule of the game is kit and the playing kits cannot clash with each other the goal keepers and the referee. FAIL. Timewasting seems to be something that only we get judged on. They were so slow in everything before we scored and then we were being ticked off for doing things slowly yet we were still faster than they were in the first half. Consistently inconsistent, so frustrating OK I'll stop moaning about the referee (even when we won) to give you the scores and then move onto today's game on Boxing Day. Here's the scores -
v Doncaster Rovers
1- Owen Goodman (8),
6- Ryan Johnson (8),
5- John-Joe O'Toolel (8),
33- Isaac Ogundere (7),
11- Josh Neufville (8),
41- Sam Hutchinson (8), [Sub 61min: 26- Riley Harbottle (8),]
7- James Tilley (8),
12- Alistair Smith (8),
10- Josh Kelly (9),
14- Matty Stevens (9),
9- Omar Bugiel (7), [Sub 84min: 3- James Furlong (7),]
#- Official (4).
Now eventually we get to todays game up against a Swindon Town side managed by the charismatic Ian Holloway. Last season our season came to a crashing end when ripe for the picking we were humbled away at Swindon Town which ended all hope of the play-offs. So to today...
How angry I should be feeling right now is not actually the case as I am too fucking cold in this shed to be angry. Lets get a brew on see if that warms me up, so as the kettle is boiling let me tell you that it feels like I have spent a lot of time this season moaning about the quality of the officials and today was no exception. She [yes there should be an 's' there] was so weak and easily talked out of a decision was obvious from the first half where if you got kicked up in the air nothing. Slight kick scream and shout and the whistle followed. Don't get me wrong she is not the reason why we played shit in the first half but she is the reason that after turning the game around and scoring a winning goal in the 90th minute that she gave as a goal, only to be talked into changing her mind based on the argument of the Swindon Town defenders is. The officials in this league have it in for us. You get a tough ref they are anti-us you get a weak one when you playing bully boys who use that against us. Way too many times have they fucked us over this season and its starting to feel personal when it happens week after week.
Even the gaffer in the post match interview has said that is the fifth perfectly good goal chalked off for no good reason. Imaging the points and place we would be in if we had decent officials in all in the game. Here are the disappointing scores for today and if you think she is getting a better score than the Donnie rovers twat then you are sadly mistaken.
v Swindon Town
1- Owen Goodman (8),
6- Ryan Johnson (8),
5- John-Joe O'Toolel (8),
26- Riley Harbottle (8)
11- Josh Neufville (8),
41- Sam Hutchinson (8), [Sub 72min: 19- Romaine Sawyers (7),]
7- James Tilley (9),
12- Alistair Smith (7),
10- Josh Kelly (7), [Sub 72min: 29- Aron Sasu (7),]
14- Matty Stevens (7),
9- Omar Bugiel (7), [Sub 39min: 39- Joe Piggott (6),]
#- Official (3).
I hear that this was her first league game and it showed it also highlighted to me seeing as we got a debut referee last season as well. That we are seen as an easy target for weak or poor referee's as we seem to have some real shockers here. They have an easy ride with us and all we do is whine and moan but they aren't lynched like in some grounds around the league. We were very poor today but that is down to the opposition not allowing us to play that is not our fault but when you are on an off day and still manage to get a result then that proves you are a good side. When that is stolen by an incompetent official for this level then it just grinds my gears. We take a point and move on.
Episode 14 - Sunday 8th December 2024
When the wild winds blow
I'm not sure if I should be concerned as the last time, I travelled away there was a storm warning that time was storm Bert. On this occasion its Darragh who is battering Wales as I write. For me right at this second, it's blowing a gale and sounds very wet out there. I still have another 2-hour drive ahead of me and it’s still dark or there. Since my last update, the Dons were an injury time penalty away from being a point outside the promotion places. We are now a further two points back and heading to a tricky fixture away at Harrogate Town. Enter paragraph two...
The wind has blown, and the rain is now a constant, but its half time and the Dons lead 2-0. After a fast start for the home side that only lasted a few minutes before the huffing and puffing began. Things seemed even until a shock scorer as Josh Kelly notched one in the league. The away fans cheered on the storm. Better was to follow as John-Joe O'Toole headed home a corner. There was a nasty tale by their twelve and he should have been off after a dive in the box. I assume that was what kicked off in the tunnel as the first half concluded. As I write the second half hasn't begun. Here we go...
Second half began with the wind and the rain at the back of the Dons, and they spin aged to their tally with josh Kelly setting up Matty Stevens for a neat finish. The Dons didn't take their foot off the peddle as they scored a fourth which was ruled out by the referee and no, I have no idea why.
More and more chances were created and missed whilst defensively they were very tidy. The home side created a few chances with probably only one (I remember) that was genuinely dangerous. It was dealt with, and any other threat was quickly snubbed out.
This was honestly one of the most one-sided games I've seen in a long time. Composed at the back and in attack whilst the hurricane swirled around and the away side simple coped better. The second half saw the home keeper kick the ball in to touch so many times before he twigged and played it short. This was due to the wind stopping the ball in mid-air around the halfway line and take the ball off the pitch to the left. EVERY TIME! This was never an issue for Owen Goodman who gave the same wind in the first half.
This was to quote some school kids a bang tidy performance all round. Expect a very high average for the scores to come. For me I'm off to a Premier Inn for the night before the long drive home tomorrow. Hopefully the wind will have subsided by then.
With an EFL trophy game followed by two tough league games against Doncaster Rovers at home and Chesterfield away to follow. This gave the team the chance to give young Harry Sidwell a run out. And I also got all the way through this without mentioning that their number 12 should have been sent off before half time. Dammit!! Here's the player ratings:
v Harrogate Town
1- Owen Goodman (7),
6- Ryan Johnson (8),
5- John-Joe O'Toolel (9),
33- Isaac Ogundere (8),
11- Josh Neufville (8),
26- Riley Harbottle (8), [Sub 91min: 24- Harry Sidwell (8),]
7- James Tilley (8),
12- Alistair Smith (8),
10- Josh Kelly (9),
14- Matty Stevens (8),
9- Omar Bugiel (8), [Sub 77min: 39- Joe Pigott (7),]
#- Official (6).
Episode 13 - Sunday 1st December 2024
Unlucky for some
OK I honestly couldn't be arsed to write this after the game last night. To say the lacklustre home performances continued again would be an understatement. This was slightly different as chances were created and not taken but honestly there was not that many. If you consider there was over thirty places between the two sides we should have created much, much more. The problem for me was all too clear to see and the frustration of the game was just that. Now I will get to that but first I will mention the three talking points first.
Why does the media crawl all over our goal potentially being offside but no director bothered to mention the two handballs to block certain goals. Sending off, penalty and a very different game. No one is talking about this.
Secondly since I've been watching football for cough years I think I've seen a referee going off injured and needing to be replaced twice ever. This season we have had two already. This one lasted 10 minutes before needing the magic spray. Three minutes later he was gone and a new was needed which always got a good laugh.
The non-league team beat a League 2 side and they were good for it. The players (Wimbledon players that is) coming out with comments like 'it just wasn't our night!' really grates on me and I don't blame the player that I heard that from. The daggers players defended like lives depended on it and they fully deserved a result in the game and that should have been a draw and injury time but they took their chances and we didn't. Fair play and go enjoy the wonderful draw you will get in the third round no doubt.
OK here is where I am on this shambles - I blame the manager and a few other players. It was a frustrating night from the Wombles and that comes from not doing what I know they can do. The conversation before the game was having the right mental strength to do the right thing and prepare and focus properly. They did not do this. When they attacked with pass, moving the ball around not just on the break we looked dangerous. we spent most of the game pondering how to break down the defence. They went backwards and around and around looking for the perfect pass. Then hoofed it over the top playing right into their hands. We were tentative and thoughtful, should I go as far as saying pensive. They were not the flowing offensive home side from the start of the season. They were slow and happy to go backwards way too much.
Then there was the keeper that you could argue cost us two goals. Letting a goal in which should have been saved. You could shrug and say oh well shit happens but after mocking the previous away keeper for punching when they could have easily have caught the ball. Then this week with the game on the line our keeper uses two hands to punch the ball into a group of players. What was he thinking let alone what was he doing. This may have cost us some investment into the playing squad come January so extremely costly decision that one. In a game where he really didn't have much to do he saved one and conceded two cheap goals. Was very disappointing. OK I shall just give you the scores:
v Dagenham & Redbridge
1- Owen Goodman (3),
26- Riley Harbottle (6), [Sub 87min: 10- Josh Kelly (5),]
6- Ryan Johnson (6),
16- James Ball (7), [Sub 78min: 39- Joe Pigott (5),]
33- Isaac Ogundere (6),
11- Josh Neufville (6),
3- James Furlong (5), [Sub 76min: 3- Huseyin Biler (6),]
7- James Tilley (6),
21- Myles Hippolyte (6),
12- Alistair Smith (6),
14- Matty Stevens (7),
9- Omar Bugiel (5),
#- Official (8).
Episode 12 - Saturday 23rd November 2024
Polished Polish
Winter has well and truly kicked in as Storm Bert kicked in. The second big storm of the season and some fixtures were called off whilst this wet and slippery game went ahead. The away side came into the game second and on a great run of form which meant this was never going to be easy but being at home the hope and expectation was there from the home faithful.
The game started and for the first five minutes it was all Walsall. Wave after wave of attack with the home side was on the back foot and defending. Slowly growing into the match the Wombles took a grip of the game but did not really look like taking the lead. A very uneventful first half came to a close and the second started the same way with the dons creating the pressure. For the first five minutes then the away side to the initiative but the big difference here was they took the lead. The Dons came back at them like every time they'se been behind at home but this ten minute spell of corners, shots and a crossbar rattled ultimately came to nothing. As the game wore on the away side were professional enough to time waste and sportsmanship saw them to victory with relative comfort.
Strangely I was not frothing at the mouth and shouting and screaming like usual it was frustrating and annoying but as their goal went in I said that is the only goal going to be scored in this game and it was right (I wished it wasn't).
They were probably the best side we have seen at Plough Lane this season in the league and they were professional in their approach and probably deserved a point from the game but were selfish enough to claim all three. Its not all doom and gloom but just fucking frustrating again!! Here's the scores:
v Walsall
1- Owen Goodman (7),
26- Riley Harbottle (7), [Sub 68min: 33- Isaac Ogundere (7),]
6- Ryan Johnson (7),
31- Joe Lewis (7),
11- Josh Neufville (7),
7- James Tilley (7),
21- Myles Hippolyte (8),
8- Callum Maycock (6), [Sub 68min: 39- Joe Pigott (6),]
12- Alistair Smith (6),
14- Matty Stevens (6), [Sub 77min: 10- Josh Kelly (6),]
9- Omar Bugiel (6),
#- Official (8).
Episode 11 - Wednesday 20th November 2024
Cold!!
On a very cold night in South West London the mighty Wombles faced Accrington Stanley who had recovered from a poor start to the season and was on a rich run of form coming into fortress Plough Lane. Full of expectation and hope of a home win to try and gain back some of the lost ground after the fixture was originally postponed when the river flooded the stadium.
The game began and after a first half devoid of anything to get us excited about and many of the home faithful were seriously contemplating their choices in life. I for one was very cold and thinking of walking back to the car there and then. A mere thirty minutes later and I wished I had walked when I had the chance. Two nil down and fifteen minutes to go and the crowd turned against the referee to join me as I lost my shit with the twat in green at the 38th minute point. When Matty Stevens was fouled and landed on an opposition player when and gets booked for it. I mean the ref was consistently poor throughout. We (the home fans) took a sharp intake of breathe when a challenge went in on a Stanley player and we were hoping for our defender to escape a red or yellow. The ref didn't even give a foul. These confusing decisions flowed throughout the game with no cards for blatant timewasting yet bam yellow, bam yellow, any dissent or challenges got cards for the home team.
Pissed off and rather strangely not as angry as many around me. I think I was just cold as I accepted defeat and ready for a pissed off week ahead. The Stanley keeper punched a very catchable ball and then was completely out of position to stop a bouncy, farty shot from Alistair Smith hit the back of the net. There was a chance after all. Meanwhile the Accrington centre back was dead on the ground clearly killing time as the clock ticked around to 90 minutes and a further three minutes pass. It was valuable as we used the extra minutes to see James Tilley rocket a shot passed the poor Stanley keeper for a glorious equaliser right at the death. More high jinx happened after the final whistle when the self same centre back got sent off for being a dick. (That is a technical term!) 2-2 a generally awful performance with a positive result after being two down. Oh Stuff it here's the scores.:
v Accrington Stanley
1- Owen Goodman (6),
26- Riley Harbottle (6),
16- James Ball (6),
6- Ryan Johnson (6), [Sub 78min: 33- Isaac Ogundere (6),]
3- James Furlong (6), [Sub 63min: 10- Josh Kelly (6),]
11- Josh Neufville (6),
7- James Tilley (8),
8- Callum Maycock (6),
12- Alistair Smith (7),
14- Matty Stevens (6),
39- Joe Pigott (5),
#- Official (2).
Episode 10 - Saturday 9th November 2024
Dank!?!?
So, we head back to the league for the first time in November and it was Dank. Kind of rain in the wind and not foggy but really not very clear. The word dank sums up so many elements from today. The journey stopping on the M25 was dank. Coming off the A3 to sit in traffic through Wimbledon was dank. The walk through the streets was dank. Getting to the ground later than usual was dank. The wombles performance was dank. The opposition diving and screaming whilst waving their arms was dank. Losing the 100% winning home record in the league was dank. Losing for the first time in the league since March was dank and the performance of the referee needs a fitting word to describe it as well... if only I could think of one!
The game got off to a dank start with little opportunity at either end. If anything, the home side looked the most likely to score. Guess what they did as Home scored a perfectly good goal that produced a dank decision of the referee to disallow it. It did highlight what a coward he was as he gave more and more decisions in favour of the defending floppers. He overruled his assistants and went against the dons every time he did. He gave at least two goal kicks when defenders put the ball off and when he incorrectly gave us a corner when the mariners should have had a goal kick. As soon as the corner kick was taken, he blew for a free kick. Let me circle back around to the goal that was disallowed for Alistair Smith jumping for the ball with his hands by his side as the keeper jumped over his head and simply dropped the ball. If that decision was dank plenty more was to follow which I have already discussed.
It was just one of those days when the better side lost to a smash and grab from a poor decision of our keeper caught in no mans land with the ball dropping between him and the last defender and just perfectly for their galloping forward. Chances were created by the home side, but nothing was taken and nothing like recent home games where dominance turned into chance after chance. Today was just lacklustre and dank, all-round and best not to mention too much really. It just a case of hoping that this was a bad day at the office and just a blip and not the start of the slide. Let’s cross fingers together shall we.
v Grimsby Town
1- Owen Goodman (7),
31 - Joe Lewis (7),
16- James Ball (7), [Sub 79min: 2- Huseyin Biler (7),]
6- Ryan Johnson (7), [Sub 68min: 33- Isaac Ogundere (7),]
11- Josh Neufville (7),
7- James Tilley (8),
8- Callum Maycock (6), [Sub 79min: 10- Josh Kelly (7),]
12- Alistair Smith (8),
21- Myles Hippolyte (7),
14- Matty Stevens (7), [Sub 68min: 39- Joe Pigott (7),]
9 - Chaaban (7),
#- Official (4).
Episode 9 - Sunday 3rd November 2024
The right way to end a shitty week!
Wow it’s the 3rd of November how can you tell? All the retail outlets have released their Christmas TV adverts and its FA Cup first round time. So you could imagine my surprise when I gave up a good evening of entertainment to watch the One Show on the BBC where they cut to the cup draw and the fact that we drew ‘them’ was bad enough but to get drawn away to them not only feels scripted but almost statistically impossible. There we go the team must go to that shithole of a stadium once again. After playing them twice at home in the league this season and last the true Dons had won both of those occasions. Away has not been a happy hunting ground for the Wombles. With the old manager moved on the new man had seen a bounce in results for the home team so I wasn’t sure what to expect.
The day started with one of the best shits I think I have ever had. After leaving the hotel after going to Port Vale last week the journey back was a horror show as my guts were not happy with me. The rest of the week was spent with rockets firing out my butt I felt cold and weak during certain points so after assuming that I would not be able to attend the wankledome. I got up and had a solid poo which I really don’t need to share here but it happened. A whole week later and I was celebrating which is why I wanted to share that. I got to go to the game after all.
Weird is a word I feel I will be using a lot more in this section but sums up the atmosphere and feeling of the day. Really not sure what to expect we parked the car and walked to the game. Seeing Dons fans and cunts mixed in together in the car park. There were families with young kids eating on tables next to Womble fans. This would not happen at our place and a tenner a ticket prompted many locals to come out and support their local ‘team’ apparently there was 10,419 people paying to be there today. It certainly didn’t seem that many and they were not singing in the home end. To gauge this, they had 5,084 at their last home game and a mere 6,855 to face the league leaders at home. So, you can safely say that the extra 2,000 to 2,500 customers were truly there to see the Wombles. I can fully appreciate that, as that is why I was there.
In we go and the I must be completely honest and say as toilets go it was impressive. Then there were the customers, and I call them that as it was silent in there for most of the game. When you drop your trousers to ensure that people attend for the tv camera’s then fans don’t go. They didn’t! The silence grew louder the longer the game went on. It was simply weird in there it did not feel like a football stadiums and it didn’t feel like an FA Cup game. They have had their glory days and now the locals are not interested in a team that is underperforming. Why? The answer is easy, and I’ve already given it to you. They have customers and not fans. Fans are loyal and want their team to do well. Customers want the same but when they are not, they aren’t really bothered and turn their back and to quote Why Don’t You “Go off and go and do something less boring instead” This was also evident as the steady stream departed the over sized bowl with at least 15 minutes remaining.
So, to the actual game itself the (Real) Dons dominated and ran out comfortable victors and the home side like their fans finished with a whimper. It began very evenly before two clear cut chances were carved out by the home side. One fired well wide, but the ref gave them a corner and the other was when Alex Gilbey turned Joe Lewis and sprinted into the penalty area alone. Only for the short shorts of Lewis to gather up the ground and block the shot and scupper the follow up. Those aside the Don’s carved out chance after chance but failed to take any of them until moments before the half time break and Matty Stevens beat the home defence and give the away side a half time lead.
Like last time I was waiting for the Scum machine to come out fighting in the second half to regain parity however it was never to appear. The Dons went from strength to strength and should have added three or four more rather than the single effort from Bugiel from magnificent work from Tilley. If you don’t believe me here are the stats from the BBC. The Wombles had eighteen shots compared to two for the home team. Which apparently both were on target, but you could have fooled me. To add a little icing to the celebration cake ex real team player Connor Lemonheigh-Evans was sent off for the home outfit which saw him leave the field to the echo chamber reverberating to the sound of Evan you’re a Cunt! Off he trotted pleased to be getting off the field as the home side crashed out of the FA Cup.
Walking out listening to the away fans celebrating loudly and somewhat over boisterously, one thing was blindingly obvious to me the home customers simple just doesn’t get it. They don’t get it; they watch football on tv, and it is seen as entertainment. If you lose, you say oh well and tap the young ones on the head and say never mind. It’s all done. For me and anyone who genuinely cares a bad result can ruin your week it’s not forgotten in a blink of an eye. That’s the difference and when a club is stolen it matters to those who lose and doesn’t mean much to those to which it was handed.
The draw was completed tonight, and the Don’s will face Dagenham & Redbridge in the second round. Here’s the player’s scores:
v Scum
1- Owen Goodman (8),
31 - Joe Lewis (9),
16- James Ball (8), [Sub 54min: 26- Riley Harbottle (8),]
6- Ryan Johnson (8),
11- Josh Neufville (9),
7- James Tilley (9),
8- Callum Maycock (8),
12- Alistair Smith (8),
21- Myles Hippolyte (7),
14- Matty Stevens (9), [Sub 88min: 10- Josh Kelly (7),]
9 - Chaaban (8), [Sub 87min: 39- Joe Pigott (7),]
#- Official (6).
Episode 8 - Sunday 27th October 2024
Long drive ends in shit...
The day started with a shower and opening the windows to let some of the steam out a bug flew in. It was neither but something between a fly and a fruit fly came in through the window. It was skittish at best and was attracted to my face for some reason. Despite my best efforts it flew into my mouth. This was followed by the little test fighting for life at the back of my throat. I was unable to clear/save it. Eventually after heaving, coughing and spitting he returned to the outer world although dead to it. I think this summed it all up.
The Dons go away to the league leaders and knowing how bad we are away the important thing is to not concede early. Keep it tight and feel your way into the game. Definitely do not find yourselves 2-0 down within the opening 14 minutes. And yes we did. Two breaks and the defence stretched a double blow. Things evened out a bit and we nursed ourselves to half time still two zip and nearly got one back when Matty hit the post.
Expecting a reaction, the Dons came out in the second back under the cosh as the home side liked to add to their lead. This was short lived as the Dons wrestler the dominance from the Vale and took control. Chances were coming into a well taken effort from Nuefville halved the deficit. We hadn't finished celebrating when the home side scored again 3-1 in a blink of an eye.
From here on it was all Dons getting another you could smell the home end. They were in full blown panic mode. Playing to kill time, hoofing the ball anywhere the composure that had set them up so well was out of the window as the Dons piled forward.
Ultimately, the equaliser never came but fuck me did we come close. Wave after wave of attack. Chances in the 88th minute, 89th, 92 and with 94 on the clock, there was a sequence of shot blocked, shot keeper saved in the line, a bit of pin ball. Volley his the crossbar, more pinball and it goes to the left and a bit of missed control and the ball rolls for a goal kick.
There was fine for now pressure but it never turned into a goal and the away days concerns roll on for another week. Scum up next, should I actually go? You know what I may just do that.
A little tip for you when you get old. Don't write a report on a mobile phone in a hotel room without glasses. I got 2 hour drive ahead of me with blurry vision.
Here's the players scores:
v Port Vale
1- Owen Goodman (8),
31 - Joe Lewis (7), [Sub 88min: 33- Riley Harbottle (7),]
16- James Ball (8),
6- Ryan Johnson (7), [Sub 75min: 33- Isaac Ogundere (8),]
11- Josh Neufville (8),
7- James Tilley (7), [Sub 66min: 2- Huseyin Biler (8),]
8- Callum Maycock (7), [Sub 66min: 10- Josh Kelly (7),]
12- Alistair Smith (8),
21- Myles Hippolyte (7),
14- Matty Stevens (8)
9 - Chaaban (7),
#- Official (5).
It got worse as I was taken unwell on the way home so ended up stopping in every service station on route and by-passed the original plan of going to a football tournament and just went home instead.
Episode 7 - Wednesday 23rd October 2024
Shrimps for Tea...
I am pleasantly surprised to be writing about yet another home league win which if my sources are correct we are 100% for home league games. Which added to the 5 wins from 5 home league games is the fact we only conceded in that first game. Which was in the opening minutes of the first game at Plough Lane. A game in which we turned a 2-0 deficit into a 4-2 victory. The home form must be some of the best we have witnessed in ages but we are fickle fans and will moan about the away form. Because that what we do!
Now I am keeping both feet planted on the ground as I am still not singing JJ's praises, I have sung his name, just a little bit but I am not won over yet. I am yet to be convinced although I am very impressed with how we grow into games and get stronger into the second half. I just wish the negativity away from home could go. Yes fickle I know!
So to the game last night the first half was a forgettable affair although we did create some clear cut chances that were simply missed or soft attempts that was easily seen off. By half time the crowd was showing signs of frustration, me included. Second half the home side showed why they were unbeaten at home and the away side showed why they were in the bottom two. I have to mention the thunderbolt from James Tilley that broke the deadlock which was followed by a bit of a gift and a well worked goals. The Dons ran out well deserved 3-0 winners and look forward to travelling to Port Vale this Saturday where they face top of the table in their own back-yard. I finally get to go away to a game and I chose this one! I may well be reporting back from the road. Wait and see.
Here's the scores from last night:
v Morecombe
1- Owen Goodman (8),
31 - Joe Lewis (8), [Sub 72min: 33- Isaac Ogundere (8),]
16- James Ball (8),
6- Ryan Johnson (8),
11- Josh Neufville (7),
7- James Tilley (9),
8- Callum Maycock (7),
12- Alistair Smith (7),
21- Myles Hippolyte (7),
14- Matty Stevens (8) [Sub 82min: 10- Josh Kelly (7),]
9 - Chaaban (8), [Sub 82min: 39 - Joe Pigott (7),]
#- Official (8).
Episode 6 - Saturday 12th October 2024
Perfect Performance?
I wrote a big section about the ground and the flooding and then I decided against putting it up here as it is now very well documented in the press and beyond. It was a disaster but to think we have played a game back at the same ground within three of four weeks of the flooding is amazing.
The game went ahead despite some really heavy rain before kick-off and then again after it had started. The game turned towards the home side as early as the seventh minute when Matty Taylor’s header left the visiting defenders stranded and an early lead for the Dons. This set the tone for the remainder of the game (except the last 15 minutes).
This was one of the most comprehensive performance from a Dons side - period. It’s a long, long time since I have seen a performance like that. Now is the point I pour cold water over all the excitement I will add that Carlisle United are not just the worst team I have seen this season but one of the worst away sides I have seen at the New Plough Lane ever. They dropped to the bottom of the table based on this result. Added to that we have only played two teams in the top half currently in the table. (Fleetwood Town beaten at home and Bradford City goalless draw away).
OK OK! I admit I did pour water on an impressive performance, but I will add that this has been a very impressive start to the season and if you beat teams, they move down the table hence we beat those in the lower half. So, it’s not all negative and the future is looking good. I am even starting to warm towards JJ’s methods although this is a thin line and could break given a run of poor results. What is looking like a major factor in the success or otherwise of this season will be the January transfer window. If we have a good window and keep a strong squad, we could end up anywhere. However, if we have another one of selling all the assets of the squad (and I know we must) then we could end a place or two above the 12th we finished last season if we do really well. I honestly think this whole season could boil down to that one month’s deals. The season we went up the window brought in players that took us up. Every other season we sell players rather than bring them in.
Whilst on the subject of players here are the scores for today and see I never even mentioned that the referee only managed 17 minutes before pulling up and having to be substituted. Damn!
1- Owen Goodman (8),
33 - Isaac Ogundere (9), [Sub 89min: 5- Ryan Johnson (7),]
16- James Ball (8),
26- Riley Harbottle (8),
11- Josh Neufville (9), [Sub 89 min: 2 - Huseyin Biler (7),]
7- James Tilley (9),
8- Callum Maycock (8),
12- Alistair Smith (8),
21- Myles Hippolyte (8), [Sub 89min: 3- James Furlong (7),]
14- Matty Stevens (10) [Sub 71min: 10- Josh Kelly (7),]
9 - Chaaban (8), [Sub 71min: 39 - Joe Pigott (7),]
#- Official (8).
Average so Far:
8.25: Josh Neufville
8.20: Omar Bugiel, Matty Stevens
8.00: James Furlong, Jake Reeves, James Tilley, Allistair Smith, James Ball, Myles Hippolyte, Riley Harbottle, Isaac Ogundere
7.75: Ryan Johnson, Joe Lewis
7.60: Owen Goodman
7:50: Huseyin Biler
7.00: Callum Maycock, Josh Kelly, Match Official,
6.80: Joe Pigott
Episode 5 - Sunday 15th September 2024
Oh what a perfect a day...
The day after the day before and I feel this will be more of a matchday than in the previous episodes. To be completely honest that with a new job I had pushed this game to the back of my consciousness. Even up to waking up on the morning of the game it wasn’t always in my thoughts. Getting ready it had crept in and driving to the game was all I could think about and thinking we could lose big today and that would/could wipe away last seasons joy. Full of fear and my typical pessimism we got to the ground. Playing scum is never nice for a Wimbledon fan and the thought of them lording it up in front of us was not pleasant. The game began with the real dons on top they could have been two goals to the good before they eventually took the lead. A back-pass was picked up by the keeper and the indirect free kick teed up Myles Hippolyte to fire the ball home. 1-0 up the Wombles looked like they could get another before a final 15 minutes of the half where the scum kept the ball and really started to look dangerous. Their entire game plan is to keep possession of the ball and play it around and around the box until they see an opening and then ping the ball into the box and score from that. What I was hoping before the game was that they continue in recent form of keeping possession but not doing much with it. They had had 60%+ each game but lost three of the five games played. It definitely happened as they cut through us more than once in a dominant second half. No chances were taken. They hit the post, and they forced Owen Goodman into a fantastic save late on, but the game was put to bed before that save. Thanks to a double from Callum Maycock. He took his chances, and the Dons ran out 3-0 winners.
Meanwhile after the game the away customers vented their anger at both the players and the manager. Demanding that he is sacked which after just six games in a season seems excessive. But there is one thing that came out of all the online venom spat at their management team and players and it was just one word. One word that each one said when venting. That word was ‘MY’ they all said its my club. Get the manager out of my club. The players are fit to wear the shirts of my club. Whenever I speak to our fans, we say our, it’s our club it’s not mine its ours. We fought so hard to get it that the result against them really doesn’t matter. Don’t get me wrong we smashed ‘em and I love it. Its going to take a long time to wipe the smile off my face but the important thing is we have a club and now is the time to shine with it. It is an extremely proud moment to say that we contributed to this club we believed in this club and trusted those chosen to lead it.
Little side note that was the biggest victory against them ever and one that will live long in the memory. So far this season of fear and pessimism appears to be all wrong and we may have turned a corner. Being top of the league briefly before the rest of the league kicked off was nice. The only negative on the day was that Jake Reeves went off injured and he does like an injury at this early stage of a season does our Jake. Anyway, here is the players scores from AFC Wimbledon 3 Scum 0.
1- Owen Goodman (8),
33 - Isaac Ogundere (8),
31- Joe Lewis (8),
26- Riley Harbottle (8),
11- Josh Neufville (8),
7- James Tilley (7),
4- Jake Reeves (8),
12- Alistair Smith (8),
21- Myles Hippolyte (9), [Sub 87min: Callum Maycock (7),]
39- Joe Pigott (7) [Sub 70min: 14- Mathew Stevens (7),]
9 - Chaaban (8),
#- Official (8).
Episode 4 - Sunday 1st September 2024
A New Dawn
OK a new Dawn is going a little too far but I have to say with three wins and an away defeat to Bromley there are definitely green shoots. Yesterdays 1-0 home win against Fleetwood Town won't be getting newspaper headlines or making even then hardest of Dons fans celebrating like Wednesday night but for me it was much more pertinent. Not exclusively to last season but in recent seasons the performance yesterday would easily be a draw at best or more sadly that would have been a reversal or 1-2 result. Teams that come to hold the home side then get something out of the game usually would succeed.
Yesterday with somewhat of a nervy keeper the Dons defence held firm and kept a clean sheet. It would be nasty of me to point out that Johnson went off very early in the game and Ogundere stepped into the breach playing on the wrong side (for him) in a back three. Don't get me wrong this was not a smash and grab by the home side this was a dominant display with some (Usual) inept officiating where a second goal would have (probably) sealed a comfortable victory. Instead a single goal and the usual potential cock up costing us 3 points ever looming over the home side. Trust me there were cock-ups and rather than an equaliser appearing people covered and dug the team back out of the issue they created themselves. Here are the players scores:
1- Owen Goodman (8),
6- Ryan Johnson (7) [Sub 17min: 33 - Isaac Ogundere (8),]
31- Joe Lewis (8),
26- Riley Harbottle (8),
11- Josh Neufville (8),
7- James Tilley (8), [Sub 70min: James Furlong (7),]
4- Jake Reeves (8), [Sub 56min: Callum Maycock (8),]
12- Alistair Smith (7), [Sub 70min: James Ball (7),]
21- Myles Hippolyte (7),
14- Mathew Stevens (8), [Sub 72min: 10- Josh Kelly (8) ,]
9 - Chaaban (8), [Sub 72min: 39- Joe Pigott (7) ,]
#- Official (6).
It is that early in the season that I am looking at every game and saying what implications it may have on the rest of the season. The Colchester game thoughts are below, I looked at Bromley in the league with concern. Now with two wins on the bounce we are now 6th in the table and with three wins and that 'blip?' against Bromley. We all know who we face next (Seeing as the Tranmere Rovers game is off) and in the context it the first against a heavy favourite for the league yet and this could show where we stand this season. Lets wait and see shall we.
Episode 3 - Friday 30th August 2024
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
Sorry I couldn't update on Wednesday night but with any mid-week games after travelling home for close to an hour I honestly cannot be asked to write anything. Then unusually this game was a Wednesday and I am busy on Thursday so this update has had to wait until now. I hope you appreciate the efforts. I will get to the game on Wednesday but I guess I should update the rather large amount of update between Colchester United at home and a midweek Carabao Cup 2nd Round tie. After the wonderful come back to victory mentioned below. We were drawn away in the 1st Round of the Carabao Cup to EFL new boys Bromley who I still have NOT forgiven for 'the incident' however we again go a goal down. Against the run of play before fighting back to a 2-1 success with many members of the squad who didn't play on the Saturday. Things and feelings were on the rise this might be the season after all!!
Then Saturday came and we faced Bromley again but this time in the League which to me and everyone else spoken to was more important and we lose 2-0 and all the fears and worries returned. What should we be expecting this season after all? At this point I had decided to not pay too much attention to the football I was on holiday and that took my focus away.
There was a lesser EFL Trophy game which had to be played in front of about 2,000 people. We won that one 1-0 with a goal with around 5 minutes to go despite having the better of the game it took a late one to win it. This had very little impression on my opinion of the season what was more concerning was the next league game which ironically came away where I was on holiday. Cheltenham Town. Well, I wasn't exactly on holiday there but travelling home on Saturday we went right past Cheltenham that morning. Friends went to the game and watched us dominate the first half and not score. It continued in the second and then The Robins took control and looked to take the game away from the travelling Dons. It flips back to the Dons and Piggy scores what turned out to be the winner in a return to winning ways for the league. 1-0 win as we all turned our attention to Wednesday 28th August and a League Cup tie against new Premier League Ipswich Town who lets be honest made 10 changes for this match. Which said they still made five changes to bring on plenty more that had played against Manchester City at the weekend. The game turned out to be one for the collection. Should I start with the players scores.
1- Owen Goodman (8),
6- Ryan Johnson (7) [Sub 17min: 33 - Isaac Ogundere (8),]
31- Joe Lewis (8),
26- Riley Harbottle (8),
11- Josh Neufville (8),
3- James Furlong (8),
4- Jake Reeves (8),
12- Alistair Smith (7),
21- Myles Hippolyte (7), [Sub 87min: Callum Maycock (7),]
39- Joe Pigott (7) [Sub 70min: 14- Mathew Stevens (7),]
9 - Chaaban (8),
#- Official (6).
The game itself began as I would many would have guessed with the Premier League side pressing for the early goal. Coming from former Don favourite Ali Al-Hamedi with a header. The marking on that goal was awful I might add. Having assumed the damage was done the Tracker boys seemed to take their foot off the accelerator allowing the Dons to start attacking. Scoring a perfectly good goal which was chalked off by the Premier loving officials*. The Wombles scored two cracking goals from headers from curling free kicks which were simply sublime. Taking a 2-1 lead into the final twenty minutes Ipswich went full blown panic mode throwing everything at the team three tiers lower than them in the pyramid. With some extra help from the officials who gave us nothing after the second Dons goal went in.
The equaliser came with about five minutes left which seemed to me down to a Joe Piggott missing the forward hiding (in plain sight) behind him. He raced ahead of the
Goodman to head home. 2-2 we go to penalties and the Dons win in front of the mocking Tracker Boys fans. We hung around to celebrate and the Dons head into the 3rd Round to face another Premier League side Newcastle United. The jury is still out but now I have a new panic ahead.
The new worries are extremely personal and due to the recently postponed Tranmere Rovers game. This away game I was not going to be attending anyway so why am I getting all hot under the collar about? Well, the game was postponed due to International call ups for three of our players. Which after being left short last season I am someone pleased about that, however. Having booked hotels for weekends away games, I am now in full panic that I have wasted a load of cash for games that won't happen. So join me as I work out the potential issues below:
Weekends Booked:
26th October - Away v Port Vale
16th November - Away v Barrow AFC
7th December - Away v Harrogate Town
International Weekends:
7th-15th October - Phew shouldn't effect the Port Vale game. (Thank F*** for that)
11th - 19th November - FFS - Wasted a ton then!
December - There are no international weekends in December (Thank F*** for that)
*- OK I have seen the offside goal again and its offside although the player that was offside was not involved directly in the goal he was in the middle and in an offside position. There I said it.
The arrow (Red & Yellow) points to the ball just as it was played and the defensive line in yellow. Matty offside but never touches the ball.
Episode 2 - Saturday 10th August 2024
The Beginning
The opening game of the season is over and done with and were all my fears and worries put to bed? Yes and no. Let me share my WhatsApp updates from todays game -
55 seconds into the new season... 0-1.. long season ahead
8 minute's 50 seconds... 0-2..
12 minutes 1-2...
30 mins... 2-2
37 mins 3-2 penalty
53 mins Dons 4 United 2...
That was not just a remarkable turnaround but also an amazing performance by many of the players and the new ones were impressive too. Should I do the players scores now? OK What the hell lets go for it:
1- Owen Goodman (6),
3 - James Furlong (9),
4- Jake Reeves (9),
6- Ryan Johnson (7),
9 - Chaaban (8), [Sub: 39- Joe Pigott '76 (6)],
11- Josh Neufville (8),
12- Alistair Smith (9),
16- James Ball (8), [Sub: 8- Callum Maycock '88 (6)],
14- Mathew Stevens (8),
31- Joe Lewis (7),
33- Isaac Ogundere (7),
#-Official (7).
I think that is a fair assessment for today and I will get to what surprised me today once I get to give you my actual views. Herewith behold my opinion - I went into this game full of concerns that this season would be a bad one and spent dragging along the bottom of the table. Today I really thought Colchester could be potentially title contenders with the money they have spent and a whole new squad brought in. The summer for us has been unimpressive and my fears were awoken after 55 seconds when an unmarked Ben Goodliffe had his pick of the goal as he dove low to meet the cross and smash it into the back of Goodman's net. Worst was to follow as Ben Goodliffe did exactly the same thing in the 9th minute. I have to be honest here Colchester was in complete control, at that point it looked like they could get 6 or 7 today. Then we get a half chanced helped into the net
by James Ball and all the confidence evaporated from the away side. From about 20th minute onwards it was all the Dons. They scored 3 before the half and after a fast start for United in the second half they faded even quicker and the Dons extended their lead to 4-2 and ultimately ran out comfortable winners.
The season is 46 league games and we have had one so I am not going to gush over one result and start claiming this a wonderful season but it is nice to start the season with a win we have three away games on the bounce and I won't be attending any of them. Away v Bromley (League Cup), Away v Bromley & Away v Cheltenham Town in the league. Oh yeah I forgot the home game against Wycombe Wanderers in the Bristol Street Motors trophy. By the time I return to Plough Lane we could be out of a cup competition and back near the bottom of the table. So I ain't out tonight celebrating the wonderful season we are about to have. I will be waiting for a better number of games before passing judgement.
Basically, fantastic start but the jury is still out.
Episode 1 - Monday 5th August 2024
The Return is Nearly Here
Here we are the Monday before the big kick-off this coming Saturday and I have seen some massive steps backwards with this squad. For a change I have not got involved with any pre-season shenanigans I have looked at how the season ended and watched all the players that I thought would be leaving - leave and those that I wanted to sign or stay signing for Port Vale, Motherwell or Colchester United. I might add Lyle Taylor was not one I was desperate for which equally makes me feel the exact same way when we signed Don's legend Joe Piggott. Don't get me wrong this is not a negative but a concern that we signed people for non-footballing reasons and they wanted to return for similar reasons. This could all be crazy talk. Whilst money talks in most divisions League 2 feels very much like it will be brought this season. Whilst so many notable teams have spent big bucks to secure players that we could only dream of those same teams finished below us last season. Every season I get to this point (days before the start) and I feel like this could be our season. We could defy the odds and make a run for the play-offs. This season begins in my traditional way of firstly looking at teams we should be finishing above. Last season I was pessimistic but thought we might get a mid-table finish if we did well. Ultimately that is exactly where we ended up, but we ended there in disappointment. rather than joy. To say we tailed off again in the second half of the season would be another understatement. This season I am fearing a relegation battle and I personally will need to see something to lighten the prospects early on. As we limp into the new season on the back of two defeats to teams in the League below us added to that the quality of the squad simply doesn't seem that of last season and low on confidence this could be a bad start followed by a negative run to get the season up and running.
On a personal note I am aim to be going to more away games than last season this season, with more teams that are on my hit list with the aim of completing the 91!! With the likes of Barrow AFC, Harrogate Town, Morecombe & Port Vale that I have yet to travel to. Then there is the prospect of returning to some clubs with friends near by or other reasons such as Newport County, Doncaster Rovers, Bromley and Chesterfield. These are all possibilities and some have already had hotel's booked ready for the fixtures. Sorry I digress but you should be used to that already really.
Accrington Stanley, Barrow, Crewe Alexandra. Salford City, Swindon Town, Tranmere Rovers and Walsall are all sides I would like to say that we could compete with but I fear for this squad already. So I now start to scramble and look for at lease two teams worst than us and Morecombe spring to mind with their financial issues then you have to look at last season to see Grimsby Town and hope they have another mare despite playing some fantastically neat football. I |fear and worry for this season without seeing the new boys play so there is an element of maybe ignorance is bliss and this season might just be a surprise but giving a manager a new contract ahead of a season collapse to fall out of the play-offs with weeks to spare and then let our best players go to the annoyance of the manager really does not bode well. Time will tell and I will be scoring the players as usual and giving my views of the game without the full blown match report of yesteryear. Lets try and enjoy it shall we?
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