AFC Wimbledon (H)

[ianofcleveleys]

I watched Rotherham's best 11 for an hour on Sat v Donny, they were rank (Donny weren't much better). The mix and match outfit they had out last night were horrendous. 

Gale's daft moment meant we had to do some defending 2nd half, which was done well, though their efforts at getting the equaliser were pretty woeful.

Bit of horses for courses to come I think with the defenders, assuming all are fit. Once Christie is he'll be nailed on RB.

Otherwise it might depend on the opposition and their forward line. Forino looks fine against sides who get it down the line and toss it into a lump like Hugill was last night, he was made to look a carthorse by Sheff Weds nippy youngsters. 

Johnston's better in a 4 than a 3 but not what he was before his injury. Toal hasn't really kicked on as I thought he might two seasons ago and also seems to have lost half a yard after various injuries, though is arguably a shade quicker than Johnston or Forino.

Against the alehouse sides I could see  Christie, Forino, Taylor Conway set up. Against the speedier, trickier sides maybe Christie, Toal, Taylor, Conway

Main thing is, if they avoid lengthy absences. more options than were available either to Evatt or SS last season

Edited September 3, 2025 by ianofcleveleys

[Kane57]

Nothing less than a thumping win will do 

[Wanderlust]

If Wimbledon sit back as many suspect we'll need our best and quickest players to click and move it quickly and directly as (someone mentioned this) we'll end up passing it across the back trying to tempt them out a la Evatt.

To beat these we need to move it quickly ideally one touch, go direct occasionally, defend against breaks, not make mistakes, take our chances and keep the pressure on if we score first. Not a lot to ask.

[Wanderlust]

36 minutes ago, Kane57 said:

Nothing less than a thumping win will do 

Any win will do for me.

[Tonge moor green jacket]

4 hours ago, jmjhb said:

Since his knee injury, I feel like he has struggled a bit when defending one-on-one

Yes.

He seems to get flustered to a degree too on occasions- when under pressure- and perhaps this is in part him knowing he's lost a touch of pace, and isn't the best in possession. 

Maybe he needs a proper good run in a partnership to build confidence (and maybe some genuine match fitness) to see if he can regain his previous quality. Maybe 10 games or so.

Don't think that will happen though, as SS does seek to like to mix his defence up a bit.

Not sure that's the best way, but that's his prerogative, and he must live and die on the selections he makes.

[Dr Faustus]

On 31/08/2025 at 19:49, Traf said:

Got an adult and a U-23 in WSL if you want it.

you may have to clear a few messages bud

[W.cramp]

Any spare esl or wsl (right of the dugouts)   cheers

[Traf]

Cleared my inbox, but somebody else has taken the tickets now, @Dr Faustus 
I assumed you didn't need them as I'd not heard back, sorry.

[tomski]

I’ve a spare esu for this.

[Dr Faustus]

7 hours ago, Traf said:

Cleared my inbox, but somebody else has taken the tickets now, @Dr Faustus 
I assumed you didn't need them as I'd not heard back, sorry.

no probs bud- my bad

[frank_spencer]

Working in glamorous Carlisle for this one so my poor mum will have to sit through it. We always lose when my mum goes, probably why Grampa Spencer stopped taking her.

[1969]

22 hours ago, Wanderlust said:

Any win will do for me.

On this we agree 

[deeane Koontz]

3-0 walk in the park.

McAtee,Forino,Burstow 

[Tonge moor green jacket]

20 minutes ago, deeane Koontz said:

3-0 walk in the park.

McAtee,Forino,Burstow 

In that order?

[Tonge moor green jacket]

On 03/09/2025 at 12:27, Leyther_Matt said:

Good defenders don’t need to have the quickest legs as long as they have the quickest brain. Johnston’s defending for the goal on Saturday was dreadful on all counts, giving far too much time and space and then showing him on to his stronger foot. It was a very routine, isolated position that their mon received the ball and simply shouldn’t have turned in to anything close to being able to get a shot on goal.

Agree to an extent, but if an opponent also had a slow brain, but more pace, then he may be in trouble. 

Santos managed to recover himself with his pace.

I suppose those with superior brains play at a higher level.

I just think he has lost some confidence after what appears to be a reduction in his physical attributes. 

Lose that, and the straight thinking goes out of the window.

[deeane Koontz]

4 minutes ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

In that order?

My psychic powers can't reach that far today ☹️

[Dr Faustus]

10 hours ago, tomski said:

I’ve a spare esu for this.

I'll make use of it if you dont mind moving to NSL for the day pls bud? Nightmare trying collate everyones details beefore booking; same every year

 

again, any spares I'd utilise

 

many thanks

[Tonge moor green jacket]

3 hours ago, deeane Koontz said:

My psychic powers can't reach that far today ☹️

Just wondering as you'd put McAtee first, which means he's a likely a starter.

 

[deeane Koontz]

9 minutes ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Just wondering as you'd put McAtee first, which means he's a likely a starter.

 

Lets hope so. He deserves it.

[Tonge moor green jacket]

Controversial.

[W.cramp]

Could a back 3 be on the cards?   In ss interview saying he could now play a front 2 with the players at his disposal he kind of hinted at a back 3 saying this was his main choice at Plymouth. 

If so, I could see Conway playing as the left side of a midfield 5 alongside erahon,simons,Morley,duberry.

Front 2 of Burstow and forss.

In fact gimme ss number i,ll tell him.

Not saying he will or has even thought about it but the options are there now which is always a good thing.

[mickbrown]

21 hours ago, deeane Koontz said:

3-0 walk in the park.

McAtee,Forino,Burstow 

Hope not. Means the useless twat is on the pitch. 

[boltonboris]

He's brought in 3 x Wingers. It would be a huge waste of resources to bring 3 wingers in then stop playing wingers.

3 x Strikers for 1 spot is par for the course / Can play 2 in a 4-4-2 if we're chasing 

[bolton va va]

4-0 @ 22/1    &  4-1 @  28/1      Was going to top up my top 6 finish bet expecting the odds to have lengthened after our stuttering start but they've actually shortened......the bookies still fancy our chances !!

I'm still optimistic. our performances have largely been better than the results, so IF we start taking our chances, we should move up the table.

No point trying to predict the team, no doubt there'll be changes, but i'm hoping to see Forss & hoping for an early goal to force them out. but if we don't win., it's Evatt's fault obvs. 

[Wanderlust]

On 04/09/2025 at 12:38, 1969 said:

On this we agree 

Yeah - SS needs a win 😀