Over 11000 home fans seems pretty good even allowing for complimentary tickets and kids for a quid? Be back up to 15k+ at the home game immediately after the circus pulls out of town.
If I had to watch Wimbledon every week I’d get another hobby.
Best ref we’ve had this season by a country mile.
Great booking from Kashi.
I’m liking the look of Marshall. Reeves not so much.
A lot of people saying we were crap. I don’t think we were. Not at our best certainly but Wimblebore were adept at getting eight or nine men behind the ball every time we had possession and that’s hard to deal with.
We wouldn’t have scored from open play if we’d played till next week.
We badly need an alternative to Josh who, despite his lack of support, was really not good today.
I feared the worst when the area around me today was like a f*****g crèche. Never seen so many little kids. But hats off to all you parents in West upper block K. They were all wonderfully behaved and I hope they found the exhilarating game enough to tempt them back ( I'm only being sarcy about the game. The kids really were great).
That’s the sort of game we will look back on at the end of the season and realise what a good three points it was.
Don't get me wrong, I'm glad Kashi can miss Truro and not Fulham but I wonder why the checkatrade game doesn't count for league 1 teams in terms of suspensions. I imagine if you get sent on in one, you miss league games
Enjoyed my day, again, its becoming a habit. Pretty dull first half, cracking free kick to win it, they had a game plan that almost worked. Keeper was booked for time wasting in the 56th minute or something. Excellent ref that missed very little, Robinson got dogs abuse but to be honest there was little else for the Dons to shout about or at.
3 good points and the gap closes, Marshall looked lively the Reeves seemed to add nothing. New owners and maintaining our current form would make for a brilliant end to the year
As others have said, it was not a pretty game. I wasn't impressed with Clarke and more generally, our movement off the ball was incredibly static, we just didn't seem to be creating any space for each other. Saying that, Wimbledon were very speedy and aggressive at closing us down, and that style of play very nearly paid off for them.
Thought Marshall looked very good when he came on and Konsa was very impressive throughout too. And what about that tackle from DaSilva when they were 2 against 1 on the edge of our box in the first half? Great composure in winning the ball.
We are entering that attritional stage of the season where grinding out results matter a lot, and points won or lost may seem of little consequence at the time but are hugely significant. To repeat a CL mantra we would have lost or drawn that last season under Slade, but we have recently had 1-0's against Doncaster, Bradford and now today, and while the goal numbers are not sexy, three points each time are very juicy.
To their credit AFC set up to frustrate and make things difficult and hope to nick one. Their gilt edged opportunity was blazed over, and the inevitable spell when we were on the back foot defending a series of set pieces, we didn't crumble.
Robinson has said previously that we can adapt to the type of game on offer, expansive, yes we can do that, a battle, we can do that too. That's what happened today, it was a gritty battle but we had the better quality players, and it was that and a moment of quality that made the difference.
AFC lost with little shame and we won with little glory, but our win was deserved in my biased opinion.
Most of the players were a good solid average, with some who brightened things at times. For a consistent good display for the whole game I will pick Konsa as my MOTM, but players who peeped above average were Solly, Kashi and Holmes, nobody was dreadful. I actually thought that JFC would be MOTM but his good performance drifted into unremarkable as the game went on. For those who wonder about Robinson having a plan B, or his in-game management, well his adjustment and deployment of Da Silva in the middle part of the game was creative and effective.
I think the longest memory from today will be Kashi's booking. Right by Robinson near the end of the game, and it was for obvious reasons but I will leave you to figure that out.
Great result, and I kind of feel that we are at a re-set moment given the forthcoming fixtures, and player availability. However I also believe we have more resources than a lot of others in this division at the moment, and a fresh look at ourselves needn't be because of desperation, but could be because of ruthless desire.
Interesting comments on JFC Clem. Personal opinions and all that but i spoke to a client at work who has a season ticket at Bradford and said he was our best player.
I went to oxford and the way he reads the game (brilliant blocked shot) along with his work rate is second to none! Something you need plenty of in this division! I think he has actually been hugely influential for us!
we just deserved it thanks to another Holmes blockbuster in a mediocre game .. the wombles came for a point and nearly went away with one, they worked their socks off and shut us down all over the pitch and we just came through
It's a mark of a good/fortunate team that it can win this type of game whilst not playing very well .. I think our luck is good right now and we must take advantage of it and march on and upwards ..
All our players were decent without one especially outstanding performance .. Marshall had a good run out and he will be a major asset ..
I have one puzzle I need solving .. why is Sarr not starting ? ..
Very flat performance lit up by a typically brilliant Holmes goal (the only shot on target by either side which sums it up!)
However a sign of a good side maybe that we can grind out a 1-0 win in such circumstances - awful error by Konsa nearly gifted them a point though and won't have impressed any scout watching.
Has our fixed formation made us too predictable? KR moved players around within it several times but do we have a plan B?
Not a thing of great beauty but we found a way to win and, in the final analysis, that is all that matters. Not for the first time, the Rickster (the Essex version) bailed us out.
Wimbledon have been having a tough time this season and they were fully entitled to come to the Valley, park the bus and try and nick something from a set play. They certainly won’t be the last to deploy those tactics. It is, however, always satisfying when blatant time wasting comes back to haunt the enemy.
After a pretty bland and turgid first half, we had a good spell at the start of the second period but then seemed to lose our way and Wimbledon threatened for the first time, with the muscly and shin-padless centre back blasting a good chance over before we finally made the breakthrough.
I thought we were reasonably solid at the back and Kashi offered good protection in front of the back four. We had some promising moments down the flanks but looked pretty powder puff down the centre of attack and I thought that Josh turned in a weak performance. A very encouraging cameo from Mark Marshall, though, who showed both his quality and experience.
Overall, an excellent three points. Assuming that the Shrewsbury game is postponed, there will now be a week or two (or three) for most of the first eleven to recharge their batteries for the next raft of league fixtures. Happy days.
First half was poor. Lucky to go in at half time 0-0. Our sole efforts were 4 x wasted free kicks and 1 scuffed shot well wide.
Second half both sides really gave it a go. Clear to me that Robinson told the squad to close them down and challenge them more. We were lucky the back header from our defender hit the bar and bounced clear rather than went in for what would have been a spectacular own goal.
So: lucky win.
Ardley has got AFC Wimbledon playing in a replica of how Wimbledon FC used to play in the '80's/'90's. Team of heavily built tall very physical players. Lots of long balls. Not sure they'll get much further than where they are today with that style now.
Injuries no where near recent times and players pushing to get a start with competition.
We do have a little strength in depth in most positions.
Standout for NO cover is big Josh, cover him in January with someone decent for this level and we will no doubt be in the mix at the death.
The regime have not been in this position before other than the gilt edge chance they had for Prem football when they took over - we all know how royally they fooked that up....
For me, this will show us their real ambition ( if still here) during the transfer window in January.
Well, that match happened. Sat in the Lower West for the first time in years thanks to some free tickets and I enjoyed myself even if the football on show was a bit dire. We had a problem with getting the ball across early in the opening stages of the first half where Wimbledon looked a bit shaky. After the first 10 they settled more, covered Josh with big defenders, covered space and invited the wingers to receive the ball under pressure. Holmes and in particular Fosu were guilty all match of running the ball at defenders every time when it would have been smarter to look for the free players Wimbledon were leaving on the edge when they tried to compress in the box around Magennis. We also loved when we did eventually cross putting it in high, which given our general tininess could have gone on all day without result. The one time we did actually try a shot was off the back of the cross that dipped down to the far post to feet. There was a bit of lack of common sense with our approach play but we weren't ever really troubled by Wimbledon barring one slip where they should have hit the target but fired over. Marshall when he came on actually looked like he'd been watching the game, and he was intelligent enough to realise that he could also spray the ball around rather than just running at his man. He played one excellent cross-field ball to Fosu in space and it just showed how one-dimensional our wing play had been up to that point.
Clarke had a decent enough game but could really do with releasing the ball quickly rather than always looking to fiddle the ball round his feet and run. Magennis was never in the game and part of that was because Clarke wasn't linking him into play enough. Having said that, we rotated all of Clarke, Holmes and Fosu at 10 and none of them did it, so it wasn't just him. JFC was anonymous today and that left Kashi having to do a bit more than he should have in midfield. Konsa tried to be a bit too clever on the ball and had a bit of a John Stones at his worst day, apart from one clearing tackle that was superb. Luckily Bauer was faultless and tidied everything up nicely. All in all we didn't set the world alight today but we were comfortable if a bit dim and we got the one goal that was always going to win the match.
A word on Sarr though. Jesus Christ. He's hilarious in a don'tlookcan'tlook sort of way. He is alternately an enormous unstoppable ball-playing genius and an insane out of position nuisance, and it's a toss up which he'll be minute by minute. I fully understood why they brought him on as they'd started targeting Dasilva with high balls, but I'm convinced he thought he'd come on for Patrick Bauer, which would explain why he stood on his toes the entire time he was on and nearly knocked him out with a clearing header to the back of his skull. Great value for five minutes.
Highlight of the game for me was Robinson walking over to the Wimbledon bench straight after the final whistle to shake hands with all their staff, turning to the West Stand to celebrate, then very briefly turning to the Jimmy Seed Stand and screaming 'fuck off!' at the Wimbledon fans, sticking his fingers up and turning away to the East Stand to clap in one fluid motion. Well done that man
I hate the expression pwr but that's what I'm gonna do. I was at the match today and it was bang average. First half was truly awful and I mean awful.
I said to my mate at half time this game will be won or lost by a moment of brilliance or a mistake by someone.
Second half both teams tried to have a go And then riiiìiiiiiiiicaaay He truly is different class in this division. 15 games 30 points Start believing people
No classic, but an excellent three points from us today. Although it was a tight old game - we were pretty stifled by the dons closing us down - I never really felt worried that they'd score. I think we could have worked harder for each other off the ball though.
With players like Ricky, Fosu (and now Marshall who looked great!) on the pitch, I always feel we have a goal in us. And I had the very real pleasure of whispering to my German Wimbledon supporting friend, 'Ricky's going to pop this in the top corner', just before he did.
That, and the very nice lunch overlooking the river with @SE7toSG3 and Nick from the Museum (as well as meeting @Weegie Addick) made for a very enjoyable day.
Dull game but worth the three hour return drive just for that goal. Shame we didn’t score a bit earlier as I think we would have marmalised them. Really liking Tariq and Naby Sarr and our defence looking solid.
Comments
If I had to watch Wimbledon every week I’d get another hobby.
Best ref we’ve had this season by a country mile.
Great booking from Kashi.
I’m liking the look of Marshall. Reeves not so much.
A lot of people saying we were crap. I don’t think we were. Not at our best certainly but Wimblebore were adept at getting eight or nine men behind the ball every time we had possession and that’s hard to deal with.
We wouldn’t have scored from open play if we’d played till next week.
We badly need an alternative to Josh who, despite his lack of support, was really not good today.
I feared the worst when the area around me today was like a f*****g crèche. Never seen so many little kids. But hats off to all you parents in West upper block K. They were all wonderfully behaved and I hope they found the exhilarating game enough to tempt them back ( I'm only being sarcy about the game. The kids really were great).
That’s the sort of game we will look back on at the end of the season and realise what a good three points it was.
http://www.skysports.com/football/charlton-vs-afc-wdon/report/375353
3 good points and the gap closes, Marshall looked lively the Reeves seemed to add nothing. New owners and maintaining our current form would make for a brilliant end to the year
Marshall looked the part in his brief appearance,
rest look a bit tired
Wimbledon are a horrible team, systematic fouling, got what they deserved.
Marshall looked good when he came on and Sarrs height definitely helps.
Just get the sale done Rolly and make us all happy.
Saying that, Wimbledon were very speedy and aggressive at closing us down, and that style of play very nearly paid off for them.
Thought Marshall looked very good when he came on and Konsa was very impressive throughout too. And what about that tackle from DaSilva when they were 2 against 1 on the edge of our box in the first half? Great composure in winning the ball.
I went to oxford and the way he reads the game (brilliant blocked shot) along with his work rate is second to none! Something you need plenty of in this division! I think he has actually been hugely influential for us!
It's a mark of a good/fortunate team that it can win this type of game whilst not playing very well .. I think our luck is good right now and we must take advantage of it and march on and upwards ..
All our players were decent without one especially outstanding performance .. Marshall had a good run out and he will be a major asset ..
I have one puzzle I need solving .. why is Sarr not starting ? ..
However a sign of a good side maybe that we can grind out a 1-0 win in such circumstances - awful error by Konsa nearly gifted them a point though and won't have impressed any scout watching.
Has our fixed formation made us too predictable? KR moved players around within it several times but do we have a plan B?
Wimbledon have been having a tough time this season and they were fully entitled to come to the Valley, park the bus and try and nick something from a set play. They certainly won’t be the last to deploy those tactics. It is, however, always satisfying when blatant time wasting comes back to haunt the enemy.
After a pretty bland and turgid first half, we had a good spell at the start of the second period but then seemed to lose our way and Wimbledon threatened for the first time, with the muscly and shin-padless centre back blasting a good chance over before we finally made the breakthrough.
I thought we were reasonably solid at the back and Kashi offered good protection in front of the back four. We had some promising moments down the flanks but looked pretty powder puff down the centre of attack and I thought that Josh turned in a weak performance. A very encouraging cameo from Mark Marshall, though, who showed both his quality and experience.
Overall, an excellent three points. Assuming that the Shrewsbury game is postponed, there will now be a week or two (or three) for most of the first eleven to recharge their batteries for the next raft of league fixtures. Happy days.
upped the ante in the 2nd half and got a deserved 1 nil win !
We will need another 18 clean sheets this season to finish in the top 2
(Bolton only conceded 36 last season and their top scorer had 12 ish.
We can't keep relying on Fosu, Holmes and JFC to score from midfield
Didn't loose our shape and stayed calm.
Massive 3 points as looked like ending 0-0
"Would have lost this match last season!"
Second half both sides really gave it a go. Clear to me that Robinson told the squad to close them down and challenge them more. We were lucky the back header from our defender hit the bar and bounced clear rather than went in for what would have been a spectacular own goal.
So: lucky win.
Ardley has got AFC Wimbledon playing in a replica of how Wimbledon FC used to play in the '80's/'90's. Team of heavily built tall very physical players. Lots of long balls. Not sure they'll get much further than where they are today with that style now.
Injuries no where near recent times and players pushing to get a start with competition.
We do have a little strength in depth in most positions.
Standout for NO cover is big Josh, cover him in January with someone decent for this level and we will no doubt be in the mix at the death.
The regime have not been in this position before other than the gilt edge chance they had for Prem football when they took over - we all know how royally they fooked that up....
For me, this will show us their real ambition ( if still here) during the transfer window in January.
I'm not holding my breath....
Clarke had a decent enough game but could really do with releasing the ball quickly rather than always looking to fiddle the ball round his feet and run. Magennis was never in the game and part of that was because Clarke wasn't linking him into play enough. Having said that, we rotated all of Clarke, Holmes and Fosu at 10 and none of them did it, so it wasn't just him. JFC was anonymous today and that left Kashi having to do a bit more than he should have in midfield. Konsa tried to be a bit too clever on the ball and had a bit of a John Stones at his worst day, apart from one clearing tackle that was superb. Luckily Bauer was faultless and tidied everything up nicely. All in all we didn't set the world alight today but we were comfortable if a bit dim and we got the one goal that was always going to win the match.
A word on Sarr though. Jesus Christ. He's hilarious in a don'tlookcan'tlook sort of way. He is alternately an enormous unstoppable ball-playing genius and an insane out of position nuisance, and it's a toss up which he'll be minute by minute. I fully understood why they brought him on as they'd started targeting Dasilva with high balls, but I'm convinced he thought he'd come on for Patrick Bauer, which would explain why he stood on his toes the entire time he was on and nearly knocked him out with a clearing header to the back of his skull. Great value for five minutes.
Highlight of the game for me was Robinson walking over to the Wimbledon bench straight after the final whistle to shake hands with all their staff, turning to the West Stand to celebrate, then very briefly turning to the Jimmy Seed Stand and screaming 'fuck off!' at the Wimbledon fans, sticking his fingers up and turning away to the East Stand to clap in one fluid motion. Well done that man
I was at the match today and it was bang average.
First half was truly awful and I mean awful.
I said to my mate at half time this game will be won or lost by a moment of brilliance or a mistake by someone.
Second half both teams tried to have a go
And then riiiìiiiiiiiicaaay He truly is different class in this division.
15 games 30 points
Start believing people
With players like Ricky, Fosu (and now Marshall who looked great!) on the pitch, I always feel we have a goal in us.
And I had the very real pleasure of whispering to my German Wimbledon supporting friend, 'Ricky's going to pop this in the top corner', just before he did.
That, and the very nice lunch overlooking the river with @SE7toSG3 and Nick from the Museum (as well as meeting @Weegie Addick) made for a very enjoyable day.
Shame we didn’t score a bit earlier as I think we would have marmalised them.
Really liking Tariq and Naby Sarr and our defence looking solid.