Let's talk about the AFC Wimbledon game

[selby]

 The big question is can we bounce back from what was a disappointing display at Wigan that seems to me to have attracted a disproportionate  amount of criticism from people who were probably getting a bit ahead of themselves after the good start we still have made to this season.
  Every game at this level is way in front of what we contested last season, there is a massive difference which I have witnessed watching Harrogate and our matches every week, and if we are just a little off it teams in division one have the ability to punish you.
  AFC Wimbledon are a team who came up with us, gave us a bit of a shoeing physically at their place, and are certainly not a push over beating Rotherham 2-1 on Saturday and sitting in 11th position and in touching distance of shoving on into the playoff places if they go on a run of results.
  It is their away form that has let them down winning just one of four games and losing the other three, so an ambition of ours to keep that bad poor record going.
  Stevens fresh from scoring the winning penalty against Rotherham is the second top scorer in the division on Five goals so will be an obvious danger to us and everything points to us having to play well to overcome their challenge.
  We will not win every game, and non will be easy, we have far from the strongest individual squad in the division, more an average one that can improve, is well led, and we need a larger number of players on the pitch to play at the top of their game every game than some teams in the division who have bought and can afford ready made class and is what we are up against, and teams like Wimbledon being nearer London and find it easier to live off players not quite top class released by Premiership teams and academies.
  So a very interesting game to look forward to, one that comes before a really attractive game against Tottenham that some supporters have become more engrossed in, hopefully not
in the minds of the squad, and really not in any way as important as this game with Wimbledon, the first little cross roads game of the season in the league, bounce back and it will be great we can go to Tottenham and just have a go, lose and if the criticism of the Wigan game is anything to go by some would be suicidal.
   As ever a lot to discuss everything to look forward to, and knowing our management the squad will be very aware of what is expected of them, and thoughts of other games banished behind all efforts to get on track and a win at home at the weekend.
  What do you think? can we bounce back? not the team I would pick to play myself after the weekends result. but one we might know more of tactically, and have dealt with in the past.
  It will not be easy, but play well and we have every chance of getting a result and staying towards the top of the division, please have your say.

   

[steve@dcfd]

We know Wimbledon the game will not be easy. Another team plays 352.
We need to be strong in midfield and not outnumbered.
Clifton may not be available will Gotts be ready
Can we afford to Play Broadbent Crew( will he be strong enough ) and Bailey ( further forward)
Will Sterry be ready for this game physically
Decisions to be made to bounce back
We need our wide attacking players to be better than they were on Saturday and stronger.

[tingleyrover]

It’s not a disproportionate amount of criticism. That display against Wigan was woeful.

However, it has been a cracking start to the season and hopefully not too many games this season where just about every single player has an off day.

I can see us wanting to prove a point and I’m going to say 3-0 Rovers.

[welloffside]

Wasn't it against Wimbledon that Billy got sent off last season for giving their defender a little 'reminder' a couple of minutes after coming on as sub.           

He owes them one!!

[Alan Southstand]

Yes it was and he was actually off the pitch, I think, when he dished out his ‘reminder’.

[selby]

  I think it was at Wimbledon last season they took Broadbent out for a couple of weeks not just that game.

[ncRover]

Wasn't it against Wimbledon that Billy got sent off last season for giving their defender a little 'reminder' a couple of minutes after coming on as sub.           

He owes them one!!

That was Joe Lewis. Big horrible bas**rd to play against.
Omar Bugiel is another.
Wimbledon gave us two tough games last year. Will be a good test to see if we’ve improved against low block teams.

[drfchound]

Is Lewis injured, I noticed that he didn’t play last weekend.
I was hoping that Billy would get a chance for retribution.

[donnyguy]

He was serving a 1 match ban after 2 yellow cards against Bolton

[Donnywolf]

What a surprise !

We need a Ref AND VAR

[Chris Black come back]

They’ve played 4 times away in the league this season and lost three of them, winning once. In those 4 games they have conceded 8 times and failed to keep a clear sheet at any point. Their last 2 league away games has seen them concede 3 in each game.

[Jimmydee]

There may be a couple of players that might be pulling out of tackles because they won’t want to get injured and would want to play at the spurs stadium.
I hope that I’m wrong.

[Metalmicky]

That was Joe Lewis. Big horrible bas**rd to play against.
Omar Bugiel is another.
Wimbledon gave us two tough games last year. Will be a good test to see if we’ve improved against low block teams.

That's the fella - always has his shorts pulled up to his crotch and is always in the refs ear.... right nob jockey

[Metalmicky]

I see they play tonight in the EFL Trophy against Crystal Palace U21's - no doubt will have a changed lineup out though..

[Donnywolf]

  I think it was at Wimbledon last season they took Broadbent out for a couple of weeks not just that game.

And going back further , remember Marquis getting sent off away (Kingstonians Ground) with the antics from Aaron Ramsdale who I still don't like for his play acting , theatrical performance that day

[Donnywolf]

What a surprise !

We need a Ref AND VAR

Oh we've got Peter Wright and might work ( one for the oldies) as Peter Wright was associated with the Book Spycatcher

This Peter Wright might be a Sly Catcher but looking at Roversdude's reviews that looks a long shot

[BobG]

"Burgling our way around London"!

BobG

[Metalmicky]

That was Joe Lewis. Big horrible bas**rd to play against.
Omar Bugiel is another.
Wimbledon gave us two tough games last year. Will be a good test to see if we’ve improved against low block teams.

That's the fella - always has his shorts pulled up to his crotch and is always in the refs ear.... right nob jockey

I see he has just scored for AFC tonight...

[donnyguy]

Header from a corner

[NickDRFC]

There may be a couple of players that might be pulling out of tackles because they won’t want to get injured and would want to play at the spurs stadium.
I hope that I’m wrong.

A few Spurs players have pulled out of tackles against Villarreal tonight. Must have one eye on playing the mighty Rovers!

[Metalmicky]

Header from a corner

Yes - just seen it - not marked and easy finish.

Game ended up 3:1 to AFC

[drfchound]

There may be a couple of players that might be pulling out of tackles because they won’t want to get injured and would want to play at the spurs stadium.
I hope that I’m wrong.

I would be very surprised if any of our players had that train of thought.

[Ian Nimmo]

Yes it was and he was actually off the pitch, I think, when he dished out his ‘reminder’.

Billy was on the pitch they were both walking back in the penalty area and Billy put his head into his shoulder.
The question was who saw the incident, the ref definitely didn’t see it he had his back to the incident. It’s also questionable if either linesman saw it.
Also the guy put something on Billy, and that’s why he reacted the way he did.
Lewis walked away with a huge grin on his face, so he knew exactly what he was doing. The guy had been having a go at our guys all through the game and was witnessed by our guys on the bench including Billy

[selby]

  A bit more on this game than the normal with Wednesdays game to follow.
  First and foremost we need to get back on track in the league game after the not great show we put up at Wigan, and also against a side that ran us close last season for promotion, can be one of the teams we battle at the end of the season for a possible play off spot, and a bit of revenge for the shoeing they dished out to us in our games against them.
  We need to stand up to their physicality but be controlled and not get involved in the silly stuff like Billy last season, and if needed be a bit smart and drag them into losing control.
  With the Tottenham game to follow and the Wigan result last week, a win would be very timely and take some pressure away, and we can go Wednesday and just give it a go, and is exactly what I am hoping for.
  Lose this one and get tonked heavily on Wednesday and I think this board will light up with quite a few not very happy clappers, and after a good start to the season it will be a shame to go overboard over two games that could well be a proper pointer to just where we are at, but do well win the Wimbledon game and do well at Spurs and the excitement might just go a bit overboard, and with both scenario's a possibility I live in eternal hope.

[danumdon]

Exactly, this game is far more important than the Spurs match, that game is a free hit, some extra dosh and a day out for the fans, that's all.

We need to tighten up considerably to what had been our usual play so fer this season. The dons are always going to be a hard game for us just because of the way the set up, when you have  a team that will niggle and attempt to draw you into unwanted battles and situation you need to keep your composure and stick to our game plan, If we do that we will always perform better against this type of outfit,

The players know what they have to do, i'd just like to see it done in a efficient manner, we have been wasteful in possession, need to cut out the low percentage balls and keep our passing crisp and short, would also like to see more shots attempted from our forward players, our tendency to overplay that extra pass needs curbing, skill against these will always win out.

[Jersey Rover]

Going by the first 2 cup matches, none of Saturdays probable starters will be in the starting 11 on Wednesday. Why change now

[BerlinRed]

Going by the first 2 cup matches, none of Saturdays probable starters will be in the starting 11 on Wednesday. Why change now

Agree, play the team who got us there! Fairly sure Grant will be doing this.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Well Close comes into contention along with Gotts (maybe too soon) Sbarra and Westbrooke. I'd like to see Close in that advanced midfield role as he has got an eye for goal although we may not get the pressing associated with Clifton. McCann may see different as we're not short of options.

First things first though, got to do the basics much better than last Saturday and earn the right to play good football by working hard, competing for every ball.

[roversdude]

What a surprise !

We need a Ref AND VAR

Oh we've got Peter Wright and might work ( one for the oldies) as Peter Wright was associated with the Book Spycatcher

This Peter Wright might be a Sly Catcher but looking at Roversdude's reviews that looks a long shot

Think we’ve had him for 10 games and won ONE

[In the box]

Wasn't it against Wimbledon that Billy got sent off last season for giving their defender a little 'reminder' a couple of minutes after coming on as sub.           

He owes them one!!

Billy may need to leave this one out as he will expected to start he’s started too many games leaving a very predictable issue of relying all the subs to salvage results .