AFC Wimbledon v Torquay United - 18/9/12

[Jeff]

Too tired to add much to the post match comments, but we were good tonight. Their keeper has made 5 top class saves, plus we had numerous close shaves from corners. We still need either another forward, or a more O'kane-esque midfielder as there were some cut backs into the box that were crying out for a midfielder to get on too.

Some of the link up play between Oastler, Bodin and Howe was outrageous tonight. Easton added a good steadying influence to the midfield and we were rarely threatened. Nathan Craig is going to be a strange one to handle - did really well tonight but I'm not convinced out wide is going to suit him so well, but then I'm not sure about his box-to-box ability either. Fantastic dead ball deliveries though (although some of his corners were straight out of the Sean Hankin textbook).

Rene clear MOTM, it was one of those days where things worked out for him and when it clicks there is noone better. Great little cameo from Thompson too - could have scored and it was through his pace alone that he drew the foul that got their lad sent off.

Wimbledon are in dire straits. Trying to knock the ball around the back 4, without looking or having a clue where anyone else is isn't the sharpest idea. Saah had Harrison in his pocket all game, so that was their threat gone.

We weren't quite as assured as last seasons grinding out wins, and we still need to sort out our goal scoring, but it's three points and it keeps us right in the hunt.

[AustrianAndyGull]

Thanks for the info as always Jeff.

[bengull]

Pleased to see an abundance of character tonight to bounceback from Saturday's shamboloc performance, albeit against a dreadfully poor Wimbledon team. The dons nearly went ahead in the first minute after a clever one two opened up a space for a shot which was well saved by Poke. I am sure I was not alone in thinking it would be a long night after that but instead it as quite the opposite; it was all one way traffic in our favour.

1-0 does not do us justice at all although the clean sheet is obviously a massive plus point with the defence, on the whole, looking altogether more solid, save for a couple of nervy moments. Really we should be talking about a comfortable 3 or 4 goal trouncing tonight but the Wimbledon keeper made a string of fine saves to ironically atone for his error which led to the goal. Basically he was way too casual in clearing a pass-back, took way too much time which allowed Rene to close him down, block the clearance and the ricochet ended up in the net- although very hard to see from the shallow terrace we were crammed into.

After such a lethargic performance on Saturday the manner of our play was very pleasing tonight, we played some delightful stuff, somewhere near our best, and would have got our rewards if not for the shot stopping heroics of the keeper. On a number of occasions we strung 5 first time passes together to create space for the cross, and tonight our final ball was miles better than those in previous games. The only criticism is that we did not convert these chances, against better opposition we would have left ourselves open to a sucker punch late on.

Poke 7. One or two nervy moments with ball at his feet but showed superb handling.

Oastler 7. Consistently good.
Downes and Saah 7. Commanding in the air, will form an excellent partnership with a few more games.
Nico 7 much better after Saturday's nightmare, excellent link up play, crossing improved.

Easton 7. A calming influence in the centre, sniffed out the danger and passed the ball on, excellent.
Mansell 7. All action performance, some thunderous tackles and unlucky not to score on 3 occasions.
Morris 7. Some excellent link up play in the first half ruined by sloppy passing in the second, especially on the break.

Craig 8. Dead ball delivery excellent, first time passing divine, link up play positive and innovative, comfortable out wide, a real star in the making.
Howe 8. Looks atleast a yard quicker than last season, unplayable when running at the defence at pace, excellent with back to goal and involving others. A great all round lone strikers performance and my MOTM.
Bodin 6. Had a bit of a nightmare in the first half, a constant threat in the second until it came to delivering the final ball, needs to get his head up more often.

Thompson (Bodin) 7. His blistering pace was a real asset against the tiring full back to see the game out, crossing improving.

All in all an enjoyable night out and good to get the first away win under our belt. A confidence boosting win, but only worthwhile if we pick up another win on Saturday. With more players coming back to fitness lets hope we can string some wins together. More importantly lets hope we continue in the same manner as tonight, they could not cope with our fluent attacking play, Nathan Craig especially excelling in the wide role. Just hope we can wrap Rene Howe in cotton wall and get 90 minutes out of him each game, on his day he is the best striker in the league.

[ferrarilover]

Too tired to add much to the post match comments, but we were good tonight. Their keeper has made 5 top class saves, plus we had numerous close shaves from corners. We still need either another forward, or a more O'kane-esque midfielder as there were some cut backs into the box that were crying out for a midfielder to get on too.

Some of the link up play between Oastler, Bodin and Howe was outrageous tonight. Easton added a good steadying influence to the midfield and we were rarely threatened. Nathan Craig is going to be a strange one to handle - did really well tonight but I'm not convinced out wide is going to suit him so well, but then I'm not sure about his box-to-box ability either. Fantastic dead ball deliveries though (although some of his corners were straight out of the Sean Hankin textbook).

Rene clear MOTM, it was one of those days where things worked out for him and when it clicks there is noone better. Great little cameo from Thompson too - could have scored and it was through his pace alone that he drew the foul that got their lad sent off.

Wimbledon are in dire straits. Trying to knock the ball around the back 4, without looking or having a clue where anyone else is isn't the sharpest idea. Saah had Harrison in his pocket all game, so that was their threat gone.

We weren't quite as assured as last seasons grinding out wins, and we still need to sort out our goal scoring, but it's three points and it keeps us right in the hunt.

Wasn't at the game, so I'm flying slightly blind, but regards Nathan Craig, HE is our Eunan replacement. Stick him in the middle, with Manse next to him and Damon Lathrope providing that cover that he does so admirably and watch him run the show. Honestly, the boy will sit in the middle of the park like Paul Scholes for Manchester United, just hammering out inch perfect passes left, right and centre, his influence would be utterly devastating with pace on the wings and a battering ram through the middle.

Wimbledon fans on their board are all suggesting that they need rid of Brown (Terry, not Seb) otherwise they will join Barnet in the BSP next term. They love him like a father (and quite rightly) so these comments carry with them a real weight and truth. They must be utterly terrible, which is a shame, since I have a number of connections with Wimbledon and wish them absolutely no malice.

Thompson will get LOTS of players sent off in his career, unless he makes it to Championship level, where defenders might be able to deal with his pace. Arsenal have a trick whereby they run at the opposition left back until he gets booked, then they bring on Walcott and have him run at the same defender. The defender either chops him down and goes off, or gives him a free pass every time. Works for them, it'll work for us.

Can anybody give me some sort of indication as to the level of threat we may have faced if Midson wasn't such a clot? (I know it's guesswork, but it might be nice to know just how heavily Wombles rely on him).

Matt.

[bengull]

With regards to Midson, not a lot on tonight's showing. Their method of attack relied solely on playing it up to the big man up front, sadly for him, Brian and Aaron had the aerial battle under control. Their only real attacking threat came from set pieces, which with a bit of organisation and discipline, we defended easily.

Apart from the first minute where Nico and Downesy were caught napping, Wimbledon were not incisive enough enough to carve us open from open play, Easton and Mansell offered excellent protection to sniff out any (non existing) creative threat through the centre and very quickly the blues resorted to trying to play the ball out wide (out of play.) Their only other chance of any note was a questionably awarded free-kick 25 yards out, which some anonymity curled quite near Pokey's post, but you always felt he had it covered.

Basically, they weren't very good. Putting Midson into the team may have the same effect of putting him in kubik's 06/07 team...negligible.

[portugull]

Thanks Bengull for an excellent report.
I am a huge fan of Nathen Craig. His corners are like exocet missiles!

[jonnyfive]

Just hope we can wrap Rene Howe in cotton wall and get 90 minutes out of him each game, on his day he is the best striker in the league.

Not he's not, he's a donkey. Just ask YellowMonkey!!

[ferrarilover]

Thanks for the last line of your Midson reply Ben, I'm sure it's not meant to be funny, but it made me chuckle.

Matt.

[chippygull]

Complaint to BBC:

"Despite listing on the channel guide there was no Final Score coverage on 301 last night on a vital night of European and domestic football. Furthermore, the AFC Wimbledon vs. Torquay United game was neither previewed nor reported on in the Ceefax 303 page. For those of us in rural areas with no internet coverage, this is inexcusable. How four hours of American Football can supersede coverage of our national game is an utter travesty. Get your priorities right."

[Neal]

Thought we dominated last night. Excellent display from Howe and Bodin, some of the trickery, passes and awareness was great to see. I took a colleague from work along (who doesnt know any of our players) and he was very impressed with both of them.

Should have been 2 or even 3-0 easily.

Well done to the whole team, enjoyed it. Also thought it was a a good ground to visit, parking easy, got out quick too, bar was ok and friendly all round. View was crap though.

[coley in stripes]

Last 3 games have prodused 1 solitary goal in 25 on target attempts....Not good. Don't want to get to the same fiasco as last season when early underperforming was so relevant to the final outcome....I don't personally care who puts them away but something's got to happen....Also would be great to get away from the 1-0 senario and as Ling put it on occasions as 'ugly wins'...Only goals are going to cure the problem ???

[AustrianAndyGull]

I think the pleasing thing about last night Coley was the fact that we created so many chances, a total departure from our previous 3 away games it has to be said. Yes Wimbledon are a poor side but we can use last nights result and performance to kick on a bit and gain some confidence to take into saturday. Howe is confident in his ability we know that and afford him chances and he will score, i just think Bodin and the others are lacking a bit of confidence and direction and once they get more involved in games like they did last night we will see more goals flying in. The tactics and approach to the previous 3 away games have stunted their play and restricted them so much that they have eventually just faded from the game and had to battle for the ball in deeper positions with no quick outlet should they have won it. Don't worry Coley, we have the men to put the ball away, we just need to approach games more positively like we did last night to let them shine.

[yellowmonkey]

The rose tinters are back out in force, keep playing with yourselves guys. The only goal we score is from a fluke and that was against a dire side, SO WHAT EXACTLY DOES THAT MAKE US ????

[happytorq]

The rose tinters are back out in force, keep playing with yourselves guys. The only goal we score is from a fluke and that was against a dire side, SO WHAT EXACTLY DOES THAT MAKE US ????

brucie? is that you?

[royalgull]

The rose tinters are back out in force, keep playing with yourselves guys. The only goal we score is from a fluke and that was against a dire side, SO WHAT EXACTLY DOES THAT MAKE US ????

Better than them?

Do I win a Jim'll Fix it badge? Or maybe a Blankety Blank chequebook and pen?

We're a midtable side this year and that's fine. Beat the dross, pick up the odd point(s) here and there against the best teams in the league, beat Exeter at least once. I'll take that.

Excellent much needed result last night.