Rovers are near the top of the form table and Wimbledon are at the other end, but if you look at who Wimbledon have played recently they have had a run of really difficult games. Equally Rovers have had it rather easy recently, certainly in terms of the league positions of our opponents .
Nevertheless there should be no excuses for us failing to win and instead of squeezing by, I would like to see a more convincing scoreline.
We now have Bostock who, despite having been with a string of clubs and not ever really settling into regular playing, was very highly rated as a youngster, but more importantly, at his most recent loan club, Forest, the fans thought he was a very good player; he just did not get the opportunities he deserved there. But apparently he will not start tonight.
As for the Championship forward, Bakayoko of Coventry City is the name in the frame. I remember him playing outstandingly well for Coventry at the end of the season before last and although he has not been a regular for them this season, he seemed to have the talent to excel at this level, so we would hope that Moore will be able to reignite it.
Wimbledon have already signed 3 loan players (a midfielder, a goalkeeper and a defender from League 1, the Championship and the PL) in the January window each of whom should strengthen their defence. We will also need to ensure that 12-goal Pigott is restrained but all-in-all and I am hopeful we might win by 3-1 and will choose Anderson as our first goal scorer.
DPL v AFC Wimbledon
posted on 26/1/21
Rovers provided the quality and Wimbledon the quantity and although, looking back, you might say AFCW were managed successfully, it did not always seem entirely comfortable.
Wimbledon passed the ball pretty well in an old-fashioned way, kind of square on, whereas Rovers do risky intricate manoeuvres which look wonderful when they work. When they don’t, you say “Why don’t they stick to what’s simple?”
Nevertheless, they were a different class and if you think about which style has the most exciting development prospects the answer is obvious. Rovers need such development to get better, not only to get promoted automatically, but to compete rather than struggle at the level above.
So despite overdoing the safety first, leading to me shouting at my iPad, after early second half pressure from the visitors, their eventually reestablished control and summariser Copps was full of praise.
John can be brilliant and there was less of his other side tonight. Balcombe looks better with each game. No one did much wrong and most of them were energetic and committed to the cause.
With 2 points per game our standard is now equalled only by Lincoln and with every prospect of making the team stronger we are moving into the second half of the season with every right to be confident.
Wright showed again what a revelation he is in a constructive role and I am a bit surprised he did not start. AJ too, showed he is not out of his depth.
posted on 26/1/21
Looking again at the table Lincoln have just over 2 points a game and Rovers can only draw level with them by winning their games in hand. Of course the first step would be to beat them on Saturday putting our average just over 2 ppg and cutting theirs back to 2 ppg.
posted on 27/1/21
I think if we win our games in hand (even if we draw against Lincoln) we would go top on goal difference.
posted on 27/1/21
Excellent win yesterday, the signs that we're starting to play as a team that is threatening to win the league. A few more faces will add to the great team spirit DM is installing.
Game of the season so far on Saturday, win that and I believe we shall go on to win the league.
Normally I'd take a draw now if you offered me it,but, I do think we can turn them over.
posted on 27/1/21
I agree with you BVZ. We're starting to gain real momentum. The signs look good as long as we don't shoot ourselves in the foot.
Having seen the highlights of Palace v West Ham, I don't think we did too badly against West Ham and were probably better off playing our normal game and learning against a really good team.
posted on 27/1/21
Yes its starting to look quite positive. Ive been very impressed with Halliday and James for their versitility. Even Joe Wright too.. though it does seem now that everyone is willing to put a full shift in whatever position they are picked to play. Looking forward to seeing Bostock. Did I read that Sims woukd be back too? Or was I dreaming.
posted on 27/1/21
... and Josh Sims is back!!!
posted on 27/1/21
What great news - hope he is quickly fully fit.
Last night, Matt Smith was my, and many others, MOM. One can see why he is a full international, and realise how good Man City's squad must be. Having watched highlights of City's last few games, the rest of the Premier League must be worried. At their best, Man Utd could challenge them, but they are not consistent enough - and without Fernandes???
As far as Saturday's game I agree with BVZ, if we win that, we could win the league, but we must not get too confident.
posted on 28/1/21
Well, I did say Man Utd were inconsistent - and. Mr. Sharp was captain today.
posted on 29/1/21
We were good at forecasting a defeat at West Ham, but we were all too optimistic.
Versus Wimbledon there were two who got Oke and Nookie got the score right. Mooli remains in front overall and Crazy continues his good run.
West Ham U 4 : Rovers 0
>>>>>>> Scorer > Score > Result Bonus > Total > Pts B/F > O/all
Donaldo>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>> 0 >>>> 3 >>>>> 67 >>>>>> 70
PDXMickey> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>> 0 >>>> 3 >>>>> 63 >>>>>> 66
BVZ>>>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 32 >>>>>> 32
Crazy>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>>> 60 >>>>> 63
Mooligan>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>>> 77 >>>> 80
Cheltenham 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>>> 0
Nookie>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>>> 66 >>>> 69
Selby>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>>> 26 >>>>> 29
Lanza>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0
>>>>>>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 18 >>>> 0 >>>>> 18 >>> 391 >>>> 409
Rovers 2 (Okenabirhie) : Wimbledon 0
>>>>>>> Scorer > Score > Result Bonus > Total > Pts B/F > O/all
Donaldo>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>> 0 >>>> 3 >>>>> 70 >>>>>> 73
PDXMickey> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>> 0 >>>> 3 >>>>> 66 >>>>>> 69
BVZ>>>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>> 0 >>>> 3 >>>>> 32 >>>>>> 35
Crazy>>>>> 4 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>> 0 >>>>> 7 >>>>> 63 >>>>> 70
Mooligan>>> 4 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>> 0 >>>>> 7 >>>>> 80 >>>> 87
Cheltenham 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>>> 0
Nookie>>>> 0 >>>>> 4 >>>>> 3 >>>> 0 >>>>> 7 >>>>> 69 >>>> 76
Selby>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 29 >>>>> 29
Lanza>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0
>>>>>>>>>> 8 >>>>> 4 >>>> 18 >>>> 0 >>>>> 30 >>> 409 >>> 439