The victory over Salford means Wimbledon retain a sniff of the playoffs going into their final three games. It’s a scenario that I’m sure most Dons’ fans would have accepted at the start of the season, even if a top-7 finish looks an outside shot. Much of the reason for the improvement this season isContinue reading “Goals hard to come by”
Author Archives: timhanson82
Down and usually out
My last blog focused on a positive aspect of the current season: Wimbledon’s ability keep leads in games. Naturally, this was quickly followed by dropping two points after going ahead versus Morecambe. I apologise for that. But overall, it’s still a positive trend. Less positive is what happens when the Dons go behind in games.Continue reading “Down and usually out”
Holding leads
What’s been Wimbledon’s biggest on-pitch issue over the past couple of seasons (prior to this one)? There are a few candidates, but right at the top of the list is surely the inability to hold onto a lead. Over the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, the Dons frequently took leads but almost as frequently sacrificed them.Continue reading “Holding leads”
Omar Bugiel: Defending from the front
Ali Al-Hamadi has understandably been the centre of attention recently. 13 goals in 13 games. 4 braces in 5 games. Described by Ali Maxwell of Not The Top 20 as “possibly the most important name in the entire EFL January Transfer Window”. And given a glowing review by Scouted Football, which aims to profile theContinue reading “Omar Bugiel: Defending from the front”
A challenging spell
After a highly promising start to the season, the Dons have now picked up just 2 points from the last 5 games. This included the back-to-back defeats to Accrington and Morecambe, with 8 goals conceded across the 2 games, compared with a total of just 11 conceded in the Dons’ first 14 games. In thisContinue reading “A challenging spell”
Early season stats: lots to like
In this blog, I have a look at some early season stats for the Dons. As you will see, the strong points return to date has been backed up by some impressive underlying stats that I think bode well for the rest of the season. A solid defensive foundation Wimbledon have conceded just 4 goalsContinue reading “Early season stats: lots to like”
Set piece struggles
I don’t think many Wimbledon fans were surprised by the manner of Barrow’s equaliser in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to the Cumbrians. A corner, a keeper coming for the ball but failing to get there, a lack of marking, and a relatively easy free header into the open goal. There were extenuating circumstances, with a goalkeeperContinue reading “Set piece struggles”
Experience matters?
Ask any Wimbledon fan why it all went wrong last season and the chances are they will mention a lack of experience. It’s hard to argue with that. The Dons’ squad had an average age of 23.7 years, the youngest in League 1 (with only Barnsley, at 23.1, younger in the top 4 tiers). ThatContinue reading “Experience matters?”
Mid-season review
With 25 games played and 21 remaining, Wimbledon sit just three points outside the League 2 play-off places. That’s certainly a position most of us would have taken at this stage after the early season struggles. In this blog, I look at the Dons’ prospects over the remainder of the season. Not enough for aContinue reading “Mid-season review”
Sticky business
One man’s desperate attempt to engage his daughter in tournament football through the medium of stickers For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved watching World Cups and European Championships. I have vague memories of Euro ’88 and much more vivid ones of Italia ’90. I estimate I’ve watched over 90% of World CupContinue reading “Sticky business”