AFC Wimbledon (H) 6th August, 3pm

[Welsh_Saddler]

An early preview for this, the first League One game of the season, to give us lots of time to get in the mood! We welcome the authentic Wimbledon outfit, newly promoted from League Two - a promotion that was the latest in a long line of triumphs since the club's formation in 2002. Starting that season in the Combined Counties League Premier Division (following trials held on Wimbledon Common open to any unattached player who felt he was good enough - and 230 turned up!!), they progressed rapidly from what is the 9th tier of English football to their present position in League One, the 3rd tier.

Wimbledon's manager Neal Ardley has signed three players during the close season, two of whom will be familiar names - there's Dominic Poleon (ex-Oldham Athletic), Chris Whelpdale (ex-Stevenage and Peterborough) and Dean Parrett (ex-Stevenage). Leading scorer last season was 6'2" striker Lyle Taylor with 23 goals, and he has also featured prominently in their busy pre-season schedule:

12 July Dover Athletic (A) Lost 4-3
16 July Margate (A) Drew 1-1
23 July Reading (H) Won 2-0
27 July Crystal Palace (H) Lost 2-3
29 July Woking (A) Won 1-2
30 July Dagenham & Redbridge (A) Won 0-1

Jon Whitney's choice of starting line-up is still unclear as yet - he is reported to be offering Isaiah Osbourne a contract in the next day or so, and in terms of striker selection he will have to choose between the beefed-up Amadou Bakayoko (who has been scoring goals) and the potential offered by Messrs Jackson and Moussa. In "breaking news" an added dimension has appeared on the scene with the rumoured acquisition of Andreas Makris for what may well be a record transfer fee - is he's match-fit then he will surely start. We're almost suffering from an embarrassment of strikers.......

No doubt Wimbledon will approach this game with massive enthusiasm as befits their recent history and achievements, but I would hope that we can start this season in similar vein with our newly assembled squad. It will surely be an improvement on last season's frustrating 1-1 draw against Oldham Athletic, and I fancy us to get three points with a 2-0 result, Jackson and Bakayoko (who comes on as a sub) scoring.

[SoccerHQ]

Looking forward to this one...great to see the Wombles at this level now and I'd imagine they will pack out the away end so will be a good crowd, 5.5k I reckon.

Also cool to see practically a new team on the first day...always that unknown element to things.

Think it will be 1-1. Leading for long spells, missing chances and then Wimbledon will nick one from a set piece. Bit like how last season started with Oldham at home last year.

[chunkster]

well it depends which team whit's picks? our first half showing against Luton was uninspiring. but hopefully it will have given him a better idea of who is up to it. i haven't been overly impressed with any of our performances pre season. and i think he has assembled a team of skillful individuals that have yet to gel. and with wimbledon having a team that are still full of confidence and players that got them promoted. i am not that confident. so for that reason i think we will lose 1-2. but i hope that i am wrong. UTS :)

[Gripper]

Would love a win, however I dunno, if he starts Baka and Baka gets service, he should score and we may win....Will be intereresting....looking forward to it!!

[chunkster]

well well well :D , i may want to revise my review after today :lol:

[IHTC.]

Makris very unlikely to figure due to not being quite match fit and unlikely to get international clearance in time.

[Pedagogue]

Makris very unlikely to figure due to not being quite match fit and unlikely to get international clearance in time.

International clearance will be a formality as, believe it or not, we are still in the EU (as is Cyprus). Fitness, however, will be quite another matter. I expect him to be introduced to the crowd but unlikely to take part in the game.

[IHTC.]

Makris very unlikely to figure due to not being quite match fit and unlikely to get international clearance in time.

International clearance will be a formality as, believe it or not, we are still in the EU (as is Cyprus). Fitness, however, will be quite another matter. I expect him to be introduced to the crowd but unlikely to take part in the game.

Yes will be a formality but Stefan said signing players from abroad have slightly changed and they are not expecting the clearance to come before Saturday.

[Mazza01]

I would say 1-1 , I think us fans need to be patient with this team.

I reckon it may be a slow start to the season with us kicking on around October time.

UTS

[SoccerHQ]

Is it possible to be more un-match fit than Moussa currently?

Most of the team picks itself, back 5 is pretty easy to work out and middle two will be Chambers and Flo.

After that Morris out wide and Oztumer as number 10 but struggling with the other two positions....not sure who'll play other wide position and upfront do you go for man in form or Jackson who'd be expected to be the regular upfront this season.

Maybe Whitney will throw a curveball and go 4-4-2 and play both of them....or even stick Morris in CM and go 4-3-1-2.

[Wragbyred]

442??

To be honest, we spend 300k on a striker so he has to play, and I don't think Jackson has come here to be a reserve, so looks like we will have 2 up front quite regular :shock:

[SoccerHQ]

442??

To be honest, we spend 300k on a striker so he has to play, and I don't think Jackson has come here to be a reserve, so looks like we will have 2 up front quite regular :shock:

No it will be 4-2-3-1, Markis will play wide like Meelan did.

[Cheesebag]

I will be watching a la football manager style 1990's on the bet 365 app by the pool with a nice beer...

[Welsh_Saddler]

442??

To be honest, we spend 300k on a striker so he has to play, and I don't think Jackson has come here to be a reserve, so looks like we will have 2 up front quite regular :shock:

According to reports, Jon Whitney has said that Makris isn't fully match fit as yet, and won't appear against Wimbledon.

[reedswood sadler]

It will be good to see the real wombles at bescot instead of the franchise,should be a good crowd and atmosphere with them just being promoted.

Hard to decide how we will do apart from Jason and Sawyers all the imports seem to be as good as or better than those that have left.this has not shown itself in friendlies so will probably need time to gell into a team

I will be happy with 1-1 draw and am looking forward to see who new boo boy will be should take about 10 mins where I sit in OAP stand.

[nottmsaddler]

I would say 1-1 , I think us fans need to be patient with this team.

I reckon it may be a slow start to the season with us kicking on around October time.

UTS

October is fine. As Barnsley proved, you can be bottom in November and still go up.

Personally, I think it won't take more than 2-3 weeks to get fully going but I'll take a narrow 2-1 on Saturday. Jackson and Oztumer with 5,966 there.

[PT]

The online ticket thingy suggests the game is selling well.

We've got a few who ain't quite ready which might give one or two a chance to stake a claim. I doubt Moussa or Makris will start.

Would like to see Bakayoko and Jackson playing as a two but I reckon it will be Jackson on his tod with plenty given licence to bomb on.

Would be nice to win with around 6,000 there but I think it will be a draw with around 5,109 there.

[Micky Saddler]

3-0 to the mighty Saddlers.

My vision for the game goes like this...

Our wizard of Oz dazzles there midfield and defence so many times, it results in them kicking lumps out of him in typical non-league football style. This will present us with many dead ball opportunities in and around the area, Macca scoring his first for the club from a header with Jackson and Oz also on the scoresheet.

The question is, who will be taking the FK's now :shock:

UTS

[SoccerHQ]

Wombles signed Tyrone Barnett.

[Whaleoilbeefhooked]

I'm going for a hard fought 2-1 win.

Oztumer / Jackson for us.

Who would be our likely penalty taker this season? Is Oz a dead ball specialist or is it more likely to be Flo?

[BathSaddler]

A 1-1 draw, with Morris for us, in front of 5,863, including 1,200 Wombles.

[Darth Vader]

Flying start 3-0 Walsall

Just under 6,000 there with 800-1000 of them lot

[WSTFC]

Taking the lad to his first ever game at 7 months old! I think 2-0, 3-0, or 3-1. Probably still wrong :lol:

[JonnyOwen]

Makris has got the clearance to play tomorrow :D

I expect him to be on the bench though as Mole said Whitney did a test on him and found him to be not fit enough yet.

[derbysaddler]

Right, I'm going to try and adhere to positive chi this season.

I'll start with a 2 victory to Walsall, goals from Ozzytumer and Morris.

YAY!

[chunkster]

:cry: bloody electrician. i have waited over 3 weeks for him to get back to me about wiring up the outside lights. and guess when he is coming :roll: i might give him a hand with screwing them to the garden posts. he might be finished for about 2pm then :)

[cumbria-saddler]

2-1 Walsall with Oztumer and Makris with a last minute tap in.
5,124 att.

[Lovemuffin]

1-0 Ginnelly.

As its first game of the season, I'll just be happy if we try to play the right way and look like its working/ starting to work.

[chunkster]

1-0 Ginnelly.

As its first game of the season, I'll just be happy if we try to play the right way and look like its working/ starting to work.

agreed :wink:

[Whitters]

7-0 to us with shocked and reddish faces on the Wimbledon bench and paint stripped off the away dressing room walls (Is it still the Merson-brown paint?).
Welcome to League 1 suckers!
We then get over confident and lose the next game.

Don't miss 7-0 folks - get down there!