And what did we learn from yesterday? Not the yardstick for the season ahead of course, things still being experimented with, reshuffling through the game etc. But to say that JJ would be the happier of the two managers at the end would be an understatement. His side had limited us to a couple of decent opportunities, scored a couple of goals that would look good from their perspective, and won the game, albeit with the help of some agricultural challenges not especially in the spirit of the game, with our players taken out unceremoniously when danger threatened, them safe in the knowledge that the referee was keeping his card in his pocket.
Let’s start with the positives. Aside from no obvious injuries picked up I’d say only two. Edwards looked very good as the left-sided wing-back, albeit more for his defensive work than getting forward. He nullified the threat from their erratic but lively winger (the contrast being obvious when after a breakdown from a corner that guy found himself up against Campbell and skinned him on the outside to lay on their opener). The only qualifier here is that in that position he is competing with Small, who replaced him late on. Good to have competition for places for sure, but it means one of the two warming the bench, perhaps being alternated for and during games (while Edun came on yesterday in a midfield role). On the other flank we started with Watson and replaced him late on with Asiimwe (with Ramsay also coming on but playing in a more central position).
The other one for me was Mannion. He had no chance with either of their goals, no other serious attempts on goal to deal with, but looked assured when it came to dealing with high balls and had a calm assurance about him. The qualifier here is that any thoughts of him being an established first-choice keeper would seem to be dependent on whether, having confirmed the departure of Isted (who goes with all best wishes, for us he just never really nailed down the position and like Hector and Thomas has paid the price for last season’s collective defensive failures), we end up signing Bergovic. If we do, that would mean two positions for which we are very well covered.
That only leaves nine. And here we turn to negatives. We began the game with a midfield trio of Coventry, Docherty (who was captain) and Berry. Wouldn’t be surprising if they were viewed as the first-choice combination. Collectively they were disappointing. Through the first half they did you might say gradually establish an ascendency in terms of possession after Wimbledon’s bright start. Just that we looked ordinary and one-paced. Very little was done with the possession other than rely on Aneke winning a physical battle to produce something (which after a poor start he managed to do). Might be a case of three guys learning how to play together and with understanding will come improvement; might also prove to be a case of the boat going faster with not necessarily the quickest individual rowers (Jones contrasted the performance with that against Palace but that was with a different midfield). On that matter judgement has to be reserved. The changes late in the game saw Taylor, Edun and Anderson introduced, with little time for anyone to impress, while Fraser was a notable absentee.
Up front Aneke and Godden as a pair worked well enough, after – as the ever insightful Steve Brown pointed out – Chuks focused less on how to bully their defenders and more on how to use the ball and make something happen. They combined to produce the first half’s only effort of note from us, which ended with the latter shooting over from close range. I’m mystified why Ahadme – who appears badly in need of game time, currently doing a passable imitation of Tedic – was brought on at the break and then taken off with the mass changes on 77 minutes. By then Campbell had replaced Godden, continuing the experiment of using him in a central role. He did cause them problems but also failed to convert our one second-half chance when he got through on the keeper. Kanu brought energy and directness when he came on, while trialist Hylton was the only unused outfield substitute.
With no sign that Jones is considering Mbick or Casey as ready for first-team selection, Leaburn still a way from returning, we seem to be shaping up pretty simply with a big(ger) guy and a partner, the former being a mix of Ahadme and Aneke, the latter Godden and Campbell, Hylton if he signs, with Kanu something between the two. You assume that Ahadme and Godden are the chosen pair, just would be good to see them open their account for us.
Defensively we began with a trio of Jones, Mitchell(A) and Gillesphey, replacing them late on with Ramsay, Mitchell(Z) and Edmonds-Green. Wimbledon’s second goal came just after the replacements and was a classic case of three central defenders standing still and occupying their areas, allowing one forward to make a well-time run between them and into the space behind. That had echoes of last season. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the starting three being the way things pan out for early in the season. There was still no appearance from Ness. Have to assume when Jones says “we need to move one or two on” that Ness and Fraser are at least on the list.
Previously I suggested that if you had to pick a starting X1 right now (and not including trialists) it could be: Mannion, Small, Ramsay, Gillesphey, Mitchell(A), Jones, Coventry, Berry, Dochety, Ahadme and Godden. Subs would presumably include Isted/Maynard-Brewer then a selection from Watson, Edun, Asiimwe, Ness, Mitchell, Anderson, Campbell, Kanu, Aneke. For yesterday Jones went with eight of my starting choices, the two wing-backs being different and Aneke starting rather than Ahadme. The wildcards arising are whether Edwards is accommodated and Mannion is supplanted by a new signing. The concern is that we played most of the game yesterday with something close to what would be viewed as first-choices and looked ordinary, seldom threatening from open play or set pieces. Even though it was an inconsequential pre-season friendly we – and Jones – will expect more in the weeks ahead.
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