'More overbearing uncle than lairy, sweary friend of a friend' - the big talking points from Doncaster Rovers' draw at AFC Wimbledon

They had all the tools to wreck the happy homecoming of AFC Wimbledon.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Yet while they managed to make it an evening of slog and toil for the occupants of the brand new home on Plough Lane in Merton, Doncaster Rovers failed to spoil the party in the manner they really should have.

They strolled through the door, took control of the DJ decks and made everyone present dance to their tune for almost the entirety of the evening.

Almost.

Matt Smith fires in the equaliser for Rovers. Picture: Howard Roe/AHPIXMatt Smith fires in the equaliser for Rovers. Picture: Howard Roe/AHPIX
Matt Smith fires in the equaliser for Rovers. Picture: Howard Roe/AHPIX
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Twice, when allowing themselves to be distracted, they let Wimbledon sneak in and stick on a record of their own, both times with Joe Pigott on lead vocals.

Allowing the set to carelessly drift off tone damaged the whole performance and left Rovers scrambling around to get back on track.

Even when a hit from old crooner James Coppinger closed the night, it could not entirely take away the feeling of disappointment.

New residents Wimbledon were pleased and relieved their party had not been ruined entirely. The open house can be looked back on with fond memories all round.

The scene at the new Plough Lane stadium. Picture: Howard Roe/AHPIXThe scene at the new Plough Lane stadium. Picture: Howard Roe/AHPIX
The scene at the new Plough Lane stadium. Picture: Howard Roe/AHPIX
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rovers were left ruing the fact they had not been as unwelcome guests as they might have been.

More overbearing uncle than lairy, sweary friend of a friend.

WELCOME SIGNS

Rovers have come up short against opposition sides that have handed the onus to them to attack. They have lacked ideas, lost their way and left themselves open to being picked off.

Josh Sims tussles with Wimbledon's Paul Kalamabyi. Picture: Howard Roe/AHPIXJosh Sims tussles with Wimbledon's Paul Kalamabyi. Picture: Howard Roe/AHPIX
Josh Sims tussles with Wimbledon's Paul Kalamabyi. Picture: Howard Roe/AHPIX

While there will be justifiable questions about their continued vulnerability down their right side, when it came to their attacking play in the circumstances, there was the welcome signs of improvement.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Granted, Wimbledon did not press as high or as hard as other teams might. Nor did they look to stop Rovers playing out from the goalkeeper to the centre halves.

Instead, they packed their own half with bodies, transforming a five man defence into one made up of at least eight bodies every time Rovers had the ball.

A blue brick wall to try to find cracks in. The task was not going to be easy, and to Wimbledon’s credit they never made it so.

Ben Whiteman darts away from Wimbledon's goalscorer Joe Pigott. Picture: Howard Roe/AHPIXBen Whiteman darts away from Wimbledon's goalscorer Joe Pigott. Picture: Howard Roe/AHPIX
Ben Whiteman darts away from Wimbledon's goalscorer Joe Pigott. Picture: Howard Roe/AHPIX

But where Rovers have previously descended into erratic play or gone a little too ambitious with their play, on this occasion they were only calm.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Possession play was patient throughout. They were happy to keep the ball, keep it moving and wait for opportunities to play forward.

If it meant dropping back and sending the ball backwards, then no sweat. They were in control and happy to be so.

There was an upping of the tempo in the second half but the control was maintained and it saw them dominate.

And they demonstrated calm heads when twice falling behind to not be knocked off their stride.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Such composure is vital when the opposition are looking to frustrate. And Rovers should have confidence in the technical ability of their players to make patience pay off.

TOOTHLESSNESS

Such technical ability however failed to be carried into the final third on Tuesday night.

The blue wall was incredibly difficult to breach and when Rovers did find ways through, they could not carry through the composure they had shown further down the pitch.

Ben Whiteman and Tom Anderson both missed free headers. Shots were pulled wide or blocked, with wrong choices taken on several occasions.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Matt Smith had tried to pass in a good position just a few seconds before he slotted home the first equaliser. And Coppinger admitted afterwards he shouldn’t have passed to Whiteman before eventually taking the shot that brought the last gasp leveller.

It will never not be astounding that a side capable of running roughshod over the opposition often have lapses where they look entirely toothless.

There is no doubting that on the balance of play that they should have won on Tuesday night.

VULNERABILITY

Being attacked on the counter is a problem for Rovers. Specifically, being attacked down their right on the counter is an issue.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Just as in the game at Plymouth a week prior, both goals conceded came from the opposition’s left flank having all the time and space they could wish for to deliver balls into the box where players ghosted in to slot home.

On Tuesday it cost them three points, twice seeing them having to fight back from behind simply to get one.

This is now arguably the biggest issue facing Darren Moore and his coaching staff. It is one he has pledged to get to the bottom of but is pointing the finger as his entire side rather than any individuals.

A GRAND OPENING – OF SORTS

It was not the christening of the new Plough Lane that most AFC Wimbledon supporters would have wanted. Fans being locked out saw to that.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Without the context of the history of the club, it would have been a flat occasion inside what, in truth, is a half finished football stadium.

Walking through a literal building site to simply get to the ground, what awaited on arrival was a construction project only slightly further down the line than the hulking apartment blocks surrounding it.

Wires hung from ceilings, plaster remnants had been swept into corners, seats were missing from stands, windows hadn’t had their protective film removed.

It was a privilege for Rovers to have the opportunity to help usher in an era of fresh positivity for a club born out of horrendous circumstances and that has punched above its weight for the last few years.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But the real opening of Plough Lane is still to come, when noise is generated by real people rather than patchy piped-in crowd noise.

*

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.