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Wimbledon v West Bromwich Albion
National Hockey Stadium, Milton Keynes. 30th December 2003, 7.45pm.
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I am extremely thankful that I opted to watch this match in the comfort of my own home rather than make the 50 or so mile journey to Milton Keynes to watch it in freezing temperatures in an open stand. Having said that, may be the best option would've been to start celebrating the New Year early and head down the pub. I didn't think I would see a worse performance from Albion this season than I saw on Boxing Day, but I did. We would've surely lost to any other side in this division and should've lost to Wimbledon. We couldn't pass, we were too slow, we had no drive or energy, it was simply awful.

The fall out from Derby saw Gilchrist, O'Connor and Hughes dropped and, coupled with injuries to Gregan and Robinson, and a suspension for Haas, there were six changes to the starting line-up. Wallwork came into midfield, Hulse back into attack, Moore and Volmer into the back three with the wing back positions occupied by James Chambers and Clement.

And with the exception of Moore, who had a dodgy first half but looked solid in the second (save for one aberration), none of the new entrants justified their recall. Chambers looked completely hopeless, Wallwork was ponderous with his usual display of erratic passing, Clement looked like he had not recovered from the illness he was reported to have had, Hulse showed no improvement on his recent displays and Volmer showed only a mild improvement on Gilly's abject display from Boxing Day.

What has happened to this side? We supposedly have at least two quality players in each position, but which mad scientist has taken them all and replaced them with this bunch of flawed clones?

It was clear from the first minute that we were going to be treated with more of the same. Wimbledon's youngsters looked lively and more energetic as the Albion no-hopers pondered about the field misplacing passes and being second to every loose ball.

Despite this, it was Wallwork who had the first meaningful effort on target as Albion's first positive action of the game saw him take the ball forward and shoot a couple of feet wide from about twenty yards.

Wimbledon passed the ball around neatly in the middle of the park but lacked the quality and experience to really open Albion up. But even when they lost the ball, the Albion players took too long on the ball and the Dons men were quick to close down and regain possession. As an Albion fan, it was painful and infuriating to watch. A neutral would've believed that it was Albion that were struggling against relegation and Wimbledon who were flying high - well, perhaps not, because despite dominating possession and looking more dangerous, Wimbledon were poor. It's just that Albion were worse.

Mackie went close for the Dons on seven minutes when he cut in from the right bamboozling Gaardsoe and Moore and firing just wide.

Albion had a couple of opportunities as they attempted to get some hold on the game. Hulse saw a mid-air effort saved by Banks before he headed over from a Koumas free kick when Gaardsoe was in a better position behind him.

But it was Wimbledon who were being made to look the better side by some elementary mistakes from Albion. Chambers played an inch perfect ball to Mackie (who is unfortunately not on his side), and he advanced on goal before firing over. Nowland tested Hoult a few minutes later from distance after Wallwork had lost possession.

Koumas finally emerged from his hiding place to run at the Dons defence but his shot was deflected safely into the 'keeper's arms.

On 37 minutes, Horsfield finally showed a bit of desire as he chased a lost cause and dispossessed Leigertwood as he tried to shepherd the ball out. He cut the ball back to Hulse, who fed Koumas twelve yards out. But the Welshman could only sidefoot the ball straight at Banks.

With Sky's commentators waxing lyrical about an enthusiastic but no better than average Wimbledon team, the half drew to a close with Albion having had the better chances, but looking an awful team.

The second half started with Hoult dropping the ball from a Wimbledon corner, with Gaardsoe on hand to clear. Moments later, a Koumas free kick was headed over by Big Dave when he should've done better.

Albion were looking better in the second half, but continued to give the ball away cheaply with Clement, Chambers and Wallwork the worst culprits.

Another Koumas free kick saw Hulse head over once again, before Megson made his first change. He was about to bring O'Connor on for Wallwork when Johnson was injured and had to leave instead.

Wimbledon seemed to have lost some of their momentum, but continued to look much more interested in winning the game. Despite this, Albion continued to create half chances without ever dominating.

Clement put across one of only about two balls that missed the first defender on 68 minutes. Horsfield slid in but missed the ball, and he was crowded out as he tried to retrieve the chance.

Wimbledon then had their best chance of the game when Reo-Coker dropped off the Albion back three to receive a cut back from McAnuff, but he fired high into the crowd from ten yards.

Minutes later, McAnuff created more havoc down the right. Hoult missed the cross which fell for Small, but Chambers managed to block the shot.

Dobie replaced the once-again-disappointing Hulse on 72 minutes.

Wimbledon were well on top now with McAnuff and Nowland both testing Hoult from distance taking advantage of a pedestrian Albion midfield. Small and Agyemang also had attempts on goal before Koumas, under no pressure, decided to pass the ball to Reo-Coker. The 19-year-old Dons captain sent Agyemang clear, and he sprinted away from Darren Moore before the on-rushing Hoult managed to deflect the resulting shot into the side netting.

Clement's other successful cross was met by a diving header from Dobie late on, and in stoppage time, the former Carlisle man used his pace to get around Lewington put could only fire straight at Banks from an acute angle.

The teams in the play-off positions will be rubbing their hands in glee after seeing this performance from Albion, and even down-in-the-dumps Forest will be relishing the prospect of a morale boosting cup win. The Sky commentator described Albion's form as stuttering - if that's the case, it's certainly more Arkwright than Gareth Gates. This has got to change soon, because I can see this side plummeting down the table if it doesn't. It's infuriating because we have the best squad in the division, I really believe that, but Megson now has the toughest test of his Albion career to turn this around.

RESULT - WIMBLEDON 0 WEST BROMWICH ALBION 0

Marks

Hoult - 6 - Made some great saves, but looked suspect on crosses.
Gaardsoe - 7 - MOM. Only because he was the closest to the form he can produce.
Moore - 7 - After a poor first half, he produced a solid display in the second despite one dreadful error.
Volmer - 6 - No better than average.
J Chambers - 3 - Defensively inept, failed to cross one decent ball and gave away possession at will.
Koumas - 6 - A mild improvement on recent form with some quality set piece deliveries, but still well below his best.
Wallwork - 4 - He must be Megson's love-child to be anywhere near this squad.
Johnson - 6 - Did OK, but didn't have his usual drive or enthusiasm.
Clement - 5 - Was occasionally shown up at the back, utterly woeful going forward despite two decent crosses. I hope he was still ill.
Hulse - 5 - Spurned some good chances - looks desperate.
Horsfield - 6 - Didn't get much in the way of service, but looks off the pace.

O'Connor - 5 - Can't say I noticed him.
Dobie - 6 - Added a little pace, but didn't have much impact.

The Manager - 6 - He made changes to inject something to the side but they all failed. Wallwork is a lost cause, Chambers was awful and Hulse showed no improvement. Why not Sakiri or Adam Chambers? He's got a job on his hands.


Wimbledon (4-4-2):
Banks; Small, Leigertwood, Nowland, Gier; McAnuff, Mackie (Gray 62), Lewington, Darlington; Agyemang, Reo-Coker. Subs not used: Worgan (GK), Chorley, Tapp, Harding.
West Bromwich Albion (3-5-2):
Hoult; Gaardsoe, Moore, Volmer; J Chambers, Johnson (O'Connor 62), Wallwork, Koumas, Clement; Horsfield, Hulse (Dobie 72). Subs not used: Murphy (GK), Sakiri, Dyer.
Bookings: West Bromwich Albion - Wallwork (foul 59), Gaardsoe (foul 85).
Referee: P Walton (Northamptonshire).
Attendance: 6,376.
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