English Football League / Alan Dudman / 26 February 2009 / 12 Comments

In the brilliant Letters From My Windmill, Alphonse Daudet describes a man as 'three-parts idiot'. He might have used those words to describe Dudders here and his feeble attempts at assaulting last week's games... Will this weekend see an upturn in fortunes? Best Bet: Back Walsall to beat Yeovil @ [1.96]

Daudet was a man who preferred the use of a sword rather than a mere pin-prick, and it is at times like these where one must be bold instead of cautious.

MK Dons [2.68] v Leicester City [2.70]

What a game in store, this is the Chateauneuf du Pape of the Waitrose wine section. Top against second and easily the two best teams in the division.

Many followers of League One would argue that Roberto Di Matteo's side are the more attractive - in terms of their free-flowing counter attacking style - whereas Leicester are ultra strong, never concede and grind you into submission. The Dons are 12 points behind the league leaders, yet have two games in hand so a win could still keep alive their hopes of nicking the title.

With a crowd expected of nearly 19,000 on Saturday, it is a far cry from gates of 2,000 at Selhurst Park. Congratulations to chairman Pete Winkleman and his long term vision for the club (or new franchise), which was widely criticised at the time, but now 100 per cent justified.

Since defeat against Leyton Orient, the Dons have responded as they always do, and their three match unbeaten run will be tested to the limit this weekend. However, in terms of squad strengh, they are at full power, with Sean O'Hanlon and Luke Howell both returning, and excellent Chelsea youngster Shaun Cummings available for selection.

Leicester's 1-0 victory at Bristol Rovers last Saturday set a new club record of 20 league games unbeaten and chairman Milan Mandaric at last seems a contented man.

I have gone against Leicester a couple of times this season, but in the big games they have answered. They will be too strong this Saturday.

Recommendations:

Back Leicester City to win @ [2.70]
Back 0-1 @ [10.5]
Back under 2.5 goals

Hereford United [2.36] v Leyton Orient [3.30]

Meanwhile down at the foot of League One, Leyton Orient's new manager Geraint Williams has got the Londoners back on track with three solid performances under his new regime.

Like Roger Moore, a few eyebrows were raised when O's chairman Barry Hearn made this fairly low key appointment, but the critics have been answered with excellent away displays at Tranmere and Hartlepool.

Hereford's results have been plain crazy, home wins against Leeds (2-0) and Oldham (5-0!!!) have punctuated a wildly inconsistent profile. They are sweating on the fitness of veteran forward Steve Guinan, but I have never liked them as a team and I think they'll be beaten here.

Recommendations:

Lay Hereford @ [2.36]
Back 0-1 @ [10.00]

Walsall [1.96] v Yeovil Town [4.40]

I am liking the work of Chris Hutchings at the Banks's Stadium, and their four match unbeaten run should not be threatened this weekend by Yeovil.

Their home hoodoo has been banished, and what I like about them at the moment is that when they score, they can now defend properly and hold a lead.

Recommendations:

Back Walsall to win @ [1.96]
Back 1-0 [7.50], 2-0 [10.5]

Comments (12)

1. Pete winkleman | 27 February 2009

   Dear Betfair,

   I am glad you have posted these great remarks about my football team, MK Dongs

   I think its great you have posted positive reamarks about me stealing a football club and brainwashed people into thinking it was a good idea...

   I have also got people other people to write that there was only 2,000 at selhurst, so it must of been a good idea... I also think any premier league team that gets small crowds must also move. Middlesborough to Glasgow anyone?

   P. Winkleman

2. D Fitzgerald | 27 February 2009

   After reading above all I can say is 'what an ignorant prat' The real Wimbledon are still very much alive my friend.Our league place was stolen from us and you know it!

3. Martin Drake | 27 February 2009

   Please can you get your facts right. Wimbledon had an average attendance of about 18,000 when at Selhurst Park in 1999/2000. It was only after the Pete Winkleman stole the club that the attendances dropped down to 2000. What happened to Wimbledon and their fans can never be justified.

4. W Gimenes | 27 February 2009

   What an absolute crock. "Two thousand in the Selhurst years". Why don't you go ahead and accuse the Wimbledon supporters of abandoning their Club as well.

   You should apologise to the Wimbledon supporters who did the honourable thing and supported their Club in their town.

   Why don't you go ahead and say Wimbledon used to play in front of less than 1,000 (back in the 50s and 60s) as well? If you are to quote figures out of context.

   See if you find in your busy schedule to look up the figures for attendance and see that Wimbledon FC had higher average attendances then MK Franchise has EVER had.

   I bet not only you will not apologise nor will alow this coment to be posted.

   I hope your Chairman finds out that you are making excuses for MK Dons. His great uncle, who was the greatest supporter of Wimbledon FC will be turning in his grave.

5. Charlie | 28 February 2009

   That is disgusting. Gates of 2,000 occurred after the club announced its intention to move to Milton Keynes. There were 8,000 season ticket holders before that point. The average gates were 18000 at Selhurst Park. The move has not saved the club, the club died years ago. It was a property deal and Milton Keynes stole Wimbledon's league place. I thought better of Betfair. Stick to spouting off about odds in an effort to drive betting traffic, do not rake up the old wounds of still hurt Wimbledon fans over the theft of their club and the heritage of their league place. After all, you want our money now we are back in the Conference. Disgusting perversion of historical facts.

6. Jim | 28 February 2009

   
   'With a crowd expected of nearly 19,000 on Saturday, it is a far cry from gates of 2,000 at Selhurst Park. Congratulations to chairman Pete Winkleman and his long term vision for the club (or new franchise), which was widely criticised at the time, but now 100 per cent justified.

   Justified in who's eyes?

   I've a bit of exposure left but that's the last bit of business you'll have from me, if you think killing me team and dreams is 'justified'.

   I still can't believe that people are so blind and ignorant.
   Let's hope the fortunate fans in Milton Keynes never get the soul ripped out of their club, whether it's 2 or 2,000 - why who could they persuade in next...

   I'll never forget. Ever.
   

7. DJD | 28 February 2009

   100 per cent justified?

   You are saying the end justifies the means. If I cheat and make some money from Betfair then give it to charity that is 100% justified?

   If that attitude is supported by Betfair then you just lost a customer
   

8. DavidG | 28 February 2009

   That franchise comment just goes to prove how little Dudman knows about football.

9. Jon | 28 February 2009

   "Congratulations to chairman Pete Winkleman and his long term vision for the club (or new franchise), which was widely criticised at the time, but now 100 per cent justified."

   What an incredibly stupid comment. There will never be justification of the move to MK, irrespective of the success or otherwise of Franchise FC.
   

10. BathWomble | 28 February 2009

    How does a large crowd against Leicester justify moving a football club? Wimbledon used to get sell-out crowds for games at Selhurst Park against big clubs too. The attendance argument is irrelevant to whether a league place should be franchised or not.

11. Alan Dudman | 02 March 2009

    Firstly I would like to say thank you for all the comments above posted, and hopefully you will accept my apology regarding the said article.

    I am not one to patronise clubs outside the top flight, nor one to patronise fans, if it seemed that way then I am sorry. I can fully understand why some of the words written would have caused anger and outrage.

    Firstly the comment about remembering gates of 2000 at Selhurst, let's deal with that. I take on board what Charlie has said regarding the average dipping after the intention to move was announced, as well as the point made by W Giemes, so thank you. To respond to that, I did actually cover Wimbledon for two seasons or so, and remember many a game when the ground was sparse, in fact the comment is based on an old League Cup game against Wigan, and I recall a crowd of less than 2,000. Ok, this is wholly inaccurate and unfair to base two seasons of attendances on such a small sample size, so for that I apologise, and hopefully the apology would be accepted.

    Also I hope the fans of AFC Wimbledon will accept my apology concerning the use of '100 per cent justified'. I take on board everything that has been said there. This comment was based on me seeing a young exciting team, a very exciting new manager playing football the correct way, a flourishing Acedemy and a new stadium. I realise the MK Dons football club is a seperate entity to Wimbledon FC and AFC Wimbledon, and not for one moment am I in the camp of ripping the heart and soul out of a club. I should not have used 100 per cent justified, as what is justified to some will certainly not be to others. Some friends of mine have actually played at AFC Wimbledon and raved about the atmosphere there, so perhaps I should come down to see for myself what is happening there, although I fully understand if I wasn't welcome.

    I actually have fond memories of Wimbledon FC. As I said before, I covered them when I worked for clubcall and the club could not have been more helpful. They had a terrific group of young players under Terry Burton and used to really enjoy watching games there. I also have fond memories of the club as a kid. My uncle did actually play for the club in the non-league days with Dickie Guy and remember the good times when my Dad used to take me to the old Plough Lane.

    As for a comment made by David G about me knowing little or nothing about football. Well it is not about knowing or not knowing but all about opinion, and that is why football is so important as we can all spend four or five hours in a pub talking about it. I love my football, I played to a reasonably high level which was ended due to injury, I covered many games from the Premiership to the old Ryman League and will watch any game from the top flight to one of my local non league sides. I admit some of the comments were not at all positive about the old Wimbledon, nor indeed the relatively new AFC. Again I can only apologise, I am not one to cause offence but I can see why I have.

    I think everyone can be guilty of lack of empathy with clubs and fans, I certainly have been here. I know words can be said flippantly in responses such as these, but I genuinely apologise for such a negative article towards your club. I am a football lover as I hope you all are, I am neither offensive nor confrontational so I hope the apology can be accepted and I thank you for the comments posted.

    Alan Dudman

12. Gary Boswell | 08 April 2009

    Watch the rise and rise of AFC Wimbledon,FC United,AFC Telford,AFC Hornchurch - clubs that not only respect their fans but are run by their fans.

    It is the new wave. Not got to the top end of football yet but moving apace and I for one can't wait.

    Too much wallowing in the old nostalgia spoken as one who also does too much of it. It's a date for next season Alan. Me and you at AFC Wimbledon in the Conference Premier where, as a football fan, you will always be welcome.

    Boz

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