You may not agree, but trust me, football is a wonderful if unpredictable game. It can throw a curve ball at you in the blink of an eye, with the game turning on its head. Normally the curve ball is the result of something that happens during the game, but occasionally it can be something off it.
AFC Wimbledon's game last night against Swindon Town was a case in point. Swindon's manager Ian Holloway decided to play their centre forward in the middle of their defence. That's akin to Rory McIlroy deciding to play every tee shot with his 9 iron. When asked why he did this, he responded that he wanted to see the look on his opposite number's face.
Whether this is true or not, the tactic worked a dream. Not only did it fool Johnnie Jackson, Wimbledon's manager, but their defenders had to rethink everything they'd prepared for. Having their main target at the other end of the pitch meant they had to deal with the unexpected. The fact they largely did, says a lot about their ability, but the tactics also perfectly demonstrated the difference between the two manager's.
Having gone 1-0 down early in the second half, Holloway almost immediately made three changes. 12 minutes later he made another two. All of a sudden half his side was compiled of players with fresh legs. Wimbledon by comparison made one half time substitution, but then waited until the 89th minute to make another. By this time they had conceded an equaliser. Quite what a new player was expected to do with a minute left on the clock is unclear.
Wimbledon's substitutions have been an area of debate amongst fans all season. They're often conservative, and happen comparatively late in the game. Often they're like for like with little or no tactical switch. If the substitute is to play the same way as the player they've replaced, then they're unlikely to be as good as them otherwise they'd have started. The result is ineffective substitutions.
Swindon's substitutions changed the game in the same way Wimbledon's half time change brought their goal. Having five fresh players playing against a tiring side was key. So was having their centre half, sorry striker, changing position with 20 minutes left to play in his normal position. Suddenly our tiring defence had a lot of issues. These mind games aren't new to Holloway. He's often found taking educated risks to outflank the opposition. By contrast Jackson's natural caution played right into his hands.
As for the game itself, the Swindon win with two penalties in the last five minutes was painful to all Wimbledon fans. The management complained about the referee, but I didn't think he had a bad game. Sometimes you just have to acknowledge when you've been out smarted. Holloway did that to a tee. If Wimbledon don't at least make the playoffs, there'll be increasing calls for Jackson to go. Wimbledon had more to lose than Swindon last night, but that shouldn't result in conceding five goals from winning positions in their last three games, all coming in the last 10 minutes of each game. If Jackson is still Wimbledon manager next season, he must learn to trust his squad to do the job.
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