Brown: New Dons boys need time to gel (From Your Local Guardian)

Brown: New Dons boys need time to gel

3:29pm Monday 30th January 2012 in AFC Wimbledon By Graham Moody

Terry Brown believes his much-changed AFC Wimbledon squad need time to gel after falling to a 2-1 defeat to Aldershot Town at Kingsmeadow on Saturday.

Despite Sammy Moore levelling with a free-kick, the Dons were outdone by two deflected Anthony Straker strikes to fall to their first defeat in four games.

The starting 11 on Saturday included January signings Billy Knott, George Moncur, Byron Harrison and Gavin Hoyte, who was making his debut at right back, while Jason Prior made his debut off the bench.

And although Brown admitted the Shots deserved their victory, he was grateful the squad now have a full week to train together before going to Cheltenham Town on Saturday.

"The problem is we have new players in and have worked consistently at the diamond formation and that leads to a congested midfield when the opposition flood it too," said Brown.

"We have to have a plan B and we haven't had a chance to work on a plan B and knocking diagonals to the big guys.

"It was pleasing to look at the bench and know I could make changes but we haven't had enough time to work on whether Prior goes back door.

"I am screaming to Gareth Gwillim to go back door after he has hit two near post crosses and when he hits it back door, Prior goes running to the front post, so there's a lot of work to do.

"But it wasn't their fault on Saturday, we have new boys in there and we haven't had time to work on a plan B - we will have time to do that this week."

Hoyte's addition saw Sam Hatton left out of the squad completely on Saturday, as were Chris Bush and Ricky Wellard who have featured heavily this year.

It gives the Dons fierce competition for places and Brown hopes it can keep everyone on their toes.

"I think Sam needed a rest and needed to be taken out of the firing line a bit," he said.

"It was the only position I didn't have any cover for and I am a great believer that you need pressure on places.

"I felt Sam was in that comfort zone and I felt several of our players were before Christmas too and the new boys have shaken that up."

The Dons go to Corinthian Casuals in the Surrey Senior Cup tomorrow night but Brown was angry at a ruling that means he cannot play Prior as he was not registered in time.

"I find it incredible you can play an FA Cup game with 24 hours notice and you cannot play a Surrey Senior Cup game for week," he said.

"Do they really think I paid money for this boy to play against Corinthian Casuals?

"He needs a game and I would like him to play.

"It's a farcical, archaic idea that the London Senior Cup and Surrey Senior Cup need seven days notice.

"It makes you think as a manager 'why do we bother going in that any more'?"