Pretty much this, I’d watched his appearances in the Pizza Cup and his recent league start - admittedly still not a huge number of minutes, but I hadn’t seen any true potential that he was going to challenge seriously for a regular berth in the First XI.
I don’t deny that he appeared to give his all every time I saw him though - hope the move works out well.
We are thinning out the squad a little now. I thought AAH 2.0 had a lot to offer like the original one but needed time to get consistent.
Wimbledon is a good move for him no doubt. Hopefully some cash. Some money off the payroll and a gap in the squad. A real chance for Tjay to push for a squad place now.
Looked pretty good in pre-season, not seen much of him since, probably a victim of our substitution ban as you're either a starter or you don't get long enough to impress.
I have a much more positive feeling about his potential than has so far been displayed on this thread. I commented at the time on his borderline Mehmetiesque run along the goal line cutting in from the left and beating two defenders against Plymouth and, with more game time his match fitness and confidence will improve. I believe he will do very well for AFC Wimbledon.
That's him. Totally disappeared from all radars. Not even mentioned in any squad conversations. Do we know if he is injured or just slid away into the distance?
Gareth mentioned him on Monday’s RtB interview with Phil I think. My impression is he’s not quite as close to the finished article as we thought he was, but with AAH gone I guess he’s a step closer to the first team.
My thoughts exactly. He needs meaningful game time, which at the moment we can’t give him. Which brings me back again to not really understanding how we use the loan system.
Is he injured? Is he available for loan? As far as I can see he's made a handful of appearances and that's it. Far less football than he was at Man Utd. I feel for some of these kids as their careers go backwards sometimes.
This is a little bluntly put, but for the downvoters, put it another way - have you seen much from any of the three that suggest they'll be starting league 1 games regularly any time soon?
From the run outs he's had so far, it's quite hard to say what sort of player he actually is.
It feels like he should be categorised with the development players, but he was actually signed to be a squad player.
Young is another odd one. 3 year deal, which is usually reserved for really game changing players, but he's barely had a look in either. And that's in a season where Gape, Thompson and Scowen have had significant spells out.
If you’re a WTV subscriber, go back and watch the interview with Gaz after we had signed Mellor. Whilst he acknowledged that he had areas that needed to be worked on, Gaz was clearly excited (and said we would be too) and was confident he had found another gem. Maybe he has and only time will tell, but I wouldn’t be too surprised if we saw him leave in the summer.
Ward, on the other hand, I’m excited to see out on the pitch. Hopefully next season!
The non-appearance of Young in the side is odd to me too, I’ve seen some real potential from him although he hasn’t had much in the way of minutes alas.
Comments
What does Gareth mean when he says he's keeping a vested interest? Presumably a sell-on clause?
Surprised he’s got a League 2 move to be honest. Wish him all the best though. Seems like a lovely lad.
There is something there with AAH in my view but he’s also a bit green - hence some of the technical oddities others have pointed out recently.
However, given a decent run of games he might really come on and score a few goals for someone.
De Barr looks a better prospect to me, however and I hope we’re going to see a bit more of him in the remainder of the season.
Pretty much this, I’d watched his appearances in the Pizza Cup and his recent league start - admittedly still not a huge number of minutes, but I hadn’t seen any true potential that he was going to challenge seriously for a regular berth in the First XI.
I don’t deny that he appeared to give his all every time I saw him though - hope the move works out well.
We are thinning out the squad a little now. I thought AAH 2.0 had a lot to offer like the original one but needed time to get consistent.
Wimbledon is a good move for him no doubt. Hopefully some cash. Some money off the payroll and a gap in the squad. A real chance for Tjay to push for a squad place now.
Blimey, two and a half year contract according to the Dons website.
Was a lovely moment when he scored in the league cup this season, but in reality was never going to get near it here.
Doubt he's gone for a fee as he was OOC in the summer anyway
They need to work on his big weakness, constantly taking his eye of the ball.
Probably go down as one of our most peculiar signings, when the history books are rewritten.
Very good luck to him. He never looked up to the top end of L1, but i suspect with a run of games he’ll be very handy in L2.
The AFCW view:
https://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/2023/january/ali-arrives-international-forward-signs/
Looked pretty good in pre-season, not seen much of him since, probably a victim of our substitution ban as you're either a starter or you don't get long enough to impress.
I think a league goal might have settled him down, but we'll never know!
Exactly that, @StrongestTeam.
I have a much more positive feeling about his potential than has so far been displayed on this thread. I commented at the time on his borderline Mehmetiesque run along the goal line cutting in from the left and beating two defenders against Plymouth and, with more game time his match fitness and confidence will improve. I believe he will do very well for AFC Wimbledon.
Delighted for Ali and hope he will get his first team opportunities.
Remember that lad from Man United we signed? What happened to him?
Mellor?
That's him. Totally disappeared from all radars. Not even mentioned in any squad conversations. Do we know if he is injured or just slid away into the distance?
Gareth mentioned him on Monday’s RtB interview with Phil I think. My impression is he’s not quite as close to the finished article as we thought he was, but with AAH gone I guess he’s a step closer to the first team.
I can't see if we signed him on a 1 year deal or more. In the brief glimpses I've seen of him I would say enthusiastic but raw
Mellor, AAH and TJ are nowhere near good enough.
My thoughts exactly. He needs meaningful game time, which at the moment we can’t give him. Which brings me back again to not really understanding how we use the loan system.
Is he injured? Is he available for loan? As far as I can see he's made a handful of appearances and that's it. Far less football than he was at Man Utd. I feel for some of these kids as their careers go backwards sometimes.
D’Mani Mellor has been linked with a loan move to Gillingham in this transfer window.
This is a little bluntly put, but for the downvoters, put it another way - have you seen much from any of the three that suggest they'll be starting league 1 games regularly any time soon?
From the run outs he's had so far, it's quite hard to say what sort of player he actually is.
It feels like he should be categorised with the development players, but he was actually signed to be a squad player.
Young is another odd one. 3 year deal, which is usually reserved for really game changing players, but he's barely had a look in either. And that's in a season where Gape, Thompson and Scowen have had significant spells out.
If you’re a WTV subscriber, go back and watch the interview with Gaz after we had signed Mellor. Whilst he acknowledged that he had areas that needed to be worked on, Gaz was clearly excited (and said we would be too) and was confident he had found another gem. Maybe he has and only time will tell, but I wouldn’t be too surprised if we saw him leave in the summer.
Ward, on the other hand, I’m excited to see out on the pitch. Hopefully next season!
I can find this, but is there a more substantial source available?
https://twitter.com/lowerlgeagnt1/status/1612805290176688130?s=46&t=VD82WbcxqJDCq5Yk-iEH5w
The non-appearance of Young in the side is odd to me too, I’ve seen some real potential from him although he hasn’t had much in the way of minutes alas.
One of Taff's YouTube videos, Taff suggests that kids learning to play football should watch TJ and to expect "big things".
No better compliment than one from a fellow pro.
AAH was not good enough. Mellor - jury is out. Man Utd saw something so not sure we should dismiss him just yet.
I still read AAH and see it as the old AAH it’s done my head in, so I’m a bit relieved tbh!
But good luck at Wimbledon Ali, hope he can really kick starts his career there.