On bench a few days ago for a 1-1 draw at Sunderland (9th)
Socceroo Baily Wright with Black Cats goal.
Dons 14th.
Nik Tzanev (Unattached FC)
On the pine for a 1-2 home loss to Crewe Alexandra (9th).
Dons 15th
Watches a 2-0 loss at Oxford (15th) from the bench.
Dons 18th.
Dons game vs Ipswich Town postponed. Presume Covid related.
On the pine for a 1-2 home loss to top of the table Lincoln City.
Dons 20th, 1 place above the drop zone.
Birmingham City recalled from loan Connell Trueman Wimbledon's no 1 keeper, last week.
Unfortunately for young Tzanev, Dons have secured another keeper on loan, the experienced 29 yr old Sam Walker from Reading, as a replacement for Trueman.
https://lastwordonsports.com/football/2021/01/11/a...
Walker straight in as starting keeper for a 1-0 win at Bristol Rovers, in an EFL Trophy game.
Tzanev on the bench.
Dons slide continues (6L & 1D in last 7 league games) with a 0-3 loss to Sunderland (8th). Was 0-1 until 87th min.
Tzanev on the bench.
Dons 21st (4th last) and into relegation spots now.
Watches on as Dons lose 4-0 to 3rd placed Portsmouth at Fratton Park.
Dons stay mired in the drop zone, with 7 losses in their last 8 league games.
On the bench for a valuable 1-1 draw at Crewe Alexandra (8th).
Dons sneak out of the drop zone into 20th spot on GD.
On the pine as Dons lose 2-0 at Doncaster Rovers (5th).
Dons 21st.
Next, is grudge game against Milton Keynes (16th) at home.
On the bench for another Dons loss.
This one 0-2 at home to bitter rival Milton Keynes (16th).
9 losses & 2 draws in their last 11 league games for Wimbledon (21st).
Obviously need to turn that form around to avoid the drop.
They have a EFT Trophy game midweek, Tzanev you would hope is between the poles for that.
how many more games is he gonna sit on the pine before he starts demanding game time?
Disappointingly not given a run in the EFL Trophy.
A 3-1 loss at fellow League One side Oxford United. Tzanev on the bench.
It was a quarter final as turns out, so I guess potentially some silverware on the line.
Crucial 3-2 win for the Dons at fellow stragglers 23rd placed Wigan (that FA Cup win seems a while ago now).
Dons 19th, a point above relegation places.
Tzanev watches it all from the pine.
Dons verus Rochdale Postponed.
On the pine as Dons lose 3-0 at Peterborough (2nd).
Dons down to 21st and slip into the drop zone.
On the pine, as Dons get a important 1-0 win over Gillingham (15th).
Dons 20th, 1 point above the relegation spots.
Watches on as Dons suffer a 0-3 home loss to Hull City (3rd).
Dons 3rd last (22nd), on GD from Rochdale & Burton Albion above them.
Not in match day squad as Dons (21st) draw 1-1 at Shrewsbury Town (17th).
Back on the bench as Dons (22nd) draw 1-1 at Blackpool (12th).
Not in match day squad as Dons (23rd) lose 0-1 to Burton Albion (18th).
Dons 3 points from safety.
Dons 3 points from safety.
Gets a start in League One, and keeps a clean sheet!
0-0 draw at Bristol Rovers (19th).
Not enough to stop Dons now being in last place, but only 2 points from safety. Dons also have 1-2 games in hand on the teams above them. Tight in the relegation battle.
0-0 draw at Bristol Rovers (19th).
Not enough to stop Dons now being in last place, but only 2 points from safety. Dons also have 1-2 games in hand on the teams above them. Tight in the relegation battle.
From this week's Flying Kiwis.
"Nik Tzanev has had to be more than patient as he awaited his chance for The Dons. Despite some quality showings in cup competitions this season, Tzanev was overlooked for the starting gig back in January when Connal Trueman was recalled from loan as instead of promoting the kiwi fella they opted to bring in a veteran from outside the group. Sam Walker, who then proceeded to concede 17 goals in his first seven starts. He’d gotten a little better after that but with AFCW struggling to score goals and lumped very much in a relegation battle right now you had to wonder what Nik Tzanev needed to do.
"Nik Tzanev has had to be more than patient as he awaited his chance for The Dons. Despite some quality showings in cup competitions this season, Tzanev was overlooked for the starting gig back in January when Connal Trueman was recalled from loan as instead of promoting the kiwi fella they opted to bring in a veteran from outside the group. Sam Walker, who then proceeded to concede 17 goals in his first seven starts. He’d gotten a little better after that but with AFCW struggling to score goals and lumped very much in a relegation battle right now you had to wonder what Nik Tzanev needed to do.
But with Walker out injured this week that meant Tzanev finally got his chance, his second league start of the season after filling in for the first game of the campaign, and the bloke did exactly what he needed to do. Several big saves in a resounding performance. Kept his fourth clean sheet in six appearances this season... however the lads up ahead of him weren’t able to get the ball into the other net despite going close several times. Especially late on. Therefore ‘twas a 0-0 draw with Bristol Rovers, not the result they needed as they still sit 24th out of 24 teams in League One... but it’s bloody close amongst the relegation battlers plus the Dons do have a game or two in hand on the teams around them. And Nik Tzanev, he was fantastic.
A few excerpts from the club website’s match report...
A few excerpts from the club website’s match report...
“Midway through the first-half came a morale-boosting save for Nik Tzanev, the Kiwi keeper reacting well to deny Luke McCormick after a good run forward by Sam Nicholson. It was exactly what Tzanev needed on his return to the side and seconds later he was quickly out of his box to clear a through ball, earning applause from his team-mates.”
“The half ended with another fine moment for Tzanev. Sam Nicholson found space on the right and cut inside with intent, before unleashing a shot that Tzanev watched all the way and palmed away to safety with a firm hand.”
“As we approached the hour mark, pressure started to build on Wimbledon. Tzanev made his third impressive save of the match when he stayed alert to deny Jonah Ayunga. His next save was a bit more unorthodox, but that didn’t matter as he kept the ball out with his body to frustrate Ayunga, who had headed on target after a good cross by Nicholson.”
Up Next: Four home games in 12 days, starting with Wigan at 7.30am on Wednesday then Charlton at 4am on Sunday (NZT)
Up Next: Four home games in 12 days, starting with Wigan at 7.30am on Wednesday then Charlton at 4am on Sunday (NZT)
Keeps his spot in goal for a 1-1 draw verus Wigan (20th)
Dons up to 22nd
Dons up to 22nd
Another start in a 2-2 draw with Charlton (6th).
Dons 23rd (2nd last)
Dons 23rd (2nd last)
Comes up big with a 97th min pen save, as Dons (21st) clinch a vital 1-0 win over Northampton Town (20th).
A 6 pointer in the relegation dogfight. Dons sit in the last drop zone spot (4 teams relegated) edged on GD by Northampton. But Dons have 2 games in hand, and 10 matches left for them in the season.
ttps://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/2021/march/robbos-post-match-reaction/
Robbo questioned the referee's decision to award a 95th minute penalty, which led to Nik Tzanev's brilliant save.
A 6 pointer in the relegation dogfight. Dons sit in the last drop zone spot (4 teams relegated) edged on GD by Northampton. But Dons have 2 games in hand, and 10 matches left for them in the season.
ttps://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/2021/march/robbos-post-match-reaction/
Robbo questioned the referee's decision to award a 95th minute penalty, which led to Nik Tzanev's brilliant save.
"I have promised myself that I won't get involved in the referee's decisions, but I don't know how he (the referee) could tell (it was a penalty). Their bench were asking what it was for, they didn't know. I had a good chat with the referee afterwards and asked him how he could see it because it was such a melee in there. I couldn't really see why it was given, but it is what it is, and Nik has pulled off a fantastic penalty save."
From this week's Flying Kiwis. Slightly posh voice for a footballer.
https://youtu.be/x8azicjGLXY
Hopefully he's locked in as starting keeper until season end, and Dons can stay up.
https://theniche-cache.com/football/2021/3/30/flying-kiwis-march-30
https://youtu.be/x8azicjGLXY
Hopefully he's locked in as starting keeper until season end, and Dons can stay up.
https://theniche-cache.com/football/2021/3/30/flying-kiwis-march-30
In goal for a 1-0 loss at Plymouth Argyle (14th).
Dons 21st, a point away from escaping the drop zone.
Dons 21st, a point away from escaping the drop zone.
Unfortunately Dons (22nd) concede late on at 88 mins to lose 0-1 at home to Fleetwood Town (15th). Tzanev in goal.
Dons do still have games in hand on teams above them.
Going to be a tense finish to the season.
Dons do still have games in hand on teams above them.
Going to be a tense finish to the season.
Unfortunately Dons (22nd) concede late on at 88 mins to lose 0-1 at home to Fleetwood Town (15th). Tzanev in goal.
Dons do still have games in hand on teams above them.
Going to be a tense finish to the season.
Dons do still have games in hand on teams above them.
Going to be a tense finish to the season.
Unfortunately a major error at the hands of Tzanev - dwelled too long on the ball in the box, panicked and hit it straight at an advancing Fleetwood striker. Pity as he'd been absolutely outstanding until now
Unfortunately Dons (22nd) concede late on at 88 mins to lose 0-1 at home to Fleetwood Town (15th). Tzanev in goal.
Dons do still have games in hand on teams above them.
Going to be a tense finish to the season.
Dons do still have games in hand on teams above them.
Going to be a tense finish to the season.
Unfortunately a major error at the hands of Tzanev - dwelled too long on the ball in the box, panicked and hit it straight at an advancing Fleetwood striker. Pity as he'd been absolutely outstanding until now
Yes not great watching on this occasion.
https://youtu.be/y8F2lIRS0Y0
smart play from the striker
A great 5-1 win for Dons (20th) at Accrington Stanley (12th).
Tzanev in goal.
Dons go one point above the relegation zone (Wigan).
Tzanev in goal.
Dons go one point above the relegation zone (Wigan).
Consecutive victories.
In goal for a 3-0 win over Ipswich Town (9th).
Tractor Boys with player sent off 28 mins (2-0)
Dons 19th, and now 2 spots/2 points above the drop, still with a game in hand.
In goal for a 3-0 win over Ipswich Town (9th).
Tractor Boys with player sent off 28 mins (2-0)
Dons 19th, and now 2 spots/2 points above the drop, still with a game in hand.
Seems like a good level for him at this early stage of his career. Third tier in England is nothing to be snuffed at in terms of developing talent and playing at a decent level.
Hopefully they avoid the drop and he continues with his good form into the start of next season.
Perhaps sneaking his way into AW's contention for whenever we play next?
Hopefully they avoid the drop and he continues with his good form into the start of next season.
Perhaps sneaking his way into AW's contention for whenever we play next?
Pretty sure he's been in contention for a while now.
Pretty sure he's been in contention for a while now.
I kinda knew that. Although you've got incumbent Marinovic, Sail who is getting his opportunity, Woud who has established himself and now Tzanev. Would he crack the top 3 for a national squad? I'd say Marinovic by virtue of not playing every week at the moment would be the most tenuous position of those names, but still an incumbent in the national team so who knows...
Yep, that's probably the 4 competing for the 3 spots. I don't think you'd take 2 from the same club, because obviously it means one of them hasn't played much, plus it could be a problem for the Phoenix, and you'd hope Hay takes that into account.
So based on that, I'd imagine one out of Marinovic or Sail misses out, and which one would depend on whether previous experience or current form is preferred.
So based on that, I'd imagine one out of Marinovic or Sail misses out, and which one would depend on whether previous experience or current form is preferred.
Yep, that's probably the 4 competing for the 3 spots. I don't think you'd take 2 from the same club, because obviously it means one of them hasn't played much, plus it could be a problem for the Phoenix, and you'd hope Hay takes that into account.
So based on that, I'd imagine one out of Marinovic or Sail misses out, and which one would depend on whether previous experience or current form is preferred.
So based on that, I'd imagine one out of Marinovic or Sail misses out, and which one would depend on whether previous experience or current form is preferred.
To be honest I don’t think that problem will eventuate, as I feel (at least) one of those two will leave at the end of the season in search of game time, long before any All Whites squad is named