Nik Tzanev (Huddersfield Town | England)

el grapadura

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.

If the Nix still have games when the players go on AW duty, I'd go with Marinovic. Leaves the Nix their starting keeper, and gives the Schoolmaster a GK of known ability at that level.

Another good win for the Dons, this time 4-1 over Swindon Town (bottom of the table).
Their 3rd win on the trot, and they go 5 points clear of the drop zone, plus they still have a game in hand. 4 matches left for most teams, 5 for the Dons.
Tzanev in goal.

Dons (19th) revival continues. 2-1 over playoff chasing Oxford (7th).
Oxford had player sent off at 62 mins, when they were 1-0 up. Tzanev in goal.
4 wins on the trot for Dons. 5 points clear of the drop zone, and still with a game in hand (4 games left for them, so almost safe).

Tzanev started against Bristol Rovers on 14th March, with Dons bottom and in pretty terrible form. Since then they have climbed the table with W5 D3 L2. Also only conceded 8 goals in those 10 games. Conceded 54 in the prior 32 games.

https://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/2021/april/report-ipswich-versus-wimbledon/

0-0 draw at Ipswich Town and from the sounds of the report, made a couple of good saves in the 2nd half to keep a clean sheet and take home a valuable point.

5 points clear of Northampton Town (21st), and 6 clear of next opponents Rochdale (22nd) Win that and they're safe in League One. Hopefully they come out all guns blazing in that one as their last two games are at promotion playoff chasing sides Portsmouth and Lincoln City.

DolorasConsistency is key for new Dons number one Nik

That's an accent! Isn't he Kiwi born?

And yes, consistency is the 🔑
Good going lad 👍

YoungHeart

DolorasConsistency is key for new Dons number one Nik

That's an accent! Isn't he Kiwi born?

And yes, consistency is the 🔑
Good going lad 👍

One of his hobbies is European skiing. Don't think he grew up on a housing estate. Wiki says left NZ age 10.

In a big game Dons grab a late 97th  min goal to draw 3-3 with Rochdale (21st). Escasty for Dons as avoiding the drop now virtually guaranteed if not 100%. A loss and they would have been really vulnerable 

Dons (19th) 6 points from safety with 2 games left. 2 toughies against Lincoln (4th) and Portsmouth (7th)

But they have a better GD than both Rochdale and Northampton (both 6 pts behind) who now need to win both games to have any hope of catching Dons. Though Wigan (20th) 2 pts below Dons are more catchable

In goal for a 1-3 home loss to Portsmouth (6th). Socceroo Ryan Williams full game for Pompey.

Despite the loss, Dons are now safe from relegation. That's after Rochdale also lost (to Doncaster). So great news for the Dons & Tzanev, they will be in League One next season.

1 game left to finish the season.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2021/05/01/england/league-one/afc-wimbledon/portsmouth-football-club/3346329/

From the AFCW fansite sw19army.com: "Can you honestly say we’d do much better replacing Tzanev, Rudoni and Assal this summer? I hope we’ve got them all on deals."

https://sw19army.com/?p=10627

From this week's Flying Kiwis.

Dons w/Tzanev starting: 14 GM | 5 W | 6 D | 3 L | +8 GD | 4 CS | 21 PTS

Dons without Tzanev: 31 GM | 7 W | 8 D | 16 L | -24 GD | 4 CS | 29 PTS

Dons & Tzanev finish their League Two season with a 0-0 draw at Lincoln City (5th). Lincoln were already assured of a spot in the promotion playoffs, and Dons obviously safe from the drop.

Ended up being (well last third) a breakout season for Tzanev. Hopefully secured him the no 1 spot at AFC Wimbledon for next season.

" More startling is finding out that Tzanev, McLoughlin and Terrell Thomas are out of contract too. 

I expect one of the first things MR will say to Joe Palmer is to immediately make offers – especially to our Bulgarian Kiwi. 

That’s if we haven’t already penciled that in. " 

https://sw19army.com/?p=10639

Play first half in friendly against Brentford

https://www.brentfordfc.com/fixtures/first-team/202122/july/afcw-vs-brentford-on-17-jul-21/

" Tzanev looking every inch a first teamer" - https://sw19army.com/?p=10711

Tzanev has been given/earned the #1 shirt for Wimbledon. 

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XtQDNDymBZ4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>

2-1 victory over Doncaster to open their League One campaign. Not much in the highlights package other than just the goals. A relatively quiet day in goal for Tzanev apart from the goal, as that was the only shot Doncaster could get on target.

Next up - Charlton (a) on Wednesday.

As an aside, Doncaster have a fantastic looking little stadium there. How good would it be to have footballing facilities like that in this country!

Plays in a 1-0 first round League Cup win over Charlton

https://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/2021/august/match-report-charlton-versus-wimbledon/

In goal for a 3-3 home draw against Bolton Wanderers.

Looks like he gave away a penalty (or dispuited one given). Got yellow at 22 mins, and Bolton converted from the spot at 23 mins.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2021/08/14/england/league-one/afc-wimbledon/bolton-wanderers-football-club/3521990/

Dons first competitive game at new revamped Plough Lane?

coochiee

In goal for a 3-3 home draw against Bolton Wanderers.

Looks like he gave away a penalty (or dispuited one given). Got yellow at 22 mins, and Bolton converted from the spot at 23 mins.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2021/08/14/england/league-one/afc-wimbledon/bolton-wanderers-football-club/3521990/

Dons first competitive game at new revamped Plough Lane?

First competitive game with an audience, some played under closed doors last year. 

Would have been a big occassion then in the London sun. Dons who came back from 1-3 down, in the Blue.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H42NWekfil0

coochiee

Would have been a big occassion then in the London sun. Dons who came back from 1-3 down, in the Blue.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H42NWekfil0

Not shown in the highlights, but he had an unbelievable save in the 67th minute down 3-1. Twitter seems to think he had a fantastic performance despite conceding three - from the highlights, nothing he could have done about the last two goals.

https://sw19army.com/?p=10750

In goal for a 1-1 draw against Gillingham (18th).
Dons who conceded in 96th min (OG), 10th in League One.

Gillingham had a pass completion of 51%....
That would have been an incredibly ugly watch.

Unbeaten start to the season comes to an end at Sumderland.

Full 90 for Tzanev and some good saves to keep his side in it throughout. Seems to be enjoying some excellent feedback from those watching on.

Screenshot_2021-08-22-14-21-53-19_680d03679600f7af0b4c700c6b270fe7.jpg 147.96 KB

Dons with a 1-0 win at Northampton in the League Cup. 94th min winner. Tzanev in goal.

Hopefully they get a tasty EPL opponent at home in the next round.

Sounds like he made a couple of good saves to keep Northampton scoreless too. Although I've failed to find a highlights package as yet.

Up against Tommy Smiths old club Ipswich Town this weekend.

Truth be told I hadn't actually looked that hard.

Only one decent save in there and some good last ditch defending on the line too.

Still, a clean sheet for an up and coming keeper like Tzanev - he'll take that.

In goal for a 2-2 draw at Ipswich Town. Dons grab a late 95th equaliser.
I see they have drawn EPL easybeats Gunners at the Emirates, in League Cup 3rd round.

In goal for a 3-1 win over Oxford United (7th). Dons 11th. 

Ex Nix, A Rod with 72 mins for Oxford, score 1-1 when he came off.

Wouldn't have been happy with his defenders for Oxford's goal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0gf_s26CX8

what the hell was the defender doing?

Dons with a 5-3 win over fellow League One team Pompey, in the EFL Trophy. Tzanev on the bench.

Has been rewarded for his performances with a new 3 year deal, announced this morning

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58477437

great news, well deserved

In goal for a 4-3 win at promoted Morecambe (Steven Old's old club). 94th min winner.

Dons up to the heady heights for them of 4th in League One. Morecambe 18th.

Goal highlights, all 7 of them.
Morecambe's 3rd goal a touch embarrassing for Tzanev, not that you expect a shot from that position, to be fair to him.

https://footballnews.net/video/morecambe-v-afc-wimbledon-highlights