Promotion or bust.

This what I said, to myself and then on Twitter, when Elliott Frear scored late in added time to send the Dons out of the FA Cup.

We’re now out of every major cup competition we’re eligible form with all due respect and affection for the London Senior Cup, of course. Only the league remains.

I love cup competitions, and the FA Cup in particular. I said as much last week.

But now that the dream is over for the season, we have to focus on what’s still in front of us.

And right now, in mid November, we have a shot at promotion.

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We’re in 10th. One point out of a playoff spot. Three points out of an automatic promotion place. Ten points behind the leaders— which seems insurmountable until you remember that it’s only November.

The team in third place, the last automatic promotion spot, is Portsmouth. Who, conveniently, we play this Sunday. In front of television cameras, no less.

Other results would have to go our way, but the fact remains— we could set ourselves up nicely for the holiday period.

And with our cup runs over for 2015-16, promotion has to be the goal.

Can we do it? Sure. We’re AFC Wimbledon. Five promotions in nine seasons. Started from the bottom, now we here.

There’s talent in this squad, a capacity to overcome adversity, and a burning desire from everyone connected to the club to get back to where we belong.

Will we do it? Who knows. We’ve slipped up in games we should’ve won lately, against opposition we should’ve put away.

Knowing you can do it and actually following through are different propositions.

Somehow, some way, this team has to dig deep and find a path up and out.

Promotion or bust.