Thetownend.com

The opponent:  Portsmouth

Firstly I wish all on the TEF a happy and prosperous 2013.  I must admit, part of me was glad the Boxing Day fixture didn’t go ahead as I had done very little pre match research, mainly due to the recent festivities and a far larger amount of Stella than I initially expected to drink, they have reduced the percentage on it a bit though, what’s all that about then? Colchester however was another matter, I had done my research, typed it up with just a few tweaks needed, and they go and call that one off too, bastards. I hope everyone on here had a decent Christmas and got enough socks, boxers and Lynx giftsets to keep them going until next Christmas. Past New Years Day matches have been well attended but can produce a subdued atmosphere, I guess this is down to most of us having a skinfull the night/week before, so if you wake up half pissed, have a couple more to see you through, and don’t forget to bring the scarves. The atmosphere against Tranmere was fantastic, more of the same this afternoon please.

Today’s opponent, Portsmouth were formed way back in 1898, and although they are well known for their blue shirts, they started out with a fetching salmon pink shirt, white shorts and maroon socks.  Now it would be not harsh on Pompey to say they have had their fair share of troubles in recent times, and with some of the financial misdemeanours we have witnessed first hand at our club, I do find myself empathising with some of their loyal and passionate fans, although when a dogs dick such as Andonikou is appointed to try and find a buyer for the club you can almost hear another nail being driven firmly in to the coffin of a once great club all the way in SN5. I hope for the sake of the Portsmouth fans happier times off the pitch lay ahead in 2013.

The best known chant sung by Portsmouth supporters is the Pompey Chimes (Play up Pompey, Pompey play up) and is widely regarded as football's oldest chant still in use today.  The origins of the Pompey Chimes lies with the Royal Artillery FC, Portsmouth's most popular and successful football team for much of the 1890s, who played many of their home games at the United Services ground in Burnaby Road. The nearby Guildhall clock, completed in 1890, would strike the quarter hours and the referees would use the clock to let them know when the match should finish at 4 pm. Just before 4 pm the crowd would lilt in unison with the chimes of the hour to encourage the referee to blow the whistle signifying full-time. Imagine trying to work out ‘Fergie Time’.

Portsmouth itself has a population very similar to Swindon, with 205’000 inhabitants at the last count, interestingly, Portsmouth has a higher population density than London, now thats what you call cramming them in. Some of the famous sons and daughters that Portsmouth has to offer are Sir Isambard Kingdom Brunel,  Rudyard Kipling, for very tall British PM James Callaghan, Kim Woodburn of How Clean is Your House fame and my favourite, William Tucker, trader of human heads.

What are they saying about us? –  

“I'm thinking of going. I know we are going to lose, but think I'll still go”

http://fansonline.net/portsmouth/mb/view.php?id=473094


Portsmouth Last 6 –  LLDDLL (Portsmouth currently sit 21st on 21 points)

The Threat – Now Izale Mcleod has departed, Portsmouth have drafted in ex Saint David Connolly, not sure of his eligibility for this but the 35-year-old has scored 129 goals in 382 club career appearances, which suggests he is more than capable at this level.

A Warm Welcome Too – Former Town stopper Phil Smith, who has signed a short term deal with Pompey. Not sure who Paul Benson can turn out for today, if anyone, but a very warm welcome back to Benno either way.

The irrelevant stats – Portsmouth have only won 5 games so far this season, with just 2 of these away from Fratton Park, they have scored 15 times away from home with McLeod scoring a chunk of these and have conceded 20 goals at an average of nearly 2 a game.

Head to Head – We have played Portsmouth in the league on 53 occasions, and honour’s are even with 20 wins each and 13 draws.

The Odds –  Swindon 2/5    Draw 7/2    Pompey  7/1  (Bet365)  Seems like another big price for an away upset, not one that I will be backing mind. Williams, Martin, Collins and Rooney are all 9/2 to score 1st with Bet365, David Connolly is priced at 12/1 with the same firm. Anyone fancy another Tranmere style thrashing? Best price is Stan James offering 50/1!

Sid Says – Not a lot now, sadly Sid has rolled a 7 and is no longer with us, I think he over did things a bit over the last week or so and was found upside down in a very dead state, RIP non-mystic one. I have give my 7yr old boy the chance to carry on the predictions and at 11.37 on 31/12/12 he predicted 3-0 to the mighty reds. If he proves to be a failure then he will be replaced with my deaf schizophrenic kitten.

The Prediction – I have a good feeling about this, Budweiser inspired I give you, but a 3-1 win is on the cards, with goals from Williams, Martin and De Vita, 10’456 in attendance with 1645 travelling up from Hampshire.

And Finally –  The first known dry dock in history was built at Portsmouth? It was constructed in 1495 during the reign of Henry VII . The port’s links with royalty go back far further, however: it was Richard I who in 1194 granted Portsmouth its charter – he also had a dockyard built there.

COYR COYR COYR

 :pint: :pint: :pint: :pint: :pint:  :pint: :pint: :pint: :pint: :pint:

I haven't read through yet Rosso but looks impressive, think we will win 3-0 today. Can't wait to get down to the CG via the pubs.

my first game of the season, so expect us to lose.

looking forward to this game after what seems like a year since our last game , and im gonna go with you rosso 3-1 to the town with ritchie first goal in front of 11,102 fans

Fuck it, Going to go for a 6-0 win with  att:10342 (481 away supporters)

Poor sid. We probs gunna lose

Could be a masterstroke starting Phil Smith today - if ever he was going to have another one if his rare blinders, it'd be against us. 

4-1 Williams,Thompson,Richie and Rooney in front of 11,084

Hope it's a decent crowd. I'll go for a comfortable 3-0 win with Ritchie scoring first

Excellent thread start as ever, SR.

Just decided to go to this one after my drive back from Argyll yesterday.  Going to be a few reds among the blue travelling up from Hampshire for this one.   :)

Just leaving Kent now. Come on Swindon. 3.1

RIP Sid

1-1 de vita for us and howard for them attendance 9236.

2-0 with Ritchie and De Vita scoring. 10,820 watching with 902 away fans. 2 of these Pompey fans are sat on my train after being out in London all night. Happy New Year.

2-1 defeat.

RIP Sid

As I missed the Tranmere game because of a dry and tepid works do I want a destruction of Portsmouth. I also work with a few pompey fans so tomorrow will be slightly more enjoyable if we do win.

4-0 with Williams banging in a hat-trick.

COYR

2-0

Ritchie, Williams

I've got a good feeling about this.  2-1 Swindon COYR

482???? You have missed a 1 off the front I reckon. 12,123 in attendance with over 2000 Pompey.

Hope that cunt with the bell has got the novovirus

Another 5-0

Keep them coming...good to read them.....3-1 Town with a shock first goalscorer....like Devera maybe.

We'll win 3-0 today de vita and ritchie with 2. Pompey will bring a fair few with them and are loud (where loud when i used to live there) we'll have a crowd of about 12,500.

Going to be a big crowd today. Went to by my tickets online, had to go in the bottom bit of the DRS. Only upper seats were out in the flanks.

Going to be hungover, if that cunt with the bell is there I'm punching things. 2-1 pompeii

Is parking free in Swindon multi-storeys on Bank Holidays?

Right off to the pub

As is me.

Doubt it. We/I always park in Gorse Hill when driving. Usually loads of street parking. There's an actual car park behind the co-op which is free too, doesn't fill up untill quite close to kick off.

what is parking at Tesco like now?

4-1 Town with 2 for Williams and 1 each from Ritchie and Ward. The crowd should be near to 12,000 with Pompey not far off selling out the Bank and Arkells

4-0 to Swindon 12850 in Attendance, Ritchie, martin 2 and williams.

Drove across the Magic Roundabout half an hour ago and saw "Pompey John" (Aka John Westwood) and his mates wending their merry way up Drove road. Can of beer in hand, no shirt and wearing shorts. Legend.

You've spelt cunt wrong.

[url width=190 height=161]http://files.myopera.com/Wtyku/albums/3117181/fuuuck.jpg[/url]

2-0 town with ritchie and Martin on the scoresheet, over 10k as well

You missed out the word 'fucking' between spelt and cunt.

We will crush them......2-1!

I hang my head in shame I did indeed miss out the 1, I  shall chastise myself    :suicide:

Right then - having a great day so far however my New Years Day games don't always work out - 21st Birthday was v Chelsea and Hoddle - 0-3. Last birthday game was Bournemouth 1-2.

If we get an early goal it'll be 3-0, if not an edgey 1-0 or 1-1. Depends how we come out of the blocks after our enforced Xmas break.

That twat is an end alright, but not a leg..

Benno is out warming up in his own.

Foderingham; Thompson N, Devera, Ward, McCormack; Ritchie, Hollands, Miller, De Vita; Williams, Martin

Subs: Bedwell, Flint, Navarro, Ferry, Collins, Roberts, Rooney A

Pompey: Eastwood; Dumbuya, Michalik, Webster, Harley; Williamson, Russell, Ertl; Walker, Allan; Harris

Subs: Smith, Wallace, Mendez-Laing, Connolly

Does this mean Bostock's on his way then?

Yes

And BTW what a pathetic following of Fulham fans at WBA - they truly are the Accrington Stanley of the PL

My birthday today too. 31 years. Happy Birthday man!

How we doing?

Pompey seem to be shading it but just the odd chance at each end so far. Corner to Pompey...

https://mobile.twitter.com/@SamMorshead_SA (https://mobile.twitter.com/@SamMorshead_SA)

Its going to be one of those games when we outclass the opposition and lose 0-1.

Wouldn't say we're outclassing them at the moment.  Their #21, Harris, really starting to get on my nerves.  He's only 3' 6", but getting in to stacks of space every time.

If you have no songs, bring a drum.  And clap a lot.

Scrappy last 25... Ritchie seemed to react to some booing from all of 4 people. Well he mouthed fuck off anyway. And rightly so.

Central Midfield not working IMHO.

Was it the Portsmouth bench?

Lets hope Roberts pulls his finger out then!

Hi chaps. Forgot it was early kick off.

Switched on to hear Thompson booked and lucky not to be sent off.

Ferry on for Miller (who was hobbling earlier)

Need to grind out a win here, Creepy and MK Plastics one up already!

Hollands booked

"Moments after Williams is rugby tackled to the ground (no free kick), Hollands wins the ball (free kick, yellow card) "

PDC being chastised by referee

Thank fuck for that........

Goal !
1-0 Collins

Get the fuck in there :D

 :beers:
Good.

Go for a wazz and we score.

At last . . . .

Collins will come good this season, i'm certain of it, great work rate

Ha ha maybe a dump is in order?

2-0

2-0 Collins again

Sensational  :clap:

Never in doubt

GOOOOOAAAAAALLLLL!!!!! 2-0 (Collins, 66) Amazing. We reckon Collins controls with his second touch of the game and slots home with third

Sam Morshead

A psycho and a psychic.

Cooking on gas now . . .

3-0 !! Hollands

back up to 5th as it stands

Ee ii ee ii ee ii oo...  :beers:

Loving it!!!  :I'm a complete mofleakin Deak

 :clap:
More than good!

And according to the Twitter feed, Collins nearly completed a 7 minute hatrick

This is getting mental now

4-0

4-0 Collins hat trick !!

God Bless ya' Town. Welcome to 2013 :clap:

2 games. 6 points. 9 for. 0 against. And it's not even over yet!

 :eek:
Getting very good.

GOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLL!!!! 4-0 (Collins, 73) It is a 13-minute hat-trick for the sub, who heads home Ritchie's delicate cross. Excellent

is that the quickest Town hat trick of all time? 12 minutes, anyone?

Get that goal difference up, might be important at end of the season!

Think that Collins has certainly sent out a message!

Come back Dosser, all is forgiven :nod:

i have just cum

Impact.

Attendance today is 11,381 (1,504 from Pompey)
 

Attendance today is 11,381 (1,504 from Pompey)

Great to see another bumper crowd. Hopefully this kind of performance, following the Tranmere game, will encourage a few to come more often.

5-0

Oh my God, this is joyous!

5-0 Collins again!!!!!

Bugger, I had money on 4-0!

Give yourself a pat on the back Dosser, for once in your life!

Sheff U losing to Donny and Tranmere 0-0 at HT. The top 2 looking surprisingly within reach as it stands.

We've made a seismic statement of intent this last 2 games

Would be better if Sheff Utd draw with Donny

Bornmuff away is the one - win there and we will be going up as Champions again!

Suddenly the addition of another striker in January doesn't look so necessary..

5-0 FT

I would not have been overly surprised at another 5-0 before the match, but am surprised after the 1st half.

Another great win - I did worry a bit before we scored

EPIC!

Don't think i've known us to score as many as 10 in successive league games

Hollands:
- First half made it difficult
- Second half we made ourselves look a good team again
- Cant put finger on difference
- Collins changed the game

Collins:
- Great game
- Lads did hard work. Wore them down
- First one was favourite
- Get team to sign match ball

Congratulations James Collins... the leading goal scorer in world football for 2013 (probably)

but Constable will undoubtably add to our squad

I'm waiting for the PDC interview. If they repeat the Patey one in the next 30 mins I'll summarise that too.

Well if ever I've seen a game of two halves that was it.  At half time the game had 0-0 written all over it.  The subs totally changed the game and up until that point we were pretty poor and I was thinking I should have stayed in bed nursing my hangover.

Ferry should have started and Martin continues to offer little.  Collins to start on Saturday please.

Another 3 points in the bag and our goal difference increases significantly.

Special mention for the Pompey support, who were superb throughout and quite honestly put our support to shame.  Difficult times for them and I really feel for them.

Nearly didn't go to that.  Relief!

And thanks for the Gorse Hill parking advice, Dave.  Worked a treat.

Just guessing here, but didn't our 10-in-a-row start about this time last season - after the Torquay defeat??

Something like that

PDC's rambling again. Not ranting, just rambling.

What a fantastic result. I can't remember us ever scoring 5 goals in consecutive games. The last player to get 4 in a game must be 'Deadly Dunc' I would imagine.

I'm just trying to fathom Paolo's post match interview - NMH...help!

PDC:
- 1st half difficult to exert pressure. They arrived with a gameplan and rhythm
- Today PDC angry but proud
- Earlier in the year we were losing games where we played like this
- We are good when we have to make changes in defensive situations. Implied its not so easy to make attacking ones. Typical number 9 performance and 1st goal. PDC was lucky with the change
- Its not an accident that Collins has delivered today. Confirms that PDC can read his players well
- 10 goals in the last 2 games is something special, but we haven't achieved anything yet
- Would be great if we could continue to remain in the same position towards the end of season
- Change in form has come through discussions within the team about what has been missing and what has been going wrong. PDC felt that the players were putting too much pressure on themselves and tried to hard to maintain the home run from last year
- Players were letting confidence slip when things weren't going so well. The confidence seems to have come back now and players are showing how good they are
- PDC talked about statistics of winning balls from corners
- On January transfer window: Happy for one reason. Some loan players say they want to stay.
- Working to keep loan players for as long as we can. Initially trying to extend them for 2-3 weeks to give extra time to try to negotiate for rest of season
- If I was Andrew Black I would worry about what I was doing with the money. But, his advice to Black is don't worry about the pennies now when we are in the hunt. If we then don't go up then kick PDC's bottom. Its not a message to Black, just an opinion. PDC is not trying to wash dirty linen in public
- PDC is not promising anything like last year.
- In the last 3 weeks the 'team' has become a 'group'.
- Bostock absence tactical. Ferry was available and Miller and Navarro gave experience. Bostock would have offered something different. He would like to keep Bostock.

There would have been one more in the crowd today, but a local Pompey fan who grew up in the same street as me died this morning.

http://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/inyourtown/melkshamnews/10134368.Man_dies_at_Melksham_petrol_station/

Miller:
- First half we were a bit sloppy
- Changes in 2nd half gave us a lift
- Unbelievable first touch from Collins
- Never seen someone come off bench and score 4 goals
- First start since Villa game. Few stray passes. Sounded a bit disappointed
- Ferry missed a couple of days training due to ankle knock
- Great resources at club. Competition for places. Will need all of them for the rest of season
- No easy games. Carlisle will make things hard for us.

Collins:
- Hard work done before he came on
- Haven't been in team in recent weeks. Desperate to get on and score to win place back
- Favourite goals was hat trick goal (Not what he said earlier)
- Fortunate to play with good players giving good delivery
- Williams scored two against Tranmere and Martin looks class. Have had to wait for his chance
- You would have thought that this performance puts him in the starting 11 for the next game, but PDC knows what he's doing.
- Just wants to get on the pitch and score as much as possible blah blah blah !

Last thing we need now is more loan players coming in to upset the squad.

Things seem to have sorted themselves out on the pitch - and I cant really think where we need to strengthen or even need cover

Woooohooooo  :clap:

Was a bit worried at half time, but once the first went in Pompey heads went down and it was game over at 2-0. 4 goal was as good as you'll see this season - fabulous touch from Ritchie.

Credit to the Pompey fans who were their usual loud selves. Not much to sing about but they did.

Well, we had lots of huff and puff but not much quality in the first half. Don't like saying it as I didn't think Pompey were awful early doors, but we sunk to their level in that we didn't pass well. For me the central midfield were not in the game at all.

Clearly the substitutions were key. Roberts I thought worked hard and showed a bit of skill too. Ferry really helped in the central midfield, and of course Collins couldn't put a foot (or head) wrong. Its difficult to judge the second half in some ways. Once the first went in Pompey were dead and buried. They couldn't cope with us, couldn't defend our crosses and generally fell apart.

10 goals, 2 games Happy New Year. Hope we haven't peaked too early :)

The only thing is I wish they wouldn't bring that bloody drum and bell.

Saying that, every load of away fans who have brought a drum this season, have gone home pointless.

Patey talking, sounds like wheeling dealing and no new funds/investment being made available. Board meeting this week to talk about trying to keep loanees (Bostock not sounding likely to me, may be wrong)

No new announcements on stadium.

Money situation "extremely tight". The dream is new investors and owners and championship football next season.

:popcorn:

Patey interview:
- 12 months ago he was in Afghanistan
- Great atmosphere at Tranmere game. Were hoping for 10-11k there today
- Football is an expensive business. Needed a good Christmas to help make ends meet
- Have done well in 2012. PDC done a great job. Would be amazing if we went up, but there are a lot of people in the mix
- No news on investment. Don't have money to spend on players. Dont expect big name signings
- We have a good squad. Investment in Hollands and Martin paying off
- We'll either get promotion with this squad or not
- Financial reality kicks in now. Owner doesnt have unlimited funds. There are no new investors
- Martin, Hollands and Ward to stay? We'll have to see. Board meeting next week. Manager wants to keep them. May be that we have to move people out to keep them
- Bostock loan up soon. Haven't talked to PDC about this
- New ground. No news on that
- The money situation is extremely tight. No nightmare scenario. Think we'll stay up. Swindon has been through the nightmare before and we need to make sure that the club is sustainable
- Felt we should win against Portsmouth.
- On PDC and hostility & isolation: Had good meeting before Christmas and telecon since. No personal issues between them both. Just a different views and objectives when it comes to money. PDC is a person who needs clarity, but he does understand the situation.

That's precisely what I took from it.

Game: first half, utterly forgettable. Second half: once the first went in it was a landslide - all 3 subs made a big difference, we were marauding magnificent and something else beginning with M by the end

Patey: Don't quite know why but everyone time I hear him speak he reminds me of a Bob McHolt. Dream is new owners? So Black and Arbib fallen out of love with it and looking to get out then? That could be a worry, was hoping for some stability in the boardroom for a while longer

Overall though, fuck the worries, got to be happy with 10 goals without reply in 2 games. No matter who the opposition is. Liked the Pompey fans, except for their chuffing drum/bell/trumpet.

That's what it sounded like to me. At least Black didn't just up and exit I suppose. Not really warming to Patey, but Bob McHolt is a bit harsh (for now anyway).

For a diplomat Patey doesn't seem very diplomatic.

Oh, yeah, if they are looking to go, I'd at least be confident they're more likely to do it in the right way. Unlikely to see any BEST Holdings with this lot (I hope)
Yes it is. I didn't mean he was actually that bad, he just sets my bullshit alarm off. Just sounds all a bit too pat, and somehow I never quite believe him. Even when there's no reason to doubt him.  

The first half really was something of a non-event, the atmosphere was poor, even Roy Walker was off the boil.

2nd half was fantastic, the sort of 45 minutes of football that convince me we are good enough to win this league. Collins looks every inch the 20 goals a season striker that I think will be vital in us being there or thereabouts at the end of the season. Obviously there are a couple of negatives but worrying about them after 2 consecutive stuffing's seems a bit pointless. The fact we can put teams away this easily without going through too many gears bodes well. As already pointed out, Bournemouth away will be vital, but right now I fancy us to turn over anyone in this league. Without checking, I think we have conceded the least amount of goals in all 4 leagues, if it ain't the least then we are not far off.

For the first time since he has been coming to football my lad said he can't wait until Saturday now, I fully agree.

I reckon Sid was looking down on us for this one, bless you mate. An evening of celebratory Budweiser awaits.

Happy New Year TEF

Perhaps we were spoilt with Jeremy Wray, who I would have back at the drop of a hat, but he does come across as a dour sort of guy and I still have no idea how his diplomacy skills have helped us thus far or will in the future.

I think Roy Walker came up with a song in reply to the tv's own Ropy Walker one but none of us could understand him.

On the few occasions I have heard the new Chairman, he's not impressed me.  Doesn't  sound like he knows or understands football.  And if there is no news on the stadium, why ever not?  Not good enough to say 'no news'.  'News' on that front now long overdue.

A small fly in today's wonderful ointment.

I overheard his conversation with Kojak who stands next to him, apparently he's on a diet, which means less ale, which means less noise and a greater understanding of what is left and what is right.

Very bitty first half, a better side may well have punished some of our slack marking down our right. The left side never got going today and RDV had his worst game for a while.
Completely different story in the 2nd half, as though we suddenly remembered where we left off last time out. Incredible from Collins, not witnessed anything like it in my lifetime, not to mention consecutive 5-0 wins!

That's a fantastic shout.

Got to give a big thanks to the groundstaff. It certainly didn't look like we've had all that rain over the last couple of weeks.

Liked the chant from Pompey fans....."We lose every week, We lose every week....you're nothing special.....We lose every week!"

Some funny chants from the pompey lot today. As others said the first half was a bit meh. Williams should never have been booked for that 50/50. The subs proved to be the turning point of the game, this is first I've ever seen us win 5-0 back to back. I'm really looking forward to next Saturday. I was slightly disappointed with the lack of noise from our support we were totally outsung, but other then that happy with the result. Onwards and upwards.  :D

RDV said on twitter that he wasn't feeling well and that probably explains his poor performance.

Our support is shocking. 5-0 up and you could hear a pin drop (when the Pompey fans were quiet for a second). It was never like this in my day  :)

What an excellent Jekyll and Hyde match.

Thought it was going to be a 'next goal wins' match.

I swear the build up and goal for Collins third was one of the best I have seen....excellent ...most excellent.

Can't wait for the next match.

Ive got that funny feeling we might kick on now.

No time for that....not feeling good? Then you don't start or sub off. I reckon Martin must of had the Noro virus since he signed!

I'll be most dissapointed if we score less than 5 a game for the rest of the season now.

Chanrai is buying us

Nah. It's Kassam.

So Patey was bought in to enable Black et al bail out.

Seems a strange time for fairly new owners to want out with the team doing so well

Yeah just saw that.

First half Pompey were terrible - and we matched them!!  We just couldn't get to grips with their 3-5-2 system.  Second half the subs made all the difference, suddenly we had energy and scored some good goals.  Nice to see Roberts getting back to his old self, PDC got some big decisions to make now for Saturday.  Fair play to the Pompey supporters were certainly outsung us, but their team were shit really.

Really enjoyed the second half.

Fantastic performance by Collins, and thought McCormack played well out of position, was it his ball to Ritchie that set up one of the goals because it was brilliant.

Great to have a huge crowd, hopefully they are encouraged to come back, shame about our atmosphere but the Pompey fans were brilliant.

I honestly didn't think the atmosphere was poor.  At times it, was anything but.  And you have to remember that there were something like 9,800 home fans there today - a great figure, even for New Year's Day.  So the proportion of non-regulars higher than usual.

Steve Claridge was at the game today, bet he still won't have much good to say about us.

They ran out of hot food before the game at the kiosk in the DRS

Fucking joke

I am no finance expert so this could get shot down in flames ....

When Black and co brought the club and paid off the debts would they have paid off the bills and put the money the coughed up on the clubs balance sheet as a long term liability owed to themselves?

Also in order to bring in financing for the new stadium  Patey said a while back he was trying to get Wray/Fitton to write off debt owed to them.  Would it need Black to write off a large sum due to himself?

I just reckon this new stadium is a mile off!

Might be very wrong (I hope I am)

.................................................................................

Terrific second half showing today.  Delighted for Collins and its amazing what control Ferry gives us.  Without him in the first half we were going back to the long ball crap.

I've been to 3 matches over the xmas/new year period.  Our 2 games and the Arsenal 7 Newcastle 3 game .. 3 games 20 goals ..Not a bad return.

Big word up for the pompey fans. I went to Uni there in their Halcyon days and they are a great bunch.  Thought the your going bust chants were a bit off as it only really made me think of how close we were a few years back!

Same with Chicken burgers before Tranmere game. Solidarity, hungry 'brother'.

Pompey's game plan was to frustrate us and then try to nick one, like all our home defeats this season.

Once we went 1 up, they had to change Plan A, it opened up and the rest, as they say is history.

We've got a nice goal difference at the moment. (+24 after 24 games)

Damn these 5-0 victories!  What we really needed was a goal difference of +1 in every game.

Stick to the burger vans outside, better in every aspect

I was drunk, didn't think it through properly...

Agree with those who said pompey were shit in the first half and we matched them. I don;t have the Ferry love that everyone else seems to have but having him alongisde Hollands changed the game. Miller and Hollands didn't work. As for Collins, what a performance.
I bet Carlisle are looknig forward to their visit on Saturday.  

Have we ever had three 5-0 wins on the trot?

Chap on BBC Wilts said we had a 5-0, 6-2 (v Merthyr), and then I think a 5-1 hatrick of consecutive wins back in the 60s. It was also said that Don Rogers scored a quicker hatrick for us than Mr Collins.

It was Nov 1965.  The 6-2 win vs Merthyr in the Cup was played on the weekend between the Reading (5-0) and Mansfield (6-2) victories.

http://swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Results.asp?Season=1965-1966

Just dug it out on swindon-town-fc.co.uk


6 NOV

Reading (Home)

5 - 0

Lawton, Rogers 3, Brown

15,627


Merthyr Tydfil (Home) FA CUP

5 - 1

East 4, Smart

15,962



20 NOV

Mansfield Town (Home)

6 - 2

East 5, Rogers

12,001

and in the arkells

Sorry Shaw Rosso, but quoting your message to make a few points about Patey's interview today:

- I didn't hear him say anything about the current owners leaving. What he did say that Black didn't have any more cash to put into the club at this time. Everyone at the club was pleased with what the team had achieved so far, which had been made difficult by significant injuries. He paid tribute to the efforts of PDC and his team. He finished by saying that there wouldn't be significant additions to the squad in January. He also highlighted that the recent investment by Black (which enabled Hollands and Martin to be brought in) was starting to bear fruit.

- PaulD made reference to Patey saying something about the dream being new owners. The context around this was that it would be nice to have someone come to the club that had millions to throw at it, but that is not reality. What the current owners need to do is to make sure that the club is financially stable.

- Patey's diplomatic skills: As a diplomat sometimes you don't have to be incredibly slimey and slippery and give in to people. Sometimes you have to be authoritative and stand your ground. Patey seems to be putting a firm line to PDC to say that the owners are not putting in more money - deal with it. I think that he has got an understanding with PDC now. (A different working relationship than PDC had with Wray no doubt!) Patey realises that PDC wants clarity and he has told us that he has given PDC clarity. He has told the media that there is no money for big transfers and PDC has been talking in the same way in recent interviews

- Having Jeremy Wray back: Loved his passion and openness - who didn't ? I think he fell in love with the footballing side of the club. He delivered success on the pitch through backing PDC. Patey is overseeing the boring and more mundane stuff - Financial prudence and stability during a deep quadruple dip (or whatever it is) recession.

- No news on the new ground: He has said before that he isn't going to discuss the minutiae. He did say that he would give news if and when something substantial happened. Well, its been Christmas, so I'm not surprised to hear that nothing has happened since November - Especially when he is only employed for several days per month.

 :hmmm:
So i am guessing East didn't start v Reading?... :hmmm:

Probably a blessing

What I though he said was the "dream scenario" for next season would be championship football and new owners/investors (but that none had yet been found). He may not have meant Black wants out, but you could easily read it that way, it certainly made me wonder.

That said, I think we all knew that PDCs spending was unsustainable, that stability comes first and that we shouldn't make a crisis out of something until there is reason to.

East didn't start:

http://swindon-town-fc.co.uk/MatchCentre.asp?MatchID=19660117

Did you know the gypos who run the van use horse meat, most of which is captured near Lydiard Park? Still, at least its local produce.

At least its meat!

Neighhhhh...that cannot be right surely.

Think people are reading too much into Patey's comments.

The first half was very poor, lacked urgency and effort for a side with 10 days rest and Williams should have taken that chance early on. Ferry improved us but Collins was incredible, took all of his goals calmly and with ease. Very impressed with Ward who reminded me of Greer.

Martin looked like a player who doesn't want his loan extended.

Hoof had thought it eh? The rolls they use for the burgers are thorough-bred though.

They put the money in via the holding company, which in turn loaned the money to the club to clear the debts - so it still shows as a debt in the club accounts. So Fitton and Wray's money is in the holding company, the others want to write some of that money (i.e. the loan) off so the club is a more attractive investment for others.

corrected for you

Only negative was hoards of Town fans leaving before the end-embarrassing.Amazing display from Collins but Devera and Ward again were brilliant throughout.Miller was the weak link first half in my opinion-Ferry gives us industry and ball possession,but Hollands is his perfect foil.Roberts looked determined when he came on and was impressive.Thats 2 games for me,2 5-0 wins!Good to see Sonic/Santa.

Cheers.  Guess we have no idea how much they are haggling over?  I trust the money Black/Arbib put in is also in the holding company?

1st half seemed really long, probably due to the hangover from last night and the 2pm kick off made it seem surreal, anyway 2nd half we were fantastic, all over them and ended up with a 5-0 win! Collins was brilliant when he came on and deserved the 4 goals he got. A happy start to 2013, lets kick on now!!!

Are you sure they aren't cobs ?

Agree about Miller. He's too similar to Hollands and playing them together limits our attacking options. Hollands is the in-form player so Miller should be kept on the bench for now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUagISHV2Fo

I was predicting a tight narrow win, even after we trounced Tranny 5-0 and are on a roll. I was still of the opinion right up until we scored.

:Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

The recording of random bits of the game in the hope of catching a goal is a strange old phenomenon.

Does get good results sometimes like this one, cracking ball from Macca

Think that guy caught all the goals tbf

http://www.youtube.com/user/zeldja/videos?view=0

Another piece of trivia, courtesy of the excellent online archive at swindon-town-fc.co.uk.  Today's 5-0 was a joint record win vs Portsmouth.  The 5-0 scoreline happened on two previous occasions, the most recent of which was 99 years ago.  On that occasion, we also had a single player (called 'Rogers') scoring 4 of the 5 goals.

http://swindon-town-fc.co.uk/HeadToHead.asp?Team=Portsmouth

Could do with bringing Billy Tout out of retirement to be our penalty taker

http://swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Person.asp?PersonID=TOUTBILL

Just red on Twitter that James Collins is the first Town player to come off the bench and score a hat-trick... let alone 4.

In the 1912 FA Cup semi final we drew 0-0 with Barnsley....Tout our penalty taker was out injured and we missed the penalty..........lost the replay 1-0 at Meadow Lane Notts and Barnsley went on to beat West Brom 1-0 in the final.........down the road to them at Brammal Lane Sheffield.

Seconded - cringeworthy but we still need those "fans" too. 

Thought our noise levels, TE apart, were poor generally and noticeably so after Tranmere.  Enjoyed the self-mocking "we sing when we want" from the TE as the goals finally started to go n.

Wish we'd ban drums and surprised that a proper club like Pompey go for that.  Interesting that we always win when they are brought.

If we keep winning when drums are present... Maybe we should get one...

Keep seeing this incorrect "fact" Orient had a drum..

Think it all has gone in via the holding company. There was a loan from Arbib directly to the club but I believe that got rolled in with the rest of it, one way or another. Don't think anyone knows how much each of them put in, guess the holding company accounts might show something.

The impression I got is that it's Black and Arbib that put the most in and recently it's been Black on his own. With Black wanting the write down on the previous money as a condition of continuing to provide the bankroll, the argument being the club isn't worth anywhere near the £10m plus that has been put in. I could be talking crap though.

People who get on their high horse about this annoy me. I often go early because I'm sick to the back teeth of waiting forever to get out of the carpark - I'm guessing thanks to Heath and safety.

I think leaving 5 minutes early gets me home at least 30-40 mins quicker.

and very grateful to him/her am I  :) especially since nowt on bbc - wtf ?!
its also an interesting angle to film from - you see the quality of the passing
for the assists.

hope the poor sod doesnt waste his time filming us playing towards the bank tho ;-)

o boy i remember those games so well  :)

and while i'm here i want to add that pompey played some excellent forward stuff in first half,
several clever moves in and around the penalty area that we would do well to develop.

having said that I have never seen so much holding of players outside of corner kicks like
what went on today - and not a single one got punished  :(

that affected us inasmuch as our tactics BF (Before Ferry) were long balls to the front men,
who were held every time they then tried to turn...

and geez, from watching the youtube goals, didnt macca make some amazing contributions
to those goals  :)

Nice to see us attacking the town end 2nd half again! back to back 5-0 victories, more of the same Saturday please!

Yes, like v Tranmere in fact!

I watched the goals on Sky Sports News 'Goals Express' programme at 7 last night.

They even showed Paolo ripping the ball out of Collins' hands and him holding the scarf above his head after the game.

After watching the last 10 of our goals, interestingly, all 10 of them (I think this is right) have been scored from inside the box. To me it looks like we have been working extra hard on finishing/poaching in the box, and it appears to be having the desired effect.

That 65/66 could certainly score goals, but was inconsistent....prior to the 5's v Reading, Merthyr and the 6 v Mansfield, we'd put 4 past Rovers, 6 past York and 3 v Peterborough at the CG...in some ways similar to now, in that it's either win big, or mess up against modest teams who park the bus. In between those 24 goals in 6 games, was a 0-1 defeat to a very negative Gillingham...

My highlight of the first half was jayohaitchenn's cry of "He could have killed him!" after Nathan Thompson leathered the ball at a Pompey player and it cannoned off his head out of play :D

I phoned a mate who couldn't make it at half time to tell him he wasn't missing anything and that the game had 0-0 written all over it. He was listening on the radio and I had five txt messages in the 2nd half with nothing but a "  :) "

Topical humour!

I also heard that, it made me smile through my hangover. You guys must have been sat not far behind me. On a separate note i overheard the lads next to me talking about jayohaitchenn and his trip to Sir Dans the day before which also made me smile!

I'm in M60, There's quite a few TEFfers around me.