Thetownend.com

The Opponent: Wolverhampton Wanderers

I must admit, when the draw was made for the fixtures this season, way back before Topcat realised Bristol City had a forum of their own, this was one of the first ones that I looked out for.  It is a big ground for a big football club, who were one of the original 12 founder members of the football league. Now many on here will only ever remember Wolves in recent years being something of a stable Championship team with the occasional flirtation with the promised land of The Premier League. But now, like many big fish before them, such as Sheffield Wednesday, Leeds, Forest and others, they find themselves in the 3rd tier of English football. Incredibly, way back in the 1950’s, Wolves managed to win the then League 1 title 3 times and 2 FA Cups thrown in for good measure. Personally its another one for me to tick off the lists of grounds to go to having missed the League Cup encounter a few years back.

The City of Wolverhampton is slightly larger than Swindon and is currently the home to around 250’000 Wulfrunians, some of the notable folk that have been associated with Wolverhampton include Rusty Lee’s sister, Tessa Sanderson,  Actor and comedian Eric Idle, Bank of England boff Mervyn King, Politician Enoch Powell,  Dexy’s Midnight Runners front man Kevin Rowland and WWE grappler William Regal, a poor man’s British Bulldog. Not the most common of football kit colours, the gold and black colours of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC originate from the city's motto 'Out of darkness cometh light', with gold and black representing light and dark. One of the 3 towns and cities that Wolverhampton have twinned themselves with is none other than Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia, which itself has its list of notable residents, including Asashoryu, Hakuho, Mungonzazal Janshindulam, Sanjaasurengiin Zorig, Nambaryn Enkhbayar and famous Yak slayer, Harumafuji Kōhei Smith.

The last time we met at – Molineux –  Despite holding Wolves to a goal less draw in normal time, we lost 6-5 on penalties back in 2009. This will be the first time we have met them in the league for 13 years.

They’ve served for us  both – Ernie Hunt, Miles Storey, Andy Mutch, Peter Eastoe, Frank Talia, Glenn Hoddle,  George Ndah, Paul Ince and Jake Jervis.

Where the opposition gather – 

http://www.wolvesforum.co.uk/showthread.php?22746-Wolves-vs-Swindon-Build-up-thread

Last 6 – LDWWW – Wolves are currently 2nd in league 1 on 13 points.

The Odds – Wolves 5/6    Draw 5/2    Swindon 10/3.  Nile Ranger is looking sharp in front of goal and is 8/1 to score the first goal with most places. The home side have some 5 players at shorter odds to score first than Ranger, much like QPR did a few weeks back.

The Son Says –  He is excited for this one, nearly as much as me. He gave me his prediction earlier today as I was digging out my 5th ton of stone and soil in Croft Road and despite the rain, he made a bold prediction of 2-0 to The Town.

The Prediction – Wolves have scored a fair few in the last 4 games (all of which they have won), and have conceded very few so this could be a tough encounter. If we play some of the football we are capable of playing for sustained periods there should be nobody in this league that we fear, Wolves included. 2-1 Town, 19’223 in attendance with 1601 loud away supporters.

And Finally –  The surrounding area near Wolverhampton became known as 'the Black Country' when, during heavy industrialisation of the area in the late 19th century, pollution covered the area in black soot and left the soil black.

COYR COYR COYR

2-0 to Wolves

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

Initially went for a wolves 2.1 but have now settled on a 2 all draw
Ranger and Luongo for town
1568 town fans
19502 overall attendees

Not been to Molineux in ages so looking forward to this

I'm going for 2-2 draw, ranger scoring both, att: 17,452 with 1672 vocal Town supporters

1-1 and no trouble (for TC's memoirs)

Draw....we draw away and win at home and my obvious and first choice manager will take us up!

Can't see us getting anything there today, a 3-0 defeat with 20,015 crowd with 1,523 Swindon fans.

My 'feel it in my water' prediction is a 2-1 defeat with two late Wolves goals.

However, I've never yet predicted a defeat and I'm not going to start now so my official TEF prediction is...

2-0 Ranger, Ajose.

2-1 defeat.

Not expecting anything today - a bit like the QPR match and we all know how that  turned out.  Jackett's teams tend to be on the physical side so it will be interesting to see how we cope.

Looking forward to this. Would be very happy with a draw. COYR.

I reckon we'll win it at the death 3-2  :D

I shall be there today to witness a legendary game in which we will win 3-1. Red card for them I reckon.

Difficult game this....have to be happy with a draw but feeling is a home win by a couple of goals.  :(

I'm with Venkman and co.  As promising as we've started the season, I have a feeling Wolves and Molineux will be a bit too tough.  2-0  Wolves.

Siguardarson will score. Best player 2013.

Wolves will win this one, but I think we'll give a good account of ourselves. 2-1. 18,469 present,  1586 town fans.

Just waiting for the train to leave...not full of enthusiasm for some reason. Still, the Dead Kennedys have just started on my ipod...so not all bad.

We will win 3-2. Wolves struggled against Crawley, keep the pressure on and they crumble.
Big pitch and space, suits us.

I think we are going to be underestimated by Wolves and will snatch a winner. 2-3 to us, Ranger, Ward, Ajose.

TOWN v Wolves: Foderingham; N Thompson, Hall, Ward, McEveley; Kasim; Ajose, Luongo, Mason, Pritchard; Ranger
Subs: Belford, Branco, Barthram, Harley, N'Guessan, L Thompson, Storey

Hoping the wide open spaces will suit us, but would settle for a point now.

Everyone being made to sit in their reserved seats for those interested.

Made my decision not to go better...

Does anyone still have the STFCplayer login and password which a lot on here had?

3-0 Wolves

That would be fantastic

Thank fuck Shaun Hodgetts is doing the commentary on the local radio,along with Steve White.
0-0 BTW.

Great start...

Fuck 1-0 Wolves

Ffs

Balls

Bodes well  :hmmm:

Ho Hum :-[

Lucky cross goes in direct

Good effort by Ajose, good save for a corner.

Another good chance for Ranger, very close.

Sounds like we're doing ok since that set back...

Steve White doing a good job as co-commentator

Mason goes close - put your foot through it lad!

Save from Pritchard - getting closer...

Thanks. Keep the comments coming, for those  of us stuck without commentary

We sound like we now may even have the edge over them in the last 20 mins or so.

C'mon Town, let's tear them a new one

Chances at both ends. Sako sounds lively for them but we've got behind them a few times.

Kasim injured  :cry:

Went down off the ball - possibly a groin or stomach strain. Sounds as if he is staying on for now...

2-0 Wolves

0-2 Doyle fucksticks

FFS

WTF - my player is way behind. I suppose I have the Wolves goal to look forward to......

Bollocks

Jeez, spoilt my cheese

bollocks

Bugger.  Need to take our chances.

Pretty unlucky to be fair. Hope all the wankers don't crawl out of the woodwork now.

shit sticks and cunt flaps

You want fries with that?

HT 2-0

A drizzle of mayo

Arse

I don't think many people were expecting anything from today's game.

At least we're having a go, so many teams will go there and play for a point.

Was always going to be one of the hardest away games this season.

Hope web can score next and get them panicking a bit . . . . Keep the faith.

COYR

Austin nets for QPR

Shitty getting turned over at home by Peterboro

Ferry nets for Pompey

We're gonna win 2-3

Pox getting turned over at Nam.

Keep the faith

Yep, probably a good thing to get it out of the away early on tbh.

Ranger will net twice

Not anymore

Mason misses a sitter...

Sounds like Wolves are a mess at the back but we aren't capatalising

All over them now. Deserve something.

Mason could've have a hat trick this game.

N'Guessan coming on. 4-4-2

By the sounds of it we should have equalised by now

Mason hits post

Mason hits post.

Fuck me Mason should have had a hatfull

Can someone check the width of the Wolves goalmouth please

Bloody hell Mason!

Ex Swindon players Cox, Austin, Roberts, Ferry, Monkhouse, Collins & Sutton all scoring today.

We're not going to score today, seems like one of those days.

2-0 sounds bad - but I am surprisingly not too upset as we are not playing badly. It sounds as if we are playing well and making plenty of chances...

We do sound good attacking but Wolves sound like they will hit us on the break all the time.

If we can grab a goal maybe we could get a draw out of the game today, who knows.

This. One of those days.

19,388 attendance today.

Thompson diving header saved on the line.

We will never score.

Saved on the line... how are we not winning this?

Saved from Thompson. We are still attacking well.

ha ha ha - It's not going to happen is it?

Cutting them open at will it seems, but can't get the goal.

N'Guessan sounding lively.

Really sounds like we are tearing them apart

Come on town!

From the Wolves forum....

Storey on.

Nobody knows the answer

Storey on for Ranger. Chances of us scoring have not increased with that change!

Maybe Storey will try extra hard against the team he supported as a kid?

Penalty appeal turned down for hand ball, should have been a penalty to us according to Chalky.

We are ripping them to shreds! What a weird game.... Possibly should have been a pen to us. Ball to hand or hand to ball?

goal town

Yesssssssssssssssssssssss 2-1

About freaking time. Well done Dany.

N'guessan!!

I eat my words!!!

Come on!

Get in DNG!!!!

Game on....

Get in!

Come on, it's set up for Storey.

All Town at the moment...

Corner...C'mon Town

7 mins to go Come on Town!!!!

Twitchy bum time

Save from Ikeme from a Pritchard shot on the volley....corner.

Saved from Pritchard...

ffs 3-1

Typical. It has sounded completely undeserved.

3-1

3-1 game over.

3-1 game over :(

Unluckiest club on the planet.

3-2

3-2

3-2 Mason

3-2 Mason from 40 yards!!!!!!!!!!!!

3-2 Hahaha, Misses sitters than scores a 40 yarder.

This is fucking mad...

Unfucking believable.  Caught on the counter attack after we could have scored.

Hey up, Mason has just made it 3-2!!!

ha ha ha - What an entertaining game.

Come on Swindon!!

And to make it more interesting, the ref is going of cos someone kicked him and the female linesperson is taking over!

Win lose or draw today thats been a brilliant performance by the Town, I expected nothing but got a lot more than that, well done, proud of you.

Seconded

FT 3-2

Full time.

3-2 with heads held high.

FT well done Swindon great performance even if the result wasn't.

Wow - what a great game. Pissed off with result but fuck me we can play!

With a bit of luck we would have scored 5 or 6.

Well done Town, one of the hardest games of the seasons and we outplayed them.

Aaargh, gutted that we didn't get at least a point from that.  I think Wolves can count themselves very  lucky!

We will make the playoffs this year. I'm pretty sure of it. COYR

Is that the first time a female has ever had to officiate in a football league match albeit only for a couple of minutes?

Quick google search as I thought the same, She was the first but a couple years ago in similar circumstances.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1250205/Amy-Fearn-woman-referee-charge-Football-League-game.html

The omens are good despite the loss. Feels like a victory.

Was my first thought.

What a second half! Ref sounded shit, seems he deserved a kicking. If only Mason hadn't gone all Andy Williams (miss the easy, score the spectacular), we could have bloody won that. Mental.

Yep, result was a bit of a ball breaker. Sounds like we played exceptionally well though. I think we should continue to be very encouraged for the season ahead.

Liking the sound of Mark Cooper as well. Very sensible and level headed - a refreshing change.

Shitty in the bottom four, roll on next week!

Welcome back to the defensive giant that is Flint.   :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Just on way back. We were fucking brilliant, totally outclassed them but just couldn't put the ball in the net. If we score early in the second half then we win.

The only difference between the sides is a few million pounds worth of striker. I'm so impressed with how we played, this is a very exciting team we have.

23 shots for Swindon to Wolves 11
9 on target to Wolves 6
9 corners to Wolves 6

Thats good stats for an away game, if we can convert a few more though we will be challenging this season.

Interestingly theri OTIB forum is the mirror image of ours....pre season they were all confident they would walk this league with the best manager, some great signings, whereas ours was we have no manager or the cheap option, relegation is a formality, sold all the best players....Now they are calling for the managers head already, how times change after a handful of games :D

Roll on next week.

well what a game, cracking atmosphere,an excellent advert for league 1, we should o won that. Well done to the town fans for making so much noise, proud to be a Town fan tonight.

We need to be more clinical in front of goal.  How many times have we said that over the last few seasons  ;)

Really looking forward to next Saturday and I have to be honest, that's the first time I've said that this season.  Still early days, but my disinterest during pre-season and even the first few games seems to have disappeared, which is most pleasing.

Let's hope City's poor run remains this time next week.

What did Top Cat have to say ?

 ;)

Don't start him off again...

Yeah he wont fucking shut up now we have shitty next >:(

Absolutely class performance, just need to take our chances. Can now see what all the fuss about Kasim is all about - what a talent. He even made 2 last ditch 1 on 1 tackles.

Playoffs as a minimum based in that showing.

I'm slightly worried how we keep playing well away from home, but not getting anything, that said we've now played 3 of the top 6 away already.

That performance bodes well for the rest of the season...and especially next week. Shame about the result, but it simply wasn't our day. We have a lot to be proud of. Well done Town.

Undeserved defeat as we were by far the better side and to walk away from the game without so much as a point is hugely unjustified. Ikeme made some superb saves to deny us whilst Thompson and Fods both culpable for first goal.

Ajose disappointing while Kasim and Massimo look way too good for League One. Bako was very dangerous for Wolves in the first half but ineffective second. Wolves' subs kept us stretched as we kept searching for a goal and after we got one they caught us out at the back for the third. Mason's goal was excellent but only a consolation. We'll play much worse and win. I'm not sure it'd be possible to play any better than that and not win.

Enjoyed my first game in 9 months, shame I was surrounded by some utter fucking tools. Never understand why people aren't allowed to sit where they want at away games.

Played bloody ace today, haven't seen the BBC stats but that will show a huge weighting towards us I would have thought.

Overhearing a few wolves fans walking to the car and they were saying how we were the best team they'd played this season and most of last, how the town fans made good noise and created an atmosphere and how we'll fall apart at the end of the season when the spurs boys go home...

Kasim was immense but lucky not to get a red for banging the ball down at the end (I think he'd been booked already). I also shit myself when Thompson got booked as I thought it was heading Pritchards way and would've been sent off.

City will have to go some to beat us and Chelsea....be afraid.

Just got back home.  Slightly delayed because some naughty Swindon children playing at being football hooligans caused a delay to the train leaving Birmingham, so lots of us missed the connection at Cheltenham.  Time they grew up and stopped thinking it's big to attempt travelling on trains without buying a ticket.  Little toe rags!

As for the game, it was particularly frustrating to come away with nothing to show for a very good performance.  As others have said, we got punished for sloppiness.  Most of their threat came down their left flank.  For all the good things Nathan Thompson does, he still leaves gaping holes for the opposition to make use of.  Two of their goals came from this.

If only we had some sharpness at the front to finish the classy approach work.  I lost count of the number of times we carved openings but had nothing on the end of it.  I think it will come, though.

What to say about Kasim again today?  Immense!

Kenny Jackett seems to have some kind of jinx over us.  The bastard!

A few comforting words for us here:
http://www.wolvesforum.co.uk/showthread.php?22782-Wolves-3-Swindon-2-Verdict-Thread (http://www.wolvesforum.co.uk/showthread.php?22782-Wolves-3-Swindon-2-Verdict-Thread)

I liked "scintillating".

Me too. The guy in the white t-shirt who stood up all game in the back row was a complete tool. He even wanted out with someone after the game. He gave Luongo stick all game but had no idea who he was - says it all really.

I've been thinking that next week might be very interesting. Isn't Flint exactly the wrong type of centre half to have in your side if your facing a bunch of quick interpassing midfielders in and around the penalty area? Pritchard could run between his legs with the ball and tie the fucker in knots.

I thought you were very unlucky to lose today , we played poorly but with better finishing you could have taken something. Having watched the games so far this season in Div 1, the only difference is a little bit of class at the right time. We will have to tighten up our midfield if we want to go straight back up, Swindon should be there or thereabouts if you can maintain that standard.

Played some very decent footy today...as did Wolves.

Great atmosphere,very good game of football for LG1...and a very enjoyable day out.

Good stuff Swindon.

Enjoyed that, despite the result. I don't think I've ever been so positive after coming away from an away defeat - this side are so enjoyable to watch and play the best football since the Hoddle days.

It was a nervous start and Luongo did pull out of the challenge that lead to the first goal. Thompson seem to be way out of position in the first 20 minutes, but after this we utterly dominated the rest of the game.

As you'd expect, Wolves have the quality players to take their changes and this is the only thing we lack at the moment. Even when we did get through their keeper was outstanding, it just wasn't our day.

Oh, and I didn't expect to top up my tan, which was an added bonus!

A similar performance next week and we'll bury City.

Goals just shown on SSN. Poor positioning by Foderingham for their first and Hall shouldn't have allowed Griffiths to get the cross in.

Nice finish by N'Guesan, looks better on TV. Hate watching football at pitch level

Shame.......

Lets smash City to fuck....

The real derby is back!!!!

Just back in, what a game. Would've settled for a point today. We played well, very well infact. Cracking atmosphere today, everyone put in a shift today. Cracking opening goal from Wolves. Bring on City.  :D

Great game
How the fuck we didnt get a result there I will never know

If that cross hadnt gone in 3 mins we would have won that - doubt very much was a shot tho Wes was off his line
We looked irresistible going forward and cut thru their midfield and defence with ease
If only the Mason that played at Crewe was out there today - he should have had a hat trick easily, hitting the post just after missing a sitter.
Then he scores with a 40 yarder  ::)

Defensively we were undone far too easily down our right flank, all 3 of their goals came down that route.
With Thompson pushing forward we are left with Hall and Ward covering - mostly Hall it seemed today
Now I like Hall ( 100% improvement on Flint ) but we are seriously lacking pace with Hall/Ward combination
Not sure we have the personnel to change that.
JMc was slow getting back for the 3rd and many times during game but is a much better option IMHO than Bryne, even if he wasnt suspended
Kasim was immense again especially tracking back and won a couple of last ditch tackles he had no right to.

Having said all that I cant fault the fighting spirit Town showed today - would have been easy for heads to drop but they never gave in

Ref I thought was poor today - missed lots of pulls/pushes on Ranger as well as other blatant fouls

A few have mentioned the atmosphere - I thought we were flat until 2nd half really but hardly surprising when we were spread out the length of the pitch in about 16 rows
When it did liven up am sure made a difference to the team

Cracking post, agree with it all.

Hi guys   8)

 :clap: :clap:

you keep slagging me off???

Today, was that the first league game refereed by a women?

slagging me off again

No but she was the first in 2010 when she took over from an injured ref.

Some of the comments aimed at her when she took over made me cringe.

I didn't know she replaced someone before.

I agree about the comments.

Anyone know how many away fans there today ?
Only gave full attendance at game

Unsure how many - I was in the wolves end: didn't go down too well when I jumped up to cheer!

Haha, fair play.

We had a couple of Wolves fans come up and say the same to us and openly admit the better team had lost today.

Ha, me too. Didn't see the challenge just saw Pritchard on the ground and the ref coming over and thought "Oh bugger".

We were immense today, played some great football, can't remember last time I enjoyed a defeat so much!

There looked a colourful display from where I was sat.... :clap:

That was ridiculous, battered them for massive parts of the game.  Will do City by 3 or 4 next week if we play like that. That Sako matey was an absolute beast of a man.

Thought the atmosphere was a bit rubbish apart the odd few minutes here and there, the layout of our away section didn't help that though.

Good day on the beer though

(http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab225/mark_woolhouse/th_Wolvesaway3_zpsf1511701.jpg) (http://s866.photobucket.com/user/mark_woolhouse/media/Wolvesaway3_zpsf1511701.jpg.html)

(http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab225/mark_woolhouse/th_Wolvesaway2_zpsf48ee915.jpg) (http://s866.photobucket.com/user/mark_woolhouse/media/Wolvesaway2_zpsf48ee915.jpg.html)
That last pic shows just how far that stupid stand is from the pitch

What a strange match that was. Enjoyed it tremendously despite the result.

It's hard to be downbeat when you know you have a full season of watching that team ahead of you.

He cant be far off a ban under the totting up
Ban after 5 yellows IIRC

Anyone else waking up feeling robbed ?

I think he EXACTLY the type of player that Ranger will thrive against, he has no pace and will give away free kicks and penalties against a quick tricky striker if we keep the ball on the floor against him.

We seem to pick up a lot of yellows for the sort of team we are, possibly as a result of committing so many men forward and needing last ditch fouls to cut off the counter-attack.

My instinct, without counting, is that a number of our key players: Thompson, Pritchard, Kasim, Mason, possibly Luongo, are not far off a suspension.

Anyone got the actual stats?

My concern would be anyone who's one away from suspension could well end up being under-committed in the Bristol City game with a view to Chelsea on the Tuesday.

Pritchard is on four bookings, Mason & Thompson three, Luongo two.... doesn't sound right, but according to my stats, Kasim has only been booked once!

According to OS, yellow cards are as follows

Thompson, 3
Pritchard, 4
Kasim, 1
Mason, 3
Luongo 2

Wow. I've never seen anything like that yesterday. Probably one of the best games I've ever seen.

We were good value for the win and how we've come away with nothing at all is absolutely staggering. Credit to Wolves I suppose for soaking up heaps and heaps of pressure, they can really counter.

Difficult to single out a MOTM but I'd probably have to go for Kasim. It would've been Mason had he not spurned so many chances, what a goal btw. Pleased for N'Guessan, a real tidy finish after a good show of strength to get in on goal. Just imagine if we had a Griffiths up front... Easily their best player yesterday, I expected more from Sako who, despite being skilful didn't pose too much of a threat.

I cannot wait to see this lot take the utter piss out of Flint next week.

Cheers. So they can largely smash into City without too much concern. :)

Interesting how Pritchard has picked up the most bookings. His general effort and commitment in the challenge have really taken me by surprise this season. You wouldn't have thought he was that sort of player to look at him, with his small stature, skilful feet and fluorescent yellow boots.

I agree. I see Flint in the same way. He was poor vs rovers the other week and his flaws as you point out were glaringly obvious.

That was a great performance from us, just a shame we didn't get anything we deserved from the game...we played well, looked threatening and had a host of chances we should have scored from. The only alarming thing is us conceding 3 goals where we looked pretty open and all over the place, but with a new back 4 not even 10 games together I guess that's to be expected with a 'work in progress' team. That being said, on the attack we had Wolves all over the place as well and just a shame we couldn't put away a few of those other chances! An enjoyable day out, plenty of beers and now to look ahead to Shitty at home next week! C.O.Y.R!

It seemed we lacked a finisher yesterday, someone just to poke the ball in the back of the net, in time Ranger, Ajose, N'Guessan and Storey may well be the finisher, but the build up play and control we had over Wolves yesterday really didn't get the result it deserved. If we put in the same effort against City, along with the likely barracking of Flint, it could be a fantastic day.

With Kasim, Luongo and Mason, I really don't think I would swap them for any other midfield combination in our league, they all have individual attributes that offer a solid and creative midfield, for me, Kasim has to be one of the best signings made by us in the last 5 years. I appreciate that won't be everyone's opinion, but what a footballer. I sense January will go a long way in showing what aspirations this board have for the club, as the vultures will be circling.

Just at the lights before the slip road to the M5 on the way home some chap pulled up along side us and started waving frantically, I wondered if we had a brake light out or something, but after a few seconds I realised it was our very own Jed McRory, probably noticing our noble red shirts, giving us the thumbs up. Nice number plate Jed :) Roooooaaaaaarrrrrrr

http://www.wolvesforum.co.uk/showthread.php?22782-Wolves-3-Swindon-2-Verdict-Thread/page4

A view from Wolves.

I think someone posted that earlier in the thread or I saw it on Twitter but I can't remember a time when an opposition's fanbase (and manager!) has been so unanimous in their praise for us. I guess we're doing something right after being universally despised for the past couple of years...

Highlights are on Wolves' youtube page if anyone hasn't seen 'em:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=COvt3d5rXTE

Nice set of highlights... what the hell was Ward doing for their second? Completely switched off (again). Love Prichard's celebration after our first aimed at the Wolves fans.

Ward had a bit of a mare yesterday to be honest.

Hall shouldn't have that much time and space to put the cross in either

Two brilliant goals by town, Mason really should have scored three.

Back the start of October, really excited about seeing this team play, shame half our team will go back to Spurs in the summer.

Fuck it I am going to say it.

Hall seems to get a fair bit of stick at the moment but I am far more disappointed with Ward and Foderingham so far this season.

My main worry with the ward situation was that his legs are gone if we are being honest

I was just about to ask if it was me or was Wes a bit dodgy this season so far. Looks to be lacking in communication with the back 4 at times.

Foderingham fucked up for their first. The second was a collective defensive fuck up and they all should have done better. The third was a lovely pass by Sigurdarson and nice finish by Irishblokey.

Obviously I've only seen highlights and two games but we don't look terribly great at the back and it doesn't help that Thompson and McEveley play so high up the pitch.

We've only conceded 9 goals though. Only 9 teams have conceded fewer  :hmmm:

It's to be expected without a goalkeeping coach!

Is that not digby or is he a warm up coach

I'm concerned that Foderingham is being told to play as a sweeper. His positioning and decision making are suffering and if it continues he'll not be developing at all.

That said, I'm sure the defensive unit will gel. If you think we're bad look at Bristol City at the moment :) - who have our ex 'star' defender.

A nice blog from a Wolves fan here, singing our praises again...

http://www.wolvesblog.com/6234/wolves-3-swindon-town-2

Great effort yesterday, I thought we would fold at 2-0 down but that second half was superb. Sure the positives have been mentioned and I don't want to repeat them but the midfield three of Luongo, Kasim and Mason were a joy to watch at times. Just a shame Mason couldn't convert a few chances before his great strike at the end.

Backline looked shaky throughout, but they were up against some very good attacking players, the like of which no other League 1 side have. Saying that, Wolves also had some very average players and although they will win the league, they aren't stupidly good and we ripped them to shreds second half.

Special mention to Miles Storey - I know he is a Wolves fan but that doesn't mean he can try and assist them in scoring a goal. The lad really needs a loan move.

All in all, another very promising display and anything less than a play off finish would be hugely disappointing.

I thought Hall was most culpable for the second. Griffiths had pulled off him into that space for a good amount of time before the ball was played over Hall's head without Hall reacting to close the gap, then he compounded the error by leaving Griffiths a big enough gap to put in a cross when he was in a position to force him back up the line.

I think criticism of our defence/ GK is harsh though, when we're pushing nine players forward in open play and Thompson and McEvely are pretty much playing as wingers.


Ward's legs had gone last season, it's not a new issue, he's just being left more exposed this season by a style of approach play that has shone a light on that flaw more clearly.

I still think our defenders are good for this level. Wolves defence was a total shambles and they're favourites to win the league. There's plenty to work on, but it was our finishing that cost us that game, not our defending.

That's a generous analysis. From reading all the Wolves fans' comments on this and their forum, there's a refreshing absence of the billy big bollocks mentality that some other big clubs have shown at this level.

Wasnt having a pop at Hall - I like him as stated
Was more the situation of having both Hall and Ward playing together that seems to throwing a spanner in the defensive works because the 2 backs push so far up the pitch
Maybe with JMc back as an old head we could swop out Ward but for who ??
TAH seems to be playing ok for Carlisle even if his tweets yesterday were all about Carlisle and his former club Exeter, bugger all about Town, his employers.

Ward obv means a lot to the board who were keen to keep him even offering him some form of coaching
Ward is obv keen to be here taking a reduced wage albeit over a longer term

Bit of a conundrum

Fucking hell, what's Troy meant to say?

Well he can say what he likes and usually does
Can understand him tweeting re carlisle as thats where he is loaned too

He never tweets re town tho, Exeter still yes
Whether his heart is still in it here I dont know - we heard the histrionics about his squad number etc and noone gets that all bent out of shape over just a squad number ffs

Magnificent performance, the best I've seen Town play for years.

Rather than be downbeat about the result, I came away from that game with a big smile on my face - so proud to be a Swindon fan ;D

We totally outplayed them and a Wolves fan commented after the game 'total robbery that was!'

One main concern was Nathans defensive play - far too often he was caught out of position leaving our right side vulnerable, and it was no coincidence that most of their threat and their goals came from that area. I'm a great fan if Thommo but I think he needs to remember the prime role of a right back is to DEFEEND !
Nile didn't have the best of games either, his holdup play was good but too often his touch let him down at vital moments.

Man of the match had to be Kasim,he was amazing - calm and collected in possession, great vision and passing and some of his tackles were nothing short of brilliant, saving certain goal scoring opportunities.

I'm disappointed we didn't get any chants of 'Coopers Red n white army' going - think he deserves this now and would certainly be a nice reward for him to hear it  :clap:

there was a small group of lads near me who sang it for a couple of minutes solid but nobody else joined in

We lost that game because our complete back 4 was awful and we missed too many chances.On the other hand our midfield 4 were absolutely outstanding and our approach play was the best Ive seen for years.Luongo and Kasim are the best midfield players weve had for years.But,our back 4 is shocking.However,I felt proud that we showed we are a good footballing side and passed them off the park.

Will answer myself  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:
Allegedly 1800

(http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab225/mark_woolhouse/attendances_zps6b205291.jpg)
http://the72.co.uk/away-team-followings-week-7/

Fuunny i saw it as Jay Mac no following his man back towards goal , he appears to  leave the defending to ward

Good write up, enjoyed it.  Shame he thinks Luongo is a loanee, though.

Which is one reason they are near the top, and why they may get promoted at the first time of asking (I know it's early).  Fair play to them.

Apologies if this has already been covered elsewhere, but whats this about his squad number? 41 struck me as odd but put it down to a player request...

He tweeted at the time he didnt request it, wasnt consulted and doesnt like it
Club commented its something to do with the length of his name and it having to go around the numbers - only a couple combinations that worked inc last years but that had been given away

Sky highlights now up.

He's not been his usual self since Digby's been appointed. I remember he had a spell towards the end of the last season where he was coming off his line too much, and gave away a few pens.

Maybe the Division Four teams were a bit shitter?

Coincidence it may be but the incidents of his charging out of goal started just after Digbys appointment  :hmmm:

Kevin Doyle states that we are the best team he has faced in the last few years. Nice praise

What does praise make? . . . . Unfortunately not points but nice all the same.

Interesting to see the view from the 'other side of the fence':

http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2013/09/14/wolves-3-swindon-2-match-report/

Where was that?

We didn't get beaten on Saturday- we lost that game (I know what I mean so deal with it  ;) )

We conceed 1 'lucky' goal (though it was a good bit of vision that led to it) at 3 minutes and two further goals which were effectively on the break after a Town attack AND we were playing against a none too shabby team whose goalkeeper was probably their Man of the Match.

Nile Ranger seemed to be cursed with the ball being under his feet all the time he was in the box- he just couldn't get a decent contact to bury it.

Ryan Mason must have swapped his boots at about 90 minutes as he certainly wasn't wearing his shooting boots for most of the game.

Overall, like others have said, it feels really weird getting beat but feeling good about the game.

Paul Scholes

Blimey they were in the Prem 2 years ago!

According to the FA, Pritchard is suspended for the Brizzle game, which must mean he's got 5
http://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/suspensions

Good to see with have the most points in one table

http://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/fairplay

Pritchard suspended for saturday

Well that's fucking great, see what El Gabbas is all about although I thought he was a striker.

Played all across the front line in Belgium and for Egypt, according to his bbc interview.

Also got the option of playing Storey wide, or bringing Harley back in and playing Mason on the wing

I prefer this option.

I assumed it would be N'Guessan (left), Ranger and Ajose (right).

Keep Mason in the middle where he has been excellent.

Then you have Storey and El Gabas on the bench

El Gabas doesn't have international clearance yet does he?

Was given on Friday according to the adver.

If el gabbas is half as good as kasim, we've got a couple of gems for nada!!

The Adver wrote on Saturday that it hadn't been received, I didn't read today's article properly  :-[

It´s great that we have a number of apparently decent options to replace Byrne and Pritchard without scraping the bottom of the barrel. We´ll be more stretched when a defender gets suspended or injured.

we've got a few right backs, Branco is supposed to be prety good too.

Being suspended for 5 yellows this early in the season, must be some sort of record? Def needs to tone down the protesting, always seems to be the first onto the ref when something goes against us.

Certainly dispels any concerns people had that these loanees, especially a flashy player like Pritchard, would not be committed to the cause...

The same Pritchard who that twat of a chairman at P'boro claimed didn't want to be here too.

Au contraire...I see it as a lack of discipline and professionalism, typical "big time Charlie" attitude. OK these are young players, but contrary to the opinions of some, the likes of Byrne and Pritchard are no use to us suspended

Cooper needs to have a word, both with himself and his players, being bottom of the fair play league this early in the season doesn't bode well and needs sorting.

At least 2 of Pritchards are for dissent.

It was a tongue in cheek remark about us being Spurs reserves with a team full of disinterested Dean Parrett types.

Fucking hell.

Good to see they are committed and I put a lot of it down to  experience, or lack of it. But Reg is right we have picked up a lot of silly cards, and it does need addressing.

It does but to put it down to being a big time Charlie and not simply being a hot headed young man is quite frankly ridiculous. The only one out of the Spurs lot that we've had that could be considered big time was, rightly pointed out by SY, Dean Parrett.

Yeah I agree seen none of the big headed attitude, we've also been unlucky with cards but I wont kick that one of again..

I know, and these are young players and will hopefully learn by their mistakes...as for Cooper, OK there are times when decisions would test the patience of Job, like Hollowhead at Old Trafford, but ranting about refs like Attwell when his faulty decision has saved us a point at Franchise, is counterproductive.

His faulty decision cost us the win, his linesman saved us a point...

I'd rather be bottom of the fair play league than bottom of the actual league like some were suggesting pre season Reg (mentioning no names of course).

MacDonald got pelters from some for not showing enough passion. I'm happy Cooper took exception to Attwell's decision. Most who were there were just as livid too. At least it shows he gives a shit! Name me a manager who hasn't questioned a ref's decision when it's gone against him at some point in his career. To say at Atwell's decision saved us a point at Franchise is laughable.

The only thing we agree on I think is that some of lads could keep their discipline a bit better. Cooper could have a quiet word on this and probably has already.

Cooper hasn't given us much to complain about so far, fortunately though there's a poor disciplinary record for some to clutch to.

So you don't think the wrongly scrubbed out Franchise goal near the end saved us a point?

You're getting a bit boring on this now. Yes, we know your an arch-loyalist. Some people complain by nature, some people complain when there's something to complain about, and some people just complain all the time about other people complaining. Can we move on?

No. I think the linesman flagged that one, possibly because McCleod was between the ball and the goal and so deemed to be interfering. You'd have to ask him on that one though.

Only when people stop complaining. :-)

What the fuck are you talking about you daft cunt? I've barely said a thing about Cooper. In fact I've not had much to say at all regarding football on the forum lately.

I think the lino wrongly raised the flag against Baldock...

Reg we got a good draw with 10 men at franchise
Based on your theory if it was not for a misjudgement by the lino in 1966 England  may have not won the world cup?

I blame Cooper's assistant  ;)

OK, apologies then. Just sounded like you were doing your thing of laying into anyone who criticised the current regime, when for a long time there were good reasons for people to be asking awkward questions when faced with a lack of openness and clarity. Given our history and the evidence on offer, scepticism was a healthy opening position.

Certainly events since July - changes in board membership, investments in players and structure - have reduced suspicion of Jed's gang. I wouldn't criticise people for being a bit negative in the Spring, but being completely anti-board by this stage is about as passé as pretending to be for the sake of sarcasm.

It's fair enough to express a concern at being bottom of the fair play league though, since that risks upsetting the balance of the team. That's what a forum's for isn't it?

Maybe he did and maybe he didn't. As I alluded to, only he'd know!

Regardless I don't see how Attwell had that much to do with it. Which was the original point I believe.

Attwell is the final arbiter...so the decision is his.

Maybe he felt McCleod was interfering then so went with the linesman's decision regardless of why he stuck the flag up.

There's a lot of if, buts and maybe's going on here but I'll back Cooper's actions based on what I saw at the time and subsequently on the box.

FH is missing his rabbit, that's why he seems angry.

Would he have blown up if his assistant han't flagged?

But he wasn't even talking about "the regime" and peoples past attitudes to it, he was just having a go at Reg for being a moany old cunt. Hardly the first time someones mentioned it, and pretty much the definition of pissing in the wind, but hardly something to be up in arms about.

As far as the cards are concerned I'm sure Coopers already had a go about it, and the first suspension so few games into the season will reinforce it. Mind you, it's worth remembering that a significant proportion of the forum spent most of the first few weeks of the season predicting that our entire side were a bunch of lightweights that would get bullied out of every game we played. They might have bent the stick a little bit too far in the other direction, but at least it means they're prepared to scrap. Just need to rein it in a bit.



 

OK I apologise again. I was guilty of trying to have the argument from the other thread at the same time as the old one with Flashheart. Sorry again. Move on folks, nothing to see here.