Thetownend.com

Grow some bollocks you silly cunts.

Big game tonight i have a feeling we are going to batter them

Are we at home?

5-1 win with 55 Oldham fans to witness it.

Gonna miss this one. Gotta wake up uber early tomorrow for a bastard visa run.

36-0 to town.

1-1 draw, Paynter scoring, crap crowd of 6,012 with the usual 23 from Oldham coming down.

A win please. 88 goals should suffice.

We should piss it so it'll probably be a draw! I'll go for a scrappy 2-1 win in front of 6,741 (75 from Old Ham - I see they can't even fill one coach!)

Win 3-1, with Taylor cracking up again.

TTTTTTAAAAYYYYLLLLOOORRRRR !!!

f*cking big game tonight. I reckon we'll romp it, with austin and paynter takin the piss out of aljofree and getting two each.

Please prove me right.

Aljofree won't play.

Back to a shit crowd.

I don't care about anything but the 3 points

We need to win. Oldham have been doing alright defensively in the last few games - However, as always, if we want to be Play-Off contenders we must beat struggling teams like Oldham Athletic.

7-0 to Town with goals from everyone except Paynter, Austin, Lucas and Greer.

they have a handy away record and so it won't be straight forward. We need to be quick out of the blocks and get ahead.

One nil win, Austin to score, as long as the ref remembers we now play 85 minute matches.

Gonna be nippy tonight!! Layer up people!!

think this could be scrappy, bit of a come down from leeds/charlton. it's all about the points by any means tonight.

3-0 to Town  :D

Cuthbert first goal.

Wish I could go tonight. Not sure why I find Oldham at home on a freezing cold Tuesday night attractive, I suppose I've just caught the bug after going to a few games recently. Unfortunately I'm too poor so will have to make do with TEF updates!

If we can beat Leeds at home and play pretty well at home to Charlton we should be able to beat utter merde like Oldham. But this is Football and this is Swindon.

Disapointing 1-1 draw. Team will look tired and fans will want to see loan signings in to give the players a rest.

No. We will win.  :D

Looks like Pericard will be fit tonight as well so at least we have options on the bench if we are struggling to score but I dont think we will struggle to score  2- 1 Swindon (Paynter and Austin)

2 1. Scrapsy affair with oldham playing to frustrate and hit us  on the break. Then we'll score and open the game up. We'll get another before oldham score
With 5 to go plus 8 minutes stoppage time. They will hit the post with the ball rebounding off lucas head and narrowly into touch past his left upright.

i'm working tonight so gonna miss a 3-1 victory for us.

2 - 0 Town (Aljofree 2 OG's if he plays)

Word on the street is that the game has already been played and we won 4-0

really? what street was that the word on??

Just noticed Oldham have only scored 21 goals - the lowest in L1. Hopefully 2 goals should do it tonight (assuming we let in our customary injury time goal).

Game will be abondened in the 85th min, due to the two foot of snow that's going to fall during the game, with the Town 5-0 up at the time.

It will be four goals for Ferry & a spectacular Aljofree own goal.


Failing that a 1-0 win to the Town, Billy Paynter penalty

I agree with Batch! Ferry and Pericard to score.

Back on track tonight, win and win well, 3-0.

I'm not going, but hoping for a win. 2-0 I reckon.

2-1 Town with Aljofree scoring all 3 goals.

Crowd of 6045 with 7 from Oldham.

Can't go tonight, apparently my sisters 18th is more important than a Swindon match, I reckon 3-1 to Swindon, Austin (2) and McGovern

i was planning to go but decided i couldn't be bothered, so i predict a 5-0 thrashing with aljofreetransfer having a nightmare game.

Swindon 3-0. LJF hat trick. Followed by everyone calling for him to be dropped as he gave away a throw in.

Is ANYONE going or do I have the DR Stand to myself?  :D

Would be nice to see McGovern score, he deserves one..

Go and kick her in the face - this will most likely get you uninvited, rendering you able to attend the game.

3-1 the town. Hope i can get my radio to work this week. I missed the leeds game as it wouldnt tune in  :(

charltons late late show has taken the wind out of my sails.  I think this game is going to be a big disappointment in many ways.
If I could grasp and hold onto the beautiful football we played last Saturday and if that team turns up tonight then its a win with a Rugby score.
Alas, No Score Bore draw.  With frantic defending in the final minutes.
Looking forward to being very wrong

I have a bad feeling about this one. Think we might lose 1-0 despite battering them most of the game.

cant make it so Town win 3-1.Paynter,Cuthbert and Pericard.Austin to go on a bit of a barren run (2 games without a goal)

I think it will be ball achingly frustrating and scrappy but we will scrape a 1-0. Job done.

I have a feeling the crowd will be ball achingly disappointing..6,800. Hope I'm wrong though.

Nervous about this, scrappy win and I'd be chuffed.

5-0

August 1993 - 90th minute. Gunnar Halle crosses for Paul Bernard to score.

I'm still not over that.

Big game so big score 4-0 Charlie and Billy two each

A big fat no score draw.

Smith is back in goal again - somebody to blame anyway!!

I have got a school governors meeting tonight, a mate is using my season ticket instead.

As I always miss the big wins, 6-1 to Town, with Lecs to score a screamer from 35 yards.

Phew :)

We're fucking playing tonight?! Fuck me, i didn't know. It's like waking up and finding Santa's been. Damn, if i'd known i could have charged my heated jacket, now i'm going to be cold. Properly excited now though! :D Hahaha, like the old days, forgetting to check fixtures then stumbling onto a game i knew not of!

is this game one of our rearranged matches?

4-1 swindon austin to bag a hat trick and paynter with ze penalty 6001 fans 1 oldham fan  :D

Is there any on line radio commentary? BBC Wiltshire has gone OTA.

That season could have been so different if we'd got a win in quickly instead of that interminable wait.  That was the game we should have racked up the first 3 points at.

haha carlisle scored

...and scored by a member of U2.

Swindon Town 0 - 3 Oldham Athletic

Already?

Oh dear

BSP: OFF Forest Green 0-0 Chester , Postponed - due to Chester being unable to fulfill the fixture

Danny ward will know jason price from playing up north

I love shaun hodgetts

Evening all. Anything happening?

nothing to report

It's all kicking off apparently. Running battles all round the center of swindon

abit more lively good passing all around

austin shot easy save made

oldham have run the arkells

crowd "subdued"

All 4 of them?

They bare merked the arkells

Portsmouth down to 10 already-they're doomed

come........on.......you........reeeeeeeeeds

All oldham at the moment. Really on the ropes

lies

Can't stand the pressure - off to play pool - top of the table clash - we will lose in the last five minutes   :(

Even PA can't be bothered to update their minute by minute except at five minute intervals. This sounds like a cracker.

GGGGGGGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Nobody Dave. It fooled nobody.

But Salisbury have just scored

Every cloud...

Indeed. I don't have radio, but never believe it until I see an abundance of posts flying in saying the same thing.

Dave, you're a twat xx

rovers 1 down

This is shit...

Tee-hee.

I'm bored, sorry :(

Phil Smith is playing? Why?

Lucas' groin again.

....anything remotely interesting happening?

didn't notice the time... what have i missed?

not a darn thing were passing well but havnt got the end product

Salisbury scoring a goal. Thats about it. Sounds like a rancid game

this is poo. I'm glad i couldnt go

lots of throw ins though  :D

i feel really horrible saying this but i don't have much faith in smith, despite sitting at my desk in west oxfordshire.

goal paynter!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Billy Paynter wonder goal

18th goal of the season for paynter, sounds like a corker - long range

OH YES!!!!!!!!!!!!

30 yards!

Goalllllllllllllllllllllll

Paynter scores a Belter! GET IN!

About time - Oldahm have been looking on top for a while now

penalty given

penalty

Penalty

PIP PIP PENALTY

pen now

paynter steps up...

Ohhhhh goooaaallll

COME ON WILLIAM

common billllllllyyy...................GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

scored!

come on bill yessssssssssssssssssssss

GET IN

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

hat trick for Billy?

Penalty! GET IN !!! EASY EASY EASY

So is it 2-0?

Yes it is.

WOOOOO.

Where did that come from!?!

Let us not fuck it up.

Happy days!!

:D

Sounded like a dire first 44 minutes and then we scored 2

Great time to score 2 consecutive goals. Lets go on and murder this mob!

Yeh, you also predicted a 4-1 win and an Austin hat-trick. 1 out of 3 = 33% = must try harder ;)

i hope we dont fuck this up

Really crap 45.

Probably the worst 45 at the CG this season.

We're winning. Yay.

You're obviously not at the game, us being 2-0 up is criminal - we're playing terribly and should be behind. Not that I'm complaining, about time we had some luck.  

all the great teams play badly an still pick up a win :D

oh fuck off leeds!!!!!!!!!

With us winning and Hudds drawing with Brighton, the HT table looks like this...

(Position, Team, Played, GD, Points)

1 Norwich 30 33 63
2 Leeds United 28 29 61
--------------------------
3 Charlton 30 20 57
4 Colchester 29 16 55
5 Swindon 28 10 52
6 Millwall 29 12 49
--------------------------
7 Huddersfield 28 20 47
8 Franchise 29 6 46

report from my dad

"that was really fucking shit but we're winning 2-0 hahahahahahah" then hung up.

you certainaly are your father's son  :)

Actually, it was an attempt at sarcasm as i am very aware we have been poor and that Oldham should be ahead (from what i heard on the radio) but hey, we're winning!

oldham dont deserve to be ahead? what game you listening to? its been a poor game but we have had 60% of possession

just spoke to my old man and he reckons the worst we have played since hartlepool and they should have been 2 up , Billys could be goal of the season

  oldham aint even hit the target have they?

Swindon have had 42% of possession according to the BBC. Unfortunately for Oldham, they seem to have forgotten that to score a goal you are likely to be required to place a shot on target. All 4 of their attempts so far have failed to meet this imprtant criterion.

If you say so...

We're off again - Allegedly!

Any internet commentary anywhere?

Another interesting "fact" from the BBC website is that the referee has no initials and is referred to only as "Deadman"

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8493398.stm

doesnt sound like they have had that much of the ball they must talk well oldham are in possesion

austin scores

austin wahooooooooo

Austin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Charlie boy!!!!!!!!

Well I hope Wilson has had a right old go at them then.

3-0 austin!!!!!!!!!!

Nice one Wilson :D

...and Charlie!

3 in 2 minutes-fuck me

NHM, when will you and others learn, there is no internet commentary for our leage games. The Charlton game was a one-off as they don't have a deal with Premium TV

Oh, 3-0? Lovely.

This is better!!

Austin!!! Can we relax now?

Never. Never in a million years.

penalties at carlisle

Hey, so I'm a f@ckin goldfish - OK ?

Any internet commentary anywhere ? :-)

Would like to see Perricard get a run out now and rest Paynter.  Maybe bring Maclin on later for Austin when game is definately over

you're reading it!

hahahahahaha leeds miss

Macklin isn't on the bench.

Or O'Brien

Would be nice for the midfield to chip in with some goals. Just being massively picky though!!

The way things are going, Billy is going to get close to 30 and Austin is going to be looking at around 20. I think the fact the midfield aren't scoring is as much to do with this as anything else. Give the ball to the strikers and they'll score all the goals you need.

carlisle miss!!

leeds carlisle 3-3 on penalties with one penalty each left

4-4 sudden death

DANNY WILSONS RED AN WHITE ARMY!!!!!

DANNYWILSON'SREDANDWHITEARMY with stupid fast hand clap

ward scores

GOAL WARD!!!!!!111

4-0

Ward 4

Ward 4 - 0

hahahahaha fuck off leeds and 4-0 swindon!!! go carlisle!!!!!!!!!

FUCK ME :D

Blimey.

wahooooooo

Typical first home game I have missed all season feeling shit with a stomach bug

WTF has happened?

Carlisle knock Leeds out!

4-0 Get in Ward, theres your midfield goal....

......and relax!

we now have the same goal difference as millwall! this may come in useful......

hahah offfffffffside oldham

I blame Phil Smith

What will Leeds blame for this? It's only a tinpot poxy trip to Wembley - promotion is more important blah blah blah - Sadly ITV had lost interest in them now they are out of the F.A. Cup so nobody cares anymore :)

HaHa Oldham goal disallowed

we want 5

6183 crowd

Why-oh-why-oh-why am I still not relaxed?

How many away fans? Did they reach double figures?

You are mental?

Because you are buzzing we are 4-0 up?  :D

Because you are standing on a plug? Put on your slippers and sit back and breathe it all in!

take off greer ferry and douglas and bring on morrisson easton and timlin and give them a rest

surely now we should rest some players?!

Donkey and AdamSki - you're both right.

"Smith flaps at it"

there's something you don't hear everyday

leave Greer on the lazy cunt!

 :)

I wouldn't make changes for another 10 minutes. Definately wouldn't change the defence either. I'd given Pericard and O'Brien a run out though.  

surely we are safe now ?

Hasnee whats the score

only 52 points as it stands, i think as discussed elsewhere we really need 55.

Town fans singing 'Hasney whats the score'  :D

:)

We haven't scored for ages. This is boring.

Steveange winning 2-1

Scum drawing 0-0

I want Pericard to come on and get a hattrick!

danny ward having another blinder by the sounds of it. he reminds me of jimmy davis when he plays

Shit-we're doing Gillingscum a favour!

I think less poiints will be needed this season. I'm going to stick my neck out and say we're safe.

Scum now winning grr

They are losing at home to Trannies.

Okay, so not much good at the scorers but fuck me I'm not far off here am I!

Easton and Pericard on, I've just got in, are we playing as well as the scoreline sounds?

i'm going to put my head on the block and say that if we get relegated, the entire town of swindon will be sucked into a black hole

Pericard and Easton on
Austin and JP off

Easton on-good

Easton on for JPM - good to see him getting a game and resting JPM
Pericard for Austin - well done Charlie

Easton to get the next one.

We were terrible first half, dull stuff. No idea what's happened since the clock hit 8.30 but it sounds as though Oldham fell apart

If we win this evening (and it's still an if :D). Then we're only one point away from levelling last seasons effort - quite the turnaround.

2-0 up playing terribly? How bad must they be.

Am I the only one that still hates Stevenage after that cup game?

4-1  :D

4-1 here we go soapy tit wank

oldham score... there goes the clean sheet and another late(ish) goal

Fucks sake late goals, bet this is a draw now

/sarcasmwithahintoffear

Bloomin' eck.

Bollocks, cleansheet gone.

WILSON OUT!  :D

I blame Easton.

66% now  :D

We've had 4 attempts on target all game apparently!

DW's good at this substitution lark

billy P MOM

Paynter MOM

Fair enough :)

Marshall on

marshall on for paynter

The lesser spotted Mark Marshall coming on.

Rovers miss penalty

Marshall on for Paynter - Great Game again Billy!

Good to see him getting some time on the pitch

Id quite like brighton to score now.

That would be nice Nash.

Remind me. Who was that team that went and spent loads of money on every player available at the start of the season?

The very same one were playing away on saturday.  Big game.

The one I stupidly put money on to win the league, I could have told you they wouldn't back at the start of the season. Sorry Hudders fans.

5mins injury time good thing we got 4

5 minutes of added time... fukin wha

Just back in from the meeting - 4-1 is a nice surprise.

To fill you in, 4 - 1 and played shit!

4-2 fuck fuck fuck :D

anyone think preicard will get in the side this season considering charlie and billy are doing so well. anyone think he will get a game against stickport or carlisle?

4-2 doh

4-2... smith missed his punch.

you can now blame Smith

what a surprise Phil Smith error

smith wont be gettin that contract

Fuck me, put the Pole in goal is Lucas is injured

Smith keeps doing this

Two more late goals  :doh:

ouch poor phillip

4-2 Phil Smith error...

Luton score is 94th minute against Oxfird soapy tit wank

good win swindon

Pox 2-1 down

Luton 2-1 Oxford  :D 2 last minute goals


Great win for Swindon!!!  :D :D :D

Listened to the last 15 minutes and we lost that 2-0. Perhaps I should have stayed away from the radio as well as the ground!

i feel mean for blaming phil smith.

oh well, mustn't grumble

9 games unbeaten, 3 points in the bag, cant ask for more than that.

curse that lack of concentration!

So that's 5 needless goals conceded in the last 3 games? Unless one/both of the Oldham goals were something special.

Atleast it didn't cost us. Can't complain if we played badly and scored 4!

Four's not a bad cushion..................................luckily

Poole also winning 4-2

(appear to have been) Below par, 3 points, Oxford lose. Good night!

We must raise our game for Huddersfield and must have more competition within this squad.

A clean sheet would not have gone a miss ::)

Take a nil nil draw on Saturday to keep this run going. If we can nick a 1-0 win even better!

And Rovers lost to Walsall 1-0 at the mem

the good news-those late Oldham goals put Gillingscum in the bottom 4 where they fucking should be.

2-0 is even better than that!!

Final score: Swindon 4-2 Oldham
Attempts on target: Swindon 4-2 Oldham.

Pox conceded 90+4 and 90+7 Ouch I thought we were bad for last minute goals :D :D :D

Good win, disappointing about the late goals again though. I'm going saturday and if we aren't 5-0 up, i'm going to piss off back to the train station at 4.40!

Thanks for pointing out that a 2-0 win is better than a 1-0 win!! I'm hoping for 3 points of course but will take 1 from Hudds.

This made me laugh...

Lucas was "very very stiff in his groin" according to Wilson.

Gosh I'm immature.

Our concessions seem to coincide with the substitutions lately mmm.

Just got back...and defrosting.

First 44 mins....shit, and the less said the better.

Billy scores a cracker from 20 yards, and a minute later Charlie is brought down a Billy scores a pen.

A couple of mins after half time Charlie is put through and scores, with their central defence complaining of offside, then a glorious passing move puts Ward through and buries the fourth.

We then seem to ease off instead of going and getting more to improve our goal difference.

Shot by Taylor looks like it's going well wide, but goes to one of their players and strikes it in. We then have a mad scramble, with of number of last ditch clearances, but Smith really doesn't want to look again at their second. Long hopeful cross to the far post, which our defence just switches off assuming he's got it, but misjudges it, and diver Price heads it to an empty net.

Aljofree got the 'Swindon reject' treatment from the TE whilst warming up.

That was weird. We were shit and went 4-0 up, we played quite well and the game ended 4-2.. Hmm.

Could have got 6 really but that would've been a little harsh on Oldham who never gave up. Credit to them for that, but fuck me we were terrible and went 4-0 up!!!

What an awful game. 44 minutes of utter tripe, then a top quality shot from Paynter and probably just  about a penalty won by Austin.

Second half was a little better, calm finish from Charlie and a good through ball and fine finish from Ward. Then we started to fanny about with flicky flicky football. LJF go pulled out of position (second game in a row. Is there no communication back there?) and a miss hit shot is turned in at the far post by an unmarked man. Then in the last minute they score (shock horror). Smith had a 'mare flapping away at a cross, totally missed it and its headed in.

OK at 4-0 up it didn't matter, but we are showing the same weakness this game as the last two - late goals. It can't go on.

Thought it was the worst performance I've seen at the county ground this season. Luckily Oldham were completely dire, with some comedy defending.

But I'm really happy with the victory, decent atmosphere too. Billy deserved his man of the match award but Ward was really good in the second half.

What a strange match. The first 45 minutes were dire. Absolutley terrible....then its half time and somehow we are 4-0 up!
First half hour of the 2nd half we are pretty good, and playing as we have been doing all season, and get two more well deserved goals....the crowd are buzzing.
Then they somehow score a goal that seemed to be a mishit shot originally, and Smith completely fucks up a punch (he also came out and completely missed a corner 1st half - I hope Lucas is back Saturday).

And at 4-2 it suddenley goes from a thrashing with "oles", to a subdued win...with some polite claps at the end!!

Perfect game

Most of our fans will be happy because we won. The rest of our fans will be happy because they can blame Smith and Lescinel for the goals.

Can I not be both? You can't deny it was Smiths fault for that 2nd goal!

Oh, and worst Town player tonight was Amankwha. Nearly everything he did was awful. One of those games best forgotten for big Kev :)

It was Smiths fault for the second goal and I have no problem with people blaming him.

Its the people who are happy he fucked up, so they can blame him I was on about - and we all know there will be a few.

For what its worth (nothing) I expect a keeper playing every week would get that. A keeper only playing the odd game here and there and is a bit rusty should but sometimes wouldnt.

Thank god we were 4-1 up at the time

No arguments from me with the comments from those who attended, had to say I thought Charlie was a yard offside when he scored and the referee bottled it when Hazell pulled Ward down by getting his neck in an type of arm lock - that was a red in my book!

First half we were awful. Passing was poor, most of it was hoofing to nowhere, defence was slack and a better team would have been 2 or 3 up. It was a game that needed a spark and Billy gave it just that with a cracker from nothing. He really is the bees knees this season. Charlie does well to win a penalty for us and Billy does it again from the spot and all of a sudden we've been dire but somehow go in at half time 2-0 up.

Second half begins with some comical Oldham defending and some clinical finishing from Austin and Ward. Their defence was truly woeful especially their number 6. Strangly after that we actually started playing some good stuff and created a fair few chances. Ward was electric with pace and skill and was really causing them problems. Sadly we let in 2 really silly goals. I don't know who was marking their man for the first but he had so much time to score. Who knows what Smith was doing for their 2nd as well. I actually looked away and assumed he claimed it then suddenly hear Oldham fans cheering.

A win is a win and to get it when not playing well but still score 4 is quite pleasing. Good to see Austin score again. Thought he wasn't going to tbh. Billy is on fire. 19 now for a striker that generally isn't prolific.

He did seem to be doing his best Ifil impression when in possesion. HOOF.

Looked like he totally clotheslined him from where I was sat (not too far away). Could have been very serious and a red for me too.

...oh and how did the Oldham player not get sent off for pushing Charlie over 7 yards from goal with just the keeper to beat? he didnt even get booked!

Douglas ran him close for being the shittest I thought.

Just one of those days - run with it  and it went out of play. Pass and it went to the opposition. Hoof was the lesser evil!

Just back. If you didn't go you'd think a 4-2 game with the goal of the season and the goalkeeping gaff of the season would be entertaining, but it was utter shite! The crowd weren't up for it and nore were the players. Reminded me allot of last season.

Still, 3 points and a large gap to 7th place. Bring on Uddersfield and pray to god that Lucas is fit!

Thats a fair enough point.

My god Oldham were truly awful!!! As were we in the first half! Second was marginally better but they just didn't turn up today! Oh well, to play badly & win 4-2 isn't bad! I'm not going to single anyone out as it was all a bit 'meh' really!!

No idea how we managed to get 4-0 up.

First half was shocking with Oldham deserving to go in at the break level, at least, despite being pretty poor themselves.

Thank god for Billy's wonder strike or the second half could have been nervy. Not convinced by the penalty, looked a tad generous from what I could see.

Second half we were pretty much in control although never at our best, Ward came to life and was man of the match (imo). Once again we let in two sloppy goals, the second being Smith's fault. I've never bashed him before but that's 3 goals in two games we've conceded from the opposition simply hoisting the ball into the air with Smith in the net. No idea where Lesc was for the first, hurry up and get back Sheehan. Lesc simply makes too many mistakes, although I thought in general second half he did alright. Kev wasn't great either.

Feel so sorry for Oldham's defence/keeper to be honest, their midfield basically isn't there, no protection whatsover.

Nice five point cusion from 7th with a massive game at Huddersfield on Saturday, hopefully we can take a point to keep the run going, anything else is a bonus.

Up the reds!

also, on another note (I should have taken my time and put it all in one post)

6,1XX

how fucking pathetic, lowest home league gate of the season.

The way our fans were heading for the exit on full time you'd think we lost, only about 4 from my section even bothered to clap the team at the end.

WE'RE 5TH AND WE JUST FUCKING WON

...and I also forgot how muched I liked Craig Easton, nice to see some full blodded challenged from the forgotton man.

Agree with most of the comments here, for 44 mins we were shocking, but there was no doubt about the penalty - even thier defence (who appealed for offside everytime the ball went anywhere near them) accepted it.
I think LJF has been in for a fair amount of unwarranted stick as lets face it, most teams are going to be stronger attacking down the right wing (our left back) rather than down the left wing.
As for thier 2nd goal, what was smith thinking about???  There was a defender stuck to Price (couldn't tell who it was) and smith went on such a walkabout he might as well have been in a different postcode!  He should have stayed where he was, but (and i'm clutching at straws here), at least he had the confidence to come out for it.  Last season he would have been like a rabbitt stuck in a cars headlights.
Other than that our 2nd half performance was a lot better and Ward played a blinder, so full of confidence we will get a result against 'uddersfield.

and 52 points means we are safe!

... as I mentioned earlier in the thread. We're only one point off last seasons final total.

A decent turnaround.

Still a little bit worried about the performance though, just hope we can seriously up our game for Saturday. I've seen enough of us this season to know tonight (performance wise) was a bit of a blip though. If we can get a point up there, that puts us in a good position with two more home games. Just hope we can bother to show up from the first minute for those two, we won't get as lucky as we did tonight.

First half was pretty poor, the frustrating thing was we hardly picked up the second ball.....Oldham must have been deflated to concede two goals in quick succession. Second half was better but it was quite a scrappy game overall. Job done I suppose but we will need to play better on Saturday. Was the Leeds game the pinnacle for us? I hope not. ::)

Awful attendance... Really disappointed with the sheer number of people who still aren't bothering apart from the big games. Fitton will soon realise that we'll never get decent crowds until we're promoted - then more cunts will come through the turnstiles.

Dull in places with glimpses of goodness, and a howler from Smith. That's my summary.

Can see Ward being a quality striker in the future. He's doing a good job on the left, but he'd be even more dangerous upfront. He has the knack of being able to turn a defender in an instant.

Wilson said during his radio Q&A last week that Town hadn't achieved anything yet - and that's quite right, although football clubs need supprt regardless.

Former regimes left many bitter so we need something big to happen or they won't come back - most of the Leeds lot were there to see Beckford and chums and not really the possibility of Town turning them over 3-0.

Something like the JP Trophy would be ideal... oh and promotion!

I'd agree with that, think he needs a rest. Easton did well when he came on, perhaps he could replace Douglas for the Stockport or Carlisle game

We've had two big games at home and they would have been the ones the casual would have handpicked. People will still pick and choose the big games. A cold tuesday night game in feb - pretty standard attendance if you ask me.

Good win- we were loucky to go 2-0 up but hey will take it.

Lescinel got caught (again) and Smith did one of his specials.

We will have to perform much better on Saturday to come away with anything- lets not kid ourselves.

Apart from the 132 from Oldham I think it was the core 6,000 support tonight. We are having a lot of fixtures in a short space of time so I guess the floating support didn't much fancy a very cold Tuesday night against Oldham. Still a poor attendance though (I said the same about the Gills game).

You are right.
But whatever anyone says, its still a bit irritating! After the Leeds performance on a cold Tuesday night two weeks ago, I don't think there is anything more the club and team could have done to persuade people to come tonight. Yet we still get well under half of that attendance.

How did we score four tonight? We looked average for most of the game and it was only our finishing that saw us through.

After the subs were on we lost all shape and looked like we didn't care and couldn't possibly concede.

Fuck it, we still won.

We lacked the workrate / effort of charlton & many of our key players appeared lacklustre & made basic mistakes esp in the first half. Luckily we were playing a poor team who failed to take any of their chances in the first half where we were open at the back.
Pericard needs more game time after his injury he struggled to hold the ball up & link with the rest of the team. Good to see Eastie get a chance & seem him put some decent challenges.

I couldn't care less how we won tonight, it was all about getting three points by any means against a shite team out to frustrate. Job done, the big game is now upon us... Saturday is fucking massive

Does anyone think the "clothes-line" challenge on Ward should have been a straight red?

Clothesline? Yes.

I spotted it first  :)

How fat is Gregan? I don't ever think i've seen a professional footballer who was that fat. Ruddock was slimmer i think and even that fat Parkin bloke in the Championship is probably slimmer. Not a great game, but we won, which is better than the results of late. The ref was a total fucking retard as well. One of the worst i've seen in a while. I don't think he knew what he was doing half the time.

I left early i'm afraid Dave, not because i was pissed off, although their second goal did give me a prompt, it was just to beat the rush. :)

Three absolute quality finished from Paynter, Austin and Ward - a really good bit of set up play for the latter. It was a stonewall penatly, the defender definitely pushed Austin. First half we were absolute dogshit with Douglas and manky having bad games - Lecs passing was also shoddy.
Their first goal saw Lecs ball watching. I thuoght he had a decent second half and his passing was a lot better but he switched off again. As for their second, Smith really needs to have a good look at himself. Regardless of whether he's played much this season or not, it was shit keeping. You'd bollock a Sunday league keeper for it. I hope lucas gets fit soon. Whether its fair or not on him, he gives me kittens any time the ball is near him.
Overall its another 3 points and we can still improve as a team. Happy days.

Ward was ace, looked well good. Loved Ferry's lollipop. Oldham were pap.

good teams win when not at their best. We've now picked up big wins against Stockport and Oldham now.

We saw tonight why Bolton are happy for Ward to be out on loan for the season and why we don't have a chance of buying him. In the first half he was abysmal, on half a dozen occasions he simply made no effort - half hearted challenges, not chasing balls he could easily get and so on. Then in the second half he was a different player and for about 30 minutes was outstanding - time after time he walked through their defence as though it wasn't there.

Ward drifted in a lot though and that caused them no end of problems. It was almost as if we had 3 upfront at times in the second half.

Had we kept a clean sheet, we would be level on GD with Millwall sitting just below us.  Like us to get a few in forthcoming fixtures as I wouldn't like goal difference to affect our league position come end of season!

Millwall being last game of the season could have a lot riding on it!!!

Special mention to Luton tonight  :clap:

93 + 96 mins  :D

Which may explain their first goal, he had such a good 30 mins that he stopped tracking and marking in the last 10 mins or so.  Can't say I watched their player get where he did but I wonder if the highlights show a player pulling LJF into the middle, both attracted to the ball and someone ghosting in from deep without anyone tracking them.

Great game - as in shit but we scored 4, could have had 7, they could have had 3 but it somehow was awful.  Results like this make good teams, win well playing that badly, we must be having a good season.

Blimey.

I saw this... an Oldham move broke down, and though the ball was on the other side of the pitch, Colbeck didn't track back and stayed right out on the wing miles from anyone - onside because he was level with Greer and Cuthbert, completely unnoticed. LJF was in a central position and about ten yards ahead of the centre backs, ball watching.  When they won the ball back and the awful shot eventually came in, he just ghosted in unmarked.

Again another enjoyable match....good fast flowing attacking football,,,Ward man of the match for me....a top performance by all the usual suspects....Smith didnt have nothing to do,cept flap at the ball for Oldhams 4th....ile say this again...dont discount us for an auto place.....HAPPY DAYS.

Leef, if someone picks up this thread without knowing the score, they may well gasp. :)

@leefer

L    09/02/10 19:45    Brockenhurst    0 - 0         Cowes Sports    Premier Division

Poole won 5-2 eventually

Lucas plays against Charlton, Lucas can't play against Oldham but this weekend there will be another bigger game, do you think he'll be back? Probably.

It makes me thing we 'managing' Lucas's strain by picking and choosing our matches rather than having to put him under the knife?

Careful, div will scratch your eyes right out!

Oh yeah, another ref moment:

-waive play on
-wait for town player to beat his man
-blow for foul

??????

Oldham's keeper was Brill.

we were shit for first 44 minutes, got a goal then a penalty. no way should we have been up 2-0 at half time. Then second half we were ok for first 40 minutes then shit for the remainder with our spastic fans getting on the players backs DESPITE having a 2 goal leads! Well done to those morons. End of the day 3 points is 3 points. Very bizarre game.

I presume you are talking about them getting on dougie's back,I heard it aswell although he did't have a very good game it was uncalled for i have to admit,he just had an off day it happens.Our fans need to remember he has more good than bad.

Just a bit frustration i would say,I think people are expecting sexy attacking football every game now.

Frustrating with JPM he wasn't getting the ball at times so he drifts into the middle, or drifts right over to the left leaving huge gap down the right hand side, I know he is not playing as a winger but surely if your playing on the right you don't drift over to the left leaving a big gap, Big Kev can't cover the midfield area as well as the defensive area.

JP had lot's of space in front of him at times but he just wanted to play the ball around instead of moving it down the wing to get a cross in as they was standing off him half the time, on the few occastion he did go down the wing and get a cross in they was good crosses that led to chances.

What a weirdo of a game. ???

Total bollox for 40 odd minutes and then bang!

Could and should of had more and i expect DW will be a bit pissed at the soft goals, especially as goal difference may have an effect on our season finish.

Hudds away is yet another test....a draw would be a right royal result there! :soapy tit wank:

My mate was there.....bust his knee leaping over two rows of seats at the end....Get in!

A few main thoughts...

1) Yes, that was a fucking strange game in terms of our performance compared to how the game panned out. Oldham had the better of the first half and I would have been happy to in to half time 0-0 then suddenly we're 2-0 up!

2) I thought that clothesline by Hazzel should have been a straight red. That was my thoughts at the time anyway. Be interesting to see the replay.

3) At the end of the day we got 3 points from our game in hand so it's job done. Given we were 4-0 up it was frustrating we let in those goals and didn't improve our goal difference by more but we shouldn't beat ourselves up too much.

JFL seems to be a bit of a liability. Is he one of the main weaknesses of our team?

Both goals came down our left hand side, But Smith should have done better for both. If anyone is to blame it is Smith.

Smith was to blame for the second, but given the space and time for Oldhams 1st I don't think you can blame him. Although you will.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxjo1NJ4sQ8&feature=player_embedded

Looks like they got a bit of a kicking outside before and after according to Looton forums :banging:

was the second goal direct from a corner? impressive.

Some miserable fuckers around, ring out the bells, we are safe from relegation 17 games earlier than last season.

You know I've always been a stanch supporter of Phillip. Remember the "England's No.1" Chants at Elland Road?

I think we may have to face the fact that he is fucking shit :(

I was defending him last night. Then the 2nd went in and I shut up.

I cringed on the way in when I heard flappy Pippy was playing last night as the gross mouthy bitch that sits in front on me HATES him! So imagine my delight when I arrived and she wasn't there!
By the end of the match though everyone around us was more than making up for that hate!!
I'm sure Berniman will back me up on this!! 

he's always been reluctant to catch high balls, preferring to punch them. however he's always been rubbish at clearing them with punches yet persists to do so.

he's been a good player for us but he needs a run of games to build confidence otherwise he's very error prone - that isn't going to happen with lucas around, so perhaps it's time to turn to jesionkowski?

He seems to hoof the ball out which comes straight back,I've noticed lucas like's to throw the ball out so we build from the back and use the wings more often. 

Phil Smith is a catastrophe waiting to happen. Quite simply, he should never play for Swindon Town again. Ever.

fuck me, do we have to have this 4 pages of detailed naming and blaming for every goal we concede?

One of the goals came from Smith's quick ball out (can't remember which) let's leave of the insults of Smith, he is a decent No 2 keeper to Lucas he had a bad game last night but previously he has come in and done well - I'm sure it does not help that he only get's a game now and again and getting a run I'm sure would help to blow away the cobwebs.

Yes.  Yes we do.

Its even more tiresome when its fucking obvious

Yes.  Yes it is.

Agree. Agree I do.

Glad.  Glad you do.

This could get old.

smith should be turned into glue

That is probably (off the top of my head) the first mistake Phil Smith has made since Wilson bought him back into the side last season for the run in.

It was a shit mistake, no one can deny that - Amankwaah, Douglas and countless other players made mistakes last night. I know its different as they dont cost us goals but that comes with being the goal keeper.

On another note, whilst I'd expect Smith to get that who was marking Price?

Of course Lucas has played alot more games but I make that about 1 mistake that has cost us a goal each? both when we've been goals to the good (Orient and Oldham)

Players are better when they are playing every week, in my opinion. For keepers its even worse. Just two examples, Carlo Cudicini and Ben Foster when playing every week for Chelsea/Watford were both top keepers. Chelsea bought in Cech and number 1 and Foster went to Man United.

Both only got the odd game here and there, maybe a run of about 4 if they were luck and looked much poorer keepers for it.

I think if Smith was playing week in week out he'd have got that - just my opinion. Possible too positive for most!

The guy a few rows in front of me complete with Arsenal hat, after the goal went in, stood up and as he leaving said 'he does that every week!!'

Smith doesnt even play every week for fuck sake!

In truth, we should just forget it and thank our lucky stars the goal - ultimately means sweet fuck all and by the way just in case anyone forgot.

WE FUCKING WON FOR FUCKING FUCK SAKE!

I was heavily critical of Smith's distribution last season and everyone called me a cunt. It has improved in the few games he's played this season but is still nowhere near as good as Lucas's. Far too many times last night Smith just hoofed the ball with no intent or direction.

I thought he could have done better with the first goal, looked a pretty tight angle to me and he should have covered it easily. But I'm often wrong and need to see the highlights to get a good view. The second goal was a nightmare - something which we saw often at the beginning of last season.

Having said all of that we really don't have anything to complain about. We've won 10 and drawn 3 of the last 14, which is title winning form. Though of course, if we hadn't conceded the late goals against Charlton (twice) and Southend we would have won 13 of the last 14 - which would have been an incredible run of form.

We can criticise individual players but its the team and the results that count, as I said above we're on a pretty good run at the moment so the team is obviously working. Which is one reason I'd stick with LJF - we're getting results so why fuck about with it?

the southend game?

No.

I can! The mouthy one lives near London so doesn't usually come to midweek games, which usually make them more enjoyable because we don't have to put up with the bile that comes out of her mouth, but last night other people replaced them with equal spite for Smith which was cringeworthy to listen to.  Maybe it's those particular seats that are cursed!

Smith is a good squad keeper, and is better than a lot of first choice keepers than we have had in the past.  We all know and he probably is well aware of the fact that he is our no.2, but what possible benefit can come from loudly slagging off any town player for a mistake?  I might sit there and mutter "oh ffs what are you doing Smith?" but what good is bellowing like an idiot at the player.  The only person I ever do it to is usually the referee.

Macklin gets the same treatment as soon as he touches the ball which is even more pathetic at the age he is.

If we had 2 top class keepers Wilson would then have a problem of keeping them both happy, so an able deputy to cover for Lucas that might make the odd mistake but knows and can live with the fact that he is No.2 is spot on for what we need at a club of our level at the moment.

Some of our fans really need to look up the word support and try to understand it.

With regards to Macklin - I was dissapointed he wasnt on the bench last night, 4-0 up with 20 minutes to go would have been the time to bring him on. No pressure.

Instead we got Marshall who didnt even look like he had been given a position to play!!

There was some guy, I heard his voice didnt see who it was who actually shouted out 'come on Austin, you've stopped trying now you've got your contract!!'

I hope he was being sarcastic!

When he came on Ward asked him if he was to move up front and Marshall waved him away. I couldn't quite figure out what position Marshall was playing either, seemed to be all over the place up front with no real plan.

I thought marshall was playing as 2nd striker

A few years back a bloke at behind me spend half an hour screaming "you're a useless bastard, Reeves!"  It took over half an hour of smirking for anyone in the vicinity to point out that the man he was yelling at was Matt Heywood.  Reeves was out injured at the time.

I thought Austin looked a little jaded last night and not as sharp as he usually is,I have a feeling he was playing with a bit of a knock that he took on saturday.

As for my comment about smith it was not a criticism,I think the die hard fans know exactly what smith's all about,It was more of an observation.

There was a group of right twats by us in the DRS shouting bollocks all game.
One of them shouted a comment like that toward Austin along those lines.

The next question being, where abouts in the DRS were you sat.

Near the back (row W) between the halfway line and Stratton bank

well, that was ultimately un-helpful.

I sit row x seat 80something, seemed the guy was to my right - so lower numbers. I think

W 65 or 64 to be precise. Can't remember which, exactly.

I didn't get to the game cos I was ill so had to rely on radio and BBC text updates. According to the latter, JFL had the assist for (I think) the first goal. So amidst all the "I know we won and we're 5th in the League but we were still shit and it's player X's fault" stuff, has anyone given him any credit for that? Or was it just mis-accredited? Sorry, but I genuinely can't be arsed to trawl back through 20-odd pages of people complaining about a comfortable victory and "game in hand nicely turned into 3 points" to find out

Yes, JFL zipped the ball into Paynter. Not sure I'd call it an assist in the same way that a cross would be, as Paynter effectively made the goal for himself. JFL has set up a few in my memory though Paynter v Leeds and Austin's first home goal spring to mind

Thanks Nev.

Its hard as my boyfriend can be a proper negative Nancy sometimes and those guys that sit a bit further down towards the TE way (I was going to say the one that looks like my stepdad - but remembered none of you know what he looks like!) They can be proper shouty and negative too sometimes and they shout so loud the players can hear - Like the JP Mcgovern last season stuff
sometimes I feel embarressed to be there

I didnt know Mouthy crew and green teeth child came from Laanndaan - Oafs they are - sorry I know they are your bezzies!

I like Phil Smith, but i can't help but feel nervous everytime the ball goes anywhere near him. Last night was a shambles on his part.
I personally think he should have done so much better for the first goal.....He seemed to just casually watch the ball roll past him, waiting for it to go out for a goal kick, and when the player got to it, he still just stood rooted to the spot.....And then he was beaten at his near post...Yeah okay, the player was totally unmarked, but you have to be more alert than what he was. Then there was the second goal.........the less said about that the better....These two 'errors' added on top of the recent Southend error...

But fuck it, we won despite not being anywhere near our best! Wooot!

Thaught Marshall showed some nice touches last night...nice little Cameo from him...i thaught Smith could do better on both goals...that said our performance was added to the list of good performances....ware the best team in the lge at present in my opinion...if we can grab a win v Udders then theres a great chance of pushing for an automatic spot.

Tough ask to win at hudders leefer, don't think they have lost there this season. But you never know.

No, they've not lost a game at home but they have drawn 5. At this point in time i would take a draw. If we were 1-0 up tho with 30seconds remaining and then they scored, then i might be just a bit peeved.

Still, just to echo whats been said a 1000 times this season, its fun being a Town fan these days  :)

They'll be more worried than us, they cant afford to lose, as Millwall should beat Exeter, which means they'll start drifting, blind optimism says 2-1 win for us.

I'm sure you were delighted, you had the seat to yourself.

Marshall didn't do anything wrong last night with some good touches linking up play.  Macklin certainly didn't do anything to write home about when he came on at the weekend so I'm yet to form an opinion about him based on 20 mins.  Marshall could be a decent player to bring on with 15 mins to go to run at players, make them work etc. and didn't seem afraid to get stuck in.

If I'm being honest, I can understand some the negativity about Smith.  It would worry me for example confidence wise if Lucas had been injured and he had to play in front of the Leeds fans for a half of football.  Lucas is very confident and I can't imagine him being bothered about any stick/banter, but I can't help thinking Smith may get distracted/slightly nervous.

Not my bezzies believe me!  ;D

Especially when it is his own fans giving him the stick, hence my point earlier!

Ward was brilliant last night, my man of the match. Fairplay to Paynter as well. He got the important breakthrough, just had that nonchalonce to take a touch and smash it. Nice one. Oldham were just out to get as many men behind the ball as possible. Usual suspects of star performers from us, top players.

A lot of the fans are clueless though. People constantly whinging about Lescinel and Smith. These are two squad players, they wouldnt be playing if Lucas and Sheehan were fit. How much do fans reaslistically expect the board to pay for squad players??? We do not deserve this team, not by a long way. This team should be playing in front of 10,000 plus every game. Poor attendance and mediocre support last night. Who would have thought we destroyed Leeds a fortnight ago when you look at that crowd?

Only gripe I would have with the team was Pericard when he came on. He didnt look interested and after that 10 minutes Wilson could well sit him aside and tell him he hasnt earned the right to travel to Huddersfield on saturday.

Smith doesn't look good enough for this level. A good shot-stopper, yes he has improved to an extent this season, but when you look at Lucas you can see the difference between a commanding keeper and one that makes too many mistakes because he can't do the simple things right such as catching crosses, Southend game and yesterday for example, also Lescinel was poor at covering on the second and makes too many mistakes. But great attacking display from the town still after the first 43 minutes. But I do agree with Spencer, Smith and Lescinel are squad players and the whole squad can't be brilliant unless you've got millions to spend.

You must have got to the game at half time, cos Ward was useless in the first half.

And who exactly would we put on the bench instead of Pericard? We're not exactly overrun with strikers are we.

The stick for Pericard is a little harsh I think. He's casual I wouldn't he was lazy. He's missed a few games injured and he's only getting 10 minutes here and there. It's very hard to get into the right frame of mind when you're in that situation. He was very good against Gillingham and was alright against Leeds.

I watched it from the Town End. No one looked particularly great until we scored. Just too many defenders behind the ball. First goals unlock games like these. I dont trust your judgement on Ward anyway, youre the same bloke who thought McNamee did more tracking back.

Macklin missed out on the squad last night, so he could come back in. Pericard did well when he came on against Gillingham, but he was nowhere near the standards weve set last night. Started to wonder if he was injured.

I think Danny knows a thing or three about what Jean-Luc is capable of, otherwise he wouldn't have signed him for 18 months.

Given that Charlie is getting a bit of a bashing and his neck might not just hold up for the rest of the season (although I think Billy is turning out to be Iron Man), I reckon he could be excellent cover.

There is that as well. He's probably only at 80% but because we have no other strikers and Charlie looks a little tired towards the end of games we have to throw him on.

I think Ward is a revelation. A really good loan signing.

I would like to see him play up front tbh.

Really? I wouldn't because we have Billy and Charlie to play there. Ward is good as a LM however I do think that if he were to play a role behind the front 2 he'd be the dogs bollocks.

Yeah, that sounds good too.

Also backup for Jean-Luc? 

Its not judgement, its a fact. In the first half Ward wasn't interested - continually dodging challenges, not going for balls he could have got to and so on. Don't remember him trying to take defenders on either, but the main problem was that he just wasn't in the game.

The tracking back argument is bollocks - when I said the same about the Charlton equaliser everyone starts saying its not Ward's job to track back.

Seeing your own opinions as fact is also poor judgement.

Highlights on BBC website now.

Where? I can only see Charlton highlights...

There is a league 1 round up on the home page.  All of the games from tuesday.  Starts with colchester then us.

huddersfield are well due a home defeat.3 points for the town it is then...

It makes me laugh (not really) how many of the "experts" on here criticise the fans at the game for being stupid / negative towards the players and then come on here and lambast the players themselves. Sure, players will be crap at some point in the game, after all they are only human and nobody can give 100% for 100% of the time. Jonny 72 you are a prime example, take a rest from it.....please!

Sick. Found it, Austin looked offside, Ward's movement for his goal was top. When O'briens fit he'll have to get used to the bench methinks.

Extended higlights on the beeb :)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8509590.stm

Ok, I'll be the one to ask...

Why does Jonny72 hate Danny Ward so much?

He wears low cut pants in the changing room.

The fact you think Lescinel is a good player and Ward isn't should be enough for you to stop watching football completely as your clueless.

Lescinel is a good player.

I don't think it's a case of hates Danny Ward, as much as hates everyone by default unless their name is Lescinel Jean-Francois.

Jonathon hates anybody if it gives him the opportunity to be belligerent.

Does Jonny Hate Jazz?

Hates Jazz, loves Jizz.

When did I say Ward wasn't good enough? He was pants in the first half outstanding in the second half, how can that be interpreted as him not being good enough? He's young, hasn't played many games and is getting better and better each week. It would be great if we could sign him permanently but it ain't going to happen as he is going to be far too good for us come the end of the season. All of which I've been saying since he first came here.

I defend LJF as I don't believe he deserves the amount of shit he gets from practically everyone else here.

Maybe .................. Just maybe the amount of shit he gets on here from practically everyone else is possibly down to the fact that he just maybe be a little bit shit ?

It was LJF's ball that played in Paynter to open the scoring against Oldham. No one mentions that, they just blame him for the goals Oldham scored - which is harsh at best and didn't have any bearing on the outcome.

His positional sense for the first Oldham goal is again comical, hes a mile away from his man and if someone says once again hes come into cover thats garbage, he clearly follows the ball on occasions rather than stay switched on and tight on his man.

the trouble you have jonny is you dont go with the majority.when that happens certain things you say get ignored.

Generally when you talk bollocks you get ignored, in a post earlier this week Jonny was saying Ward was our 2nd worst player, he refuses to see Lescinel is our weak link.  Its no coincedence the majority see the errors Lescinel is making on goals against us most weeks.  A player with potential no doubt but still defensively very weak, no positional sense and lacks concentration.

Not surprising he isn't 100% switched on at the moment though.

Why wasnt Ward covering?

He is naturally a centre half.Taking that into consideration i think that explains why maybe he drifts in a bit added to that this is his first season in the country plus missing half his family due to a natural disaster i would say he is doing a fucking good job at being a part of a top 5 team.

Yes but its hardly just a recent thing is it? I knew that would be raised as an excuse but positional sense has been his big weakness since he first arrived at the club.  Wilson and the other coaches need to spend lots of time on the training ground working on his positional sense, drilling into him over and over again how important it is to stay with your man.  It has been very noticeable on goals last couple of weeks just how far away he is from the guy hes supposed to be marking.

Of course the Charlton player who scored was a central midfielder and not his man at all.

Harsh to blame him and only him. Ward should have been covering in both instances and Paynter shouldnt have let Sodje win a free header in his own half. Douglas or Ferry should have been tracking Baily

...but its all Lescinels fault.

Should Ward always be there just in case Lescinel goes walk about? are you honestly telling me you felt Lescinel did the correct thing defensively on the first goal for Oldham?

Why should Ward be covering, what is Lescinel doing?

Firstly, I never said Lesincel did the correct thing or that he was blameless all I said was, it wasnt only his fault.

Ward is the winger, its his job to track back and help the full back.

The way the defence covers is pretty consistent. When Amankwaah pushes forward (which he does a lot and far more than LJF, not complaining - just stating a fact) the rest of the defence shifts over to cover. Then when the opponents break down our right they shift over even further to cover, which leaves a gap on the left and if LJF didn't cover it would leave the same gap in the centre.

It is those gaps that the midfielders should be dropping back to cover and they haven't been - Ferry, Douglas and Ward were nowhere to be seen on the goals (that LJF is blamed for). If the central midfielders had covered LJF could move back to the left, or he could stay in the centre if the winger covers.

Don't think he was responsible for the Southend goals was he ?

I for one think that JFL is a decent player but is fairly raw and at the moment is a squad player, which he would be if Sheehan was fit.  I get the feeling that Wilson signed him on a relatively cheap contract as cover for the left back/CB position but didn't expect him to be needed to play as many games as he has. 

Therefore, unlike many, I can forgive him the odd mistake much like Smith, as I think it was planned to try to develop him into a good player and eventual first team regular.  It's just unfortunate, much like Smith, that a few of his recent errors have ended up costing us goals.  This is the reason he and Smith are getting pelted recently in my opinion.

Like I have said before, we are not in a position to have a quality like for like replacement for every position so we need to give a little latitude and support for those coming in and covering.  Nobody shouts about the positive things that these players do but are more than happy to jump up and down when they make a mistake.

not solely to blame at all.infact the two players being debated here were our best performers at southend.

Both came from the other side after manky got injured, nothing to do with LJF.

I too thought Ward had a poor first half, but a much better second.

Not sure if this has been mentioned but two of our goals (Ward and Paynter) are featured on the BBC's goals of the week:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/default.stm

As has correctly been said already, LJF & Smith are our back up players - and they are back-up players because they dont have the consistency so are capable of good games and not so good games. You only have to look back a few years to find comparisons - the year we won promotion to the Premier League, who was our back up centre back/left back ? Adie Viveash ! Again, capable of great performances (I remember playing Newcastle at home, Hoddle got injured just before the game & Adie came in and played a blinder), but also capable of the odd howler that cost us. If that team can win promotion with the likes of Viveash as squad players, I'm sure this team is just as capable with Smith & LJF.

Its kind of funny people calling LJF a back up player when he has played in 25 of our 28 league matches this season. Plus only Anteater and JPM have more assists in league matches - not bad for a back up player, especially as they have been important goals.

Is this pointless bollocks still going?

Don't call jonny that, it's not at all nice :)

Yes he's played most games this year, but he is currently 2nd choice. Why is he 2nd choice? Because Wilson wanted somebody better to come in, and to use LJF as back up. Therefore, he is a back up player.

i thought ward's finish for his goal was wonderful, very cultured

The movement, the pass... that goal was fucking wonderful.