Thetownend.com

What we thinking?

I'm going 1-1

Norris for us and Ajose for them.

2-2.
Can't get there due to early kick off. Live stream anyone? Cheers.

Swindon 1 - 1 charlton

cone on you underpaid reds

er, 1-2

No idea, but am hoping for an improved performance at least.

2-1 Norris last minute winner

1-2, Ajose last minute winner - and he won't celebrate!

1-1

3-0 Town

3-3, Norris and Ajose hattricks.

Out of interest anyone recording it? I am out working all day and would appreciate being able to watch it when I get home.

4-0 Town

Sky sports 1 :wink:

Universal TV HD app on iPhones or iPads

You'd like to think some of our lot will at least put in a bit of effort today. However it may well be a case of "meet the new boss same as the old boss"

After all Sherwood has sat in the stand and watched vulture like over many a recent execrable CG showing. It may just prove all a bit much for some of them today.

A bit early for the Sherwood effect to kick in me thinks - so best I ma hoping for is a draw and kick on from there - why not....?? COYR

Fancy a late Town End turnaround.

2-1.

Vig, Furlong, Branco, Jones, BOO, Kasim (C), Thomas, Murray, Doughty, Goddard, Norris.

Henry, Barry, Smith, Evans, Rogers, Iandolo, Fonz.

4 2 3 1 ?

4-2-3-1 with the 3 being a fluid 3. Surprised he's dropped the fonz

If we don't win, I want Sherwoods contract paid up.. :)

Watching on the box today...

A change is good as a rest, I hope this kicks us on a bit.

Puzzled at the Fonz but we need results not happy players..

Did the Fonz play for him at Villa?

one up front at home, that'll solve the scoring crisis :)

(cue a 5-4 game)

As far as I can see, Fonz left Villa in 2014 and Sherwood took over in 2015..

Any good streaming links?

http://www.stream2watch.cc/live-events/football/swindon-town-vs-charlton-athletic-live-stream

Is it bad that I didn't know we had an early kick off, and didn't know we were on Sky until a minute ago when I switched on to see what early game was on?

From what I have watched so far, and the atmosphere there, I haven't missed much..

Half chance by Goddard, should have done better... other than that, not much happening. Not too bad either..

Don't know if it's Sherwood, the fact the game is on TV or the fact that he is captain but Kasim looks more interested than he has for weeks

I actually didn't recognise him without the beard!

Perfectly placed on the heel of the defender to deflect into the goal.

Deserved 1-0 lead, I think.

We're certainly having more shots at goal and far less fucking about at the back.

Sent from my MotoG3

look a bit more lively today, be it Sherwood, TV cameras or lots of red bull. really competing for the ball.

kept Charlton at bay, had three shots on target - it's not great but it's not awful. things are unlikely to change overnight anyway

I don't know whether it's our play negating them, but Charlton look woeful going forwards.

Improved performance. Hopefully we can kick on second half.

We look different today. I'll decide whether we look better at full time.

Ajose doesn't normally start for them, so I'm assuming they are missing their first choice strikers.

I did see a tweet from a Charlton fan earlier this week moaning about the fact they were missing players to international call ups but couldn't postpone the game because it was on Sky.
I remember something similar happening to us a couple of seasons ago

Yeah Charlton are without 3 first teamers and it's clearly affected them. Hopefully we can take advantage.

There's no way Holloway will let us have Doughty again.

Get in!

There's no way he's going to say he's anything but a great player on TV is there?  He will want to see him training/playing with his Championship squad before he makes a decision on him.

I wouldn't rule out a cheeky bid going in for him in the summer..

Branco doing keep ups in their box

Ive seen it all

BOO gets lucky with that one.

Sent from my MotoG3

He hasn't said anything about Furlong.......   ;) but I take your point.

I think we will definitely put a bid in for Doughty though. Or is it Dowerty?

I can't understand how Doughty doesn't get into QPR's first team, if I'm honest.

soapy tit wank, norris

Can he do it on a cold night in Exeter though?

Goddard's got a bit of a feisty streak in him, hasn't he? Not the first time he's made a late challenge or stuck a boot in. Like it.

That'll be the non-league schooling.

That was a cracking goal.

That was good. We were good.

Looking wayyyy better

Surely tim's priority in jan is to get a centre half in?

Hang on hang on. Firstly I didnt know it was an early kick off, and secondly was it on tv as well?

Yes, yes it was on TV. And we won. We won on TV. WE WON ON TV.

Great performance from everyone in red and the ref who was excellent.

Balance at the back with a four, even Branco look composed and assured. Both full backs we're decent, Furlong is a huge upgrade on Barry. Kasim used the ball well, Goddard ran the show.

Will hopefully set us up nicely for a massive week next week, pick up wins in those two games and our season could really turn a corner.

Early days of course.

Can you avoid games more often please?

That was brilliant to watch. Attacked with purpose, lots of options, looked full of confidence and pretty solid as well.

That said Charlton were woeful.

If that what it takes, then yes, yes i can. Anyone know what time a rerun is on sky?

No fucking about at the back was nice to see.

No more pissing about at the back, better organisation and most importantly a shed load more desire. Very promising

Anyone know who the guy to the left of sherwood was? He seemed to be in constant communication with embleton, great win, let's keep going now

Very impressive performance. Hard to pick a weak link (maybe Norris but he worked very hard).

Long may it last.

We didn't win much this season before Donald Trump was elected as President.

Just saying.

Was it Seamus Brady? Not sure what Brady's job role is anymore as he was Director of Football before Sherwood arrived.

 For once this season we had a bit of luck running our way, it's said things even themselves up over a season, and I reckon on that basis we've a bit to come yet. Things certainly looking a bit better than 2 weeks ago.

Yes it was, thanks, his role is sporting director apparently

A lot more pace from the start...and we put quite a few challenges in.

Makes a difference...

Fucking hell...I do believe I actually have some buzz...first time this season.

Players can feel proud of themselves to a man.

Didn't over play, made direct runs, gambled at times, row Z when they needed to and showed determination. Everything we have been lacking.

The only negative is the chances we missed!

Hope we kick on and this isn't a shock result!!

Kasim was the difference I think. Perhaps it was just for the cameras?

Goddard, BOO and Jones also impressed.

Sherwood hasn't had enough time to  change much, but key things changed today. Whether that's his doing, TV camera's or simply an 'impress the new boss' attitude from the players time will twll.

In an average quality half the main differences in recent weeks were a) We were working our nuts off and putting in challenges to get the ball back, b) we didn't piss around with it as much - when we needed to get rid we did - going longer as necessary.

It still took 30 minutes to get a shot on target, the goal was fortunate a training ground masterclass, but none the less we almost totally nulled Charlton's attack. Not by luck, not simply because they were incredibly shit, but through hard work a doggedness. I think they had maybe two shots on target all game and a few corners.

Second half there was only one team in it, Doughty linked the front and midfield up nicely. The full backs were good, the midfield tackled (even Kasim) and played the ball around with more pace and we looked dangerous.

Yes the strikers are only good up to the edge of the box, yes we were playing against shite, but we earned that.

Viva la revolution. Hopefully.

We competed for the 2nd ball and sometimes the first one as well. Charlton were truly shit. Lucky first goal. A truly woeful attempt by Murray who I thought was generally crap. The second goal was a typical goal that Town would concede. The third was excellent and summed up what we could achieve rather than what we had. Direct, Kasim at his best, a telling ball and wonderful finish with no fucking about.
Jones is ok but he does love losing his man at set pieces. Furlong and Doughty make a massive difference and I would be happy to have them both in red full time.
Goddard rightly MOM. Kasim and Doughty also very good.
Lets hope we can keep the momentum going and do Eastleigh Tuesday.

Really enjoyed that, great performance.
There wasn't a weak link today, we looked solid at the back, pressed well, high work rate and a good shape to the team.

More of that please.

Anywhere I can rewatch it? I know sometimes Barry Scott or Si Pie record games?

Just watched the game after work - where has that team been all season?

Neat, tidy, controlled, error-free football. Very impressed.

My thoughts exactly

Likewise, no idea it was an early KO.

Bastards have  got a thread us 3 are excluded from where they discuss tv matches i reckon. I swear I  have never seen one mention of cameras, or the early KO.

Good game. BOO and Goddard really impressed me.

Ginginho asked if i wanted a handjob

Did you accept?

This Charlton forum MDT, is an absolute master class in football fan misery  :)

http://forum.charltonlife.com/discussion/75524/addicks-vs-swindon-match-thread-post-match-thread

I guess it must be more difficult to take when you've been half decent relatively recently.....whereas we're just used to seeing shite.

Weegie Addick

12:43PM



 At least JJ can put in a decent corner.

Here I was thinking he was at the Southampton Christmas Market with the wife?

Unfortunately not

Blowie it was then.

Well, here we sit above the piss stains, who have spunked all their Roofe/O'Dowda money on a right shower of shite.

6 points off the POs - incredible!

If it s any consolation I only found out about 9.30 this morning.

Your loss

Possibly BOO's best game in a Town shirt?

Personally thought the first half was a turgid affair -  Lots of effort but a lack of quality from both sides and pretty dull to watch. Second half so much better and enjoyable. Some excellent football from Town and I thought the high-pressing was very effective.

In hindsight

Thoroughly enjoyed that, hard to criticise any of the starting 11 or subs. Thought in pre-season Goddard would be a big player for us this year, hopefully starting to show that now.
What was with the "Sweet Caroline" as players took the pitch at start of 2nd half... correct me if I'm wrong but is that not a Pox thing? Ditch it!!

No no no! They made some good signings of experienced lower league cloggers... I mean players, many of our fans said so!

A few steely signings and hopefully a goalscorer in January and we'll be more than ok at this level. Judging by his interview on Sky Power has accepted we need to have a couple of experienced pro's in the team which sounds positive.

Did Sherwood do any interviews post-match?

Highlights up.

http://www.skysports.com/football/swindon-vs-charlton/358865

Never noticed that flick from Doughty for Jones' goal, superb.

A definite penalty too with BOO tugging their player back.

The third goal was a thing of beauty.

Thoroughly enjoyed that. Amazing how just a bit of tenacity and willing to put a strong tackle in or snatch a loose ball can lift the spirits of the rest of the team and crowd. Typified by Ottewill's transformation today from limp wristed waste of a shirt for a few recent games, to an absolute terrier in today's match. The right winger that came on for Charlton was about a foot taller than him, but he wasn't bullied or beaten once as far as I can remember. Superb display.

Great to see us actually running at the oppo a lot more and actually putting some shots in for a change. The first was very lucky, but if we'd been eternally twatting about with the ball on the edge of the box as per usual, we,d never have made that luck in the first place. Just frustrating that things like this have been so obvious to everyone for so long, except the training/management staff.

Doughty has such a massive influence on this team, if hes kept fit (along with Jones) I think we'll be alright. But it sounds like Power is coming round to the idea of some more experienced names anyway, which will come in useful to lean on in hard times or when key players aren't available.

Wasn't sure if I was going to go today, with health problems, it being televised, and the fact I had to catch a train at 8 in the pissing morning. But I'm glad I did. Nothing to say that hasn't been said already - where the hell has that team been? No one worthy of criticism, not even the officials!

Charlton are a good bunch (excluding the bloke I saw get arrested for telling a met copper that he wasn't causing any trouble but was about to "smash [him] like a motherfucker"). That match day thread is good/sad, could so easily just cut and paste some of their comments on here over recent weeks.

Probably repeat it for most clubs who are struggling, Blackpool, Leyton Orient etc........

It's like Sherwood put a stick of dynamite up our players rectums...... they wanted to get the ball, wanted to get it forward and wanted to get it in the box........ from that we made chances which we have struggled with in recent games....

I said all along there is nothing wrong with our team, just needed a shot of confidence as they can all perform at this leve and today showed it (against a poor Charlton team) we just need a defender, mid and striker with experience to give us that extra steel esp in the tougher games which will come.

We should put a 200k bid in for Ajose in Jan. It's plainly obvious he fits here and nowhere else. C'mon NJ you know it makes sense.

Who is that?

Nick Jose obviously...

Rewatching the highlights and Goddard's goal was a delight. Each time I've seen him he's improved game on game.

I don't think he would have fitted in our formation yesterday.

Really enjoyed the work rate with and without the ball yesterday. Reminded me of how a PDC team could make the opposition look second best pretty much all over the pitch.

Encouraging. And quite funny being above the Pox.

I've been saying for a couple of months that I think Ajose will be back at some stage.  He does seem to be at his best at Swindon Town.

Have seen far less of us of late than usual - but yesterday was great to watch. We passed to get out of trouble and create, not passing for passing a sake. We pressed high up the pitch - the done thing it seems at the moment - and it worked. Onwards and upwards.

I only managed to catch the 2nd half in a Southampton pub with 200 people in it and only 1, me, watching the match!

I thought we looked a little shakey at the back at time but Chalrton were no threat at all, we had such a good solid midfield yesterday with all players working for each other and passing much more directly, which was lovely to watch.

Took our goals well without looking too troubled at the back.

Long may that continue.

All the midfield worked hard for the team, still not entierly convinced by Norris but he gets in good positions.

Goddard, Kasim, Thomas, Murry and Doughty all looked good and worked well together.

Norris had a wonderful chance yesterday but he totally missed the ball, however, he nearly scored with a difficult chance that he crafted himself. I don't think he'll cut it and Delfonueso linked up far better with the attacking trio behind him.

I agree, Delf looks a more polished player than Norris, but I hope both eventually come good although I don't think either is anywhere near as good a player as Obika.

but fonz himself isn't a goalscorer either. Norris works hard. it's a tough call

obika will take ages to get back to consistency, if he's not sold due to his contract situation

Can't see anybody buying Beeker now, he's broken.

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3516/3792125044_cfcb573d00_b.jpg)

I know he turned down a new contract with us but if we do offer him a new one I hope it's only a pay as you play deal. As good a player as he is, it's no good if you spend most of it on the sidelines.

Sent from my MotoG3

I reckon Norris would be a better midfielder than a forward.

The way he runs reminds me of Blair Sturrock. Then there's his goal scoring prowess, and fans suggesting he should play in midfield. Ten years on - he's back. Just a bit taller.

I'll never fault norris' work rate or effort, but he is absolute dog shite at the moment.

He hits the ball hard, and always across goal at the corners, might need to scuff a few, as the goalies seem to know it will be low at the posts.

Actually thought that was Norris' best game for us yesterday, won a fair few flick ons and his hold up play allowed Murray, Doughty and Goddard to work forward. Was gutted for him when he missed that chance, thought he deserved a goal.. he worked his nuts off.
Just don't think he's a natural goalscorer unfortunately.

Dunno yet, might need a bit of instruction, as he plays too deep for me. With our "new" tactics, he might get told to push further up, and should benefit from that.

The last time we stuffed Charlton on TV in a regulation league game we went down.

This little gem was a sort of TV game, being on MoTD in 69.  More or less the LC winnning side with, with Arthur Horsfield in for Don Heath.

http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/MatchCentre.asp?Tab=Video&MatchID=19700106

Nice to hear an early John Motson...still going strong.

I think he would make a better substitute

I really like Norris. I don't know why.

Same

Norris is ok.
Playing a 4-2-3-1 needs someone who can hold the ball up and bring the attacking midfielders into play.
Norris does this quite well, if he scores a few then that's a bonus.
In this system Doughty, Murray and Goddard should all be looking to get close to double figures for goal return.

I just can't get past how much Norris reminds me of Steve Finney.

(http://cache.diomedia.com/230h/01/AS/VD/01AS-VDSC.jpg)
(http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/resources/images/5350559.jpg)

 I'd like to see Norris walking in a Finney Wonderland....but fear he may be more...

 (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/75/Doriscole.jpg/200px-Doriscole.jpg)

Norris' dodgy ankle should be fine. Obika possibly back tomorrow. Brophy still awaiting results of tests. Irish Messi under the knife for cartilage problem. Jordan Young virtually there.

Just watched the highlights.Boo's shirt pull looked a far more blatant pen than some we've conceded this season. Town End looked scarily empty.Great finishes from Jones (more difficult than it looked at first) and Goddard,who I think will be a future star

The whole ground did, was surprised they announced 6000 Town fans TBH, but it can be deceptive.

Guess an early kick off, poor recent run + on TV does that.

We must have sent Brophy to the NHS he's been waiting that long..

Finney was an odd one, basically had one purple patch in his entire career, which was with us, then fell fo the face of the footballing earth.  His Wikipedia entry is testament to this, he joined Altrincham and then it's not clear what happened to him!

We were just talking about Finney at the match on Saturday. Couldn't remember the name of one of his 95/96 strike partners - Finney, Chief, Thorne and ....

answers on a postcard to ...

(I looked it up..."of course!")

Cowe?

Yup!

Didn't Steve Cowe score a worldy against someone that season? a proper top drawer goal from outside the box, not sure who against.

Edit...Bradford in 97.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbLb9NnnPn8

Just been reminded of the bit when Branco turned into Messi with a spot of juggling outside their box.

Just reminded me of the bit when under no pressure at all, Branco banged the ball 60 yards straight into touch for no particular reason.

I know why he did that

Cos he's a knob?

Listening to the commentator, Coe? wasn't it pronounced Cow - hence why we always mooed at him?

Changed for you

No, Coe.  Like owe, with a c in front.

That also but i think after 3 years of being told to try and be a footballer when he isn't he took every opportunity to do what Sherwood told him and stop fucking about with it.

great pass forward by the much derided Jason Drysdale for the Cowe goal............about 10 seconds after he gets completely skinned by their right winger

First. The minutes silence was very well observed and having The Last Post played as well was quite moving.

As for the match, I think that is the best I have seen this season, dog shit opposition or otherwise. Not a poor performance inn the team.

As for Branco lumping it up the pitch when not under pressure- better that than going all tippy tappy and giving a goal away. The opposition will struggle to score from their half of the pitch.

Much improved performance all round. I think Connor Thomas had his best game for us and BOO was a bit handy. Norris will come good. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

I like to think Norris will come good too.

I have a friend who knows lots of players and staff at the club and he tells me that Norris is an absolute goal machine in training and is one of the strongest players at the club - the likes of Jones and Branco just bounce off him.

He's generally more in the negative end of the camp, so if he can be positive about Norris, then I'm happy.

The ghost of Charles Reep watching 50's STFC.  That was just about Lord Lucan's sole positive contribution in a red shirt, ws it intentionla or just a hopeful punt  :hmmm:  We may never know.

One aspect of Saturday's game which helped was the size of the team.  With Branco, Jones, Thomas, Doughty and Norris we actually had a bit of height and muscle.  Helped in winning second balls and offering a set piece threat.

Definitely wasn't just me, first time it happened I had a Newcastle United supporting mate with me who could not understand why our fans were booing their own player?

Cos he was shit....Town fans do it all the time.

Noticeable that when Rodgers came on, he took up Thomas' position as the zonal marker just past the near post, before Doughty swapped with him. Says a lot that the job usually given to one of the best headers at the club was handed over to a midget then swapped for a player of fairly average height.

Thomas had a cracking game but Charlton were so hopeless in picking him up as the second pivot (Kasim was continually tracked) that twice he had no one within ten metres of him and could take the ball from Vigs and turn on it unopposed to play out.