Thetownend.com

Ignore yesterday, it's done.

I feel we have quite a few positives for next year:

-A commited board who will give us some money to spend
-A fantastic Manager
-Some Fantastic awaydays (Bournmouth, Plymouth etc)
-Possibility of Pox in JPT
-A Strong team to build on

We have all the foundations for another great season.

That will depend entirely on who we can get in to replace Billy Paynter, Simon Ferry, Danny Ward etc. etc.  No more Ben Hutchinsons please!!

Well, i think there is a strong possibility of us keeping Ferry, he has already shown desire to stay. I think paynter is very replaceable. Ward though, we will definatly need to replace.

if we could get ward back id use him to replace paynter if he were to go

I agree with all of that. I think Paynter going (I'll be surprised if he doesn't) will bring out the best in Charlie who will step up to lead the line. No chance of keeping Ward now or getting him on loan again or whatever (shame he did fuck all in his last appearence for us) but I think O'Brien can be a good replacement for him. Assuming he's finally shaken off his injury, give him a full pre-season and a good run in the side to get his confidence back and we'll have a decent player there.

It seems that Sheehan wants to go to a Championshiop club but it's quite possible that none will come in for him in which case he would probably stay. I'd be happy with that.

I'll be surprised if we don't sign Ferry so all in all, the squad will remain pretty much intact. Throw in 3 or 4 new signings (and hopefully a decent kid from Man City) and we should be there or thereabouts again.

League 1 certainly won't be any easier next season though.

Do me a favour. I've been pretty tolerant of the guy. I always think that there must be something there. But everytime I've seen him, not only does he fail to do anything good, he looks utter shite.

Lets give OB a run of games before we judge how good he is. He hasn't played much all season and when he has it's been the odd game, lets no judge how good he is yet.

Exactly. As I said, give him a full pre-season and a decent run in the side. Until then, he should not be written off.

If we can keep the squad together (well most of it) we will challenge again. Considering where we were 2 years ago we should all be proud of what has been achieved this season.

Don't forget the friendly at Poole Town, fingers crossed it will be a Saturday with the sun shining then it should be a great day out for everyone

I think we need to physically strengthen the team. Millwall bullied us again yesterday and we need a physically stronger team who can also play football if we are going to beat them and not drop points like we have done this season. I'd be really interested in getting Tudor-Jones in the middle. I think Ferry has been great but he got overrun yesterday i thought.

Tudor-Jones?, You are joking right? He's fucking woeful.

He was not 'fucking woeful' for us at all.

Far from woeful, but an average player in a shit team who would offer nothing for us next season if signed. If we are going after central midifelders then we should sign one who is capable of scoring a few goals, as brilliant as Ferry and Douglas have been - we need a goal threat from midifeld. Douglas should be first name on the team sheet for me and if we sign an attacking midfielder and Ferry the two would give us an option alongside Douglas.

Tudor Jones over Ferry?..get real.......Ferry has been quality and yes he and Douglas could score more but there effort and defensive duties have allowed our strikers to do the buisness.

Ferry and Douglas could get more of course but to be fair so could Amankawaah sheehan cuthbert greer and mcgovern.Those two in the middle do a specific job in breaking up play and letting the wingers and strikers do what they do.

Very true DRS but Ferry seems to have become the latest scape goat overnight.

He's had a quality season and I cant see how anyone doesnt want us to sign him.

I thought Ferry had a decent game yesterday actually. Well, second half anyway when him and Douglas dared to venture away from our own 18 yard box.

Me either Dave.As i said earlier somewhere people need to realise that some of these players actually nearly half that team yesterday took part in only their first full competitive season.

Ferry
Jfl
Darby(half a season)
Ward(same as Darby)
Austin

3 of those players have played a massive massive part in getting us where we got and when they needed a lilttle bit of help from the experienced players yesterday they didn't get it.

I like Ferry, I think he's a good player and i think we should sign him, The only thing i can criticise him for is not scoring goals, He doesn't shoot often enough he should give it a go more often.

that must only be Cuthberts second season as well.

Not only has Ferry been fantastic for us this season, he has actually expressed over and over again a desire to come to the club full time.

I think a fee in the region on 300/400k would do it, and I think it would be money well spent.

O'Brien was good in the friday game against Charlton, but if he gets injured again long term, then thats it, we might as well settle his contract.

If Leeds have any sense then they will be re-considering signing Paynter. In the play offs, we hit all the right notes with Austin, Ward and O'Brien on the left. He shouldnt really have come back in. But fair play to Wilson he was probably thinking long term, he wants Paynter to sign.

Unlike last season, when Wilson was really starting from scratch, this season we have a fantastic base to push on in the summer. And players will want to sign for us.

I think our downfall has been that at the begining of the season players like Big Kev,Jpm Greer were massivly important players who recently have been off the boil.Paynter's mind has been elsewhere for too long aswell. Morrison yesterday played how Paynter played earlier in the season.

This isn't me having a pop just think we sort of staggered over the line towards the end of rhe season but reckon that it will stand us in good stead for next season.

Dave you fancy doing some stats on average sqaud age for the playoff teams 

Paynter has looked uninterested in the play-offs at Charlton and yesterday, I will go as far as saying he shouldn't have played yesterday, Either Ward should have started upfront or Pericard should have, Paynter should have been on the bench.

Hindsight so Pow. I reckon you would struggle to find a manager in the whole country who would not pick their top goalscorer for such a big match

I agree but like you said his mind has been elsewhere.

totally agree about ferry. i've only seen him a few times but he's looked excellent every time - take into account the remarks he's made about wanting to join us, we'd be fucking silly not to sign him. if we don't, he'll be playing in championship

The only thing i'd possibly count against ferry is his size and stature

Our Danny is already looking in his book to see what aways we can do next season. Roll on Aug.

There are plenty of positives to look forward to next season.There are lots of good away days
to be had and the teams that have come down from the Championship or have been promoted
from L2, are nearly all sides that try to play football.

Saints and Sheff Weds fans will fancy their chances,but they'll be a number of teams who will be
optimistic of challenging next season.Trips to Daggers and Rochdale eh?

Keep the faith,we're a club that is on the up.

Come on you Reds!

Jonny had some good (and probably more relevant) stats on the number of first team games played of our players vs Millwall on (I think) the matchday thread. IIRC, their squad averaged about a third more first team appearances than ours - suspect that played more of a part than age per se

i'd be interested to know how many points we picked up in games where either paynter or austin didn't score.

Loads of southern teams next season.

Those were based on the players that started the game - average number of appearances for Millwall was 225 and 170 for us, so about a third more. Plus we had four players in their first full season against none for Millwall (and only 3 of their players were in their second season).

If anything, I reckon it all got a bit too much about a month or so ago when automatic promotion became a reality.

21 points from 20 games.

Some other pointless stats;
- Austin didn't play in 15 games from which we got 19 points (or 31 games and 63 points when he did play).
- Paynter didn't play in 4 games from which we got 7 points (or 42 games and 75 points when he did play).
- When Austin and Paynter both played we got 56 points from 29 games (or 17 games and 26 points when they didn't both play).
- Paynter scored every 135 minutes, Austin every 127 minutes.

i wouldn't say those stats are pointless at all.infact they show how valuable those 2 players were to our season.

...and probably shows how much we will actually miss Paynter next season.

We've only won once when Paynter hasnt played. Twice if you include the play offs.

I'm actually quite excited about next season! Really looking forward to it.

When are the fixtures realeased?

Let's hope next season we can win some games after going behind, They said something about it on tv just after the second half had started i'm sure they said it wasn't good that we had never won a game after going behind? Something like that anyway.

Good to see those stats but i would imagine nearly the whole top 6 would have the same sort of outcomes if you took out certain players.

Of course thay are important players thats why they are in the starting 11.

Paynter missed 4 league games, we won two (Brighton, Southampton), drew one (Norwich) and lost one (Norwich).

yeah, im getting mixed up with the spell earlier in the season when he wasnt starting games. Think then we only won one (Brentford) and drew a few and lost to Norwich.

Dave you are sacked.

Welcome aboard statto Jonny.

Condolences folks. Given my club just lost out on the title and automatic promotion on goal difference to our local rivals, then lost in the play-offs the following week, I have an idea what it feels like and how annoying it is when people say "there's always next season" or it was "still a great effort" :suicide:.

As a club though Swindon seem to be in a much healthier state on and off the park these days and hopefully everything is now in place for you to kick on next season. In the meantime may your national team be humped in South Africa ;)

Agreed, but those stats suggest Austin was a far more important factor than Paynter. We got pretty much the same points whether Paynter played or not but we did a lot better when Austin played compared to when he didn't. Not saying Paynter won't be missed if he goes, just that holding on to Austin is a lot more important.

Oooh, fuck, "that's gotta hurt" (as the kids would say)

if paynter does go then i dont think bringing in a striker to partner charlie would be a problem im sure there are a few strikers out there that are dieing to play with charlie and maybe improve there own game.

im looking forward to the summer transfer rumours that will appear of the next 10 weeks  :beers:

Alloa Athletic..fair play ??? I saw them a few years ago. They lost 4-3 away to Ayr and missed a penalty to draw 4-4..cracking game. Not actually been to Alloa but did have several pints of some guest ale in a pub in London which originated from Alloa..very nice too :harshfunny:..must get back up to Jockland again soon to see a few games 8)

I remember that game at Ayr, were we not 3-1 up? I think Bolo was sent off for lamping an Ayr player and we went to bits. Give us a shout if you ever come up for a game. There is pretty much nothing left of the Alloa brewing industry but you can get a nice pint in what used to be the main brewery. Ive not been to Swindon since 1991 but one day...

It did hurt pauld, and even worse given we beat aforementioned local rivals 4 times out of 4 over the season and had a convincing lead at the top only to lose 3 of our final 4 games. We also started the season at 20/1 so blowing the title cost me a pile of money as well. Still, we're starting to get over it a bit now :cry:.

Like Swindon though we now have good foundations in place on and off the pitch and the potential is there to kick on and do something next season. Its all about how to deal with the disappointment and use it to ensure you go the extra wee bit next season rather than suffer a hangover and end up going backwards.

..and at Wycombe

they will be

I honestly wouldn't care if Billy left. He seems to have lost the desire to wear the red shirt so he can fuck off as far as i'm concerned.

They all have to be fair

yeah top goal scorer, fuck off!

we dont need your 29 goals.

He's replaceable.

Just like Simon Cox was.

Sounds stupid but I wouldn't mind too much if Paynter left. Should be really gutted that we're losing our 29 goal top scorer like you say - but as fantastic a season as Billy has had this year, I don't think he's ever really done it before has he?

I'm not turning on him at all as I've sung his name as loudly as anyone this year (and since his home debut hattrick infact) but I don't think it is a massive loss. I know we have to replace that 29 goals from somewhere, but I honestly don't think Billy is guaranteed to get that many again next season.

Hope that doesn't sound like sour grapes, as I bear no hard feelings to Super Bill, but if its a choice between losing him or breaking the bank, I'd let him go without too much regret.

i feel the same, i wouldn't be devastated if he did leave but would obviously be pleased if he did choose to stay. I'm actually quite excited about who we would get in to replace him, Danny Wilson has shown he is good in the transfer market (hutchinson aside) and so i am confident we would get someone as good as, if not better, than Paynter.

Paynter probably adds more to the team that Cox did.

He'll be harder to replace. We only replaced Cox with alot of luck, did anyone expect 20 goals from a brickie?

I think we'll have to spend money to replace Paynter.

Le Fondre is yer man

How much would he cost us though?

Ask Ralphy.

I think they want silly money for him though (£3m is the figure i heard the other day), Id go in with £300k. Are rotherham still skint?

Oh, Nicho looks weird with a skinhead

Oh yeah SiPie,

How was your head sunday?

You were wrecked when i saw you!

£2-3 million according to this.

http://www.football.co.uk/rotherham_united/le_fondre_-_moore_names_the_price_rss818216.shtml

Also rumour has it that Leeds are now more interested in Steve Morison than Paynter?  Think he would cost them a lot more though, because he's not out of contract.

And he is with a Championship club!

I wouldnt be surprised especially after Paynters performance on saturday!

Just because Rotherham supposedly want 2-3 mil for Le Fondre doesn't mean they will get it. Or anywhere near it for that matter.

Exactly.

Test the water with 300k

Le Fondre would be an ideal target.

How would he play alongside Charlie though??

Why don't we ask Charlie if he has any mates he wants to play with?
 we have a good manager a club on the up people will want to sign for us
I am going to put £50 bet on automatic promition for next season

Well if Paynter is so easy to replace then I assume anyone can play upfront well with Charlie...

not easy to replace but nobody is irriplaceable.

Pericard had a decent return before he came here. So once fully fit I think that'll be 10-15 goals, I have no worries about Danny finding suitable replacements.

Also reckon Le Fondre would be worth a punt. Think it is inevitable that Paynter will be off.

A mate of mine plays for Chiseldon in the Sunday league he scored more than charlie last season, maybe he will join?

Le Fondre, Pitman, Jamie Ward...anyone with a bit of pace and lethal in front of goal to compliment the physicality of pericard and the all-round game of austin. Still fancy Brandy as one of the two strikers we will need if BP goes

If Billy looks on here, he'll probably think we can't wait to get rid of him!

On the flip side fans looking at him will think he can't fucking wait to leave.

He did 'a Rooney' when he was subbed and got abit shirty.

Watched the game today. Wilson went to say 'well done' and pat him on the shoulder and he looked livid.

i think he'll stay

I hope so arriba. Can't help but feel he's in a no win situation now - if he leaves he looks like he's a money grabbing cunt, if he stays he looks like a money grabbing cunt.

Not my opinion of course, but they're the sort of inevitable stupid comments which will get thrown about.

i think paynter would be daft to leave.i'm sure he'll get a good contract here,and he didn't exactly pull up trees before he came to us.he did very well in his early days at port vale, but his career stagnated after that.
he's found his level with us and i dont see why he'd want to leave unkless he's deluded into thinking he's van basten or something.

Well what if we were offering, say, £3k per week and Leeds were offering, say, £8k per week? Totally made up numbers but not necessarily that unrealistic I wouldn't have thought. It's pretty obvious what he would do.

I want him to stay, but I wouldn't hold it against him if he wants to test himself at a higher level. It is his job, after all.

Exactly.

Quite.

The decision probably comes down to whether he thinks his agent is shrewd or a complete cunt.

Another three or four good years at Swindon (L1/CCC) or the occasional start in the Championship as a second string striker at Leeds or whatever. Regular first team football and loved by the fans who will sing his name 'walking in a Paynter Wonderland' or drifting away down the leagues and joining the Cock at Grimsby instead because he can't keep on full song by sitting on the bench.

What's it to be, Billy?

looking forward to getting to a few more away games next year if money permits. unfortunately it won't be coventry :(

Money talks.  Billy will, rightly, go where he gets the best deal for him and his family.  Just like the rest of us do with our own jobs.

Personally, I hope he stays.  He's had too much stick for a player who got close to a 30 goal season, in my own humble opinion.  If he goes for a better deal - good luck to him.

Leeds offer him a 3 year deal and double/treble his wages why wouldn't he accept??

He's out of contract and he's just had the best season of his career. No brainer whether we like it or not

Yerp, I know money talks.

Just deluding myself that there is more to that when it comes to being a professional footballer. You know, things like pride, loyalty, appreciation and so on.

I'll do my own smiley I think.  :suicide:

Its a nice thought, but unreasonable.  Football is no different from any other profession.  Would you stick in a job due to loyalty when a different employer offered you three times the salary for doing the same job?  No, and its unreasonable to ask the same of a footballer.

Pride?  You bet he has it - professional pride.  He scored a shedload of goals this year and can be rightly proud of that.  If that gets him a "promotion" in a move to a Championship club - he should be proud.

I just don't see how he would be doing a bad thing by moving on.  Footballers., especilally at our level, are people just like you and I, with families and futures to think of.

I don't think any professional footballers have loyalty really, not other than in the sense that they're loyal to their employers. Other than that it is a job, admittedly one of the best jobs in the world, but its a job at the end of the day.

I don't see players as money grabbing cunts, other then Mooney when he joined the yellow filth for instance, that was just embarrassing that he'd take such a step backwards for money.

If Paynter is out of contract with us, he has no loyalty to us until he agrees another contract with us in my view. It could go the other way, what if he'd have broken his leg on saturday, should we be showing him loyalty and offering him a new 3/4 year deal?

that is probably a rubbish analogy but I think the point is a valid one.

I know, I know.

I guess it is the difference between how we feel as supporters about 'the shirt' and the guys who actually pull them over their heads on match day.

Even the mighty Don went to Palace I suppose.

we all know players aint loyal to the clubs they play for,but paynter needs to look at where he has been,and where he is now.
he was sat on the benches of worse sides than ours not so long ago.he'll be on good money here.

It all depends who is interested in him really. Who says it's Leeds that are after him? Could be a number of Championship clubs sniffing around. Tbh he's been superb for us in the last 2 years so if he goes I won't be annoyed that he wants to test himself at a higher level. That said i'd be dissapointed if he went to another L1 club.

The shelf life of a footballer is tiny. They have to make as much money as they can in a job which lasts half as long as a regular job. If i was a footballer, i'd have zero loyalty, i'd be a mercenary cunt chasing the fast buck.

If he gets a better offer on a 2 or 3 year contract he'd be stupid not to leave. Sure there's the desire to better yourself professionally and show loyalty to a current employer, but if he leaves and has 3 shit seasons, it'd be better for him to have those shit seasons on a higher wage. He'd still get a move back to our level again in X years time if he moves the CCC and doesn't cut it, where as if he stays here and doesn't cut it, his wage would only decrease.

I'm probably just speaking bollocks though. :)

You're not speaking bollocks, you are completely right.

Playing Devil's advocate, why is that any different from those of us who have to work for 50 years? Or indeed, why do you assume that they will retire after their football career is over? Do they become unemployable? Can they not use the humungous amount of money they have earned in ten, twenty years to set up their own business? Do their brains and limbs pack up because they have donated them to the footballing gods?


Playing Devil's advocate...  :)

Back in the day, there was no freedom of contract....Liverpool wanted the man, the club didn't want to sell, so that was it....in 72 gates were down to 10,000, so we did want to sell, so that was it.

I hope Paynter stays.  We've got too many examples of stikers who leaves after one or two good seasons and we have to search for new stikers who normally needs one season to blossom. 

The reason for selling has been mainly due to financial problems, but as it seems this is under control now, I hope the board can offer him a contract he'll sign.  The other teams in League One or two will probably demand a redicoulus high price for their strikers if willing to sell.  Austin is a good example that there is talents in lower divisions, but there aren't many of them.

No, but footballers by their very nature are more concentrated on football throughout school. (I have a friend who was pro.) Therefore once their career is over, they're not the sharpest knife short of a picnic.

Who is your pro friend Barry?

To clarify, he's an ex-pro Billy, Paul Steele. He retired at 20 or so due to knee injury. Played for Yeovil and Woking and was at Chippenham and Liverpool prior to that. He would've gone far. It was easier for him than it would be for most as he's a bright lad. He also retired at an age when getting a job would be pretty easy. But having gone through school with him, i can see how being gifted at Football, along with being very young, made education seem pointless.

I see - cheers.

it aint like that nowadays barry.budding footballers are forced to focus on education aswell as football

And that's exactly how it should be. Getting back on track though, Paynter will likely be of the old skool variety, which in turn means, this side of mixing with pauld and getting into the car-stereo and sat-nav acquisition business, prospects aren't gonna be everywhere at retirement.