Thetownend.com

Thought I would have a go starting one of these as I never have before.  Fancy us to bounce back and win 3-1 tonight with an encouraging display from Ritchie which will boost everyone!

2-0 and it's a must win game and game where we need to play well and bring back a bit of confidence.

Those who are going dont forget it's a 7pm kick off.

The game tonight now becomes very important and I am sure that Wilson will put out a pretty strong team tonight, mainly to progress through to the next round but to also bounce back from the previous two games.  My starting XI for tonight would be...

Lucas, Thompson, Morrison, Cuthbert, Rose, McGovern, Douglas, Ferry, Ritchie, Pericard & Ball.

Amankwaah didnt play well on Saturday and looked like he was carrying a knock so could do him good to miss out tonight and would be useful to hand Thompson his debut.  Depending on the game situation you could bring on the likes of Evans in midfield, O'Brien on the left and Bodin up top (probably for Pericard).

Touch wood a Town win and a much better performance that was dished up on Saturday at Dagenham.  I will go for an attendance of 3,824.  Now for the tricky decision.......Arkells or Town End?

1-1 draw might scrape thro with penalties.

Didn't know that. With me being as late as I often am, it's entirely possible that I could have turned up as it finished.

Anyone heading for The Merlin before the match? I've got the day off and I'm hoping a decent session on the 'Bow will get me over this nasty cold/vomiting/GRID episode I'm currently suffering with.

Not going to make it back in time for this  :(

will have to make do with Vic and the comedian

Missed DAggers as picking my mum up from the airport as she has come over from Canada so will be going tonight. Very important game for Town. A decent 4-0 win would do our confidence a world of good. Ball to score please?

I'm going Town End. Will try for my season ticket seat I think

I'm in the Arkells tonight.

3-0 to Town.

Town End For Me!

Usual accurate preview from the BBC - Spot the errors.

'Swindon loan signing Matt Ritchie could play, but midfielder David Prutton serves the second of a three-game ban.

Paul Caddis is on international duty with Scotland Under-21s while Thomas Dossevi is away with Togo for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Mark Ellis is set to continue in Torquay's defence following his return from injury against Shrewsbury.

Fringe players Damon Lathrope and Wayne Carlisle could also feature as boss Danny Wilson looks to rotate'

I feel a hat-trick coming on.

Best you get your playing boots on then Paul if you are feeling that good!

its going to be a close run thing to get to this from work.

2-1 Town.

i'm still undecided about going yet

That would be one hell of a rotation!

Daft kick off time. The additional attendance generated through parents taking their kids will be offset by those who can't make kick off, or aren't bothered enough to rush.

It will be a tough game as Torquay are just as desperate for a win as we are, wouldn't surprise me to see it going to penalties though, what chances of Macklin returning to haunt us though

I don't believe in Lloyd Macklin

For the first time in two years I don't actually want to go to a match, but I'll probably be there!

A win would be welcome (and is probably needed).

I would like us to have a run in the JPT. Arguablly our best chance of getting to a final and the TV/Promotion money that comes with it.

Off to the pub now dosed up on co-codamol. Should make for an interesting night.

I'll go for a resounding 3-0 victory.

Im going......just to see how many Torquay bring up..

Adver News......

Torquay fans in regurgitation shock!

Just heard Torquay were given 200 tickets and only sold 36 in advance.

go 4,4,2 with the strongest side available.
win this and try to build momentum

Agreed

In all fairness, that they have sold any advance tickets at all for this is a credit to them!

Is there live audio commentary for this tonight?

Ta

Live commentary on STFC World.

Swindon Town: David Lucas; Kevin Amankwaah, Scott Cuthbert, Sean Morrison, Michael Rose; Jon-Paul McGovern, Jonathan Douglas (capt.), Simon Ferry; Matt Ritchie, Vincent Pericard, David Ball
Substitutes: Phil Smith (GK), Alan O'Brien, Nathan Thompson, Billy Bodin, Will Evans

Torquay United: Danny Potter; Lathaniel Rowe-Turner, Chris Robertson, Kieran Charnock, Nicky Wroe (capt.); Danny Senda, Billy Kee, Mark Ellis, Eunan O'Kane; Elliot Benyon, Danny Senda
Substitutes: Scott Bevan (GK), Kevin Nicholson, Lloyd Macklin, Wayne Carlisle, Martin Gritton

Referee: F Graham

Evening all.

there's only two danny senda's

Well spotted! the OS has the Adver proof reader then by the look of it!

And evening Mr Sonic :)

evening ladies and gents. Not been on here for a game for a while!

You havent missed much TBH Nick!

we need to not lose tonight. Losing is boring. and for losers.

Evening all. Like the look of that team, there seems to be more of a shape to it.

i noticed it on the OS and gleefully came on here to tell people about it, except you'd copy and pasted it! go me!

Lloyd Macklin on the bench for them..interesting if he comes on...always thought he could turn out to be a good player

agreed, but if he's not hit puberty yet then he's likely to be bundled off the ball still

Torquay havent won against us since 1985, 15 matches with 9 Town wins and 4 draws.

I have a feeling its going to be a lot harder today than lots of Town fans think, Torquay aint a bad side. I tipped them for the Championship of the 4th division before the season started, they are currently 8th in the division (equal points with 6th place.

especially by morrison and cuthbert. if he plays on the right he might have some joy.

Back to 4-4-2 then. Sounds good.

Paul Bodin on co-commentary. I'll be nice about it today!

Good to see Senda playing, he's the chap who did himself a nasty injury against us last game of two seasons ago for Millwall, no?

Don't often listen to the commentary, let's see how vic is tonight.

Has anyone gone?

Yeah and had over a year out with it too.

Think Sam did.

Its all Torquay so far by the sound of it.

Torquay started the better.

Vic noticably a lot more descriptive and focused so far...fair do's

I was thinking that.

Vic only rambles when his co-commentator does

I haden't actually noticed that but that may well be true.

1-0 Ball

1-0 David Ball.

boom boom pow!

1-0 Ball

that's nice

yay.

Cross from McGovern, Pericard sets up Ball. Three players that could do with the confidence all in one fell swoop, terrific.

Lovely stuff.

That's better. Couldn't go tonight - I have deadly manflu. Hopefully a win tonight if I can stay alive long enough to see it. If I can make it thruogh to the weekend maybe a decent draw next round.

Amazed we scored...not cos of our form but because of Vic's lack of excitement! Let's hope its the first of many for Bally..

I followed that move for the goal ... thanks Mr Morgan. Better ...

Good good. Glad for Ball.

Not at theGame well reported Vic Top Man

not listening to radio at the mo, has vic or his sidekick mentioned anything about the TEF abuse :girlgiggle:
    

nope.

Switched on just as we scored.

Really does sound like Vic is making a huge effort to be alot more descriptive, fair play...

I'm not anything like important enough though Sonic Youth seems to be a little pre-occupied with me. Good to have a proper legend and co-com tonight in Le God Bodin!!

4-4-2 is so much better and J.P starting is a plus...come on you Redz.

Spot on. The whole service is working better, no blips or pauses, just running smoothly..so far

Nearly Vic .... calm down, calm down eh?

Enough of the love-in... What's happening?

Sound comfortable after a bright opening few minutes for Torquay.. wingers sound lively and 4-4-2 seems to be working well.

Cuthbert coming off, Will Evans presumably coming on, this Tournament has been interesting for him, deputizing for all our best players. Cuthbert's taken a blow to the head, hopefully nothing too bad.

Apologies, Nathan Thompson on after years on the fringe. Presumably Kevin to CB?

Thompson on for his Swindon debut.

I guess Manks in at CB.

huh? Where have I mentioned you in this thread?

Good luck to Thompson... He's been patient!

Ritchie sounds lively...plays a pinpoint through ball and Ferry hits the post

Presume that was a ref to Sat Sonic ::) If not then apologies

Not specifically. Part of the co-commentators remit is to ramble...

That's fair enought then no offence meant...you are named after a top band after all. I thought that spotting that Dag were sponsored by Funeral Directors was meant to be a pleasant and unique observation opening the way for the ' we're burying them' type comments as we romped to victory...sadly there was 87 mins left and ot backfired...badly..hey ho!

Let it go

God vic sounds so depressed. show a bit more enthusiasm man


tongue>cheek

 :zzz:

2-0 Big vince.

2-0 peri peri

2-0 Pericard.

This is all going rather well.

Pericard the Piss Poor Paint Pot specialist.

Wooo Pericard!

Well played Swindon :clap: :clap: :clap:

U2 after the goal. Club DJ out!

Half Time 2-0 I am fairly happy with that.

I was thinking that too! What a bland choice of song to play when you've scored

Ah good! Finally some matchday talk! ;) Get in.

as am i, apart from my lack of attendance

At this rate we will win ? :beers:

I know that one, by the sound of the crowd......it could be a general lack of attendance!

Can't be more than 4k there today I recon.

er yes, so far we're on course

He used to be Vic Morgan but he's on mogadon now!

:D

Keep taking the tablets Vic. That's more like it!  :clap:

Yes, I'm at the game along with herthab. You bunch of fucking plastics ;)

Definitely 4-5-1 with Richie on the left and Ball on the right.

Not played that well for our two goals, but I'll take it!

And it's really saying something about the squad being threadbare when you get an injured CB, drop a RB to CB and bring on another Rab whilst leaving a CB on the bench as cover for CM. Baffling.

I know what you mean, but I think it was more about giving Thompson his chance...he's waited a long time.

Yeah Thompson isnt far from the first team but Will Evans would have been a more natural switch.

Good to hear Vince has got another

The game sounds a little devoid of goalmouth action this half.

3,600ish crowd then, not too bad for today really.

Lloyd Macklin on for Torquay, meh

They'll finish with 10 men then.

Tis' all very dull at the moment.

Is it? Sounds like a decent game with chances to me.

Prehaps i havent been paying attention then!

And then you woke up Onion.

How many times has the commentator said 'drag back' this evening? Around about 2000 I think.

Not as much as he's said pass.

He does my tits in, every match he has to comment on the ironic cheers, thanks I can here them. What I cant hear is JPM stroking a beautiful cross in , now tell me about that.

Vic bashing was soooooo saturday girlfriend

Sounds as if we've been in control for all but the first ten minutes of the second half. And a much better day in the combox for Mr morgan :)

Glad were safely through, hopefully we'll get a decent draw. Happy for Ball, hopefully should give him some confidence.

Sounds like Ritchie had a decent game, which is another posotive.

Was impressed with Vic aswell.

Well played Swindon  :nod:

Confidence for all the right players, only slightly worry is the knock to Cuthbert. Don't much fancy Rovers without him.

Ahh sod it we'll play Prutton at CB!

"Crispy from the town end forum" getting his text read out.  :soapy tit wank:

Good result, the game sounded a bit boring though, no matter, through....easy home draw next round please.

A wins a win - when is the draw for the next round?
I see Wycombe are winning 2-0 at Colchester, I bet we get them in the next round.

Wilson sounded surprised when asked if Charlie will be back by the next game, sounds like it may be a few games away yet.

or keeping cards close to his chest


we will see

Sounds like he wants Bristol Rovers to think there is no chance of him playing.

In which case, shhhhh.

Can't be too much longer for Charlie surely? Then again i'm no medical expert.

We desperately need a striker and centre half for cover

 :zzz:

 :zzz:

 :zzz:

 :zzz:

Wahay, Bart is back to bring everything down with a bump!  At least let everyone get home before you say Wilson out for not winning by 4!

two of our strikers scored tonight?

In Barts defence, we have 4 Centre Backs - 2 of which are injured right now!

Are we going to get goal of the round again?

Isn't it still done by South West section though? So we'll get either Rovers, Plymouth or Exeter.

Just got back.

Well earned, confidence-boosting and welcome win.

Lined up in a 4-3-3 formation i think, and generally it worked. Closed them down well today, and created lots and lots of chances. Ritchie looked a real handful, Pericard made one and scored one and was genereally pretty good today, Ball also looked alot more confident with the passing game.

Overall, not much of a challenge, but we took advantage of it and got back to winning ways. Roll on monday!

All good draws.  :D

Good solid performance after the first 2 minutes. Too easy in fact, it made the game boring!
Torquay came with the tactic of hoofing it onto Morrison's head. Thanks!  Morrison had a solid game. Ball and Ritchie impressed and Big Vince may lumber around a bit but set one up and scored another.

Negatives were few. Manks was again not himself, particularly in the first half. And Cuthbert is inured. With Lecs not training Bart is right, we may need cover.

Heard Wilson after the game an when asked about Austin he pretty much laughed at the suggestion he is anywhere near fit. Poker face?

Well I went to the game! It was more like a training match but there were some nice killer passes and wing play to admire. We'll have to play much better than that to beat Rovers but it's a start.

Cuthbert's injury showed how woefully short of cover we are.

Definitely not the best performance of the season, but a win is a win and also something to build on considering it wasn't a full strength team.

Looked more 4-5-1 than 4-3-3 to me. The formation didn't flatter us, Pericard isn't good enough to play the lone front man IMO. He'll put a good shift in, but he'll never play that well when he's lacking support.

Torquay offered little apart from the occasional HOOF! when put under a bit of pressure. Douglas was everywhere, breaking up play and always seemed to be one of the first to get forward on the break too. I was very impressed with Ritchie, showed some very nice little touches, put some decent crossed in and wasn't afraid of taking on his man. Alan O'Brien take note.

Looked like 4-5-1  to me too.

Looked 4-3-3 to me, and Ferry mentioned "the three up top" in his post-match interview, so i just persumed my assumptions were correct.

The first half hour I thought Torquay were the better team. After that we took control of the game. Amankwaah was a liability at right back for the first half hour, I feared the worst when Cuthbert went off injured and the young lad came on at right back, with Kev in the middle, but they all played pretty well as a unit. For a young lad on debut, Thompson had a good game, very promising.

I thought the ref gave us a lot of decisions 2nd half, which was nice. We should have been able to add another couple of goals second half. Their keeper played very well and pulled off some great saves. Ferry was particularly unlucky not to score.

Pericard, credit where its due, he made 1 and scored 1. But he looked so isolated and slow up front to me. Our formation looked more 4-5-1 than 4-3-3. Ritchie did some good things, but at times he looked too relaxed on the ball. At one point he tried to dribble it out of our box, hurdled 2 challenges and was tackled by the third, which is just madness and will cost us goals. Ball played well, but he must have slipped over 20 times during the game. His footwear probably cost £200 a pair, but youve got to wonder how good some of these fancy boots really are?

Torquay brought a decent following (250?). But they lose points for bringing a drum. Glad to be through, another home tie next round please.

Interesting variation on a theme there.

Oh, and Thompson was immense. Won near enough every aerial ball aimed at him, which is quite an achievement for such a small guy. Got forward well too, could've scored two!

Just got back, not bad not bad.

It's a good job Lucas made a fine save 1-on-1 with their striker in the opening minute! That would have been a dire start to proceedings after Saturday's debacle.

Torquay gave us lots of space tonight which we were able to exploit down the flanks. Their full-backs pushed on in to midfield and because of this both Ball and Ritchie had plenty of opportunities to get in behind the defenders. I thought Pericard actually did a decent job of holding the ball up and bringing others into play. Ritchie and Rose combined well in the first half and we had genuine width tonight for the first time this season.

As pointed out in previous posts, Douglas had a good game, regularly pushing forward and dictating possession. McGovern I felt was disappointing, as ever he worked hard off the ball but I thought a number of his passes went astray tonight. Ferry actually had two decent shots from distance with one of them striking the post. Nathan Thompson impressed when he came on and will put the out-of-form Amankwaah under serious threat if he can sustain that type of performance.

Defensively I thought we looked a bit fragile and not altogether convincing; this inconsistency worries me ahead of Monday.

I went tonight. Have to say, despite his goal, i still don't rate Pericard. His first touch was awful tonight and his clumsiness is becoming annoying.

Ball and Ritchie both had good games but i'd have given Dougie man of the match.

Special mention for Nathan Thompson who looked very useful when he came on.

Back in early 2009 there were some Premier League clubs interested in Nathan Thompson, so he must have something. Hopefully he's ready for the 1st team now, will be interesting to see if he's done enough to get another chance soon.

We will be having a word with both Mr Ball and Mr Ritchie - blades may look nice but they fuck the pitch up something rotten  >:(

I assumed that were wearing ice skates the amount of time they were on over on their arses. That confirms it.

Yoof of today, nothing wrong with a pair of Puma Kings. Proper black leather boots of a man. None of this synthetic metatarsal breaking nancy boy blades rubbish.

i can see prutton coming in for mcgovern monday that is if austin isnt fit.

Is prutton available? Was it a 2 or 3 game ban?

Edit: Never mind, it was 2.

http://www.thefa.com/TheFa/Disciplinary/SuspensionLists/

ithought we looked so much better with ball on the right, he was very effective, ritchie could be a cracking player for us

good news for reg - when we get relegated we walk league 2

It is so hard, for those of us unable to get to games, to get a clear picture of what happened!!  Are some just so biassed against Pericard that they won't allow him to have played well - the Adver says he played his best game.  Torquay just hoofed it according to some, while DW says they came to play good football......defence looked wobbly, but Town dominated all but the opening minutes of both halves..... I'm bemused and confused.

I just selectively read and believe what it is that agrees with my opinion. The rest is obviously wrong.

:Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Bart, you fucking tool!

Ah...thanks Barry.  That's helpful,

Real shame that Ritchie didn't score.  I bet the Adver had  "Matt finish provides gloss for Town" lined up as a headline

Overall a decent enough game although if Torquay could finish then it may have been a different game as they had a few decent chances that they just wasted, the formation for me was a 4-5-1 turning into 4-3-3 on the attack, we had some good touches, but Vince seems to get knocked of the ball so easily for such a big bloke it is frustrating and he couldn't hold the ball up either last night everytime he got it he had to release it regardless of the space he had, the concern was Big Kev & Mcgovern as both seem to be out of form and not having the best of games at present, luckily that Cuthbert has only got concusion so should be back for Monday's game.

A win's a win and we are now into the area Quarter finals I beleive ?

I have to agree with the Adver and say that in my opinion that was Pericards best game for us so far. I said this before his goal as well. When ever the ball was playing long upto him he managed to keep hold of it before looking for a teammate. I cant remember many occassions where he was knocked off of the ball. I think alot of us fans need to realise that he's a very different striker to what we are used to watching at the county ground but is equally as good as most strikers we've had but just with different qualities.

Nathan Thompson looked a real rock at the back and I would be happy for him to push on in the next couple of months for a first team spot. Ritchie was a lot better than i remember from last season and gives us good width on the left.

Quarter final draw this saturday and hopefully another home tie

Nice run out.

Torquay play good football but didnt penetrate enough (like us this season) and also could not bury their chances (like us this season).

Thompson was brilliant and gave the ball away only once..(i was counting).....pleased with that and amazed that over 3000 turned up.

I'm very surprised that there is any criticism of Vince's performance last night, thought he held it up really well and there were some excellent lay offs with chest and head, not to mention scoring one and setting up the other with a classy back heel! Decent nights work I thought.

Totally agree with this. Keep up the good work Vince  ;D

He seems to be splitting people on last night.

I thought he was distinctly average. Very slow, poor work rate at times and for a massive powerful lad his hold up play is poor and he doesn't win much in the air. Also, although Ritchie's delivery was hit and miss, when he did put quality into the box, Pericard was invariably no where to be seen. That said, he showed a couple of nice flicks and scored.

I really liked the shape. Looked 4-2-3-1 to me, and when the one up top is Austin, and Ritchie continues to supply from the left it could really work. JPM was the only concern, and can see Prutton playing there when back.

My MOTM was Ritchie, definately added something to the team, Thompson looked very good when he came on,. Thought Amankwaah was a bit of a liability. Pericard is clumsy and trips over his own feet but he did hold the ball up well.

Oh and I guessed the attendance spot on! :D

I'm certainly not the superstitious type, but feel free to blame me for the two recent defeats (Janners and Daggers) as I wasn't wearing my lucky red boxer shorts. Normal service was resumed last night, hence the positive result.....

Therefore can someone please remind me to wear red boxer shorts every match day. Thanks in advance.

Did anyone else notice that our fixture didnt appear on the BBC mobile website last night?

He did also score one goal and create the other. Which might be worth taking into the balance of consideration

I'm not alone. :)

Pericard was awesome last night. Anyone who says otherwise is a fucking idiot. Also Ritchie looked real quality, the ball he put through to Ferry when he hit the post was magical.

If that's awesome, you're seriously easy to please. Better than Plymouth - yes. Awesome - no.

You're a fucking idiot.

parts of his play were good but his lack of movement around and in the box was fucking dreadful.

It did, our game was on all alone on the second page

Spot on. 

He will always divide opinion and the debate will carry on every week regardless of the standard of his performance.

Don't know what people expected of Pericard, when you are the lone front man your not supposed to move round loads and get dragged to the wings your supposed to be the focal point for the team to aim for so just stay central and lay the ball off when its given to you. 

Also your not expected to chase down opposition keepers or defenders you conserve your energy as your on your own up front and use your movement and energy in the right moments so you don't end up shattered.

Overall Vince held the ball up excellently, scored 1 and set up another, in any sensible persons eyes thats a cracking contribution last night.

Yeah but he didn't run from beyond the Stratton Bank to the other end of the pitch and over head kick it, whilst marking their strikers.

Oh yes he did, he just went the long way round via Greenbridge and Magic roundabouts.

THAT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

i wasnt saying he was bad, his holdup play was good and the set up for the goal was lush, his movement in the box last night was woeful, he never attacked a single cross and it was driving me potty let alone what ritchie must have been thinking

I've always thought we're a bit too big for Div 4.....

 :doh:

Someone who would be good to bring in for Defensive cover is former Huddersfield, Blackpool and Scunthorpe Central Defender Andy Butler who played 7 times for Blackpool last year on loan from Hudds, is a free agent so maybe worth a shot

I thank you

Swindon rejects or Southend in the next round at the CG would be a good draw

Highlights show how dominant we were.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9067947.stm

Good selection of clubs in the next round. All clubs weve got a bit of rivalry with, but all very winnable.

Fingers crossed for another home draw.

Away to Southend, Brentford, Charlton or Wycombe would do me nicely!

who made the through ball pass for pericards goal?  :sherlock:

Can't remember, it was either Ball or Ritchie.

Ball

to be honest the ball wasn't that great.the defender trying to play offside could have got there before pericard

Been drawn at home to Brentford.

Great to see some forward passing for once (which weren't hoofs from the back) :)

Was at game 2 good goals and Ball my motm but  McGovern helped create both goals so lets see him back to his position where he creates and assists. C'mon you Reds!!!