Thetownend.com

The Opponent:  Port Vale

Not nice out there tonight, keep safe one and all. Well I guess there is a good chance this one could be reading P – P come 3 O’clock, so I’ll keep it brief. Welcome to Jacob Murphy, I won’t be bitter if he is a bit cream crackered assuming he gets a run out today. Still reflecting on Wednesday night’s corker against Peterborough, the performance was pretty decent all things considered. It would be great if we could get some extra bums on seats for the 2nd leg, the London Road attendance really was a shocker to be honest, I’d like to think we could double that at least, perhaps similar numbers to a league game.

My last journey to Port Vale was a victorious one, I’m sure it was a rare Magera goal and performance that made me think he could have something about him, no doubt he is scoring 25 goals a season elsewhere now. I do remember the general area of Burslem being something of a dump with the local hardware shop being one of the few thriving businesses in the area, solely down to the amount of wood, screws and nails that the natives purchase to board up their homes. It reminded me very much of Margate Sea Front, just without the sea.  Port Vale is one of the few English league clubs not to be named after a city or town. The name Port Vale exists on maps pre–dating the formation of the club, which probably occurred in 1879, and is a reference to a valley of ports on the Trent and Mersey Canal, associated with the city's pottery industry. A fact nearly as dull as the area itself.

Weather or Not? – Guess this is fairly obvious, not that Port Vale have history for late call off’s eh? Heavy rain should be falling in the area as we speak and is expected on and off throughout the night. There should be a short let up in the morning but further heavy showers are forecast in the afternoon. A very strong wind, gusting up to 45mph will lead to temperatures dropping to 6 Celsius with a feel like temperature of a pleasant 0 degrees for most of the day. The heating in a transit and BBC Wiltshire is more appealing by the minute.

Where the opposition gather –  Everything sensible about football forums.

http://www.onevalefan.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?73672-Feature-Two-minute-guide-to-Swindon&p=2008882#post2008882

Last 6 – WWLLWL (9th on 39 points)

They have served us both –  Thomas Wylie, Jimmy Kelso, Billy Paynter, Morris Jones, Calvin Andrew, Alex Smith, Joe Holyhead, Ken Beamish, Sam Collins, Paul Edwards, Wayne Gray,  Louis Page, Ralph Hunt, Roy Pritchard

The Odds  - Port Vale 13/8  Draw 5/2  Swindon 7/4   Seems Michael Smith’s recent goal scoring hasn’t gone unnoticed with the bookies who have him at 11/2 to score the first goal, generally the same price as Vale’s Tom Pope.

The Son Says – I say Port Vale to him and he mentions Simon Ferry’s pants more often than not. He also says we will win 2-0.

The Prediction – We are heading to The Potteries to win, 2-1, Smith and N’Guessan on target in front of a crowd of 5555 with 355 making the journey, if its on.

And Finally –  Interestingly, Port Vale enjoyed the best away support in proportion to home support in the Football League in the 2012–13 season.

COYR COYR COYR

You forgot kaid prophet mohammed

Back down to standard league away performances. 1-0 Vale

4-6-0

1-3. Att: 5565. 422 town

Haha. Rosso you're such a pooper.  Apart from a shower about an hour ago, it is absolutely bone dry around here. Heavy rain is forecast for the morning, with brighter spells during the afternoon. I don't foresee a good result, with just 280 Town fans, yet it will enable Yaser to serve his term and play in the JPT second leg.

1-1 350 town fans in attendance.

2 all
5987 att 388 hardy town making the trip

We showed on Wednesday that we can scrap and get something away from home on a crap pitch and if we show similar commitment today then I can see an unexpected 3-1 win Smith,Ranger and Gladwin

We shall win 2-1.

I went a few years ago, decided on the morning and we were shit and lost and that's put me off going ever again.

I'm going so we will lose 2-0

Is Troy back ?

2-0 defeat I feel. 4312 with 297 from us

I'm not going ..... Never fancied going back there....DIY jobs today.

A draw would be nice.....1:1

I think we will now see a complete reversal of fortunes-crap at home,dogged away.One nil Town with Niles scoring.

im going so 2nil win i say

just got 30/1 on this.

I am confident that we will draw can`t decide on 1-1 or 2-2. Weather forecasting in this country is not good I was expecting a storm today where is it COYR

hopefully a 1 - 0 backs to the wall win reviving memories of Steve Finney going in goal and keeping a clean sheet for the last 15 minutes !

1-1 draw.

They're out of form, so I think we may just snatch a draw 1-1.

Fucking smash 'em 3-0.

TOWN v Port Vale: Foderingham; N Thompson, Archibald-Henville, Ward; Byrne, Luongo, L Thompson, Pritchard; N'Guessan, Ranger, Smith

Subs: Belford, Reckord, Branco, Cox, Gladwin, Reis, Murphy

4-4-2, yo?

Sam Morshead seems to think we may go 352, I am not sure which it will be as its a pretty flexible line up, Byrne is a better winger than fullback.

Word.

I think Nath and Byrne will be more wing backs than full backs though. Either that or Nath is playing central defender or one of Troy or Ward are playing wide. We shall see.

Have Barthram and Storey been forgotten?

3-1 Swindon win but there isn't a striker on the bench.

Who?

Wait wait wait, who's Cox? Have we sneakily signed back Simon without anyone noticing? Or is that the not-near-the-first-team-in-fucking-ages Lee?

Unfortunately its the latter.

Actually I have never him play but my mates at Plymuff really rate him but thats a league lower.

He's actually not bad. Should suit our current midfield-heavy side well, especially coming on as a defensive sub.

That looks a stonking line up.

If only games were played on paper

1-2

I don't think I've said this all season about an away game, but I think we might get something today.

We've got Reis, Murphy, Pritchard, N Guessan, Smith and Ranger. Okay, so the last 3 are the only real strikers, but with Danny apparently starting on the wing I think we'll be alright. Would like to see Storey on the bench, but I'll trade that for starting with an attacking team like it looks we've got today.

Reading the team again, it looks more like a 3-4-3. Hmmmmmmmmmmm.

Who's Murphy?

Un baiser de la mort ;)

Winger on loan from Norwich

no tongues

Ah bollocks

not again

shit defending?

Just what the fuck goes on in their heads for the first 15-20 minutes

Ffs

Sounded like we started ok...Pritchard misses guilt edged chance....bang...goal down....fucks sake

Sounds like Ward was tied in knots there

Jacob Murphy, new Norwich lad we've got on loan, winger.

Sounded more like Byrne's fault

Maybe he deliberately didn't score it because it would make him guilty?

Jutkiewicz scores for Bolton

Sound's like we are playing well.

Oh dear 2-0

Our soft centre surfaces again

Playing well, but we're chronically bad at the back.

yep another farcical goal against

We've conceded a goal to Tom Pope for fuck sake.

Good job we got a winger in on loan, that will help our terrible defence.

I take back my comment about us getting something today.  How could I be so daft to think we're capable of doing anything away from home in the league.  It really is becoming quite tedious now and shows no sign of being sorted to be honest. 

At least it sounds like we've played well and have given it a go with the line up. No more 4 6 0 bollocks

All our eggs have been put into the piss poor paint pot basket.

Still think a lot of the issue is midfield myself.

Still no issues a winger will sort.

I'd imagine that Hall & Branco will get the blame.

No wait, fortunately Byrne is playing so our twitter brigade will have a scapegoat

It's all Ward's fault  ;)

I see Cox is on the bench. No Barker.

Good times 8)

 I can understand getting a winger in because we dont get enough decent crosses in but surely everyone knows we need a competent defender

I agree and Tuesday's result will again paper over the fact that generally we're absolutely shite on the road.

With our Wembley record and current form anywhere away from the County Ground, can anyone seriously see us winning if we did get to the Final?

At least the table is looking more realistic now, looking like a mid table finish which in reality is where we are.  Might calm a few down.

Nope, don't think we'd get past P'boro

Apart from a couple of extra quid would anyone care about winning it?

Pritchard has fluffed every chance today, if he'd taken half of them we'd be in front.

Ward consistently being tied in knots by players, game after game. Port Vale luckier at the moment.

No matter what, I'd rather we started like we did today, played an attacking game and lost than not even bothered.

Troy was supposed to be the answer!

In a season where nobody expected us to do anything, I think a Wembley final would be seen as a welcome bonus.

You're responding to a man who would consider anything short of winning the league a failure. And probably only if Di Canio won it.

:D

True

2-1. Game on

Get the fuck in!!!

YOU REDS!

Ranger gives us hope (with the exception of DV)

That'll disappoint a few of our fans.

Ranger has done well since Cooper gave him a final chance,  credit all round for that.

Come on Town, a draw will do.

Thanks, missed it, just I visited my house's facilities...  :)

The fridge?

… from a great ball in from Pritchard ;)

I would; I've never seen us win at Wembley.

Smith hits post!

Toilet...now consuming liquid refreshments at the required pace that hopefully initiates a comfort break just before full-time to ensure a goal for a draw or a last minute winner...

Perhaps. The JPT has never been anything to shout about though.

I'd certainly rather have extra points on the board...

Ranger hits bar!

I'm not a Pritchard hater, just don't rate him as much as others.  Happier with him in the team than out as I think he is the best winger we have.

Murphy on for dany. Come on son!

Would you prefer to finish 11th & win the JPT or 10th & not get to Wembley?

I could understand if the extra points were likely to result in us getting promoted or in the play-offs, but frankly with our away from that isn't likely to happen.

DNG off-Eddie on!

As would the rest of us, but realistically we are not good enough to be better off than we are with the changes that have taken place this season.  However no matter how good we are you always have a chance in a cup.

Yesssssssssss 2-2

cOME ON, ANOTHER COMEBACK. hAVE IT.

(stupid caps lock)

And the best free kick taker  ;)

Pritchard fk!

Same here

Yes! Lucky Murphy didn't replace Pritchard!

I have, twice :)

We score when we want  :D

People need to realise how lucky we are to have Pritchard.

:D

Same here  :)

I think I'm the anti-Berniman as I really rate Pritch. I feel absolutely vindicated right now

Let's form the Pritchard Fan Club?

Would it not have been quicker to re-write that than make yourself sound like Homer Simpson at the end :)

:thumb: me too

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooom! 3-2

Get Innnnnnnnnnnnnnnn 3-2

Repeat

Who needs a defence?

Not us, obviously.

LOVE THAT SONIC!!

Interesting conundrum, how many points do you ascribe to winning the JPT? After all, losing to Chesterfield had the silver lining of winning the league (at a cost) while Chesterfield were relegated.

Haha get in!

Shore up this defence and we have a good chance to squeak a play off spot.

Put £5 on us to win at half time, 25-1  - COYR !!!!!

At the birthplace of 'Bobby Howe Sexy Football'...is it now all about 'Nathan Byrne Sexy Football'?

Shrewd!! ;)

You ready to take back your take back comment yet.

Ok, good for you.  >:(

My point is that Pritchard has it in his locker to make you feel vindicated for a good chunk of our games, in the other ones the vindication will be mine :)  He's seems to be excellent is some and very meh in others.  Should have put money on him today really after being out for 2 games.

Probably our stand out player on these days, it's the other ones that are the problem.

Get the fuck in!  I just fixed a problem for a client I have been working 3 weeks on as the 3rd went in!!!!! Hayyp Days!!!!

1 defeat though so its not all good :D

The second I turned on the radio Byrne score. Good timing I guess, have we deserved it?

just fancied it based on what the TEF/Sam was saying

Now fix one you've been working on for 4 weeks :)

I have seen 2 victories and 2 defeats.  Should never have knocked the old Wembley down :)

Same here, and no!

Come on Town!!

Hang in there!!!

I think sometimes he tries to do too much, but he obviously has talent.

Certainly our most creative player, but hasn't got the consistency to go with it.
If he can get that he will probably be a decent Premier League player.

The thing I do like about him is that he doesn't sulk or hide when things go wrong he does still go looking for the ball & he works really hard.

Do we get a cut then?

Yep agree.  He has a great attitude for the game no doubt.  We are a poorer team without him.

Still stand by the majority of my comments about him though.

of course !!

this is one of the reasons I rate him, even when he isn't getting in the game he never gives up.

The other part of his game he needs to work on is keeping his mouth shut and not diving.

Also agree

That's true

He reminds me of Igoe and Howard which isn't a bad thing at all

At times our ability going forward must be frightening for the opposition. Pritchard is our most potent threat going forward and getting the ball in the right place. Spurs jokes aside, we are lucky the relationship we have with them has proved fruitful with this particular player.

I see the Igoe resemblance.  Capable of producing a worldy but very lightweight and ineffective sometimes.  Howard was different type of player for me.  Always rated Howard, no matter the amount of abuse he gets on here.

4 added minutes.

Sam saying Murphy looks a player.

Peterborough 2-1 up at Orient.

Blow the fucking whistle ref FFS.

Balls, Posh winning now.

Please

Tijane!

Reis on for Pritchard.

Fantastic 3 points, no less than what we deserved, well done Town and to the travelling support.

FT 3-2

Great result.

Yes! Well done Town. Great comeback.

FT - Get in there!

Cracking 3 points. Fantastic comeback.

You were saying?.....

Howard was capable of turning a game for us, I think Pritchard has the same ability to do that. Not sure if today is proof of that

Twice in a week we have come back from 2 goals down, fingers crossed, maybe our away form is turning.

Great result, and well done to all

Excellent. I'm pretty sure we're staying up now so let's rest the whole team for the Colchester game and make sure we get to Wembley  tongue slightly in cheek

The rollercoaster continues,great result and the 2nd time in a week we've come back from 2 down.Well done lads and the 284 Town fans there

Fan-fucking-tastic. Great result.

Well played town, shame posh turned it around too

Why do we have to go a goal or two down before we convert chances,
Wonder what Cooper said at half time  :hmmm: obv had some effect.

His interview should be worth listening to

Hopefully this signals the end of our poor run. It sounds as though we've remembered we're actually quite good at this football malarky.

After the specific criticisms about lack of desire and grit, that's two massive comeback performances inside a week showing they've maybe got a bit more about them than we give them credit for.

Fantastic result.

Attack is the best form of defence for us thats for certain.

Great comeback. Great win.

Credit to Cooper for finally going for it away from home. May get picked off with this approach in some matches, but its better than going out with out so much as a whimper.

Great comeback (again) for the Town. Perhaps, just perhaps they are growing up. Imagine how good we will be when we don't give the opposition a 2-0 head start.

Marvellous.

Brilliant lads, well bloody done, good old week!

Don't expect it, but with that result we're still in with a shout of the play-offs if Peterborough and Walsall lose some games.

If nothing else, this week has shown that we're going to be a very interesting and dangerous squad next season. (Presuming we sort out our wobbly-ass central defence...)

Kirk - BBC Radio Wilts - "Why was Harley not playing, best midfielder in League 1". Bless, at least its sort of positive.

Poor old Kirk hasnt seen much of Harley has he

Better than looking like a set of posts

Yeah,I chuckled at that one!

We sent out a very attacking line up today....looked as if it might misfire, but it didn't, definitely the best policy.  An away winalways makes Saturday night's beer taste a bit sweeter  :pint:

Last two matches..bottle and character shown...its not all a fan wants but its a major part.
Grest win.

I heard that - cock

He's been boldly watching for ages.

Been on a 5 year mission in deep space hasn't he?

I'm trying to recall the last time we turned around a 2 goal deficit to win an away game...my mind goes back to a trip to the Manor, but surely we've done it since then?

Get the fuck in.

Listening on stfcplayer?

Excellent stuff!!

I did leap off the armchair when the third went in......although I did when Ranger skyed his chance.

Can't help thinking that if Chuckles had been a bit braver we would have more points on the board.

Even so.....mid table and the JPT (which my piss says we will win) is well good enough this year.

win at home, lose away.

occasionally lose at home, win away.

not promotion form either way, cracking result today though but not a chance we go up this year  :zipped:

The last one I can think of since the Pox game was the away game at Brum that ended 6-4 to us when we were 2-0 and then 4-1 down after 51 mins.

Good shout, that's a couple of years after the Scum game...any other suggestions? The manager that game for Brum..Terry Cooper

Surely the match against port vale was the last?! Rory fallon

think that was a draw

It was.  Gurney (I think) nearly won it in injury time.

Yeah, that was the game we were 3-0 down and drew 3-3.

Ah yes my bad, that was one of my first away games and felt like a win.

We weren't two down but for fantastic come backs, WBA in 94-95 take some beating. 2-1 down with 30 mins to go and we won 5-2. It tends to get forgotten, probably because we ended up going down at the end of the season. Amazing game though. I know cos I was there, as Max Boyce would say ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6AQktJy_K9Q

And that was live on TV too on Central TV.

Well humble pie I shall eat.  I should have stuck by my original comment.  Excellent fightback.

Clearly as well, I need to ensure I'm out in the car when we're away from home.  We scored both the second and third goals whilst I was driving to the Outlet Village and the same happened with the Colchester and Rotherham games.

Well, let's hope a lot of those who thought our remaining away games were on the easier side will now be proved correct.

I just want to see us back the style of football we were playing at the start of the season - win or lose

Remember being 2-1 down at the CG against Brizzle Rovers with 2 minutes to go - and winning 3-2

Might I suggest you drive to the outlet village every game, thank you :D

So where does this leave us now?

Nailed on for the play offs?
OR
Not a cat in hell's chance?

We've had both sets of reactions this season (made quite aggressively in some cases)  :hmmm:

Yeah, but it wasn't coming back to win from 2-0 down...or even 3-1 down or 4-2 down etc. away.  It's quite rare at home.

We did stuff Stockport a couple of consecutive seasons 5-2, 4-2 under Kingy...but don't recall us being 2 behind anytime.

I did say that Reg to be fair ::)

Wahaay!  Superb result.  Just finished this weekend's long run and I'm aching in places I've not ached for a long time.  Perfect news to get at the finish.

Conversely I was at the outlet when we went 2 0 down, home for the second half. I didn't really need our  comeback to know I should never go shopping. Ever.

Though I did pick up some timberland boots for 30 so it was almost worth it.

Out litter picking with the kids, got back in to find us 3-2 up. If this is any kind of lucky omen, our lane will be the tidiest in Wiltshire come the end of the season :)

Certainly put a stop to a drift into an end of season slump. which might have looked possible at half time. We must be about to lose Ranger, for a while or longer, which is a blow, but atm, we've quite a big squad what with players coming back from injury etc...that's 3 unbeaten on the road now.

I was painting the study,  the house will be like a show home come the end of the season  :)

Has Michael Gove been punishing you for being a very naughty boy?

Great come back again and must be a shoe in for team of the week award!!!

Fair play to that Mr D. That is a fine thing to do. Seriously, I'm not taking the piss. Selfish, self centered, low life scum chucking all manner of crap out of their car windows is an absolute bug bear of mine. It would be a capital offence if I had my way :nod:

Yep, I guess that statement went down the pan.  Not that I am upset about it..

Ha ha, I did suggest we should all wear hi-vis vests with the words "Volunteers, Not Doing Community Service" on them to avoid any confusion among passers by :)

I'm pretty sure that Oxford game has to be the last time it happened Reg. 2-0 after about 6 mins iirc and I think Mark Stein was one on one vs Digby after 8 mins but Fraser, as so often was the case, did the business and kept him out. From that point on we went from strength to strength.

Sheffield Wednesday on a Tuesday night. Was that the last time we won from 2 down? Roberts had a stormer.
Great result today, and unbeaten away on 3. We aren't out of the play off push, as much as it annoys me.

Apart from the fact as Venkman has pointed out the Brum game was more recent...

Yeah but the question is last time in an away game.

Sweet beer.  :puke:

And there was me about to make some half arsed joke about the Davis kids praying at the weekend for it to be Monday again.  Your response was far more responsible!

I'm going to have to go for a run each time we play away now.  I did actually keep telling myself we would lose if I didn't make the distance...so clearly I played a part in getting the result.

I think we will finish roughly where we are with a trip to Wembley.  A succesful season. Just think we will be shy of the play offs.  Having said that I do think we will have a strong end to the season, our team is suited to warmer weather and dryer pitches, but I think we will drift down the league before pushing up again towards the end.

It was the kids made me do it! They were well up for it - they love playing with those grabby litter picker-up things and a good excuse to crawl round in hedges and ditches.

That's a really interesting point.  Very curious now to see whether the fluid, passing game from earlier in the season re-emerges as the weather improves.

Think you're probably right on all counts although I'd really very much prefer the Wembley trip to be for the play-offs than the JPT. I appreciate this is in the no-brainer category, but because I really can't be arsed with the Football League Trophy, so win lose or draw will regard it as a waste of money that I'll none the less feel obliged to attend whereas I do actually care whether we get promoted (obviously)

I'll get my coat  :-[

We should never have been 2-0 down, Vale offered little other than the two chances they were gifted by us. Pritchard and Smith should've done better with their chances in the first half but we were far the better team.

Second half was all town. Early goal set us off which wasn't necessarily defended too well by Vale; a quality Pritchard free-kick followed by a good bit of play and great desire from Byrne got us a deserved winner. We could and should have won by more today - overheard a number of vale fans say as much and they repeated it on local radio.

Other than the CB's for the two goals - Ward for the first and Troy for the second - the team had good performances all over the pitch. Luongo looked much like his early season self, Pritchard looked a threat and Ranger looked up for it. Thought the Thompson's both played well too as did Byrne.

New lad Murphy seemed to do well, dangerous on the ball and hit a good strike late on. Not easy on debut, away from home, in those conditions and only a goal up to settle in but did so.

Highlight for the day, Adams, sounding massively pissed off singling out "ulongo" on Radio Stoke as our star player today.

I have bad news. You have wombles for children.

Agreed 100%.  A long time ago I was at a crossing on foot and the lights changed.  The driver of the first car that stopped threw a McDonald's bag out of the window, near enough at my feet.  I picked it up, walked halfway across the road and threw it back in his window.  Stupid thing to do really, but it makes me so angry.  Luckily for me (I am in no way an aggressive man - I would not do well in any sort of fisticuffs...) he was too shocked to do anything.

Cracking result today. 

Anybody catch the after match interview?  What was said?

Good work  8)

here it be...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25994416

I like Mark Cooper.

Just got back from the Potteries to my slum dwelling, cracking result in atrocious conditions. Key difference in the first half was that Vale seized on their opportunities (few and far between), we didn't capitalise on our possession and take our chances. With the wind on our backs, first 25 mins of the 2nd half was one way traffic and Vale hardly got out of their half. Last 20 mins, we sat deeper, always a bit nervous watching us doing that, however Vale didn't really offer any threat other than a couple of half chances and, to be fair, we did a good job of closing out the game. Could have had more than 3, we hit the woodwork twice and created lots of other opportunities. Lots of fight shown, tracking back and harrying as well. We really had a go today, were the better footballing side and fantastic that it came off for once.

Not had time to read through, will do later.

We were the better team throughout. Going in 2-0 down was a travesty - Vale had nothing. We were passing well in dreadful conditions, finding space, making good runs and creating chances. Sadly we didn't take them, and we gift wrapped two goals at the other end.

Second half justice was done. Great move for the first. Unbelievable strike for the second - I was convinced it was too far out. The third was a mess, but they all count and it did follow us hitting the woodwork twice. Vale's only other chance of note was a sitter at 2-2 - a free header from about 6 yards out.

Ranger and Smith held the ball up very well. Luongo and Thompson made great runs from the centre. Pritchard was involved in pretty much everything, occasionally wasteful, occasionally unstoppable. Also impressed with N Thompson and Byrne today.

How did DNG play today? Thought he worked really hard once we were down to 10 at Peterborough. He's been included again today, I wonder if we'll still send him out on loan?

Just to confirm after a quick bit of research, this is indeed the first time we've come back from 2 goals down away in a league game, to win, since doing so at Brum in 93 against Terry Cooper's side.

That's a fascinating stat.  I wonder how many times it happens across all 4 divisions, on average, during the course of a season.  Are we that unusual in that we have gone so long since repeating the feat?

Firstly, it's relatively rare to score 3 or more goals away from home, even when you've a strong away form...also if you've strong away form, you tend not to go 2-0 down, so don't tend to need to make that comeback. So I'd hazard a guess it's relatively rare for most sides...might well be wrong in that, and don't think I want to do much research into it.

 :suicide:I take great satisfaction in saying that I went to both games. The Oxford one was great, as is any win against that lot, but the Brum game was the best I've ever seen from a Swindon team.....and all the more satisfying for me because I was living in Rugby at the time and it was always a pleasure to put one over a Midlands team.

What am I saying.......actually, it was, and always will be, better to stage a great comeback to humiliate the Oxford knuckle draggers......

The Brum knuckle draggers, were much scarier than the Oxford ones after those respective games.

I remember Brum fans were fighting with each other in the stands. I don't think we encountered any trouble after the game.

Not to me as I sped down the A38 giving it the wanker gesture to the Brum fans at the bus stops.......ironic as I think a certain Terry Cooper was manager of Brum that day.

TheWashbag.com had us down as going onto win at home, when one up at half-time at 90% http://thewashbag.com/2014/01/22/how-important-is-the-half-time-result-to-mark-cooper/

I did see some Premier League stats for this which were similar, if not quite the same...
@giggs_boson: Scoring the first goal of the game at home gives the team a 71% chance of winning the game (Premier League, 2012).
@giggs_boson: Scoring the first goal of the game at home gives the team a 71% chance of winning the game (Premier League, 2012).

So any sort of comeback at all (to draw let alone to win) seems unusual.

I remember Brum fans being up on some high wall we had to walk past and spitting at us.  That was about it.

Great result today.Really think we will kick on next season.The midfield trio of Thompson Luango and kassim will be here and will become experienced campaigners add to the mix Smith ,N Thompson, Riess ,maybe Fods and maybe Ranger(we got the option of further year). Take benson,cox Navarro,Troy off the wage bill try and ditch Harley ,add a couple of  C/B and a left back and winger we may well be be up there.

Except the brick going through a window of  a silverknight bus, also remember BCFC being scratched into the side of a town fan's car.

I was going to mention the brick but I thought it was at West Brom.

Does that mean Invisible?

No it means someone answer my question pwease.

Probably had power on conference call....

Going where no hand has set foot.

Me too.

On the basis you sound desperate Benzel. :-) He was ok IMO. Not as influential as Weds and the obvious option for Murphy when Cooper wanted to make a change. Got a decent reception from the travelling support when he was subbed. Unless he's on stupid money then I think it would be madness not to keep Danny, at least till the end of the season.

Many thanks.

No worries mate. Had to break away from inane West Ham fans banter on the train home to post that too. They still seem to like Paolo, not as manager though surprisingly.

Seen the goals on SSN. Pritchard's free kick was immense - a lot farther out than he previous ones.

I was in Sherborne in the Autumn and was following a couple of young lads in the car park behind the Main Street when one of them threw a sandwich pack onto the ground. Made my fucking blood boil and although I don 't live anywhere near Sherborne I told him in words of one sylable to pick it up and put it in the bin. Nasty Tory boy that I am. Doing some council employee whalla out of a job.

I still like Paolo in some respects, he was a dick but we had a good time.

Pretty much sums up my thoughts too.

And brought the crowds and good feeling back to the cg...

Quality away day..... travesty we were two nil down at half time with loads of corners + 3 / 4 chances we should have taken, but we looked suspect to the counter attack especially Ward who had a hand in both their goals. Second half we blitzed them, joy to watch ..... Smith very unlucky not to score with his shot outside the area hitting the outside of the post + Ranger blazing over when a vale defensive error but him clean through. Today we had a strong bench for the first time in the while and Murphy looked very useful / not overawed by his debut or the conditions. Bring on Colchester + Posh in JPT at the County Ground.

Silverknight coaches,thats a blast from the past.What became of them?
Was on a Rimes coach that got bricked at West  Ham in the mid 70s.
Totally irrelevant but i thought i would mention it.

I know a calne lad who's xr2 had the bcfc scratched into it. If it was my car I would have flipped  :nod: the brummies teeth would have been scratched on my knuckles  :D

This. I was thinking the other day how much more I enjoyed ths PDC era compared to now. Shame he eas a dick and nearly screwed the club up good and proper.

Great header from Nile, Smith almost scored a screamer. Pritchard, wow. Byrne showing more of that determination.

My first bricking was at Mansfield in 68...long way home with no rear window late November. Typical norvern scum.

My first was in a Chandlers coach from Wantage after the away game with Derby in the league cup winning season 68/69

Don't know, the guy that owned it, Barry Williams, was an ex copper who used to worked in Malmesbury - one of the funniest guys I ever had the pleasure to work with and who, when you dig deep into root causes was the unwitting cause of the Stonehenge 'battle of the beanfield'...

Hendon Away in FA cup with a david Moss Penalty, then Tranmere away under Macari when we won 2-0. Can't remember who scored.

Ha ha. Famous last words

Would that be the one? Goal scorers Andy Rowland and Gary Nelson

http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/MatchCentre.asp?MatchID=19850104

I think Barry and his company Silver Knight went under, several of his former drivers went on to work for Ellisons at Ashton Keynes.  Annie who also worked for him and ran SAS went on to work for a firm in Witney I believe, think she is now vice-chairman (or something like that) of the Supporters Club.

Great cross from Pritch for Nile's header too. Looked like the 'sitter' Nile missed took a Wembley bobble.

That's two games in a row we've looked out of it and come back.

Brilliant goals, Smith and Ranger were unlucky not to add to them. With Smith in the squad and 2 up top, Nile Ranger is free to not just be the only man to lay stuff off but to actually go at goal and score, because Smith's hold up and passing play is as good if not better than Ranger's. Louis Thompson was unlucky not to get one as well, looked like he deserved it. Great display of attacking football all round.

Did look like it was Ward's fault for both Vale goals though- first one he got tied in knots, the second he should have hoofed the ball clear instead of weakly miss-hitting it. I suppose he was playing semi-left back, and the pitch was awful though, so I'll forgive him for the second.

And this is with no Kasim in the team...

When's Ranger's trial date BTW?

Last I heard it was Jan 20 which has obviously passed.

Has it been dropped

About 2 weeks time.

Postponed till the end of Feburary I thought? If it gets postponed again I think we can safely presume the prosecution has had trouble finding evidence.

Just wondered if this is what has helped his apparent improvement in turning up and also his general play

He's a great asset

Thorney was fucking brilliant-very underrated player in our history,methinks

Always loved Thorne. Was a very good striker, went on to score quite a few for Stoke and Cardiff.

That's some serious straw-clutching going on there. Cases get postponed repeatedly all the time, for all sorts of reasons, because the laywers have clashes of dates, the judge's cat was ill etc etc

Not so much for serious cases, though

Highlights up for those who haven't seen them. Pritchard looked almost unplayable from this. I see he hasn't been cured of his gobby streak though - Vale fans were fuming about his taunting. Needs to grow up a bit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TpLgTqYRcU (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TpLgTqYRcU)

I'm sure they gave as good as they got.

Wasn't it Troy heading it into someone for the 2nd?

Wardy looked all at sea....

I see one tweeted him telling to die

That's the first time I have seen the goals, Ward definitely at fault for the first, although I think Troy should have come to meet the cross - at least put their guy off.  The second looks like another defensive fuck-up, he looks offside from that but impossible to say categorically.  ?Good work for our goals, what a free-kick!!

Jesus, Ward looks slow and cumbersome (well, even more-so than when I last went to a game back in October)

Yeah Ward got done for the first one, but as above somebody should have tracked the scorer too.

Not sure why Ward got the blame for the second, unless something happened before the highlights show. Looked a bit of unlucky one the second rather than poor defending.

Not much to add about our goals, cracking shot that hit the post from Smith too.

Mansfield northern! Midlands surely.

I suppose Nottinghamshire is midlands...but I always think you start to get a transition to a more norvern feel, roughly on a line across from Crewe through Leek and Alfreton over to Newark.

Reg, Stow-on-the-Wold is up north for some people!!

Much of the problem for the first one was Byrne's shitty, largely unchallenged header which put their winger in. Do anything other than flick it on, and it is dealt with. God, knows where the runner came from - too hard to tell on the highlights.

I lived on the south coast for some years...everything was to the north, apart from water and the Isle of Wight.