Thetownend.com

Well its getting closer to the 1st match of the season after a long Summer.

We will be backed by over 2,000 travelling fans to this our closest away game of the season against last seasons long term leaders and play off final failures Walsall.

Some big decisions by Ollie on the line up, which formation and who plays where.

Personally I thought we didnt play enough pre season games but Ollie knows the job way more than any of us do.

We only had  5 official games and won 4 and lost 1 scoring 17 goals and conceding 5.
Walsall played 6 official games and won 4, drew 1 and lost 1 scoring 14 goals and conceding 3 albeit with 2 games against Villa and Derby in there.

In our last 6 visits to the Bescot we have won 3, drew 1 and lost 2 times.

In all games vs Walsall over the years we have won 51 times drawn 30 and lost 38 times, scoring 163 goals and conceding 161 goals. So pretty even.

I still expect both teams to add to their squad this week so it could be difficult to even fully judge yet.

Think it will most likely be a dour affair with both teams not firing effectively and making lots of mistakes. Wouldn't be surprised with a 0-0 or conversely a whalloping of one team by the other if one of them gets things right!

Thats the joy of opening day games.

Look at Colchester vs Norwich in 2009 when favourites Norwich got battered 7-1 and still went on to walk the win the league at a canter.

In 1985 under Macari we got 3 wins in the first 11 league and cup games and also won the league with record points.

I hope we get off to a great start but I wont be slashing my wrists if we dont manage a win or even a draw.

Walsall add to their squad today with Australian midfielder Jake Hollman from MacArthur FC who play in the Australian A-League.

Australian international, no less  -  I'm sure he will enjoy the acclaimed sunshine of the West Midlands.

All the sun sea and surf of Bilston, they sold him the dream.

Bilston hasn't been the same since the blast furnace was demolished.

Norwich did sack their manager after that first game, to be fair. And appointed Colchester's.

I found out this year my Grandfather was from Bilston, maybe I should have Wolves as a second ream  :hmmm:

Just in case anyone’s not aware. The A417 will be shut between Cirencester (Burford Rd Jct) and The Air Balloon this weekend (and again on the weekend of the Crewe game).

https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/gloucester-news/a417-closures-over-three-summer-10368576

Stroud way instead.

Game is live on Sky+

No place to put this but Barnet play Newport tonight in the 1st round of the Carabao cup, bit of a weird one, especially as most 1st round games are not for another 2 weeks.

It's a preliminary round game.

When do the Walsall tickets usually land on the doormat?

I've clearly missed something. When the hell was a preliminary round added? and why? It's 2 league sides playing so this isn't some sort of FA cup rule with non-league teams.

What is the Carabao Cup Preliminary Round?

“The format of the Carabao Cup has been amended to introduce a four-team preliminary qualifying round, to reduce the number of Clubs in Round One and Round Two in order to accommodate all Premier League European Clubs in Round Three.

The Preliminary Round consists of the two promoted Clubs from the National League (Barnet and Oldham Athletic) and the Clubs finishing in 21st and 22nd place in League Two (Accrington Stanley and Newport County). The ties are regionalised North and South as per Round One, with Accrington playing Oldham and Barnet playing Newport County.

A Preliminary Round was last required in the EFL Cup for the 2011/12 season due to holders Birmingham City's participation in the Europa League whilst in the Championship, and Fulham's qualification through the Fair Play league.”

The schedule for the Preliminary Round and Round One of the Carabao Cup has been confirmed, with all 37 ties set to air live on Sky Sports+ or Sky Sports Football.

As announced in June, this season’s Carabao Cup requires a Preliminary Round ahead of Round One due to nine Premier League teams being involved in European competition in 2025/26. More information is available here.

In the Preliminary Round, Barnet will host Newport County (Tuesday 29 July, 19:30), whilst Oldham Athletic face a trip to Accrington Stanley (Tuesday 5 August, 19:45).

The date and kick-off time for the two Round One ties involving the winners of the Preliminary Round will be confirmed following those fixtures.

All Round One ties will take place from Tuesday, 12 August and Wednesday, 13 August. The full schedule can be found below.

Well mine just arrived today, having ordered them on the 15th even though the envelope showed they were posted 1st class on the 18th - 11 days ago - along with my Cardiff tickets. I had phoned the club earlier today and they were going to arrange for duplicates to be printed by Walsall for collection on the day from the away ticket office as they were assumed lost in the post due to the delay. Thankfully the original tickets arrived about 2 hours after the call was made. Laura at the club was particularly helpful on the phone sorting things out.

I also spoke to Laura, mine were still in the club shop after being bought on the 15th. Don't live anywhere near local so looking likely that I'll have to collect them from Walsall

Laura is brilliant, never let me down.

What a crock of shit. Typical of modern football.

Ordered my tickets on line last Saturday. Got confirmation email. Phoned ticket office number - Open from 10am-4pm - closed when I called at 11am.

Phoned reception - no answer. Got no idea if my tickets are ‘in the post’ or what.

If they physically don’t arrive where do I get them - if at all.

Don’t the supporters coach automatically take any uncollected tickets and you pick them up at that ground.

Yes collect from away ticket office at Walsall if you don't get them. My issue was if Ii didn't receive them and they're lost in the psit what happens if I went to Walsall and there was no tickets held for me.
Keep chasing, it took me over 30 minutes waiting when I was 1st in the queue.

It's more because this year has an unprecedent amount of Premier League clubs playing in Europe. Clubs qualifying for Europe always enter at round 3, so fair that they have to re-arrange schedule to make that work

Anyone any ideas what pubs are allocated for away fans this Saturday?

Looks like away parking at the stadium has sold out, anyone parked in the yellow carpark there before, or any advice on where else to park? £120 for me and two kids on the train isn't really a go-er... Ta!

Don’t think there is any, Brum centre is where most will go for a drink pre match

I’ve parked on nearby side streets before and was fine. There was also a (ropey but acceptable) hotel next to the ground that everyone piled into before the game when we had >50% of the crowd!

From the “Fans Guide…..”

Where is the best place to park for the Walsall game?

There is a good-sized car park located on the ground behind the away stand. It costs £4 for cars and £6 for minibuses. The entrance to this car park is off Bescot Crescent next to the Park Inn Hotel and is signposted as ‘Blue Zone’.

The car park, which is for visiting supporters only (there are two other car parks available at the ground for home fans), normally lends itself to a quick getaway after the match. More or less opposite the away end is Bescot Railway Station, which also offers pay and display car parking for £2. Alternatively, there is some street parking to be had off Wallowes Lane.

If the 2 alternatives mentioned are no good, it’s probably best to look for something further away in Walsall centre.

If you get there early the train station pay and display is ideal.

If you are time pushed see if they've got any more space at Morrisons Car Park - Wallows Lane. You need JustPark app or similar. It is a 15 minute walk if your kids are up to it. Think it was about £2.50

edit: bugger, looks sold out too

Looks like we’ll have to go early to park up. Leave at 10am.

https://upthesaddlers.com/t/swindon-town-h-sat-2nd-aug-3-00pm-league-two/13014

Just booked a parking space on someone’s drive - £6 midday-6pm. 20 minute walk.

What app is that Audrey please?

Just Park

I've used that, great idea...

Not many available, mind. Everywhere looks booked.

Just how many are we taking for Gods sake!

According to that web site we lost 5-0 at Swansea in pre season! wonderful imaginary results.  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

That was 2 years ago twats.

My god that was a difficult read.
More ads than actual content.

150 tickets still available

How many in total did they send us?

I heard we have sold over 2k but I havent seen an actual figure of tickets sold.

Think the 150 left is part of the 3rd tranche of tickets.

1650 1st
500 2nd
No idea what the 3rd lot was

Guessing total of c2500

Heard 2112 sold with only a few left in the side stand.
Don't know the source so can't confirm.
Still over 2000 away on the opening day is quality.
If you read all that saddlers page they think the crowd will be a massive 6k with our 2000+.
I would love a team to come to town and bring 2000.

Still a great turnout by Town fans.

Official club twitter just posted -

Just 2 hours left to grab your tickets for tomorrow’s trip to Walsall ❤️

An amazing 2,112 supporters are already hitting the road with us for the opening fixture — make sure you’re part of it:

It makes you appreciate the TEF Forum with no ads.

Largest Walsall crowd in 21 years according to twitter.

Not sure about that, the last game of the season at Walsall under Garner there was 9,089 there including 3,590 Town fans.

Cant see it being near 9k.

Maybe it was the highest opening day of the season crowd for them in 21 year?

21 years was 11,049 Walsall vs Rotherham 2004

But that means they are expecting (at least) more than 9,089? as that was the attendance vs us only 3 years ago.

Their forum suggest its likely to be just over 6k which is not even close to the 9,200 they had last season vs Wimbledon.

Walsall sign 22 year old midfielder Lewis Warrington from Orient.

Surely they must get more than 4,000 home fans expected - they’re not that tinpot. And they were so close to oromotion last year. I reckon 8-8500

Happy New Season Fellas! 

A new season brings new hope!   

For me, I hope the club continues to improve like they seemed to overall with the new coach last season

I hope for a new owner with the resources and drive to compete and build a club that doesn’t have huge ups and downs and can eventually move up.

I hope my shitty teaching life doesn’t stop me from being able to watch the matches regularly this season.  Last season my work was non-stop so missed a lot

And finally I hope Venkman re-grows a gorgeous head of hair….well not all hopes are possible!  😂😂😂

Let us hope for a positive fun season from the club and the supporters!

Don't know why but quite confident. Not sure if it is due to the optimism in the squad this year or thinking Walsall may have a playoff hangover and fanbase opinion on their manager.

Get an early goal and their fans may turn straight away.

3-0 win (Smith scoring first)

Away fans: 2,115

Hes back!! :)

Good to see you post, hope your enthusiasm is matched on the pitch tomorrow.  I think it will be.

More confident than this time last year.

Not sure we are the shoe in for the playoffs most do, but certainly a possibility. Hell I wouldn't rule out autos, but I also wouldn't rule out 12th.

At least we are going into a season where I feel we are giving it a proper go this time
.

Lets at least hope for a strong start and get the monkey off our back asap.

Past seasons i have felt the buzz sucked out of me...the shit way the club was being run ref shop and grub....Blue Coat attitude at games a disgrace. The events on the pitch thankfully turned around.

Threw in my season ticket this season and will go match to match (attending the majority of home games of course), if it wasnt for the lads and the pub, i would miss more for sure.

Holidays mean i will be back for the Barnet clash.

Feeling confident. Also feel like it’s not going to be a disaster if we get beat.

Going to go for a 2-1 win, Tarbor and Smith.

Moonraker Team Prediction is:

            Ripley
  Wright Clarke TWB
Snowdon            Munroe
      Oldaker Kilkenny
  Nichols Smith Drinan

Which looks hard working but not especially skilful. Perhaps sensible for the first day of the season.

Got 45 games to put it right! (If my maths hasnt let me down)

Dramatic 3-2 victory, after a poor start and going 2 down before HT. Tabor to score the winner.

Despite all the positivity around the team at the moment I'm going with a typical not particularly good first game 1-1. Smith with an early tap-in

1-1 draw

Does anyone know what the vibe within the Walsall fanbase is? Have they had a good transfer window or not?

Think they’re ready to get on the manager’s back - 1 win in 21 at the back end of last season.

Get a goal up and they’ll be turning.

How many tickets have we sold, any idea?

Over 2k according to the club's twitter.

Super Saddler Seb who does the vlogs (and admittedly I’ve only watched them when he’s vlogging games against us) did a video about his L2 predictions for the season & has Walsall in 13th.

How representative of the entire fanbase that is - I don’t know…

We all know the script though don’t we.

Walsall produced arguably the biggest promotion bottle job of all time. Manages to just hang onto a play off spot. Got to the final - just to bottle it again. 1 win in the last 21 (I think) & a manager who is probably on borrowed time already. Fans not particularly confident.

Swindon on promotion winning from from January - April. Finished the season well, kept the manager, kept the majority of the squad. Raised expectations.

….3-0 Walsall win incoming.

I know every club has their morons on twitter but theirs really do seem next level thick.

Genuinely think I see their fanbase trying to “rattle” or get “nibbles” from us more than any other fanbase including Scum, Rovers etc. No one is interested in them, biggest bottles of all time in L2. Won’t go on Twitter for a few days if we lose as they will be everywhere trying to wind us up - childish bunch of fans.

Fuckers have cancelled parking spaces twice now. Still available but pricing going up.

Bollocks to them. I’ll find a housing estate and park on the road.

That’s what you call taking the piss because demand is high.

That's pathetic. They shouldn't be allowed to do that

I have this horrible feeling they know they can’t win, so will niggle Smith all day and he gets sent off. We hold on for a 1-1. He stays on the pitch we win 2-0

.https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aOs1pw5QmBo

.https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ5GK2DmRug

You know the address drop a bag of dog shit on the drive

There’s a retail park nearby. Anyone know if long term parking is on a first come first served basis?

My mate has booked parking at the Morrison’s which is about 10 mins away

Pre match can you help me, occupy my brain? Oh yeah, in The Briar Rose.
RIP Ozzy.
Hope that the streets of the Black Country will be similarly lined as and when Noddy Holder kicks the bucket but not for a while yet.

Anyway, a long slow summer draws to a close and the quest for a minimum 73 points is about to begin.
Makes a change to join the match day thread on page 6 & not 1 or 2.

Wouldn't normally set much store by the result or the performance in the first game.
Think that it does have importance this time though, given 2k plus away fans in attendance and a testing looking set of fixtures in August.
So a decent start could be quite important this time, just to maintain & heighten the interest particularly if the team looks like it might mean business for a change going into September.

Looks like a much of a muchness league this season but it should be very competitive.
Consistency of fitness, organisation and getting the basics right will prevail.

There were some genuinely thrilling moments in the latter part of last season.
Just more of the same please & keep some clean sheets.

Didn't learn much new over the summer apart from a collective of ladybirds is called a loveliness and that was while watching test match cricket on the box.
Only in England.

Might be stretching it to describe a Swindon away following as a loveliness.
Lovely to be part of at times, for sure.
A fragile optimism of Swindon fans might be appropriate going into the first game?

Still, it will be good to get back into it and see some familiar and not so familiar faces today.

The moaners, the groaners.
The thinkers, the drinkers.
The Morfuni martyrs and the smelly beer farters.
The goggle jacket scrappers and the stay behind clappers.
The obsessive latchers and the 40 winks snatchers.
The half time pie munchers and the stats number crunchers.
The sly vape inhalers and the just one line cravers.
The chanters & singers and the nervous hand wringers.
One common source of glee and that's our STFC.

Sorry.
Time for another beer.
Have a feeling that it might be an enjoyable ride on the 2025-26 rollercoaster.

Most of the standard parking has been booked and is full.

Setting off now, hope to get a space before hordes descend.

One of your best Wobbly Bob...great start to the season which is hopefully reflected on the pitch :clap:

Poetry in motion…excellent read keep on wobbling Bob  :pint:

There's a station called Tame Bridge Parkway that has trains every half hour to the Bescott that has a car park apparently, 2 minute journey.  No idea if that fills up on match days though.

Only concern for me is Walsall were a wingback setup team last season with some decent wingbacks if memory serves.

Hope there’s a plan for that if it continues as our wingbacks will likely be a young pairing of Munroe and Snowden so they’ll need adequate defensive cover from the CB’s/midfield.

I prefer to have them worry about us :)

I always get concerned for the 1st game of the season and am never overly confident as you wonder if the players have blended into a team over the Summer, the same applies to the opposition who must be pretty confident after a solid pre season playing against far better opposition than we did.

But there is always the unkown element, 1 player starts the season like he has a flaming piece of loo paper tied to his arse all game, a regularly reliable player makes a bad error or gets sent off costing us the game.

But of course this applies to both teams.

At this stage I would love a win, which we are more than capable of but would be happy with a draw.

1st games of the season often flag up very wierd results as I mentioned before about the likes of Colchester 7-1 Norwich and us losing 5-0 at Gills and making the play offs etc.

As Tom says we need to give them more to worry about than we need to worry about them.

They lost Liam Gordon (left wing back) to Port Vale who played basically every game last season, albeit I thought he was shit. Replaced with Vincent Harper who played 50+ games in League One for Exeter City across the last 2 seasons.

Avoid M5 north. Crash near Frankley services.

Apparently according to the Walsall local media it seems thier line up is likely to be:

Roberts; Barrett, Flint, Hancock, Harper; Comley, Lakin, Jellis; Hollman; Matt, Gordon

If this is the line up....

Roberts in goal will be making his EFL debut with just 19 games at league level with Partick previously.

Flint will be making his Walsall debut after signing from Mansfield.

Hancock will be making his debut in defence after signing from Airdrie.

Harper will be making his debut after signing from Exeter.

Hollman will be making his debut after signing from Macarthur FC.

Barrett is starting just his 2nd season in league football.

Gordon is entering his 2nd season at Walsall.

Lakin is in his 2nd season at Walsall.

Jellis is starting his 3rd season at Walsall.

Comley is in his 3rd season at Walsall.

Matt is starting his 4th season with Walsall.

Thats likely 6 players making their debut for them today, hopefully they havent melded together (especially in defence) yet.

Start of a new season,feeling very optimistic  a 4 nil win today will be a very nice start to the campaign, 15 points clear by christmas and the bookies paying my bet out early will do very nice thanks.championship in 2 years. Its time to be positive  and dream, COYR

That's the NowTV subscription sorted, excited for the season ahead.

I really like Charlie Lakin. I thought he would have been a perfect signing for us last season.

Is this one on Sky today?

Think so, no Prem games so think 3pm doesn't apply?

Team news - 75 mins before KO this season.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GxWMZvlW4AAcxO3?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)

Decent line up pretty much as expected and a strong bench.

Wish we’d do the graphics in a formation rather than a numerical order grid.

The words ‘strong’ and ‘bench’ were not often applied in rapid succession to Swindon squads last year (as far as I recall).

On the train, load of dickhead Swindon fans chanting about Tommy Robinson.  How has it come to this?

It seems to be pretty endemic now all accross football sadly.

Almost made me regret travelling from France to be here tbh.

TBH it looks one of the strongest benches we have had since Clem arrived. A good mix of youth and experience.

So Munroe, Wilson-Brown and Snowdon all making their football league debuts today and Oldaker making his Swindon debut.

Absolutely. There’s quality all the way through it. Very refreshing to see.

No Bodin in squad then, maybe not up to fitness level's yet.

Saw somewhere him and McGregor are fitness doubts. No point risking him when we have such good attacking options anyway.

In the presser Ollie said it was unlikely Bodin would play due to an injury.

This.

Also the heads are appearing next to the player aboves numbers. Bit of a mess that.

Disagree, the sentence "that isn't a strong bench at all" has been used many times, not only last season but for long time  :D

Its a really scrappy looking format this season.

Smith is a doubt

Harry Smith may not be starting.

Be a major blow if he is not fit enough to play.

Will mean pushing Drinan to CF and play Glatzel IMO.

True, but would throw out Walsall's game plan.

There is that.

He just took part in the final sprint

Hawes suggesting he didnt look happy doing them, could maybe start and see how it progresses. Not sure I would risk him though if theres any doubts.

Hmm, obviously wasn't paying any attention to him before seeing the news on here so can't really add much more unfortunately

Hawes suggesting he may start but maybe suffering from a hip injury he picked up at Eastleigh.

Smith is starting.

Here we go for the new season.

Got Walsall comms. Can tell they're going to annoy me already.

Alroyt skip!

Pretty scrappy start but lively, no quality yet.

Town win a free kick near the corner flag, good position, for a foul on Munroe.

Nice FK from Wright but the keeper just flaps the ball away.

Not much quality on display here yet!

W-B with a  good towering header cleared.

0-1 their first attack.

Garbage so far.

Decent FK but Ripley not close to it.

Damn that was a beauty

Except for that free kick! 😮

Initially thought ripley should’ve done better but on the replay it’s a hell of a free kick. Fair play

Well, the optimism lasted 7 minutes at least…

No need to give that FK away. Quality finish though

Currently sat bottom of the football league.

It's well placed but a two man wall there is a bit weird. We've set up for a cross but it really wasn't that far out.

2 man wall?

Ripley looks like he was taken completely by surprise running across goal. Probably could do with positioning himself a step or two to the end of the goal the shot was coming from

Our whole set up there looks like we assumed there'd be a cross.

Probably being wise after the event, but I did think the wall set up looked a little odd given how close it was.

Wonder who the applause was for at 11 mins?

I think Ripley and the defence set up for a cross and he surprised everyone by having a shot that went in, it was a good finish for sure but I feel we should have prepared for the shot as well as the cross.

An 11 year old Walsall fan who died of Leukemia over the summer.

A young Walsall fan who was 11 who died of cancer recently. It was on the 11th minute.

Nearly 2-0!

My word that would’ve been a gift

Superb free kick to score from but its been a poor start overall.

Come on.

Thank you (and to PV)

Horrible disease! 😢

Poor quality so far from both sides, we are creating nothing really of note yet.

But its early.

We've not really settled at all.

We don’t seem to have a formation. Everyone getting in each other’s way

Red card!

Red for the Walsall defender.

Seems the trend of teams going down to ten men against us has continued to this season

A gift.

Get in!!

That will make some space!

Thought the ref had bottled that but he was just waiting to see how it played out if any advantage.

Very good refereeing that.

Considering how many of these players were here at the end of last season playing this system, we look so absent

Poor FK by Wright.

Walsall taking off a striker and adding an extra midfielder.

Yeah you'd expect them to hit the ground running better than this. They look like an opening day team figuring themselves out still.

Gonna be 70 minutes of 9 men behind the ball & is passing sideways frustratingly

Good header by Smith but the keeper makes a meal of the save and it ends up an easy save.

We're already set up attacking. I wonder how extra we'll go.

3 football league debuts is bound to have an impact

So who said Smith was injured??

I thought we were fairly good at breaking down ten men under Holloway last season. Yes, new players but a lot of the same from last season too. Our strength against ten men last season was something I haven’t seen from past Swindon sides in a while

For me we are still missing that creative midfield chance taker/creator who can make things happen rather than just finding another Town player with an easy pass.

Some industrial language coming from the bench. Not sure which one though.

…that and a legit pacey winger / wide forward.

Hes nowhere near as mobile at the moment as he usually is, Drinan seems to be covering him.

Yes, lots of ‘workmanlike’ performers

Tabor has some pace and can beat his man, it could be a great chance for him/Ameen.

Someone else died?

I would have "bet on" Jellis winning that ;)

Neither Drinan or Snowdon have gone past their man so far today.

How else did Drinan win the pen?

Don’t think Drinan has found a pass either

Pressley goes to deck very easily, no need to put him into that position.

Bescot is a library

Not much quality up top so far. Aimless crosses into the box.

F*cking hell we are absolute dog turd. Kangaroo shagger has f*cked this club.

I meant down the right side, Drinan has looked better in the middle. And it was a free kick not a pen ;)

Pen?

Everything we're doing is so predictable, sideways, sideways, out wide, aimless cross, cleared, repeat.

Need more pace on the wing, Drinan and Snowdon too slow on the right

What pen? Did I miss something?

Totally aimless crossing by us and aimless passing, cut inside and try a shot from distance and hope for a rebound if its saved.

This was the fear when they went a man down.

Get Ameen on for a bit of pace. If Smith isn't up for it replace him with Tabor as well. Pointless him being on if not fit.

Yea, not the greatest start this. Thankfully have options to change to as currently isn’t working.

Not just up top!

Reminds me of Gills away under Lindsey when we were playing against 10 men almos tall the game and all we did was the same strategy as this.

I am sure Holloway wont be pleased with what hes seen so far.

You have to hit the target there Drinan.

Kilkenny off for Ameen.

OK thats wierd.

Good cross from Snowden and close by Drinan

Ameen for Kilkenny!

You know what I mean! He almost scored then.

Ameen on.

Good change by Holloway

I would have taken off Oldaker who has done nothing so far today rather than Kilkenny.

That tactical foul by Walsall is looking like a good one right now even though the guy got sent off.

Agreed. Kilkenny keeps us ticking over, not a player I’d be taking off

Clarke shot high and wide from 15 yards, one of our better moves.

Has Drinan even beaten his man yet? He’s looking poor so far

Walsall are dressed as AC Milan from the late 80’s, we’ve obliged in making them look like them…

Ok - might be a bit hyperbolic but I want Jake f’n Tabor in that penalty box…

Push Ameen into the middle and let Flint try and cope with his speed and control, he will win a penalty easily.

He'd have buried that header I think but then probably so would have have a not 100% Smith.

I agree, this is exactly the type of game he can create issues in the box, personally I would put him on for the 2nd half for Drinan.

3 mins added.

Not very creative around their box with a man up...
would like to see have a little 1v1 ability and then take a shot and look for rebounds

Not writing off Oldaker already because thats stupid but he is very Ray Wilkins type of a sideways passing midfielder. In a game like this we need more risk taking with passes.

HT 0-1

Not creative enough, needs changes 2nd half.

Early days as you say but I’d rather have Cotterill in there right about now…

How did Old acre pass the sprint test? Looks about 10lbs overweight. Like the look of Munroe though. Ameen already boosted us,think(hope) he can turn it round for us.

I'm sure that's how Chesterfield fans described him too.

To be fair, it's always hard to break teams down when they just sit ten men behind the ball. Drinan needs to come off. He's looked more like the old Kennedy Drinan than the Holloway version. It's a shame Butterworth isn't ion the squad. Might have been a good option with pace and creativity coming off the bench. Im sure we'll see Tabor sooner than later.

I like the way he plays but his final ball needs work, improve the crossing and theres a player in him for sure.

Two old fashioned CFs might be the way to go in this with Tabor and Smith. Just a question of who you sacrafice and what shape you go with.

I assumed that we would play with wingbacks. But we don’t seem to have anyone who can take on their man or dribble.

Agree that Oldaker looks like ‘the Crab’.

Ripley at fault for the goal. Didn’t set his wall and didn’t get across quickly. (Well taken freekick though)

Too much ambling around.

I have a feeling that Smith won't be back for the 2nd half

Just me that likes the look of Oldaker then :D

Think that's a bit harsh. It was just a great goal with a bit of pace right into the top corner

I would take off Drinan and replace him with Tabor, would like another midfield option and take off Oldaker too but we dont have a midfielder on the bench.

Nope im with you  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: i thought he's looked alright!

Looks like Glatzel for Drinnan

Yeah, I could see that as the game went on...

Glatzel on for Drinan.

Glad to see Ameen give us something attack-wise down the left. Nobody looked capable of causing any sort of danger prior to that on our left side.

Tactical foul has worked out for them so far. Not quick clicked in any respect yet. Could all be very different this half of course.

FK to town just outside the box.

Wright just wide.

Wright lovely pass to Clarke in the box and he turns but scuffs his shot from 15 yards at the keeper.

My god they have some gobby fucks for fans.

Walsall break with pace but his shot is shocking with just Ripley to beat, easy save.

That was never a foul by Smith, weakest free kick ever, Smith gets a yellow for arguing.

I fear Smith might get sent off for something innocuous

Feels like you could give us a week and we wouldn't score at present...

Tabor on for Nichols.

Come on lad.

Tabor time

4 upfront now!

Tabor wins the corner by pressing.

Ameen has not beat his man once since coming on

Great tackle by Munroe but that finish by Clarke is terrible. Great chance.

Tabor has!

Can Clarke stop shooting please

Clarke’s shooting is dreadful

Chance for Walsall on the break but the header is high and wide.

Clarke could have scored a hatrick, been poor in front of goal

Ameen wins a corner, miss by Glatzel leading up to it.

My Internet is shitting the bed worse than us. Both my options subscriptions is struggling on both channels and my laptop can't reach this site.

Glatzel and Tabor both looked lively since coming on. Ameen not so much.

Wilson Brown off for Ball.

Hope Clark is gonna drop into the back line. He's better there I think

Such high hopes - Not going to happen today.

Think this shows that we have a total lack of creativity and very little quality.

Been pretty poor so far. But its early doors.

Walsall wants to earn this win....they win every 50/50 ball in their box....Town players just sit and watch and hope it falls to them.
Disappointing that Town still can't seem how to take advantage of a man up....

Didn’t think the second half could get worse…

We need to actually drive forward with the ball.

This crab football is getting us no where. Trying to work it out wide for crosses towards Flint is going to yield us nothing anyway.

Everything back on now. What i've seen second half has been pretty poor but its been bits here and there.

Tabor flick at the near post cant find anyone or the goal.

Penalty to swindon

Penalty to Town.

Where’s Tshimanga?

Crikey! Ref really on our side!

Looks soft but will take it

Wright scores get in

That was incredibly soft.

1-1 Wright

That seems like the only way we were ever going to score today

Right, let’s have a last minute Tabor winner then please.

Very good penalty.

God that was close though :clap:

Probably don’t deserve to be level. Soft penalty but well taken

Doing absolutely nothing for Crawley

Don’t think it was a penalty, but we probably should’ve had a penalty in the first half when Nichols was dragged to the ground

Didn’t Wright score our first goal of last season?

That was never a penalty.

Might put the ref in the MotM poll at this rate.

The ref gave it....thats good enough for me ;)

I miss iFollow not having the matchday clock this season.

Yep. Strolled forward, saw he had loads of room, strolled forward some more, saw he still had loads of room, smashed it in.

Oh Glatzel...

That was the chance.

That should have been a goal after a great pass by Tabor to Snowdon and the finish by Glatzel was weak.

OMG! Best bit of quality all game before Glatzel squanders it!

That was a huge chance.

The one or two half chances we’ve had today have been finished woefully.

Tabor’s looked good since coming on tbf

Fuckherson?

Better than both Drinan and Glatzel TBH.

Att: 8,014 (2,100ish Swindon)

4 mins normal time left.

Last minute winner anyone?

Corner to Town.

We got so many late winners last year that I'm still in the mindset that it's more likely than not.

Corner to them.

Its definately possible!

Please don’t let Flint score!

No! No! No!

7 mins added.

Well that's shite

fuck

1-2 FFS

This is clearly your fault for not being specific.

Wait for the post match meltdown from Holloway.

Typical Swindon.

….fuck this shit.

That was terrible defending.

What the fuck was that and where did our defence just go?

That was very very shite. How on earth did we get dragged apart like that at the back by ten men?

Unbelievable! 😡

To be fair, we haven't deserved anything from this match.

Justifiably!

Exactly, the players have to take responsibility.

Sigh. Very poor. Especially against 10 men.

We just don't look capable of scoring from open play, which is something we haven't said often under Holloway.

Yep, genuinely no complaints that we’re taking nothing from this. A soft penalty gave us a lifeline but we have been so short of quality v ten men apart from the one move Glatzel should’ve finished

Hopefully this will be the short sharp shock that the players and Ollie need..

Walsall’s Courtney Clarke looks really good

It will get better I am 100% certain but we do lack pace up front and creativity in midfield more than anything. We seem incapable of shooting with any power or accuracy today and wont take a risk with a long shot.

We have looked lightweight and way off match fitness for me

Town score, Disallowed for offside.

Got what we deserved, really really poor.

Some of our fans are absolute muppets aren't they.

When's McGregor back? Snowdon offered nothing

No creativity & no one who wants to get on the ball & drive forward with it.
Same as last season.

Always hard to judge much off an opening match, but that sucks out a hell of a lot of optimism. Hopefully this isn't an early warning sign of the Holloway second season catastrophe that Grimsby fans suggested would come

Neded another friendly, lacked cohesiveness.

FT 1-2

Not very good.

They've played like they've never met each other before.

And too many thinking they could stroll through today like they have against all pre-season.

When you've been gifted a pen and a sending off (not saying it wasn't a sending off, they gifted it to us. Pen is more debatable) this is not fucking acceptable.

Way too lightweight especially at the back. We deserved nothing and that’s what we got

Could’ve been there all day and not scored from open play

Really poor showing. Glatzel and Tabor both looked lively when they came on. Munroe was hot and cold, smith didn’t get into the game at all and I thought Ameen looked pretty poor when he came on. Only first game of the season so not many concerns currently but at both 11 v 11 and 10 v 11 I thought we looked a yard off it

 a bit disappointed by this but  I am sure that things will be better at the first home game . I am not sure whether to wear my orange polo shirt .

Small consolation Gas lost at home to Harrogate and Franchise only drew at home to Oldham.

Not many come out of that with any credit!

Midfield was poor. Clark not really good enough to play there, Oldacre picked out some decent passes second half but looked unfit to me and the sort of player who needs the time and space of an 11 v 10 game. Bit surprised at Kilkenny coming off so early. bright spots for me were Munroe and Tabor

Looked undercooked, seems a bit of a common theme over the last 3 or 4 years. Our preseason friendlies do seem to lack sufficient tests, long gone are the days of home friendlies against better opposition it seems.

Think a lot of people have got carried away, as tends to happen every season. We've signed average L2 squad players and unsurprisingly we look like an average L2 team. We didn't deserve anything today.

We obviously won't be looking over our shoulders with this squad, but I don't think we have the quality or creativity to challenge at the right end either currently. It'll get better, but is a bit of reality check as well.

Main fear would be that we have a few weeks like this as we try to get up to speed. Not sure how Holloway would react if he starts to get questioned, so hopefully not.

I thought Ameen (and the team in generally) looked lively for the last 7-8 minutes of the first half. In fact HT came at a rubbish time for us I thought.

After that only Tabor & Glatzel looked lively & that was only in little bursts.

I know pre-seasons in generally have changed massively for everyone but 20 years ago we’d usually get a Prem and / or Championship side at home who’d take the game seriously with both teams putting out close to their strongest XI. That’s probably more beneficial than just doing the local non league rounds.

Fair bit of pavement dancing going on outside the station.

Always get some odd opening season matches. That looked like a side that were underprepared.

Even then, proper sitter from Glatzel would have won us the game. Compared to some, he does seem to get off lightly in the supporter court of opinion. Real shit in front of goal last season, has started this the same it seems.

Hard to judge too much overall from what was mostly 10 man defence vs attack, but must, and I’m sure will, get far better.

Oh and amazing away support numbers, but given the Tommy Robinson contingent, and the seat rippers at the end (not necessarily mutually exclusive) it feels hard to take pride from that either.

Probably the same people who we giving it large about how many tickets we sold.

Not going to judge anyone too harshly. Walsall's defence was well organised looked solid. Ten men behind the ball for so long was always going to be tricky. Ameen had very little space to do anything. I thought Snowdon looked poor defensively when it was 11 vs 11. Tabor looked lively when coming on and setup a nice chance for Glatz who should have done much better! Questions need to be asked about that defending though. That was proper kids defending there. Need more experience in that back line. Is Delaney really that bad?

Feels harsh to say as he’s a hard working and honest player but Glatzel missing a good chance is on the same par as water is wet, sky is blue, grass is green. Can probably say the same about a few of our forwards.

If a wake-up call was needed then this is the best time to get it. Defending will the bane of Swindon Town until the end of time.

Let’s see how they respond.

Need experience in that back line

Sounds like the hairdryer is full on and it should be.

Ashamed of a certain section of our fans today, hope whoever threw that chair gets locked up.  There was some really good stewarding on display today though.

Very hard watch. Hopefully we don't take 4 or 5 games to get going as those points could prove decisive come May. We looked to be in pre season mode still with the lack of urgency and too many snatched opportunities.

Not going to beat them up as fancy we will get a lot better. Just a bit of a popped balloon after waiting 12 weeks for some proper footie.

Hope he feels it was worth it when hes banned from football and potentially looking at a criminal record. Idiot.

Ollie coming on, this is going to be interesting.

Holloway:
- The game changed and made us favouite with them down to 10
- Would have preference Drinan not to have been fouled
- Fantastic free kick
- Other than that we were 'OK'
- But, being able to sit in suited them
- Don't think the second goal would have happened if he'd left Kilkenny on
- Given the team grief about that - Unreal!
- One person pressed when they shouldn't have
- We've had this problem in training. We do it too many times.
- We have got to stop letting these goals in
- Holloway unbelieveaveably surprised at that with who he had out there
- We should have left here with a point
- Did we deserve to lose? Not really
- Just find it very disappointing
- Its complicated if you dont do your job
- Keep telling people not to go on their own. Finlay went, but noone told him to stop or cover.
- Backline shouldnt have had that problem as they should have screamed at the middle line not to leave them exposed
- We needed to move the ball quicker
- We need to recognise who's out there. We ignored Ameen 4 or 5 times. Just give him the ball!
- A lot of young people out there, but not making excuses
- Maybe we should have sat back when they brough Adomah and the other guy on
- Lots of good stuff, but overshadowed by losing
- Smith had a back spasm in the tunnel.
- Well done to Walsall. They deserved that with that amount of effot
- There is a lot for us to work on out there
- As a midfielder, for my team to leave that gaping hole and backline tp try to play offside. I'm staggered
- Hawes asked is there was any progress on Joe Westley? Don't know about that. Its none of my problems. Holloway knows what he's done. We'll see. How you know about that I do not know. Its weird!
 

Agree with that Ollie.

Controversial question. Are Will Wright’s set pieces actually enough to guarantee him a start every game this season? Admittedly there’s not many alternatives but he’s massively unconvincing when defending.

Our whole defence looks weaker than last season this is where Ollie should be focusing

Personally, I thought we did. And,yes, it was a bit ridiculous to take Kilkenny off

Was shocked when he was taken off, especially before H.T.  Felt at the time that a huge mistake had been made.  Sort it out Ollie and lay off the coffee prematch

We can’t set up with the same starting 11 at home. Absolutely no flair/skill in that attack just work horses, would like to see Ameen start over Drinan.

I thought Nicolls or Drinan would be the one to come off for Ameen tbh.

I thought Drinan was decent, flair and skill will improve with quicker moves and crisper passing.  Ameen should have started, though.  Tabor looked good when he came on, but faded when Walsall's defence camped in with no space to run into.  The major take away from this game is that the defence and midfield are disconnected while taking too long to get the ball to forward.  Pumping the ball up to Smith from wingbacks became far too repetitive and predictable far too easy for the home defence to deal with.  Ameen and Tabor both exhibited great movement, unfortunately they needed better service.

We've lost opening days heavily and got promoted. But you have to say what you see for the 90, even if that is an outlier and not reflective of the season.

So with that in mind ...

They was fairly poor under the circumstances.  11 v 11 we looked ploddy and lacking creativity. We didn't keep hold of the ball and hit too many nothing diagonal balls.

11v10 we tried to get width and move then around. It didn't really work. We created very little still though unlike some I thought we did look a bit better with the subs.

Both goals we conceded were poor. Not sure what the hell the wall was with a good free kick, but it wasn't effective. The second schoolboy crap defending.

So all in all an anticlimax, the midfield and lack of creativity worry me but there is so long to go it's hopefully a blip

Edit: quite liked the look of Munroe

Was their defender already on a yellow when he got sent off as I’m not sure it was an obvious scoring opportunity.

It was a straight red, definitely a clear scoring opportunity.

A disappointing setback, but not the end of the world.
Plenty of food for thought for Holloway.
A dip into the market might be required.

Maybe too many rookies thrown in & the wide play was generally too passive throughout.
Can live with a slow start if the tempo gradually picks up.

Credit to Walsall for defending what was thrown at them well, even if was made a tad easy for them.
Should be a point at least in the bag.

Good pre & post match socials did mitigate the disappointment of the result somewhat.
Unfortunately points are not awarded for beer drinking.

Nevertheless, looking forward to getting up and running at the CG on Saturday.

Cheers Tim, I’ve only seen it once and wasn’t sure if he was going slightly away from goal towards the penalty area so need to see it again.

I don't see how you can question Holloway after last years turn around.

It might make off the pitch issues have more of a light shone on it if/when Clem and Co's usual fuck ups arise, but honestly they should be seen s two separate issues, as much as many people (mostly on the Clem in side) are incapable of separating them.

Finally calmed down, just feeling frustrated/disappointed. Countless times from Jan-May this year we have penned teams in for 30/40 minutes at the end of games and always felt we would get something. Confidence just didn’t seem there and other than a brief 5 minute spell it was all very dysfunctional/panicky. Lots of games to go so I think a few things i’ve read on X has been an over reaction. Hopefully Bodin is fit for some sort of cameo next week, missed attacking quality today.

Too slow today. Walsall looked like a good side but we didn’t move the ball quickly enough and stretch them when they were down to 10. Looks like the pen was a bit soft on the replays. Flint remains a top wind up merchant and near the top of the “players I hate but would love to have” list. Tabor looked lovely when he came on. Defending for their second was shambolic and I expect Ollie to get the hairdryer out!

Was a chair thrown? Fucking hell.

Right at the worst time as well. Don't been the game stopping there.

He get nicked and carted out or just assuming from the likelihood of CCTV?

Lost 5-0 or 5-1 opening day under Wilson vs Gillingham and ended up in play off final.

Absolutely. Pen was more questionable.

Todays result & performance may push along more transfer activity.

.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57Z3B1U3cEU&pp=0gcJCccJAYcqIYzv

.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJy7u2-4Nso

.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSuds6v0VTo&pp=ygULd2FsbHNhbGwgZmM%3D

Last season is irrelevant now though, there has been a summer reset. He’s not some kind of god, he’s gotta prove his methods are still sustainable for a full season rather than recovering one, that’s the big question mark people have thrown at us this season.

My concern is that the defence was poor last season and I still fear the same is true this season based on today’s evidence so if we aren’t free scoring like last seasons purple patch then it will be a bigger issue. Sorting out the defence and creativity should be a priority over signing someone like Westley.

Hoping for CCTV in this case, one taken away moments before for entering the pitch celebrating our disallowed goal.

Harry Smith very frustrated at the fans who threw things on the pitch, a couple of lighters beside the chair.  Holding them up towards us and mouthing "come on" in a very disapproving manner.

Saw that on TV, giving it the calm down motion in a really "wtf guys?" kind of way.

Club statement -

Swindon Town Football Club are appalled by the unacceptable behaviour of a minority of individuals during our recent fixture against Walsall.

The Club is aware of a number of serious incidents involving the use of pyrotechnics, objects being thrown, abuse directed at stewards, staff, players, and match officials, as well as damage caused to property within the stadium.

This behaviour has absolutely no place at our football club or in the wider game.

We are conducting a full and thorough investigation into these matters and are working closely with Walsall Football Club and the relevant local authorities to identify those responsible.

Let us be clear: any individuals found to have engaged in such actions will face the strictest possible sanctions, including banning orders and legal action where appropriate.

Swindon Town will not tolerate any conduct that endangers the safety of others or damages the reputation of our football club.

We remain grateful to the overwhelming majority of our supporters who continue to follow the team in the right way and uphold the values we stand for.

We urge all fans to play their part in maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment at all our matches — home or away.

If you have any information that could support our investigation, we urge you to contact us in confidence via [email protected].

Hard to take today, after so much optimism. The first game also gets blown out of proportion. People jump to conclusions - it’s a sample size of one, in what was a novelty game of football, with attack v defence.

Walsall had a plan when we went down to ten and they stuck to it and they’ll be a decent side I’m sure.
Some niggles for me:

* Chesterfield fans said Oldaker had a tendency to slow play down. That happened today. He could have put much more drive and purpose into our play. He was key once Kilkenny went off and he acted as our pivot in midfield, but he always wanted a touch too many, and he slowed us down. Speed it up, show urgency, and put energy into the play. I’d have preferred Kilkenny to stay on, based on that showing.

* I thought both wing backs had underwhelming games. Both needed to try and take on their man, but instead they checked inside most of the time. The one time Snowdon went outside, he whipped a great cross onto Drinan’s head. Do it more! There’s enough there to suggest that he could be a player, but he’ll need to come in and out of the side, and doesn’t yet look as polished as McGregor. Munroe should have buried his chance at the end, but he looked absolutely shattered.

* I was surprised by how narrowly we played Drinan. His success last season was based on staying wide and occupying a full back with his running. This could have been useful to give Snowdon more room. He was ineffective playing more centrally.

I’m not sure what the good bits were. Tabor didn’t seem overrawed by it all, to his credit. Wilson-Brown looks good in the air and on the ground. It’s fine margins. Munroe’s chance, Wright’s FK, the disallowed goal at the end. It could have been very different. We’re level on points with Bristol Rovers and one behind MK (who both had easier games on paper). If we’re in a similar position compared to them in the Spring, we’ll be doing fine.


I also thought Kirkman looked like he has really filled out - I hope he gets a good amount of time on the pitch because we all saw what he can bring to the side last season.

And I hope the absolute muppet who broke a seat and threw it at their keeper gets a lifetime ban.

Not much to add to all the viewpoints. We were not very good, looked a long way away from being potentially a top side in the Division and on this showing requires a hell of a lot of work to get there. Want to be proved very wrong!

5-0. And Gillingham were relegated!

Ah yeah playoffs rather than promoted.

Even so, you can't take the first game as an absolute indicator. If we are the same a few games in I'll worry

The caveat for that game / season - we got a massive boost come November when Charlie Austin burst onto the scene.

In which case we're 3 months ahead of schedule with Tabor :)

.https://www.skysports.com/football/video/12606/13405983/swindon-towns-head-coach-ian-holloway-left-furious-at-crowd-after-incident-with-goalkeeper-in-the-game-against-walsall

That is the one. I remember leaving not as pissed off as I thought I should have been. But it may have been being bladdered.

I think that was a 12.30 kick off

I don’t have an issue with pyros. The UK is a soft touch compared to the rest of Europe. A good flare and smoke bomb is great for the atmosphere in a match.
Breaking a seat and throwing it is just scummy f*cking behaviour. Hopefully the twerp is caught and made to pay for the damage, and banned for the season at least.
As Olly said, someone must know the geezer…

I'm generally on the fans side and think people overreact. Pyros, flares, spur of the moment pitch invasions, I'll be on our fans side......

But throwing a chair when you're chasing a goal is dumb, in the same category as throwing a flare in a timber built stand (which was also our fans at Orient). Indefensible really.

But the issue is pyros aren't allowed regardless of what we think

If it keeps happening it gets back to the club and risks allocations/fines.

Just got back.

Should have known today was going to be a bad day when approx 400 of us had to wait until 2:30 for our tickets to arrive. Not great.

Onto the game:

Munroe and Snowdon were pretty woeful I thought. Too narrow, too safe and nowhere near brave enough. Cross the ball. Take somebody on. They did neither, especially first half. Just lots of crab passing. McGregor needs to be back in the side ASAP. Oh and we need another right back. Don't go selling Sobowale and thinking you can cover it with a youth winger and a u23 Leeds midfielder. Can we be serious please.

Flint dealt with Smith fairly well. The abuse from the crowd probably galvanised him. He even started singing along to the lovely chant some Swindon fans had made for him. I'm sure people with have their opinions on that, but it's easy to get caught up in the emotion of the game.

I love a pyro. Call me a cunt but when I see one lobbed onto the pitch with 2000 of us going mental it just makes me proud of what this club could be. Throwing chairs though is obviously not ok. Doesn't really need explaining.

Holloway is a cunt. That was some following today and he's praised their fans and put all of ours into the same category. I am sick to death of this guy thinking he can dictate which of our fans are allowed to attend games, which hat they can wear or what chants they can sing. Shut the fuck up, manage your team and get on with it. It's our club not yours. Also if you can serve up something a bit better for Cambridge that would be lovely, because that was a sack of shite.

The statement from Swindon can't be taken seriously either. I'm glad they draw the line at a Chair being thrown. Maybe hold yourselves accountable to the same extent in Advisory board meetings and Fan Forums when you continuously break rules, don't pay suppliers and ilegally employ ghost staff. Wankers.

Oh and whilst I don't condone violence, I'd of paid good money for somebody to twat that gobby shit on the opposite platform at Bescot Station. Perhaps we could've thrown the chair at him instead.

It definitely seems Holloway and the fans have a love hate relationship with both using each other to get what they want with the fuse ready to be lit anytime.

Years ago it used to be bog rolls thrown onto the pitch :D

All good and well saying that but everytime a european team comes to england there is a thousand of the fucking things in the away end and no cunt bats an eyelid.

Only counts when its the english like a lot of things in society.

Tabor hasn’t started scoring yet!

He’s already taken longer than Charlie did to get his first one.

He got held back from saying things, don’t think anyone in the ground was expecting an old man to jump in the stands and fight. Very different to throwing a chair.

If the FA get involved it could be another fine on its way.

Glatzel maybe an impact player but he can’t hit a barn door from 2 yards!

I've slept on it but I still can't believe Holloway couldn't even muster a thank you and well done to the 2200 travelling fans. He had to be pressed 2 or 3 times on it before he could reluctantly mutter something. What a prick. Almost as if he couldn't wait to have a pop at us again.

Dont worry, we just wont pay the fine :D

I've not really touched on the football yet as I was so disgusted with how some of our fans behaved, all day really, not just the isolated seat and lighters moment.

Think we needed to change it by getting Glatzel and Ameen more central with ball at their feet sometimes, them running at Flint would have at least won a few free kicks within the lines of the 18 yard box for Wright to have a go at, 2nd balls could have led to more chances too, perhaps for Tabor to latch onto sniffing around the shoulders of the last men.

They were comfortable with our approach but hoped that once we scored they'd get a bit jittery, unfortunately that didn't happen.  Needed to inject more of the chaos that won us so many points from losing positions last term.

Oh well, next...

Obviously I meant that tongue in cheek, you know that though.

Reflecting on yesterday.

Traffic horrendous on M5.

No tickets arriving until 2pm so had to hang around the horrendous ‘fan zone’ - some wench blasting out trash at maximum decibels.

As for the game. We were ponderous, unattractive, unexciting, unadventurous. A succession of long diagonals to players who can’t get past their man or hit and hope crosses into their area - most of which never got near any of our players. Meat and drink for Flint who.played very well tbf.

For all the so called attacking talent we hardly mustered a shot on target let alone forcing their keeper into making a save.

I liked Munroe who although not looking that tall won almost all his heading duels.

For me Holloway picked the wrong team from the outset. We seem to have too many similar type forward players.

Could have done with Sobawale.

Why no Bodin yesterday? Not injured already?

Disagree. The key point w/r/t the away fans is that there was vandalism and things thrown on the pitch. That's what history will say about that game.

First goal was a brain dead free kick to give away the referee had already given a few free kicks for the slightest of contacts off the ball.  As the free kick we were right behind it and the gap was enormous.  Putting our two shortest players in a wall was dumb especially since only one of them jumped.  Walsall celebrated in front of the away fans immediately stoking things up.

We never tested Walsall during the game played way too much left and right in front of them. 

What chances we had were either blocked by great defending or just strikers fluffing lines.  Glatzel missed an easy chance trying to put it in the top corner when anywhere inside the post would have done.  Tabor just needed to flick it in at the near post.

The goal we conceded was good play from them but Oldaker looked out of position and whoever slid in on half way line was poor. 

As the the afters well the throwing a seat on was moronic.  It barely touched the keeper and he absolutely milked it just watch the after game celebrations to see how injured he was.  Aiden flint totally instigated all that trouble at the end he was goading the away end almost demanding the missiles. 

No doubt the club will be fined but they really should look at Flints actions as players must take some responsibility for the trouble when they are actively taunting over 2000 fans.  He had no place to be amongst it.  This is a big failing with how football authorities handle such matters.  Without a deterrent then players will happily stoke the crowd and this kind of incident is the result.

I thought both Swindon wing backs were poor and Holloway got his subs wrong.  He got that right so many times last year I will let him off.

Disappointing day

That bloke is a prick. Looking forward to the return game.

So because 1 moron throws a chair, the other 2199 fans don't get any appreciation for their support?

I don't like the narrative that we've all been put into the same category.

You will get idiots attending football games. Especially in bigger crowds.

A simple thank you to the real fans whilst condemning the actions of those individuals isn't a hard thing to do.

I agree Ollie should have shown his appreciation for the majority of travelling fans and might be better off not passing comments on thing’s beyond his control.

Somebody else mentioned it on twitter, but I thought a Butterworth would have been useful yesterday as an impact sub. Someone who can run at them.

Seems he's in the bomb squad with Delaney and Minno though. And ok over a season maybe that's the right call

But have we brought in a replacement?

(I can't rightly remember what bodins game is like)

here here the one fan spoils it for the rest shame on them  especially when you  haveyoung fans there doesnt show them how to behave during a game does it.

Unfortunately, yes. The minority always spoil it for the majority.

In fairness, Holloway did praise the away support, but made the same point as I have - That the actions of one individual reflect badly on 'the rest of us'.

I agree. Butterworth isn't good enough. He's not consistent enough. But, he offers something else that we don't have elsewhere.

100% this, we stuck them out wide and never passed them the ball, Flint would have struggled with their pace running at him, their keeper didnt look the most solid either yet we didnt put any long shots his way, he flapped at several crosses yet we didnt test him.

Glatz should have done much better with that chance, if that went in I think we would have won, whether deserved or not.

If you have strikers on the pitch then pass to them in and around the box, dont just safe pass it sideways all the time looking for an opening as the defence regroup and block out everyone and pack the box.

That was the most frustrating part of yesterday for me.

Very Swindonesque yesterday.

Big away following, a ground we generally do well at, against 10 men for 70 mins, high expectations, most possession, shots and touches in opposition box.

Nailed on defeat in injury time.

Golden rule in football if you can’t win the game make sure you don’t lose it getting a draw yesterday would have been acceptable.

The shame with this post is that you actually make some decent footballing related comments. The rest is just hate speech and the gobbyist shite is actually you. Good to see you,ve kept a sense of perspective after one game.

I'm honoured that your first post in months and only your 3rd ever is in response to mine.

Except you haven't really broken down anything I've said or provided any counter arguments.

Bodin a little behind on fitness as he came with an injury which Holloway knew about when we signed him.

Some of the over reaction of smallsall fans is quite bizarre, it's as though they think we are Port Vale.  :)

I think they probably realise the league isn't won before Christmas ;)

….bought on ourselves by dick waving about number of fans, no doubt.

We have to be careful with that one as shitheads keep reminding us you can’t win the league in November after our celebrations against them!

Idiot throws seat on the pitch....Manager and Club make statements.

I have said this in the past (the Orient flare).....

If only the Club would come out as quick when we are treated like shit by police and stewards.....always look the other way.

Very true.

 Not sure how Smith got into the L2 EFL team of the week ???

Just looked and that is actually the EFL team of the week, not just league two so even more bizarre!

Edit: was for the game when we played Bradford and won 5-4
https://www.efl.com/news/2025/april/15/see-who-made-whoscored-s-efl-team-of-the-week/

Edit (again): here he is. Strange one.

https://efl.com/news/2025/august/04/five-of-whoscored-s-top-performers-in-sky-bet-league-two/

Whoscored use a data formula to give players a match rating. It's got almost nothing to do with a human eye test (or so I believe)

They've always heavily favoured players who win aerial duals when it comes to match ratings.

That makes more sense. Surprised Flint wasn’t in the team.