Thetownend.com

just for ralphy  :D :toocool:

I was in a meeting with a Charlton fan yesterday. Cocky fucker. He couldn't beleive i was so confident of getting through, he was well worried by the time i left. Have em.......

I'm nervous and I still hate Brighton.

Lucas

Amankwaah
Cuthbert
Greer
LJF

JPM
Douglas
Ferry
Ward

Paynter
Austin

Please.

Completely buzzing about this tonight. Leaving work at 4pm and coming straight to Swindon. COME ON YOU REDS!

Looking forward to it. Leaving at around 4, can someone let me know if there's any traffic problems through Marlborough?

Theres none at the moment

Snap, I'm leaving here at 4pm as well.

I have a feeling the next 7.5 hours are going to drag a bit.

How I wish I could leave at 4pm and be there too!!  Its just too far from up here...but every part of me that can be there will be... :(

Thanks KOT. Think I'll go and have a hair cut to pass the time

i have a strange mix of nerves and excitement.

leaving work at 3:30 and can't fucking wait.

I have a strange feeling we'll play like we did against Leeds and walk away from the CC tonight winning 3.0.

fucking bring it on

Yes!!!

I'm more confident about the game now ;)

ooooh   nervous.   Can't tell how I'm going to be able to enjoy the game, much too important.

I'll be in the pub from 2:30 onwards :) COME ON YOU REDS!!!

Just leaving Eastbourne, an afternoon at the old dear's before heading to the CG. Nervous as Ken.

Lucas

LJF
Cuthbert
Greer
Amankwaah

Ward
Ferry
Douglas
JPM

Nouble
Paynter

Charlie has looked out of sorts for a couple of weeks and done nothing 'wall. Nouble will be used to the big atmosphere and it could bring out the best in him. Kev defo at RB, just so much better at going forward.

The championship games have been superb, with both sides going all out, and with a decent atmoshpere, I think we could be in for a treat tonight!

COYR

please tell me you're joking right

No...did you go to Millwall...CA did the grand sum of nothing. I know he's immune to criticism and an opinion that may suggest he shouldnt be the first name on the team sheet, but I think he looks tired and has done for weeks.

Leaving work shortly after 3pm to catch a lift to Swindon with Pets & others.  I hate first leg semis.  All those nerves and no closure after 90 mins.  The weekend is going to be hell.

If I don't make the 2234 train home after the game I'll be stranded overnight in Swindon.  Expect it will be rammed with Charlton fans, so may opt to sleep on the platform instead if we lose.

no but i was at Brentford to watch Nouble do nothing at all too. CA and Paynter are our two leading scorers so would be suicidle to leave either one out tonight

How would you not make that train? Final whistle no later than 21.55 gives you 40 mins to get to the station. You must be planning on getting seriously pissed?

An unfit, knackered, out of form, out of sorts Austin is still a better option than a full fit, raring to go Nouble.

This is it!

The day has arrived, home shirt with me at work (can't wear football shirts at work) to change into at 6.30 pm (We are an hour ahead).

Straight to the pub for 7pm and a couple of beers to settle the nerves in time for the 8.45 kick off. Happy hour at my local 6-9 should settle the nerves nicely.

However I hate, hate watching Swindon on telly as we are usually mince (Brighton away in the play-off aside - even though it was heartbreak). Everyone in the pub knows I follow Town so its going to be an interesting evening. Think I have a few mates who are going to be Swindon fans for 2 games.

No prediction on a score, just want to still be in with a chance in the second leg. COYR!!

Very importantly, the names of Austin and Paynter on the team sheet in this division puts the shits up every team. At this time of the season its a lot about mental attitude as well. No reason to give Charlton a buzz by leaving Charlie Boy on the bench.

Why is it I don't feel excitement? Just a horrid sense of dred? Oh and I keep having random dreams that we loose because I don't paint my nails a certain colour or wear certain clothes??

Sorry for being a negative Nancy just can't seem to snap out of it?  :(

There is some truth to what you are saying about his form but I think we should start with 2 strikers who have actually scored for us.

To play "no goals" Nouble and leave Charlie on the bench would be ridiculous and a real slap in the face to the young lad and (thankfuly) it won't happen.

When I click my fingers you will be positive, there done ... the first man who walks past you today you will want to make passionate love to!

worrying as the only 3 men that can walk past me right now are all gay as geese!!

Remember positive thoughts, you can make them straight again.

Perhaps it's a combination of us having won 1 in our last 6 and Wilson going on about us being "underdogs".

I reckon we'll beat them tonight but not sure if we'll win on aggregate.

wish i could go tonight but am bricking it. same nerves as in 2004.

Quite right. I've no doubt they'll both start anyway.

I think the consensus on who should play RB is pretty much unanimous. But I really can't see it. Darby is an adequate defender, and absolutely nothing more. Like a less experienced Jamie Vincent. His constant selection is baffling, as Wilson seems to generally favour full backs who offer an attacking threat. Perhaps we've allowed ourselves to be sucked into some arrangement forcing us to either play him or pay him, or are just pussyfooting around Liverpool for some reason. Kev is vastly superior.

JFL has blown his chance in the last 2 games. Like Morrison, he has to learn to concentrate for 90 minutes before I can take him seriously. I realise Cuthbert has cost us a couple of goals lately, but over the season he has been as safe as houses. A refreshed Cuthbert is an absolute must in the starting XI.

I've been feeling nervous all week, but today feel bang up for it, really confident.

I'm praying that team that demolished leeds comes out tonight.

whatever happens, we have to have a go. No nervousness, no too much football, no regrets: get fucking stuck into em and play the way we can. Quick, invcisive football. Tight as a gnat's chuff at the back, supporting charlie and billy going forward.

I think we'll do it.

absolutely buzzing.

This is what the season is all about!

my team for tonight would be

Lucas

Mancs
Greer
Cuthbert
Sheehan

JPM
Douglas (and he'll score tonight)
Ferry
Ward

Austin
paynter

Just heard on the grapvine that Paynter's a doubt for tonight - hamstring.

first time I am glad to be very busy at work. very nervous but its keeping me sane.

would go with dv team but with sheehan at left back. don't think manks will start but derby is a better defender we lose something going forward.

as for the score, who knows. as long  as we have a chance on monday that's good enough for me.

We have to have the courage to play our game. I think we will. We have pretty much all season (at least at the CG anyway). If we play to our full potential we will win.


Why does everyone keep saying Douglas will score? More than one person said he'd score at Millwall and that didn't happen.

oh fuck, hope that's missinformation. loose lips sink ships.

could be mind games to the charlton camp?!

but i can't see Billy missing this even if he had one leg

He'd better not be fucking injured

Today is going to drag. Especially since I'm going to be revising linear algebra for an exam I am odds on to fail. Looking forward to the game though.

About 1,000 tickets left for tonight still, hopefully they'll get snapped up sharpish - loads went yesterday afternoon. I wish I could go but never mind - hopefully there'll be a good gathering down at the Railway Tavern!

Can't wait for this ...
Does anyone have a radio link available for us here in New Zealand...???

justin tv will probably be showing it

I'm leaving work in an hour and heading down from Lincolnshire, i am too excited to do anything :D :D :D

That team is spot on.

Leave Austin on the bench?!!! Madness.

I also agree Magicroundabouts selection is our strongest 11.

It'll be showing on http://www.iraqgoals.com/en/

Leaving Swansea at half 3. Enough time to get a few down my neck, and settle the nerves. Hopefully we can do it so i can stick one finger up to the manure fans that i live with!

Merlin sometime between 3 and 4 then people?

Can't say i'm excited. Just bloody nervous. It's time to stand up and be counted really. Can we do it?

I work in Reading (boo) and we have dress down on Friday's but i'm not allowed to wear my shirt. Will change in to it at 5, catch the train back to swindon for 6 and heading to the savoy for a few pre match beers to calm the nerves.

Brighton in 2004 was the worst night of my footballing life and i've waited 6 long years for us to get back into the league 1 play-offs, if we can get to Wembley it will finally get rid of the pain!

It's going to be 2 tight games I think but we have the extra firepower to see us through - COME ON YOU REDS!!!

When we've been successful in the play-off's before,patience has been the key to our success,
rather than a gung-ho approach.Any sort of lead from tonight's game would be welcome.Both
league games have shown there's little to choose between both sides and so i'd expect much of
the same again.

Come on the Town!

Personally I think we should be really attacking right from kick off. I doubt we'll get a win at their place so we need to win today, hopefully by 2 goals.

Even if we lose tonight, people shouldn't worry too much. History has shown whatever the result tonight it will be close, and i'd still be pretty confident of pulling back from a loss here, as Charlton might well freeze at home. Saying that i'd much prefer a 3 or 4 nil win.

Even if we win 5-0 I'll still not be relaxed!

I'm expecting a tight close encounter tonight. Probably looking at a 2-1 or 1-0 or 0-0 or 1-1. Things will then open up in the 2nd leg and anything can happen. Seems to be the way the play-offs work.

Anyone know if Ward, Ferry, Noodle etc are allowed to play tonight? If just hope Paynter's fit!

1-1 tonight. We'll do it the hard way as usual and win at Charlton!

Really? I'd be feeling pretty confident... until we were 3-0 down at the Valley at least!

They're all allowed to play

I'll be in the Dockle from 3. YOOOOOOOOOOU REDS.

Phew! Thanks Reevsie

Fucking hell I'm restless. I've walked up and down the hallway about 10 times in the past half hour for no apparent reason.

Agreed-dont understand all the anti-Sheehan feeling around here.Class player.

Yeah bollocks to this, i was leaving (skiving off) at 3.30, but the tensions building, and i'm going to leave at 2 now. I can always get another job next week!

Agreed, I think there has to be a scapegoat when things go wrong and certain individuals don't like him, and a few others just jump on the bandwagon.

He takes a cracking free kick!

Sheehan gets worse each game.

Missing for all 3 of Millwalls goals, all on his side. More so the first two.

Looks like the Charlton fans are getting wet tonight. Shame.

Talking of Sheehan.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/8682477.stm

He is approximately 1 million times better than LJF at left back.

Douglas gets caught in posession,Douglas give away needless penalty,Sheehan's fault.Lescinel had a cracker at Millwall didn't he.Silly me

So fucking nervous about tonight! As long as we are still in the game for Monday, i'll be happy.

Leaving in about half an hour. COYR!!!!

Here's a little diversion to calm our collective nerves.  (Bear with me.)

I just went in to one of the central London branches of a well known sandwich shop to buy my lunch.  On this occasion, I chose a soup (chorizo and butterbean...highly recommended) and a pretzel, and the girl behind the counter asked me for £3.99.

I reached for my wallet and found a £5 note, and in doing so noticed that the other notes in my wallet (and there were several...I had been to the cashpoint minutes before in anticipation of my trip to Swindon later this afternoon) were all jumbled up.

And on this point, I can be quite 'OCD'.  For whatever reason, I do like to have my notes ordered in my wallet; highest denomination notes at the back, lowest at the front.  And all facing forward, with Her Maj beaming grimacing on the right.  In an instant, I resolved that this would not do and that the notes had to be rearranged in their correct and proper order.  And furthermore - and I'm sure we have all done something similar in the past - I decided that if I was able to rearrange said notes before the girl handed back my £1.01 in change, we would beat Charlton over two legs and earn ourselves a day out at Wembley.

That was it.  The thought had been thought and I was committed to a certain course of action.  I pulled out the £5 note to hand to the girl...and disaster.  I was now racing against time (she looked no slouch, I can tell you) but in pulling the £5 note out of the wallet the £20 sitting next to it (and facing the wrong way, just for good measure) came out with it and was hanging by a corner.  Luckily, it did not fall to the floor, losing me valuable fractions of a second.

Heroically, I whipped the offending note out of the wallet, deftly turned it through 180 degrees and pushed it to the back.  A further £20 note was swiftly swapped with a tenner (facing the correct way, fortuitously) and before I knew it, my change was being handed back to me.

I was utterly despondent.  Distant voices were ringing in my ears.  The Reverend William Pitt, Harold Fleming, Danny Williams, the Fridge, Jan the Man...their derision was too much to bear.  Everything was lost, and it was my fault.  I took the change, certain that I had failed in my quest.  The £20 note incident had lost me time.  The change went in to my pocket and I surveyed the wallet.  And then - slowly- my heart lifted.  Quite by chance, the notes were all there.  £20, £20, £20, £10, £5 - and all facing in.  I had done it.  Somehow, I had succeeded.  We were safe.

The moral: we're going to be OK...just.  It's going to be a close run thing, and at one point it's going to seem as if all is lost.  (We may even lose on the night this evening.)  But don't worry.  At the last minute (probably at around 9.50pm next Monday), we're going to pull this one out of the bag.  We're going to show them.

We're going to Wembley!!

Believe it.

Sign him up

Im fucking shitting it.

I feel sick

Sheehan still no where to be seen...

Dave - He's offering an outlet on the touchline for Dougie. Once Dougie loses the ball its too late to get back. Mental to blame Sheehan for that one.

 :clap: Brilliant Ardiles - in a spectacularly TEF, OCD "mad as a box of frogs" way.  

And i thought I was mental Ardiles. Fair play mate, i always do the same thing. I'm glad that story had a happy ending or you know who I was blaming.

i second this - haven't been this nervous since Brighton away

Where have I blamed him?

Just said he was missing. All their goals came down the same gap. Between the centre back and left back.

Lecs was to blame for the 3rd goal.

Haha, I thought I was the only one stupid enough to do stuff like that!

Today at lunch I had to beat my last time over recorded over 2.5 miles for Swindon to go to Wembley. To put this into context, my last recorded 2.5 mile time was the only time since I started running about 3 weeks ago that I have completed the distance without stopping gasping for air. Hill Corner Road (for those of you who know Chippenham) is the home straight back to the office, but as the name suggestes is a hill - well a slope anyway.

I started off 125 feet down as my GPS watch struggled to cope. I didn't know it was a glitch I raced to catch 'myself' up and by the turning point, half way, I was 200 feet up. It was good but could I maintain the faster pace. The route back is mainly uphill and I was facing a headwind that could have alted a jumbo jet (a paper one that is). I pounded the pavement to the beat of "wembley, wembley, we're the famous swindon town and we're going to wembley". Struggling up that last hill and the legs burned. But no way was I giving in. I had to do it for the boys.

I am pleased to announce STFC will be going to Wembley by some distance. That distance being 375 feet.

So we're all agreed he wasn't at fault then. Good stuff.

You could argue he lost his man for the 2nd too.

Note to self: Ardiles is carrying £75, remember to nick his wallett.

He fumbled for change, pulled out The Queen, smiling, beguiling...

Millwalls 2nd goal would never have came about if Billy had gone forward instead of trying to turn back. It all started from there, at which point Sheehan had probably anticipated Billy striding forward.

BILLY OUT.

If we didn't all clap so fast you'd not have made it.

You know, I'm not that nervous?  I'm sure that'll change later. But for now I just have no concentration.

well fucking nervous me

I'm counting down the hours...4hrs 15 mins to go...

YOU REDS !!!

not too nervous yet, probably kick in more leading up to the second game.

very excited and the beers have been going down well over the last hour.

well up for tonight, COME ON!!!!!!!!!

Any attempts at revision have been a massive right off today. If I mess up my degree I would like a full reimbursment from Mr Fitton

       
 Mr Fitton, in his defence, might suggest that it was a ''write-off'' and that you must try harder !

See. If I was able to focus I wouldn't make such simple errors

Can't make tonight, can't watch, can't listen. Relying on text updates from unreliable sources.

We'd better win and win well: I'm going on Monday and my heart won't take a close one.

Can't make it tonight due to returning from a week in Norfolk at 5.30pm, can't wait to watch it on TV in HD later, even though I genuinely don't think we will win today.

I hope and pray I am incorrect.

Stupidly, I've got a good feeling about this. Think we'll rise to it. Let's just keep Bailey quiet and don't let that lazy fucker Burton score. Wish this train would hurry up, gasping for a pint. Come on you reds.

On the bright side, we could still get to Wembley without winning either leg as long as we avoid defeat. Not sure I'd want it going to extra time and penalties though!

My nerves wont take penalties but I will watch through my fingers over my face much as I did when Zippy took the penalty at Wembley!

Good evening all. I'm not at all nervous about this fixture, I just hope the occasion doesn't get the better of us.

YOU REDS!!!

OMG Fred and DRS on HTV News in the pub!

Oh dear!

Similar. Does that make us a clique? ??? (see let's all laugh at Oxford thread - pure gold 8))

I'm not nervous, just excited as fuck. I obviously hope we win but whatever the result I just hope the lads do themselves justice. They've had a cracking season and deserve the chance to show the world outside the County Ground what they can do.

Paynter's out. Fuck.

Swindon Town: David Lucas; Kevin Amankwaah, Gordon Greer (Capt.), Scott Cuthbert, Alan Sheehan; Jon-Paul McGovern, Simon Ferry, Jonathan Douglas, Alan O'Brien; Danny Ward, Charlie Austin

Substitutes: Phil Smith (GK), Stephen Darby, Vincent Pericard, Frank Nouble, Lecsinel Jean-Francois, Michael Timlin, Craig Easton

Paynter being out is obviously a problem. But it looks like Ward will be up front, so hopefully Charlton will focus on Austin and he can take advantage. Will be interesting to see if O'Brien can last the whole game without (a) getting injured or (b) running the ball straight into touch. I still think he might come good, why not tonight!

:o exciting!

Im scared

O my God - my wife is watching Midsommer Murder - how am I going to tell her there is a slightly important match on  :blowup:
Sorted  :D

I have to admit I am not too nervy but I have been out in Norfolk without T'Internet access so I have been relaxing and well away from all the build up and hype.

But I don't expect anything so I wont be too upset if we dont do it.

I fucking hope we do it though, and that we play some good football on TV win, lose or draw, just play the game as it should be played!

Sorry if this has already been posted, but has anyone got a link to a site that's streaming this game?

ive not found 1 alive yet but they tend to kick in when the game starts

http://www.freelivesportstv.com/soccer/2010/05/13/watch-swindon-town-v-charlton-athletic-online-free-live-streaming-video-english-league-one-friday-may-14-2010-1945-gmt/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter


that works

http://twitter.com/FreeSports

or the link inside that link

Fuck me. Paynter out :no:

FUCK!

Or this http://iraqgoals.tv/ch3.html

Does the Sky Sports presenter have a lisp or is it the stream i'm watching??

There's a link on the first couple of pages of the Huddersfield v Millwall thread in Other Football Stuff, the first link is up and running now, 'cause I'm watching it

im still listening to the radio at the moment

I'm so glad DW's brought back Amankwah, big chance for O'Brien....COME ON TOWN!!!!

COME ON YOOOOOOOOOU RRRREDDDDDSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

you reds!

looks great on telly doesnt it

Thx - you're a star.

Big shame that Paynter is out, could be significant.

What an opportunity for AO'B though.

COME ON SWINDON... !!!!!

As ive said on here many a time,I can hear the County Ground from my office and it sounds ace

Yep bad news re billy. But come on you reds! Hope the stream holds up

How?!!!!

Fuck, Charlie!!

Be less cryptic! What's happening  :sherlock:

Glancing header from Austin.  Unmarked about 8 yards out and the keeper saves it.  Should've been in the back of the net after just 2 mins.

Free header 8 yards out, good save

If you've got a decent connection, try this one - http://iraqgoals.tv/ch3.html

Good stream but sound is a bit 'lispy'.

That's what Im on

That was intended for RP.

Austin could've netted a hattrick on a different day...

Yeah I was agreeing with you. Another decent chance and save

Cheers chaps.

Good safe hands by Lucas

Dodgy keeper to concede the corner

Dodgy keeper

Hopefully that's it for Sodje...

Douglas's passing has been awful... Weird.

Poor ol' Jonathan Douglas has a dreadful track record in the POs.

Not really noticed him to be honest which is unusual as you normally see him breaking things up and spraying some passes.

Danny Ward is shit.

ARRRRRRRGH!

Not really making the most of our deads balls.

Nice play by Manks and McGovern... glad Darby isn't playing.

Now owul dbe a great time to score!  Hope it's a decent coner.

Wow!  Appalling typing there... the TEF's spelling and grammer pedants will be out to get me.

O brisk has been poor

Brien! Fucking iPhone

I liked O'Brisk.

Hilf Tame.

Hope we haven't used up all our chances.

Can I just see borrowdale is a cunt.

Early goal needed in 2nd half, then we'll get a couple. We're much the better team thus far

Need to keep the pressure up and make sure there's decent link-up play.  We're pushing them back but just need to get that bit of luck.

Anyone else think Paynter would've buried either one of those chances??

Yes, hoefully he'll be back for 2nd leg

I think that's unlikely.

Im in the student union bar in manchester the only person watching this game.  And shouting.  I suspect they all think the tourettes bloke twitching and shouting at the screen is a bit worrying.

Fuck em.

Would be a shame as I think we're lacking something without the big man - small man combo/

Did I just hear the bloke on the tannoy asking someone to show us your red clapper.  Is that a euphenism?

"Eeeerm",  "Eeeerh" (repeat)

Hooooof

Scott Minto is a prick.  I domn't think any Town player will be expecting Charlton to beat them over the 2 legs.

Anyone know if away goals count?

Fucking hell... that was close

Fuck!!

Clucking bell that was close.

Inside of post by Bailey/

get in!

Get in.....................

Get the fuck in

Superb cross and header.

Come on

Nice free kick :)

I'll take credit for that goal, was in the kitchen making a tea.  Who scored?

Austin, good goal

How did they not equalise then?!

fuck yeagh`112lp#jk1op2pojk12

Get the fuck in!!!

Superb counter attack

Shit defending of the corner leads to great breakaway goal by Ward

Never had such an enjoyable piss.  Found a tenner in my back pocket and we scored.

This is why I'm sat on my sofa and Danny's in the dugout...

gay

What the f*ck?

Fuck, of people Deon Burton as well.

How's the job going Bender?

Can we have a gift of a goal in return please Charlton?

Deon Burton was briefly shagging Scary Spice's sister who was briefly in Emerdale fact fans.

Oh. My. God.

Dodgy Lucas

job going ok. still find getting up in the morning fucking soul destroying though.

Boo a two goal cushion was ideal.

ive lost my stream just as Burton scored

Come on boys. Get backinto it

Try this one, still working...

http://iraqgoals.tv/ch3.html

What you doing Ben?

Strange.  Lucas lost his aceness at about the same time...

just being a lowly paid cafe monkey. nothing exciting.

need to target Sodje.... dodgy as fuck especially if Ward or AO'B can get the turn on him

why do games always seem to end up with us hanging on?

Fucking worrying times

Hmmm.... good bit of pressure from Charlton hopefully we can get on the counter again.

ahhhhh

What was that classic King quote before Burton's first game for Town?

He was asked about the opposition's loan striker and said something along of the lines of, no disrespect but I'd be more worried about Deon Burton.   Their striker scored, we lost athe match and Burton didn't ever break his duck during his loan spell.

Think it was Wycombe.

FUCK OFF FORSTER!

Especially against Charlton.

Darby on for Manks... must be to get closer to Bailey and stop those crosses

Possibly enforced change

penalty?

How was that a free kick against charlie?

Last 10. Another goal needed I feel

What TF is the ref doing running into the fucking area towards the spot like that when Charlies just been bundled to the ground! I nearly had a fucking MI!

CUNT!

Dammit!!!!!!!

Good chance there. Fuck

Come on Town...

Great block tbc

Good ball in by O'B to pick out Charlie and then a great lay off to Ward.  

Timlin for obrisk

O'B  looked alright tonight

Ward down and in pain.  Hopefully he's okay.

What the fuck was that given against Ward for?

New rule introduced by FIFA... now a foul to be clattered into.

One more Town, one more!!!!

Corner with 3 mins of added time to go.. c'mon!!!!

Anyone catch the attendance? 

oh my word indeed.

So close!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fuckyfyckyfuck

All over.

Fair result given that both teams hit inside of post

13560

Good effort shame about that miss but still one goal ahead.

Not looking forward to Monday.

Better fuck off back on honeymoon now before the wife realises I'm missing.

I cant wait till monday !

Brave man Dazzza

A slight advantage is better than going to The Valley on level terms so weve just got to hang on to it! It'll be very, very tough but tonight I am really happy.

Shameful. What happened there?

Fuck me Im exhausted just from watching in a bar.

Better than nothing but I thought we were through when pericard hit the post.  How the fuck.

we were much the better team for 95 minutes. deserved a two goal lead and pericard was unlucky not to score at the end but did well to get there, likewise with charlie's wonderful square ball to ward on the penalty spot that was blocked by sodje.

two great goals and a fortunate one for charlton. optimistic about monday!


oh and i thought that o'brien had a good game.

the attendence?

Yeah. Of course, you and I had excuses  ;), but what about all the other wasters?

couldn't afford it!

well we cirtainly know how to do it the hard way :-).

Great result, both teams gave the other trouble going forward, lloyd sam was a tricky little fucker.

But job done,(well half a job) should have got 4 or 5 really.

oh and goals on sky sports news showing in a sec.

Fully deserve our win, but we like to do things the hard way.

I can see us scoring at the Valley. In the second half Ward and Charlie was giving their back four the runaround.

O'Brien had a good second half.

Got to say a pretty good atmosphere at the CG. Those clappy things did their job.

I still cannot believe that six years on I still have flashbacks of Brighton but we lost the 1st leg so we've improved on that front!

Just got back to hotel. Good match atmos was very good. Charlton fans very quiet.
Swindon should have won by 3 at least. Well done boys. Fingers crossed for wembley

Paynter's not injured! Been told by several people that he was dropped because he has agreed to sign for Leeds, He won't play Monday either, Obviously Wilson isn't going to come out and say this and unsettle the team at this moment in time as it would disrupt things, Not attempting to wind anyone up i'm gutted about this but if he doesn't want to be here he can fuck off.

Wow, how the hell am I going to survive Monday now.

So many chance. A bit of luck and Austin and Ward would have had hatricks. That's not to say we deserved to win 6-1 though.

Thought the change in personal worked out OK. More pace going forward. But I wouldn't be disappointed to see Paynter back either! On that front I guess if its a hamstring then he's possibly out for the play off final should we be fortunate to get there?

That was a fucking brilliant night of football!

Atmosphere inside the ground was immense, the clap banners actually worked a treat! A lot of people who otherwise would have just sat there had something to wave around that made a noise and I thought it looked pretty impressive aswell.

Performance was good, 2 excellent chances in the first half, Charlie's header which produced an amazing save from their keeper and Ward's shot which he should have burried. Charlton looked like they had come for a 0-0 in the first half but came at us after the break and that was probably their downfall, we got 2 very good goals on the breakaway and it's just a shame we gifted them one back, although to be fair their play did deserve it.

Bad miss by Pericard at the end but they hit the post aswell, I think we should all be very pleased taking an advantage to the Valley because they will have to attack us and we can hopefully expose them on the break again.

Tonight i'm just going to enjoy the win and worry about the 2nd leg tomorrow!

i call shenanigans

Great cameo from Vincent Pericard, his best shift in a Town shirt so far and he was superb I thought.

Ward was outstanding, everyone played well. O'brien had a poor first half but was excellent in the second.

Agree Ward was immense, MOM by a mile for me.

Me too.

Ward was excellent as was Ferry.

Austin was good but faded. O'Brien looked dangerous. Obviously we weren't going to get a full 90 out of him.

Half time. Shitting it.

first good performance i've seen from us this season as well.

Me three.

Hopefully in our lucky blue strip we'll get the job done on Monday.

Oh, and I poked my eye with one of those fucking clapper things.

Wow! What to make of that? We looked good and controlled in the first half, then in the second they came right at us and we looked like we were falling apart. BUT out of nowhere we grabbed two good goals - the second was fantastic, great run by Ferry and a superb finish.

As Bert said, when they came at us we exposed their defence and created a number of chances. Hopefully the same will be true on Monday. Shame Pericard couldn't have buried that chance at the end else we'd all be on cloud 9, but we have a lead and I would have snapped your hand off if you offered me that before the game.

O'Brien had a good second half. Ward and Austin were very good together although it meant every time we hoofed it clear it came back at us. We played some nice stuff, using Amankwaah which was good to see. It will be interesting to see if Manks or Darby starts on Monday.

regarding what you said= complete and utter bullshit


Paynter may play from the off on monday, we'll know by sun. His hamstring is tight, but not gone. Bill's been rested for the 2nd leg, and possibly till  the final.  Bill should start on mon, but will be at least the bench. All I know is mr Wilson is happy we won, but will know way rest on the 1 goal advantage.

COME ON YOU REDS

SOLIDS

Well i've heard it from several people and it would not surprise me if it is true, I'm hoping it isn't but we will see.

This is a plea to anybody that is driving up to the game with a spare seat or who is getting the train and has a spare ticket in a groupsaver or something, i'd gladly pay good money as i doubt SAS have any spaces left on the coaches? tried all week to get an away ticket over the phone without success so will go to the ticket office tomorrow in the hope of getting one. Getting back from swindon on monday night after the game will be my next challenge should i find a way of getting to Charlton and back  :D


About the game, i havn't read what others have written but Ward was my mom, great positions and won virtually every header, and what a finish for his goal!! thought we played some great stuff at times, just a shame about the sloppy goal!

Darren, Darren Ward,
Darren, Darren Ward.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8673059.stm

Bloody brilliant night.

Thank you Swindon Town FC, whatever happens on Monday night.

what wiggy said, an unbelievable night - enjoyed it immensely. We knew it was going to be tight but we played well.

We will score on Monday...

I believe!!

We'll score on Monday, but lose 3-2.

It'll go to penalties

Austin, Sheehan, Greer and Ward will score. We'll win.

Monday night will be as tight as the perverbial assholes..Prenton Park '93 revisited..hopefully with a similar outcome.

2-1 is a good score, because not only does it mean that we can't sit back, it means they have to come at us, and we caused them enough problems tonight to suggest we'll score on Monday. It's going to be horendous, but hopefully an awesome outcome.

I feel more confident after tonight.

Their only threat is Nicky Bailey. Keep him quiet and we go to Wembley

All I ask is that none of our lot try to chip the keeper in the penalty shoot out ::)

From All Football TV:

http://www.allfootballtv.com/england-leeds-utd-tracking-paynter/

League Two club Leeds United are interested in Swindon Town forward Billy Paynter (25).

Nice to see they've done their research ::)

Ward MOM for me by a country mile-he's an absolute class act and unless we go up we've got no chance of getting him on loan next season. Ferry had a quiet first half but a good second. I'm no fan of Sheehan but that was a quality ball for Austin. O'Brien was bollox in the first half but looked good in the second once he started running at people.
I also thugoht Pericard was superb in his 10 minutes. He knew exactly what to do and kept the ball.
I'm a happy Town fan tonight. I was useless at work today as I was a big fucking bag of nerves all day. Roll on Monday.  

I agree with Chalkies shorts.

good call on pericard. I've hammered him for being shit, justifiably I think, but he was very good when he came on. should have tucked that away, but could prove crucial late on at the valley.

I thought he was unlucky. Did very well overall in the 10 mins he was on.

My take on the game, for what it's worth, is that without Billy the ball didn't stick up front - a bit similar to Fulham the other night. Wardy and Charlie looked dangerous, in terms of chances, but can't hold the ball up well.

Only Billy or Vince are capable of that.

If we can crack that, and keep Lloyd Sam and Bailey at bay, then we're on our way to the giant arch!!!

I couldn't believe Pericard missed that but he did have his shirt pulled.

Ward was great, In the first half when he shot wide i felt he should have squared it to Austin & in the second half when Austin laid it off to him i thought he was going to smash it in with his right but as he smacked it with his left a defender got across just in time to block it.

Shame Lucas fucked up he's been great all season, Maybe he should have come out quicker or stayed on his line?

I would have been extremely confident had we gone to Charlton with a 3-1 lead, It's going to be very nerve wracking.

Bailey is so dangerous from long range as he proved again tonight, He worries me everytime he gets the ball.

Pericard was a big threat when he came on, Held the ball up well and caused them a lot of problems so i can't say a bad word about him let's hope he does the same on Monday.

charlton never looked like much and i didnt expect them to. after the initial shock of paynter not playing i thought ward and austin looked decent and a constant threat.
obrien shud never have started. it takes him too long to get fit after injury and until that happens his touch and workrate is awful. i must have been the only one to refuse a standing ovation for him.

that was AWESOME. I got a little emotional at the end when strangers were asking me the score, but having been used to dissapointment i'm not used to coping with success!!

Ward was outstanding. No-one had a bad game, not even Timlin! 100000000% confident we can get a draw on monday. COME ON TOWN

half way there.now go and finish those cunts off on monday!
wembley here we come!!!

Just hope we don't sit back and defend and try to protect our lead that would be suicidal, We need to go at them and get the 1st goal, If we can do that then i think we will be going to Wembley.

Especially not with Paynter

Moron

Just got back, knackered but happy, post more tomorrow

Pretty sure attendance was 14560 not 13560 as quoted earlier

Yeah, I thought he said 14XXX. Only empty space i could see was at the bottom right of the arkells, and no way is tjhere 1000 seats in there.

Unless we're trying to fiddle the taxman again. Same old swindle

Must be a fuck up no way was there 1400 empty seats.

Danny, Danny Ward!

AWESOME. that's all. But, now i'm just a little annoyed that if we get to the final I WON'T BE FUCKING THERE, Swindon chose the wrong season to be good!

On the game though, the ref had 'big team syndrome' and 'i want the cameras on me syndrome'. He spoke to Greer after 5 minutes for one little push, gave them literally everything that involved any form of contact, and totally bottled it when it came to giving us decisions, he'd always miss their little nudges whilst the ball was hanging, but give them free-kicks for us challenging fairly. Complete CUNT. But, he should have booked Sheehan and did miss Greers little swinging elbow in the first half  :I'm a complete mofleakin Deak.

Ward was MOM, even if he did go a little bit greedy in the last 15-20 minutes. What a way to sign off on from the place which has been your home for 6 months. Danny Ward for England....i think so!

Ward did well, as did Austin, think he just shaded it, also thought Sheehan was very good, he kept that diving whingy git Sam pretty quiet. And finally anyone who ever thought a drum might be a good idea ought to be shot after their lot bought one, pathetic, absolute bollocks, anyone who needs a drum to help them clap hasn't got proper support.

Well that was great - even the pissed Charlton fans pulling the emergency cord on the train back to London couldn't wipe the smile off my face. Great atmosphere, and we played brilliantly, especially going forward - good to see us back to form. I thought we looked a bit shaky at the back at the start of the second half, but as we scored 2 goals then I'm not complaining  ;D

I was a bit worried when I heard that Paynter wasn't playing, but Ward was absolutely brilliant tonight. I'd love to have him in the team next year whichever division we're in, but I can't see Bolton letting him go, unfortunately.

Can't wait till Monday. You reds!

How can I feel slightly disappointed when we won tonight?  Really we could have had Charlton dead and buried.  For any other team the Pericard chance would have hit the back of the keeper and rolled in, but we don't get that type of luck do we?  Disappointed to have let in such a soft goal, especially after dealing with the succession of corners that Charlton threw at us! A goal advantage is slim, but the pressure is on Charlton.  If we score again, they need to score 3 times! 
Austin looked sharp again tonight and good to see him score, he needed that.  Have been told by friends who watched in the pub that he should have buried one of the headers - haven't seen it again yet, so can't comment?  We were at our best when we played the ball on the ground, why Greer and Sheehan kept feeling the need to hoof it forward is beyond me?  Apparently Manks had a late fitness test, so not sure whether he was struggling late on.  Hope he can play on Monday, as he gave another attacking option.  To be fair, nobody really had a bad game.  We are capable of beating anyone when we play proper football!  Pericard looked as good as has been in a Town shirt and like others, I've not been his biggest fan.  Maybe shoud have been brough on earlier?  Intersting that even with Billy out Nouble didn't start - has Danny realised he's shit?
On the Paynter front, if he wasn't injured, would he have had the balls to do the interview on the radio saying how gutted he was?  I'd like to think not?
Having wanted to go to the away leg from the outset, but having nobody to go with, my dad has now decided that he can't bear not to be there.  He's never seen Swindon lose in a play off game when he's actually been there.  Surely a good omen, just need to get tickets tomorrow now!
On the Paynter front, if he wasn't injured, would he have had the balls to do the interview on the radio saying how gutted he was?  I'd like to think not?
WE CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, I was wrong

Paynter is definatly injured no idea whythat nob earlier in the thread is trying to say otherwise. Anyway On  monday even if Paynter is fit, i'd  be tempted to start with Ward up front, he made their experienced centre back look a right mug with his "rolling him" trick, it worked every single time.

Wardy was fucking brilliant tonight...by far and away MOM. I had a neutralish mate with me tonight, and he was so impressed with us going forward and the firepower we've got. Wardy, Austin, Pericard was superb for 10 mins, obviously BP and Frank is a good young player despite not getting a proper go down here - thats an incredible strikeforce for L1 and the one thing that scares the shit out of defences like Charltons is pace....

Sure it was Charlton fans? Most of the london reds will of been on that train, and they are hardcore*


* Not really, although petswinsprizes will have been juiced and maybe used it as a handrail

I tend to agree, Charlton must have had a game plan to deal with Paynter and Austin and when Paynter wasn't playing, it must have been WTF Ward and Austin, and WTF O'Brien.  Even if Paynter is injured just having him on the bench pretending he's fit might spook them a little.

Charlton fans talk some shit.

http://www.charltonlife.com/forum/comments.php?DiscussionID=34470&page=1

Ha ha moaning about not making any noise because they were on the Bank. That's why you were put there numbnuts! We'll take any advantage we can, we want to win the tie and get to wembley, not hold a singoff.

They think the Valley will be intimidating. Well I'm sure if we can cope at Elland Road and St Marys it won't be the cause of a downfall should we have one.

Apparently we were weak in defence and no real threats going forward?!

Well, apart from the 8 good chances and 2 goals we held no threat whatsoever. Meh, let them think we are shit. All works in our favour.

they are also raving on about the atmosphere they will create monday, think they will raise the roof etc etc.
Lets not forget that there will be twice as many town fans in the jimmy seed as there were in the TE last night...think about that!
An early goal and it will be very quiet from 3 sides methinks....

I absolutly shat myself last night, had to sit down in the second half was so scared.

Not looking forward to monday, going to need some new underware...  :doh:

They have some right fucking mongs (as do we it must be said) But moaning about the town, when half of them live in Kidbrooke and Poplar is ironic, and as for moaning about the clappers, they bought a shitty drum, the worst crime against football ffs.  Kick Bailey early and they dont have anyone else to cause problems Monday, decent enough side, but pretty toothless up front on that showing.

Thought O Brien had a decent game, first half was ok but second half they couldn't hold him when he got on a run with the ball, his pace caused problems, I suspect that he will not be fit enough for monday though if Ward is up front again, so perhaps it maybe worthwhile putting Lex into midfield as we don't really have another decent left sided player and using O Brien as an impact sub late on when legs are getting tired 

Ive heard the same rumour about Paynter signing for Leeds yesterday. I dont think Danny Wilson will use him again unless he has to.

Great game last night. Really enjoyed it.

Hillarious those Charlton fans blaming the away end for their pathetic support. Ive seen the fans on the bank completely take over the County Ground in terms of atmosphere (Cardiff, Stoke). Its just Charlton dont have the fans to do it, shite! The happy clappers werent as bad as I thought they were going to be.

Didnt think anyone had a bad game. I was pleased for Pericard and O'Brien. Both of them have had a tough time at Swindon, but showed some real desire that they want to be here last night. Gutted for Pericard at the end because I thought he changed the game when he came on and deserved a goal. Austin had to play a slightly different role without Paynter, and I thought he lead the line absolutely superbly.

I dont have much to say about Charlton, except that I thought they panicked big time when it went 2-0. At one point they had 5 men running to try and tackle O'Brien and he still managed to get a cross in. Early goal at the Valley and I think they could lose it a bit (tactics, shape, etc).

Got a nice big bruise on my back for the second goal. Town Ender down.

enjoyed hearing radio commentary of the goals this morning - though I don't have to put up mostly with that and it's probably worse when you get that level of excitement when there's just a mere sniff of the net.

great second half, shame we couldn't have made it more, but Wilson seems to reckon that's a good thing, it's definitely going to be very nervy at their place whatever.   
Ward or Austin Motm for me. Thanks to this thread for introducing o'brisk, he did worry them with pace a bit.

Crappy clappers were annoying, but in a bizarre way helped the atmosphere

COYR

the leeds rumour is nothing new.if it is true you would think the player would be professional enough to do the job for his current side.i have no reason to doubt paynter, as he's done it all year for us.

http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/Search/Search.aspx?EventId=98299775&EditorialProduct=Sport#

Match gallery from Gettys.

Love the second picture of Charlie pointing at the crowd and Danny Ward going mental in the back ground!

I've not had time to read the whole thread, so apologies in advance for any repetition.  Sentiment from most at the final whistle was that we could & should have won by a bigger margin, but I think a lot of that was down to selective memory.  Charlton had sustained periods of pressure and, on balance, I thought 2-1 was a fair reflection.  All to play for.  Very little in it at 'half time', but I think I would prefer to be in our position rather than theirs at the moment...just.  Charlton will be very nervous on Monday that we might score first.

Regarding Pericard's almost goal, I'm to blame there.  When he came on, I turned to my brothers and said: this is it.  He's going to score.  I felt very sure of it.  Must have jinxed him.  My heart really went out to him at the final whistle...he was gutted.  Shows his heart's in the right place even if his sat nav went a bit wonky and couldn't quite find the goal.  But as my brother said, he did do brilliantly to get down for the header any way.

Roll on Monday.  57 hours and counting...

Bloke I know is a steward near the directors box, said paynter was going mental all through the game. He can't be that disheartened.

Also said it was a groin twinge and he'll be back for monday. This may well be bollocks..

I think if you cross Danny Wilson then thats it, your out. They said no deals before the season has finnished.

Good game last night and a good advert for the league that has been this season. Wasn't surprised by the first half to tell you the truth. Was expecting Charlton to sit back a bit and keep their shape. They did it very well and although we had a couple of chances (a few good saves from their keeper) we didn't look like scoring.

Second half was a totally different game. I don't know what their boss said to them at HT but whatever it was they came out with the bit between their teeth and really had a go. Fair play to them for that. Bailey was very unlucky with that shot that came out off the post. You got a feeling it was going to be our night when that happened.

Charlton's desire to get forward played into our hands really. We suddenly had time and space on the ball and began to cause them a hell of a lot of problems. O'Brien's pace was doing them time and time again and they really couldn't cope with Ward. Great goal from Austin. Not like him to score one like that but he rose about the defender and powered it into the net. Great stuff. Then we sat back which was nerve racking. Thought our plan was to sit back and hit them on a the break and again it worked a treat. Great play from Ferry and what a finish from Ward. I have a grazed knee from celebrating that this morning so thanks for that Danny.

Once it was 2-0 I fancied us for 3 or 4. We looked more confident and more composed than we were prior to the 2nd. Just a shame we gifted them a goal from nothing. We've been doing it for a while now sadly and it's cost us a 2 goal advantage going into the 2nd leg. We did create enough to get a few more though which was encouraging.

Thought we'd miss Billy quite badly but O'Brien looked good in the 2nd half and Ward was outstanding. Charlie led the line well too. Pericard looked great when he came on. Held it up well and caused them problems. How he missed that chance at the end i'll never know. Feel sorry for him because you could tell he was gutted at the final whistle.

On to Monday then. Nerve racking times ahead for sure. I'm confident we can score at The Valley. If we do it's going to make it a tough task for them. Will Billy be back? Reckon we might have him available tbh. COYR and bring on Monday. We've got a chance of Wembley now boys so do us proud.

Is there anywhere where i can watch the goals online?

Paynter will be playing some part on monday, just touch and go whether he'll start. After last night, i'd imagine Wilson will keep the starting 11, with Paynter on the bench.

Paynter is still under contract with us anyway so can't have actually signed for Leeds yet.

Plus would Paynter really want to miss oiut on the 2 (maybe 3) biggest games of his career and would Wilson cut his nose off to spite his face and not include our top scorer.

I think that our chances will also be boosted by the use of a fair referee in the next leg, someone who won't favour the bigger club.

We are the bigger club.

If that is it for paynter - which i hope it isnt - going on last nights performance looks like we got a ready made replacement in pericard - charlton couldnt handle him just a shame he didnt score - did you see how gutted he was at the end -shows he cares - with a bit of luck we finish the job on monday -YOU REDS !

 :D Yup but if you look at the history books..

I agree. It can take a while sometimes for players to settle in and fans as we know are notoriously impatient. I've seen enough from Pericard to indicate that given a decent, injury free run in the side he will do a great job for us.

Good game last night, really enjoyed it.

Had a right cunt sat behind us who complained at everything. We go 2-0 up and he's complaining about the goal!

Dont need cunts like him, fuck off to reading

I thought we were superb , really enjoyed the game and the atmosphere . Apart from two spastic cunts behind me determined to talk about anything other than the game. I was a bit suprised about paynter being injured but i think we benefited from it with ward looking dangerous when running with the ball. It was good to see charlie score again as he looked a bit off colour the last couple of games. I really felt for pericard i thought he was superb the 10 mins he was on and was very unlucky with his header. I would feel more confident going in two up but as danny wilson said going in two up might have made us a bit complacent. Roll on monday. Fuck off charlton  :smugfu:

Couldn't really hear the clacking things in the Town end. Good fucking job too

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9C3gCdXBRc

There's an awesome video on Youtube of Danny Ward's goal from the Charlton end. Brilliant watch.

Is it the one 2 Inches above your post?

Yes it is. What a goon. Took me 3 minutes to type that post.

Is that horrible hissing noise those weird fan things? Thank christ we couldn't hear that in the town end. LOVE the eruption when Wardy scored.

Nah, the weird fan things were charlton supporters.

HAAAAA

Must admit ended up going absolutely mental for both goals last night. I messed up the bloke in fronts hair both times!

that split second of silence between the ball leaving wards boot and it hitting the net sends shivers down the spine

Not based on the fact that we couldn't sell 12,000 tickets to Home fans for a play-off game.

That said, the Town fans that were there did us proud, was very little of the usual moaning.

Can't wait for Monday, just praying that we can get a result.

That video is fucking awesome, sends shivers down my spine! Very special atmosphere inside the CG last night.

Monday cannot come quick enough, it's not often I say that on a Saturday morning!

I'm going to spend all weekend thinking about it tbh.

My brief thoughts...

Ward was brilliant, how he wasn't motm is beyond me. Amankwaah very good too.
Didn't think Austin was ace myself, certainly a couple of headers in the first half he should bury.
Greer is shambolic and Lucas' decision making is pretty poor.
Everyone else decent.

That said I can't believe we didn't have it sewn up, fuck me how much better were we than Charlton?

Lord I've missed the CG

I am hanging....brilliant night and some quality football.
A family friend who is a Swansea season ticket holder was in the townend with me...he was gobsmacked at the noise level,shame about the Lucas blunder because his all round game was brilliant.
Great match..Wembley is looming.

Superb!

I'm now going to open that video up on full screen, get on with some revision, then come back and hit "replay" every time I get a bit bored :D

last night was just amazing, the atmosphere was just great something we need. Can't wait till monday now, although that 1 goal they scored got me thinking are we actually going to do it.

the sound of the roar after the goal is just amazing!

I've already watched it about ten times.

What a fantastic night that was! We played really well. Ward was fantastic, easily MOM. Austin worked really hard all game.

Great that we are going to be taking a lead into Monday's game (which i dont know how i will get through).

Atmosphere was pretty good, charlton fans were very quiet. Ruined slightly by the twats behind me who agreed between them that 'Amankwah is the worst attacking RB in football, he has hardly got forward all season' and then they agreed 'Watching football is shit, i miss my sofa' Oh do fuck off.

we're beyond player analysis and match breakdown now fellas, we're in the realm of the playoffs, this is where the fans make the difference, this is where the noise can win and lose the games

last night was fantastic, the atmosphere from where I was in the town end was electric felt proud so proud for my club. great to have all three sides full of town fans making an effort for the boys

of course we weren't going to take a two-three goal lead to their place, if we're going to do this, we're going to do it the swindon way. slender lead, no away goals at play, this is well and truly POISED.

I'm a bag of nerves and I fucking love it. THIS is why we support Swindon Town, fuck the rest of it.

I fancy us to rock that funny little family club to its core on monday night, that away stand is like a subwoofer they're going to get a shock I reckon if they think they've got home crowd advantage, never been impressed with their fans. Playoffs is ALL about the atmosphere and we carry that momentum through to monday night its gonna be a cauldron down there

I'm shitting myself, going to get a half day and drive up to london, park up west at my mates and head on over to the main event. See you all there!

some great threads on here today - glad im not the only one feeling nervous/excited -been a few years since i felt like this - got a positive feeling about it all tho although feel like crap at mo -hanging out my arse ! left the cg hotel at 12:30 totally smashed - what a great night !  :beers:

Please can we have that atmosphere at all future home games  :)

Strange to see a group of Charlton fans enjoying some cans on a petrol station forecourt  ???

Although we played amazing last night, im still really nervous for monday, i think if charlton score the first they will go on to beat us, unless they get 2 red cards..

im hoping the atmosphere is going to be good as last night too. come on you reds!

Quote from one of the Charlton forums:


Swindon played some good football and eventually the goals came for them but the turning point was Deon's excellently well taken goal ... suddenly Swindon stopped playing footbll and started to hoof the ball everywhere. This is obviously the other side of Swindon and the reason whey they only finished 5th ... good team but when the pressure gets to them they play a completely different, more ineffective, style of football. We were very unlucky with Nicky's attempt and the game could have been so different if that had gone in. Swindon did finally revert to a good playing style and were unlucky not to score near the end ... I couldn't see the incident properly but my wife tells me it went off the post.

The big plus for me is that listening to the Swindon fans outside the ground after the game, they feel that they have done it ... very confident and sure they will get to Wembley. Good, let them feel that way and hopefully the complacency will spread through the club. Danny Wilson has played the 'underdog' game very well and kept their feet on the ground ... maybe this will undo them.

Agree completely with the first paragraph, but the second - I don't think any of us are particularly complacent?  How can you be when you support Swindon Town?!

The scenario after last night reminds me of the 1989 play offs against Crystal Palace where we dominated the home leg and took a 1-0 lead to Selhurst when we should have been a couple of goals clear and got turned over 2-0 in the return game. We have the same lead and a trip to South London but at least Charlton don't have Bright & Wright up front. Got a feeling we will be facing extra time and pens again.

Can tell you're a fuckin town fan.

We're going to lose. Anyone want my ticket?

really surprised at the attendance, looked absolutely full on the TV.

however, we had 14,508 for the leeds game with 3,300 from leeds. last night there were 2,024 charlton fans....

so more or less the same number of home fans. did the leeds fans have the corner of the arkells though?

Yeah they did.

in that case we don't have more than 11,500 fans  :)

fuck knows what was going on with that figure last night, the only empty seats i could see were the block at the bottom right of arkells near away fans and some near the dug out, i have a feeling the empty seats in the away end were because people were standing in the aisles. so where the hell were the missing 1000 seats????????

Except for when we get to Wembley ...

A few seats on the end of the DRS were blocked off, probably a couple of hundred. Then the ones behind the dug outs and the bottom of the Arkells in the corner.

Probably about right.

if we get to Wembley, we will take 30,000+

There are plenty who couldn't make it last night for different reasons. Was gutted I had to watch it on TV, but I'd rather see us win on TV than be at the ground and lose :)

The capacity at the county ground has been reduced year on year from all the segregation levels they keep putting in. Stupid thing is if we could sell our ground out then they would put them all back in again and have a segregation of 1 seat like they do at Old Trafford (its all about ££££).

Plus there were a lot of empty seats in the Arkells, the restricted view ones behind the posts.

We should have given Charlton a full allocation. We need to sell out the big games to create that buzz about the club. Lock a few people out and our support will improve.

Posh, I was taking the piss about the big club thing. I think last night should be a major wake up call for the board regarding the ground development. 14,000 is the right size for our ground.  

:bandwagon:

i've been to one home game this season and watched the game from home last night but if we go to wembley i'll be jumping on that bandwagon for sure.

I agree with what you said. One paragraph is very spot on and the second one is utter bollocks.

If anyone thinks a 1 goal lead with 90 minutes left to play is enough, they are a deluded idiot.

Got home pissed up at 1-30am.  Top night.

Would of taken 2-1 but poor old Pericard could of made it a better for us.

Is that three times he has hit a post now?

If we didn't sell out our allocation people would be moaning. We can't have it both ways as fans, we're not a big club with a big fanbase.

I think Wilson will throw Darby back in on Monday and maybe start Pericard (if Paynter is out) and put Ward left wing.

That video is superb, have to laugh at the Charlton fans blaming their lack of noise on no roof, it doesn't help but Leeds last season were absolutely brilliant in that stand and had no trouble creating superb noise.

Overall i came away from the game a tad disapointed.

Didnt think we played our passing game and too many times the ball was hoofed up field aimlessly.

Charlton were crap and only had a good spell after they scored their goal.

Happy we won, but gutted it wasnt by a bigger margin.

I thought we missed Billy last night as Austin found it hard to keep the ball up on his own.  However i thought Austin played very well and took his goal well

I reckon O Brien will be a class player next season if he doesnt get injured.  Hes really quick and got a good cross on him.  His first touch was lacking yesterday, but that may be due to lack of match practice.

I think we should adopt a similar formation on Monday as the emphasis will be on Charlton to score.  Ward and O Brien will have the pace to set up some good counter attacks.  To me we looked most dangerous when they had corners.  We'd quicly win the ball and then quickly counter (like when Ward scored)

I think we will score on Monday, so lets not concede 2 !

I think if there is to be any goals on monday, its absolutely vital now that we get the first one.

Prediction: Swindon will find a way of keeping the outcome in question until the last minute of extra time.

Oh god i really hope not. I couldnt bear that.

Is it Monday yet?

What about now?

Now?

What about now?

I cant bloody wait!!!!!

I think O'Brien should start again, looked good on the ball and Ward and Austin had blinders up top

Weren't you saying before the game it was right that we gave Town fans the Arkells. It's easy to say with hindsight we should have given them more.

I could see empty seats in the Arkells. I was surprised we didn't sell out. It's rubbish and to be honest slightly embarassing. I don't know what's going on with that.

(other than that last night was great tho  :D)

So do I mate, I just think Wilson will change it thats all.

Plus, is O'Brien going to be fit enough for 2 starts in 4 days?

Still our biggest home turnout of the season

Quit yer whining

I can't see them making more noise at their place than we did last night even if they sell out. Couldn't hear them on BD

leeds was bigger

It will be all happy clappy bollocks anyway, not a proper atmosphere like Millwall was. It's funny reading their forums, they seem to think The Valley is an intimidatating place and we should be scared of the support they will be giving their team on monday night.

Got to be one of the quietest places this season

Why's Austin choking himself? I missed that as I found myself in a headlock stuck between about 5 people.

Could Parkinson get fired if he doesn't make it to Wembley?

I don't think they could afford to pay him off.

Were you in the town end row J?

utter utter shite!

I think Dave could be right.

Leeds Game: Overall of 14508 - 3300 leeds fans = 11200

Last Night: Overall of 13560(allegedly) - 2200 charlton fans = 11360

My missus came home from work Thursday and asked if I knew anyone who had spare tickets for some bloke she works with. I assumed she meant for the away leg, but turned out this guy was asking about the home leg. I just stood there open-mouthed and said "Has he tried ringing the ticket line or going to the club?". Apparently not, he'd assumed they'd sold out. So I sent her back to work Friday to tell him there were still tickets left, all he had to do was pop down to the CG or ring the ticket line. To which he apparently replied that he'd left it too late now and they'd all have gone, shame as he really wanted to go! Didn't even bother ringing up. Some people really are incredibly stupid. But I do wonder how much the early week massive queues etc made some of the fairweathers (sorry "Massive Fans") assume they wouldn't be able to get a ticket and so not bother trying like this plank.

oh, i thought you meant the total attendance.

in that case you are certainly correct although i wasn't moaning

:o

Haha, I think i've seen more passionate and intimidating fans of Franchise...

My take-Austin's best all round game in a Town shirt that I've seen,yeah missed a couple of chances but in Paynter's absence took on the responsibility of main striker and beat it hands down-the moment he brought down that cross and turned it into Ward's path was pure class-I bet the Sky pundits were creaming theirselves.Ward was brilliant and let's hear it for our latest "scapegoat" Sheehan who was for me a close runner up to Charley Charles for MOTM,defended brilliantly,a superb through ball for Wardy in the first half and of course a quality delivery for Austin's goal.We must sign permanently this class act forthwith.Charlton hammered us for about 20 minutes non-stop but Cuthbert and Greer were at their solid best.Ferry has outshone Douggie in our last few games and was again the pick of our midfielders.I really hope DW starts with the same X1 on monday,we dont need to go there and fear Charlton,lets get at 'em again,then maybe bring Darby and Timmy on for the last 20 if we're in front still.Share the optimism about Pericard who looked to be "tugged" just before the post-hitting header.Really not looking forward to monday-its horribly poised.Would have settled for any lead originally but the fact that the concession was such a shit goal has me worried.

Anyway Spencer this argument that we only need a 14,000 stadium is floored.

Generally attendances go uo in a new stadium- like Reading. Doesn't always happen but i think it would in our case.

Back up the ferry comments. I've just watched the video of our second goal for the 800th time, and he not only runs the full length of the field it's also him that makes the crucial block after the original corner.

<3 him

Also, suprised how the fella making this video managed to get out alive. Sure he wasn't too popular

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

Don't agree with that at all.

a) it wasn't unreasonable to think we'd sell out our full home allocation.
b) We don't want them to have any advantage whatsoever.
c) Looked like only the restricted view seats were available anyway.

What's with all these videos from the Stratton Bank? Why would you put them up on youtube?

Got bored with the FA Cup Final after Chelsea scored and it was obvious they'd go on to win and watched the highlights from last night's game.  They were on at 3am on Sky Sports, which I happened to see when I flicked threw the channels in my drunken state at around 1am, so set the sky plus.  Having watched it again,  the atmospher came across as being brilliant and Swindon really did play well and Charlton weren't very good.  Makes me feel even more distressed now that we are only taking a 1 goal advantage with us.  By half time, we really should have been at least 2-0 up and the first 'real' chance that Charlton had was when they hit the post in the 48th minute.  The pure joy on Charlie's face when he scored was superb and Wardy's goal - I can't remember ever seeing Swindon break like that from a defensive situation and actually score?  The Charlton goal was a complete cock up defensively and if that hadn't happened, I can't see they would have scored.  They had 12 corners ffs, all of which were identically taken.  I think the majority of us felt generally sorry for Pericard, but the commentators saw it from the angle that he should have been scoring from the position that he was in?  I just hope that miss doesn't come back to haunt us?  However, I believe if we score at the Valley, we'll go through.  So all we need is an early goal to settle our nerves!  
The cameras also panned to Billy sitting in the stand wearing a Swindon coat with his little boy on his lap celebrating after Charlie's goal.  If he'd signed for Leeds, can't see he'd stil be wearing Swindon attire?
Bring on Monday.  Glad I'm going to be there now and not watching it on tv, just wouldn't seem right!  

You are wrong because last nights attendance was 14560

Correct....a sell out.

no, the attendance was 13,560.

http://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10341~2052336,00.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8673059.stm
http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/MatchReport.asp?MatchID=20100401

Thats wrong i am sure..i heard it announved over the tannoy as over 14000.

Well the attendance they announced on the night and displayed on the scoreboard was 14560

What a prize cock that bloke is.  If he was sat next to me I would have launched him.

Could it not be that it is a typo at source and that all of the websites get their information from the same place?  Never 1500 seats empty last night, that and the fact that they announced it and displayed it on the scoreboard says to me that it was 14560 and that somebody has had a typo

they displayed 13560 on the score board.

anyone who blames lucas for the goal is wrong.
greer and cuthbert are those at fault.for me, as cuthbert was nearest to the forward he is most to blame.marginally.
first rule as a centre back is to not let the ball bounce.they did, and burton got there first.

I thought it said 14,560 over the tannoy, but the Adver says 13,560 - could be a misprint?  There were quite a few odd empty seats in our vicinity in the Arkells stand and they weren't restricted view.  We sit literally on the halfway line - completely clear view!

Just saw this comment on 606 from a "Swindon Fan" and it annoyed me... Swindon Fan my arse...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A68314755

It didnt bounce did it?

I thought it went straight from the keeper to Burton. I blame Danny Ward for pressuring the keeper into the kick in the first place.

WTF.  What a twat.  If this person's going on Monday, why doesn't he go and sit in with the home fans?  He'll obviously feel more comfortable?

Are you Charlton in disguise?

this is my favourite bit


Genius.

ditch the sarcasm,and look at it on tv.
you're wrong

Because of the spectacle baby!!!! Listening to Martin Tylers commentary last night he sounded 10 times more excited than when he does Premier League matches.

Batch, top flight attendances have ballooned since theyve been able to ensure sell out crowds because of the transition to all seater stadiums. As soon as you have sell out crowds it encourages people to get their arse in gear and get a ticket. Just the fear of missing out creates a hysteria that motivates fans. Human nature.

Bart, this was the clubs biggest game for 6 years. If we cant sell out the ground then it gives you an idea of the demand. Swindon fans like to think Reading used to get 3,000 at Elm Park before their move, but they were averaging 11/12000 for quite a few years before they moved. Its another football myth!

And Leeds had at least 1000 in the home end. At least.

No, you don't.

That's probably the bloke who was sat behind me who spent the whole of the first half loudly pronouncing how "Charlton are bossing it"  ::)

Should have been phrased - we sit literally in line with the halfway line, but you knew what I meant!

I know they're prone to pulling figures out of their arses sometimes, but I was quite emphatically informed by a fella in the ticket office (at about 6:30) that there were "less than 100" available in the Arkells - and that was it. Add those to the segregation at the Bank end of the Arkells & DR, & the blocks by the dugouts that's probably not far off. It was definitely announced as 13560 over the tannoy, I heard it clearly. Seems about right to me.

thought 13560 was about right, I actually guessed 12800 in our attendance accy, but thats partly a hangover from the good old days when a near sellout was announced over the tannoy as "eight thousand, six hundred and four!" greeted with hystecal laughter from the regulars

from where I was there were two clear areas of seats empty behind the post in the arkells (the sightlines to each goal, obviously) and that block in the arkells and the stratton plus a few kicking around in the town end and don r makes a thousand.

no complaints, great atmosphere but was surprised we didn't sell it out.

Assume we've sold out on monday? anyone?

I would hope that most, if not all, of the 400 that were left were sold today. Failing that people have until 5pm Monday (which would be leaving it a tad late!).

Spencer Reading did not have average attendances of 11000/12000 at Elm park- more like 4-5000

I went down to the CG at 8.30 am today ready for the ticket office opening at 9am to get tickets for Monday expecting there to be a queue, but there was only one other person waiting.  They opened at 9 on the dot and we got our tickets and there was no sign of anyone else?  The chap told me that there were around 390 tickets left, but they were only open until midday today.  The ticket office isn't open tomorrow and then opens again from 8.30am until 5pm on Monday.  Would be surprised if anyone left it until then though, because most people would have had to arrange in advance to finish work early etc.  Can't see the point in them being open until 5pm on Monday either, you'd struggle to make the match if you bought a ticket that late?!  Not sure if the phone lines were open longer today or are open tomorrow. Seems like we won't sell out?

My take on the game if it really matters, which it don't

Great atmosphere, great game, great crowd. Brought my nephew up for his first game since he was about seven, he's now 20 ish, thinks it's a lot smaller than he remembered.

Loved the happy clappy things, thought they were a great idea. Just wish the printing company that I work for had printed them, but then the reps never go out of their comfortable office so no chance of that

Shame I missed the barbie in the CGH, was starving by the time we got there, lorry fire just after Downton so had to take a massive detour and arrived late yet again

Went to get our seats and passed the betting office and said to my compatriots "I wouldn't trust that bloke behind the counter as far as I could throw him" looked a right slimy git. Said this while I thinking "Shall I put a fiver on Charlie to score the first" then thought I don't have time. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Thought we shaded the first half, Charlie had a few good chances, took me ages to realise Billy wasn't playing doh. That Sam bloke was doing a few tricks etc without actually creating much, but I did think he was quite useful and tbh was a bit worried about him

Second half was woken up when they hit the woodwork, how it never went in, well
All hell broke lose when Charlie got the first and to be honest it was deserved, he had been working hard and it was just reward. Maybe his second or third headed goal?
The second was a classic, breakaway by Ferry(can we sign him?) pass to Danny(can we sign him as well please? If only I'd won that 86million last night) and it's in the back of the net. Superb

I won't mention the absolute dominance that they had when we couldn't get it out of our half. I had to shut my eyes

Their goal, was pretty sure that if Lucas wasn't that bored and half asleep he could have cleared that
Felt sorry for Pericard when he hit the post, the poor bloke was absolutely gutted

Great burger on the way out, just wish I'd had the half pounder

If I could afford it, I'd be seriously tempted to get on the phone Monday

That's the problem with saying "literally", people will tend to take you, well, literally.

No they won't.  That is literally the stupidest thing you've ever posted.

Christ the competition in that category would be fierce and extensive. Literally.

OK, not 11,000. But they averaged 8200, then 9300 in the last 2 seasons at Elm Park.

Good result despite the fact it should be out of sight by now. We're still going to do it i'm sure.
Shit support from both clubs. Surely we can do better than that? Fucking happy clapper banners, wtf?! And neither club selling out, what the fuck is that all about?! Our support really is crap.

Goodnight.

Take a look at Huddersfield and Millwall today though. Poor support both home and away for such a big game. Huddersfield had those crappy WC horn things as well. The Town End was good last night. None of the clap banger things in there.

Something to do with the current economic climate perhaps. I would like to go to more Town games but due to circumstances have to go to Poole instead

Oh I understand that. But can they really justify getting 2,000 less for a play-off game than they did in the same game in the league? Really poor showing from Huddersfield fans.

Iffy, I don't know m8, I know from my personal experience, I would really love to go to Charlton away, so I would have to pay for ticket, pay for train fare from Bournemouth, pay for grub and beer etc, then if we win or draw then I absolutely have to go to Wembley and I just can't do em both. I guarantee that the economic climate is worse up there than it is down our way. I guess it's perhaps that folk have choices to make perhaps, lets not knock em for that

likewise, except without the poole bit. the ticket prices at swindon are pretty reasonable and the season ticket initiatives have been great but i can't afford it.

regarding their goal, looked like a bit of a freak one to me. lucas couldn't do much else, burton never took his eye off the ball and got a good touch on it.

Can I see the highlights anywhere?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8684811.stm

thanks mate

4-1 wouldn't have flattered us, would it?

The chest down and lay back for Ward from Charlie in the second half was pure class. Add another half a million to the price tag please, Mr Fitton.

Speaking to some chartlon at the station and they feel it is all still to play for( obvious I know) but they didn't sound confident.

Aren't the playoffs great?  :(

Let's hope they're still great Tuesday.....

Itching to hear Martin Tyler's commentary on the match rather than the generic bbc commentary

I do like borrowdale's spin round to spot the ball after Austin puts the ball in the net!

It was pretty good I have to say. The man is a pro. He had clearly done his research and by the sound of it was at the Millwall v Swindon game the previous week (I know that's his job but still..) I think that above all, for some one who commentates on the Prem week in week out, he was not in the slightest bit patronising. When summing up at the end of the game he said something like "that was a game full of passion and no small amount of skill" (not exactly those words but you get the drift) I thought that was fair enough really.

I think he's a fan of the game as a whole rather than just the Premier League which, thinking about it, is a problem a lot of people have these days, not just commentators. I read somewhere that he's something to do with Corinthian Casuals? Anyway, I was impressed.

Oh, there two against one here. Ferry on the ball, he's got Ward with him. Timing on the pass is crucial. Touch and shoot..

Yes. You Bet. 2-0 Swindon

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid29318049001?bctid=85720390001

Ooooh, that was great. I enjoyed watching that again. I really think we look the best side out of the four based on the first leg performances (Charlton second).

Thas has to be Charlie's best performance to date I would have thought?

Reading the charlton forums they seem to think we are tinpot.

here are some attendances when we have been in the same league prior to their ground redevelopment and time in the prem.

                           Swindon                              Charlton

1991                   9,613 (div2 pos21)                6,502 (div2 pos16)
1992                   9,654 (div2 pos8 )                 6,780 (div2 pos7 )
1993                   10,576 (div2 pos 5)               7,039 (div2 pos 12)

and some attendances when they have been in a higher league than Swindon before redeveloping the valley

1990                   9,444 (div2)                          10,763 (div1)
1989                   8,645 (div2)                           9,419 (div1)
1988                   9,542 (div2)                           8,685 (div1)
1987                   7,715 (div3)                           9,012 (div1)


It amuses me to see these so called 'bigger' clubs looking down their noses at 'tinpot' clubs. there are a fair amount of clubs in the lower leagues that could pull attendances similar to (and probably better) than the likes of Charlton, Reading, Saints, etc if they had better facilities and a sustained period of succes. We are certainly one of them

I really freakin' hate 'big club' fans...arrogant cunts.

Great link, thanks

20 years is a fucking long time tbf

Indeed. Would be interesting to see clubs like Charlton dumped in the lower leagues for a decade and then see their attendances.

Looking at the likes of Sheff Wed, and Forest who came down to this level, each year they were here their attendances dropped. They were also clubs who had also relative recent successes, and played in the premiership regularly before they came down. Swindon as a club have been in the doldrums for 13 years, and I think our attendances have held up pretty well considering all the shite we've gone through.

Is that Corinthian's firm? "Martin Tyler in Top Boy shock" :)

I think Charlton were playing at Upton Park and at Selhurst park for some of those season as well.

But yes, they have as many premier league hangers on as Reading. You can always tell a club like that because their away support is crap in comparison to their home gates.

Heh heh!


Yeah..I can just imagine MT in a Sergio Tacchini tracky top 8)

Charlton fans know fuck all about football.

i'm just watching the game again, the danny wilsons red and white army from the townend to DRS and back sounds quality...soon turns into super fast clapping though!

You might be on the tv in the crowd shots, you were sat just along from Me and Magic werent you?

We made it on, singing up for the lads

First time on telly since Fireman Sam and Crimewatch

really do you know what time?

It was around the 57 minute mark i think.

You can see me and him haha

i'm on 48 at the mo so will keep an eye out...my mates where sitting to the right of you, 2 of them had old school shirts and kept shouting rangers reject at borrowdale...yes they where qpr fans but they got involved all the same!

haha they were class, some of the stuff they were coming out with

He's a Woking fan. When they were having those cup runs in the early '90's he was bigging up Woking, and got to commentate on their games for Sky.

Yeah, that's right. I remember reading that somewhere. One of those commentators is something to do with Corinthian Casuals, I suppose it could still be him.

He usually gets right up my nose when he's commentating, but that's probably because I don't have any time for the Premier League rather than it being a problem with him.

From The Football League Paper :

THE BEAR PIT AWAITS

The biggest surprise of this game came not in the 90 minutes but upon the arrival of the teamsheets without Billy Paynter. Think Ronaldo on the eve of the 1998 World Cup Final, only less dramatic and in suburban Wiltshire.

It was, said Charlton boss Phil Parkinson, 'a big boost', yet the main beneficiaries were not the Addicks but Paynter's stand-ins.

Pushed up top from his usual berth on the left wing, Bolton reject Danny Ward turned in a sparkling performance. Yes, he mised a sitter, but he made the first and then drilled home a fine second, as well as creating numerous chances.

And on the left, Aan O'Brien absolutely terrorised Frazer Richardson, who was named in the League One team of the year.

If anything, the absence of Paynter galvanised Swindon, whose players seemed intent on proving they are more than a one-man team.

That said, they will surely rue not taking their chances. Charlton showed admirable spirit to claw their way back and, having clung on, you can bet they won't play this badly again.

Playing with cut and dash in your own backyard is one thing. Defending a slender lead in a bear pit like the Valley is quite another.

Charlton haVe lost just three times at home this season and outplayed Norwich and Leeds there in the final month of the season. It would take a brave man to bet against them coming back.



Only a few points :

Danny Ward a reject ?
The Valley... a Bear Pit ?
Charlton 0 Norwich 1...

I hope they do reject him!

I think Danny Ward might want to keep that and ram it down that blokes throat when he turns out to be Bolton's best player.

Bear pit?

Primary school assembly more like.

[url width=87 height=128]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n280/ddillon76/bobbear.jpg[/url]

Reject, I would suspect that he's already better than a lot of the dross Bolton have, and given his tender age will no doubt improve substantially

But then if he's that bad we'll keep him

Certainly shouldn't fear the crowd, maybe the occasion. If we play with no fear we will win over two legs.

Charlton are desperately missing Shelvey and as long as we don't sit too deep, play our passing game until they go all out attack, we can do them on the counter.

Looks like Bailey's better from 20 yards than he is from 12. 

You dug up this ancient thread just for that?

Well done sir :D

Yeah, but I fucked up...should've been the away leg!