Thetownend.com

Who do we all want, i'm imagining we all want a really big tie, or would you rather a winnable one to try and get as far as possible?

A big London side away would be perfect for me, Chelsea, Arsenal or Tottenham would be great.

We are bound to get Bradford away.

Agreed.  We want a big club, so anyone who wants to go will be able to get tickets.  And in London, so I can go after work.  Any of those three would be magnificent.

But we're going to get Burton at home.

Bradford at our place for me. Leave the 'Big Guns' till the semis.

We'd have to win two more games until we get to the semis.

Can anyone remember the run we had to get to the semis in 1994/95?  I remember beating Derby at home, but that's about it.

That was about all we did win that year.  Very strange season.

Think we beat Millwall 3-1 or something.  Fjortfort scored a stunner IIRC.

Remember mad Mick McCarthy saying it was a fluke, we all knew better though!

 :nod:

Can't remember much at all. Was at uni so didn't get to all games:

ROUND 2:
21 SEP    2-1L    Charlton Athletic (Home)    1 - 3    Scott    4,842    Media  Match Centre
27 SEP    2-2L    Charlton Athletic (Away)    4 - 1    Fjørtoft 3, Petterson (og)    4,932    Media  Match Centre
          Swindon win 5-4 on aggregate.
THIRD ROUND
26 OCT    3    Brighton and Hove Albion (Away)    1 - 1    Thomson    11,382    Media  Match Centre
9 NOV    R    Brighton and Hove Albion (Home)    4 - 1    Scott 2, Fjørtoft 2    6,482    Media  Match Centre
FOURTH ROUND
30 NOV    4    Derby County (Home)    2 - 1    Fjørtoft 2    8,920    Media  Match Centre
QUARTER FINAL
11 JAN    QF    Millwall (Home)    3 - 1    Mutch 2, Fjørtoft    11,772    Media  Match Centre
SEMI FINAL
12 FEB    SF-1L    Bolton Wanderers (Home)    2 - 1    Thorne 2    15,341    Media  Match Centre
8 MAR    SF-2L    Bolton Wanderers (Away)    1 - 3    Fjørtoft

Agreed. With these couple of decent cup runs last year and this we must be in line for a big draw at some point.

Swansea away

We'll probably draw Wigan at home. Please not Middlesbrough or Bradford away!

Anyone know when the draw is? After the games tonight or tomorrow?

After tonights game.

Cheers Notts. thought it would be but they do like to fuck around with these things.

That run to the semis in 1994/1995 was probably the easiest cup run anyone has had soapy tit wank

Bradford next round, Wigan or Southampton in the quarters, then Chelsea in the Semi's. Sorted.

What about the final Wiggy  ;)

Gotta be Bradford at home for me too, failing that a big side either home or away, at home because we can turn them over and away because we can get a nice little income and a good away following.

Bradford home or Arsenal/Man Ure home or away for me please.

Save Arsenal for the final, surely?   ;)

Leeds in the final!

Anyone at home and we are in with a chance

I'd love to get Liverpool if they go through tonight.

They are a supposed 'big club,' in the spotlight at the moment, and given how shit they are, we'd wipe the fucking floor with them

Would like man u away. Boring but think of the cash!

But there lies a problem, they are likely to play a youthful team and get dumped by Newcastle tonight.

Would like to avoid Bradford, middlesboro and Sunderland away. Villa would do.

Liverpool, Man Utd or Chelsea home or away please ....

So Middlesborough away it is!

How about Millwall on their run to the cup final in 04?

Round 3: Millwall 2–1 Walsall

Round 4: Telford United 0–2 Millwall

Round 5: Millwall 1–0 Burnley

Round 6: Millwall 0–0 Tranmere Rovers

Replay: Tranmere Rovers 1–2 Millwall
Semi-final: Sunderland 0–1 Millwall (at Old Trafford)
 

Home to Bradford would be just as good a draw as home to Man United, Arsenal, etc

Wigan or Southampton know a little bit of what we are about. Any of the "big" clubs will underestimate us, some of them possibly with good reason :)

How close are you Paul to making a return to the County Ground? Morals are all very nice and well but with every result doesnt that scratch get a bit more difficult to itch?

Been going all season. And I've answered this question several times now, at least once in response to one of your posts IIRC. And there was no itch to scratch.

The live cameras will find it hard to resist Swindon and especially Paolo at the moment so we stand a good chance of being on TV with the right draw. My feeling it will be Swansea for some reason.

I'm hoping for Lillestrøm away

Thought they were already out?

Its going to be bloody Leeds.

Worryingly, I tend to agree with this.

2 peas in a pod me and you Nev

Trouble is with cups is once you get to a certain stage you'd hate to be knocked out by a shitty fucking team (like Walsall or Burton) especially after beating Brighton, Stoke and now Burnley.

I want a decent away day at one of the top Premier league teams so we can really test ourselves and maybe pull off a surprise.

That's my feeling as well

bradford at home as i'm on holiday so want a good chance of going through :)

Bradford (H) is who I want to get, but I'd like Sunderland too (I was born there, Mum's side of family all live there and they are my 'second' team)...cue the northern abuse?!

Chelsea or Liverpool, Man Utd and Arsenal if they get through tonight.

We'll end up with Leeds no doubt.

On a side note I wonder if we were to get a big team at home how the club would prioritise tickets. Hopefully after ST holders it should be priority for those who are already on the system and those who have been to at least the two home LC ties. You'll get a lot of non-Swindon fans coming just to watch Man Utd/ Chelsea etc which could mean actual Town fans won't get tickets.

Incorrect

How so? Ground will full of people who have never been, just bringing little johnny to watch Man Utd

Database ALWAYS gets first dibs and if you're too slow then thats your own problem!

I dont agree with the fact us season ticket holders have to pay for cup/play off games..
Takes the piss IMO

You can't have it both ways...

[url width=640 height=291]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v490/jamiethon/serious-1.jpg[/url]

soapy tit wank

Maybe after STH give priority to those who have a stub from last nights game. We will get a shit draw anyway so it won't matte

How? I stated that the club should give priority to the people on the database, I'm not aware that they always do. If that's always been the case then good but if they don't then I don't think it's right that armchair PL fans can just turn up who have never been to a Swindon game before.

Anyone at home on the Tuesday.


At the killers on the wednesday so i REALLY don't want it to be then.

Be at the giant killers instead.

Do we know what number we are yet?

I bet we get either bradford qpr or westbrom.

The team nearest to my house, away.  Thanks.

Bradford at home please. We can have a big tie in the quarters.

I'm on holiday around Lincoln area so anywhere I can get to from there. Hav e a feeling it will be Middlesborough away.

So far we've been drawn against sides who we've played in the 3 years we've at least reached the semi....so the football gods may decree Bantams or Gunners to keep the pattern going....sod's law suggests a trip to Valley Parade.

Main priority has to be the money, an away game at a big club could be worth £300k-£500k. Man Utd would be the best financially, reckon Paolo will be a bit of a draw at some clubs as well - watching him go up against Fergie or Wenger could be amusing.

Reckon if we get a big club at home after season ticket holders they'll make you buy a ticket for another home game or two at the same time. Again, it's all about the money.

Bradford at home please, although if we draw Man Utd at home at least its not too far down the M4 for their fans to travel

Reckon Geordies will beat Manure tonight thus cocking up our big away day (possibly)

We're ball number 9

All numbers are here:
http://www.capitalonecup.co.uk/news/article/round-4-draw-details-2012-389800.aspx

Saints away would do me..........or the winners of the Reading/QPR tie tonight away.....though Chelsea away would be magical with us taking hordes.

Liverpool at home.

Because we may just 'kill' a real giant.

Liverpool's a good shout.

Any team from the North West away please.

Only just realised they were still in as they just scored, but wouldn't mind Reading.

I'd like saints or Chelsea away. We would take fucking loads to the bridge

Liverpool 1 down.  Looks like Rodgers keeping all his big guns for their impending relegation battle!

Utd, Spurs and Arsenal all ahead!!

Its going to be Arsenal

I have a feeling that it's going to be Reading.  I'd like that.

I'd like Villa away as two of my best mates support them and it'd be easy to get tickets for.

Where's the coverage, SSN?

SS2 after Man U v Newcastle, should imagine SSN will show/report on it though.

My Reading prediction now starting to look a little shaky.  We may just have to settle for a tie at the Emirates or White Hart Lane.

So many huge clubs in there ... So much hope ... so much potential for disappointent .. Good luck everyone!

Reading 3-2 up, no it isn't!

Back on now...

We'll draw west brom or liverpool and as the game will go to pens we will have to wait that bit longer to find out who we play!

Bet we end up with Norwich away  ::)

Didn't we get them in the 4th round of some cup in the 80's away?

Think it was 88, we dumped them out of the FA and Simod cup in the space of a month

Liverpool have scored. 82nd Minute

What time/Channel is the draw on?

We would end up playing Liverpool reserves

SS2, Anytime soon.

Sky sports ... Any minute now!!

Anyone else feel we will get the worse possible draw?

Anyone not feeling it :)

Just make the fucking draw!

I wish John Beresford would shut the fuck up!  Stupid Geordie Cunt!

Keep it brief Pardew

It is definitely tonight isn't it ?!

just got in. when's the draw on and what channel

cheers dude. Mrs is watching grand designs :(

That would be Middlesbrough away.

Could be worse, we are having to listen to Nicky Butt.

Nobody watching this has tuned in to hear Pardew or any other post-match analysis

Get on with it

Liverpool through, can we get on with it now.

Ad break, a fucking ad break. Then draw on.

Nope, this is sky, so we need some adverts first!

4 minutes

Bound to be away at Sunderland or somewhere else in the back of beyond!

Link 3 on here if you can't get near the remote: http://www.thefirstrow.eu/watch/143202/3/watch-manchester-united-vs-newcastle-united.html

adverts are better than the house on grand designs tonight.

You gent.  Thank you.

here we go

OH FUCK OFF FERGUSON!

Nope Sir Alex interview still to go.

ok maybe not. some drunk scottish bloke first

I dont give a fuck what Fergie thinks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheers! I couldnt find a decent one :)

Manure away for me and revenge for '96

Fuck off whiskey nose

Bloody Hell.  Was it really that long ago?

"lets have a quick analysis by the groundsmans dog before we do the draw". Anyone fucking else.

Finally here we go.

Nope. Some more Beresford first.

fuck off beresford

What's happening ?

Ah fucking hell, come on!

Finally!

Probably time for an ad break now.

you're a minute ahead of me. i've clearly got sky through STFC player

At fucking last . . . .

No 9

Impressive seeing us along side those names.

Home to Aston Villa

that'll do

Whooo lovely draw.

Villa at home.

Villa

Home to villa

It's 1992 all over again!

Villa at home.  Take that.

Superb, we'll beat Villa.

We'll beat Villa  :D

We'll beat Villa

Mr Collins will be happy.  He'll just have to be on his best form now to make the team.

Thank you very much!

winnable, full house.  not sure it will be a tv fixture though

we'll beat villa

Another very winnable tie. They won't fancy coming here and we should be well up for it. Was hoping for Liverpool or United away as it would mean I could get there but we can always have them in the quarters!

Got to be on TV surely?

Our game and Chelsea V Man Utd I would have thought.

Do you reckon fans will throw stones at Jimmy Hill and Alan Hansen in the commentary box...??

Villa are pretty low on confidence. We can do them.

Summariser on Sky knows his stuff!

I suggest calming down the locals by giving away free boiled sweets...

Anyone disappointed Villa beat Man City?

Happy fucking days.

Definately a winnable tie.  Only really good player they have is Darren Bent

GWR selection packs, "it'll be a doddle for Hoddle",
Jimmy Hill is a horses arse.
Throwing maltesers at the TV box.
Steve bastard Froggart.

Can i just say, we'll beat villa

Just said we are the ones to watch for the upset, let's be having it on tv then Sky!

Good tie, no pressure on us - all on Villa!  Should be a full house as well, cannot see it being on telly though.

Oh and I have a Villa fan sat behind me at work, been winding him up all day about getting them too.

I think we'll lose the tie, but we are in a no lose situation really. Happy days.

Cert to be on TV....and Villa will bring a few thousand down.

Great tie.

never been the same since tony daley left

What about Gabby?

Winnable - check
Sell out - check
Should be on the telly - check

HAPPY

They put the 10 winners yesterday in alphabetical order in the first 10, so we would've got Bradford instead !!


And we'll beat Villa !!!

All pace and no finish in him aka Eric Sabin

Pleased with that, big underdogs but def in with a shot.

They have gone into meltdown at being drawn against us.

http://www.villatalk.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=73641

Bradford get Wigan away :eek:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwU9pHTEhA8   

Those were the days....

Two posts? Hardly meltdown.....

I think that was his point...

How young does Hanson look? Good draw, we will eventually get a big four team, one day....

i was thinking the same basher!

They should definitely just play their reserve team and not even bother watching us.  Their best plan is to totally underestimate us as we are just a little league 1 team.

Please!

Great draw for us. Playing at an empty Old Trafford doesn't really excite me. A packed house on a Tuesday night at the CG really does. We're underdogs, but I have a good feeling about this. Definitely a half day off work.

Is that a wind up or have you just imagined a totally different set of posts?

Ordinarily I'd give the benefit of the doubt but today I'm a grumpy old hector so I don't think so.

About 20 years younger than he is now.

7/10 draw.

Don't reckon it will be a full sell out or on the box; hope I'm wrong on both counts mind

Can't wait. I think Villa in 92 was the first time I saw us play a top division side. Newcastle and West Ham were our equal back then  :)

Good draw. Nice balance between a reasonably big team and a winnable game against a Villa side not exactly firing on all cylinders. Happy with that.  

If we can sell out for Wigan...

Deffo on the box DMR.......it is the only tie with any chance of an upset........Bradford at Wigan will not appeal.

And we had the stratton bank for that too. This time they'll have that. DMR is just looking for bites as usual.

I was on the Bank for that due to my inconsiderate older brother not taking us in the Town End. I saw nothing, being about as high as everyone elses knees. Bastard. The good thing about Frogatt's goal was that it was top corner, so I just about saw it hit the back of the net. I saw nothing of Dwight Yorke's and just about got a glimpse of Mitchell's goal.

but you have a north east derby and chelski vs utd - we should, by rights, be on but i'm not sure we will be. 

sky were probably desperate for us to draw one of the really big clubs though

A lesser competition and midweek, not weekend - so no, not looking for a bite and I said I hope I'm wrong. Now kindly fuck off.

Whooooooooooooosh


Jesus Christ   :doh:

I got the bite I wanted.

Terrific work pal

The best bit about the draw is I'll be back from a trip to India so will hopefully have got rid of the uncontrollable diarrohea by the time we face them.

I think I can speak for anyone who may end up near, you that we wish that also.

Did like one Villa fans description of PdC as

'nuttier than a squirrel turd'

 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

To be honest, I've been out there plenty of times now and have never had it too bad, just the odd bout of it.  Worst case I'll just take a bucket load of Imodium to bung myself up.

As we saw last night, Villa raise their game against better-quality opponents. So we'd better watch out. Coming to the CG to play Swindelona will be their cup final.

Someone was asking about the 3-1 against Millwall during our run to the semis in 94-95 earlier on. Fjortoft curled in a complete monster of a goal from out on the left wing and in the soundtrack on TV you could actually hear Jimmy Greaves dropping his bacon sandwich before going "stroll on!" at the top of his voice.

I think Joey Beauchamp was playing for us that day too and set up one of Mutchie's goals, but we'll not dwell on that...

And there was a fine punch-up in the Intel before the start and in the bogs at half time

At least they haven't called us a pub team as yet. One Villa fan (is he a villan?) says we wont see much of the ball.

I just hope they go easy on us  :girlgiggle:

We will win

Cry me a river.

Start of the League cup Show suggests who will be live on the telly in Round 4.

Chelsea v Man U
Liverpool v Swansea or Reading v Arsenal.

All about ratings.

Di Canio or Mcdermott, hmm?  I agree they are the most predicable fixtures normally, but sky love pdc, he's one of them you know..

Don't Sky choose the ones they want?

What?  I sweat blood for those tickets.  (OK.  Skipped lectures for a day and caught the coach to Swindon to stand in a queue.)  Inconsiderate?!  I was the only reason you got to games at all, you ungrateful f##ker!  You owe me, big time.

I can't sleep.

I remember the tickets for the Villa game being £2.50 (I was 14) for the Stratton bank. I stood right at the front and directly behind les Sealey's goal. He got some serious stick from the Town fans that day

Typical Villa post


Far too reasonable. Can someone please remind them that they are the Premier League team and will therefore go through simply by turning up.

I don't like this new found respect we seem to have.

Don't mention that XXXX on here! Luton........Simod Cup..........Dave Bamber................whistle.............Aaaaaaarrrgghh!!!!!

Yeah! We need to remind them they're playing the Pub Outfit select XI.

Good draw, should be a full house and a great chance of progressing against one of the more average Premier League sides.

I was in the shrivvy, right opposite Big Ron (sheepskin coat). Wonder if Jimmy Hill remembers the match?

One of the more beatable Premiership team, fingers crossed we can

Never realised but we have only ever beaten the Villa twice, once back in August 69 and once in 73 and we have only met in any cup competition once that was the stone throwing day on the Stratton Bank in the game shown live on BBC in 92 a brilliant game IIRC we played really well but got beaten by a couple of 20 yarders one a stunning Froggat goal and one by Dwight Yorke.

We had a couple of good games with them in the 87-88 season when they got promoted back to the old first division with a 0-0 draw in the last game of the season at the County Ground and the massive pitch invasion at the end of the game by the 3,000 or so Villa fans at the CG.

Went to the 5-0 hammering we got at Villa Park in the PL.

That wasn't much fun.

I hate going anywhere near the Midlands - Birmingham, Walsall, Wolves, West Brom - they all make my skin crawl.

I went to that Villa cup game. Brilliant match, one hell of a goal from Steve Froggatt.

I wonder if they'll have noticed we've done Wigan and Stoke (away) recently and send a full strength team. Or will they just send a 2nd string because it's only Swindon?

I get the impression that Lambert is no mug and will certainly show us the respect we deserve.

I have a feeling they will take the game seriously because lets face it....it will be the only way they can get into europe this season thats not a package holiday.

I see on the numerous Villa forums that they are very confident of turning us over, and probably quite rightly so.

But we are a different kettle of fish compared to most other teams in our desire and passion and the manager instilling a will to win which we haven't seen since Hoddle or Macari and on our day can pass and run better than most sides outside of the Premier League. If we come out fighting we can turn over pretty much any team at the County Ground.

We seem to play better against sides that play the ball on the ground, which Villa in the main do.

Swindon fear no one, bring it on.

Bollocks.....never mind, I wanted a plum away tie.

Mind you, this is probably the best draw we could wish if you ask a Villa fan. They are all deluded.

Worked with a Villa fan once, when O'Neil took over he predicted Europe. I asked if 'it's a knockout' had made a comeback!

Given the fact we sold out against Wigan, do you think Town will just give the minimum 15% allocation of tickets to Villa which I think is around 2,100ish or will they buckle to pressure from Villa and give them both away ends? Bit disappointed if they do as feel we could easily sell more than 11,000 tickets for this draw.

Apparently Villa have asked for and been told they will receive the full 3,300 away allocation.

If not, there is always Weston Super Mare.

Well that sucks, unless Wray and Co not confident we could shift all our tickets? Would have loved to see The Arkells Stand all Swindon only.

Hopefully it rains

I can't see how tickets for cup matches get sorted between the hours of 10pm and 9am.

Another half million in the coffers.

Don't know how much PdC gets from the club, but my bet is he has brought more money in than he has cost

Yeah me. I work for City but massive Town fan. Would have loved to gone down for that!!

Nor me but thats what they are saying on the forums from Villa land and they seemed quite confident on the figure too. The date hasn't even been set yet.

from @Official_STFC

Ticket details for the Aston Villa game will be announced as soon as details have been agreed between the two clubs #STFC

27/09/2012 09:15

They reached Europe every season O'Neil was there...

As a matter of interest, how do you get to that figure?

I think tha
I think thats been based on hope more than fact. I noticed their forum also states The County Ground can hold 15,700 which is incorrect.

 I would like to think Wray and Co will stick to the 15% rule and just give Villa Stratton Bank. We should always look after our own first, like most clubs do. Still pissed off we gave Walsall 3,300 tickets on the final home game of the season a few years bank when under the 10% rule for league games even Statton Bank was more than enough for Walsall. We would easily sell out The Arkells Stand.

Pure guesswork and a poor sense of finance

They have Fulham away the previous Sat and Norwich at home the following Sat. Don't know if that'll have any bearing on their selection - might have been different if we were sandwiched between ManU and Chelsea.

from @cmt82 (Chris Tanner, Media Manager STFC)

Plenty of questions on Villa tickets this morning. No details will be announced until agreed between the two clubs, likely next week #STFC

27/09/2012 09:52

I've never understood our capacity reduction, where have 1200 seats disappeared from?

Segregation in the arkells, and a large group of seats in the DRS corner of excaliber (or whatever that stands called now)

I personally would think that it would be easier to police if we kept the Arkells for Swindon only.

I would also like to think that we could sell out the home ends whether we have the full Arkells allocation or not. After all we did sell around 13,000 for the Wigan game, albeit on a Saturday.

There is potential for some quality adver headlines :)

Can someone tell me why we have such a huge segregation area in The Arkells? Noticed at the weekend Liverpool and Man Utd fans only kept apart by three rows of seats with black mesh in between and this is pretty standard in The Prem. Looks like lots of seats were removed in The Arkells to make some huge void.

Is claret and blue the new blue and white stripes ?

it used to be a lot smaller when I sat there. I think the incident with Rovers was when they made it much larger

Yeah I understand it was the Rovers seat throwing incident a couple of years ago that brought this on.

You would hope Wray and co would only give Villa the bank, and keep the rest of the stadium for home fans. We'll easily sell out, tv or no tv.

Anyone know how much the Bank holds?

Believe the Bank holds 2,100 and the corner of the Arkells holds 1,200. Hence the 3,300 figure overall.

Villa will get the 3,300 and easily sell it out, big away support and it isn't exactly far.

I saying that if its on TV neither Villa or us will sell out

Well, if we're that confident of selling out, there's no need to reduce prices.

Reckon they'll hike up the ticket prices for this Nev, maybe £20

Was Wigan reduced prices all round or just cheaper tickets for the Bank?

Was it a sell out against Wigan or were there still tickets available?

Attendance was 13,935 with only a few empty seats in the Wigan section.

Port Vale and Oxford were disappointingly well short of a sell out, although Pox is never a sell out.

Isnt there some rule to say that we have to give away fans at least some covered seating ? I've always assumed thats why we always give that bit of the North stand to away fans, even when they have the bank and only half fill it

The only reason that Villa might not sell out is because it's midweek. Still think it might though

The bank had a temporary roof when we played em in 92. Well, it was a green porta kabin with Des, Hill and Hansen in it :)

16500 there that day  ::)

Brighton only had the bank in round 1, so presumably that rule doesn't apply in the League Cup

Probably irrelevant though, Villa will easily shift 3,300

Pleased that its at home, but think we are getting a bit carried away if we think we are going to win this one. Would have preferred this tie in the next round, having come through an easier home tie in this round.

Still, I never expected us to beat Stoke!

I didn't see much of that game. Got arrested for swearing at the referee. Allegedly

Fucking Wanker.

Bo Lox. I let my wife arrange holidays as I am just the bag carrier so do not take too much interest in dates (being retired), and of course we are in Portugal when we play Villa. Same happened for the JPT at Wembley and I flew back from Lisbon for that one but not going to bother this time, will just have to find a bar that has Sky on hopefully.

 :doh:

Jeez - doesn't everyone swear at the referee? I thought it was compulsory!

No alledgedly about it mate, fuzzing whizzbang back then was horrendous language. I'm suprised you weren't locked up longer.

Are you in a Villa?

They are considerably richer than yoh.

Your point is that if they didn't we'd playing man city??

Well that wouldn't be the case as they probably would have been a different number.

1st chance of reacting to the draw, personally think it's a great draw at home under the lights against Premiership opposition. I think we have a good chance of causing a shock. Looking forward to it!

Considering recent exploits, I'm not sure it would be that much of a shock.

Seeing as the bookies made us favourites against Burnley, I wonder how the Villa game will be priced?

I'm sure Villa would be favourites, but not significantly so.

At a guess

6/4 Swindon
11/8 Villa

Villa 10/11
Draw 11/5
Town 5/2

Odds against both, not a prayer

To win the cup outright:

Villa 12/1

Swindon 100/1

Paddy Power

Current form will have an effect on the prices available i think

I hope we just give them the bank. 2100 just makes the 15% cut off so we could do it if we wanted to.

Which is more likely, them buying 3300 tickets, or us buying 12500?  that'll dictate the decision, I'd imagine.

not going to be on TV apparently

"Round 4 TV games confirmed: @ReadingFC v @Arsenal (19:45, 30/10) & @chelseafc v #MUFC (19:45, 31/10). Both live on @SkySports #CapitalOneCup"

I think we have to give them some cover under roof although I could be wrong!

Why show a possible cup upset when you can show premier league reserve teams slog it out in front of half empty stadiums. Nice one Sky!

It'll keep the army of sofa supporters happy.

Haha, brilliant. Who wouldn't want to watch Reading V Arsenal reserves?

I know it's all about viewing figures but our game wouldn't have had that many fewer viewiers.

What a joke one of Arsenal, Chelsea or Man Utd are on telly every week the only plus side is we have more chance of it being a full house when not on TV.

I would've put our game and the North East derby ahead of Reading V Arsenal.

Big clubs call the shots, always will

Maybe it'll be shown on some obscure channel in Bozwanistan, or something.

Fuck 'em they will miss out on what will be an ace game. Villa will more then likely send out a full strength side, they'll play it on the deck and we'll have a good chance against. We won't get a pasting like we did at their place back in 93/94. If we do manage to pull off a win, we'll more then likely be on TV in the next round. Fuck it we'll hammer them 5-0  :D

The really stupid thing about that is they're showing Chelsea vs Man Utd live on the 28th as well, in the league.

The only surprise is, every one is surprised

We've already been on tv for one cup game. That probably came into consideration.

For a pub side we have been on the telly quite a bit over the last 18 months

It's not so much us not being on TV that I can't understand but it is the fact that they chose Reading V Arsenal.

There are plenty of better ties out there, the NE derby, Brendan Rodgers V his old team and of course, us.

As an aside, there were a surprising number of Reading supporters who were sending/tweeting 'Bring on Swindon' type comments after their late win last night.  Nice to know that they still care!  That's one derby game that would be well worth having back.

We didn't for Brighton in the 1st round. Bearing in mind it's not on tv there is every chance we'd sell 12,000 tickets so I'm hopefull that Villa will be allocated Stratton Bank only.

I remember that clear as day...after that I thought I'd never see us play at Wembley...been there 4 times since, of course.

Why the need to decide on the 1200 in the Arkells straight away? Give Villa just the bank for now and leave the 1200 in the Arkells free. Sell how well sales go in other parts of the ground go before deciding. If sales are poor, give the seats to Villa 9 days or so before the game.

Real Europe..

We played in the Anglo Italian cup a few times.

While I don't recall a single shout for that tie from our side. Always in our shadow... ;)

Sorry Ardlies, probably means more to the east of the county but its a distant 4th in the derby stakes for me.

Now Bristol City on the other hand...

Hate to admit it but the longer we don't play City, and the more (reasonable) City fans I come into contact with, the less I feel they're much of a rival, having said that if we get back on par with them I'm sure all the old rivalry will coming steaming back.

Being a Gloucestershire boy I agree with you.

You not from Glosovo then?

Glosnia would have sufficed.

:doh: Missed the open goal.

At the risk of being accused of trying to get a rise out of people again, are some of us really suggesting Swindon would be a bigger draw to Joe Public than Utd Chelsea on the box? Really?

No

There are two matches to be shown, one of them being Reading v Arsenal (reserves). This has been made quite clear several times in the thread.

Possibly not Swindon, but a large proportion of Joe Public seem to be slightly obsessed with Di Canio, so he would probably be the draw.

The same point applies.

We are having a great time of it but shock horror we aren't quite Arsenal or Utd yet :)

Chelsea United is already on telly just 3 days before..

 :suicide: yeah but that's their first teams game! Not saying it should be us but Sky need to mix it up a bit. How often are the top games great games to watch? They often turn out to be an anti-climax.

Really, It seems so.

Subscribers + advertising = Premier League teams

It'll be worse next season when the BT Vision deal kicks in.  Wouldnt be surprised if PL Reserve league games started being screened by some one

You may well get your wish next season I suspect!

Of course it isn't. But when they already show both games between them during the season anyway, it's just a bit shit.

Obviously we all know that those games will draw in a bigger viewing figure.

I wonder if ITV might show it?

League Cup is a Sky exclusive now, BBC used to have some live rights (semi and final).

Slightly off topic but does the BT deal at the start of next season signal the end of ESPN's coverage of the PL?

Yup, 2013-14 ESPN has no PL rights.

But I am still intrigued as to how BT will make it work financially.

BT will have a channel on the Sky platform I presume?

Only if they strike a deal with Sky, Virgin, etc for them to carry it on their platforms.

Pretty likely they will though in the same way ESPN do, you will have to pay extra for it.

TBC.

I can't see how BT will make it work as a a standalone sports channel, even with it being on Sky. I reckon some kind of bundle is on the cards - be it more BT channels, incentives when BT broadband is purchased or something,

They'll bundle it as an IPTV channel on YouView, which is the way Sky will go with their sports channels as well. Pretty happy that in a few years time you'll be able to pick and choose what channels you want to receive rather than have to take a full subscription from one provider.

BT are spending an absolute fortune on their sports channel though. They've bought up the rights to Ligue 1, Serie A, MLS and the brazilian league from ESPN too as well as the rugby premiership.

Sounds good in theory..but somehow its going to cost more for the same isn't it!

It's not about the football the romance or the upsets. Its all about the PL, Sky and money. Greed

We're talking about 2 different sets of people here.  Football fans would rather see the north east derby or our match.  Football on television fans would rather see the brands of man u and chelsea regardless of its content.

Don't let it upset you.

Absolutely spot on.

The only way it would upset me would be if I subscribed to Sky. However luckily I dont need too

It's down to advertising.

Swindon v Villa will draw a smaller viewing audience than either of the other 2 games

Advertisers would say if they show Swindon to a smaller audience they will pay less for any advertising during the programme - if they advertise at all

Sky don't give a fuck who they show - people have already paid their subs. They just dont want less advertising revenue

That isn't at all how advertising works.

That's exactly how it works.

If, as an advertiser, your ad is broadcast at 2am with a hugely reduced audience, the cost will be substantially less than if it is broadcast during the break in Corrie

We have done pretty darn well getting TV exposure lately. A game vs villa aint as appetising  to neutrals as many of you kid yourselves.

Agreed. Two clubs of similar stature aren't going to appeal to the neutral.

I won't watch either Coc games on TV. I'll be at SN1 for a start but I could record it, cobblers won't waste the hard drive space on Sky plus.

Sky's decision won't be based on Advertising revenues (or the fear of losing ad revenues) - They sell space to ad agencies long in advance of the scheuldes being announced. Agencies wouldn't pull a booked ad just because Sky chose to screen Swindon v Villa instead of Reading v Arsenal.

More than likely Capital One want as much sponsorship exposure as possible with the big clubs.

How cute.

Fancy going to see Villa knock the scum out. Few #oufc will be interested, too.

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

Shouldn't they be more worried about their own freefall? Wankers!

I've found the complete opposite to be true. Most neutrals I've spoken to have said they'd rather see Town Vs Villa on TV and can't understand why Sky chose the games they did.

If they're that desperate to see it they could always go I suppose

When is the badge available on ebay?

Any thoughts on the criteria for tickets? The fixture list has not been too kind to me with home games around pay day, so I still have some holiday left and can book two days off. Glory hunter

Anyone have any ideas how well tickets are selling?

Couple of mates want to come, but no idea if they will have any chance of getting tickets when they go on general sale.

Got told today that 11,000 had gone by a lad at work. General sale is Saturday I think.

Think there was a tweet from the club a day or 2 back saying we had sold 11k

Last official updates were 11,000 total tickets sold (which I believe was yesterday) and then that Villa had sold out their allocation this morning. Guessing that leaves a couple of thousand left at most.

I'm also reliant on getting some on general sale, may just be heading down for a few beers at this rate...

Doesn't look like much chance of them getting one then.

If any ST holders aren't going and want to lend me their details, I would be very grateful  :)

The 11000 includes 3000 Villa so you should be ok.

Our tickets sold like hot cakes and sold out with very strict selling criteria. Everyone I know wanted tickets and our boards are full of people begging for spare tickets. Our end will be rocking for this one so I hope you sell out aswell and it will be a cracking atmosphere :)

that is great to hear holte ender, very pleased to see your fans are up for this one.  should be a terrific cup tie with both sides going all out for the win.

all the best

Old blokey in the ticket office told me they expect to sell out on Saturday when tickets go on general sale. I like him, he's a true optimist

Shit I've no chance of one, Glad Villa are up for this, should be a cracker. I think I'll have to watch on tv, Oh..

They will never sell all of the remaining tickets on Saturday, they are too bloody slow in there to sell that many before closing time

 What do you expect? It's our cup final ;) No seriously it's obviously our only chance of winning something, the best we can hope for in the 'amazing' Premier League is 10th, where's the fun in that? A new lower league ground and new town (for many anyway) has got everyone excited. There were still about 15 selling categories remaining (you needed to be a rocket scientist to work it out) so we could have sold double the amount easily. Glad to hear you'll sell out aswell.

I've heard there will only be one pub anywhere near the ground available for away fans? I can't see 3300 of us fitting into one pub! Are there any decent pubs in the town or in some dark backstreet?

Away fans are usually welcome in the Merlin near the ground. If you're coming on the train, the station is near the centre and there are plenty of pubs to choose from - I'll leave the recommendations to others though. Easy enough to walk to the ground too.

The only time our atmosphere is any good is when there's a decent vocal away following. Great to see that Villa have sold out their allocation.

The away fans also have their own bar at the ground too... Bar 1972 or something in the Arkell's.

Two main options really, the official bar 71 in the away end and The Merlin. If in town likely best to go to The Groves wetherspoons, can fit a shit load in there.

Somehow I've forgotten to buy my ticket, despite being a season ticket holder. I have a feeling I've posted similar before. On more than one ocassion! :D

To be honest there's a ton of pubs between the station and the ground in the town and near the station which will be fine. As someone said there is a bar in the away end although I don't know how big it is.

Bar 71 is being used for home hospitality.

Where is the hospitality in the DRS going to be? I had an email from the club saying DRS was doing some.

They'll feel quite at home there :)

Been to Villa 3 times, does the Witton Arms still have grafitti in the bogs referring to our 6-4 humbling of the blose?

I wouldn't let DRS do hospitality, he'll end up calling them all cunts and throwing a tray of vol-au-vents at them

Presumably either the Junior Robins room at the stratton bank end, or the blokes bogs.

Just spoke to the ticket office and there are still about 3,000 left - you should be able to get one no problem.

Is the Bulldog still open?

That used to be the away pub back in the day

The Bulldog was a pile of rubble when I last saw it.

That was there when I was in the UK, next to the Bulldog.

*Edit.

Oh, I see. Scroll to the right and ITS GONE

but is it still open?

Yeah I edited my original post as it wasn’t quite clear (the petrol station is still there).

Spose there will be a few things gone when I get back

Biplob by the College survived?

There is a housing development just west of the running horse - they call it west Swindon

Yes - I heard they'd built a couple of houses there!

Biplob is on wood street.

I knew Rafu who has the Biplob in Highworth quite well.

I'm sure his brother, Safu, ran a restaurant right by the College too. May not have been called the Biplob, of course.

BTW, Biplob means struggle in Bangladeshi - which is Irdu I presume

Khyber?

Pass

I thought Irdu was scouse for a haircut.

Or when looking for a woman on a night out and getting desperate.

 :D   :D

Hi anyone have a idea how many have been sold at the moment?

Last update yesterday just said 3100 remaining. Can't beleive they'll shift many more before general sale now.

Looking very likely to be a sell out then.

Will be great to have the place full, love a game under lights and really looking forward to this.

Anyone rang up for tickets this morning? Just spent an hour on hold to their 0871 number only for it to go to answerphone. Less than impressed.

Ring in the week London....i went yesterday to get a friend a ticket(stubbs) and 2000 odd will be on general sale............never ring on a Saturday bud.

If you have any trouble give me a shout and i will pop down and grab you some.

Judging by the pictures i've seen of the queue down there at the moment I doubt anyone is on phone duty.

I hope some of these plastics are buying a ticket for today.

Cheers leefer

just 600 left now

Be nice to think so, wouldn't it?

Also makes a mockery of the decision to give Villa the 1200 in the Arkells. Could have given that to our plastics.

Hi

cant see anywhere on the ticketing site to buy the Villa tickets online - can anyone advise ?

and before you say 'phone them' - I'm deaf and cant hear on the phone ;-)

Thanks !


Paddy

Phone them.

Noticed one of the tabs at the top is 'reserved cup tickets' would it be in that?

they are not selling the tickets online only in person or by phone

Got through eventually at the second time of asking, I'm sure you'll all be pleased to know.

According to someone on Facebook only single seats available now and down to the pretty crap ones/restricted views.

Really should have only given Villa The Bank, it seems like we never learn.

Kinda annoyed me really. We want to apparently grow our support, but how can we do that if we don't get as many new/part-timers in as we can for games like this? Perfect time to show people what its all about when things are going well.

Seems like such a silly decision. Could have easily held back those 1200 to see how sales went.

so have these sold out now?

Will try and get mine tomorrow

Stand tickets? Are there any other kind?

What about non-stand tickets?

Hospitality

Have villa sold out?

Yup, a few days ago :)

got mine this morning around 11am. result

"A limited number of main stand tickets have become available for Town v Aston Villa. Call the STFC Box Office on 0871 876 1993 to book #STFC"


If anyone still needs some.

They all went in less than an hour!

If villa lose today there will be no better time to play them, we could quite easily win it.

Villa 1 up but down to 10 men

Oh, and they look shite

I turn on the telly and Norwich equalise...

Villa players look deflated. Lovely.

And a bit knackered...

Not much chance I suppose but got a 5-er on Norwich to win 3-1 at 52/1

You will beat us, you heard it here first. You will be bang up for it and we are absolutely garbage. 3/1 you lot are, great odds that!

Are you lot pissed off with Lambert already?

Has he got to get rid of all your high earners - hence dropping Given, Bent etc to force them out?

To be honest i think his signings have been average at best and on the whole he's signed players no better or worse than what we already had. When you sign average players from Middlesbrough, Crewe and Sheffield Utd theres only one way you're heading. Our midfield is the worst in the league by a mile, if you've got a decent midfield it will completely dominate ours. Players like Delph and Agbonlahor are dire and nowhere near Premier League footballers. I'm just glad the game isn't on tv, losing in front of millions would be even more embarassing.

Delph was fantastic down here for leeds a few years back. Ran the show

Which emphasises my point, he isn't a Premier League footballer. The Championship is probably his level.

but we're still L1, whether your players should be in the prem or not there has to be a reason they're not playing at our level every week.  still a tough game for us for sure but i'm looking forward to it.  it will be a proper football match

The pressure is all on villa

They don't need to be, they should have more than enough even if they are championship standard.

As should Burnley, Stoke, and Brighton....

Mind games from holtender.