Thetownend.com

The Opponent:   Crewe Alexandra
 
Even by our normal standards it has been something of an interesting week. Tuesday night will be remembered for a while.  Although the QPR TV highlights suggested we were pummelled for 90 minutes and happened to sneak a couple of lucky goals, those 1700 Town fans that were in attendance at Loftus Road will know it was much more than that. A friend that made the trip said there seems to be a unity building within the team, hopefully this unity can spread and more and more people can get behind the team, and the manager. Perhaps Cooper wasn’t such a bad appointment after all? Is his record any worse than Di Canio’s start as our manager? Not sure anyone is brave enough to shout “Mark Cooper’s Red and White Army” just yet, perhaps he needs to shout more and flap his arms up and down, perhaps the occasional punch of the dugout and odd hand gestures up to Jed might make the difference?  The signing of Nicky Ajose could be a masterstroke, the signing of Nile Ranger has played a part in adding £250’000 to the County Ground coffers, and all in all I think we are heading in the right direction, or at least attempting too. The visit of Chelsea promises to be a good evening, if you want to get a glimpse of the team that is likely to turn out against us I don’t think the Super Cup match earlier this evening will be much of a clue.

So, after the lord mayors show, we move on to today’s visitors, Crewe Alexandra. I like to have a dig round the oppositions local paper, sometimes you find stories that don’t justify a paragraph, other times you can find a story that actually warms the heart. After ploughing my way through The Crewe Chronicle I have to say it was a bit like the free newspaper you get from Swindon Borough Council once a year. One thing Crewe does share with a majority of the UK is a serious cocaine problem, as the local paper reports, “Widespread use of Cocaine in Town’s Toilets” and goes on to report - Drug addicts are using Crewe’s public toilets – and even baby changing mats – to snort cocaine, the Chronicle can reveal. Over the past few weeks, we’ve carried out an undercover investigation to expose cocaine use in the town. The results indicate it is a widespread problem. Traces of the potentially lethal substance were discovered at some of Crewe’s most well-used toilets, including those at Queens Park and the railway station. The class A drug is also being snorted under the noses of magistrates and court officials at South Cheshire Magistrates Court. We even found evidence of cocaine on baby changing tables at Crewe railway station. Using cocaine swabs provided to us by a drug testing company, we tested a number of ladies’ toilets, wiping over cisterns, toilet roll holders and loo seats. In the majority of cases cobalt-blue blotches appeared – indicating cocaine was present. Dave Rigg, a former Greater Manchester Police officer and owner of Crackdown Drug Testing Ltd, says the colour change means cocaine is ‘definitely’ present.“There’s nothing else that will make it go blue – it can’t be cleaning fluids or anything like that,” he said. “There needs to be a certain amount present to make it go blue, so if it does there has definitely been cocaine on that surface.” The tests are so accurate, he said, they are often used by British police forces to detect whether cocaine is present in pubs and clubs. As well as exposing the presence of cocaine, our investigation also proved the lengths some users will go to to get their next fix, snorting the drug from even the dirtiest toilet seats.  Surfaces were often ingrained with grime, but that had not stopped people lining up cocaine on it. Anyone would think that Liverpool was nearby.

The last time we met at – The County Ground – One of our last home games of the 2012/13 season, we ran out comfortable 4-1 winners, with 2 goals from 8 grand a week Adam Rooney, Massimo Luongo and James Collins. Just a thought, of the 3 players that scored that day, which one would you prefer to still have playing for STFC? For me it has to be Luongo.  Only just over 7100 in attendance, perhaps we will get a few more today.

They’ve served us both – Billy Bodin, Gary Roberts, Ashley Westwood, Peter Coyne, Gareth Whalley, Tony Grant, Alan Sheehan, Anthony McNamee.

Where the opposition gather – 

http://boards.footymad.net/forum.php?tno=168&fid=90&sty=2&act=1&mid=2112287161

Last 6 – WWDLWL (Crewe currently 14th )

The Odds –  Swindon 5/6   Draw 13/5  Crewe 7/2   33/1 on TAH to score the 1st goal? Hmmm. Massimo Luongo is as short as 7/1 with Bet 365 to score first but Coral will offer a whopping 20/1 on the same player!

The Son Says –  When are we playing Chelsea, and 3-0.

The Prediction –  After a great night on Tuesday I’m hoping Cooper has got them focused on the job in hand and if we play our football then a victory is surely the only possible outcome. I am going for 3-1, with goals from Ranger and a Miles Storey double. 7’343 in attendance, with 243 making the journey from up north, by train, of course.

And Finally –  Jimmy MacDonald, not a household name by any stretch of the imagination but one voice that most of us would have heard. In 1947, when Walt Disney became too busy, and his throat became too hoarse to speak the parts of Mickey Mouse, MacDonald carried on for some 30 years, also using his voice for many other Disney characters over that time. MacDonald, who was born in Crewe, passed away in 1991 and is buried in the same memorial park as Disney himself.
COYR COYR COYR

Is tah 33/1 to score first for Carlisle?

Excellent read as usual.

This is going to be the prettiest game of football the CG has seen for many a year. There won't be a long ball until the 77th minute.

1-0 Town (Power Ranger)

If we have recovered physically and mentally it will

Swindon 2   zammo 1

Been searching for some Nicky Ajose footage and this is the best I could do...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myrn_w6GlWY

One poachers effort from 2 yards and a lovely curler from the edge of the box. Would settle for either of those today (if he's eligible to play?)

From bbc wits on twitter,

@BBCWiltshire: FOOTBALL: #Swindon's new striker Nicky Ajose COULD feature against Crewe at the County Ground today after joining on loan from #Peterborough

Nobody seems to know......

Tip,if you're signed up to official site just use that log in to any of the clubs website and watch their highlights from when a player was there
Ajose seems to either play up front or over to the left in a Pritchard role.
He's a bit of a poacher.
Hope he's included today.

I read that as available if selected?!

Hope we can push on after Tuesday, team should be full of confidence.

3-0 Ranger, Ajose, Luongo

@SamMorshead_SA: Swindon Town have received clearance from the Football League for Nicky Ajose. Could feature vs Crewe #stfc

GOT to push on from Tuesday.....

Any type of win please......

This.

Really hoping Tuesday has lifted the team & that we can finally get the goals we've been lacking.  Crewe are no mugs though & will be desperate to end their barren spell of no wins at the County Ground.

My first league game of the season today. I registered with Myworld and found it really simple to use, plus I like the fact you can print your own ticket - on matchday too. It would be nice however if I could swap my Torquay ticket stub for Brucie bonus points.

2-1 to Paolo's boys today, with a brace from Ritchie, in front of 16,678.

Back down to earth, without too much of a bump. 1-1.

Another quality write up

2-0 Town, Ranger brace, 7,602 (399 Crewe)

you know we're at home right?

Amended Chalky. I fuck-wittedly thought we were away  :(

Hope you didn't get too far before you had to turn around & head back to the CG.

2-1 to Town

I have work today so not going anyway, actually did make me stop and think for a moment

2-0. Luongo, hall.

Town: Foderingham, Thompson N, Hall, Ward (C), McEveley; Kasim, Luongo, Mason, Byrne, Ranger, Pritchard

Subs: Belford, Harley, Thompson L, Storey, Barthram, Branco, Ajose

Squad starting to look quite good. Some good options on the bench.

Good to see no ex Spurs players in midfield

N'Guessen a Town player by Monday too, according to Sam M on Twitter

STFC Player has Cardiff v Everton on it.

Enough is enough....

Fine here OST, apart from the ear murdering sound quality

Permanent or another loan?

The quality here with the "old commentary" rather than the "DVR" is very good for me today.

3-0 Ward, Luongo and Raper. 7950 with 2-6-2 from Crewe.

It's my birthday, so we will win  :)

A Trialist has just scored in the 1st minute for Rangers, not a bad start for the lad

For some reason some of their signings have to be put down as trialists. They have 3 or 4 I think!!

A Trialist must score probably 30 to 40 a season in Scottish football, we should try and sign him up! :D

 Player :rocket:

After last Saturday's dreadful service, Player (old style) is ok for me.
No replies since the "we will investigate" to my e-mail yet though.

Jeez, this commentary is gonna send me to sleep soon....

Ah,thanks-that's the key,old style!

In more exciting news....  My Accy is screwed already..  Barnsley 2 up against Huddersfield

....maybe not,its gone again

1-0 Ranger

"Premiership quality"(Christian Roberts)

Go go power Ranger....

 :beers: Time to crack open another 2 per cent Morrisons Lager

Woohooo

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xF0h9P-3PZ4/Tj6fVh5RTmI/AAAAAAAAAGY/_IzwbCNqzQg/s1600/yay.gif)

Happy birthday  :yay:

Yesssssssssss 2-0

Do you want to make my contribution to this forum entirely redundant?

Luooooongoooooooooooo

Stop playing fucking music when we score!!!

 :toocool:

Who is Gladys and why feel her all over?

(http://i.imgur.com/THfdjT6.gif)

 :D

Haha can always have more.

What the fuck is that about? haha Genuine question

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1165923/

$870,000 Australian about £450,000 English?

Not really sure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSlcROX8HPE

Just under £500k

Roughly yes.

£502,700

Google says £499,700  :P

Nice finish by Ranger, looked like a bit if a fluke by Massimo.

Not sure we have been two goals better, but don't really give a shit as long as we keep winning.

Hope my prediction is wrong now, not sure the heart will stand up to a nervy end to the game.

£499,624. According to my XE app

3-0!

half a million pounds????

Yesss 3-0

Mason!

Nice to hear Roberts on co-commentary as well

Sam M

Oh, and it's 3-0. The good news keeps coming!

I reckon it is a deal similar to Byrne.  Some other things being chucked into that value.

Brilliant! In Cooper We Trust

It's just gone in here yeeeehaaaa

Not a bad few minutes. We go 3-0 up and we are signing Luongo on a perm, brilliant.

Who has scored the third?

Mason

Having all these spurs players is shit, where is our identity?

Penalty

pen!!

Penalty...

But Luongo is ours, all ours, muhahaha

Penalty then, Mason....4-0.

4-0

Who's pen!?

  :D

Fooking Ace!

Laaaavely What a game to miss, fuck sake.

Up to 10th, and turned our GD around :)

Beautiful

WE ARE COOPER'S RED AND WHITE ARMY

Wasn't expecting this at all. Sounds like Crewe have fallen to pieces? Fair play to Cooper - gone a long way to proving his doubters wrong this week!

Christian Roberts highlighting Kasim's influence and the midfield's ability to control the game. What a signing he's been.

5-0

Mason hattrick...wow.

Cheeky Back Heel

Mason hat-trick!

Hat-trick for Mason.

Att: 7.419 (193)

And it's 5-0!

Tremendous! What a week in the life of Stfc

When was the last midfielder to score a hattrick for us? I dont ever remember it myself.

Fuck off stelling you tit.

Woeful away following, half the number I forecast  :eek:

Bring on Chelsea

Was just thinking the same thing, clueless twat.

What did he say?

What's he done now?

Horlock in 95.

http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/MatchCentre.asp?MatchID=19960108

Tell us!!

He said 'you have to wonder what will happen when all the spurs loanees go back'

In Vienna at the moment, I must get away more often if this is what happens!

I dont remeber that game at all even though I was there! thanks.

He has a point. We'd be fucked without Hall right now and both Pritchard and Mason have been important for us so far.

(judging this entirely on comments I've read)

Next season he means then? Thinking a little far ahead Jeff.

I was there too.  Great game.

I can't be the only one wanting to shout 'JAMES FUCKING COLLINS' at the commentator. It was only last season.

All here for a year though

But they're here all year, aren't they... Obviously it's something we need to address in time, but it's not like they're disappearing in January

Not a problem if we keep on signing them though..

Don't remember!  The Shaun Taylor goal really wound their fans up a treat, I was in with home fans that day.

Wonder if we can get six?  When was the last time that happened, Huddersfield at home 96/97?

I know I was!

Well, yeah.

It doesn't mean we're not reliant on them

Port Vale was more recent (though I forget the season. 06/07?)

Didn't say that though did he sonic you sod  ;)

I remember Taylor winding them up but dont remember the goals at all, mind you I was stewarding that game as Rovers were short of stewards so called up 20 Swindon stewards for the game.

So is everybody happy then?? 8)

No, I predicted 2-0.

No, I want 6.

We want 6 (SIX)

07/08, just looked.  No idea how I didn't notice that happen, cheers.

6 would be nice

I want 7 (SEVEN).

<DV> What's the point in listening if you're just going to settle for mediocre 6? </DV>

April 2008, apparently. They had a young lad in goal, Chris Martin, who I think was making his debut. Didn't really do anything wrong all game - his defence was dreadful. Now at Ilkeston Town.

Another pen

Saved

Mason you fucking shit cunt

Fucking rubbish.

BOOOOOOOOOOOO

Drop him for the next match. Disgrace

Not too shabby

You're settling for that? Pathetic!

[text to Radio Swindon]Missed pen, very sloppy, sums up the afternoon, Cooper the cheap option, Jed out[/text to Radio Swindon] and so forth.

I'm managing my expectations.

Satisfactory.

Good to see Peterborough losing at home as well.

Quick glance at the Crewe forum, pre-match...




And post-match...



Football fans are a funny bunch :)

What CB are we unhappy with?

I was about to ask that too

You Redssss !!!!  :beers:

I'm not sure I am unhappy with ANY of our players - something I didn't think I would be saying a month ago.

Whoop. That's it I'm going to get pissed whilst I wait for the FL show.

You better get cracking, it's only 6 hours away - no time to waste 8)

Excellent good solid win. Even The Flash was happy in his txt ;)

also baffled by that comment

Glad I'm not the only one. Clearly just somebody talking crap.

Four goals in ten games for Luongo now, now bad for a midfielder

Well so far this season has gone better than expected. Fair play to Cooper and for that matter Jed, especially if we have Signed Luongoooooooo.

Good times.

What forum was that out of interest Reeves? I couldn't find any that were any good.

Bristol Shitty just 3 pts this season :clap:

http://boards.footymad.net/forum.php?tno=168

Crewe forum

Might be that they were referring to Hall, a few people picked him out as being somewhat culpable for Gillingham's equaliser.

It's gone approximately one thousand five hundred times better than I'd expected/feared. I'm struggling to think of anything to moan about. I'm sure some one will help me though 8)

If all else fails, moan about the food.

Their match day thread has 4 posts... :eek:

Archie-Henners!

Or Jed's poor punctuation/grammar  :nod:

Well, well, well, that was pretty impressive.

I couldn't single out a bad player and although Crewe weren't great we would have beaten pretty much anyone put in front of us today. What Crewe did was allow us to play and they paid the price for it. Instead of coming and closing us down and forcing the front a la Gillingham they sat back and tried to beat us at our own game.

In allowing us time to get the ball out we were able to pass and move with speed and accuracy and some of the cross field play was immense. With the wingers forcing the wide defenders back and Ranger (who was perfection) getting into the centre backs, Mason and Luongo could bring the ball forward

The energy was terrific and people said that the fitness was key under Di Canio well these players don't give up and ran until the end when Crewe just wanted to get back on the coach.

The football played at the moment is top drawer and the players are getting better and better. All credit to Cooper, the boy's doing well.

Oh, whoever is responsible for signing Kasim has done what I believe to be the best piece of business this club has done for years.

On that performance, Jed's pre season prediction of a title challenge may not be far off.

Superb performance. Ranger is going to be key this season.

Well, what is there to be said?  You can only beat what is put in front of you and Crewe were pretty rank but we totally outclassed them despite only really having 10 players for the last 20 minutes, Ranger had a very impressive first half but tired badly in the second but he had done the business already.

I like the bit when Pritchard threw a Paddy when the announcer said Mason scored the 5th. And when the Crewe right back pelted it across the pitch to take a short throw in on the Left hand side.

Everything looks so much quicker with Mason in the middle, compared to last week. And Kasim is a machine. Two Great assists.

If / when we're losing, Ranger is going to get abuse from the fans because of his languid style. But when the ball is around him in the box he lights up. Two penalties a case in point. Took his goal well.

Good game all round.

Just thinking, isn't kasim only on a year deal? If that's the case better get the pen and paper out fast.

Great result and fully deserved
Crewe came to play football and did so until we went 2 nil up then they kinda fell apart

Kasim is a real gem of a find - his composure on the ball is superb and his flick for Masons first was top class
Cant say there was a bad player out there today - all of them played a part
Ranger makes a real difference to the front line and even Ajose looked good when came on

Scored 5, should have been 6 with the saved pen but could easily have been 7
Can only remember Crewe having 1 maybe 2 decent attempts on goal

Buzzing
Was a great game to watch
Pretty sure the team will only get better going forward - wasnt too sure how this was all gonna pan out and so far this season has exceeded my expectations

Be a toughie away to franchise but should be a great game for the tv watching neutrals

I don't think that was ever a 5-0 game. We passed it around really well but didn't have any intensity. I think we were clinical with the opportunities we had, but saying that Crewe offered nothing at all. Which made it look more comfortable then it should have been.

Well this is all looking rather positive. Do we have a midweek game this week? Would be nice to finally be able to make one.

Also worth noting Crewe had a defence line of 6 at some points in the first half. As good and as clinical we were, they were absolutely wank.

Not sure I heard Darren Ward's name on the commentary today. Says a lot!

I can barely remember any of our back 4 names being mentioned unless it was in attacking a corner or going forward. Sounded solid.

agree

Lets hope he doesnt go to jail then!

Prefer, lets hope he's innocent.

Clearly the final ingredient was my attendance at the CG! An excellent team performance, and we could have scored 10 if we were slightly more aggressive. We really are a delight to watch.

Now for a moan about myworld (having praised them in the morning). I selected a seat in the DRS but ended up being given a seat in the Arkells! I've checked the ticket and all the order confirmation and it doesn't mention anywhere which stand you're in! How crap is that??? Those plastics coming to the CG for the first time v Chelsea won't have a clue where to go.

I didn't think the atmosphere could be any worse than last season but we seem to have gone even quieter this season. I know I was in the grave dodgers stand but the rest of the ground was pretty silent. We won 5-0 FFS!

Personally I don't really care how well or not Crewe played and we were this and we were that. From the two home games I have seen, St. Evenage and today we looked a better side than this time last year and the year before. I saw us at the glass house and we were dog shyte again. However, look at Posh & QPR away, Turkey & the Gypo's at home and again we shone according to the personal reports I've had. Ok not all 90 minutes in anyone game but I truly feel this is going to be a very good season, very good indeed. We did not reach warp speed today Captain Kirk, more close orbital speed which should send out a message to everyone in this league. Sure we won't win them all, we'll win some we shouldn't but that's the rub. Hard to be critical at the mo.

Speaking of which, Carlisle previously sieve like defence, kept a clean sheet with him making his debut at Griffin Park.

Hopefully just teething issues. Also, if you book over the phone I'd image you'll avoid that issue.

Hopefully they'll sort it out. Putting the stand name on the ticket is an absolute must.

...oh, and how the hell did Crewe have 46% possession (according to the bbc) when they didn't touch the ball?

this

Wow!

That was some performance. After the first 30 minutes, which had all the intensity of a practice match kick-a-bput, we tore them to shreds time after time.

The catalyst was definitely Ranger with the first goal - superbly taken and had me thinking what Williams would have done in that situation.

Kasim is one cool dude - never flustered and never wasted a pass. Immense.

As fine an all-round performance from every player I've seen for ages.

Anyone who still thinks relegation is on the agenda can sleep well tonight.

Good to see the fans clammering to shake Cooperino's hand after the match - his stock is rising, and fast.

Well that was rather enjoyable.

How the fuck Kasim couldn't get in a conference team's starting lineup last season is beyond me, he is pure class in his particular role. Beautiful through ball for the 1st goal as well.

Ranger was real handfull up front, Pritchard was causing them problems all day long.  Jay Mac looked solid at LB and is clearly our best option there.

Mason will get lucky if he is given his 3rd goal. I was pretty much right in line with Pritchard's shot and there didnt seem to be a touch from Mason on initial viewing.

Kasim sounds like Navarro in the respect that he looks good playing that holding role in a three man midfield. Perhaps Kasim is even more like Navarro insofar as he's hopeless in a two man midfield?

If we can clear out the deadwood and maybe pull in another player before the deadline and we could be in for a decent season.

Difficult to be clear headed after a performance like that - but we would have smashed anyone today (in our league)

Nice to see some people still moaning despite recent events. It's a comforting consistency...

I haven't noticed any moaning? Be better not to even highlight it and just let those people do their thing.

In previous games we gave away chances cheaply - today we didn't. it was also nice of crewe not to press our centre halves giving them endless time to pass the ball. That really was a total rodgering - all players played well today. Ranger makes a hell of a difference and allows us to mix up play as well as offering a lot defensively. MOM though for me by a country mile was Kasim. The weight of the little ball for the 3rd was brilliant. This guy is fucking brilliant and offers a range of passing I've not seen in a long while. Pritchard looks as though he is finding his feet with increased output and workrate. He also threw a good paddy at Mason's goal but Mason did get a good touch to it.
All in all a good day's work.

Palace 3-1 Sunderland

No moaning on here, I made the mistake of reading the comments on the Adver site

Gary Roberts ‏@Robinho2288 4m
PDC will have these sunderland players in 6am for cleeeeeps 1 million %

He'll be sacked by Christmas  :)

Morshead reckons there's good news coming in half an hour

I'm not sure I can cope with much more good news today

Hopefully, so will I

Lad from Millwall arriving on Monday...done deal i think.

What, be coming in half an hour?

Mrs KR has forgiven you then? :D

Probably official confirmation from the club about Massimo

He hinted that it's a done deal earlier. I'd imagine that's the news he has in mind.

November I reckon. They are truly woeful.

Feels like all the planets have come into alignment  ;D


https://twitter.com/SAFCsource/status/373880006721536001/photo/1

Today, in fact this week has been quite a week! Almost impossible to imagine that all the upheaval of the ore season could come together so well so soon. It's only five games but we are a better team than last year already and missing a few players and a few new ones on the way... We have depth and play decent football. I agreed in ore season with someone who said that Jed was out to asset strip but just perhaps wasn't that experienced but like them or not we have a hell of team all things considered and if it is sustainable too then I'm willing to concede that just maybe our board know what's what! As for Cooper - too soon to judge but the football is good and he seems able to get a good level of performance out of the team.. He may yet be a better signing than any of us imagined. Happy town fan today... !

Very little to add to what's been said - only to say, from the moment we went ahead, that was an absolute pleasure to watch. Kasim and Mason were fantastic. Mason's first touch is always into space - he will be vital this year.

I also think we look so much better with Jay McEveley at he back. He links well with the winger and always shows as an easy option for a short ball, but he also drags their players wide to leave space inside, which Pritchard exploited. A huge improvement on Byrne at full back. Byrne is far more effective in that front 3, and played well, but with N'guessan, Ajose and El Gabbas now on the books, I would be surprised if we see much more of him there.

First time I've thought Byrne looked like a proper footballer, he did really well today.  A full back he is not.

Sounds like I missed a dull one then.

Actually after 30 minutes twitter seemed to suggest I had. Then...boom.

We played some nice, methodical, patient football today. We even provided Crewe plenty of opportunities to get a goal (on another day better opposition would have punished Town for them) but they were dire.

This made me laugh:

Fede Bessone ‏@FedeBessone
Paolo di Canio! Make a favour to Sunderland football club and go back to Italy!!! Please!!

I know he was only on for about 20 mins, but Louis Thompson impressed me.

Bit of steel in the middle.

You know what - we've got some classy players all over the park

Tenuous Di Canio link - the fines list, apparently, from last season:

http://twitter.com/TerraceLife_/status/373911497069432832/photo/1

Cheeky cunt!

Crewe were pish and we could of had a few more but I will keep my powder dry til Christmas.

That fines list is hilarious. Although might explain why Flint fell over in that pub. Probably wearing ferry's flip flops.

What a difference a week makes. Feeling pretty good about a top half finish now.

Not a bad start to the season, next three games will give us a good indicator as to how good we actually are.

Think this may be right. I think we'd have a different opinion of navarro if we had played 4-3-3 with him in the side. That said, he wouldn't get in the team in front of kasim now anyway.

In general : after a very dull 1st 30 mins, where both teams cancelled each other out with no space in midfield we didnt look back after taking the lead. Crewe then pretty much gave up when the 3rd went in. I'd be angry / concerned if I were a crewe fan as they lacked fight.

Ranger makes a huge difference to this team. his hold up play is good, but he also has the pace to worry them in behind. I wasnt a williams hater, I felt a bit sorry for him playing a role that clearly didnt suit him. It was like asking kasim to play left wing. But ranger has added a focal point to the attack.

Otherwise everyone played well. Even McEverly had the best game ive seen him have for quite a while (I'll fogive him a few shitty crosses) . he has his faults but I prefer to have him at left back. He is at least defensively solid and he adds a little height to a team thats still a little on the small side by league 1 standards.

It's just good to see McEvely looking fitter than he did at almost any point last season.

Even McEveley's getting some love. Whatever next - praise for Jed and Power?? :jawdrop:

No, that would be going too far 8)

And like the first cuckoo of spring, I'm sure I heard the murmurings of 'We are Cooper's Red and White Army' during the game yesterday!!

Praise indeed!

I think all of you should write a letter of apology to Jed and co and ask for forgiveness for your appalling behaviour during per season.  You should all be ashamed of yourselves.

:doh: :doh: :cry: :cry: :clap: :clap: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Totally agree with this, although there was still an element of the crowd who were getting on his back when he made an error.  Completely unnecessary and unfair.  Byrne was more effective on the right, because he has no left foot whatsoever. 

Ranger just makes such a difference with his ability to bring the others into play. Going to be even more key later in the season against sides or on pitches where we can't play our passing game as easily.

Main immediate transfer target should be a top class lawyer...

Also couldn't agree more with Kasim praise, could watch his creation of the third goal all day long.

I reckon ranger will be found guilty but won't get a prison sentence. There will then be a dilemma on if we keep him or not.

Guilty of rape and no prison sentence  :shutup:

Ask Ched

Lets hope he is innocent
Or come january he will be gone and Ajose loan ended so back to being light upfront

commence "debate" on the leniency of the justice system in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...

Can you play football if you have a tag on? Serious question and what are the implications?

He's innocent until proven guilty.

They wouldn't tag him if he was found guilty of rape, straight to prison.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/604637.stm

Against us, as it happens.

Pennant more recently in 2005 - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4405531.stm

Yeah you can play with a tag on - been done
Think the first was a good few years ago now

Implications are, doubt would be able to play evening games due to curfew restrictions
Possibly wouldnt be able to play away games where travel back would be after curfew either

Town End sung it a few times second half. DRS didn't join in, but then DRS is getting more and more like God's Waiting Room (aka the Arkells) every week - difficult to hear any singing over the sound of disgruntled grumbling and the shuffling of tartan rugs.

The whole ground is quieter than it has been for years, better in 2nd half.

True dat.

Can't add much more that what has been said. Only thing I'd say is that Ajose looked a handful, and I think he should (and will) replace Byrne as that right sided winger (Barthram dropping out of the matchday squad). McEveley should retain the LB spot for the foreseeable future.

I think that people will take time to develop an affinity with the new team. I think most have felt somewhere between mildly detached and utterly disillusioned at some point in the last few months. The more we watch this group of players, the more we will identify with them and the more vocal I think you'll see the crowd become.

You've hit the nail on the head for me.  The majority are complete strangers and I'm still getting to grips with names and numbers.  I've always had a few players in a Town team that I particularly like and at the moment I'm not familiar enough with them.  I imagine others are the same?

I cheered when Ranger scored, but couldn't quite bring myself to cheer when his name was read out as goalscorer.  I don't know whether that might change? Also I think I'm in the minority, but I really don't rate Byrne at the moment.  He's too small and lightweight and just gets pushed off the ball too easily.

without buying a program sometimes diifficult to know who is who at times I agree
Getting there after 4 games but we keep bringing new ones in  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Shit tannoy in DRS didnt help when came to substitutions on saturday - just a muffled mess
Only guessed Ajose by squad number

The tannoy/PA system has got considerably worse....new advertising boards look sparkly though  8)

Only seem to advertise club related stuff tho - myworld mostly still any extra income is usefull
Not sure about the vehicle backed screen corner of the arkells and bank
Seems a waste of space that

The bloke doing it now is awful, just seems to shout really loudly.

TAKE THE MIC AWAY FROM YOUR MOUTH!!!

Yesterday was Mark Issacs, Stadium Manager, who was on the mic before kick off and half time, have to agree he was a bit shouty.

There must have been a village missing its idiot yesterday with the inane comments shouted from behind me all afternoon.

The comic genius with gems such as:

'Great haircut, linesman'

and

'Those coloured boots must have cost a fortune'

Someone shoot me

That's a good point and sums me up. I was worried about being Spurs bitches and still am to an extent. What has impressed me about the 4 is their workrate. If they're her to put themselves in the shop window then they're going about it the right way. Pritchard has talent and he now seems to be working for the team. Mason is class. Hall is a young lad playing in a very difficult position where every fuck up is noticed and he's made a few but you can see he's a good player. Luongo I'm happy we've signed as at times he is a league above.
Kasim is just bloody brilliant. I'm not a fan of Jeds or Powers but I'd kiss their arse if they were the ones that spotted him.
I didn't cheer when Ranger scored as I still think we should have stayed clear and it will be interesting to see how things pan out over the coming months. On the football front though he brings a lot to the party - possibly not the best expression.
I'm hoping this team gel sufficiently in the coming months as playing this style of football could be problematical if we have to play on the shitpits in winter that are Orient or Colchester. Will the younger players have the legs to go 90 minutes on bogs. Will we play a different style.
For now though the team have exceeded my expectations and Kasim alone is digging me out of a serious piss with the club.

In the DRS ?
Heard that too
I was in row U and he was behind me somewhere

Ha, I heard some moron shout "Get a haircut, linesman!". I sit near the back of the DRS, Stratton Bank side.

Good post Mr shorts.

I think the fact there are a number of players with Spurs links at the club, whether it be current loanees from Spurs, former youngsters or those who have just joined us permanently from their ranks, has been beneficial insofar as they have all settled in quicker than if we'd had a bunch of kids from various clubs. Their impact has been immediate.

I heard that too. I bet he loves a bald ref just for that joke.

no, a bald ref or linesman is called "curly", anything else is called "wanker" or "cunt" unless it's woman in which case it's called "clit frigger" or " oh yes, you do have a cunt, how nice"

http://boards.footymad.net/forum.php?tno=168&fid=90&sty=2&act=1&mid=2112247728

Crewe fan not happy with the announcer!

<Nev Mode On> It's Alexandra- Alexandra! <Nev Mode Off>

 :D

A cracking game Grommit!

The worst thing I can say is that some of the players were not as awesome as some of the others.

Kassim however was fucking massive. I now get it re the earlier opinions of him.

I don't know about the announcer but I would be more worried about his crap team than what he is complaining about!! :gay:

:D absolutely.

How dare he be enthusiastic about us scoring and winning!

The pass from Kasim for Ranger's goal made me a little moist

He makes a good suggestion, though, about our players going over and giving their fans the V-sign.  Maybe next time lads.   ;D

To be fair, though, the announcer is crap and did overdo most things.........and the pre-match music is even crappier than last season.

Oh yeah he was shit but you can hardly have a go at him for being a bit enthusiastic about us giving them a pasting. I know it happens every year now but it's still awesome for us to watch.

I might have a cheeky claim to having a positive effect on the outcome.

I decided to wear the Potato Print Away Shirt (PPAS) for this match. The last outing of PPAS was the game against Stevenage (1-0 toThe Town). The Jills game saw me opt for the Premiership Home Shirt.

The question is, do I get SWMBO to wash PPAS or do I leave it until the luck changes?

<Nev Mode On> Kasim, It's Kasim! <Nev Mode Off>

When do the highlights go up on the official site?

He appears to be alone on that board  :)

I quite like the over the top announcing of the goal scorers names, get's the crowd going etc...

He just needs to move the mic away from his mouth a little..

By the sound of it he should move the mic away from his mouth, to Highworth at least.

Supposed to be Monday morning, don't know why there are not up yet!

Just managed to watch the goals online, really like the look of Mason and also Ranger, both of them seem to have excellent first touch.  Also as mentioned Kasim looks the dogs bollocks.

Go to Skysports Swindon page and they have all the goals there with no restrictions for those of us overseas.

STILL no highlights on the OS

I wasn't there Saturday but I love the thought of the announcer rubbing salt in to the wounds, brilliant.

I don't know if it was the same guy but I remember maybe three or four years back we played a game against a side who scored two own goals and each time the announcer would break in to his usual "and on x minutes goal number 1/2 for Swindon Town" and then pause before a really over the top sarcastic "It's an own goal" followed by a big cheer.

I was in the Arkells stand for this fairly near the away end and for the rest of the game every now and then you'd hear someone shout "It's an own goal" followed by a cheer....really got up the nose of the away fans. Just brilliant.

Not working for me.  :cry:

I'm still cracking up over your commentary of the kids game at half time. When that lad fell over, SERVES YOU RIGHT YOU FUCKER soapy tit wank

I was at the CG for my first game in 10 years. Fucking loved it, well apart from the first 30 minutes. I'm jealous of you jammy bastards that can get in to each match. It's looking like it's gonna be a good season, even with or without playoffs/promotion, if they always try to play football like they did against Crewe.

And well done Flash for getting the shirt sponsorship together.

Loyalty point whore :)

Bump ... still. Maybe we imagined it?

Must have. Fucking Jed has cunted up the OS now.

Highlights here:

http://www1.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/competitions/league-one/8901473/swindon-5-0-crewe

Voiceover mistake on 0:59 "Mason sending the Swindon keeper the wrong way". Idiots.

Yeah thanks babe. We've all watched the Sky highlights, some of us enjoy the official highlights as well.

Well done for you. Congrats. Unfortunately it's not all about you.

 :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

At last, the highlights are up.

All 5 goals but nowt else not even penalty miss + Thompson hit bar. Bit poor even the FL Show showed more.  Nice to see the 5 goals again mind.

The third goal was beautifully set up by Kasim, that pass must have been so easy to overhit out of play.

Similarly a beautifully weighted pass for first goal.

Looks like Nile went down easily for the penalties. I think I'd be pissed off if that was against us. He reminds me quite a lot of Donaldson actually.

He did seem to look for the pens, he reminded me a lot of Bamber.

The second one he stuck his leg out, I think it was a case of all things went our way in the second half. I thought it was going to be on of those games in the early stages of the first...seemed to keep getting decisions against us..

Dat dragback.  :eek:

Goals on YouTube for those that haven't seen them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-iTAvlXw1M (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-iTAvlXw1M)

Kasim dink.  :love:

Hadn't seen those in a week but Kasim really turns that defender inside-out doesn't he? Beauty.