Thetownend.com

The Opponent:  Plymouth Argyle

I have been wondering today if this is likely to be the first matchday thread that fails to make it past a 5th page?  I have also been wondering, if we ran a separate thread at the same time as this one for those who are (rather unfairly) having difficulties with the Myworld Player thingy, would this thread run past a couple of pages? Now I know it may sound like I have too much time on my hands but I was thinking this whilst clearing away the leftover rubbish from some caravan dwellers at a gypsy camp this morning, sometimes you have to think about these things, especially when you are carrying 5 litre emulsion pots full of human faeces and stagnant rain water. Anyway, like the likely length of this thread, I will keep it short.

Plymouth (who will call them Plymuff first and think it was their own wacky idea of a name?) Argyle make the trip up the M5 and along the M4 to what is not likely to be a packed County Ground as it never is in the early stages of the JPT. Even when we played Barnet at the CG a couple of seasons back with a place at Wembley at stake I still don’t think we were anywhere near full, and after an expensive few weeks following Town, even a cheap ticket may well not be enough of a lure for a fair few thousand that would normally turn up for a league match. Plymouth have always travelled well, and fair play to the ones that do tonight, but I really couldn’t imagine us taking any more than a couple of hundred if we were making the journey down south.  The City of Plymouth (not to be confused with Plymouth, Massachusetts, is bigger than I thought to be honest, being home to some 250’000 residents, and a University with over 30’000 students and 3000 staff! That’s a lot of tuition fees Mr Clegg.  Some of the more ‘notable’ people to hail from Plymouth include swimmer Sharon Davies, all round ponce Wayne Sleep,  dysentery victim, Sir Frances Drake, former Labour Party leader Michael Foot, and everyone’s favourite troll victim, Tom Daley.

The Last Time We Met At – The County Ground -  Back in April 2012 in front of over 10’000 we completed the double over Argyle for the season with a 1-0 win care of Alan Connell. I remember the game at Home Park earlier in the season with a late winner from Rafa De Vita, great days.

They have served us both –  Wanker Aljofree, Blair & Paul Sturrock, Vincent Pericard, Steve Adams, Lilian Nalis, Lee Cox, Ben Tozer

Where the opposition gather –

http://www.pasoti.co.uk/talk/viewforum.php?f=30&sid=9d402741480f0e831a4c5fb60e94dd06

Last 6 – LWLLDL Plymouth’s last game against local rivals Exeter City ended in a 3-1 defeat, the natives are becoming very restless.

The Odds –  Swindon  4/7 Draw 3/1  Plymouth 11/2  Fancy a dreadful 0-0? 12/1 and it will be off to penalties after. Egyptian forward Mohamed El Gabbas is best price 7/1 to score the 1st goal.

The Son Says – He has gone for a straight and easy 3-0 victory. No penalties, no nailbiting.

The Prediction – Plymouth’s league 2 form is not great at the moment and it sound like they plan on making full use of the squad they have to fit in with JPT rules. I can only see  winner here and that’s us, 4-0 with an El Gabbas double, Nicky Ajose and a late own goal. Crowd? Its hard to call this one but I am going for 4’102, which will be the largest JPT crowd of the night. 188 from Plymouth

And Finally - The children’s rhyme Old Mother Hubbard was written in Yealmpton near Plymouth. Sarah Catherine Martin wrote it while staying there in Kitley House, now a hotel. The subject of her pictures and verses was supposedly the housekeeper, but it is thought Martin at the very least built on existing folk verse, which some claim was a carefully hidden criticism of Wolsey and Henry VIII.

COYR COYR COYR

3-0

Great job once again SR... One little known fact for future reference is that Marcus Cassidy (head groundsman)  is an avid argyle supporter and will be looking for bragging rights tonight so...

5-0 town...

I'll go for a bog standard 2-0 with 4344 in attendance

Just a thought. If Cooper is moaning about only being allowed 5 changes, what's to stop him substituting the players he would rather not be starting after 10 minutes or so.

I know it might lead to having no subs if someone gets properly injured later in the game - but what the hell

So that's why he's so green fingered! (I'll get my coat)

Can't see anything but a pasting for Argyle tonight, 4-0, about 6856 in attendance including 193 g-arg(o)yles.

It's too early for this.

Will be closer than people think, as Plymouth aren't a side I would imagine will roll over. They'll also up their game. 2-1 Town El gabas with both.

I've got a good feeling about this!  2-1 Swindon COYR

Got my tickets for this yesterday, it's quite nice to go to a game 'pressure free' as I'm not massively bothered if we win or lose. Win would be nice, though. I've got a feeling it'll go to penalties and then it's anyones guess.

As for the team I think we'll see.

Belford
Barthram
Ward
Branco
McEveley
Kasim
Luongo
L. Thompson
Ajose
El Gabbas
N'Guessan

I doubt we will see McEveley - he is still not 100% and only trains twice a week to save his knee!  Byrne in for N. Thompson, not sure if Kasim will start, might just spring a surprise and start with Cox.

I hope that isn’t the team tbh.  Ward (give the fella a rest), Kasim & Luongo (both too important to risk) are the first 3 I hope Cooper takes out from Saturday.

Given that you can only make 5 changes I think we're pretty restricted in what we can do. We don't have enough cover to take both Kasim & Luongo, and if it's not both it will be one or the other.

2-0 Town, Ajose and El Gabbas for me in front of 4015, with 86 from Plymouth.

1-1. Plymouth to win on pens.

I am hoping to see some fringe players get a run out and hopefully win....pox In the next round.

Is this true Ronnie? I spoke to Jay last week (only at a supporters do - I'm not claiming any connections before someone starts :-)) and he said its the best its been for ages and was well pleased he managed to come through a Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday with no ill effects.

team Fods (Belford on at half time) Barthram Byrne Ward Branco Ajose L Thompson Luongo (Kasim at half time) Pritchard Nguessan (cox after an hour or so with Ajose going up front) El Gabbas 4107 with 179 from Argyle Town 2-1 Nguessan and Ajose


:banana: :banana: :banana:

Prediction. I'll have a Bovril and intend to eat afterwards, but at half time I'll be hungry. Then I'll go and get a pie, only they will have sold out despite the only other people in the DRS consisting of a tramp and a border collie. So I'll settle on some chips, where I'll wait in a queue when the border collie will get the last portion of chips.

Or maybe I'll go to BK before the game. Who can tell.

2-1 Town. Dire game, Ranger, subbed on in 88th minute scores a brace at  89, 90+4.

Small, injury prone squad = JPT fuck off (I've done the maths).

Where has the notion that we have a small squad come from? We have a squad of 25, hardly small.

Must be used to the Di Canio sized squads of 572.

Funny you should say that as I started a thread on squad size when PDC was here and I am quite sure it was smaller, yet people were calling it 'massive'.

Also just noticed the OS has Troy and Cox missing from the list making it 27, making our squad lean toward being large.

Are you including youth players and the likes of Cox, Benson and Navarro?

There's 3 outfield 'youths' in Francis, Waldon and Ferguson. I see nothing out of the ordinary in that as it is normal to have some youngsters breaking through and they are not so much 'youths' but more just young players.

Cox is our player, has been on the bench for the last 2, and may even start today so I don't see why he should not be included. (although he was not on the list on the OS and omitted for my original 25)

The likes of Benson and Navarro or any other 'exiles' are not included.

http://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/team/

We have a squad of 27 which is by no means small. Even if you choose to discount the 3 'youth' players you are still left with 24 which is not a small squad.

Fuck this...i will get changed and wobble on...

Haddock and chips in hand...

Foderingham, Branco, Ward (C), Hall, Barthram, Byrne, Pritchard, Elgabas, Ajose, Luongo, Thompson L

Subs: Belford, Waldon, Cox, Ranger, N'Guessan

No Kasim? I demand my money back!

Chance that Radio Wilts will broadcast this without restrictions I'd have thought?

they will do, yes

Fucking boo, Belford making his debut, Wes injured in the warm up.

Hope hes up to the challenge.

On bench now as Wes is crocked

That's the point I was trying to make earlier. Is is worth losing first team players like Wes for the JPT?

[edit] Okay, he's 'ill' not injured.[/edit]

wes crocked. hmmmmm yeah right. just a ploy to rest him tbh

Convenient... as long as he's not properly crocked. :hmmm:

No doubt Wes will be miraculously restored to full vigour come Saturday!

Yeah Wes ill not injured as they reported earlier, a bit convenient ;)

Bet the FL still fine us

Commentary turned off???

Second offence SY, that's probably a relegation.

In the description of the web player:

Sport
08/10/2013
Johnstone's Paint Trophy 2nd round: Swindon Town v Plymouth Argyle (7.45pm). NOT online.

Major issue at the county ground. One of the advertising boards is bust. Calamity.

Yeah, thought it wouldn't matter for the JPT. What a pain in the arse.

Praise the lord it's back. Someone turned it off and on again.

Oh well, since Player were incapable of processing two applications to waste my money on them this summer, it's back to Morshead for me.  :crash:

Players need sunglasses, the boards are hurting my retinas.

A certain Mr. Parkin co-commentating tonight then.

oh dear

0-1

Ooops

Is there anyone inside the ground?

I am

How many others?

Not according to this:

https://twitter.com/SamMorshead_SA/status/387647356625096704/photo/1 (https://twitter.com/SamMorshead_SA/status/387647356625096704/photo/1)

Score in a minute....

not many

Sat near some scouts

Andy King?

dib dib dib

Branco looks shit

Hurrah 1-1 Barthram

Quality goal.

Hoddlesque through ball from Hall for the goal

He was better in Street Fighter

bucking branco.

To be fair devera looked shut for his first 6 games so ain't judging yet.

Shitty losing 2-0 at Wycombe

But he's shit isn't he ;)

We will win, I think

I've never commented on Hall.

Dull game so far, people getting quite agitated in the Arkells. At least as agitated people who sit in the Arkells can get.

El Gabas looks decent.

Much more enjoyable than Saturday. Barthram nearly scorned a carbon copy but had to take it on his foot in the end and it hit the bar.

We were the better team. Which is nice.

usual Jpt early round fare. back three not really working and looks a little flimsy. i'm not sure Branco has played that role before and they have a forward whose a handfull.

we've created lots and have hit bar and post. Should be ahead.

lots of heckling from the Arkles to "get it foward"

Wasn't aimed at you in particular, but there are a group that think that any centre half that doesn't play like Flint (i.e. Great in the air but shite on the deck) is automatically rubbish.

I see Sam is getting a bit frustrated with the "Get it Forward" brigade on Twitter.
I understand the frustration when the passing doesn't lead to anything, but lumping it forward (like we did at Flint in the first half against Shitty) really isn't going to work for us.

Pompey have over 1,000 at Pox tonight.

Quality finish.

Tell us more....

From Plymouth forum -

I tell you what though, this Swindon side play some wonderful football.

Pritchard is something special.

El Gabas appears to have missed a few chances, good that he's getting in position but it would probably help him if he could stick one of them away.

Swindon Town FC ‏@Official_STFC 1m
Tonight's attendance: 4,211 (364 away supporters)
Expand


Good showing from Plymouth to be fair

Excellent attendance. The Pilgrims have a great set of fans, deserving of far more than what they've had to endure in recent seasons

Pox just gone behind- wanted them in the next round  >:(

Oxford losing.

Cox on. Barthram carried off.

What the hell has happened to Sheffield Utd this season. Losing tonight to lowest remaining team Hartlepool Utd.

Newport County away would be a tasty one in the next round. When's the draw by the way, tonight?

Saturday on soccer am innit?

I know that you shouldn't generalise, but I also remember detecting an arrogant streak among some of their fanbase when we were going through very lean times around 10 years ago and they were on the up...for a while anyway.  And then there was the piss taking when Sturrock left us for his second spell there.  (That went well, didn't it.)  Sorry - but when I see where they are now and how their crowds have melted away, I don't feel a great deal of pity.

Glad we don't have to travel from the back of beyond like them for every away game, fair play to them I say.

Let's just win and get a home draw.

This el gabbas sounds like he couldn't score in a brothel!

If we hold out we're just 3 wins from Wembley

Pompey 2-0 Pox

It's only the JPT, they sure concentrating on promotion don't you know?

 :blowup:

I'm with Ardiles. And when I say that, I mean I'm sleeping in his loft and he doesn't know.

Job done

Job done. It'll be interesting to hear more detailed accounts of how Belford, Barthram, Branco and El Gabas got on.

What were you saying about arrogant?


 :eek:

Slightly confused. Did this mean we scored again? All through the thread I thought it was 1-1 and this was a comment about the first goal.

Coventry, Wolves, Preston, Brentford, Crawley. Franchise all out. Another date at Wembley in the JPT. You heard it here first. Just need Posh to hit a banana skin and we're as good as there.

Any news on Sir Wesleys ahem . . illness?

We've really got to get the singing blocks sorted out this time around. Which pre-match boozers for Wembley?

Apparently Preston made 8 eight changes from Saturday before getting dumped out by Oldham

Behave.

Hope people were on at 25/1 (33/1 was available earlier).

Seriously, got to be in with a shout

We are now 7/1 3rd favs

Still in the toilet apparently getting the FL a sample

Very decent odds those Kerry (pre-tonight's game). Not at 7/1 though.

The remaining teams between us and the hallowed Wembley turf-

Southern Section

Swindon
Newport
Orient
Posh
Pompey
Daggers
Stevenage
Wycombe

A Dagenham v Fleetwood final could be held at Supermarine

More entertaining than Saturday, my main thought is on Branco -

Absolute fucking shite. Clumsy, slow, weak, bullied in the air and awful on the ball. If that's our centre back cover then we are in big trouble if Ward or Hall get injured. At times in the first half he was in acres of space but our players were scared to pass to him. An atrocious debut and Plymouth rightfully targeted him as the game went on.

I remember the same being said about Ward's debut at the Pox - let's give him a chance, eh

Time and time and time again, Town fans judge, crucify and cast players on the scrap heap after one performance. It's happened for as long as I can remember and I don't suppose it will ever change  ::)

Indeed. Ward was one of the players I had in mind.

Made it very hard for ourselves by being too casual and defending too deep in the second half.  Branco was not as bad as the Chang made out, he was very nervous at the start but settled and was ok.  We played three centre halves at the back and we seemed a bit too stretched at times, Pritchard is a fucking enigma - brilliant at times but too casual and clumsy at times.  I am sure he will come good, the Barthram injury looked serious but apparently it is a pulled abdominal muscle - a few weeks apparently.

No shit  :sherlock:

Fred Elliot thought Simon Cox was the biggest clown to ever wear the shirt :toocool:

Sat in DRS tonight instead of normal season ticket seat in TE, and what a bunch of moaners/happy clappers! We're 2-1 up playing keep ball and people are moaning! Jeez, if we were 1-0 down I can understand but we were controlling the game! Can't complain about the view though!

Thoughts on the changes; Bathram was very good, El Gabbas there is something to work with but not sure on Branco, so will reserve judgement until I see him more...not a right back though! Looked clumsy 1st half and some poor touches, but as I said don't think he's a RB (CB being his natural position?!) and it was his 1st game, so we'll wait & see with him!

Looking at remaining teams, if we can avoid Posh/Orient I fancy our chances to get quite far in this one! C.O.Y.R!

And Greer's, first time he went to head the ball he missed it completely, so will reserve judgement until I see him.

You never will.  I have bolted the loft hatch

I would Imagine you've actually locked the shed, if your security is as accurate as your quoting :)

Fuck! How am I to get out now?

Belford looked OK to me. There was a cross he didn't deal with but he communicated well and looked OK. Not quite there in terms of challenging Wes, though its hard to form a judgement on him in one game.

Barthram was superb in the first half. Really got down the line well but was in acres of space and Plymouth were too dozy to work it out. Was on for my MOM before injury.

Branco didn't really bring the Brazilian flare, poor passing and looked nervous. Did get better as the game went on, looked handy in the air. But needs to improve a hell of a lot. I'm not writing him off, just calling as I saw.

El Gabas. Erm, this is a failing on my part but I can't really remember making a mental note of him doing anything, good or bad. Ajose looked the more threatening.

But what I will say is for 68 of the first 70 minutes Plymouth were gash. We looked like we could open them up whenever we attacked and should have been comfortably in the lead come half time. The woodwork denied us a more deserving cushion. Plymouth looked like they couldn't cope.

I quite enjoyed the first 70 minutes as unlike Saturday our passing looked like it had purpose.

However, maybe coincidentally, maybe not, after the substitutions we became a bit ragged. Obviously this coincided with Plymouth having a bit of a push forward. Our system of a back 3 suddenly looked like it could be stretched quite easily and Plymouth were getting a lot of joy down their left wing (our right). There were a couple of scares as they nearly but not quiet fashioned an undeserved equaliser.

The game grew quite frustrating from our point of view with missplaced passes and a frustrating lack of creativity. Thankfully their number two had a bit of a moan at the ref and so we (us in our seats) spent the rest of the match taking the piss out of him - the pinnacle was when he got 'megged'.

Anyway quite enjoyable (mostly). The two things I took from the game were

1. We need to kill teams off when they are there for the taking. We will lose points/games if we don't

2. The tossy advertising boards were turned up to 100% brightness for the first 10 minutes. The 'white' background adds were so bright the players and ball were hard to pick out when in front of them. Moaning at Jed on Twitter did the trick, they got turned down and all was well :)

Didn't really enjoy it....I suppose if the post or bar blasters had gone in we could of won handsomely....as it was we were hanging on.

Plymuff were pish but they kept going and at least they tried unlike Tranmere.

Branco wasn't great and the keeper nearly took off once as he flapped so much....I'm not saying they are shit and always will be but I paid my ten fucking quid so I can give my view....

Both goals were great.

Over elaborated in the final third...


Cooper come across a right cunt in the interviews IMO....and that's when we win...

Please don't refer to the match as 'an exercise' some of us actually turned up and paid good money tonight....

Anyway we are in the hat....nice trip to Newport would be good!

Is he pissed off or something? He sounded a bit defensive and unwilling to talk, but as far as I know the fans aren't on his back or criticising him - it would be more understandable if they were.

He wasn't like this at the start of the season so ???

This.....

Fans at home have a right to know how you feel...

I wouldn't be surprised if Cooper is tired of hearing the fans bitch, whine and moan because we're not hoofing it up to the strikers or shooting as soon as we're within range. I noticed he didn't move from the dugout today and apparently he was the same on Saturday - Williams doing all of the ranting and shouting on the touchline. I agree that he sounded cagey after the game but 'cunt' is way over the top.

The game was uninspiring but job done. At times we looked very threatening, other times we looked limp and content to pass it around without any killer instinct. I can understand people's frustrations but fans shouting FORWARD and SHOOT at random and then moaning and groaning isn't conducive to supporting a young team in my opinion.

El Gabas looked pretty good but ran out of steam quite suddenly. Similar type of player to Ajose.
Branco looked worryingly awful but steadily improved, still looks a long way off the standard we need for backup if Ward or Hall are injured.
Belford had little to do, apparently the shot for the goal took a deflection. I doubt he'll make another appearance this season.
Barthram was impressive although didn't really have to worry too much about defending.

Hall was my MOTM if only for the Hoddlesque through ball for the goal.

COOPER ON THE ILL WES FODERINGHAM

Wes has got diarrhoea and he would have given Usain Bolt a run for his money this morning. Hopefully it's just a 24-48 hour bug.

Marvellous stuff, laxatives.

:doh: brilliant. The fella pretty much won every header he went for and was totally dominant in the air.  Looked unsure with the ball at his feet 1st half and generally looked nervous.  Grew into the game 2nd had and was much more solid

As for the others making their 1st start.

Belford. Couldn't do anything about the goal, couple of routine saves, one clearance charged down that could have been a disaster but that's the risk we run with keepers having to use their feet so much.

Bartham. Looked the perfect fit for attacking aspect of the wingback role he was asked to perform, bombed forward at every opportunity. It did sometimes leave the defence a little exposed though.

EL Gabbas, the MOM. Not sure about that but he wasn't lacking for effort and enthuasim, unlucky with he effort off the post but had a few other opportunites but finished pretty poorly.

The ball from Hall to Bathram for his goal made me ejaculate it was so sexy.

I'd be pissed off too having to answer those inane questions every week.

Pretty much agree with what's been said on the performance. Hall very impressive tonight. Probably his best game for us.

Good turnout from the Plymouth fans. Better than most League 1 teams for noise and effort. Our fans were as expected.

Perhaps those who feel the desire to shout 'forward' incessantly throughout the game should try following another sport, like horse or motor-racing, in which their unrelenting lust for perpetual forward motion can be sufficiently satisfied on a more consistent basis.

Pissed off or not...it's part of the job...talking to the press.

Either that or man a two hour phone in from the paying public after each game.....soon be pissed off then.

Just got back in, so this will come out as I remember (i.e. not in any sort of order)

For periods we were great to watch, if a little insistent on the sideways pass, but the whole performance was tidy enough and happy to come away with the expected win, though it could have been by a 3 or 4-goal margin instead, easily. Their defence was typical L2 'big blokes with clumsy legs' and they had the rub of the green with a lot of their ricochets and blocks. Their numbers 8-9 looked lively and were a bit of their handful, but their number 2 has to be whiniest little bitch I've seen in a while, surprised he didn't sit down and hold his breath by the end of the 2nd half. They did well in hassling us though, and have to give them some credit for making it a little squeaky bum at the end.

Chang, my opinion of you as a complete and utter fuckwit has been proven by your assertion of Branco as shit after one debut game. Well done. He's good in the air, but his feet let him down a little, especially when doing stuff he obviously wasn't used to- playing as one of a back three, being expected to push up the pitch and help attack (which he wasn't too bad at), and then getting back into position and chasing down quick, strong wingers (which he was quite bad at). Solid (ish) centre back mind, particularly now the first game jitters will be out of the way, and it'll be nice to have his head to bounce stuff off if, heaven forbid, Ward gets injured.

Louis has come on a lot as a footballer since I saw him last. First half he was edging the best player on the pitch for me- second half he obviously put somebody else's boots on, was a little bit poor (I'm thinking about you, Aden Flint-esque backpass...), and got subbed at about the right time. I forgot Cox was on for a lot of his half hour as Louis' replacement, quite anonymous, but he didn't do anything wrong either, and it's good to see him back in the team after such a long layoff. Nice round of applause from the away fans as he took the pitch too.

Barthram and Hall really impressed- shame the first got stretchered off, but it sounds like it's not overly serious from what Cooper said post match.

Cooper's post match- I think he's very aware people are trying to draw him out on certain issues- When asked if it was 'nice' Lee Cox was back in the side, he replied, 'Nice? What does that mean?', and I can see where he is coming from- it makes it sound like Cox and the management had a fall out and have only just patched things up. Stirry stirry media etc. That's probably why he comes across pissed off. He's quite a terse, short-phrases, type of person anyway from the sounds of things- quite quick mind, I have felt the interviewer go 'oh shit' a couple of times now (when he asked Cooper on Saturday if Yaser was playing for Iraq and Cooper obviously turned and shouted into the dressing room 'YASER! YOU PLAYING FOR IRAQ ON FRIDAY?', which made me laugh, and the 'what does nice mean' comment today).

I forgot how stupid/fickle some fans are until the booing of Louis Thompson at the start of the 2nd half for not being able to put a ball in with his wrong foot and not being given a chance to move onto his right one. Oh, and the moronic cries of 'SHOOOT' as well. I know what they mean, but constantly shouting that a team of young players is not going to motivate them.

The fucking screen in the corner of the Stratton/Arkells was too bright the entire match, but at least they sorted out those bloody advertising hoardings still stuck on daytime brightness. Ta Jed. Hopefully my retinas won't be too burnt in the morning.

Prtichard blew a little hot and cold- he's bloody great with the ball at his feet but (and I hate myself for saying this), I can see why being too small is a problem (he is VERY small...). He was out-muscled and out-jumped a lot of the time a ball came to him or he ran at their half, and, unless he had full control of the ball and a yard or so, it was difficult for him to tricksy his way out of trouble.

N'Guessan disappointed a little, hanging offside when he played centrally (he ain't half a dirty fucker either- shirt pulls and shoves aplenty, you can tell he used to play for millwall), but I saw him cornered by Phil on the way to the dressing rooms before the match, so I'll put it down to that. Ranger got to stretch his legs for five minutes, held up the ball a tad and that's all you can really say.

Oh! El Gabas! I kind of lost him amongst all the new faces for me tonight, but for his striking the post in the first half and helping to set up Ajose's winner. I did feel like the way we tap the ball around was restrictive to him though- plenty of times I saw him poised, just onside, for someone to slot the pass into the box for him to meet, but it stopped or went backwards. The rest of the team were obviously used to playing with N'Guessan or Ranger holding up play, instead of looking for the pass and run of a nippy striker.

This has turned into an essay, so I'm going to bed.

One very nice quote from the muff forum Pasoti....

I agree with SY that maybe he is just a bit fed up with the "get it forward" screams from the crowd and it has got to him a bit, being a manager is not easy.

Maybe Luke Williams told him prior to going out that he will leave us and go to Sunderland so he needs to bring in a new assistant? its all conjecture, but the way Jed was speaking pre game Sunderland HAVE made Luke and offer and the ball is in his court now so that wouldn't surprise me.



Didn't Gabby hit the post? I don't know for certain as I was listening on T'Radio but I think thats what he said when he was interviewed after coming off the pitch at the end, said he was very happy with his own contribution to the match and should have scored at least one.

His name was not mentioned very often in the commentary though by SSP.

EDIT. I wrote about Gabby hitting the post before reading the last page of posts, my apologies :)

Same as Tranmere really. Pretty solid on the ball, played some neat stuff when we wanted to but ultimately had no urgency and strolled through the game in 2nd gear. Good finishes too. Fans have to be more patient than they have been in the last two games, it's not the end of the world if we keep the ball, especially when the other team have 6/7 players stood accross the box. Cheering when a player kicks the ball long, and ultimately goes nowhere, is NOT helping.

I enjoyed that, and it showed that we can use another different formation if tactics and personnel dictate. Strolling through games in complete control will keep us fresh and breed confidence.

I can't believe just how much moaning about our possession football I have heard over the last two games. I understand some of the comments (ie. being 1 goal up isn't necessarily a big enough cushion), but for the negativity to reach the pitch is just wrong. We don't practice lumping it into the box, so why should they do it just because some restless souls demand so? Byrne quite clearly swung a ball in (out for a goal kick) when the only targets were El gabas and Ajose - two midgets. That isn't how we play now - we are patient, calculated, and intricate. And I love it.

Individual comments:

 - Hall was excellent, even in the air. His passing has been fine all season, but last night he won headers and was more positionally aware than normal.

 - Barthram looked good, but had no defending to do... going forward though, his movement and interplay was great.

 - I thought Branco did okay - made some mistakes through naivete rather than being shite, for example, he won't get dispossessed letting the ball run out again, just like Comminges didn't after his Walsall balls-up. He grew in confidence, won headers, and even looked more assured with some penetrative forward balls in to Ranger near the end.

 - Byford did okay, one flappy attempt at a corner and the closed-down clearance aside. He looks more of a 'keeper than Bedwell, and on this performance, I wouldn't be terrified if Wes was injured for a game or two. Communicated well, and on the whole punched/caught what he needed to, and made a couple of nice saves.

 - El gabas, well, I'm not sure. Definitely not MoM, though. Made some nice runs, won some challenges, but his finishing and final ball was largely poor.

??? I don't even..

He did indeed. I'm embarrassed to say that ajose and gabbas kind of merged into the same player in my memory. I can't remember which did what.  Should I join the BNP.

Forgot about hall. Yes he should have been mom.

On board with this, although I would have been a little harsher on Branco. I've given him the benefit of the doubt as it's his first game and he definitely improved.

The funniest thing about our own fans moaning is that both Tranmere and Plymouth fans have complimented our style of football. I said to a fella in the town end yesterday.. If this upsets you I wouldn't bother coming back again this season. He laughed. I told him it wasn't a joke!

Whens the draw?

You come across a right cunt IMO.....and that's when we win, lose, draw

Saturday I believe?

Yep Saturday during Soccer AM, usually around 10.30am.

Has Jutty changed his log in?  :hmmm:

People who are moaning that we are not getting the bal forward at the first opportunity, oh Dear :/

These are the same people who prob moan England are shit, that appload Barcelona/Arsenal/Spain way of playing football (without realising its almost identical approach to how we are setting up). Fucking idoit fans who ahvent got a fucking clue, football is easy, if the opposition havent got the ball, then they can't score! If we are strolling about with the ball, we are saving energy.

fuck it, sat on the fence long enough, Cooper is doing a great job so far, Long may it continue to stay this way!

I'll disagree with the England comparison, they show virtually no guile or penetration, relying on set pieces or individual moments of brilliance. But on the whole, I agree.

For more years than I can remember (actually that'd not true - since the Glenn/Gorman days) - apart from some of Andy King's spell - I watched us play variations of hoofball.  Now I don't go for reasons of personal circumstance, and I read on here that we try to keep the ball and play intelligent football, the one thing I wanted us to do.  To think some fans are complaining confuses and slightly upsets me. 

People don't like change. They won't be moaning when this pretty football wins us a league or a play off final or a cup.

Some people will moan even if we won the league, FA Cup.and JPT

Quote from an Argyle fan.

"Swindon were very good. They were pacey, patient and sharp. Their movement was like Arsenal's with loads of options in possession. They would be a pleasure to watch every week. They could easily have scored five or six. They missed an easy chance 30 seconds after our goal, and hot the woodwork twice when well placed to score."

A bit of a shock I know but, we are neither Barcelona, Arsenal or Spain. We are the Mighty red Army that is Swindon Town. Folk moan about the tippy tappy short passing generally after a period of 5 or 6 of them when it doesn't appear to them as if the midfield/ forwards are looking to provide the out ball target.

Don't get me wrong, I love the fact that we seem comfortable keeping posession and passing it about but, I do sometimes get a bit fidgety when I can't see it developing into progress up the field.

Two ways of looking at this. a) Because we are neither Barcelona, Arsenal or Spain, our players don't have the vision to make for the space to recieve or see the space to play the ball in to (yet). b) Because we are neither Barcelona, Arsenal or Spain, we run the risk of fucking up during the tippy tappy, getting disposessed and conceeding.

I might occasionaly call for progress forward but, that tends to be when I can see someone begging for the ball who is in an advanced position.

Not to worry though. Even though we are neither Barcelona, Arsenal or Spain, we also ain't Oxford, Shitty or Rovers.

No, they don't. It's an almost instant thing where if we haven't booted the ball up to a midget within two passes then we're dilly-dallying

Did Louis Thompson get booed, really?
If so then that says it all about some of our fans. Nothing new though is it.

A lot of it is team chemistry, once that has really clicked, we will be bum fucking a lot of teams in this division! This was never going to be an instant thing, time needs to be given, a lot of our team are pretty much in their first years as pros in a competitive league!

Our dumbwitted fuckwit retarded fans have got to learn that football has moved on and the days of banging it forward, either through the middle or upto the wings as moved on! We dont possess a world class midfielder who could accuratly deliver 45 yard passes anymore, but we do have a team that is comftable, composed on the ball, which out manager who many of our fuckwit retarded fans didnt like because he wasnt a big name has worked out how to play to our strengths.

after 26 years of supporting STFC, I know we aint Barca, Arsenal or Spain. I did however bring my mate to the game on Saturday who is a Barca fan, and is spanish, He though it was all lump it all over kick and rush football, he actually appreciated the way we tried to play, and is looking forward to coming along next time!

Didn't you see PV's post?  :sherlock:

I commend the management/players for sticking to the pass pass mentality but there are times when a ball over the top/ thru the defence will do equally as well.
Reading Plymouths version of last night they said they struggled with our formation in the first half but once they had changed more inline with ours the second half was a more even affair.
Lg1 teams will work us out a lot quicker.
Sometimes I think we over complicate matters in the last third and are looking for that world class goal rather than taking whats on offer.

I didnt hear any booing of L Thompson and hope there wasnt any. Tis wrong
And yes heard many shouting shoot - me as well at times.
Am totally happy with all the passing going on but still want to see goals
And plenty of them

There was booing of him- second half, he was on the right, down near the corner of the arkells and TE, and him and Luongo killed some of the forward tempo we had by tapping it amongst themselves whilst the rest of the forwards were waiting for the cross, and the morons started to boo and go 'SHOOOOOT SHOOOOOT'.

I disagreed with us killing the tempo of the attack at that particular moment, but to boo them is just daft.

I think we have to realise that some fans just like shouting out inane comments throughout a game - thinking they are a manifestation of Oscar Wilde with some amusing ditty they have to share with the rest of us.

The style of play just offers them an opportunity to do so. If we were lumping it forward then their comments would be about keeping the ball on the deck.

There are plenty of villages missing their idiot on Saturday afternoons

Been said on here before about certain sections of our fans who simply turn up to moan about something. If it wasn't the style of play it would be results/the board/ref or whatever was most convenient at the time. Nothing to be done other than make fun of them during games. The shouts of "backwards" and "sideways" were perfect.

Is the bloke who makes the parrot screech still on the TE?

it was a peacock screech (apparently) and not heard him for a season or two.

Whatever it was, sounded like he'd been on the screech  :)

This.

I sit in the Arkells and one of the recent comments was "I want to see us play football" - god only knows what he thought he was watching!

And as for us passing the ball around too much, in the latter part of the game Ward was telling both Hall and Branco more than once to "keep the ball" - enough said.

A few points on that.

- The balls through / over the defence are happening. They haven't been frequent in the past few games but they do happen and it's that killer pass we're looking for. It's difficult when teams lay out a good 6/7 players straight accross the box.

- Most League One teams know what we're about and that hasn't stopped us dominating most of the games we've played. It's harder to win games if you don't have the ball and like it or not, our way of defending seems to be heading towards keeping the ball. I think Cooper has realised that we are a bit exposed at the back so this is quite clearly a way to combat it.

- In the 8 home games I can think of this season we've scored 15 goals. And that includes a game against Chelsea. When you think of the near misses it could easily be a lot higher.

If you're not willing to be patient and if is possession football is that bad, then you know what to do. But we'll win people over by keeping the ball. The only thing groaning and shouting will do is put pressure on the team to do something stupid, as seen yesterday when a few players were pressured into awful shots and crosses.

With the style we now play, the emphasis is to keep the ball and draw the other team out, thus opening the gaps up, sometimes that takes a while, they'll pretty much get impatient at some point, some are better than others at not being drawn out.

So infrequent I cant recall any in the last few games. Yes its difficult when teams are getting so many men behind the ball.Part of the reason they get so many behind the ball is the slow speed of our recent play. At season start we were playing slow build up which changed by Aug end to a quicker pass/move and we created a lot more chances during that period. Last 3 games we have gone back to playing too slow ( forget Chelsea and shitty as those were one offs )


Yep Lg1 teams havent taken long to figure out how we play. We could have had the ball all day saturday and not scored bar the pen. ok we wouldnt have lost tho  :zzz:


Never said I wasnt willing to be patient and dont think you or anyone else can tell me what to do.
Been pitching up at the CG since 76/77 and entitled to have a say whether you fucking agree or not.
I LIKE the passing game but there have been plenty of times recently where the simple option would have been the easiest.
 :smugfu:

you didn't see the pass for Barthram's goal then?

Or the one where Barthram hit the bar with, or the one for McEveley's free header last Saturday, or the pass to Pritchard where he was fouled for our penalty (also last Saturday)...

I kind of agree with Wooley. Passing sideway and backards for passing sake is as pointless as hitting it long to the oppositions 6ft 8 centre half. We'll end up losing the ball one way or another.

I think the groans and frustrations muttered in the stands are justified given the above, but only if taken out of context.

The context is this team is playing this way with the aim of become better at it. And by getting better at it they will aim out iron out the slow, ploddy tedium and become more consistent at the telling attacking passing football that will kill the games off.

I think they have a fair chance of achieving it and becoming successful. And if they do it'll be good for all. But at the moment we have to understand its a work in progress.
----
What I don't subscribe to is tippy tappy passing football is the only way to be successful. Just because Spain dominate with it doesn't mean its the only way. Spain tried it for years and failed. Germany played a slightly different game and didn't fail.

Horses for courses. Our horses are passers. Lets see where it takes us. But lets not be afraid to comment when it doesn't work.

I don't get how anyone could Saturday as an example to promote this style of football, it was one of the most boring games in a long time!

That said you get boring long ball games too. So it's not necessarily the style of football, it's the creation and conversion of chances which is the problem.

Thanks for reading my posts...you're only a newbie with 20 odd posts but I can assure you that I have been a cunt on here for years ( and often off here).

Feel free to call me what you like....well at least until you are blue in the face! :)

 :funny:

Yes I am quite aware, have been reading them for years, was the first time I have been compelled to post!

 :swordfight:

Not another Fred v Shady?  :(

Jesus, did I hit a nerve there sweetheart?

If you like it, stop whinging about it.

If it annoys you that much, don't go. It's the same as the people who watch X-Factor every week then moan about how shit it is. If it really infuriates you that much then why put yourself through it?

Oh and FYI we've had 26 shots on target in the last two games. If you're struggling to remember that's your problem.

Not going to get involved with the ridiculous "debate" that seems be gripping some, other than to say the use of the phrase "simple option" to describe playing long/direct is MENTAL. There is nothing more simple in football than passing the ball 5 yards to the guy stood next to you.

Said it at the start of the season, the biggest challenge this team faces is ignoring the imbeciles and not buckling, having the strength of mind to build a style of play that they've identified.

Apart from Tranmere, all the games I've seen this season I've enjoyed immensely - much more so than any season for many a year.

Just what do people want FFS

I don’t see the problem with going backwards, we still have the ball and if we have the ball the opposition can’t score.

We just lack the killer ball or run around the box at the moment, as teams are getting players back and we lose momentum.

Goals here:

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

The commentary is fucking awful, apparently Jack Barthram was given his chance by Mark Yeates?

Their goal was going wide by the looks of that... fella was lost by Ajose or Luongo who both looked at him and let him wander on.

Luckily I watched it muted... Yeah it was threatening to go out for a throw! Great finish from Ajose as well.

1st time I have seen the goals, Barman took his brilliantly and could easily have got a 2nd in almost a carbon copy attack. Don't like watching keepers punch instead of catch crosses which Belford seemed to like doing.

Ajose I have noticed will always go for placement over power when shooting, I think he needs to add stronger shooting to his armoury to become a regular goalscorer.

The other thing I think we need to work on is out corners, we get a lot of them so it would make sense to work very hard in training to improve them.

Agreed, I did think they looked better on tuesday after being god awful v Chelsea and Tranny. So maybe its already been picked up and worked on.

He does practice his punching in the warm up/ half time break though.

Looks like Pritch said up virtually ever chance we had bar the Bathram goal.

Looked as if Ranger was hobbling at the end - Or is that 'swagger'?

Ajose really impressed me on Tuesday night and seeing the goal again reaffirms my thoughts. I didn't realise he was at Man U.

One of the Plymouth players stood on his ankle in a challenge about three or four minutes after he came on. Didn't look serious enough to warrant outrage/damage, but he was hobbling a little bit.

Apparently Ranger wasn't even expected to be fit for a few more games but is putting the shifts in to make sure he plays as much as possible. If so, fair play to the lad.


Yes and no. First time I'd seen him play in person Tuesday, and whilst I don't think you have to be 6'6" to be a footballer, he is VERY small. Watching him talk to Rossi Branco beforehand was like watching a kid talk to his dad. He set up a few, but he was terrible at winning the ball in a 50/50 situation (league 2 carthorses etc. etc.). Branco, Byrne Barthram, Hall, and Ajose were setting up attempts Tuesday night, in addition to Pritch.

I didnt whinge
I commented on it  :eek:

Big difference
Twats who give it the " if you dont like it you know what to do " really fuck me off

But it is true isn't? Why would you keep going to watch something you didn't enjoy?

And our second goal was scored by Nicholas Ajuice.

But if we all stopped going when we didn't enjoy it the ground would be empty by now :)

I think Malpas/Hart would have finished me off.

Wilts picks and chooses his games now...he did make Tranny but stayed silent.

He told me it was supposed to be a peacock  ???

He told me it was his Lenny Henry impression!

Spot on.

We seem to be developing the killer ball if Rotherham is anything to go by. Better distribution as well as effective keep ball.