Thetownend.com

Has anyone heard anything of Shaw Rosso lately?  Hope he is OK and that he will soon be back gracing these threads with his unique brand of 'nonsense'. 

In the meantime, I'll be heading north for this one soon.  Looks like it's going to be a wet and windy trip but I'm hopeful that there will be a point or three at the end of it - and maybe a 'Swift' one or two as well.

See some of you cunts there, no doubt.   :)

Long drive so hopefully rewarded with another good away showing. 2-1 win, Louis and a centre back with the goals

Setting off in about half an hour. Will take a draw today. Hopefully Luongo and Kasim will not be missed.

I sent him an email a few weeks or so ago and his wife replied saying that he's OK, but ill. By the length of his absence I think it's pretty sure that his illness is more than a cold.

Those heading up, turn back around.... Tails is going and he's not seen us win away in 2 years... Selfish bastard.

FFS...I started to read that and thought it had been called off  :doh:

I will go for my usual prediction...

2-0 to us...One each from L1's most generic strike force.

Get well soon, Rosso.  I hope you still read these threads.

My lads are predicting 0-8 and 1-2 scorelines.  The younger one appears, even now, to be the more football savvy.

Last minute decision to drive up to this, will be interesting to see how we cope without Luongo and Kasim.

Would be happy with a point.

Haha! I apologise!

No worries  ;)

First game of the season for me and possibly closest geographically - amusingly though with public transport i could get most of the way to London in the time the train etc will take to Fleetwood!

Sadly don't hold out much hope for this - my last two games have been Preston away last two seasons and we have been embarrassingly bad both times.

Hoping to snatch a 2-1 win on back of more woeful performing.

They were a tough unit to break down at our place. At home they will be expected to be more adventurous so that in itself generate opportunities for us. Going for a straight win at the bookies today. Maybe a little tickle at 0-2 depends how I feel as I walk through the door.

Time to throw away the worry beads cos of no Luongo/Kasim and kick some cod ass.

Another club that has let in very few home goals a la Notts and Walsall, so another thumping away win

0-4, Swift, Williams x 2 and Turnbull

3120 with 621 from the land of the Moonraker

Very tricky one to call.  Fleetwood's home form (W4 D5 L2) suggests that they tend not to lose much at home while our away form (W7 D2 L2) suggests that we usually win away.  It is winnable, but a draw would not be unexpected either.

Problem with being at our end of the table is that in any game, anything other than a win means you lose ground to others in the race and is, therefore, bad news.

Will be interesting to see whether we sign Jon Swift in time and, if so, whether he plays and, if so, how he plays.  As others have already pointed out, how he fills in in midfield for our absentees this month might well define the season.

Draw. 1-1

1-2, Williams and Smith.

Christ it's wet on the m6, hope weather is better in fleetwood!

1-1 draw today

I will be listening on the radio this pm. This is usually a prompt for the team to underperform.

I'm driving up to a wedding reception this pm/evening.  Does anyone know whether you can still get BBC Radio Swindon coverage in the Oxford area?  You certainly used to.

0-1 tough game, fancy Turnbull to score today. 432 from SN1

 Sounds like we'll have a terrace full of Jonahs....anything from this would be massive....assuming that NT isn't fit, so without Mass and Kas, it's a huge hole to fill for a difficult away game.

Morning all  :D 3-1 to The Town methinks.

Last we heard, NT had an "outside chance" of playing, so I imagine the back 3 is likely to look the same as last week, with either Rogers or Swift slotting into the middle. Personally I'd be surprised to see Swift in the starting XI but stranger things have happened.

It was pouring it down up here this morning but has just about stopped and should stay dry for the rest of the afternoon, which is good news. I'm planning to have a drink at Queens Hotel on Poulton Rd, if anybody is in need of pub-selection inspiration. Mixed reviews but it is walkable, sells beer and has Sky so it'll do.

You're right about needing to go all out for wins, even if it trips us up from time to time.  Also agree that how we cover for Luongo and Kassim will define our season; not just for the next month but because of the confidence it will give the team (and the crowd) as the pressure grows in the run-in that we aren't dependent on one or two players.

Fleetwood's strong overall home record masks the fact that their two losses have come in their last three (?) home matches whereas our away results are getting better and better.  As long as the pitch isn't a complete swamp I think we'll win comfortably.  3-1.

London reds' favourite Jacko is visiting ground 92 today.

Well done Jacko!

Ugh..........why did they choose to get married in a shite hole like that ?

They're not.................................are they ?

Welcome.

Someone else will, no doubt, provide the more traditional greeting.

Very impressive  :thumb:

Fear not.  It's my cousin.  He's getting married in Warwickshire, and I've just worked out that I'm going to be on the M40 somewhere near there towards the end of the 2nd half.  A commentary, however crackly, would be marvellous.

It's Jacko's 92nd?!  Brilliant!

The man is a legend.  'Come on my team!'

I had a beer in the glue pot with him last week before the vale game. Top lad.

I also saw on twitter that there is a young girl called Angie also joining the 92 club.

Well done to them both.

About 400 sold in advance so I'd expect about 550?

Yeah you can, just about.

1368 MW

Thanks.

Sorry to hear that, hope he recovers soon. If you do have further contact, please past on all our best wishes.

1-3 Smith & Williams (2)

Foderingham; Branco, Stephens, Turnbull; Byrne, Swift, L Thompson, Gladwin, Toffolo; Smith, Williams
Subs: Belford, Barthram, Rodgers, T Smith, Marshall, Barker, Obika

Town starting XI: Foderingham (C), Branco, Stephens, Turnbull, Byrne, Thompson L, Swift, Gladwin, Toffolo, Williams, Smith M #STFC

Subs: Belford, Barthram, Smith T, Marshall, Rodgers, Barker, Obika #STFC

Weak bench that

Thompson, Swift, Gladwin - our midfield has an average age of 20. Amazing.

A tricky game and one I think we may come unstuck in - would take a point!

Fleetwood are no mugs at home. W4 D5 L2

OK, mental block time...who is T Smith??

Assume a youth player.

Urm, pass, not sure TBH.

Tom smith.

http://www.flicwiltshire.com/STFC/Academy-duo-included-in-Towns-travelling-party-for-Fleetwood-clash.aspx

http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=77033

Ah, yes. Not really a mental block then, I vaguely remember reading about him.

Wow, that midfield is certainly an unknown quantity. I suppose the good thing is that it's an unknown quantity to Fleetwood as well.

Tom Smith is only 16 then - good luck to the kid.

At least if he does make his debut it wont be in front of too many (probably 4k), not like being sent in to the pit of "hell" at Trashton Gate ;)

Twitter reports suggest Fleetwood have a drum, A DRUM. Can't expect a 16 year old to handle that, noone can.

A drum????? whats all that about? unbelievable that their club allows in an offensive weapon such as that.

just realised a draw will put us top.Defeat it is then

Brendan Rodgers is watching us today, going to be disappointed. I doubt Anton Rodgers will even get on again.

I don't know whether to follow the game on here or on the OTIB thread

Bloody hell. They have more match threads for our match than we do.

Great, isn't it!

Apparently the Donny PA announcer welcomed Bristol Rovers to the Keepmoat,  they'll all be too busy writing letters of disgust to their MPs to follow us.

Some twat just texted in to say the the team were making Cooper look good (when in fact he isn't any good really).

Sometimes I despair  :suicide:

Storey not in the squad. Obviously behind Barker in the pecking order now.

Fuck me on the OTIB they are making predictions of our game today and apparently we will be praying to our roundabouts :suicide:

John got into the squad Swiftly..

Come on lads let's grind out three points somehow.

COYR

Is that because we're not their rivals and they're above all that sort of thing?

Meeting a cousin later at the wedding I'm going to who is a Bristol fan.  It would be rather pleasant if we'd gone ahead of them by then.

The obsessive twats in Bristol is a sad site isn't it... ::)

C'mon Town

Williams misses from 8 yards out

Williams out!!!

Penalty to Town

Penalty!

Fancy Obika to net later on, about time he scored again.

Shit

FFS Pen saved

Need a new penalty taker I think.

FFS.

Smith FFS - again

Why do we let smith take our pens??

Somebody else please take pens. Thanks.

FFS that's fucking twice now!

Give them to someone else.

Was it a good save or a shit penalty again?

shit on me

Piss on a waterbiscuit.

Kasim would've scored that ;-)

This Swift fella sounds lively. Probably should of let him take the pen after winning it  :toocool:

People on the OTIB must of shat themselves when we got a pen those fuckers are probably celebrating like mad

OTIB will be having a wankfest

According to Beeb we are on 63% possession, come on make it count!

Can we stop talking about OTIB? This is matchday thread for fucks sake. Let's not turn into them.

Missed last season vs Brentford also.

Swift is sounding brilliant.

I wonder what OTIB will make of that post.

Smith seems to have lost a bit of confidence since injury.  Could do with getting a goal after missing 2 penalties.

He did score the first at Walsall last week...

Especially that we missed a penalty and are STILL top of the table ;)

Just like Crawley away then.

How many pens has Smith missed for us now? Four including last season?

missed one against Doncaster a couple of weeks ago

Just a matter of time, keep em running around chasing shadows and we will score in the end. Just concentrate in defence.

Don't repeat Crawley FFS!

I know we want a win, but this don't look bad does it !

Jesus, don't post things like that

I gave up using Player last year, can't remember why. Taken out a 12 day free trial which was offered, but there seems to be some sort of problem causing it to cut out intermittently!

C'mon town make this possession count

Per usual. Very annoying.

Listen to the opposition comms. It appears to be a problem with BBC Wilts, not player. I think I must say this every week.

Toffolo hits the inside of the post and it pings back out. COCK.

Hit the post

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSxuXQCEC7M

Really need to take one of these chances soon.

It's going to be one of those days isn't it?

Close again.

Fleetwood under the cosh here...

It's feeling like one of those days.

C'mon Town!

I've been in touch with the club via the Trust about this. They say there isn't any reason at their end why the service isn't equivalent to other clubs.

Cunting hell. Need to take one of these chances!

Jesus Christ, a Williams sitter and a Smith missed pen, its Donny all over again...

We usually improve second half, if we do perhaps we will get to 100% possession!

Byrne being battered by dirty norvern bastards.

Nothing to do with this but Blyth Spartans are beating Birmingham 2-0

 :D

And they thought getting beat 8-0 at home earlier in the season was bad...

Only been listening for 10 mins and Swift sounds mint.

The Birmingham fan that sits next to me will get renamed on Monday if this holds out. His name is Clive, or for the duration of Monday Blyth. Childish, but rude not to.

Cheltenham, 2-1 up at the pox.

 :nod: Sounds like he's giving them the run around

The Fleetwood comms are saying he is controlling midfield/right side for us today.

Just in from walking the dog, so its not my fault we aren't winning.

father-in-law is a Brum fan, so could have some proper gloating if Blyth hang on for a win.

Stating the obvious, but we really need to take the chances that come our way in the second half and make our dominance count.

I think scoring would improve our chances of winning greatly.

No Shit,really!!!

You could be onto something there!

How ironic, they are explaining about the STFC Player problems....and as he says what it is it fucking breaks up!

BBC Wiltshire just said that issues with Player has nothing to do with them - they provide the commentary to the company who run it and everything after that is Player's fault.

Edit: I also predict that if we score more than Fleetwood do, we will DEFINITELY win.

I've just complained to Player again, and AGAIN their reply is that everything is working fine and I should refresh my browser.

Complete shambles of a service

The only way that they will do anything is if the club/trust get involved.  They won't give a shit about individual complaints, they are still getting your money wether you listen to our commentary or the oppositions...

Would be nice for the club to get involved as the service is promoted on their site..

I'd be disappointed with a point but gutted with a loss, so we need to stay patient IMHO

Would like to see Mass taking penalties when/if he returns in February other than that give them to Jack Stephens, imagine he has a hefty punt on him! Would still take a point but sounds like we should be taking all 3! Here's to the 2nd half!!!

I would take a point from this fleetwood are solid at home...

Don't they get paid by the FL and then also charge other clubs for different levels of service, and THEN charge us for subscribing? Therefore it doesn't matter to them if people boycott the service/don't listen/listen to other comms/complain to the club about it, as they're still being paid 3 times over anyway?

It certainly isn't an individual problem as it happens to ALL of us listening, its also wierd how EVERY other club has no issues.

Something somewhere is wrong with just our live feeds, it is either the BBC feed to "player" or the "player" feed to us.

Either way "player" is part of the equation so should do something about fixing it as they are the ones taking the money.

Another way is for anyone with problems to note dates and times of a lack of acceptable service and complain with those details to the company in question en masse citing a breach of t&cs and providing what was promised and demand a (partial or full) refund.

FFS

Fuck Town 1-0 down

Typical

1 down

FFS

Ffs

Fucksake. Fucking fuckers.

fucksticks

FUCK ON A HANDCART

Bloody typical.

Cunt!

Bollox

Fuck

Miss that many chances, and its always likely to bite you on the arse.

They can now sit back & do what they did at the CG now they have something to hang on to

Fuck me sideways with a bottle of cider

They will be having a giant circle jerk at Trashton Gate at the moment!

They have just gone 1 down too

Bollocks, Donny 1 up v City.

Sounds like Branco is being a bit of a liability this half.

Donny has just gone 1-0 up

We've had enough chances, create a few more and we'll turn this around... Smith and Williams surely can't spurn any more chances in this game.

As much as I hate to do it I have to disagree with SSP.

Strikers missing sitters & penalties are not having good games, after all they are paid to put the ball in the net

Corner to Town

It's great with all these young lads but days like this need a bit of nous to get a result.

Toffolo nearly scores again.

Not like we haven't had the chances though, we should be out of sight.

No you need to take your chances which we've had plenty.

Bit late  to react but FUCK

3 goals in 5 mins see Birmingham 3-2 over Blyth Spartans now

It wouldn't be typical of us in the slightest to dominate a game and not get a result, hardly happened at all this season

It's just one of those things

2-0. Load of bollocks.

Fuck off 2-0

Game over.

Bollocks.

Cocking arsebiscuits, 2-0.

aaargh - every time I listen..........

 :doh:bollocks

Cunt fuck shit

Really disappointing after dominating the first half.

Nobody to blame but ourselves

Half an hour to go yet let's see what they're made of.....

Branco's side again. He's looked very dodgy since getting back in the team.

Cooper out

Exactly.

Ok. I'm switching off.

Why today this was a good chance to go top

Branco getting mentioned on the analysis of both goals conceded.

Get rid  ;)

Please don't go again. Thank you.

Attack Attack Attack Attack Attack

It's the only way nothing to lose now.

Branco not having a good half.

He was utter gash against port vale except for his heading ability he offered fuck all, couldn't even take a throw in.

Nailed on Obika hattrick.

He had a shit game last week ... We're giving contracts to gladwin and Branco since they got there new contracts they've been shit

We dont seem to want to do we?

One point against Donny the other week and we would have been top for the last few weeks.

We did that in the first half, at least we stopped them from scoring I guess :)

He was very poor first half at Walsall as well.

wished Branco fucked off

Forgive me TEF for I have sinned against Town

Wtf?

62:31 Wes Foderingham (Swindon Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half

Smith and his missed pens are annoying as well. But it happens I guess. You win some you lose some. No point blaming anyone.

:Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

gladwin has hardly been shit

yeah cooper probably put 11 up front

Maybe Wes should take the next Penalty :)

ANDY WILLIAMS

Come on Williams!

Willo 2-1

Yessssssssssssssss. Williams

I put a £1 on Fleetwood at half time (4-1) to offset my reckless £2.63 on other games.


2-1 Game on. Erm, never mind.

3-2 we're gonna win 3-2

WooHoo.

Ohhh andy andy

Now this is interesting...

Come on Town!

at last come on lads batter them now

Come on boys!! Show us what you're made of!!

Come on boys!!!! Get in Willo!!!

Is that you Sussex. Or are you a fake Sussex?

Gladwin gets an earful from Byrne for not playing him in 1 on 1.

Just been out with the dogs (Hate listening to games, get too nervous). I couldn't stop refreshing my phone, but when we went a goal down I thought it was going to be one of those days. Fucking lovely surprise to get back home and see this!!!!

Plenty of time left!

C'mon Swindon a draw would seem like a win now

The next goal is vital

We are still a goal down ;)

Watch him score now ;)

you do know we are losing?

Obika hasn't scored for ages, he's shit

(trying the Posh Red tactic!)

Shit. I thought we were 2-1 up!

I'm going back out.......

I am a real one, just passing in the hope of a draw..

In his own net the way he is going!

if he does I would buy our home and away kit with his name on the back of it

:) Hi Sussex!

City just equalised.

Idiot.

Just so you can't delete it  :)

Need shitty to draw, the more games they play the better!

Preston Beating Norwich and Shitty drawing, could do with them carrying on their cup runs

Come on lads ten mins to do this.

 :)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/fa-cup/11320791/FA-Cup-is-made-to-suffer-in-2015-New-Years-fixture-list-it-is-being-systematically-emasculated-by-those-who-run-it.html

Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

GLADWIN!

Get in!

Yeessssss

Louis!

GLADWIN TO LOUIS!

Yes!!!

Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!

We are top of the league!

Yesssssss!!!!!!

Yesssss

Now nick it boys!

Gruffolo booked, come on town. Yesssssssssssssss

I approve

GET THE FUCK IN!!!!!

Get the fuck in

Come on Fleetwood, get one of your niggly Norveners sent off.

And I'm feeling

Gladwin all over!

GTFI

WE ARE SWINDON WE'RE TOP OF THE LEAGUE!

Thank fuck for that.

Now, do we go for it or defend the point?!

All we need is a Branco goal

er it was thompson,no?

Just switched on player to catch last few mins and caught the equaliser!!! Get in! :pint:

Get in to the fuck!

Now for a winner!

Towering header from fifteen yards.

Us defend?.....Go for it !!!

Come on Town let's go for all 3!!!!

5 minutes stoppage time.

COYR

Ahem.

Come on town.....

648 away fans. Good effort.

On page 18 already, like the good old days.

At least herthab will have a "lovely surprise to get back home and see this!!!!" when he comes back (again)

FT 2-2. Top of the League

Good result, top of the table.

City draw their cup game so force a replay. Another match for them to play is good for us.

We are top of the league, said we are top of the league,
We are top of the league, said we are top of the league
We are top of the league, said we are top of the league

(got to get it in when you can).

2-2. Could have been worse.

We are Swindon, we're top of the league

That'll do. I'd have taken a point before kick-off.

Oh, and.... WE'RE TOP OF THE LEAGUE, WE'RE TOP OF THE LEAGUE...

 :clap:

"CHEER UP STEVIE COTTERILL..."

Great result in the circumstances. Top.   :beers:

After the first half a draw would have been disappointing, but after going 2 down it feels like a win.

Again shows that they have the fight in them to come back and get a result.

Top at last, that will piss the wurzels off, bet they were creaming their pants when we were two down!

 :moon:

Without Thompson (N) at the back we are that bit more vulnerable, so all in all a good point.

And it sounds like Swift will be a more than able replacement in midfield.

City have a replay against donny we're top of the league we are swindon we're top of the league ;D

I'd have taken a draw at the start of play.

I'd have been gutted losing 2-1 having missed a penalty.

I'm very happy we've come back from 0-2 to get a point.

Fuck the F.A. Cup.

Good fighting spirit that. We all know would have won had we taken our chances. But at 2-0 down it feels like a point won.

OK we could go 3rd if other teams take their games in hand, but its going to fluctuate at the top. Its just nice to hit the top.

...And to piss the Wurzels off for a week at least. They've been top for months.

Get in there. Feels like a win. That's a huge point. Anything we pick up this month without Mass and Yas is a bonus in my opinion.

It's nice to be top. We're not really top top due to games in hand and because our game next week is on a Monday that means other teams will play twice between now and then.

Anyway... might as well enjoy it while we're there! TOP OF THE LEAGUEEEEEE

PNE have to score 7 to go above us

I was going for City and MK Dongs ;)

Without wanting to sound like Reg, let's not get carried away just yet - Brizzle, Dons, Preston are still close on our tails.

Brizzle and Dons are the major worries, as they could be the top 2 if they win their games in hand.

The lad Swift a massive positive today, more than enough quality by what he has shown today, early days but seems a great signing..

shit, forgot about the Franchise

Dons seem to have hit a sticky patch, maybe they are due a little blip which will be most welcome..

No they won't. Their rearranged fixtures will take place later on in the season. The next L1 fixtures are next Saturday, so we are top for at least a week, and if Shitty do win next Sat, we can go back top at Cov on the tele.

Happy with that. (Would've been happier if I'd known we were 2-1 down, instead of 2-1 up!)

Apparently it was a shit pen by smith

Agreed. Hopefully the finale served as a boost and a kick up the backside (in the nicest of ways) for the players.

It has got the City fans bickering among themselves again though. Rivalry or no rivalry, their angst towards the inconvenience of Swindon Town is nuts. MKD and PNE will keep pushing.

Happy to be part of the race.

And we had 61% possesion

yeah, we may well fall away, or not, who knows. That's why you have to gloat when you can!

Goals just on sky with a match analysis by Phil Thompson.

The run from Swift for the pen was pretty sexual.

He had a lot of decent things to say about us too
Nice to see the goals early
Smith pen was poor and both their goals poor defending on our part, Morris left in loads of room on their left for both tho took goals well.
Willos goal was an odd flick and Louis tap in sealed the deal, great ball across goal.

After listening to the first half didn't think we would get anything from today

City fans shitting  it now apparently we should put our parade bus back in our garage...

You can tell he's learned how to fall over at Chelsea though.

Gah, nooo "I felt a touch on my ankle so I went down"...

Hate that!

They can say what they like, they are worried!

They keep hoping we will go on a losing run and it ain't happening for them.

Let's hope those Donny cloggers give them a good kicking in the replay.

I think we all know how City fans would have reacted had Swindon lost today. We could go in to the Coventry game in 3rd place but we'll think about that next week (if City win and Preston win big).

Town are in a division with much, much bigger spenders and yet we're going toe-to-toe with them at the half-way point. Nobody can take that away from this side.

Swift sounds as he will be a like-for-like replacement for Luongo, hopefully his fee will mean we don't lose anyone else this month.

City having to replay with Donny is the best result for us. More games and hopefully a couple of knocks, thought I heard they are already struggling with injuries.

May be too early to say this but it sounds as though Branco has mugged us off by getting a new deal considering his current form!!!!

what are you on about?

I hope a team sweeps in a bid for branco sounds like he was shit again

Another inside scoop from Chang?

it's already been repossessed

:)

Williams goal is brilliant. No deflection, flicks it with the outside of his right foot and loops over the keeper. He really is scoring some brilliant goals this season.

Pretending to be "ITK"

Yep, it's one for the 'things that are wrong with football' thread. But that's how players are being taught these days  :no:

A picture in the Daily Mail has the Liverpool Manager at today's match......was it Mr Power he was sitting next to??

Funny how Rodgers Jr. made a rare appearance when Daddio was in attendance.

10 - Andy Williams (10) has scored more away goals in 2014/15 than any other League One player

Lee Power's hat  ;D

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2895508/Liverpool-boss-Brendan-Rodgers-watches-Fleetwood-Town-draw-2-2-against-Swindon.html

Important point, not so much because it takes us top, but shows battling spirit is still there, when missing 3 key players.

You can ponder over the missed chances but goals win games and at 2 zip, I thought it might be one of those days.

Showed a lot of belief and balls to drag it back and another five minutes and we could of even won it.

Im happy with that.

It's nice to feel top of the league but better in May!

Sounded like Branco struggled a bit today and I suppose now somebody else will be getting Pen duty?

Obviously I can see why you say that but if the players adopt that mind-set then we're in the shit.  They need to go out believing we can win every game whatever the starting 11.  Hopefully Swift will help.

He was the only central midfielder on the bench today tbf

Just got back. Not sure what to make of that. Fleetwood don't lose many at home so in a sense it's a decent point, but we really should have taken three points today.

First half was same old Swindon really. Dominated the possession, nice passing football from the back, but occasionally a little slow in getting anything going. Swift seemed to slot in very naturally and really did fit with the way we played. My only criticism would be that he is very right-footed. That said, his run into the box for the penalty was fantastic, and he played a lovely through ball with his only left-footed touch of note, only for Toffollo to hit the post. Smith's penalty can only be described as weak, a real waste. He had a pretty poor game all round today.

At half time we were all fairly confident we'd come out and get the goal. But we just fell to pieces, giving the ball away and misplacing passes on a regular basis. Branco had an absolute shocker - I don't think he won a header until the 91st minute, and he was a fault for both of the goals, getting caught out of position and turning slower than the team coach. We got caught twice by the same move and that was that - 2-0 down.

Thannkfully the boys kept plugging away. We weren't creating much but were still getting the ball into good positions, especially in the wide areas. However, Byrne seemed reluctant to take on the full back and balls in from our left were often weak. Eventually we did get one back through a huge slice of luck. Williams capitalised on a defensive error to hit a rather poor shot which looked to be going wide. Thankfully a Fleetwood defender managed to get in the way and it looped into the far corner. Whoever said it didn't take a deflection is incredibly wrong.

Then we kept going forward, plugging away and finally Gladwin seemed to get his crossing boots on. First, a lovely cross to the far post which the defender had to try to head behind from the narrowest angle, sadly he managed it. But then another perfect delivery picked out Thompson who drifted in from the right to knock home from 6 yards.

A special mention to the referee who gave endless petty free kicks and yet refused to use his yellow card. He didn't get any major decisions wrong, but he constantly blew up for nothing challenges, and the game would have flowed much better if he'd controlled it properly.

We're top of the league, but we should win games like this.

I wad unable to check the score from half time until about 15 mins ago.  My initial reaction.to seeing we'd drawn was disappointment based on the chances we'd had in the first half.  However having read back through the thread and seeing we actually came back from 2 down, I feel rather relieved we got anything.

We shouldn't really have put ourselves in the position of needing to chase the game, but good to see we have the ability to keep going and fight back.

Hopefully Nathan will return for the Coventry game, as sounds like Branco is a bit of a liability at the moment.  Funny how a few weeks ago he or his agent thought he was too good for League 1 football!

lets be fair,Nathan has cost us a few times this season.

Really?

Couple of wanky cup games, maybe

I like the way it doesnt mention his son at all

That would require some research and as we are not a Prem team we are of no consequence.

Know your place!

Haha. Ok, I'm done. I'll call you, show! (That's neant to be a Poker phrase but I'm on my way and haven't got a clue when it comes to card games)

Thought this was a very fair summary: can't make up my own mind whether that was two points lost or two points gained in the circumstances. Should have capitalised on first half possession and opportunities but did well to claw it back for a point. Missed Nat T today, Fleetwood were attacking right side of our defence, i.e. Branco, all through the 2nd half; the most complementary I can be is to describe him as a lower league David Luiz, hhhhmmmm.....anyway we keep accumulating points, we're in the mix and top of the league: great position to be in early Jan. p.s. first time I've heard Captain Pugwash theme music played over the tannoy when the home team score.

Captain Pugwash sounds brilliant. At last a team with some imagination for goal music.

Williams to Liverpool, swap deal with ballotelli here on loan. I'm in the know.

..

Would have been quite funny if we were 3-0 up at the time, probably would have joined in. Slightly less unamusing in retrospect with a point in the bag if that makes sense. To be fair, enjoyable place to visit, feared for the worst when the drums started up at the beginning of the match but old school terracing, close to the action and great chippy just outside the away end. Overall, thought their club seemed to have a good sole (cod army geddit ha ha).....on 2nd thoughts I'll stick to the day job.

k

Agree with everything you said except the ref had an absolute shocker.
Got many decisions wrong and bottled a red with a cynical challenge on Byrne as it appeared he was causing them all sorts of problems.

Bloody Captain Pugwash music was rubbing salt into the wounds but fair play we kept playing and if another 10 minutes reckon we would have won the game.
Fleetwood fans said first half we simply outplayed them.

Still winning at Walsall and getting a point today would take that and top of the league is a good feeling.
Agree with everything you mention about the players.
Thought Stephens and Turnbull played well but missed Nathan.

Great point in the end but should really have been three. Branco left Morris twice and he made us pay with two tidy finishes. Unfortunately from a similar angle Toffolo hit the post.Gladwin can be utterly brilliant at times and then have a dip from thirty yes when Byrne was in acres of space on the edge of the box.Rodgers was good in his cameo role which allowed Louis to move forward at the end and I have to agree with the comments on Swift,he was a class act. Referee was shit and offered Byrne very little protection.

Agree that the ref afforded no protection to Byrne, who they tried to kick out of the game. Not sure any of the challenges were worthy of a red though - a couple of well deserved yellows dished out earlier in the game and it wouldn't have happened.

first half you should have been 3-0 up,  second half ,   well we could have won it,   a draw a fair result,   chelsea loanee what a wanker,      dived for the pen and got it,   second time should have been booked,   you played quality football and was appreciated by the home crowd, the best football we have seen this term,   we are a tiny club compared to yourselves but passionate, we respect quality when we see it like today but do not like being cheated,   ie the pen,   fast flowing football, quality, good luck and hope you get promoted, you deserve it.

Interesting game and we should have had it wrapped up at half time. Not sure if it was a pen and a very theatrical tumble by Swift. It was, however, a very good run and the defender did himself no favours. We should have had another later on. The first half was pretty much all us with them having one shot. The second half though you've got to give Alexander credit. they targeted the right back area time and time again and got a goal; that Fods should have saved at his near post. the second was a good finish. both goals defensive shite from Branco. After that it looked like Fleetwood would score again and then Williams comes up with a cracking finish. The ball from gladwin for the equalizer was excellent but Louis showed great desire in getting in on the end of it. If the game had gone on another 5 I would have fancied  us. Overall though happy with a draw and credit to Fleetwood for their second half performance.
On another note its good to go to a club where you can park outside the away end and walk into town in 10 minutes. The natives and stewards were decent and I enjoyed my visit there. Its a tidy little club so good luck to them. also nice to bump into my old mate Skippy in the Wetherspoons when I noticed he was on the next table.   

Finally back home. Very happy with a point even though it could have quite easily have been 3.

We were fantastic first half, really should have had 3 or 4. Great run from Swift for the penalty, looked stone wall to me but then we were right at the other end of the ground so will be interesting to see a replay.

At the start of the second half, they seemed to suss out that our right hand side was easy to exploit, with Branco in particular looking very vulnerable and you have to say his positioning for both their goals was awful.

Showed some great character to get back into it, fantastic assist from Toffollo for the first goal, I thought he was excellent all game. Gladwin impressed as well, sometimes his decision making can be a bit poor (he really should have played Bryne in who was free on goal) but a great cross for the equaliser. Swift looks like a good addition, and will certainly be very useful while Luongo and Kasim are away. He seems very comfortable playing in our system and is good on the ball.

Great effort from the town fans, for nearly 700 to travel that distance just after Christmas is very impressive. It's not a bad little ground at Fleetwood either, nice to have a good terrace for the away end as well.

Very happy to be top, and looking forward to Coventry next week.

First game of the season - thoughts from the day...

1) Possibly the friendliest away day I have ever had, everyone at the club was dead friendly from the stewards to the bar staff - not a big thing but made a nice change.

2) Byrne was class first half but quiet second, I don't know whether they got smart to him, kicked him out of the game or he was just covering Branco but he drifted away.

3) Equally Toffolo seemed to come into game second half - lots of running and always available for the ball!

4) The lad from Chelsea looked class - could tell he was from a Premier Club if only because he had gloves on!

5) The playing out from the back worries me (mainly because ball playing centre halves are rare at this level and as a former centre half I was definitely not ball playing!) however seems to work well. Apart from the moment when it went wrong in the second half and Wes for some reason seemed to be stood near the corner flag - looked up and the goal was empty but they couldn't get a shot in.

6) In 30+ years attending football it was the first time I have ever seen a referee who genuinely seemed to be timewasting in the second half - ?

7) I assume it was a deliberate decision that the female lino ran the line with no stand behind her all game - and on that topic why the hell do they have a stand that only goes part length of the pitch!

8) Everyone on buses in Blackpool is proper mad!

Generally a good day out and still cannot decide whether it was 2 points dropped or one gained? However the mate I went with who is a Man Utd supporter was very impressed and wants to go to further northern games this season so we are obviously doing something right.

Great to get a fan from the opposition on here.
Nice Club and decent fans.
Both of your goals were cracking strikes. Agree with you the first half.
Second half we lost our shape and Composure but some credit must go down to you as you exploited our right hand side with a centre half playing right back with our Captain Missing.

O.K. I give in Captain Pugwash music was class :)
Please beat City, MK Franchise and Preston for us.
Good luck for the rest of the season. Your rise through the leagues, not many clubs can match that.

Thanks for your input. Sorry about the dive if it was, Jose has taught him well!

Surely we can't have played better than Bristol Shitty who as we all know are VASTLY superior to everyone else in the division?

in the first half you played better than any team we have had here, wont mention the names as you wouldnt know them,   full of confidence to a point you may have riled us,   nice fans, quality feedback from local drinking establishments, you lot can come again,   and yes you played marginally better than bristol, happy?,   hope everybody got home safe :clap:

Top Man Tony.
Any relation to Tom the Cabin Boy.
That bloody music is going to haunt me !!

glad you enjoyed the captain pugwash music,   one thing i noted about your side today, when a player gets the ball the nearest two players look for positions this is something we need to learn,   rising through the leagues as we have done doesnt give us time to learn,   we are still raw and need to learn,   but we are enjoying the rollercoaster.

Roger the cabin boy!

Ref the half stand...

When I saw fleetwood beat the yellow stain I was told the social club refuses to sell up meaning the club cannot extend the stand.

Yes stand corrected.
Cut throat Jake I recall.
Loved that when I was a kid.....can't believe it was never censored with the names.

It was Tom I just looked it up :)
Memory intact.
Master Mate as well :)

goodnight all

I don't think it was two points gained to be honest

Check in the morning as I know a few who stayed over! He wont read it as he's a luddite, but congrats to Jacko who made the 92 club today.

Indeed. We trained at Melwood today as well! Probably worth it for 10mins every now and again.

Coops said in his post match interview that Willo will now take the penalties.

Got a lot of time for that Williams goal.

Is there any highlights available yet?

Top work from Jacko, but serious question.... How do you calculate 'the 92'. Do I, or he for that matter, as he was there, count Histon (who've never set foot in the football league).

The current 92 football league club's grounds, Shirley.

they have to be in the FL when you play them, i think.

I was certain at the time that the Williams goal took a massive deflection but after seeing the replay it was a brilliant finish.

Yeah its the current other 91 league teams. I actually went down a few last couple of years, then back up again when Cambridge and Luton came back up last season.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8SetCXB7Ng

So where's the Pen, not considered important then. Looks to me as if Branco lacked support on both those goals.

Not really the best highlights.  The game only lasted 45 minutes by the looks of it.

I'm still certain willo's goal had a hefty deflection.

Should have won the game after first half performance but first 20 of 2nd half was awful. Swift promising, good away support, good fightback and a decent terrace.

Fleetwood club bar very good and very friendly people up there,  will be going again next time we play.

No deflection on Williams goal, superb finish.

Might be difficult with wages as he's on a contract from the old regime but we need to try and get Williams signed up asap. Classy player and much more consistent now.

Definitely too much space allowed for their goals, the second one was criminal!!  Should Wes get beaten on the near post for the first?

I've done 71 of the current 91, if you include old grounds.

Not often you see wes let those in. I think he'll be disappointed. Branco levered off the ball too easily too. Their second looked a good finish, yes Brandco cocked up but the scorer was unmarked anyway.

Lovely goal from willo.

Just watched the highlights and, going by what I saw, I have to say:

- the game should have been wrapped up in the first half
- Swift definitely dived for the penalty
- Foderingham should have saved the shot for the first goal - beaten at the near post from a tight angle....
- Crap defending for their second goal.
- Williams' goal was either fantastic skill or a fluke.....not sure which, but it looks like he meant it on the highlights. I couldn't see any sign of a deflection.

Not sure why everyone blames Branco, certainly for the second as he was marking another player at the time. Nobody picked up the goal scorer.

I was stood right behind the goal and Williams flick got a huge deflection off Roberts back.Shows how you need to see things from different angles though because from the highlights it looks a superb finish

Paraphrasing, in the post match interview he said he felt contact with his ankle and went down. Later said similar about the second shout and it was up to the referee.

No doubt this attitude is commonplace all through football. It still irks me.

That's not meant as me getting on a players back before he's hardly played for us though..

Got to say, debates on all the 'cheating' that goes on in football doesn't really interest or bother me.

We all know it goes on in every match by every team so you pays yer money and takes yer chance whether you gain or lose in any particular game.

Saying that, I still get a warm feeling thinking back to the City game!

In my book you have done 71...

I think there are rules for the official 92 that you must do current grounds.

I'm on 88 but that includes old grounds like Maine Road etc.

So, if I've been to the dell and St Marys does that count as one?

Jacko made the adver,for the right reasons this time ;)

http://www.thisisswindontownfc.co.uk/sport/11701299.Paul_has_real_grounds_for_celebration_after_his_stadium_feat/

Well done Jacko.

Why was he in the Adver previously then??

People count grounds in different ways.  My view is that, to "do the 92", you need to have seen a game at every one of the current 92 clubs' current grounds.  So your Southampton example would count as one. 

Some people might only count games watching Swindon but others, like me, count games not involving Swindon.  Fleetwood was No 73 of the current 92 for me but I have 'lost' loads of grounds of teams that have dropped out of the league (eg Bristol Rovers  :) ) or who have moved to new grounds I have yet to get to but where I went to a game at their old ground (eg Arsenal).

http://www.doingthe92.com/

Just joking, Its just something out of the ordinary happens at every game I see him at...

You are 'officially correct' but I disagree....

I'm more of the opinion that I have visited Clubs at their home stadia rather than grounds.

I know that I cannot join the official 92 club....but personally I will be chuffed when I get round the next four before the end of the season....if possible....

All with Swindon....highly impressive....

:doh:

I've always counted mine in the "official basis" too. I'm three away now but all are due to the clubs moving to new grounds.

Fleetwood on Saturday means I've sort of done a 92 as I've now seen a game at every club currently in the football league. Not with Swindon though. Doubt I'll ever make that unless we get back in the Prem. Hmm.

Well done Jacko, a superb achievement!

Knew you would be close, who do you have left?

Example please.  And do you count a "visit" as one where a match wasn't taking place?

It's interesting how we all count them differently.  I know someone who counts having driven past in a car or on a bus! 

No you have to watch a match that's a given. driving past doesn't count

I would say clubs rather than grounds.

I have see us play at Wigan's old ground - Springfield Park? - but not been to the DW.

That would knock Wigan off the list for me

Only really realised when I started posting today to be honest. Seemed a bit cheap when Jacko has done them all with Town anyway (lady who came with us had done the same but shunned the chance to join Jacko for the Adver interview - in favour of staying in the pub).

Just Arsenal, Cardiff and Brighton to go (until more teams move). Hopefully we'll go up this season for this reason alone. :-)

I have a mate who also counts them when driving past. His tongue is firmly in his cheek though. I hope!

Yep.  Attending a game is a 'must' for me.  So much the better if it's a Town match, so Jacko's achievement is all the better!  Well done, sir!

Using Audrey's method, I would be on 81 but I'm only counting 73 - until I've caught up with club's new grounds/stadia.

 

Bet that includes having to go to The Riverside!

Shit trip, that

Actually, no.  I never made it to Ayresome Park. Shame on me!  :)



[Mods - This should probably have a thread of it's own.]

Ah. I'm missing a few of the new grounds - Swansea, Sunderland etc.

From my one and only visit to Ayresome Park, I would imagine a lot of fans get stuck on that number given the Neanderthal natives and their disliking of non natives.

I've always imagined Middlesbrough to be a nice place  ???

It is, if you're a fan of dereliction and heavy industrial landscapes....my one and only trip to Ayresome Park, was in 66.  My imagination had been fired by seeing the heroic comrades of North Korea dispose of the decadent aesthetes of Italy in the WC, on the box.

To my surprise, Smoggieland was even more monochrome than the black and white TV revealed....apart form the sulphurous yellow fumes which lingered in the air and steamed from watercourse.

Town were rapidly undone by John O'Rourke, who ended up with a hat-trick in a 4-0 defeat...I had a recurring nightmare about O'Rourke for some years after.

It's difficult to imagine, Britain's landscape back then when many traditional industries were still just about in full swing....mostly gone now.

Was shocking when I went there, admittedly it was late 80's so may have changed.

2nd in this list of worst places to live in, so I feel your comment could still be justified.

http://www.ilivehere.co.uk/top-10-worst-places-to-live-in-england

So i have been to Maine Road but not the Etihad....so as far as im concerned i have done Man City.
You have to see a football match at the stadium....eg i had a sales meeting at Walsall but didnt count it but did see my mates team play a Manchester Cup Final at Bolton...so that was ticked off.
If i was your mate seeing the grounds i would have done em all!
I meet people oh holiday and they always ask how many grounds i have visited but i always reply with the number of clubs...
I never set out to do all the clubs but ive been travelling since 84 off and on and when i got to 78ish, i thought....i might try and do the lot.
Planning Blackpool on Saturday.

Without wanting to offend, this has to be one fo the most misguided comments ever on this forum :D

The Gravesend and Stoke quotes  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

I went to Middlesborough in 72 - routine 2-0 defeat - I stood in the home end - there was not an 'away' end as such - I may have been the only Town fan there as far as I knew :D

The area is GRIM & I come from Bradford !!

Jesus it must be bad I am working in Bradford at the moment and it takes some beating, I did not know that rag and bone men with horse and carts still existed until today!!!

The idea of away ends, I'd guess at, as being a mid to late 70's thing....an interesting time, although unconnected to football the recent BBC 4 documentary on the Clash at NYD 1977, playing the Roxy club, is a fine thing and really captures the zeitgeist.... think still available on i-player.

I had a guess at the list before reading it.  Got 6 of them.  Big surprise was Nottingham.  Ok its not Stratford upon Avon but its a pleasant enough city.

Some of the comments are brilliant.

Very disappointed that Croydon only comes in a lowly 4th.

Still think Luton is the worse.
Bradford was bad in the 80's and before but looks a little more tidy now.
Luton is just awful.

Middlesbrough (smog monsters) is rough as fuck.
Shit hole, but a shit hole with at least some character, a dump still :)

I've been to many places oft-described as 'shitholes' as the two that have truly fit the bill have been Middlesbrough and Gillingham, Kent.

You have yet to grace Runcorn then, where my dad lived for 10 years, holy mother of Jesus its rough there.

Burnley, anyone?

Luton would be top, but running it a close second would be Walthamstow, I've had the displeasure of working in most of London's hell holes, but that's the worst I've spent a prolonged time in.

You'll enjoy this then.
https://www.facebook.com/WalthamstowTouristBoard?ref=ts&fref=ts (https://www.facebook.com/WalthamstowTouristBoard?ref=ts&fref=ts)

I lived in Luton for 10 years - it's a fine place

sums up Middlesborough rather nicely

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mXABhysAng

Widnes is a truly horrid place.

Not being funny, but Walthamstow is utopia compared with the top ten.  Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of shitty areas left in London, but only Barking should feature in the top 10.  Now that really is like walking into 1970's London. Only place in London where the word gentrification is unspoken, which is many ways isn’t a bad thing.  Like someone said about Middlesbrough, at least it has character, unlike souless southern nothing towns such as Stevenage, Bracknell etc. 

Although not a settlement in itself, my least favourite area is anywhere east of the M25 on the estuary (north or south).  Fucking horrible place

This is a great read:

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/jan/23/you-are-awful-but-i-like-you-review

Marsh Farm?

Just been working in 'Boro. Somebody summed it up nicely.."It's just piles of shit with houses in between".

Not far away, but closer to Lewsey Farm