Thetownend.com

1-1 draw. 

Semi strength team out.

That is all.

Not going. Can't be arsed. That is all.

Lazy cunt. Even im going

After Preston last Saturday and Colchester on Tuesday I really can't be arsed to watch them going through the motions again. It's all about the Play Offs now....

It's hard to be motivated for this. What a weird end of season this is.

Probably going to see Orient fans experience the ups and downs of a final day relegation battle. They sent Oxford into the amateur leagues so it's hard to dislike them.

That said, I hope people like Swift put in a shift today.

Was gonna go and bring my seven year old even though she fell asleep at half time the last time she came v Crewe!

Not paying those prices to see reserves and kids going through the motions, save it for the games that matter.

Should have made today cheaper not more expensive.

0-2.

4-2

I can't believe they have put the prices up to see an under strength team, I was driving to swindon to go the game with my son but they can fuck right off, taking advantage of your loyal supporters is not a good business model mr power. I'm out.

I agree the prices are crap. But the Play off game is very cheap so £46 or less for 2 games isn't all bad. Although a lot of people won't go I hope the fans that do stay behind at the end to acknowledge what the players have achieved. Especially as it will make my exit to the pub easier. COYR

1-1 Gladwin pen.  7603. With a lot of wet away fans if it stays the same.

Tickets went on sale when Town were still chasing automatic. It would have been a ball ache to initiate a refund for the matter of a couple of quid. Ho hum, Town fans will be sparse and quiet while Orient fans will be loud.

Rainy day in a roofless stand... The ingredients of last day heartbreak. Good luck Orient but COME ON! SWINDON!

Not as good as £19, though.

I would have gone today - but not for £27.

We need Orient to stay up. One of the few decent away days for next season.  2 0 to Orient, no matter what team we turn out. Nobody breaks a leg for a meaningless game.

 I'm trying to think of a last game at home when the oppo had a relegation hanging on it.....I can think of a few already downs, but can only come up with Villa in 88. That was a mad one....

 Does seem as if there should be something more recent mind....any ideas?

Important today, I'm not sure which way it'll go. Its finely balanced but after a night in the Moonies I need a result. Will Robin open the chippie for the football special, or will kick off time mean the chippy is closed forcing an unwanted trip to McD's.

The game I'd normally declare null and void, but with Orient potentially going down its no such thing. I can't hope of an Orient win, but I hope they stay up too. So please play the youth team Coops.

Was planning on going today but woke up with an awful pain in the neck. To be fair, she did offer to drive me to the game but I can't move freely enough.

No idea how the game will turn out, I'd quite like Orient to go down so their fans can experience what we did (play offs 09/10, relegation 10/11) but no idea if we will turn up and give them a game.

2-3

7,201

Anyone with a slight knock will not play, so a very patched-up starting xi, and possibly not 3-5-2. Delighted if Williams scores.

Shame it is Orient that could get relegated, but it should add a bit of interest to what could have been a nothing game.

Hoping Yeovil and FGR make it a smiley day.

Sam Morshead ‏@SamMorshead_  7m7 minutes ago
Expect a monster surprise selection by Swindon Town today. Not sure I can believe it myself so holding off til team news in 20 mins. #stfc

Oooh, exciting.

Agombar

It's going to be Agombar isn't it?

Sigh.

That's got to be the return of Louis then.

MONSTER - FUCK YEAH!

Could be. I'm sure I read from one of the journos the other day that he could be back.

???

cameron Belford in goal!!

Belford T; Branco, Ricketts, Turnbull; Barthram, Agombar, Rodgers, Swift, Randall; Williams, Cooke

Subs: C Belford, Jones, Stephens, T Smith, Marshall, Barker, M Smith

AGOMBAR!!!!!!  Our saviour!!

No Obika and Hylton in the squad.

hahahahaha what a fucking shit side. Thank fork I couldn't go.

:Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Jesus wept.

27 quid!

I can understand it. As long as they understand I may be gone at Half time.

Cooper - you are taking the piss!

I am sooooooooo glad I never made the trip. Although seeing Agombar in a league game will no doubt become an 'I was there!' claim by many in the future.

Does anyone else think they want Orient to stay up?

That did pass my mind, mates of Power?

got to be taking the piss playing that prick

Hes in the shop window, Real Madrid and Barcelona keeping close tabs on Agombar for a multi million pound tranfer this summer.

I just hope this "resting players" thing doesn't come back to bite us in the arse. Look what happened the last time we had a 3 week break.

Have I missed something, how is Agombar a prick? I know he's not a good player and all that but other than that, what's he done wrong?

Guilty by association.

He is obviously a prick by association to his father.

He got a contract because Jed is mates with his dad (who was involved in the death of Hereford Utd). I think most dislike him because he's been stealing a wage for 2 seasons.

I'm not buying it, he could be a great lad for all we know. (Oh, and our saviour)

Agombar is a symbol of the previous regime.

He shouldn't be anywhere near that side. I'd much rather see a promising 16 year old.

...Agombar can score a hat-trick today and I wouldn't give a shit.

I usually love your optimism Flash, but that is stretching the boundaries...

No. He really couldn't.

Glad i left my mates at half 7 to get to this one and pay 27 quid, what the fuck is that team.

At Preston I thought Cooper had fielded the weakest possible side. He's proved me wrong!

I was struggling to find a reason to go to this game, but with Agombar's playing, wild horses couldn't keep me away.

:D

Well jel....

fucking hell. I can live with a weak team, but what's the fucking point of playing the wage thief?

ridiculous

At least it looks likely the starting strikers on Thursday will be Obika and Hylton

I cant see anything here other than a real heavy defeat, real heavy..

I've got to be honest, I'm finding the whole thing really, really amusing.

(This might have more than a little to do with the fact that I'm at home, in the warm, watching the telly and laying on the sofa).

3.0 is a good bet.

I was thinking triple that.

8/5 for Orient to score 2 or more goals

it's amusing and bemusing in equal measures.

if orient stay up then I'd be furious if I was the team that went down instead. hope it's Crawley!

Nah, we'll lose but not by more than 3 (or 4). Don't forget we're playing Orient.

TWENTY SEVEN POUNDS!!! Fuck me, seriously? :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Jesus Chris, Harry Agombar!

I'll throw it out there. The policy of resting players isn't right and the sides we are putting out are bordering on disrespectful. Would Agombar get a game at Supermarine? The first team need to play themselves into form.

2-1 Swindon

£27 pound for a second string team. And we all know how things turn out the week after our players are rested FFS.

No problem with the second string. It's the fifth string player that's the problem :)

Apparently Daddy Agombar is at the CG.

Cunt.

I hope the TE give him the appropriate welcome.

Dissapointed that man is even allowed in the ground. We all heard that voicemail.

Holy shit Harry Agombar is actually real.

We're getting slaughtered by the pundits on Sky

he's real, he's real(http://www.discussionsnetwork.com/forumfiend/uploads/images/59347.jpg)

Sorry, but the team today is a step too far considering Orient have something to play for.

Where's the preparation for the team who will be playing in the play offs?

We're being pinned back.

Never!

Sure the MK players will be knackered come the semis. That momentum they've got will mean nothing!

Anyway, how are we looking?

as it stands they are up

MK ahead at Yeovil…  :cry:

We've had a shot on target!

Even Swindon could score at Yeovil today cos they are playing at MKD ;)

 :-[

FFS

Penalty and Belford off. Orient say their player looked offside.

Belford off.

Belford on.

oops. terrible kick and clear penalty.. red.. no complaints. of and I'm dead level and it didn't look offside, defender coming out and attacker going up at same time.

if Wes goes we'll need a new 1st choice, Belford is shite

Belford jnr sent off, Belford snr comes on for Cooke.

Saved.

Cameron for England.

saved

David? ;)

not a bad first touch as a town player

Nah. He's just been transferred from Villa to West Ham.

We've angered Jeff on Sky Sports. No idea how making sure your sub GK is warmed up is gamesmanship...

He's a dwarf  Ffs

Must be a Town first and probably not happened much ever, a league debut for a club and save a penalty with first touch of the ball. Nice.

We had better win this. I've enjoyed this side getting plaudits for the football it plays. I won't enjoy the (entirely justified) we will get for manipulating the relegation situation. Orient have had 45 games to play against league one sides and then a final game against a Conference South Side.

5 foot 11 is not exactly a dwarf! do you live in a land of giants?

My dad says we're all over the place and he probably isn't going to stay until the end!

End of this season has been a complete farce, should be looking forward to play offs with a lot of enthusiam! I certainly don't feel enthusiastic

Thank fuck that wasn't Wes.

Nice one Cooper!

Exactly. How to drain your fanbase of enthusiasm and belief.

Me neither. I understand wanting our key players to be fresh for the play-offs, but the perceived mentality just seems so wrong.

Make 2/3 changes fine, but 8/9 is a complete farce especially considering the teams we have been playing are fighting for something.

So pissed off with this

This

If Orient don't beat us today, they deserve to be relegated.  This is awful and I really wonder how Cooper is going to justify the ridiculous number of changes.  If we do poorly in the play offs he'll get slaughtered for lack of preparation.

Can anyone clarify whether Foderingham is injured?  People behind me saying he is.  T Belford now banned, so his brother could play in the play offs.

Fods has been carrying a knock for a while, I seem to remember.

Foderingham has been carrying an injury the last few games.

Bet that scouse twat Robinson isn't moaning today about Yeovil making 7 changes

0-1

Fuck this im off out

Cooper out.

branco, you absolute Muppet

Branco at his best.

Standard, unfortunately.

Pathetic. Why do we do it?

Just seen the goal, fucking woeful.

Branco played like he had his boots on the wrong feet on Tuesday. Appears he hasn't learnt today.

What a joke.

If you were to identify a turning point in our season, Branco getting a run in the side ans Stephens being pushed up is probably it.

yup

Just seen the goal on Sky - Branco made to look like a mug (again) megged and slotted away.  if Branco gets anywhere near the starting 11 in the next 2/3 games then we are screwed.

Franchise 4-0 up against Yeaovil reserves.  Colchester just missed an open goal when lobbing the keeper.

Agombar has disappeared again

To be fair so has the rest of our midfield

Louis getting injured was it...

Haven't heard his name yet..

nail on the head

Branco looks shit even in a reserve team, I can't see him ever coming good as he's just brainless. Still wouldn't be surprised to see him in the play-offs as Cooper seems to have a bizarre love for playing him.

This is when I feel it changed.

zzzzzzzzzz

So anyone still think resting players is a good idea. Fucking ridiculous, no justification for playing Harry Ag at all unless paid to. Now we've given them a goal they don't have to push to hard as we have no threat. Set piece goals our only hope.

I think this is exactly what will happen.  Surprised at Coopers "plan" on this and think this will bite us in the arse big time.  I fear the tie could be over by the second leg.

What surprises me more than anything with this whole debacle is that Power is allowing it to happen.  It is almost like he is not fussed about going up, which scares the fuck out of me more than the wage stealer being in the team tbh.

I can nothing but pain for us fans over the coming weeks with the current tactics and mindset in place..

He played one nice ball through early on, but not much else

Someone joked "Cooper out" above. That's obviously a joke, but the pitiful performances of the past 2 months have only been tolerated because of what went before. Taken in isolation, the selection policy and apparent inability to get the team playing remotely near their potential has been so, so poor. He deserves criticism for it.

All this rubbish about gamesmanship and annoyance at the changes made is ridiculous. We've got a small cheap team compared to pretty much everyone else in the top half of the table. We have to do the sensible thing and rotate the squad as best we can so we're okay for the playoffs. Any other team in our position would do exactly the same. Frankly I'm surprised we haven't put a team out with these players in before now.

I think you all need to calm down a bit. You've all known the plan since our playoff place was confirmed. Like the team, you just need to focus on the playoffs now. Save your negativity until you see how we get on on Thursday.

Exactly this & I drove down from Peterborough to watch this. I knew we would be playing this sort of team.
At least I got to see Agombar play :D

Certain irony that after all the fuss about the strength of the team it's one of the 'first teamers' who fucks up for the goal.

On the Agombar issues I notice from twitter thst he seems good mates with a lot of the players, I cannot image he would be accepted if they thought he was a joke passenger?

Brez at Hartlepool?

Wasn't his first touch of the ball, was it?

All well and good but if it does backfire we are going to get laughed at and worryingly there we are creating a lot of ill feeling towards the club.
After all these changes if we do look under prepared, lack organisation or don't compete in the play-offs then Cooper's got no excuses and will have to take the blame.

Momentum is a massive thing and we haven't got any.

Need to avoid defeat somehow on Thursday to have any chance so let's hope that Cooper can just flick that momentum switch over the other way eh?

Can't see it myself.

Never been in this position before and felt so negative, hope I'm wrong.

Yeah not his first touch for us.

I don't think it's negativity, more a concern about preparation.  As several people have pointed out, our record after resting players or having a break is shite.

I honestly don't think Cooper has a clue who he will start on Thursday and he's not going to get anything from this game to help him.

We haven't seen a good performance for a long time.  I'd question Cooper's ability to raise the team to be honest and we haven't got anyone on the pitch who will do it.

Fine, if you're speaking to us by satellite from Thursday night. Until then, all you short-sighted jeremiahs are doing my head in.

We're in the fucking playoffs! Stop your lip-wobbling ffs.

If we bomb in the first leg next Thursday, Cooper will be flamed.  But if our best players come out looking refreshed and hungry, playing like they did in December and January, he'll be a genius - ignoring the needs of other sides, focussing only on Swindon Town and using the resources at his disposal to best effect.  Even if you disagree with the approach, you can't deny that he has a plan.

There is something to recommend the approach.  Our young squad hit the wall at the end of January.  Form has dipped because we're knackered.  This might (might) just turn that around.

Jo, you're one of the worst. You can barely ever sit through a match without melting down.

It's not about the people on the pitch is it.

So many people seem to assume the negative, it could be that cooper is doing EXACTLY what we need.

This is indeed a possibility, only the next 2 games will tell for sure.

0-2

Load. Of. Shite.

As ever I'm at one with Flashheart. Even at 2-0 down.

Chesterfield equalise...

Crawley ahead, so Orient down at present...

Fucking hell this is just a ridiculous response to an end of a season game where we have a nailed on playoff place. If anyone had offered me that at the start of the season then I would have taken it. Yes we could have gone up automatically until April's results, but our side is knackered after a long bloody season for most of them, who haven't played a full season of week in week out football before. Let alone go away and play at international tournaments and cup competitions on top.

These players thrive on confidence and hearing the stands complain both in person and in the media like I have as a Swindon fan over the last couple of months it is no fucking surprise their form has dropped.

So what if orient are now 2-0 up. I'm listening to this match to see how the academy youngsters do.

I am ashamed to be a Swindon fan sometimes. Some of us have zero grasp of context.

All great sitting on here saying all that, but you're not actually at games witnessing or spending money on this, I have a season ticket but even so to do this while still charging this at £27 is not right.

Colchester have a penalty - Moncur won it

Worrying that our defense is quite strong but we look so pathetic at the back at the moment.

Skyed it 20 yards over the bar

Most of those moaning would also be moaning if we played a full strength team and picked up injuries or suspensions. And yes joteddyred, of course it's negativity. Cooper must have balls the size of watermelons to pick today's team. He knew, after Preston, that he'd get pelters but he's stuck to his game plan. If we don't compete on Thursday and the following Monday, then feel free to carry out the autopsy. Until then try a little positivity. We finished the season 4th over 2 weeks ago, that's some achievement for a club tipped by many (probably the same moany fuckers as now) to be in a relegation scrap.

Granted, but sometimes perspective comes with distance. See you on Thursday?

Yes, but it is just not right if Orient escape relegation because we play a joke team. Today, I'm disgusted to be a town fan.

I was at Preston and Colchester, is it ok if I have an opinion?

I don't think it's ridiculous, I think people are demonstrating a sense of apprehension about what might happen in the coming play-off games given that the last few league games have been pretty humiliating performances.

As much as football is played on the pitch, there's a lot to be said for confidence and momentum as you said. But that's not just from the players, that's from the fans too. Cooper is concentrating on looking after his key players but at the cost of a loss of confidence from the stands. Only time will tell if this was all a good idea or not.

Would playing a full strength team of tired players with niggly injuries have guaranteed results lately? Of course not. We could have ended up going into the playoffs tired, battered, possibly some 1 teamers out through injury AND without this momentum that people keep on banging on about.

It's all about what Cooper thinks is best for Swindon, not any other team. All those playing are professionals and contracted. What's the point in them if they can't play in a game?

Well bloody said.

I'm sure you'll recover by Thursday, but you really do need to learn some deep-breathing techniques.

I'll be happy with today if Orient stay up. At the moment, I'm upset that's not happening.

That's not fair.  I give praise when it's due. The fact is we've been poor for weeks and there's no getting away from that.  Why pick out my comment when virtually everyone here is saying the same?

For what it's worth, I hope Flashheart is right.  The last I want is to see us beaten in the play offs again.  I'm not going to apologise for being disappointed when we don't do well.

This.

I don't care about the team selection, I care about the mindset and confidence of key players, which seems, based on recent performances to be on the floor..

Changes at Preston, but by the sound of it we played well.  Apart from that game and the Rochdale game recently we haven't had a decent performance.  That is my worry, not what players are out on the pitch.

Disgusted is a bit strong isn't it?

I'm going to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine and forget about this game because it's absolutely pointless. Season starts again on Thursday.

Sorry to be picking you out, and I understand how frustrating it must be to sit in the stands week after week, but I do find you tend to focus on the negative, and not just this season.

Haha 2-1.

woo hoo we've scored come on town

1-2 Rodgers.

What a goal.

Great goal, wow.

Sounds like Rodgers with a bit of tekkers there

I go with some of this but not all.

Yes I would rather he rested some players, but there are others who haven't played that much eg. Hylton who could be used, whilst having a couple more experienced players on the bench.

I'm deeply uneasy about us pissing off teams that deserved a fairer crack of the whip. I can imagine Colchester saying 'why us' for the first team and not Orient for example.

Hopefully other results will pan out OK and they will go down anyway...

But yes overall I'm concerned about the extent of the continual negativity towards the team, Coops etc.

As posted on another thread, this virus seems to be widespread - home team support even at Liverpoool has sunk to prawn sandwich level. Would be worth trying to figure out why [and also trying to tackle it - cheap ticket area set up for
singing fans etc]

The 2nd half at Colchester showed me that Kasim and Luongo can easily up their games when they want to. I'm 100% sure they'll be back to their best on Thursday. Gladwin's form has been one positive over the last few weeks, as has Byrne's. Hylton has shown promise and Obika has also looked good. I think there's a lot to be positive about.

Again with not grasping context  - Why are we charging £27? The band prices were set at the start of the season.  Orient were tipped to be a top 6 side at least at the start of the season having finished last season with a loss on penalties in the playoff final. Therefore a last game of the season against them would probably be an important one. They fucked up and so it's actually a game to see if they get relegated or not.

Now, bearing in mind a club is only allowed to discount tickets so many times a season,  I think it's pretty fair to assume we can't reduce the prices now.

I am happy to pay £X to go and see Swindon play. There are limits to this of course,  but when we have a club whose main goal is to rest on an even keel financially and maybe make a little bit of profit to pump back I to bit self I have zero problem with paying the 'on day' prices. If I could go often enough to make a season ticket or 6 match ticket work I would get one of those but as is I see it as a necessary evil.  Yes football is expensive now, bit that's Sky's fault,  not Swindon's.

Bristol City 6-2 Walsall

It's all about what these boys do come Thursday

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v490/jamiethon/boyz_zpsocoaquot.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/jamiethon/media/boyz_zpsocoaquot.jpg.html)

https://twitter.com/essex_o/status/594845149651435520

Rodger's goal.

WOW.

I love how glum the pundit looks after that.  Like he made a huge mistake and is regretting it.

Also FUCKING HELL RODGERS why hasn't he been taking free kicks like that every game?!?!

Sexy

Watching the Preston game and they are getting into twitchy bum territory.  They are battering Colchester but missing numerous chances, Garner in particular.  This has got a 96th minute goal for Colchester written all over it..

Goal of the season?

aaaagh dont jinx us !!!


preston 96th minute, ok God ?!

[trying to remove the hex]

Colchester score

8+ minutes left

Bugger.

Now I want Chesterfield to win cos I think they are easier to beat than Sheff Utd.

Preston are serial bottlers in the play offs, hate the club stealers but better they go up now.

this lad is a lot better than we have given him credit for.

i recall one of his shots at a recent home game that indicated his talent.

i see him less as a DM and more as a Louis type player, able to get forward, and hope we keep him
as he will become more consistent.

Attendance is 8,609 (1,131 from Orient)

7500 home fans is a lot better than I thought it would be.

Would much rather play Preston than Franchise

Kevin Davis on to kick a few players

oh lord no way do i want MK in the final - a raging angry mob feelign deprived by us of their auto place !

[assuming we get there of course]

and yes deffo to Chesterfield - open games etc etc

Hi Brendan

wow yeah  :)

Moncur too - perfect  ;D

Aden Flint has a hat trick.

Never thought I would say that.

Penalty to send Orient definitely down.

Williams though…

My statement is based on MKD getting autos, us playing Preston in the final who I think we can beat.

2-2 Willo.

Wow!

2-0 down, 10 men, weird team, moaning fuckers

Up yours Delores!

Orient deserve to go down, 2-0 up against our third team and down to ten men, awful by them.

Colchester win

Preston players look absolutely gutted!

Preston in the play offs then, the slighty easier option IMO.

Well done Colchester,  every fan I spoke to at their place was gracious and friendly. Good luck to 'em.

Good

City 8 (EIGHT) Walsall 2

This.

Pleased Williams scored.  He's worked hard second half.  Will do his confidence the world of good.

The referee has lost control now.

The two best teams in the league have finished in the top two spots, don't like either of the teams but there is no question they've both deserved it.

Has to be good for us with them to get fucked so late in the game.

Sheff Utd it is then.

48 goals in 12 matches today!

purple kit again then

The Sky pundits will be feeling a bit silly now.

Sky Sports 2 on Thursday

Can somebody note what Cooper says in the post match please?  I've got to get off to work now and want to hear what he says.

Wierdly I feel more confident about the play offs without MKD in them.

who won the penalty ?

and yeah 2-0 down with 10 men, reserve team - gotta give the lads credit rather than slaggin off Orient !

This.

Ricketts.

Who's that sat between Yaser and Obika?


Ooh Tef stalker spotted in there.

Couldn't agree more. Very friendly place.

Quick quick. Vote Agombar, just for shits and giggles

Ooops, forgot the link: http://t.co/CCBRTSVyxm

Weird game, never really in it until we took Agombar off, played much better then, deserved the two goals, exciting finish!  Agombar was a total donkey, Rodgers not much better until he scored, then played well.  What a goal from Rodgers! Referee and one linesman total cocks!

Cooper:

- sending off affected the subs we wanted to use.
- looked only a matter of time till Orient scored.
- we got momentum in 2nd half.
- some ridiculous refereeing decisions I didn't understand.
- Randall was straight through and their boy catches it/him.
- Thought their man was onside before their pen.
- Got lots of injuries, so we had to try out some players who may need to come into the squad.
- Wondered why you'd ask me about Agombar. Harry's one of our players, his contract's up, so he needed some game time.
- We knew Cameron was a good experienced keeper. Great start for him.
- I was mindful we needed to get the intensity up and give the fans some positivity going into the playoffs.
- Almost knew it would be Sheff U. Sure everyone will be backing them given their cup exploits this year.
- Brilliant for Franchise, sure we softened Preston up last week, so after all their jumping up and down about our selection they can thank us for that one.
- I'm hopeful everyone will be fit for Thursday but one or two will be touch and go.

Ironic that the two teams who might have benefitted most from our fielding of weakened sides - Orient and Preston - both failed to capitalise.  That will dampen the criticism.  Old news already.

Not keen on Franchise going up but they did deserve it.  And from our own selfish point of view, it's a good result.  Preston have 4 days now to lick their wounds and prepare for the Play Offs.  It won't be easy.

Totally bizarre game. Copper sent out a side that was essentially a piss take particularly for those who paid £27. Agombar was blowing out of his arse after 10 minutes and was less fit than most people in the stands. It had to either be a joke or his old man threatening Coopers knee caps that made him a starter today, Saying that, goal apart, Rodgers was no better. Ricketts was fucking woeful and I hope he plays no part in the play offs as he has been pretty consistently shit since he's been here. Swift did his usual "ball on a piece of string" act until he gave it to them.
To sum it up Orient were total wank and its easy to see why they went down. For an hour they had their 11, the ref and 2 linos and our players on their side. We only woke up when we got a goal out of nowhere, a bit like the Walsall game.
The challenge on Bartram in the 2nd half was a straight red instead the ref waved play on. How the fuck he is allowed to ref any game is beyond me. The bar is set high for shit refs and this retard sailed over it easily.
I don't think any of our rested players are going to be too worried for their start in the play offs apart from Toffollo as Randall put in another decent shit, appearing to play up front as well as left wing back. Bartram produced an absolute beauty of a cross that Swift managed to fuck up a la Williams in a recent home game.
Onwards and upwards to Thursday now. I go in hope rather than expectation and just hope our defence can stoip giving gifts, which they did again today.
Nice to Branco calmed down and in the fight at the end clearly chin one of theirs.
Oh and cox was a cunt for telling the ref that Branco had elbowed him. Never happened, saw it clearly.  

Agombar so far has 68% of votes for MOTM :D

I thoroughly enjoyed that game.

He currently has 69 votes out of 101 cast.  Randall is next with 7 votes.

I think Agombar might shade it.

He's got his mug on the BBC also :)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32471254

Very weird game.

The 'assitant' on the Arkells side is simply the most incompetent linesman I've probably ever seen at the CG.

The penalty incident should never have happened, as their striker was offside by yards, it wasn't even close. We then conspired to give them two goals.

Good free-kick by Rodgers, which was probably just about the only good thing he did.

Orient should then should've had a player sent off for the two footed lunge on Barthram, which the ref adjudged as a 'fair' challenge.

We got the pen with 10 mins to go, just after Cuthbert came onto the field, which Williams despatched, but minutes later Orient should've had a player sent off after handballing with one of our players straight through on goal, 10 yards inside their half, right in front of the crap lino.

Orient were shite. No disrespect, but you play against a side, who are mostly playing with kids, and then go down to 10 men for 70 mins, and are given the first goal on a plate, and have a lino, who just about gives you eveything, and you still don't win...you deserve to go down.

Us 1 win in 6, Blades 1 win in 6, Chesterfield and Preston 2 each in 6. Doubt if there has ever been a playoff with the 4 teams going in with such a low win rate.

A lot of punters complaining about paying 27, but that was comedy gold.  Topped off, by a cameo from Scott Cuthbert, who is a waddling advert for deep fried Mars Bars and Irn-Bru.

Orient's owners need to hire PdC for next season....him and Spencer, could assemble a team of Jobi McAnuff's

Penalties all round it is then!

So did I.Luckily having a shit ref saved the game as the players and fans felt an injuustice.
Stayed behind for the lads lap of honour ,  now in The  Merlin . Happy days.

To chalkies. I actually thought Rickets played ok.

How much have you had?

Oh and their penalty. Not sure if offside, but the ref allowed the advantage which they missed an open goal then brought it back and sent off Belford. Surely fucking their advantage was tough shit. If he had scored wouls he still have sent Belford off?

2.  My mate thought the same to be fair.

Bit of context for our whingers.

The lino was shit, but it was a lot closer than you give credit for. I'm 75% sure it was onside when the ball was kicked.
-------
Anyway funny old game. The inclusion of Agombar was a joke, pretty funny one but there is no justifying his selection when we have some proper young pro's on the bench behind him. He was indeed unfit and dogshite, but at least he tried to keep it simple whenever he touched the ball.

First half: Offside aside, Belford Ty totally fluffed a pass to gift Orient a one on one, then hauled down their man. He owes Cook half a diet coke for ruining his debut too.  Thankfully his brother is possessed by the spirit of Peter "fucking good debut" Brezovan.

Unfortunately Branco is possessed by the spirit of Jerel "one fuckup a match" Ifil. And Andy Williams convinced me I was wrong about him as he flattered to deceive by doing not very much other than wave his arms about giving it a "ooh, look, I nearly got it honest".

Second half starts as the first ended, and we conceded our customary quick goal, game over. Except we took off Agombar and suddenly Rodgers scores a worldy flick up and smack it for the edge of the box. The game changes and we get the momentum, Randall and other debutant (?!) do well, but more importantly Andy Williams starts looking dangerous and starts winning the ball up front and takes on players and beating them. Had this Williams been around for a couple of games he'd be starting on Thursday.

Eventually Rickets goes on a good run into the box, gets fouled, and Williams smacks the penalty in an unsavable way. Later on the cockknocker ref missed a handball by an Orient player as Williams was nearly one on one after a breakaway, then Orient break straight away and have a shout for a penalty too.

As time ran out Orient peppered out box with crosses, and when the keeper came up and we so very very nearly broke onto an unguarded goal, but the ball out was a foot too close to the Orient defender.
--

So all in all an odd day but it was good to see a 10 man Town team fight for a point (eventually). And everyone went home just a little bit happier than they thought they would.

Seeing a clip of Anton Rodgers free kick reminded me of another scored by ex-Town player Ernie Hunt for Coventry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wjq2xT-tx38

Compare and contrast

http://twitter.com/1daveclayton/status/594845361140834304

Randall or Toffolo?

Toffolo, but Randall was excellent.

Toffolo maybe Injured.

Not impressed by Toffolo lately. Wouldn't mind seeing Randall there Thursday.

Just hope Cooper doesn't waste Gladwin there

Gladwin for me has to play in the middle, his ability to create a yard on the edge of the area can be vital in the playoffs.

Decent post. Not much wrong with that synopsis. I thought it ended up as an entertaining game for the neutral supporter. Overall I reckon we all got our money's worth today. The last three games have been what was termed the phoney war at the start of WWII. Today wasn't the end, indeed it wasn't the beginning of the end. It was the end of the beginning. The real war so to speak starts on Thursday.

PS. How gutted and demoralised are PNE going to be? And find I here PNEThor on the way out?

 Preston's PO record is the stuff of legend....think it's 8 or 9 goes and no wins.

 Other than the vague feeling that we're better off without Franchise around stinking the place out.....I can't take any great pleasure in Preston blowing it to allow Franchise in.

Fully agree. Seeing Franchise celebrate nearly makes we want to vomit.

Anyway going back to Orient, I heard that Henderson is on £20k a week there. Absolutely bonkers, let alone having a manager there who cannot speak English.

Does their experience of signing up expensive, under-performing players following a playoff near-miss remind you of anyone?

Anyone over 20 who ran onto their pitch to celebrate 'their' success wants chemically castrating.

In the wider interests of football their promotion is an abomination, in the interests of our play off chances it's probably a good thing

I was there.

So was I. I thought I was hearing things when I heard the team announced.

The first 12 pages of this thread are fucking hilarious.

If you hit refresh you can vote again immediately and it counts it :D

Thought it was funny, to be honest.

 I fully support Cooper on his decisions in this run up to the playoffs.  Ty Belford was sent off... It could have been Wes. Randall went down injured, could have been Tofollo. Anything could have happened to any of our first team... Best if they're not even there.

I say this as someone who drove 4 hours with all the associated costs. Regardless of what happens over the next two/three games Cooper has called this correctly, imho.

Thanks for the Cooper synopsis.

since the thread has gone quiet: I'm still puzzled by the inclusion of Agombar, and Coopers explanation. Does Agombar Sr still have involvement with the club/friendship with Cooper/Power? (genuine question, thought he was just Jed's mate )

The reason I find it odd is there is we have our own young pro players on the bench. Agombar won't be here next year, I can't see any league team picking up Agombar either, so why bother with game time ?

Its not that important I know, its just bugging me.

You were not the only one.

When Cooper had to sacrifice a player after the sending off, I would've taken Agombar off for that reason.

It was a piss take pure and simple. Some people will accept it. If I paid out 27 I'd struggle to see the funny side.

I don't think he'd do that for a bit of a laugh. If he did, fair enough!

There is no other logical reason as you had Marshall on the bench and even barker. You also have that oudridge lad as well.

The only other logical reasons I can think of was a) that someone leant on Cooper. Hence the question regarding Agombar senior b) he did it to make a point about something to somebody.

Meh, I guess we'll never know.

Sunday 3rd May 2015 - Harry Agombar actually is alive.
Monday 4th May 2015 - Shergar found alive and well under the Stratton Bank.

Come on.......got a 1000/1 Double with a tenner.

It was probably power taking the piss out of Jed and Tommy and cooper going along with it.

Tommy was there apparently.

Lee Power arrived as part of that regime. It wouldn't surprise me if they were on friendly terms.

I did wonder whether the Agombar's were Orient fans or something because the only other time Harry got close to the 1st team was also against Orient.

I stand by the fact that I believe Agombar shouldn't have played both because of what his place at Swindon represents along with the obvious fact that he clearly wasn't match fit.

Also, Cameron Belford was great fun to watch today and definitely looked like a man who prior to joining Town played for Rushall Olympic!

Reg, 100% spot on mate. You know, I'm (one of) the first to disagree with you as a rule but there's a fair few on here (and fortunately I haven't read the first 15 pages) that speak a bit of sense. Pets, Donkey and Batch I think you've all summed up my views.

Edit: oh and Summerof69 and Chalkies too to be fair. Banbury already knows I love him!

On reflection, down to 10 men, 2-0 down with 43 mins still to play (not to mention crap officials) and with an apparently shit team out that 2-2 draw feels like a win!!  We played well for the last quarter of the game, although they hit the post and bar.  A few positives to take out of that!  Loved the Town End giving them a big piss-take "Take you time you're going down" and "Say hello to Oxford for us"!!

Agombar playing is probably nothing more than Cooper giving him one taste of league football before his contract expires and he returns to his natural level (Sunday league). He's been around the club for a couple of years and, irrespective of the way he gained a contract, has obviously made friends with people.

According to Sam the decision to play him was taken "above Cooper's head"!  Read in to that what you will!!

Seems to get on with Byrne. I thought maybe it was some clause Jed put into his contract? It's done now anyway and he's history so sod it.

Fair enough, but the thought of what happened to Hereford makes me worried. I do hope our esteemed chairman is not still mixed up with that lot.

surely people would know that today was a nothing game and that whatever decisions were made were for the club's benefit going forward into the playoffs?

Ok, the last few weeks have been very strange. I wasn't there today but I gather it was a reasonably entertaining match.

Do we think that Cooper has been resting the main/key players, or do we think that he's been hiding them so that other teams can't scout them?... I'm not sure if that seems reasonable or far-fetched...

Also what is reasonably comforting is the form of the other teams in and around the playoffs. Will Preston be hurting so much that they'll bottle it, or will they be hurting so much that it'll fire them up?

Were Chesterfield considered for a playoff spot earlier in the season?

Does our recent form make us the 'underdog' or is it much of a muchness?

It's such a weird emotion going into the playoffs having been so 'flat' for several weeks.

I think that was in reply to why 'Arry started. Not why we played a weak team.

Definitely the latter.

Very much underdog....Blades knocked off probably before we did....we know they're a good cup fighting team, and are used to playing big one off type matches.  We know they could have a big cup game v Spurs in the week and then make 10 changes and still beat us on the Saturday.  We know we've a terrible record at Bramall Lane.  It's quite conceivable given our defensive frailty that we could be out of this on Thursday.  Anything over a 2 goal deficit and I'd say game over.

Cooper seems to want to go gung ho, from what he's said.....think that's right.

It had crossed my mind earlier that opposition scouts are unlikely to have learnt much about us from the last few games, although I don't think that's necessarily part of the plan.

I'm glad, for once in my life, that I've said something that actually seems to make a smidgen of sense, though.

So thank you.

Indeed Flash. I'd suggest that if it's taken "the scouts" 43 games (plus cups) to realise that a couple of our boys can play a bit then they're not really earning their keep?!

And you're back in the room Reg. If they were that good a good a "cup side" then they'd have won them all surely?!

A moment of mild amusement. A couple Town fans were chanting 'Crawley' at away end. It was mostly embarrassing on the Town fans part before Orient owner Francesco Becchetti saved them by taking offence, piping up with a few words and then giving the Town fans 'two-nil' gesture.

He left swiftly at Full-Time.

They've dumped 5 Prem sides in cups over this season and last....narrowly lost to Spurs in the LC semi over 2 legs this season.

Of course it doesn't mean they're bound to beat us Thursday, because we know in PO's anythhing can happen, but I don't think it's outrageous to suggest we're underdogs.

I doubt many know much about Hylton

So would you put us as underdogs for the whole thing, or would that be Chesterfield?..

Think if we make it to Wembley, then it's pretty much 50/50 against either.....getting past Blades is going to be very difficult.

I'm rubbish at this lark. I just see the name 'Sheffield United' and think this will be really tough.

I'm starting to do what I would tell others not to do. Up to today, I've thought of us as rank outsiders for the play offs. Now I'm thinking we could do Sheff Utd. Their form isn't great. There will be a weight of expectation on them in front of 20,000+. There won't be so much expectation on us. We've got a few players with play off experience and a player in Luongo who could really rise to the occasion. Surely, we've made just about every conceivable fuck up you could make at the back.
I've got the day off Thursday and will be heading up with my daughter who is coming back from Cardiff Uni for the games. I'm starting to feel a bit tingly and optimistic now. I'm sure it will end in tears but who knows. If we're on our game we've got a team that can rip the shit out of anyone in this division. Not on our game and we could be out after Thursday as Reg says,.  

But what I'm getting at is, on the face of it... who out of the four teams would you consider as underdogs?

Luongo? What the fuck has he ever done in a cup competition?? Hehehe...

It's not outrageous to suggest we're underdogs. At the same time we did finish 8 pints above them for a reason though. I'm firmly of the opinion that the play offs are a bloody lottery mind.

First bookies odds I've seen.

Preston 7/4, Sheff U 9/4, Swindon 3/1, Chesterfield 9/2

edit: link. should be a few more soon.

http://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/league-1/to-win-the-playoffs

I wouldn't fancy being in Preston's boots...

Mmm 8 pints.

I don't understand odds very well... so who do the early odds favour?

Preston, then Blades then us then Spireites

Surely the odds just tell us who is being backed at the moment.

Sheffield Utd are a club with a bigger fanbase and as such will probably have more people putting a bet on them to win.

Unless people on here and/or the London Reds sponsor another player who is in another country for the Sponsors Dinner, end up on Coopers table instead and then get a few drinks down him.

This is, I'll admit, a long shot

Nope. The bookies will put up a 'tissue' price (educated guess) before any bets are taken....and it isn't likely to change that much despite the volume of money wagered on any particular team.

Interesting game today, at 0-2 down with 10 men and a lot of our squad players playing, thoroughly enjoyed that come back to 2-2 and thought Williams was excellent in the last 20 mins. Hopefully the majority of our 1st team players watching will see if we happen to be down in the play offs we can come back. Anyway 4th place finish, a penalty save and a point with a squad team with me nursing a hangover on a 12:15 kick off, I'll take that!

Onto Sheffield United...!!!

Very much this, without the hangover

Ooops. I thought you were teetotal though Sutton?!

:D

http://t.co/VuJLHuZIWx

Not, not THAT Lineker ??

Sherly shome mishtake ?


 :sherlock:

Highlighty highlights.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnjQY_x03LY

Branco  :suicide:

I don't like to be overly critical but he probably played himself out of the Play-Offs.

(http://lalive.s3.amazonaws.com/img/Phew.gif)

At the time they looked well offside in the build up to the goal and still do now. Oh well, it's provided would-be pub quiz masters for years to come with a new question about which 'keeper was sent off, replaced by his brother etc etc...and the whole thing with Cameron taking an age to get ready and then saving the pen was pure pantomime.

I certainly felt better after 90 minutes yesterday than after 45. To come back from two down with a make shift line up and get a result against a team fighting for their lives is commendable, although it does also show how shit Orient are as well to be fair.

Williams looked like he'd had a rocket put under him at half time and was very impressive in the second half. If all 11 play like that on Thursday we'll be fine. A peach of a strike from Rodgers and Williams demonstrating perfectly how to kick the ball into the net from 12 yards lead to a rather entertaining afternoon after a very unpromising start.

Stupid, basic school boy error. Has to be Stephens, Thompson, Turnbull at Bramall Lane for me no question.

I enjoyed this from the Orient end...


Funny 'cause it's true.

http://www.leytonorientblog.com/2015/05/swindon-town-2-leyton-orient-2-3515.html

Excellent write up and you have to feel for them really, 12 months on from a Wembley appearance and now looking forward to spending next season in L2 - That sounds eerily familiar  :sherlock:

The last paragraph sums it up...

Let's leave the final word to ex-CEO Matt Porter, who knows a thing or two about football, and a thing or two about Orient: "Dear oh dear. No words to describe what a waste of a perfectly good football club and a completely avoidable situation this is. Devastated."

superb writer  :clap:

we could do with some of that humour

He was absolutely awful yesterday wasnt he.

Dire

24 hours on, and I still cannot believe I watched Harry Agombar play in a Town shirt.

Well some told me theirs wasn't a pen.....it was.

Free kick was awesome....

I thought Branco (can't see him in the video) played both players onside, where lino is in the video makes me think that even more.

He was well offside. The lino on the Arkells side was shite. He hardly put the flag up in the first half.

I'll be he couldn't either!!

You can see the player running back plays him onside, 36 - ricketts?

Yeah, it was pretty close when the ball was kicked, Rickets was rushing up, attacker rushing forward. A second later and it looks like they are a mile off. From my seat I was inline and it looked like it was probably just onside.

The lino did miss at least two other blatant offsides by not being up with play mind.

Even so makes you wonder why Try got a red and not Preston's keeper who did something similar

Still a bit pissed off that it seems* Cooper was forced to play him.

* according to SM's "5 things we learned.." article

Wonder if we could have subbed him in the first minute? That would have been amusing.

Did he explain why we were forced to?

I was going to say nobody would be that spiteful, then I remembered Alan Connell/PDC.

I bet he was told to play him for an hour. It doesn't matter a bit in the grand scheme of things, but yet it pissed me off.

Marshall was ready to come on after bang on 60 minutes. I'd like to say that might have been the cut-off point but Agombar was clearly struggling to keep up and was hobbling around the field.

Not really

http://totalswindonsport.com/2015/05/swindon-town-2-leyton-orient-2-five-things-we-learnt/


I'd interpret that as Power doing Agombar Sr a favour, which if so is out of order IMO.

Agreed. There is no way we should be doing that cunt any favours.

It worries me that that worm Agombar sr. was anywhere near us (wasn't he supposed to be at the game?)

Harry (though it's not his fault) is just a lingering reminder of the shitcunts who used to be involved with our club and without going full orange-hat it's disturbing to think Tommy and Power are still associates..

Well said

he was indeed at the game,sat behind Lee Power although they didn't speak to each other.there were also some very orange looking ladies sat next to Agombar snr. Harry might be a really nice bloke but a footballer he ain't,embarrassing is the kindest way I could describe his display

Oh dear. Perhaps with the turmoil that Blackpool find themselves in, old Tommy is thinking of ousting Oyston. He's taking the pith, although a segment of Blackpool fans may pip him to the post.

Oyston doesn't seem to be in a hurry to leave. Although it will be interesting to see what happens in the aftermath of the abandoned game, especially if fines etc are imposed.

He couldn't be more stereotypically Essex could he? The accent, the orange ladies, the fact he's a cunt

Maybe Harry had an option for a further year once he reached 0 games in this season?

Nah, I don't think she is related to Gary. Interestingly (or not) Gary's current missus is Danielle who is the ex-wife of our very own Adam Willis. They had one child, Ella.....So he only scored once for her aswell then.

Danielle Lineker is fucking lush.

Daughter of Wayne (of Lineker's fame), so Gary's neice

So Harry Agombar is banging a Lineker?

Fair fucking play, she looks fit as well.

He's certainly got a flair for batting above his average in whatever he does it seems.

I love it when you google some one these days and it comes up with that 'people also search for' thing.

It appears that Danielle Lineker has a daughter from a previous relationship with none other than Adam Willis  ???

Oooh, I've gone all 'Heat Magazine'. I'll be watching Loose Women next...

sounds like Ms Lineker is a bit of one

 :clap:

https://lswallow74.wordpress.com/2015/05/04/orient-away-swindon/

Fair reflection from an Orient point of view!

Got his Belford's mixed up though.

I commented at the bottom to correct it ;)

Erics still alive :D

ROARRR

Orient will be back next summer, they need to get rid of their hasbeens like we did though. It's a disgrace that group of players have gone down.

Agreed. That budget turned into a millstone!

Indeed, third largest budget in the league after the 82ers and Sheff Utd, all out for promotion didn't exactly work out for them.