Thetownend.com

Week to go 'til Bradford and, all in all, I think things look pretty good.

On the assumption/hope that Byrne/Kasim/Smith remain with us, the squad doesn't look, on paper, appreciably weaker than last season.

The only position I suppose is weaker is GK - based on the fact that, surely, we can't have an equal to Wes straight away.

I would expect just 1 more incoming - a CB - and we're about done.

First, kudos to Cooper who was responsible for the recruitment of Robert/Traore. So, maybe, LP isn't the 'I know best' ego freak some think.

With the players recruited I would expect us to set up 4-2-3-1 as the 4 at the back seems the new way forward for us.

Kasim and Traore in front of the back 4 with a 3 of Robert/Byrne/Scouser pulling the strings for The Beak up top.

Looking good!

Good post and i would agree with you. I think we will get a centre back and a striker in still. Maybe still Ryan Kent

NO WE HAVEN'T SIGNED PEOPLE I HAVE HEARD OF AND EVERYTHING IS RUBBISH AND WE ARE GOING DOWN AND I DONT EVEN CARE ABOUT THIS FOOTBALL CLUB ANYMORE

This is, of course, the alternative view!

I would love it if we signed Kent*

How do you know Cooper was responsible for signing Traore and Robert? Not saying you're wrong.

*An opinion based solely on 7 minutes of Youtube highlights - they are damned good higlights though.

Think it was ASD in one of his articles.

Mark Cooper has quite an eye for French talent having already brought Drissa Traore to the club, and it is a market that the Swindon Boss knows very, very well.

Mid table squad imo. Need some steel and some glitter to be contenders, which i'm sure is being looked at.

Im worried because having read the football forum, Sheff U, Doncaster, Oldham, Scunthorpe, Bury, Port Vale, Gillingham, Peterbourough, Burton, Barnsley, Walsall, Chesterfield and Wigan are all definitely better than us.  This is true because their fans have said so. Despite there having been none of the actual kicking a ball in competitive matches nonsense.

So I can only see mid table at best.

mid to lower for me, based on the limited pre season I've seen.

we are too soft and don't have the goals in us.

a few more signings could change all that.

Smith, Obika, Hylton... plus Byrne playing higher up the pitch, should have us good stead going forward hopefully.

I've not been right very often with my predictions so you never know..

Playing PL teams pre-season may be a reason for thinking scoring goals would be a struggle.

I'm more concerned with keeping them out!

Mid table for me but with a few signings and one or two of our strikers hitting some form we could easily challenge for the play offs again this season.

Our defence still worries me.

Too many unknowns for me, so no idea.  All I would add is that the Cooper/Power axis has a good record in delivering unexpected results, so that gives me some confidence.

But that comes with a caveat.  We mounted a promotion challenge last season that ran out of steam at the end of January because we had a youthful, but inexperienced squad that was well set up for 30 games, but not 50.  We are going to need more steel this season.

But we did that last season with Ricketts. Didn't make much difference.

I still maintain the Luongo/Kasim Asia Cup did us no favours at all.

Very difficult to tell.  Presumably SP is on some sort of wind up, saying Cooper knows the French market....if he did he'd steer well clear, OK good for boudin noir, fromage and fruit de mer, but Div 3 footballers, nah.

Can anyone help, aside from David Friio, who Sturrock signed for Argyle, I'm struggling to think of any Frenchman who's made a notable contribution to an upwardly mobile Div 3 club?

Not me saying that - was quoting ASD

I think we need a few Reg's at Calais

1588 was a bad year when Queen Mary lost the Pas de Calais, to the French, I'm sure somewhere we must still have a claim to it.

Bonaparte amassed his troops there in 1805  to prepare for an invasion, and needed to be defeated to free Europe from tyranny....Cameron is no Wellington.

I think we were unlucky with Ricketts.  It was the right idea at the right time, but his performances didn't make the impact they should have done.  I would try a similar signing at the same point next season.


The bizarre thing about the Asia Cup was we managed just fine without Luongo & Kasim during January.  It was when they both returned in February that the wheels fell off.  Not disagreeing with your point though.  It was an unwanted distraction that we paid for heavily due to the thinness of the squad.

Lilian Nalis did ok for Plymuff, just not so well for us sadly.

Morgan Schneiderlin started at Southampton in L1. Diagouraga was alright for Brentford.  I've got a feeling there was a french centre back who was imperious for Leeds and possibly Sheff Weds but no idea of his name?

Oh and Max Gradel, french speaking Ivorian but was brilliant when he was in L1, player of the year I think?

If you count French nationals rather than just born in France then I would suggest Eugene Dadi when he was at Tranmere he scored 28 goals in Div 3.

The keeper at Plymouth, Romain Larrieu, was one of the better lower league keepers for quite a few years I always thought.

Ha.

Fabien Robert is not Laurent Robert's brother after all.

Why not?

We lost a lot of defenders from last season, most loans returning to their parent clubs.  We have added Williams and Boo but haven't added a dominant in the air centre half that we all think we need.  At end of last season Cooper himself said we need to add a bit of steal.  Darrissa i guess adds that in midfield but at the back we still dont have it.  Just have to hope we are waiting on loans that fill the gaps we have left.

Cos he said so. Mistake on Wiki

https://soundcloud.com/bbc-wiltshire-1/new-swindon-town-signing-fabien-robert-talks-to-bbc-wiltshire

Well that was awkward...

So the doyen of broadcasting in this country now gets its info from Wikipaedia.....

That's quality.

Hahaha fantastically tinpot. Love that.

That was in the championship though....bit sexier than Div 3.

Gradel had his one decent season in the Championship.

You do know that Gradel now plays for Saint Etienne and is one of their best players?  :facepalm:

Do any non-UK nations tend to have a lot of players in our lower leagues?

I'd imagine the RoI has a few...France is probably next up, I count Ivorians/Congolese/Maghrebi type Francophones as being French for the purposes of the argument.

Yep, but the last time I looked Les Verts weren't in Div 3.

Doesn't look too bad to be fair... like a few have said.. a keeper and a centre half and we'll be looking alright..

I've only been to the Everton game so of the other signings we have made, what are people's thought on them? Especially the Liverpool lads. I'm still concerned about the defence, whilst Stephens and turnbull last season were great with the ball at feet, they were never dominating when the ball went into the box (that's Branco's game) and I really think we miss that steel. 

Also, is Byrne no longer wing back? I think that makes sense given how dangerous he is going forward.

It looks as if Cooper has gone very like-for-like for Stephens/Turnbull replacements (when he arrives).

Branco in a back 4 would be OK for me, tbh. It seems that the 2 full backs - BOO and Thompson - will be operating defensively first and foremost. Again, sounds sensible.

In the midfield we look very strong and yet to see if our strikers can profit from what should be plenty of chances created.

This is my starting XI of the current squad (listed on BBC Sport website). I've only seen a handful of friendlies so far, so if any of the new players deserve a starting spot... I am sorry ;).

• Randall will be fighting for that LWB position.
• Hylton will be a regular striker
• Cooke will be the Hylton of last season
• Williams will interchange with Branco
• I have noticed we have 0 depth. That's basically it. Half our squad is youth players from last year

(http://footballformation.co.uk/team/352/010815111435.png)

surely there are a few more loans lined up. villa, Everton??

unless villa have got pissy over luongo and gladwin. still reckon they were a stalking horse there

Is Brophy still at the Club?

We've got what could be a decent starting XI and bench - we have to assume someone like Randall will get a chance to prove investment in youth is worthwhile so t would be silly of us not to back him.
Much depends on whether we plan to add another 2 or 3 I think, which is what would be needed.

I think what we currently have + Turnbull and the Liverpool Keeper on loan leaving one more space for another loanee and we buy Ajose. Job done.

Hahaha

Are youth loans part of the loan quota?

I was under the impression he's available on a free. I've read he's on 5k a week at Leeds though, he'd have to take quite a cut to join us.

If the club really wanted Ajose they could get round his wages by paying a signing on fee say 200k (well worth that in my option) then paying a lower wage to keep within in the pay structure .Power did say money available for right players and he ticks the boxes.

I think NA is highly likely to have to take a significant pay cut wherever he ends up. The fact that he's highly regarded here still leaves me to think that this could still have legs. I'm pretty sure he really enjoyed his time here, didn't he write the fans a personal message upon departure?

He doesn't have to leave Leeds if he doesn't want to, he's under contract.

I will very much be reserving judgement until the transfer window passes.

My main concern remains losing Byrne and Kasim before the month is out.

Yeah I realise that but he strikes me as somebody who'd rather play for less elsewhere than pick up his pay cheque on the bench at/reserves at Leeds as I doubt he'll get many starts if he stays!!

Am I alone in thinking that Kasim won't leave? His effectiveness is so dependent on a team playing in a specific style and most would have to adapt to accommodate him.

Hopefully your right!! He wouldn't suit a 2 in midfield at all imo.

All I can say is. This time last year, we were in the exact same situation, if not, worse. We had no players and didn't even have any super impressive youth players that broke into the first team, this year is different.

We don't have a court battle with criminals.
We don't have players on PDC wages.
We have sold players for profit out of choice, not needs.
We have forged yet more good relationships with big clubs.
We have got a sell-out friendly coming up.
And finally we have made some good, albeit a few, signings that everyone is pleased with.

I'm sure he won't mind me repeating this, but I asked Nathan Byrne about what the attitude is in the locker room and he said "Always positive. We were in same position last year. And we got in what we needed". Amen to that.

Considering the only real negative is the press-ban. I can live with it.

so... without delay I say...

FUCK YEAH and COME ON TOWN!

(http://media.giphy.com/media/87sbogRq19XKE/giphy.gif)

Byrne is the most likely. Power wont want him to go for nothing next year.

Interested clubs playing the waiting game until Power drops the price.

Jay? It's not a locker room! 😬

That's not strictly true
  a) They wanted to go
  b) We needed the cash

But the important thing is, if reports are true, we got very good money.

Looking better now we have Turnbull back and the Liverpool keeper, I still think we are a bit light on numbers so need a couple that are maybe not going to be 1st choice but could do a job and push for a place.

Need another striker definitely though, maybe 2 if Smith does go, Ajose would be a great choice proved himself here before so knows the club, but I suspect the deal will depend on the sort of wage he would want or if Leeds are willing to loan him out and pay towards his wages.

The Liverpool keeper will be first choice, that's one of specifications on us getting him

Bet belfords pissed about that

He could have seized his pre-season opportunity with both hands but Vigoureux is a necessary and welcome signing from what I've seen so far

As nice a guy Belford seems to be, I just can't see him being a number 1 anywhere. Decent enough to be called upon if needed, but I haven't  seen enough for me to be convinced he can do it on a regular basis..

I agree totally.

That maybe a little premature, he is only 21.  I agree he is not first choice level yet though.

That's what I mean... I'm talking currently. Not in the future as god only knows what may happen.

Naturally some people develop as players earlier than others.

Look at Aaron Moody, for example..

I don't think Belford's had a real chance yet. He's only really played in JPT and a few league games here & there. It'd be really interesting to see how he was with a 1st choice defence and a solid run of games with the backing of the staff.

It wouldn't surprise me if he went now, due to us signing Vigouroux. But it does depend who's first choice...

Vigouroux is surely only going to be a loan deal? I don't see why getting a decent keeper on loan would force Belford to leave. You need 2 good keepers in a decent side in case one gets injured, and I'm pretty certain Cooper would know how best to keep them both in form and get them both some game time.

They can always share the gloves, especially at the start of the season when both have something to prove. It's not like we HAVE to only play one keeper all year. Gone are the days of Wes, where it would just be silly to put someone else in when we have someone that good. Give 'em both a share and see who steps up.

It appears that Ty Belford has been pretty professional throughout so I doubt he'll throw toys out of prams right now. A month elsewhere would be good maybe at some point but he's on to a winner.
 
- He's currently on a two year Football League contract with 15+ potential years left in a goalkeepers career.
- A move away doesn't always equate to first team football.
- Settled well, seemingly loves his Swindon Speedway
- Local girlfriend (I think)
- A family history of journeyman goalkeepers who no doubt we'll be saying 'stick it out'.

If Lawrence Vigouroux is better, then he's better.

Vigouroux, has the advantage of having red in his name, albeit French for red. I can think of Michael Reddy, who I liked but never lived up to his promise and Freddie Jones, who I recall from my very early days, similarly nomenclatured. Got to be a few more surely?

He did have a first choice defence majority of the league games he played did he not? Bar the Orient game?

Wheatcroft, Darras and loads of early era Fred's.

Yep and Alfred like Stephens and Wilfred like Shergold and Dixon.

By this logic, Robin Hulbert should have been quality.

My logic doesn't extend to robins, although being of the family Turdidae, might cover it, along with for many....Mark Robinson.

He's had more of a chance here so far than Vigouroux has.

Reg you been writing for a tipping website I sometimes use?

So with the top six excluded from the market, it’s time to play ball. First up is Swindon, which may come as a surprise. Currently trading at 9/1 with Bet365, the Robins were 90 minutes away from Championship football back in May. But with a quarter of the past 12 losing play-off finalists suffering relegation the following year, I reckon they’re worth a poke to dip dramatically in 2015/16.

Sure, four of those 12 teams did win promotion the year thereafter but none will have seen their spine decimated in the same way Swindon have this summer. Eight of the players starting at Wembley have left and at the time of writing, the Robins have just 13 players on their books, just over a week before the action gets underway.

Boss Mark Cooper was linked with a move away from the County Ground in the summer and there’s a suggestion the gaffer is angling for a better deal elsewhere, which won’t help preparation. The club is financial stable but chairman Lee Power is again focussing his recruitment on loan deals for exciting youngsters and whilst last term worked wondrously well, it’s hardly an ideal recipe for success.

Midfield mystros Mass Luongo and Ben Gladwin have joined top-scorer Andy Williams and keeper Wes Foderingham on the outgoings list and the Robins are now scrabbling around in the hope of adding two defenders, two midfielders and a striker to the ranks. Leyton Orient, Swindon themselves and Hartlepool have all flopped following play-off final heartache and at 9/1 there’s plenty of appeal in backing a repeat.

Proves the "writer" has only looked at BBC Sport - Football Transfers "In & Out" and a couple of Adver' articles. I'm slightly more positive than many but i'm certain we'll be top 8.

I'm more confident than I was 2 weeks ago but I reckon we'll be mid-table at best.

Hope they prove me wrong of course.

Nah...I'd spell maestros correctly.

It's a reasonable line to take....doesn't mean it will work out that way. Perhaps the loss of players suffering a PO hangover might be of help....personally I've no idea how we'll go.

Have we signed a new forward?  Alex Smith quoted 5/4 on Skybet to finish Swindon's top scorer. Miles Storey 7/1

Not bad for Sky, got the surname right anyway..

We had an Alex Smith not so long ago

We've had 2 Alex Smiths not so long ago....2 of the 18 Smiths who've forged some sort of link with the Town, 19 if you include Bob Smith as manager.

Did they mean Michael Miles? He's dead isn't he?

Dunno. Take Your Pick.

 :nod:  That confirms it.  It's definitely Audrey.

There's a "no" in there so BONG!

Heh, heh!

The Guardian reckon we're dark horses for this season, can't argue with that
http://www.theguardian.com/football/football-league-blog/2015/aug/05/league-one-2015-16-season-preview

442 reckon 11th as it stands. Probably first time i've agreed with them, interestingly they have Peterbrough at 20th, so expect them to do well..

Yeah the Peterborough prediction surprised me too. I imagine the Posh forums will be going loco-crazy with such news... This is were I need Venkman to confirm...

 :(

Just been looking on Wiki.... is Lawrence Vigouroux really from Chile?

I got 9/1 the season we were champions under McMoan. Free £1 bet at the services on the way to the first game at Hull.

Omen!

I think Shaun Hodgetts said on Sunday his father was from Chile, his mother from France? Apparently Vigouroux supports Chile in internationals.

Shay Given's debut. Our minibus got pelted with bottles after the game.

What a shithole.

he has been called up to under 20s squad before

Have we had a Chilean on the books before?..

I know it's only one game blah blah, but how would people compare us to last season based on today's performance?

easily, after today's performance

Still taking huge risks at the back as per last season, but when we clicked going forward we looked a class apart.

It's difficult to describe just how good we were in the 2nd half. Very sharp, incisive passing at speed against a team I think will be up there this year.

Sure, at times the intricate stuff will land us in trouble and we may well run out of steam in the New Year, but, hey, if they dish this stuff up more often than not, who cares.

I don't agree with Audry. We were very good in the second half. But some of the stuff we played around/just after Christmas last year was much better. We were quite poor in the first half and lucky Bradford didn't put the game out of sight..

Style of play was same old.

Pretty hard to judge other than that. Not what you wanted but its true, its just impossible to say. First half we looked fragile at the back and piss poor in the final third. Second half I can't remember them having a shot and we carved them open. We also seemed a bit more willing to get a boot in with Robert, Stewart and BOO not pussing out of it like Luongo used to.

Saying we've aquired a bit of steel to go with the silk and shite then?

i think so yes. but it's only one game, blah blah

You're not really a 'half glass full' type of person are you Batch?

Ahh cmon, we're all used to it blowing up on us continually, Its amazing we have any positivity at all after the last 20 years.

Well to me, that's all the more reason to just enjoy the moment when we do get a great result Sutton.

I don't think we were in any way terrible during the first 45 minutes, although Bradford were better. We need to remember that the formation we used in the first half is a change to how we lined up last season and a lot of the team were making their competitive debuts. One of the biggest gripes last season was Cooper not having a Plan B; that looks like it's being addressed, but it's going to take time for A: the players to get used to it, B: the players to get used to each other.

Very, very, early to speculate on where we'll end up next May, but if we can hang on to Bryne and Kasim and get a couple more in, I'm quietly optimistic.

Yep. I'll second this.

And I will third it.

I'd rather than plan B involved being prepared to play more directly when required - but if we can do that and we can change shape, fantastic.

That's because of the empty bit above the liquid.

In this case though I meant I think we have more of a solid/physically able team, but that its hard to know after one game as I don't rate Bradford as a physical team other than the lad up top.

Actually a glass is always full. Half water, half air :)

Unless you're buried underground. Or in a vacum.

Underground it would be full of carbon dioxide or any other prevalent gas surely?

Or dirt!

I was thinking more in a box.

Would there be a vacuum in the box or just a person inexplicably holding a glass?  :hmmm:

A vacuum isn't actually 'nothing' anyway. There's all sorts of particles found in a vaccum.

Can't think of anything worse than being in a box underground - especially if still alive!

yeah my vacuum's filthy..  missus hasn't changed the bag in ages....

You could be in the box underground, still alive and your glass could be half full ..............

ever watched the film 'Buried'? quite an intense film for just one scene and actor. worth a watch

And now?

https://mobile.twitter.com/fchamberlain93/status/631555952911761408

Not sure if this is kosha

Can't find that tweet..

I'm certain it's fake.

Why would anyone bother to do that?

Is the fact Ryan Kent's loan future still hasn't been sorted mean we're still in with a chance

That's what I'm choosing to believe until it's confirmed he's gone elsewhere.

Smith out - Kent & Ajose in - quote me.

:D

I'm also choosing to believe this, I'm pretty sure that somehow makes it a fact

Kent was supposedly travelling with the MK squad last weekend to allow him to settle in, don't know if he did or not.

Did not.

They, too, are questioning where he will end up