Thetownend.com

As no one else has started one, let's do it!

I'm really looking forward to this game.

Two teams who have struggled to recruit in a timely manner over the summer.

I remember being in the Town End, beating Coventry 3-1 in the Premier League, a Fjortoft hat trick.

I predict an exciting game today, and we'll run out 3-2 winners.
Crowd 8,832 with 1,100 from Coventry.

 COYR

2-1 Swindon
8,789 with 1,482 visiting fans

0-3 defeat.

some how a win.

Monkey off our back.

Power abandons other recruitment options in the belief we will piss the league.

1-1.

Can`t make it today off to Glasto to see Van the man - can`t see anything but a draw 0-0 but will predict 1-1. Can`t say I have confidence in us this season but don`t remember the last time I did so no change there - hoping to be pleasantly surprised COYR

No matter what goes before today, simply cannot beat opening day, blazing sun, Stowford Press in the CGH.

I wouldn't swap our squad for theirs. On that basis, 2-1 Town, 9150 (1880 coming down the Fosse).

1-1 draw Obika scoring, 8,998 crowd with 1,875 Covvys.

3-1 (Goddard, Doughty, Obika)

It's back it's back, the football season's back!

Bringing along a mate I haven't seen in years today, so hopefully it'll be a good game as he might come back. Should be a decent crowd what with the weather being so nice today- 9750 with 1756 from Godivaland. As for a result it really is an unknown. I reckon we will start off the season with a nice 3-2 win thanks to goals from Obika and Goddard.

Can't make this one on holiday in Spain , looking at the 2 squads I don't think we have anything to fear today so I am going for a positive 2 - 1 win beeks and Goddard in front of 8,923 with 1,780 Sky Blues

2-1 win, after they lead for 80 minutes.

1-1.

4-1 victory.

We're are going to lose, Oxford are going to win and the internet is going to explode

2-2 draw

10-9. I don't know to which side.

After a summer of complete apathy, I can't wait to get started now. Maybe it's the sun. I've hardly thought about it all week.

3-1 win. Conor Thomas is bound to score, with Obika and Goddard chipping in. COME ON YOU REDDDS!

Amen brother.

Hoping to hear some belting renditions of 'in 1969' today. Great football song when done loud.

Came to your senses just in time.

You very nearly became the first to predict an STFC clean sheet since Nostradamus

I'd predict a good performance from Van the Man but no idea what to expect at the CG today but I'll go for 4-0, ok 4-1

1-1, or 5-3

Score draw 2-2

2-1 Swindon. Doughty and Goddard for us in front of 8754 2003 of which from Cov

Doughty to score 1st 12/1 Yaser anytime 15/2 .
2-1 Swindon.

Strangely optimistic today. Last season was shit and I couldn't wait for it to end but up for it again now after a break. Looking forward to seeing the development of brophy and Henry this season. Hopefully Goddard is as good as our expectations and no doubt there will be a few surprises. Haven't got a clue what to expect. I think this is a shit division so who knows. Think I might make one of my rare visits to the cgh in a few minutes.

Town to turn it on in the sunshine I'm going for 4-1 Town crowd of 8,795 goals from Beeks 2, Doughty 1 + a 30 yard screamer from Yasser all after going 1-0 down. There will then be an air of optimism as Power announces Turn all and Stephens are returning and Anton's going to FGR  :D :D

1-1, us to dictate the game only to concede a late goal as balls keep getting pumped in the box

Lloyd Jones not available today. He surely can't be anywhere near prepared anyway, at least Doughty has played for us before.

0-3. Att. 7,865 (1,645 cov)

Vigouroux, Barry, Thompson (C), Sendles-White, Brophy, Rodgers, Kasim, Thomas, Doughty, Goddard, Obika

Subs: Henry, Evans, Smith, Iandolo, Young, Stewart, Hylton

Norris definitely in the boardroom today, saw the list of expected visitors earlier.

What formation is that?? Is Kasim in a back three or are we going for 4 at the back and no wingers?

Doughty played CB once last season so thats a possible.

Power says he signed late last night for us.

Jones missed the deadline last night by 2 mins apparently. I'm sure he would have played otherwise. Tougher game now without him.

Looks either 4-5-1 or 4-4-1-1

Blimey this bloke Jim being interviewed by SSP is a fucking bundle of laughs.

"Power only buys players to sell them"

Just like every other lower league club there is, mate.

town appear to the sound of the old railway hooter. coyr

Come on Swindon!!!!

A nice touch.

Fuck that was close...Cov hit post.

I'm watching on Ralphy-vision

Good turn out by Coventry today, looks about 2k there.

Ditto!

Kayden Jackson scores for Grimsby

Bad miss from about 6 yatds out by Coventry....we look poor at the back.

trying our best to shot ourselves in the foot with suicidal pissing around at the back. again

Come on Ralphy I was enjoying that!

soapy tit wank, brophy playing like.. me

Didn't take long for the people around me to get on the players backs...

Danny Ward nets for Rovrum

Not fulfilling his broadcasting commitments. Poor show Ralphy.

Pissing/passing around.same thing!

it wasn't a typo

Power,that's shit! Even we knew in plenty of time!

Ran out of battery....lets club together and buy Ralphy a spare :D

didnt think so

Sounds like we're finding our tempo.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CpLozryWIAAy-Nj.jpg)

Wes Thomas nets for Pox

On a brighter note, shitty are 1 nil down

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CpLu_DOWcAAp-dr.jpg:large)

Paynter scores for Hartlepool.

And Swift nets on his debut for Reading..

It could always be worse I guess..

Curzon Ashton Live
‏@CurzonLive   
GOAL! Curzon 0-5 Kidderminster. Can't tell you anymore than that as we are in the bar.

I disagree....at least they are in the bar!

Didn't think we were that bad, just frail defensively at times and players don't look like they've gelled which is no surprise.

Goddard looks fairly handy and Rodgers actually doesn't look too bad.

The level of negativity from the blokes around me is incredible. They sound excited every time someone misplaces a pass.

well, as expected really. shit tippy tappy at the back should have cost us, twice.

midfield OK, though brophy had a first 30 to forget.

hard going for Beeks on his own up front. we spent 30 not looking like scoring then 15 looking like we might have something without actually doing it.

it's not brilliant, but not wrist slashingly bad

Was JSW injured pre match?
Thomas is playing CB, but for the life of me can't figure out who has replaced JSW?!

JSW is playing at the left of the back three...

Long haired Coventry player Is a bit of a cunt isn't he?

Sent from my MotoG3

Branch got injured, JSW playing on the left

Not as bad as I feared, albeit I was expecting us not to have Thomas or Kasim today.

Haven't really looked like scoring, and we have looked like gifting them a goal, although they've not created a lot without our help.

One positive, Rodgers has been made to look quite good by Brophy ;)

Yup, didn't realise he is only 18. Looks massive

Ah is he? That makes sense then

Jodi Jones is the gypo. Very good player.

Quite a lot of ex Town scorers so far today....
Ricky Shakes for Boreham Wood (against Coopers FGR)
Billy Paiynter for Hartlepool
Jacob Murphy for Norwich
John Swift for Reading
Danny Ward for Rotherham
Wes Thomas for Poxford
Kayden Jackson for Grimsby

We've been alright. Bit nervy. Some good periods and some iffy ones. Coventry have barely had the ball. Fully expect us to concede first thing but enjoying it so far.

Thomas scoring for pox.that'll go down well on fb!

Belford has just saved a penalty for Southport apparently

Are we in the programme today?

brophy is now excellent!

We've stepped it up a gear, but still making silly mistakes. Coventry are certainly no better than us and Doughty just missed a chance that was handed to him on a plate. Obika has been excellent.

On 58 mins he took on his full back and beat him easily and has kept doing it since.
Why oh why didn't he do it before because he's tearing him a new one every time now.

Young hits the bar!

Get in!

Yaser I can boogie....

KASIIIIIIIIIIIM!

Kaaaassiiiiim

Yas!

And above the Pox, just the way it should be. May it stay that way.

 :beers:

Att 9023 (1956). Decent.

9,023 (1,956 away)

Forever in our shadow.  ;)

Good result, well done Town.

Decent start.

Wasn't expecting much, so I'm happy with that.

Sounds as though we have a lot to work on...... and a lot to work with.

Clean sheet.  :eek:

That will do.

I'll take that! Clean sheet too, get in!  :clap:

Whoop get in, been out all day. Roll on QPR so i can see how we look with my own eyes.

Great start to the season, 3 points and more players to come in. Great that Jordan Young got some game time. YOU REDS

Winning a 6 pointer is always welcome.

Haven't you snuffed it yet?

Sounded distinctly lively too.

Poor first half, much better 2nd. Deserved the win in the end, could have scored 2 or 3 in that 2nd half. Its a start anyway! Brophy was an absolute beast in the 2nd 45 after  an awful start

I enjoyed that.

Thomas improved throughout the game and Brophy was a delight to watch in the second half.

And dare I say that I thought Rodgers had a pretty good game...

  :pint: Happy days.

Poor game, could have been 2 or 3 down at half time but we stepped it up in the second half and could have and should have scored more.  Thank the lord that Cov didn't take their first half chances!  How did Doughty not score in the second half.  Sadly that defence cannot play tippy tappy football and it almost cost us, on that performance I don't see either side getting into the play offs.  Perhaps we will make some decent signings before the end of August.

Get in there.

Monkey gone already!

Wasn't there, so won't speculate or damn those that post....

Yawn

Coventry were a bit crap tbh and had no idea what to do with us, especially second half. Rodgers was actually good which was a surprise. Doughty and Kasim had a good partnership going that I hope continues. Little bit nervy, little bit off at times but to be expected with a young team on first game of the season. Coventry's best chances came from mistakes or deflections which will presumably be tidied up. Don't quite know how anyone can think our back line is terrible, they did okay today, couple of mistakes yes but there's time to sort those out. We completely controlled that match and other than the first 15 and a short period in the second, coventry had nothing.

fairly decent second half. the game came to life and was stretched for a bit and in the balance. but gradually we took it to them and took control if not the chances we made. young came closest with an absolute screamer that probably still has the bar wobbling,,!

thankfully a good bit of play from Rodgers and brophy opened the door one more decisive time.

how good/bad are we? who knows. but a good win.

Totally agree with that. Coventry had a few teenagers in their starting XI - think they may struggle if they lose a few early on

 It's rather good that Coventry still haven't won at the CG in a league game since 1960.  Pretty much ideal opponents for the opener...seemingly in a bit of disarray like us, but enough of a club to bring a fair few.

WE'RE GOING UP AS FUCKING CHAMPIONS!

Enjoyed that, good win and a clean sheet.
Thomas looks good, Goddard looked good and strong, Kasim and Doughty were class as was Brophy.
We worked hard as a team, closed them down quickly, and basically looked much fitter than them.

Sunny day, few beers, Swindon win, clean sheet, happy Ginginho :)

Glad you aree.

Nowt worse than international know alls.

A welcome clean sheet.

How did Vigs do?
Not much mention here, so assuming that kicking etc was ok.

Thought Brophy was a nervous wreck first thirty mins but what an improvement second half. Good character, didn't let his head drop and deserved mom at the end. Just stop pissing about at the back and could be a good season in store.

Thomas looks very decent, what did Vigs do or say to the Cov fans as they were going mental at him at the end

Slid on his knees in front of them and celebrated vigorously, bit childish really!

Oh fuck off.

Vigorouxly surely

Good crowd considering we have been told all summer we will be down on fans this season

Good kicking for 90% of the game, claimed every cross and corner that came his way. Celebrated like a mad man apparently.

Decent opening game. In the first half an hour we gave them about 3 opportunities which they managed to fuck up by poor decision making. We had our first shot on 30 when Rogers should have done better than blast it over the bar. In the 2nd Sendles White was getting pissed all over by my little pony and then Williams swapped him and Thomas around and my little pony was taken off thankfully. After that it was all us. Young played one pass to Doughtly that was orgasmic and worthy of Kasim. He then hit the bar from distance with fuck all backlift. He looks a great prospect. Brophy was as good in the 2nd as he was shit in the 1st. Goddard has definitely got something about him and was all over the place but was pretty knackered when he came off. Vigoroux looked totally solid and collected a couple of decent crosses. Kasim was my MOM. His weight of passing is brilliant and some of the short passes he does are sublime. His footwork is stupid at this level. All in all a decent opener, a clean sheet and anohter later one against Cov who must hate playing us. Congrats also to the mouthy little Cov cunts after the game who were about as intimidating as an episode of the Teletubbies.

So then with 2-3 additions we could have a strong 1st team, strong bench and promising youngsters ready to step up when needed.

Textbook Football Manager technique, I've won the European Cup several times with Swindon using that method.

Well we did keep a clean sheet today, which took until April last season.

I believe that was Vigs first clean sheet in a league game at the CG.

We should've been playing against ten men in the second half, as their no. 17 should've been sent off...but was taken off at half time instead.

 1
He's probably pineing for the Olympics - after all wasn't 17 Team GB's Marvin Sordell?

They were giving him shit all second half and he turned and celebrated in front of them.

Good. Thanks.

Thought his keeping was excellent but kicking pretty poor. 4 straight out of play?

Well Coventry fans didn't seem to think much of us...bad losers? it looks like it.

From their forum...

First half fair enough. Second half we were much better and after that number 10 went off they had nothing about them. We weren't great though

I couldn't give a monkeys what Coventry fans think. We're not a complete squad either.

They must be sick of losing to rubbish ol' Swindon Town.

The chances they had, they should've been 2-0 up inside 7 minutes from defensive fuck ups.
They should be more worried about how shit they were today.
We looked pretty good in comparison and dominated the 2nd half.

If either of these teams are rooted in the bottom four then it's going to be them, they've continued their poor form from last season and look a much worse team than last year.

After one game they state we are utter garbage, blimey.
Thanks for the 3 points (again)

soi know you said could  - I think it's too early to call that one way or the other. Coventry were too poor to be a proper barometer, early season is always odd results wise.

But more importantly we have no idea whether we have managed to compensate for ajose loss. And the Coventry fans are right, we will be punished by better teams than them (much of the league on today's performance).

don't take that the wrong way, you could have it spot on.

the midfield though I have no doubts about. it'll more than compete with most teams in this league.

I always like to read an opposition view of the game, especialy when we have won.

I does show how some fans are so totally blinkered to their own teams performance and inadequacies they cannot envisage praising the opposition even if deserved.

And yes they must really hate playing us!

And about 10 that went straight on to Obika's head.

Also big up to Thomas. Played right side centre half then left side centre half then right again. Not bad for a midfielder. We'll have a bit of height in midfield with him and doughty. He looks decent. Kept it simple.

Two quality saves I thought - not out of this world but decent saves anyway!  Kicking could improve but he had a good game, dominated his area when the corners came in.

Plus Ched Evans equalised against Oxford today, always liked him :)

We're 3 points closer to safety than they are...

Doughty, Kasim and Goddard could be very good at this level.

Almost back in the smoke so few thoughts -

We gifted Coventry their chances and thankfully they didn't take them. Apart from Jodi Jones, who is clearly class, none of their side worried me. Brophy was appalling for the first 20 minutes or so but excellent after that and deserved MOM for me with a hard working performance down the left. He is effortlessly and deceptively quick and seems to have learnt how to be more composed when in the box creating a golden opportunity for Thomas which he smacked over and then the winning goal.

Kasim, excellent, Obika showed flashes and Goddard looked handy. Nathan Thompson solid as well. Lots of positives including Jordan Young who hit a pearler of a shot that looked every inch a goal only to smack the bar.

Introduce the new signings and maybe a couple of more and we'll be ok this season. Great way to start the season.

I agree with most of what's been said, bit I also think Barry covered every blade of grass, worked hard and tried to be available for the ball. Played very well.

http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/10526233/swindon-1-0-coventry

I thought Jordan Young hit the bar?

This montage will no doubt further fuel the raging Coventry fans.

Awful selection of highlights, makes it look like Cov dominated the game.
Where's all our chances in the 2nd half, including Young's effort against the bar?

was thinking the same

Lindsey Hipgrave where were you when I was hot...

Well obviously the editor is a Cov fan!!  Only showed our goal so you would think they dominated the match.  I heard we had 60% possession, can anybody confirm?

Beeb has us at 60%

Two things:

1) Sky is the work of the devil
2) 3 points

That is all.

I'm glad to hear that many think Rodgers had a good game. I gives me confidence that Williams knows what he's doing.

(Now watch him go and play abysmally for the rest of the season)

pmsl

He was ok but not great. He was less inclined to slow things down which is one of his biggest faults. He was playing in a more advanced role. When he plays in a more defensive role is when he looks truly shit. I wouldn't put my money on him being player of the season yet. He did a few decent passes. One to Barry in the first half was very good. T

No, that's just because you're old.  ;)

See for me, I think Rodgers hides behind these kind of contributions. I don't think he works hard enough off the ball - he's like David Attenborough, a careful observer and documenter of what's happening around him, but not really having much of an impact on his environment.

There is no doubt he's a lazy cunt with a real tendency to admire his work when it comes off. I got a bit fucked off first half when he had a right go at brophy. Unfortunately Rodgers is an arrogant player with very little to back it up. I'd happily see him out of the team.

Pretty good for 36 eh

Even the very best teams have problems playing out from the back:  http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/10526221/liverpool-4-0-barcelona-icc-highlights

I'm glad it wasn't me going mad. I thought I noticed we changed our style a bit today and it seems Mowbray has agreed. Good to see Williams not afraid to match them up .

They had the bonus of not being in Coventry for a day.

A bit harsh?


Sir David would have been quite right to mouth off at Brophy, first half....oh wait a minute

on a more serious note, I was impressed by how hard the players worked for one another for 95 minutes, pretty unselfishly, and how they persevered after a flaky start. 

Whether that will be enough as the opposition becomes more challenging than Coventry (the 6th August version) will depend on some further squad additions and how well LW melds the playing style(s). 

There's no doubt that slavish fannying around at the back could have seen us almost out of the game before it got started.

Thought at times the pressing game worked really well for us every man running and putting their opposite number under real pressure forcing them into giving the ball away in dangerous areas, hope we persist with pressing it's a great tactic in lower levels as few players are good when they have sustained pressure on them for large periods.  Thought Connor Thomas played very well in an unfamiliar position, great to see a Yasir Kasim that's interested this season looked quality at times, really encouraged by Jordan Young he looks a great prospect and overall it was a good team performance overall after a nervous start.  With Jones and Norris available next game and a rumoured 2 additional players to arrive I feel reasonably upbeat that this season may be bit better than we all thought.

Where did you read Mowbray's thoughts?

Was on Adver site

Kenny Jackett was in the Arkells stand yesterday, not sure what he's up to these days but guessing he was scouting for someone.

Maybe thinks the Cov job might be up for grabs soon

Better highlights available now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl09k-61A5A

Forgot about Doughty's "HIT IT WITH YOUR FUCKING RIGHT FOOT YOU CUNT" chance.

When you look at those other than the obvious mistakes Coventry's only other chances came from Thomas getting sucked up field leaving space in behind as you would expect with a midfielder in defence. I think we will look more solid once it a proper central defender back there so I do think the defence will improve.

Indeed. The Liverpool lad instead of Thomas at the back with Thomas replacing Rogers in midfield and we have a very capable first 11.

Sent from my MotoG3

Brophy when he finally started taking people on was brilliant. First half he was dire, passing back at every opportunity - including nearly catastrophically for Sordell shot that hit post early on. Never looked or thought about getting it forward, just pass back towards own area without even vaguely looking up to see who was there. Then nowhere near their right wing back who was left in loads of space to force Vigs into very good save. Why did it take him nearly an hour to realise that with his pace he had beating of his man every time?
Presumably Doughty won't be able to play on Wednesday so Lloyd Jones will play centre back with Conor Thomas replacing him in midfield?

I just don't think James fully gets the defensive side of LWB....it is a difficult position to play. He'd be much better off in a 4, where there is less defending to do.  Can he learn it?  Maybe.

I think you are right as Hodgetts said they were hopping to get him in the commentary box on Wednesday!

Perhaps he was told to do that? Then when realised it wasnt working he was told to take the man on. Who knows it might have been a tactical thing re evaluated at half time.

First and foremost delighted we started with three points and clean sheet.  First half we looked suspect, defensively could have been caught out a few times which remains a concern. Hopefully Jones and a new addition will tighten this up.  Second half, much better and we started playing some excellent football. Massive plus is Jordan Young who looks a real talent already.
With new singings finally coming and paying a fee for a player (about time) we look healthier. Disappointed with the crowd but a few more wins and the stay aways will find their way back. 

If only there was a thread dedicated to the match yesterday where you could have posted your thoughts.

FYI we've paid a fee for quite a few players in recent times, your memory must be failing

It looked to me like he was instructed not to bomb forward and get caught up field. A number of times early on he deliberately passed backwards and almost stopped dead in his tracks when he could have taken on his opposite man. Once he beat his man once (ooo err) he didn't stop and created three good chances.

About 6 weeks ago was the last one. Vigs. Hell of a gap really....

Merged

My first match for a while - very much enjoyed it - tough game but we came out on top - we will improve week by week as the squad grows.

Third time this summer. Totalling somewhere around 600k-700k depending on what we paid for Goddard. Power actually said we spent more than we've sold for but doesn't seem quite right.

Can't be many clubs spending that money at this level? Amazing considering Power is asset stripping and lining his own pockets.

pmsl

An entertaining match report from the Coventry forum:

https://t.co/AJjW6Ur70h

That is a fucking horrific website.

Agree with both comments!!  Certainly right about our usual slow start, a point Williams certainly needs to address!

 :) I love shit like that.  Always had a bit of time for Coventry, as I liked the way they were remorselessly mediocre for year after year in the top flight, using players who you'd never hear of before or since.  Very occasionally they might have someone decent but rapidly sold.

Then, of course, they won in FA Cup, in what was just about the last throw of post war proper old skool football. Keith Houchen...what a goal, mainly ex Hartlepool and York City journeyman, classic Coventry. In true fashion they then go to Sutton to defend the trophy next season....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB6u_prJY40

Seems a little unfair to compare the CG with Glanford Park which is only about 30 years old?
Edit - especially as if the photographs are correct they seem to suggest the guy was in the Arkells and not on the bank.

I met quite a few Coventry fans when I lived up there and they all seemed to share a similar gallows humour as whoever wrote that match report.

Tatty old central ground with character and pubs? Or no soul bowl on the edge of town with not much else near?

The CG is a relic but it's our relic.

I think we've all pretty much given up on significant future redevelopments.

I'd rather stay a slightly tatty county ground than spunked all our money on all bowl we then get kicked out of so we have to watch matches from a hill.

That was indeed mildly humerous in the way its written but it is also extremely bitter and that makes me happy, we haven't had many bitter away fans since the Shrewsbury fans started hating us when PdC was manager.

On their forum they whinge about having a young team with inexperience, well, welcome to League 1.

The average age of their staring 11 was 22.9 and their bench averaged 23.4.

Our team averaged 23 and our bench averaged 19.

Just saw this on their forum (yes I know...most people don't care what they think about us etc etc) but this is a fairly prevalent view it seems.

I so hope statement comes back to bite him hard on his arse later in the season.
   

I'd be pretty pissed off if I was a Cov fan. And he's not exactly a million miles off, we are hardly brilliant. Their fans were decent when I was chatting to them on the way back to the car, mostly agreed that both teams were pretty crap.

Although it's quite funny he mentions the signings... as we HAVE actually made 2 signings that could (potentially at least) be good for us. So we're already better... maybe...

That quote is typical of the shortsightedness of many football fans. If they can improve with signings, then why can't we?

We get exactly the same thing with Swindon fans only in reverse. I.E., other clubs can get better, but we can't.

Indeed, although I personally don't think I have ever heard any Town fan say, after a first day defeat, that the opponents will definately get relegated at the end of the season, that is a pretty strong statement.

Although Tommy Docherty did say after we beat a Preston team managed by him 4-0 in 1981-82 seasons 3rd match, that Swindon would be relegated (we were sitting 2nd after those 3 games) and he was right.

To be fair though Stevie wonder could have predicted that team going down.

I remember Steve Abbley tore them a new one that game....I thought hello... this lad could be good, he wasn't.

Abbley was a cracking winger for the reserves, scored loads and set up even goals, but just never made the step up, tall and gangly and almost ungainly IIRC.

Awww. I think it's good that the club lay on a couples day for the players.

Wimbledon we're the cup holders when Cov lost to Sutton.

Oh well...season after then.

Aye, 1989. Was living near Sutton at the time, great fun.

Was I? You've never mentioned that, where did you live?

Cu
In your cupboard...mwahahaha.

Ah that explains the crinkly jazz mags.