Thetownend.com

So....... what do we think?

2-0 Swindon I think... Delfouneso & Doughty to score..

3.1 Town - Norris, Doughty and Kasim.
Fancy is today with Jones, Norris and Kasim all training yesterday.
Crowd of 7472.

Will Delfounso be eligible? All the reports stated it still needed FA/FL approval.

If not, replace him with Norris in my prediction..

Port Vale have started well, But I think we'll start rolling. 3-1 to us. Have you got these high winds we have here? If so that might be a leveller and I'll go 0-0

Never a dull moment when following the Red Army - really exciting to see this team being assembled - I like Power`s attitude and methods of putting a team together on a really small amount of money. However the injuries and general state of fitness of the new man will mean a draw at best I feel - 1-1 COYR

Why, is he injured?

Would be surprised to see Delfouneso start as he can´t be match fit, can he?  I expect him to come on towards the end.  Probably just long enough to strain something and be out for several weeks .

Oh!  I went a bit 'Reg' there.  :(

They've not conceeded a league goal yet so should be a close game.

1-0. Late Doughty winner.

If we lose today, we're going to get relegated, followed by the world falling apart.

Vale have started with 4-5-1/4-3-3 in their first three league games. Have sounded pretty organised at the back but haven't created many chances. They will try and play it out from the back as well I think.

If the three lads who trained yesterday are close to full fitness and being able to start, we have a strong 1st XI with some good options off the bench for today.

Part of me says bore draw, part of me says 3-1. I'm gonna go with the latter. If the team is anywhere near back up to full fitness then we have got a really good squad developing.

I wonder what will be Lee Power's fault today though?

3-2 town (doughty,kasim,stewart).i hope

My alarm went off at 6.10 this morning for a 12 hour shift..

That's certainly not my fault, so...

A dull 0-0.

2-0 win. Doughty Pen and Sendles-White

Lose today and we'll have 4 from 4 .....a point a game over the season gives 46, you go down. Avoid defeat and it looks better.  Last season we were terrible at home, it would be an improvement to develop some home form.

 Fuck it, Chang has spoken - I'll not bother to go today then!   :zzz:

.....with 42 still to play....

It's only August Reg, only August.

At this embryonic stage of the season, you're just looking for little indicators for the grind ahead, so I'd rather not lose.

Fascinating.

Given that 10 teams are currently averaging a point a game or less, and a similar figure is likely to apply tonight, your observation is even less relevant than usual.

Well, yes.. obviously, I'd also rather not lose.

I'm just saying, after today, there are 42 more games to be played.

I hope we lose so Reg is right

It's part of the fun to see which Swindon turns up on the day. My guess it's another hard-working narrow win like Coventry.

#STFC XI v Port Vale: Vigouroux, Sendles-White, Thompson (C), Jones, Barry, Rodgers, Kasim, Doughty, Brophy, Delfouneso, Norris

#STFC subs v Port Vale: Subs: Henry, Furlong, Thomas, Goddard, Iandolo, Stewart, Hylton

Rodgers really is a permanent fixture isn't he?

Why drop a midfielder that has started the season well?

Not saying he should be.just pointing out that despite his unpopularity he's cemented his place.not looking for an argument

Power just said option to add another year on Delfounseo contract.

Budget has gone up £500k and have eye on 2 players for loans.
Little bit of interest in Obika but things will stay as they are unless we have ridiculous offers.

Southampton wanted 50% sell on fee for Turnbull, to much for Power to agree to.

Sorry man. Me neither

Pax!

Nice strong bench today!

Probably the first time in 18 months we've been able to say that. That should be the difference between lower and upper this season hopefully. We now have options.

Should pin this, as I'll get fed up still reading we have 3rd lowest in 6 months time...

Whenever Power talks on the radio I feel encouraged. Reckon Delphiniums will score today, has a ha it of doing so on his debuts, and would like to see Stewart grab another.

Delfonso? Is that the correct pronunciation or is ssp having trouble with it?

Correct pronunciation.

Oo silent u and silent e. Cool

Sounds very dull

I've just found a set of house keys I'd be hunting for for at least 30 mins.  This is a good omen.

How on earth do Barry and Rodgers make a living out of football they are so poor

Barry and Rodgers are so shite! We can do much better

Not got the radio on, what have they done wrong?

I'm at home, on a Saturday, which is unusual. If I want to listen do I still have to find an actual radio because of all the online licensing stuff? Fuck STFC World Player or whatever it's called.

Correct

But it's in the kitchen and tuned into radio4. Why do they have to make stuff hard?

Just totally inept. Not league 1 standard. Everything breaks down when it comes to them

Barry is the out ball but he's been pretty poor. Tempted to put Furlong on. Rodgers is back to being Rodgers!

Nothing in particular just being Rogers and Barry . Thomas and Goddard must be almost club footed not to get in the team ahead of these two. They just cannot control the ball or pass 5 yards to a team mate

Barry has played well in both of the games I've seen this season, Rodgers pretty good as well. I can't comment on today.

Thomas looked crap in midfield against QPR and Goddard is an entirely different type of player.

Furlong should offer some competition however.

Where has the guy in DRS, block 6 come from?

Ok for 20 mins,
Nothing much happened for the next 10 mins
Port Vale the better side for the last 15 mins.

Let's hope the second half (v Coventry) Brophy turns up in the second half today and remembers he can take on the full back & cross.

We played better with 0 strikers on Tuesday!

Rodgers hasn't done a thing right yet and Barry's first touch, control and crossing have been poor, so the criticism aimed at these two is fair.

We look lazy to be honest, lacking any real spark or creativity. It's all rather dull thus far.

They've had the better chances.

Fair enough, how is Delfolenolbejslosou playing?

I thought it might be talk talk

Not too bad. Won a few flicks so is good in the air.

I'm in block 6 maybe he means me!

So a cagey start against a unbeaten team who haven't let in a league goal and both teams sussing out what each has to offer

Time for a half time Review and tactical switch, move the play up the pitch and score a late winner.

Barry

Ha, Barry's first touch in 2nd half puts us 1-0 up 😄

Get in!!!

Would you believe it a great finish from Barry that was his best touch of the game

Fucking brilliant!  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Hahaha everyone moans Doughty doesnt cross.. 2 seconds later goal. Good finish

Bare jokes

It must be a day for Barry's scoring, his cousin has for Everton also.

Storey also notched for Aberdeen

Uncle

Jordan Turnball sent off on his debut for Cov

My bad..

Turnbull sent off on debut for Cov 😟😀

As poor has Rodgers has been, I couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for him when he was substituted to cheers and came off looking visibly upset. I just can't understand why Williams persists with him, he's not good enough and sections of the crowd are on his back constantly. It does no good to him or the team.

And they concede the penalty from his foul.  Now Bradford have just scored again to take the lead.  I don't think young Jordan will want to remember this debut

Ajose scores his second of the day

Cox pen against the Gas 😀

6100 attendance. Poor.

Less than 6000 home fans. When was the last time we had such a low league attendance?

El Abd scores for Shrews

Lots on holiday, Vale a boring opponent with hardly any visiting fans and Gas and Scum soon!

Ball gets a few for fleetwood dont he?

First game to end in the division that must be a first!

Great start to the season, given the pessimism before the start. 7 points from 4 games is near promotion form, can't ask for much more. Great to keep another home clean sheet, be nice to turn the CG into a fortress like it was under PDC.

Do wah diddy diddy dum diddy do!

Jolly good result.

Hopefully we can get used to 1-0 score lines, it might not be the best to watch but it will be damn effective

Decent start to the season.

Please with that.

Didn't do Leicester any harm.

Not bad. Same performance as we've come used to but the defence looked (for the most part) decent. Thompson and Jones were excellent. Kasim ran the midfield again, Doughty also very good if a little frustrating.

After Reg's spiel about clean sheets at home.. 2 in 2. 3 in a row if you include the Salop game last season!

It's actually better than that....we kept 2 clean sheets at the end of the season, to take the tally to 3 and equal the worst record.

So 2 already, is encouraging, beer will taste decent tonight.

Who cares that we won? The attendance was shocking.

Changing the subject I heard on the radio Mike Bowden now part owns Swindon Speedway. Thats them fucked then

Belford has conceded 15 in 5 matches for southport...

And to think last season a number of our fans were saying he was better than Vigs and should be starting for us. Moral of the story.... Don't base you opinion on someone's footballing abilities by them being nice on Twitter.

Sounds ass though Vigs has started the season well for what some were calling an 'average' goalie.

You know what, sometimes it's almost as though some people have no fucking idea what they are talking about.

Quite...
I'm starting to think Power knows what he's doing with regards to recruitment, imagine that?

This is so true.

What? Do you mean to suggest that a person that has spent much of his life in a career in football knows more than those that have probably never spent a single day in the profession?

Madness.

I'd go so far as to say it sounds wrong.  I wasn' there...but how would you lose 1,000+ home fans since the Coventry game?  Holiday season does affect attendances, but it's been a while since we've seen a crowd figure in the low 6,000s, isn't it?

Recruitment does look decent and credit to Power for that. Only gripe is that it wasn't done sooner.

Very pleased with another win and another clean sheet, although the game won't live long in my memory in all honesty.

Love the look of Lloyd Jones, a proper, old fashioned centre half, just what we've been crying out for, a defender who can defend. Him and Thompson were excellent today.
Rodgers was, well, Rodgers, can't believe he starts ahead of Thomas, Goddard or Stewart.
He sometimes has average to good games, but more often than not he's pretty bloody awful and is a passenger.

Barry was poor first half, but took his goal very well at the start of the 2nd half after a great bit of play from Doughty to alienate two players and slide the ball through.

Kasim controlled the midfield, Brophy was quiet and didn't attack much at all.

Delfouneso looked OK, was quiet, although had some nice touches in the first half. No idea how much of a pre-season he's had so is probably lacking fitness.

Norris looks strong and linked up play well.

Vigouroux was excellent and made some great saves. He's had a brilliant start to the season.

Unfortunately not.  Town end and Arkells looked very empty.  Difficult to tell what DRS was like when you're in it but I was relieved that over 6k.

Some nice touches but PV had the better chances.  Draw would have been about right but v happy to take the win.

I think someone already mentioned the cheering when Rodgers substituted.  Yes he's crap but how is that going to help him or any other player?  I can just about understand it when we're losing but when we're ahead it's moronic.

Great 3 points against Port Vale side who are much improved on previous seasons.

First 20 minutes we were excellent but Barry couldn't create anything despite being our clear outlet. Kasim was running the show but I think Vale realised this and seemed to stop him playing and came into it. Two brilliant pieces of defending from Jones stopped certain goals and we ended the half on the ropes.

Luckily we scored early in the second half. Great work by Doughty who chose not to cross and instead laid a cute pass for Barry who slammed it into the roof of the net. Port Vale weren't done and a mixture of Vigs and great defending kept us in it. We had chances on the break but often the final ball or decision making was lacking.

Kasim was excellent again, on that form it's amazing he's not been snapped up by a Championship side. Doughty is dynamic and full of forward running and the back 3 and keeper seem solid. Norris has great feet for a big man and holds the ball up well and Delfounso worked hard and also won some very good headers. I noticed he makes a lot of runs, often ignored I might add. He can't be fit either so I reckon he was shattered going off. I get a good feeling about him.

Negatives, I guess Rodgers again, he had space to create first half but one of those games where he was making poor decisions and correct to be hooked for Thomas.

Final word for Vigoroux, handling and shot stopping is superb, and his kicking from hand good today also, not one out of play. He could be better than Wes.

Onwards and upwards.

Some bloody stupid bookings today though. Petty and nonsensical.

Yeah but he was in team of the week last week!!!!

We had a good squad available today, even without Beaky and Branco. Well done Mr. Power, I had been very worried about the defence pre-season.

Jones was absolute class. Never put a foot wrong.

Kasim and Doughty good overall. All 3 of our midfielders went through a spell of holding onto to ball too long instead using the easy option which led to us being dispossessed in the last 15 of the first half.

Wing backs average Barry's goal aside.

Norris and Delfouenso made it obvious they were playing their first game together with very little chemistry between them however both had their moments individually to suggest they will be decent additions in time. Both good in the air, strong, hold up play was decent, some intelligent runs from Delfouneso and Norris good with the ball at his feet, encouraging that Super Jon is still to come into the fold, should be quite a decent battle for places up front.

Don't agree with cheering Rodgers off the pitch but he was simply the weak link today, if he's starting every week I feel it may stop us totally fulfilling our potential. Nothing personal against the guy just don't think he'd be starting for many sides in this league.

Obviously a lot to work on but quite excited about the squad when it gels. Think having 3 strikers with a significant physical presence and decent pace could make us really dangerous away from home.

Vale were no mugs by the way, didn't have a great deal up front but got stuck in and certainly had their moments of control.

Very satisfying 3 points. Take 23 1-0's all day long!

I don't know you'd fit all those games in a day though.

Kasim my motm today.
like the look of the new guy, fuck anyone who cheers like they did re: Rodgers. Fucking pathetic.
Vigs obviously needs to work on his kicks but he's a fantastic goalkeeper.

Hope brophy's alright.

Weird home debut for Jordan Stewart. Looked full of running but lightweight. Great chance but probably should have pulled it back for 2 men coming in rather than shot. Wtf he was doing with that booking only he knows. Probably best kept away from our penalty area as combination of shortness and rashness doesnt bode well.
Decent win though against side who were better than i expected. At least this year no handballs from corners in added on time from Liverpool loanees. Fantastic first half block from Jones to prevent certain Vale goal.

Had to laugh when Vigoroux kicked long and Jordan Stewart and the 6ft + Vale centre back jumped for the ball. The Irish Messi was never going to win it but at least jumped and made the effort.

When he's on song, I love watching Kasim play. Thought he was excellent today, great nimble feet, makes every move and pivot look effortless.

Thought Rodgers was better today, but also agree that he isn't good enough to be starting regularly. He tries those turns in tight spots too often and loses possession.

I do like these early season games when there's so much new stuff to take in and before we may have settled on our opinions on players, shapes and pies to see us through the season.

For me, the way we pressed, continually winning the ball back high up the pitch for the first 30 minutes was really exciting - for those of us who've previously struggled with a slow tempo, keeping possession in our own half, this is really positive.  From there, old habits die hard: a maddening reluctance to put early crosses into the box, even with two strikers now actually In The Building.  Time and time again, Barry and Brophy took an extra touch, slowing momentum, before looking for fancy cut backs.  Just buy a bloody raffle ticket now and again lads.

Almost not believing their own luck, Vale came into it and created decent opportunities as we became stretched and ragged.  A midfield of Kasim, Rodgers and Doughty just doesn't have the legs when we don't have the ball - the reluctance to field a dog or two in there will maddeningly hold us back this season.

My debut in DRS block 6 was ended at half time as I moved to more comforting and familiar territory.  Is that special bloke down the front always there, or was it a one off?  He was, shall we say, just a little more individual than most of us.

Huge irony of course that the goal came amid our groans as Doughty didn't cross, and Barry supplied the end product.  The half time switch to play with two holding and a number 10 increasingly brought Doughty into the game - however assist aside, his general play was often erratic and inconsistent.  Once ahead, poor decision making going forward and the risk of being caught over-committed ensured the game went the distance, although Vale didn't create the open chances that they had earlier.

So some player reflections, and first opinions.  Nathan was imperious, just about faultless throughout- he's developed into an outstanding player at this level. Just behind him, for me, were Vigs, Jones and Kasim.  It was my first look at Jones, and I was hugely impressed.  Tougher tests ahead, but blimey, he looks a player.  More difficult to assess the front two, given they're clearly not fit, but did a job.  Norris was impressively strong and tidy, if lacking pace, though faded badly whilst Delfo, well, he looked like he enjoyed himself - signing autographs before the game and being kind and considerate to the Vale player he shoved into the Town End gravel.  So that's nice.

All in all - some reasonably predictable frustrations, with lots to build on, and I thought Lukey's comments afterwards were spot on.  As others have said, tonight's beer will taste good.

I hop around the ground a fair bit but I've never seen/heard that guy before. Was he still there in the 2nd half?
Awkward really because you can't tell someone not to shout at a football match, but i can't imagine sitting next to the poor guy.

As Christy said NT was comfortably the best player on the pitch today. Head & shoulders above everybody else. His charge down from their long range free kick epitomised everything that he's about.

If Nathan stays injury and suspension free, we'll have a problem in January. He's way too good for this league if the two if's take a back seat for a long period.

For charity, or just for personal pleasure?

Been busy lately but managed to get to the game today and thought the team did quite well in patches of the game. Early days for the new front two but once match fit, they may well do quite well. Doughty a class act and defensively we didnt look too bad.

Encouraging signs  :banana: :banana:

Haven't seen us yet...still on holiday.

Will never damn posts from those that went.

Delighted with the results so far....shot me right up the arse as I expected maybe three points on the board by the time we played Rovers.

Looking forward to Saturday.

Rovers play Chelsea on Tuesday, hopefully that'll soften them up for us!

Tbh I am intrigued by this man in DRS block 6. What was he doing?

He was bellowing what sounded to be very random stuff at the team.  I heard him shout something about William the Conqueror and 1066 and, not long afterwards, singing extracts of Sham 69's Hersham Boys.  He was quite annoying and I think someone must have had a word because he shut up towards the end of the first half.

Isn't it shitty who's got Chelsea?

No they are losing to Scunthorpe

Hmm I wasn't there but as soon as I read this I immediately thought of a London Red who doesn't live that far from Hersham :)

Does he wear laced up boots?

yes.............and corduroys

Block 6 guy situation was odd. Quite near the front of the block so those further back didn't have to endure it. Spent the entire first half barking his head off about 1066, Jose Mourinho and pulling the trigger for 4-0. Come back up for second half with some tissue paper for impromptu ear plugs, but the bloke doesn't make a noise at all. Bizarre. Looked as if he had glasses on the first half and took them off for the second. Glasses hold the ramble power.

Poor game, good to win without playing particularly well. Liked Jones' blocking, Norris with decent feet.

Hats off to Stewart for one of the funniest home debuts I've seen. First touch a hospital back-heel, shanked a shot well wide, ball pumped up to him with a 6+ foot defender for company, generally ran about as if he'd never been on a pitch before in his life, didn't understand the concept of the 10 yard rule for defending free kicks and got a smack in the face from the ball coming off a defenders' heel for good measure. Poor lad. I'm sure it'll only get better from him after that.

Totally agree about Rodgers. Terrible.

Sent from my SM-G935F

The last time we had fewer than 6000 home fans was Feb 2009 v Monkey Hangers.  We've come close a number of times, and gates of 6000 odd are not unusual....but mostly for midweek fixtures, and mostly for games v the less "glamorous" opponents like Burslem.

It's about 1000 down on the corresponding August fixture last year....and anecdotally a significant drop was expected after the clusterfuck of pre-season, following the often farcical home form of last season.

Too early to say if it's a trend, but one suspects it will need some decent form to get the gates back up.

I enjoyed the game - especially as we won - perhaps the impending weather that never arrived contributed but probably the fact that most of Swindon seems to be holiday more likely a factor.

Aren't season ticket holders counted in attendance figures regardless of whether they turn up or not.
If so, then this could be a recurring theme this season if the casual support doesn't turn up in numbers.

Good gates for certain games may keep the average attendance in line with last season and should increase if we are challenging come March / April time.

A good FA cup run would help.
New players should be given some kind of induction involving club history to take on board that, believe it or not, we do have a rich cup fighting tradition.

There are 2 attendances.....the club's always include ST's whether there or not, the Council/Police, get an actual bums on seats figure.

The FA Cup tradition is very much a thing of the past....in its own way a reflection of how the Cup had become devalued in recent years.

Aren't Honda on Shut down at the moment?

Something like a two wins and a draw in the last four games?

Edit - It could be worse, we could be Sunderland and have our own manager tipping us for relegation, be interesting to see if their crowds drop off?

I guess it's different for all non attendees....is that good enough for you?

Well it makes all the predictions of doom and gloom look a little off the mark, although I suppose for a lot of fans it might mean accepting they are wrong to come back so quickly?

I'd estimate we could easily bolt on another 3000 with some clear evidence of progress....go back to peak PdC Div3 in early 2013, and we could get  9000+ for games v HPool and Carlisle. Then on a bit of a roll, vying with Bormuff and Tranny for auto.

Of course, being Town we know the rest. At least, although we didn't manage Bormuff style lift off, we avoided Tranny type sinkage.

Bollocks. Two home games a week apart, one of which is Bristol Rovers and then Oxford away coming up. If you pick and choose your games I doubt you'd pick Port Vale out of those three.

We'll get over 10k on Saturday, easy.

The debate is about Swindon fans in attendance....it will be over 10,000 because of the number of gasheads.

Of course there will be some in the home part of the figure who go as neutrals.....I know several.

I did! :) But I suspect I am definitely in the minority!

I can't make the Rovers game and I ain't going to Oxford (doubt I could get a ticket anyway)

Our max away attendance is what? 3000? That's means there'll be at least another 1000 home fans there next week.

Surely if it was down to the number of Gas heads that would mean just under 5k in attendance which we know will not happen so the other 2k will be Town fans who for whatever reason decided not too attend the glamour tie with Vale .

If some of our 'fans' really aren't going due to Power then it just goes to prove what a petulant and 'special' section within our fanbase we have. He's delivered a squad as he always does, the predictions of relegation appear premature, he has stabilised the club and despite all the shit that gets posted about his media approach I would bet that he actually speaks to the press more than the majority of owners (admittedly usually to Radio Wilts). He's not the best owner in the world but at the moment he's the best option the club has and there are plenty worse around.

Been the same for years as some people just have no intention of going anyway so just jump on any excuse to justify themselves and want everyone to know about it. First it was McMahon, then Andy King, then some used Di Canio and now some are using Power. The likes of Christian Kostiuk are a classic example...

Someone on twitter made a good point, and I can't remember who so apologies if it's a poster on here, .. I'm paraphrasing but it was

"Remember when HMRC were trying to wind us up every other day,  and we had an aging team or past it mercanaries, playing in front of sub 6000'" gates.

Well I can, as can most on here, do the refuseniks really think we aren't better off than those days?

High cost of tickets, economic uncertainty, disposable income going down, having a family...
There are plenty of valid reasons people may no longer go, and I myself come a lot less than I did, but because Power won't spunk money we as a club can't afford on resigning Simon Cox or Jordan Turnbull?
I'm not buying it.

Power Lover....

(http://replygif.net/i/765.gif)

If it's possible to auto change text to a gif, this should be it

Not wanting to go over old ground, but I do find that a lot of people that complain about our attendances are those that don't go anymore, oh the irony.

This debate is taking a very strange circular route.  Joteddy posed the original question, when was the last time we had fewer than 6000 home fans at a league game?  I gave the answer, Feb 09, in fact we had another a couple of weeks later in March v Sarfend.

Too early to say if this is a trend or just a blip

Realistic expectations on attendance has to be around the 7k mark possibly 8k - it`s just how it is

I can see why people are annoyed. We aren't spending any money minus the 500k+ on players and increased wage bill. And we aren't signing any experience except Delfouneso, Norris, Thomas who all have over 100 league apps. And there hasn't been any clarity, except for Power and Williams telling us the targets we're going for. And all the signings will be cheap players no one else wants, like the promising players in Doughty, Goddard & Jones.

I've said it before. Our fuckwit supporters (not all of you of course) don't deserve success. They don't even know what they're angry at any more.

If the noisier segment of Swindon Town fans were American then they'd still be demanding to see Obama's birth certificate.

Or just realist.

Give 500 morons access to a keyboard, and they'll write repetetive whiny bollocks, or something like that.

 Out of interest, who's moaning about attendances here?  

We do however seem to have a number of folk, just assuming stuff which doesn't apparently exist., moaning for moaning's sake about non existent moaners.

Sonic?

I think that's an attempt at irony/satire/sarcasm.

Ah I haven't read through the whole thread as I have been away for a week I just noticed that post.

I'm still fuming about the low attendance. It's a bloody disgrace.

I'm going to watch Fulham instead.

£20 each for 2 hours of questionable entertainment. Plus extras on top. Makes the cinema look cheap.

A lot of people still on holiday.

I stand with a group of anything up to 15 blokes.

Cov: 7

Vale: 8

All others including me missing due to holidays.

Should have about 11 on Saturday....Its Rovers of course but the hols are all ending and people are drifting back. We don't seem to be as shit as people expected so this will help the floaters.

I'm refusing to go and watch until the attendance's increase... utter disgrace, Power out

Non-attendance for me so far - cricket season and now holiday. First game will be in September... Nearly made it on Saturday but cricket called off too late...

It might help if the football season had the decency to start at the end of August, not the start, as I am sure it used to in the good old days.