Thetownend.com

Is anyone you know actually attending this farce tonight?

Nope. Work with a Chelsea fan who was willing to drive me to Swindon to watch it. Refused and told him not to bother.

Although I will admit I'm slightly more tempted by the Oxford one... Heart vs Head on that one. I probably still won't.

Just over 70 tickets sold for the Townend tonight on the online ticketing there are also about 250 in the Arkells but I suspect most of those will be sponsors and hangers on with walk ups we could be looking at the first ever sub 1000 attendance for a first team game

should be plenty of room then

What is everyone doing instead, anything good? I might go for a swim...

And if there is such a thing in this Godforsaken trophy, this is probably seen as the 'glamour' tie of the round.

I'll be disappointed if we get over 1000 - although I agree, the Pox game could tempt me.

For those with ticket money burning a hole in their pockets, Trust STFC have set up a fundraising page to buy local carers tickets for (presumably league!) games later in the season with the idea being that people have a bit of spare money from ignoring this competition entirely. Nice idea:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/truststfc-efl

Toasted sandwich makers are a fucking pain in the arse.

Don't get me wrong, the sandwiches they make are great. Beans and cheese are a particular favourite. The problem is though that they are so fucking difficult to clean. There's all sorts of gunk on mine that I can't clean off properly, I hate to think of what bacteria and other gubbins is living there.

I think for the Oxford game, the boycott should extend to making sure the outcome is relegated from records for 1st team fixtures, to other category.

A few years back we played a pre-season game at Wanborough v Oxford of 3, 30 mins periods.

They won. Some of their fans were desperate to claim it as a win at Swindon.

Similarly Town have a pretty dismal record v Chelsea.....I've only ever seen us beat them twice, but tonight would be more befitting of a Combination game, when I'm sure we must have beaten them plenty of times.

I thought they were supposed to crimp the edges, thereby sealing in the filling

Certainly more interesting that watching Chelsea stiffs, but a bit random ;)

Only if the bread slices are large enough. Even then the fillings still have to go somewhere if there's too much.

Is it an actual bespoke sandwich maker or are you utilising the George Foreman grill

and that is why they live in the back of most peoples cupboards with the occasional burst of activity after you had a nice toasted cheese in that cafe on holiday..

it's also why I've never invested in the highly acclaimed George foreman grill.

 I've a Breville toasted sandwich maker and a George Foreman grill.....both will be boycottting the Checkatrade game tonight.

The GF grill is great for doing steaks, though. Although, as FH says, it does leave a mess

Similar to this design.

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

It's at the back where the hinges and electric cable are that's the problem, I just can't get the gunk out.

What actually constitutes the boycott? Just not attending or keeping up to date with the score?

Is actually watching it on a live feed permitted? What other kitchen appliances should boycott this event apart from sandwich makers?

I am tempted to advise making said sandwich, consuming it and leaving the problem of cleaning up the mess to the other half.

This also works in other marital departments

It's a good question....I suppose a complete abstinence would fulfil the criterion, however this will require Zen like qualities. So I'm going boycott lite....non attendance but will take a peek at events as regards meaning for Saturday....injuries/cards etc.

Probably find a stream. Don't have it in me to completely ignore a Town game but certainly won't be going.

I used to have that exact model, nightmare. I upgraded to the four slice with removeable plates. Doddle to clean. Anyway half the experience is burming your mouth and fingers on molten dripping cheese.

Not going, not interested!

As a youth, I was used to girls from Swindon, who didn't seem to bother.  It was only as a student hooking up with a middle class girl from Kent, who was most fastidious in that department that I discovered this was a thing.

Removable plates?

I have read of such sorcery, this warrants further investigation.

As cards/suspensions obtained in league games don't seem to apply to this game I assume that likewise any cards suspensions obtained tonight will only apply to this competition or are the league/FA having their cake and eating it again?

Our toaster is definitely not attending although the microwave is wavering - fucking scab!

Similar model, similar problem. I clean it, let it dry out a bit, realise that there's still loads of shite crusted on it I'm not going to shift so give it a squirt with something that smells of bleach and/or disinfectant then bung it back in the cupboard confident that there can't possibly be any bad stuff on there now, it's just inert gunk. And like Batch, mine comes out about twice a year in a brief burst of enthusiasm until I'm put off by the faffing; the gunk; third-degree burns to the inside of my mouth.

I'll be watching the boy training tonight, better quality football anyway :) And probably, now, hankering after a toastie. Damn you FH!

Doubtless....much like cards apply for abandoned games but goals don't.

Likewise I have one with removable plates which is great being able to shove into the dishwasher after use two words of warning though
1) Make sure you use a cloth to remove them even after 10 minutes as I have found to my cost  :-[
2) Make sure you check you have put the plates back in before you plug in and turn on otherwise you may find that the plastic housing starts to melt again as I have found  :headhurts:

Not showing the model I have, but this is new and has removable plates.

http://www.breville.co.uk/sandwich-makers/sandwich-toasters/deep-fill-sandwich-toaster/VST041-01.html

Flat plates are where it's at.

That sandwich maker looks a prime candidate for a hand held steam cleaner.

Why not? Come on, don't be shy, share your toastie maker!

Toaster bags anyone? Do not crimp the edges but do a job.

Fucking peasant

Surely the filling just falls out?

I think I went to the other extreme when I replaced my old one with built in Steak setting that detects the thickness of the steak and has a coloured light that tells you whether it is rare, medium etc highly recommended though.

(http://gcmagazine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2014-03_tefal-optigrill-620x350.jpg)

The George foreman grill is great for toasties. So much easier to clean than the traditional toasted sandwich makers.
The bags are pretty good too but the middle doesn't always get hot enough to melt the cheese I've found.

That's a fair comment given the seriousness of the topic. Cheese and marmite toasties are my favourite.

I've got a George Foreman with removable plates, lovely bit of kit. I'd never thought of using it for toasted sandwiches though!

What a marvellous thread.

My toaster is getting jealous!

Do different cheeses have different melting points? I think stilton would be fine in the bags (if you're the sort of man who'd like a stilton toastie), but a proper cheddar and gruyere is going to struggle for sure.

Removable plates! Removable.

What a time to be alive.

I think I have that same model. I don't utilise it anywhere near enough as I should.

Beans in a toastie? Never tried that, cheese and beans sounds awesome but also reckon it'd be hotter than a McDonalds pie.

I had a George Formby grill years ago, awful thing. Was great for sausages, that was about it.
Anything else (chicken, pork chops, steak, etc) would just leave bone dry, I like my meat juicy.

I prefer cheese on toast. Simple, traditional and a classic.

toast, marmite and mature slices of cheddar cheese placed on top is my favourite, no melting the cheese under the grill. Love it.

Try it, it'll change your life for the better.

Top tip: If you are using grated cheddar, save a little rather than putting it all in as filling. Then, just before you close the sandwich maker to work its magic, sprinkle some of the cheese on top of said sandwich. That way you get a toasted sandwich topped with crusted, burnt cheddar. It's the bomb. 

Same. With a bit of Worcester sauce on top.  Although I do have a toaster maker. I just can't be fucked to get it out of the cupboard. Novelty items really that just clutter up your kitchen.

Beans on toast with substantial amounts of extra mature cheddar mixed (and melted) into it with added Worcester Sauce basically fed me for the majority of my university life.

Still have a sandwich toaster somewhere (was the first ever thing that my girlfriend - now wife bought me - knew she was a keeper then) but we never use it as washing up is a total ball ache! Sometimes just two slices of buttered toast with some cold cheese between them is very passable.

I use the George Foreman grill for toasties, does the job quite nicely but as previously mentioned washing up is a bit of a ball ache.

I'm also a big fan of toasted peanut butter and jam sandwiches. Probably in a minority here...

I'm buzzing for the game tonight

I am boycotting. Sadly I'm also boycotting food today due to being a lard arse, so thanks a lot for all this talk of delicious melted cheese toasties.

So delicious. So melted...

No point faffing about with a breville or a George Forman...

Just get a decent non stick frying pan, butter the slices of bread. place one butter side down in the pan on medium/high heat, wop your cheese on the bread (mixed with a bit of grated apple and chopped walnuts if you're feeling particularly decadent), slap the other piece of bread on top with buttered side facing up.

3/4 mins on each side. toasted all round to perfection. no mess, no fuss.

balls to the EFL trophy.

I wonder how many more of our players will be "toast" after picking up injuries in the debacle tonight

 :hmmm:

Surely it should be used one more time, then hoof it in the bin?

Used to have a George Foreman, but my flat mate took a clean before use approach and I took the clean after use approach. It meant I was perpetually cleaning the fucker so binned it to fuck my flat mate off.

I eventually purchased one with removable plates, but the first one used to warp the plates and then they'd fall out - so was sent back. The replacement warped when hot to the point it did a shit job of cooking meat evenly, so also went back.

I've been Foremanless for years. 🙁


Reminds me of something I used to do. Make a cheese sanger with sweet chilli sauce in, along with good mature cheddar, then cut it into quarters and dunk each quarter in whisked egg, then fry. It's the shit. So much so I don't think I've had it for a decade or more.

Yes but he wasn't your "flat mate" until after you had pressed him in the grill ;)

As for cleaning them....some people use aluminium foil between the toast and the plates to save on washing....

Possibly but I would have to find it first!

I've given it a lot of thought, and now I could murder a cheese and tomato toastie. I did contemplate a cheese and onion one, but no.

I bet I can't find the sandwich toaster though.

I'm having pork meat balls and spaghetti tonight

Branston, add Branston.

To meatballs? You sick cunt.

That's going to make a right fucking mess of your toastie maker

what kind of meatballs, frozen small ones, big fresh ones. the world needs to know about your balls

Sounds a bit dry. I hope there's some sauce going on that

Of course there's source you crazy kid

From a tin?

Thin sliced frying steak with onions. Fantastic toastie.

I had cheese, ham, and mushroom, with a dash of Colmans last week. Fuckin A

Probably a wok stir-fry with prawns. No toast.

Im working in London today.  Its fucking horrible.

Yep, the Northern Line is going to be a disgrace.

Why would I be eating from a tin you fucking maniac? My mrs makes the meatballs from scratch. She uses either chopped tomatoes or passata for the sauce, but I think the passata comes in a carton. That's her boggle.

You don't need one, the frying pan method previously mentioned by WebberHyde is easier anyway

(http://reactionimage.org/img/gallery/6110860540.jpg)

Not sure what we are having, but the smell of cooking onions is wafting through the house so I think the Slow Cooker is in use...

I am however writing about the Chelsea Conservation Area and in light of the boycott feeling a little bit dirty!

I'm still tempted to watch us lose against Oxford in this comp. As mentioned previously, I was tempted by this Chelsea U23 but opted against it out of protest.

Take that, Football League.

Thank you, TEF. I was a little concerned when I saw the size of this thread. But this is the prefect thread for this game. Keep it up.😊

Fucking fancy a toastie now.

What ?, London or work ?.

God bless the District line in all of its air conditioned glory.

Shame about my flat.

What toastie making equipment do you have?

Chopped tomatoes + a bit of passata is perfect.

back on topic, hope it's chips,  it's chips tonight. cheesy chips mmmmmmm

New chippy opened in Melksham, so that's my evening sorted.

Do you need some dovetail joints doing?

Pie and mash tonight for me with onion gravy.

Fish bites this evening. Which equates to mini-fish fingers.

Nigella Lawsons Croque Monsieur Bake for me.

(https://www.nigella.com/assets/uploads/recipes/public-thumbnail/croque-monsieur-bake-5630e4bd7c88c.jpg)

https://www.nigella.com/recipes/croque-monsieur-bake

Not that I can eat much after the last operation on Friday :(

London.

When its hot, it smells of wee.

Ive just had an avocado and and herb wrap from pret.  It wasnt toasted.

Just having a big burger with onion rings...

You able to go to Stewart Lee in 2 weeks mate?

The bus from Victoria to Paddington was pretty moist.

Home grown onions, courgettes, chillies and peppers with mushrooms, noodles, chorizo and pork in paprika, garlic and jerk seasoning. About to tuck in. Have a good evening all.

I'm hungry now.

I'm about to get on the Jubilee line :( followed by a packed train at Waterloo :( :(

One of the usual sandwich makers. It's a bit of a bugger to clean to be honest.

That looks too good, I'm definitely going to try that this week!
Hope your op went ok, I've also been in hospital and haven't had much of an appetite, this thread is helping though :D


If you're on the tube, why not pop over to Clapham Common? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-37339029

Ooh look at you working late teachers pet ;) I've been sat in the garden in between a nap all day.

Teams news - 3-5-2

............................Chips
...........Meatballs...Burger...Toastie
Onion Rings..............................Noodles
.............Lasagne..Cottage Pie..Curry
.........................Roast Dinner
..................Croque Monsieur Bake

Huzzah

That's a strong looking line up.

don't like the look of cottage pie in the middle.

actually, here is an odd one. I like mash, I like mince, don't like cottage pie much. not sure if it's the texture or what

Croque Monsieur Bake, up front in its own..... >:( pah I thought we'd finally seen the light on French mercenaries.

I want Bacon Butty.

I fucking love Cottage Pie, you can't be doing it right.

We should win this game

TOWN STARTING XI | Henry; Sendles-White, Rossi-Branco (C), Jones; Furlong, Smith, Goddard, Murray, Ormonde-Ottewill; Hylton, Norris #STFC
TOWN SUBS - Vigouroux, Brophy, Barry, Evans, Iandolo, Obika, Delfouneso. #STFC #COYR 🔴⚪️

I will be making it with purely English ingredients if that helps Reg. There is no way any recipe could have '(or cheddar)' as a suggestion and not make me use cheddar.

Cheers Corner. Couple of interesting selections. Glad to see Smith, Murray, Branco & Hylton getting gametime. Hopefully Goddard will get the goal that should do his confidence the world of good.

We're going to get stuffed!
 :chef:

Rodgers afforded the luxury of a rest!

I'd like to see Murray & Smith have excellent games tonight. Anton needs to be dropped, that third midfield podition is our main weakness at the moment.

damn it, I laughed more than I should have at that..

Chelsea XI: Collins; Sterling, T.Chalobah, Tomori, J.Dasilva; Quintero, Scott; Wakefield, Mount, Christie-Davies; Ugbo.

Subs: Ali, Muheim, Sammut, Colley, St Clair, Thompson, Taylor-Crossdale.


TOMORI HAS PLAYED A GAME FOR THE FIRST TEAM!

Thanks it went as well as can be expected :) 5th general anaethetic operation this year so far and 8th in the last year.

No appetite at all yet and eating is difficult after the resufacing of the oesophagus so swalling is difficult.

The only plus side is that I was pretty much out of it still on Saturday for the debacle up the A420!

Would love it if the crowd was below 1000 tonight. 1st home game I've missed in all comps for approx 15 years!!

That looks like a side that is good for English football.

I still have the tickets I will be there!

It's not even the Chalobah I have heard of ;D

I was supposed to leave at 5 but got kept behind by the teacher! Your day sounds much more enjoyable it has to be said.

However I'm flying to Turkey tomorrow morning so can't complain really!

He may look soft and fluffy at first glance but he can put in some meaty challenges when necessary.

10 Englishmen if I've got my counting right. But your point still stands.

From total sport - Arkells attendance has actually picked up a bit, might see the highest EFL Trophy attendance here #STFC

 >:(

Blatantly loads of dads taking their Chelsea supporting kids.

Guessing availability for England by name is an inexact science nowadays....Michail Antonio isn't one I'd have had down as English but he is....whereas watching Sunderland last night, I thought Lynden Gooch might have been a Mackem, but he's American.

Big Sam wanted Stephen Nzonzi....but he didn't qualify, not to worry the FA apparently now have a department who's remit is to find us some ringers.

I think they might be telling porkies...

Probably because Ben Wills predicted 200 odd.

Which was never going to be the case.

At least Chelsea are playing all teenagers and 10 are English unlike some of the other pre teams watching Chelsea TV and there is about 700 to 800 ish tops

jacket potatoes and curry

The Townend looks almost empty. Not that many in the Arkells either.

What is the point though?

Its not going to benefit the England team

Anyone got a stream to the match which doesn't involve any registration with entering card details?

Anyone got a stream online that works?

http://www.stream2watch.cc/live-television/united-kingdom/chelsea-tv-live-stream

works for me

thanks monkey

If the attendance is under 1k, against the supposed biggest team in the competition, that is Town fans putting 2 fingers up to the competition.

We used to get 3-4k in he early rounds of the JPT.

There is no point. I was just pointing out they are English. The whole thing is still a farce.

Branco goal we actually scored a header from a corner!!

Apparently we scored...

Great header.

1-1. Dissallowed.

Oh,we've scored from a corner.

Oooh Rossi Branco.....

Branco probably qualifies for England by now....could be on Big Sam's ringer dept radar  :hmmm:

http://singidunum.us/chelsea.html (http://singidunum.us/chelsea.html)

Great quality stream for anyone interested, looks close to 720p

And you live in Wales? Superb effort.

Cheers!

dear oh dear, fucking about at the back again. nearly concede, leave it to barcelona or man city :sherlock:

I really want Hylton to come good but he just is not very good needs a loan in January

Yeah, born & bred. The irony is I'd have been there if we were playing Yeovil or Wimbledon tonight!! There comes a point where you've got to take a stance! Feels weird not being there though.

I think it is super sammy parkin doing the co commentary who ever it is  certainly knows a lot about Swindon players and style of play if it is not him

It is SSP.

Last 3 home JPT games (I think)
Plymouth 4211
Wycombe 3940
Stevenage 3804

I think it will be quite a few less tonight.

I would say there are about a 1000 there at most there are about a 100 odd in the Townend and about 70 odd Chelsea.

Based on the link pics 1700 is my guess, probably a fair few unofficial Chelsea fans in home end.

From what I've seen we've done OK, as we should with a strong team. Cocking around with it from the keeper though nearly shot ourselves in the foot.

He's looked pretty good on a couple of occasions tonight - fantastic bit of skill and cross that almost made it 2-0.

He certainly doesn't look as bad as he's made out to be....

He is very skilful and I think could be a real asset with a run in the side. He seems to divide opinion as to whether he is any good or not however!

Still looks like a Kaid Mohammed type to me. And believe me, I want to be very wrong.

Hylton was dogshit for 40 then looked like pele for 5.

The Fonz is on for Norris. Makes sense to rest Nozza

2-0

2-0.

Another headed goal.

The Fonz off the mark

the fonz scores

Fucking hell, a striker just scored. Fonz.

That will do his confidence good, good delivery too

Halton first touch isn't very good, he wasted a good chance in the first half because of it and it generally means he gives the ball away too easily and our forward momentum stops.

Still one of our forwards is off the mark.

Hylton has looked good running the channels, but that's about it.

Impressed with Iandolo since he came on

Boo is so bad :doh:

I like the look of Murray. Two assists from set pieces in one game. Unheard of.

The heir to Blair (Sturrock)

2-1

Decent goal.

Good strike TBF

What a strike from the Chelsea lad that was...  Henry no chance

Nor did Henry....

1,961 is the attendance there is no way that amount

that's what I said :D

So I see.... ;)

Did he just say if Chelsea score again it goes straight to penalties for a "bonus point?"

This competition is a fucking joke.

He did, and yes it does.

Looking at some pics of the crowd on twitter, hard to see how 1961 are in there?

Dave Hockaday - usually talks a lot of sense.

Back to the thread...

Recently back from RAF Museum, Hendon. Had a lovely home-made risotto with butternut squash and green beans.

We used to have a Wallace & Gromit themed toastie maker. Soon lost its non-stick and the cable casing split. If I fancy a cheese toastie I just make cheese on toast and staple a second slice of toast on top.

Did season ticket holders get in for free?

soapy tit wank, have they added season ticket holders to that

No, and nor were we offered free transport to the CG. Disgrace.

And I see Power has been casting his black magic in Manchester this evening.

Just had some chocolate orange and then some choc chip hobnobs

Beeks should have scored

Really like the look of Murray could turn out be a shrewd buy his deliveries were excellent.

Beans for tea tonight. Under 600 calories for the day. Miserable.

I had pumpkin soup with a cheese and onion roll.

Were we expected to beat Chelsea? I have no idea of the merits of their team.

Good workout, the Chelsea kids were quite skilful. Too much needless pissing about at the back again though.

Tomorrow is a hill rep day. I hate hill reps. I over compensate on eating afterwards too. Just so you know.

Oh yeah, I had pork chops with broccoli smothered in cheese sauce.

I had a tuna sandwich on granary bread.

Was playing football at 7 and almost forgot to have tea so had to make do with a quick sandwich.

True story.

Ha, I'd consumed more than that by 10.30am  ;D

Did that yesterday. I find it easy now. The trick is to last until 2-3pm with no food and only eat small, then it's a fucking doddle.

Oh, and a spiraliser, you can make large meals with that containing fuck all calories. Also, dice up carrot, swede and potato, with seasoning and stock - you can make bucket loads of veg-only stew/broth.

I don't think having Branco as sweeper helps much with building from the back. Henry clearly has a bit of a weakness in his kicking. Know what he should be doing but couldn't always execute.

Smith looked interesting though. At times he looked really rushed, hurried almost but some nice distro. Not quite ready but not bad. Goddard was pretty good as a midfielder too. Finds space nicely, always had his body open to recieve.

Is that like running but more professional?  I might go for a slow 10k.  Like all my 10k's.

On the subject of the silly football thing.  Are we not rubbish now?  

Even on my current healthy eating regime i'd fucking struggle getting anywhere near 600 calories.
I average around 1800 calories a day currently, no carbs in the evening, no alcohol for over two weeks and doing lots of exercise. Lost 9lbs in past 4-5 weeks.

Definitely not more professional. Just up and down hills(a hill) a few times in the hope it strengthens the legs and somehow makes your body more efficient at absorbing oxygen. I read it somewhere, doubt it really works on lardarses like me!

I guess it's some form of intermittent fasting.

I'm happy sticking to a diet of meat and cheese. ~9 months now and the weight keeps falling off.

Oh yeah, lardarse.  Didn't you just do the great north run?  How was it?

Given that we've just beaten the a team that will end up at the Chelsea equivelant of Supermarine future base of England's dominant seven word cups in a row, we are pretty much Barcelona.

Not me. I'd love to do it. Will apply for ballot next year. Not done anything since October 2014. May just about be back to half marathon distance now. Just waiting for the annual London Marathon rejection next month now..

Ah Im getting confused with someone else on here.  You could always go the cheeky way as I have done and go for a charity place for London. 

Just another £1900 to my target!

Really disappointed, came home all fired up for a cheese and pickle toastie, found the missus had already done me a salad, jacket potato and some kind of escalope thing. It was nice and all that, but it was no cheese and pickle toastie. Just made myself one now, it's delicious. What a fat greedy bastard I am :)

this from league 1's biggest and most successful club ::)

Love that guy's Twitter pic. You can almost guarantee he actually uses the word "banter" unironically

Homemade lasagne and slimming world home made chips.... lovely

It's all about the bants you know.

Made the mistake of looking at the Adver about last night....hack pointing out we were bucking the boycott with such a big turn out, Williams waffling on about our players learning from last night, even though they're physically exhausted and how the Checkatrade revamp is great for football in this country.

BTL :cry:  I assume Ellory is Freddy off here.

I think that Ellory is a young lady, in which I'm wondering if it's our very own Ells.  :hmmm:

 :sherlock:

 Good work. A better fit.

Back on topic, I made Frittata last night.

Was very good, thanks for asking.

Definitely not me Reg.

I think most think here that the attendance figure was generous to the people that was there after seeing the TV pictures. It won't be the first time the club has manipulated the attendance figures...

We've been getting around 4k for the early stages of the JPT, so if you even take the attendance figure at face value, that is half the attendance. We are not bucking the trend....we are continuing the trend, the trend of lower crowds than normal for this competition.

Now to go back to topic...

Gammon, egg and chips for lunch this afternoon...

A lady  :D :clap: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

As I suspect the Advertiser didn't bother to send someone down from Oxford to cover the game they will be going on what the club said, although I can see no reason for the club to inflate the attendance figure?

I wonder if SSP's mind went back to the night we beat Sarfend 6-1, generally reckoned to have saved Kingy's bacon (butty) in front of 1747, of whom 102 were Shrimpers.

Been happening all over the country during the first round. Plenty of fans tweeting their own clubs saying the official figure was bs

Its probably accurate, don't know if it includes complimentaries though, assuming we gave any out.

1900 is not as strong a protest as I hoped, not sure how much it was swelled by the 'Chelsea fan' factor. Guess we'll see when Ox*ord play them. I don't begrudge people going to watch their team either.

The Ox* game sure is a hard one to boycott. I'm squaring it withmyself as not a competitive fixture so doesn't count. It does mean we are stuck on '6 in a row' a bit longer though.

Who is this person?

They've included the JPT loss in their list of six so it'll count.

I'm probably going to it... and having sausage and chips for tea.

Yeah,, but I don't have a problem with the JPT - that definitely counts. sadly.

I will boycott b team matches but will attend other fixtures as normal as I would in previous years in the competition.

What will be interesting is the pricing for Oxford. If Power is charging £25.00pp for policing bristol rovers to make sure that policing costs are covered. I believe pricing for the Chelsea academy was £12 for adult? You would have to assume prices will be the same, does that mean we will make a loss?

£15 for adult. Looks like a fair number sold in Arkells already.

Thanks, it would be interesting to press power on the pricing for this compared to the rovers rematch. The last JPT game between ourselves the attendance was 9k+, no idea if that will be the same this time round and whether people will boycott the bteams or the whole cup. Both midweek, both against local rivals, both should incur the same costs in my eyes.

For the Oxford game season ticket holders seats (in the Arkells and Townend) are reserved until Friday 23rd so I assume that's why it looks like we have already sold a lot for it.

For me the boycott is for the whole competition, hard to miss the Oxford game but I think it needs to be a complete boycott.

ditto

Agreed.

Completely agree. The FL will try to sell this as a "success" by quoting attendances overall, they won't do a breakdown of B team vs regular games. If people only boycott B team games, it won't make enough of a dent in the overall attendances

As much as we all dislike the Checkatrade, it is officially classed a senior competition.

To be honest, my feelings towards the Football League Trophy have remained consistent be it Checkatrade, JPT or Auto Windscreens. It's a nuisance tournament.

Is it not 2 JPT ties in that 6 and surely the JPT is the same trophy as the Checkatrade Trophy technically so it either 4 in a row or 6 in a row and this one counts.

I don't view the checkatrade as a valid comp. just my view.

Good work  :)


Oi!
.. You have a point  :girlgiggle:

I see what you're saying but with the greatest respect, this is the piss stains we're talking about. So fuck this childish boycott and let's do what we've failed to do in the last 6 (or what ever it is) attempts.
2 0 to the Town and vindication for Luke Williams and algorithm football

The sponsors etc can be selective about what attendances to use but the media have been on the fans side with this. Low attendances for b team fixtures and good/normal for the cup attendances for league side v league side shows enough and that they are unwanted. I struggle with Saturday's so will be going to all of the Midweeks that I can. With the exception of last night and any future draws against b sides

Why's it childish?

It isn't.

Making some kind of stand now might, just might, help prevent the demise of fixtures like STFC v Pox in the years to come.

Same here - crap competition in the first place - Even worse with B teams and 'league table' format - Sorry - Not for me.               Cheesey chips with baked beans........... :I'm a complete mofleakin Deak :I'm a complete mofleakin Deak

Even the media are boycotting it.no scores on bbc or sky and no results in the paper today (I)

Quite, Now is the time to object, not when a proper league team lose the league place to a Premiership 'B' team

Reluctantly agree.

They will only see bums on seats and not valid argument.

Oh!

I thought I saw you pissed up in that Social Club in Newport...

Changed yer fucking tune!

Oh, Oh, Oh, Not a bad comment from someone who boycotted the first 3 home games, Only went as someone had to show you the way.
Did'nt hear you complain when the womens darts team came in.
Chilli still insists there IS a KFC nearby.

Hang on this isn't Leroy and Riddel really is it?

In theory I boycotted the game, although in practice, life took over, and I didn't.  It happens.

It was Reg (I think) who'd referred in advance to the section of our fans who are oddly fascinated by these lowkey insights into the club, and yes, I was curious as to how the players would respond after Saturday and with the excitement of Bury but days away.  And since Darlington 84 I've carried that mark of faux fanboy authenticity - so what if, what if it was our lowest ever crowd and this time I WASN'T THERE?  So yes, slightly unhinged doesn't get close.

Lack of Checkatrade principles apart, most of my remaining moral fibre is concentrated on really detesting corporate rubbish like Chelsea Football Club, and I'm proud to say that is undimmed even without that utterly detestable chap in charge.  Even so, my heart sank ever so slightly when I heard they'd pretty much gathered up some local 16 year olds who had Chelsea shirts and stuck them on the bus.  How dare they possibly show such a lack of respect to this awful competition, when I'd made such a huge effort to get to a game I absolutely didn't want to?

So all that aside, it pains me I suppose to say that the game of football was absolutely a worthwhile exercise.  Chelsea (it pains me etc) were fantastic: each of their players completely comfortable, exciting to watch and a blueprint for not only keeping the ball, but moving it quickly with purpose.  They posed a challenge our players will simply not face in L1 - and I appreciated Williams observing afterwards how knackered our players were - playing without the ball is not our modus operandi, and we all know it's not our strength.  So as a vindication of how we try to play it was bang on: this is how we can impose ourselves on other teams, and no, chasing for large chunks of 90 minutes ain't much fun.  Theirs reminded me quite a lot of that superb Walsall performance at the CG last season, some effort with precisely no tangible experience between them - and funnily enough, they left with the same result.

For us, Henry's enthusiasm is easy to admire, although his distribution - long with his left foot, and making the right decisions playing short to Branco - leaves me nervous before Saturday.  Branco was his usual galloping self, Tom Smith another enthusiastic type, and Sean Murray clearly offers quality (and set pieces!) - if not match sharpness just yet.  BOO, Hylton and Norris don't do it for me, and this was Fonzy's most convincing contribution - it looked as if he recognised their quality and wanted to prove that yeah, he was that good too.  Definitely him and Beeks up top on Saturday for me.

As for the crowd - I'd happily support those questioning it if necessary - but 2000 odd looked bang on to me.  If it makes us all feel a tiny bit better I think there were quite a few Chelsea leaning types in with us (and if it means kids sample live football and come back...it's a £1 on Saturday...) - so it's possible, after all, that this genuinely was our lowest ever 'home' support.

As good a report as it gets really. Do take a little bit of umbrage on Henry he had 1 dodgy one with each foot, but boy can the kid stop a shot that isn't a complete worldeeee, decent with crosses also for being someone who looks shorter than me. It is what we should aspire to with the passing. We have the correct idea, just we're a little too slow moving it. Maybe LW should forego game videos. and show them Ossie's team and how they did it at pace, as they could emulate for sure.

The 1990 PLay Off final video would be the ideal advertisement, a thing of beauty.  There is one move where Malone reals off the names of the players names taking possession one after each other with no pause and no chance for other words.

Anything that gives Malone less of a chance for other words is a good thing.

Why are people boycotting? This is the club we support, people go to preseason and reserve games, what makes this different?

There's 4 things you can be sure of in life. That's life, death, taxes and 4D not getting the point.

I don't follow football much these days and I can't be arsed to read back, so I don't really know  :)

There are no reserve games any more. Back in the halcyn days of the Football Combination, it was quite common to get a crowd the stated size of Tuesday, for a game v Chelsea or Spurs.

The PL, with FA collusion, want to include Prem B teams in the Football League.....anybody who attends a game in this competition are complicit in aiding the destruction, of lower league football. That includes the Oxford game.

seriously?

surely you are trolling

 :hmmm:

Thanks Reg.
Not trolling batch.
PF, the last game I went to was against Preston. I don't follow with the same interest I had in the past. Part of me is still there though  :)

Which part?  The Bellend?    :D

Whilst I'm strongly anti inclusion of Prem B teams in the Football League, stating that anybody who attends a Checkatrade game is complicit in aiding the destruction of lower league football is overly strong.

A sizeable number of football fans, I would suggest, are likely less informed than members of an online football forum on the details regarding this situation. To them this is still just the re-branded JPT where we happen to have played the Chelsea Dev team. To call them complicit is assuming a level of awareness that I just don't think is there in many.

It's not a given that the boycott of cup matches will have any effect on the future decision on the league structure.
Sadly I fear the money offered by the PL would dwarf any financial impact of a boycott, so the main purpose of the boycott is to make fans' opinions known. Absolutely right and proper, but part of a very complex jigsaw as far as the clubs are concerned.

To be clear, as a season ticket holder who normally never misses a match, I did not attend the Chelsea match and will not attend any others in this cup, but lets not go unfairly tarring all fans who did with complicity in the predicted demise of the league. The PL and the FA are a much much easier target for that.

Good post. Rings true as I think my uncle would have attended until he heard my reasons for not going & then decided not to go himself either.

I must confess to having clicked on a link to Chelsea TV and watched most of the match online.  Because this was in full knowledge of the destruction of STFC and the lower leagues generally, I must admit I did feel very guilty but I just couldn't help myself.  Sorry Reg.

I agree with the boycott and won't be attending any of the games in the competition. I do however think that we're pissing in the wind. If PL clubs want B teams in the FL, they will get their way. They can afford to 'sweeten' the deal by chucking a few million to each lower league club and you can safely bet that most chairmen would accept it.

This is the kind of thing that has put me off football these days, tradition is evaporating  :(

Gimmick competitions are hardly new. The only major issue here is the presence of U23's.

Wow some sweeping statements going on in here. Let's face it people will  attend regardless, I think that by attending against league teams and boycotting the b team fixtures shows more than boycotting the whole thing. It shows that people are prepared to watch the Football League Trophy which is what is should be.

Il be going to Oxford as will thousands of others, to suggest we are supporting the introduction of B teams and the future demise of the league is frankly laughable.

Yep, I'm going to the Oxford game and don't see an issue with that.

No problem. You'll be able to subscibe to Chelsea TV and watch their B team games in the Football League til your heart's content...when the PL and FA finally finish off traditional football.

Yeah, but my half and half Chelsea / Swindon scarf will have become sadly redundant

Branco was 26 but our's was virtually an U26s

Unfortunately, I can only see the PL and FL viewing the competition as a whole, and so any kind of 'successful' attendance of any of the matches, regardless of whether they involve U23/development teams or not, will contribute to whatever conclusions the PL and FL will want to draw from the competition.

Personally, I'm not going to attend any of the Town fixtures because I think the lower the individual match attendances, the lower the average attendances and the lower the cumulative attendances, the better chance that the competition in this format will not be repeated. 

The greater the perceived success of this competition in its current format, the greater the chance that U23/development teams will be ushered in to the FL, and consequently the greater chance that the existence of clubs like STFC and Pox will be under threat. This is just my belief and not based on anything but my total distrust of the PL, FL and FA in doing what I think is best for professional football in England.

Sure, there are a lot of ifs, buts and maybes, but making a stand now at the very least makes me feel better. What others choose to do is up to them, which is, of course, their absolute right.

Excellent post and my thoughts exactly.
At the end of the day the powers that be will do whatever they can to make out this wasn't a disaster, and if that includes looking at attendances on the whole then it seems fair to assume they'll do that.

It'll be painful if we do manage to beat the Pox but I'll still feel I've done the right thing.

Was looking at the tables and noticed that some teams have played 1 game and got 2 points - how does that work?!

Draws go to a penalty shoot out for an extra point.

Yes, you did just read that correctly.

This for me.

I'm sorry that those who went have had to receive abuse especially on that FB page. I am just glad that they are in the vast minority.

Well that seemed to be anything but childish.

Good post.

BIB -  I'd imagine the fans considerations will be the last thing taken into account when/if the day comes. For me a football crammed with B-Teams would almost certainly end my interest in football, just as two tier cup competitions have.

So doing something now may be ultimately insignificant, but it least I feel like I tried. Its a personal thing.

I have to admit to sneaking a peak at about 10 minutes of the stream of the game, but that was more out of the same kind of intent you have when watching a friendly - how do we look?  My post match thoughts are that it didn't register as a full 1st team fixture to me, I'd half expect to not see any appearances or goals count towards players records.  That to me shows the matched have zero integrity - if fans could watch them and not care about the results, why bother?  Friendlies would be as much use, but you'd probably not want them in the first few months of a season when there are plenty of other fixtures floating about.

The next worry is that if fans can feel that way about these fixtures, the lower divisions would indeed collapse if U23's were brought in.  I really have no idea whether or not it would improve the England team, and it's pretty prevalent in other countries, so I'm not saying it shouldn't be done.  Just that it would essentially kill the divisions below the 2nd tier, so anyone running football should be very clear of the impacts and expected benefits of any decisions.

I'm assuming the streams people were watching it on were illegal.. So if that's not a concern for you, breaking your boycott shouldn't be!

That doesn't make sense.

It doesn't, it's phrased incredibly badly sorry (I'm on a lot of (legal) drugs)

What I mean is it's interesting that people have focused on whether they're breaking boycott, as if they're not watching something illegal.. And I think they should pay as much heed to the former as the latter.

That still doesn't make sense.

Can I have some of that stuff you're taking?

If you want to become an idiot then sure.

It's a shit competition but you shouldn't care if you watched it online, as long as you didn't buy a ticket.

Third time lucky? I dunno. I might go and watch some videos of pandas or something.

I'd do the Panda thing if I were you.

you've lost me too. Don't see a problem freely watching a dodgy stream*, it's not measurable as a metric of support

* legality aside.

the competition is null and void in my eyes, but I still want to know how our players do.
--
I don't see how that equates or is in any way     analogous to watching a dodgy stream

I was away in Ireland and out having a beer.

If not I would of watched the stream.

That was the straightforward bit!

I watched the stream, and just thinking back I didn't cheer when we scored. Dignity intact.

And here we go...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37544161

Shaun Harvey: "It is the misconception this competition was being utilised to bring B teams into the Football League. There are more games, but more than 42,000 attended the opening games compared to 29,000 last year."

Why use this statistic and not give the context, ie 32 matches compared to 16, 1,434 ave attendance compared to 1,871?

so only 400 per game down. guess people are less bothered about it than I am, that's their choice.

as for why, he made the changes, of course he's going to do anything to claim success

We will help bump the average tomorrow as well with 3000 odd there

Because they were always going to spin it as a success. That's why it's important people boycott the "normal" games as well as the B-team games, or their protest will be lost as they help drive up the attendance figures in the normal games. Oh, and by that I mean that's the argument why people should boycott the whole thing - obviously it's up to each individual what they want to do, not criticising anyone who does choose to go.

Still undecided for tonight. I really would like to boycott but I'm swinging in favour of going at the moment. One of my best mates is back from Australia and it's the only time he'll be able to watch a Town v Oxford game this season as he heads back out there in January which is making me want to go with him as he's going anyway.

I feel if I do go it will be the only game I go to in this competition.

No win this for us tonight. Lose and it's 7 in a row, win and it "doesn't count"

Hate the fact I'm off work and won't be going to this, cheers football league.

Not going. Bugger the Football League.

I'm off to Turkish classes instead!

This game will doubtless cost the club money.....hopefully any extra made from the Rovers fans wil cover it.

Not going. As PaulD said you either boycott the whole thing or don't boycott at all. Not much of a protest at the overall format if you choose to attend the games not involving the 'B' teams.

I was going but I'm going along with the boycott now.

Everything about the competition is rubbish but it's a senior professional fixture therefore it counts towards their run/our ending of their run. Regardless of personal opinion.

We're going to be bored for years by arguments over whether or not it counts toward 'the run', aren't we?

Oh, fucking, joy. Another reason to hate this abomination of a competition.

Nothing new....this Anglo Italian Cup game was similar. We even rested 6 players to bring in kids....

http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/MatchCentre.asp?MatchID=19930901

Of course it will, unless we win in the league, obv.

If our 1992 3-1 win over them at the Manor Ground in the Anglo-Italian Cup counted then this shit-tip of a trophy does too.

Austin Berkley's one and goal Town goal was not in vain, damn it.

I went to that Anglo whatsit and I'm going tonight. Fuck you lot!

I'm not going because I'm a better fan than all those who are.

I'm a shit fan with no morals and I believe that Sky invented football in '92.

Did genuinely see a 15/16 year old kid on twitter tag Against Modern Football. Much better in your day eh kid.

Why wouldn't it count?  They are already counting two JPT games in their "six in a row". 

I'm going but in disguise so nobody knows I went I can deny it wasn't me then and pretend I was hacked when writing this post - but I'm only going as it's the pox otherwise I probably wouldn't have bothered  :D

That was a pretty shit first team line up that day (in comparison to our normal line up) but up against virtually the Pox's first team we did thrash them and it could have been a few more on the day too IIRC.

2 very poor players in Close and Berkeley played and I think it was Wayne O'Sullivans debut that night too, he was an under rated player, did a lot of running.

In my opinion it doesn't count because of the boycott. Tbf to a lot of Oxford fans, they do sort of get it.

Must be harder for them as these games are their be all and end all, and seeing a pretty much guaranteed third ever win at the CG in 137 years, must be difficult to avoid. I don't suppose in that time STFC have gone into this fixture in such disarray.

392 at Fleetwood v Blackburn was good going by the fans for what is a game between two clubs local to each other.

At least someone is prepared to say something http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37540062

Can't stand the fat prick (he is actually fat now isn't he? Looks like a fat Robbie savage), but he raises a point I've often mentioned about our requirement to field first team players.

And I like the fact he's spoken of it being rubbish. More people that aren't fans need to openly criticise this shit show.

(http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/624/cpsprodpb/B43A/production/_89483164_karl_robinson-8.jpg)

He has some very fair points doesn't he. he's called the two-tier abomination for what it is.

He has rather filled out a little....

You're such a wag Reginald.

That's quite an achievement as Headington United were only formed 123 years ago?

As for disarray, are you honestly suggesting that throughout our shambolic history including the Diamandis and cohorts era this is the worst its been when we have faced the peril.

You are a tease!

He does have a touch for the dramatic does our Reg.

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/14780173.Police_warn_football_fans_before_tonight_s_derby_clash/?ref=mr&lp=2 :
Scores of supporters are expected to arrive at Swindon Railway Station from Oxford in time for the 7.45pm kick-off.  :hmmm:

Quote from the article.... 'But there were some minor scuffles near the complex after the game, as well as two incidents in the car park outside the Kassam Stadium.'

See that's the advantage of having a ground where you can watch the game from the car park behind the goal.....  :D :D :D

Yes I stand by my comments. Although things weren't great off the pitch during those years....you'd expect and often see Oxford arrive at the CG for their customary drubbing.

Atm we have a limited squad of mainly inexperienced players struggling to come to grips with the requirements of Div 3 football.....the problem componded by inexperienced coaches who don't seem to be able to foster any belief in the players

You make it sound like we are rock bottom and being battered every week Reg

It's a slow and steady sort of regression....Luke now has 5 wins over 22 Div 3 games. I've said before that I'm looking for signs of progress from last season into this, and I just don't see it.

You two are both rubbish.  Everyone knows that one of best ways to rile an Oxford fan is to tell them that they have no history and that OUFC is not a continuation of Headington United (which was founded 1893).  Tell them that they were founded in around 1960 and were parachuted in to the League in place of Accrington, and they get terribly cross.

True story.

Im not going but i for one am bothered about the result.i will not be able to bear another defeat at their hands.

couldn't care less, means nothing to me.

wish it did, then I could pretend that we are one in a row if we win.

I don't want us to lose but if we do I don't really care much, no more than losing to Bury or Port Vale etc

Does anyone have a player login I may use for tonight? Working away and have no other way of listening to the game.

i love these games against the piss stains. I'll be their tonight. the second home game this season. The first, the abandoned game against Rovers.
We'll play like a bunch of doped up pussies in a Williams inspired coma. So Town 0 piss stains 3 and the best coach in Europe gets away with it again.

Henry; Furlong, Rossi-Branco (C), Thomas; Brophy, Smith, Rodgers, Iandolo, Ormonde-Ottewill; Delfouneso, Norris

TOWN SUBS - Vigouroux, Thompson, Goddard, Evans, Murray, Twine

That's 442 isn't it?

It does look 442 BOO behind Brophy on the left and Thomas stand in CB

Unless he plays Boo as inverted wing back on the right with Furlong at CB.

The clubs are in the semi-colons

Henry; Furlong, Rossi-Branco (C), Thomas; Brophy, Smith, Rodgers, Iandolo, Ormonde-Ottewill; Delfouneso, Norris

Furlong, Branco and Thomas as the 3 CB

Brophy and BOO out wide

Rodgers, Smith, Iandolo in CM

Delf and Norris up front

Looks like Furlong at CB, Branco sweeper, Brophy RWB to me.

Blimey they are out on the pitch a bit early.

Somebody wrote on here earlier in the week that Doughty is back! Did LW mention anything on Sat?

Back in training.

http://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/doughty-glad-to-be-back-3345250.aspx

He might be back light training, I doubt he's near playing for a bit.

Cheers

Glad to see Smith & Iandolo get an opportunity tonight.

Brian McDermott sat with the peasants in the Arkells. Err, so I've been told.

Are we home or away?

Smith nearly scored.

Hylton scores for Guiseley

Robert for Forest Green too.

Found the right level :-)

Not according to Guiselys Twitter feed, says he set up 2 goals though.

19 - Sensational. Hylton beats his man, drives the ball towards goal and lays to fellow debutant Cassidy who pokes it home. 1-1.

22 - PANDEMONIUM AT NETHERMOOR! Preston lays off to Purver who curls it into the top corner. 2-1.

25 - I cant believe this!!! 3-1 to Guiseley. Incredible play by Hylton again who plays across with Purver (I think) poking home.

31 - Is this actually happening?! Preston beats his man and thumps it into the bottom corner. 4-1.

Guiseley AFC ‏@GuiseleyAFC 3m3 minutes ago
31 - Is this actually happening?! Preston beats his man and thumps it into the bottom corner. 4-1.
------------------------------------
Lets hope he can to a Fallon and come back, make a claim. Difficult I know, can only see him moving in Jan.

Red card for Pox player Macdonald

Is that Jake Cassidy who was on loan at Tranmere scoring for fun when they were top of the league alongside us? How times change!

It is indeed that Jake Cassidy, hes still only 23.

Fucking hell
Guiseley tweet...

40 - POWER CUT. The floodlights have gone out. This opening 45 minutes is comfortably the most bizarre I have witnessed.

40 - POWER CUT. The floodlights have gone out. This opening 45 minutes is comfortably the most bizarre I have witnessed.

Noooooooo

He was pretty nightly rated, amazing how quickly it all goes wrong....

On another note isn't the guy that's just been sent off the same twat that tried to do Vigs when he got sent off?

Alex Pritchard is playing in the Checkatrade this evening, captained by Louis Thompson.

A bizarre competition.

It is indeed the fat little twat

I just had a craving for bran flakes with sultanas.

Nobody should crave bran flakes with sultanas.

But I had some, now the craving has gone.

Rock N roll.

Robert scores again for Forest Green and ex Town youngster Will Evans sent off against him for Aldershot.

Living the dream.

Something going on with Vigs.

Why do you say that?

Guiseley AFC ‏@GuiseleyAFC 9s9 seconds ago

The floodlights are coming on intermittently. Every time they go off the York City fans cheer...

Teehee, Vigouroux winding up Macdonald after he gets sent off by sarcastically clapping him :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

:)

Exactly this. Seems the Oxford staff and bench weren't too pleased.

Picture of the pitch, surely thats enough light to carry on playing.... ;)

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ct8reDrXgAAWW9U.jpg:large)

If somehow we scrape a win against 10 men can we get "1 in row" T-Shirts made?

Are we going for a penalty shoot out for the extra point.

Sounding like its mostly Town now.

Did we win our last match? If we win tonight does that mean we've pretty much qualified and will have more of this shit?

Yes and yes.

:crash:

Actually thinking about this, this could be a genius move....

Get over the Oxford 'issue' in an empty stadium to end the run and then get to Wembley and win there in an empty stadium to end our shit run there. Clever thinking (and no I'm not being serious)

Murray and Goddard on for Rodgers and Iandolo.

Yesssss!

The lights are back on in Guiseley

Att : 2698

No idea how a penalty shootout between the two sides will turn out.

Lowest ever attendance for this fixture?

Since they have been Poxford United yes, was a lower crowd vs Headington in 1955.

Yes, yes you do

Inevitable.

Their keeper's been hit by object thrown from TE

Pens it is then, here we go...ho hum.

Wonderful! 😞

Not good enough Luke.

Meh, (6 changes) Swindon reserves draw with 10 man Headington reserves (7 changes).

At least Vigs wound them up for the main event in January.

So do we get 1 point if we lose the shootout?

Yes

I think so.

Good pen by Goddard good save by Henry.

Saved from Murray :(

1-1 after 2 pens each.

Norris saved :(

Saved by Henry

1-1 after 3 each taken

Thomas scores 2-1 Town

Will Henry - penalty saving machine!

Oh FFS. We won a bonus point on penalties, more of this bollocks.

Pleased for Henry though!

This is thrilling

Henry saves

Furlong scores

Yay we won the 0-0 draw

Fucking Doris Norris can't even score a pen.

Oooh 2 points yeah!

Town win 3-1 on pens.

I will take that as a win against the Pox ;)

One in a row!

He does save a few does Henry. Could see him as a tactical sub in the FA cup final.

Isnt it called a winning draw in this load of garbage cup?

I'm orderig my commemorative teapot as we speak

T shirt ordered. When's the DVD release?

I've bought a commemorative Henry poster from Ebay. Unfortunately it's Thierry.

1 in a row...1 in a row....like a spare in bowling....its one in a row....(which doesn't quite count the same as a win)

I'm having a tattoo to commemorate such a momentous occasion!

Was it Tans or Tails going? Hope they missed the bus home, the scabs ;)

Hitler tache?

Does ASD run the official Twitter? It's fucking cringeworthy.

Thought the same thing actually, reaction to the 'winning draw' was cringe worthy.

*cringe*

That's real lame.

Wow. That tweet is slightly less cringeworthy than a 3 sided stadium.

Rowan Atkinson, Stephen Hawking, PD James and Hugh Laurie....your boys took a hell of a beating!

How could you miss off Timmy Mallet.

And the fat floater, who's name i've forgotten, not Robert Morley???

Shit, what was his name, murdochs mate?

....and "tiger" Tim henman

Statistically, this is marked at a draw but it ends 6 defeats in a row. As I've said before, like it or not, it's a senior fixture and therefore counts as something. We don't decide on what the Football League considers a competitive fixture just because we're not happy with it (we can try and make them change their stance though).

They'd have counted it so this'll do, for now.

The official Twitter account will get the mocking it deserves.

Anyway..........onto the actual game! How did Smith & Iandolo do for those that actually bothered to watch that farce?

Hopefully the players got through unscathed, and maybe it's given Luke some food for thought re the Trotters.

And Gary Glitter

 :pint: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

No injuries, a confidence boost for Henry and a piss take from Vigs. Positives.

What did Vigs do?

Clapped sarcastically when Mcdonald was sent off.

Don't blame him really!

 2,698 (533 away). Hmm.

Robert Maxwell

Presuming this is in response to the sending off

That's the fella.

Guiseley AFC ‏@GuiseleyAFC 5m5 minutes ago

80 - Boyes replaces the incredible Hylton.

Even after a 0-0 vs. 10-man Oxford, not one of our knee-jerking fans on social media has typed 'HYLTON SHOULD BE UP FRONT FOR SWINDON FFS  :cry:'

Telling.

Want him to be brilliant, can't see him playing for us again. Can't even dislodge Norris :)

I thought Atkinson was Cambridge?  :sherlock:
Oh, well done town on the result. Flushed that turd, so to speak.

Injuries at terrible times. The plan at the start of the 2015/16 season was for Hylton and Obika to form a deadly goalscoring partnership and JH duly suffered a big injury on the opening day. JO probably followed shortly afterwards.

Football can be cruel.

Yes it can be. But I'm not aware of him still carrying effects of injury.

I'd put it down to fine lines. Has something about him, but this was possibly a step up too far. Well worth a punt, could still make it I suppose, but currently alongside Charlie Griffin, Royce Brownlie and Kaid Mohammed ..

I still have a birthday card from Royce Brownlie somewhere.

ARE YOU TELLING ME THIS IS WORTH NOTHING BATCH???!

Er, not actual cash, but he won my heart with his late goal against Luton. Or was it Barnet. Or,

wait which one was he again.

Smith good.. Iandolo meh

That was a worldie as the youthdem would say

Cheers. Hopefully that will push Smith above Anton in the pecking order.

Anton was awful. As was BOO. Fonz did okay. Branco only made 1 big mistake (progress!). Brophy only has one foot.. it was a poor game between two reserve sides. But its a win v Pox whether they like it or not.

And yeah celebrating an extra point is a bit lame... but just as lame as singing about consecutive victories.

BOO really is one of those players who blows hot and cold isn't he? He looks unplayable against on a good day, and on a bad day just literally unplayable.

A shame Branco couldn't have got a red really, might have got it out of his system. It'll inevitably be in the league now.
I still don't dislike Fonz, although to be fair the majority of the criticism toward him has come from thisis & their ilk. 

2 positives to take:
1) It's effectively a win against our rivals, should give a feel good factor & give confidence to the squad
2) Tommy Smith should be stronger contention to play, this kid has something about him & has been at SN1 since U8's. It means something to him to be playing for us.

I still don't count it as anything, but it's nice to see some of their fans getting wound up on social media.

Feel a bit sorry for him, takes up so many good positions but doesn't get the ball. Not his fault if the back three and midfield are either unwilling or unable to play the early ball into the space behind.

As for Norris, we're not quite at the "if Norris scores we're on the pitch" stage yet, but give it time.

Doesn't help that he keeps being compared to Ajose, as if scoring goals for fun is a role you just step in to if you can be arsed.

Shyte game but I was their when we beat 10 man piss stains on pens.
Oh for management interviews along the lines of Macari, Andy King or DiCanio.

Was Norris as bad as my mate is telling me?

Well that's that out the way.

I'm looking forward to Bolton but will be sober as I'm driving up from Heathrow Saturday morning, this means I will enjoy the improved victory or see the shite in more clarity.

Either way it's more important than that shit last night.

I did catch the Rovers Chairman talking before the match last night v Yeovil....local TV.

Reporter stated that Gas had voted against the new set up. He said that he felt that fans would not want a competition with reserve sides and fans had voted nationwide with their feet.

Anybody know the gates from last night?

TONIGHT'S OFFICIAL ATTENDANCE - 2,698 (533 Away Fans)

Probably not but he wasn't good. Needs a goal badly

Did anyone catch the report on SSN about 7.30?

They got just about everything wrong. They said Swindon were the ones down to 10 men after MacDonald was sent off, and Furlong missed the last pen. The only thing they got right was Henry saving 3 pens.

For all the games....I see the BBC have about as much interest as most of the fans.

Boycott holding pretty strong then, 9000 for the same game (at the Kassam) in the JPT 'proper' last year

Not sure if this will work/is ledgible flash, but attendance attached

The unofficial attendance looked to be more than that.

So are we through to the next round then? Not sure about the other results in our group.

Also I know a few have taken the piss but I was glad to see the players happy about beating Oxford. I don't care what competition it is we should always be happy about beating them.

Not yet, exeter and chelsea kids didn't play last night.

Born in Marple.

Robert Maxwell born in Czechoslovakia.

Valid Poxford birth.

Born in Banbury.

I only counted people actually born in Oxford :)

Cheers Batch...

Lowest gate for A420 Derby...

480 odd at Barnet? Shit....I've been in a bigger crowd at Warminster Town...

Depends if you count the game in 1955 vs Headington United as there was a smaller crowd that day.

'Nil nil'

'We beat the Pox nil nil'

Indeed we beat Headington 1-0 in a friendly in front of 1786.....Maurice Owen got the winner

They were amateurs then, whereas, oh, good point, well made.

We can say it was comfortably the lowest since they became the O*ford scum.

just saw the pen shootout. Some genuinely good saves from Henry, really pleaded for him. Hope he gets the chance to shine for us when vigs moves on...

I said t'other day that Henry is probably the only player we have atm, who might be worth a fee....I could see a bigger club thinking he could be worth spending a bit of loose change on.....in the same sort of way as a Jamie Stephens.

Agree re Tommy. Whenever he's played seems to do well plus he scored what I think was a winner in one game..memory fails me. Not sure what he did wrong not to be progressed from there ?

It seems that we now have 3 players vying for the defensive midfield role, Kasim, Thomas and Smith.

I would give Smith some more game time definately as Kasim seems to have gone off the boil recently making a few mistakes and rash challenges at Shrewsbury and the 2 games previously too.

Crewe.....got injured.

I assume that Jordan Young is also injured atm.

Yes according to Sean H on t'wireless last night

Did he say what sort of injury?  How long out etc?

Erm, no don't think so, at least not in the bit I heard. Just a list of crocks, no specifics.

These Poxford fans are hating this... loving them biting on twitter!

I've kept away from it today. That tweet from the official site yesterday still makes me cringe.

Smith had a good game last night, again, he needs to be given game time though to aid his development as he looks like there is a decent player in there, sadly both full backs when getting themselves in decent positions or just needing to take the ball that little bit further to get in a decent cross they stop and play the ball backwards so frustrating, and the 2 up front they could probably have still been playing now and wouldn't have scored.

Will Henry had a stormer pulling of some good saves though, both keepers were probably the best players on the pitch.

I don't have contact with any Oxford fans and the only one I am linked to on Facebook I avoid talking to as h gets very over excited about us, so does anyone want to use my share of the bragging rights which we apparently all have now?

Apart from proximity what has caused such bitter rivalry? Neither clubs are big and Oxford have only been around a bit longer than me.

Judging by the replies it got, it wasn't just you (and me) :). He's enthusiastic is ASD, but learned a lesson last night!

Damn it even in defeat they have a moral victory over us.10 men take us to pens.its still a bit shit

It brings the winning run to an end though and it really is a shit competition despite us not being able to beat them over 90 with the majority played vs 10

Not me. People often confuse bragging rights with a bragging obligation. Having a right to something doesn't automatically mean you have to exercise it. And bragging really isn't very attractive.

plus, they still took a point and also 13/22 players didn't play that started last week, so it's hardly a proper first team fixture.

which is why we must smash them in the league next game.

It's even more shit being able to score only one penalty  :)

but they were up against Henry, so understandable.

You could say he hoovered up their shots.

that sucks

The more I read stuff, the more content about the manner of the result I am. Listening to the Oxford fans when Norris misses his penalty isn't the sound of a collective who didn't care and thought the game/result/shoot-out didn't count.

Reading the bias polls, the regular need for reassurance that this doesn't count. Not the acts of a collective who definitively know that the result meant nothing.

I know it's a tenuous wafer-thin victory of sorts but it doesn't stop me from enjoying the pooh-poohing and the squirming.

Quick heads up for those not going to the Notlob game this Saturday - it is being televised in Europe for some reason - so a stream should be available somewhere.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=q2A6UJEj81k

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37561406

No they don't. 

Sent from my SM-G935F

Saw t he highlights on player - Hmmm. We looked very fortunate.

Hahaha what a guy

It's a hamstring injury. Grade 2 I believe.

the keeper had a bad 45 seconds hahaha

I remember him getting a red for a particularly savage hack  playing for Brighton in the ill fated Mooney season, it may have been on Migz or Igoe. A nasty piece of shit, still they went up and we didn't, although that regular season game we won 2-1.

Funny thinking back, Kingy's sides were seen as a bit direct, hoofing it from the KO etc, yet produced some football way sexier than our current lot, with the likes of Migz, Igoe and Howard in midfield and Parkin and Mooney up front. The Parkin goal at Leeds, being a thing of great beauty.

That was the season I really started taking an interest in football, weirdly. I'm not sure if I should be grateful or not..

I wonder where Igoe is now.. Probably somewhere with a sprained foot and his ankle stuck to his arm, bless him.

That sounds bad, although I could be wrong, it used to be Grade 1 was good, however in the wacky world of Tory education policy we must now get used to Grade 1 as being bad, and Grade 9 as being good.

I feel quite ill at the moment, how can I blame the Tories?

I'm sure if you Labour the point....

Ahh I was born via caesarean.. So my mum was never really in labour. That must be why I'm suffering! FUCK YOU MARGARET.

I liked this thread more when it was about sandwiches.

Weren't you born in the Major years?

Sandwiches were great, until the Tories wrecked them......

The 4th Earl of sandwich fame, was in fact a Whig. I don't think a Tory could have invented such a great thing, that gives pleasure to the masses.

Plenty of his subsequent family though were Tories......the present Earl, who sits in the Lords, is a cross bencher. 

Corrected for you

The Tories are the party of the people, Theresa May said so yesterday... although that seems somewhat in contrast to the proclamations of her and her ministers earlier during conference which seemed to be, in certain parts, channelling the second chapter of Mein Kampft?

Well the bit she missed out yesterday is that the Tories are the party of the people. White, English well-off people. Everyone else should line to take their turn at being scapegoated for whichever ills the Daily Mail have singled them out as being to blame for this week.

Some of it was. Most of it wasn't.

That 03-04 side was fucking beautiful though

Remember Igoe fondly, mainly for sparking the following piece of terrace wit:

"Is Igoe playing in the hole?"
"No, he's always been that short"

It was a rhetorical question. See my post on p19, which basically says the same as what you have written above.

We're away at Exeter needing only a point to get through if anyone cares. I'm guessing not!

Is that tonight?

I hope we lose and go out.

Is Barry available, I assume suspensions don't count in this?

Closest game of the season for me by a long way and I'm not going.

I'm going......but only because it's a ground I need to cross off.  

Maybe I'll be one of the few who will be able to say "I was there when Norris finally broke his duck".   ;D

Been there about 10 times in the past, no interest in tonights game even though its only 25 miles down the road from me, I won't be going or even listening tonight.

I'm here.

Lots of cliff faces that pass for roads here.

Some progression in the competition might be useful, if only to give the likes of Smith & Young some more game time.

Williams has been bigging up Twine recently - may be he'll get a go this evening.

 As I pointed out, Exeter have scored 2 goals at home this season, and collected 1 point.  They may have lost in the cup on Saturday at Sid James's Park.  Going back into last season they've won 1 in 16.   :hmmm:  not that it matters, but you'd like to think we could muster a draw.

I think it's gonna be our reserves v there's. Both teams have their respective relegation battles to worry about.

Plus we have the prospect of a glamour tie in the FA Cup second round, should we beat Eastleigh, that is.

Oh right, then a draw is probably too much to ask, their stiffs tonked ours recently.

LP is interested in the Wonga a Wembley appearance could generate though. I reckon we'll take this more seriously than most of us reckon tonight unfortunately!!

Is that allowed?

Isn't there still that stupid rule about how many changes you are allowed to make.   Sure I saw that someone subbed their keeper after 1 minute in a game this season to get around it.

5 first team - – five who played in the team’s last league match, five who will play in the next league game or the club’s five highest appearance-makers this season

But only if you are a league 1 or 2 team, not if you are a championship or prem U23 team.

And the keeper was Bradford

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/oct/05/checkatrade-trophy-rules-circumvented-bradford-substitute-goalkeeper-colin-doyle 

"I thought he had a poor 45 seconds"


I'd love it if Williams had the balls to do that. We know he hasn't.

I'm sure people would love it if, say, Vigouroux was replaced by Henry after 35 seconds only for the during-the-game injuries to start rolling in. Then I'm more than sure Williams would be largely deried and labelled a silly billy, wouldn't he?

Bradford made their point and I dare say they received a shitty email from the appropriate department within the Football League.

Fucked off with the way they pissed about with this cup.

No doubt would if gone again and met JJ for a pint too.

Fuck you EFL!

Stoke playing a handful of talented young under 23's called Crouch, Bojan, Imbula, etc tonight against Bury

Nope.

I take it the Irish Messi's just being rested? I'd have thought this would be an ideal opportunity to give him some game time

Just an observation, but being 50 plus I wouldn't expect to have my bollocks felt by some fucking jobsworth steward who has to "pat down" random away supporters.

There are a few clubs that still do this, ranging from Crawley to QPR.

High profile game, yes maybe.

Tonight, no way.

Although this comp is a load of old knob cheese, I hope we win and that our recovering players get fitter and our strikers find the net. A sub-1000 crowd would be pleasing too.

Is it tonight?

aside from the shit comp itself factor, I was looking more at it being another chance to injure a defender and we need to be 100% rested ready for league games.

Fair enough that, Batch. It is definitely a risk, but it could also be good revision for Saturday's formation, And, we're quite capable of getting injuries during training.

The team put out against Rochdale looked on paper certain for a right gubbing, but somehow it came up with something totally unexpected. If we do get more injuries/suspensions as a result of tonight's game, any kind of result Saturday would be even more of a bonus, and having to play the likes of Smith and Iandolo might quieten the boo boys a bit (desperate straw clutching here).

Just had a thought: if we lose tonight and the performance is a bit crap, does anyone think it could be the final nail in the coffin for Luke?

From the Adver:

24' Norris is played in fantastically well by Goddard, but the Town striker halts his own progress, before passing the ball to nobody.

Classic. I really hope he scores tonight.

Nah, no chance. This is inconsequential on every level, even financial.

I'd say it would at least take a loss to Charlton, go out to Eastleigh and probably a couple of other league defeats before he's under pressure.

Fucking hell. Norris has scored. Maybe it WILL be the catalyst. Blood hope so.

Poor bugger.  That header that got disallowed the other night was just the type of luck you seem to get when its going against you.

And with that!  Norris scores

Well fuck my tall hat, Norris has finally scored!!

Faints

Just in from Twitter Norris finally scores

A real "I was there" moment for all five travelling supporters.

He'll get a hat trick now.

Steady....steady.

Yes!

Already better than Barker and it's only November!!!

The new Shearer/Fjortoft or anyone else who took an age to get their first goal and turned out to be ace.

A double brace then?

729 brave souls

729 attendance, about 140 from Swindon.

Good.

Good. I hope he goes on to prove to jeerers wrong

Greedy, lets just count our lucky stars .

Very pleased for Norris, should have been given the goal on Friday.

Absolutely pissing down here 25 miles outside Exeter, nasty.

I was at the game vs Chester when there was 880 there :)

Yep, I'm cold and wet  :(

Agreed...

A disaster!

120 at Boro versus Shrewsbury

Surely that's a wind up!!

both already out probably only friends and family

1-1 then

Given as 308....Still shite though !!

And to reiterate, lowest ever attendance for an STFC first team fixture.

very few above 1000 tonight surely the EFL must be embarrassed by this

That is epic!

Warminster Town get more than that...well done EFL...Bori would lose tons on that.

Despite a number of the 'academy' sides being at home...

Is it 1:1??

Cmon lads ...hold on...we can do it!

Ooh nother pen shoot out?

Loved this tweet from Oldham

User Actions   
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29-year-old Liam Feeney headed into the path of 28-year-old Anthony Stokes who finished past Ripley to give @Rovers U21 side the lead at HT.

We might even get another "winning draw". FFS it really is a farce on every level this competition isn't it? Well done Football League, you've really taken a shotgun to your own foot with this one

Doing our best to lose this late on!

They've had 15 shots on target - and that from the team with the worst home record in all 4 leagues

That is fucking brilliant.

defence pulled all over the place apparently. Wouldn't be concerned but

Barry, Rossi-Branco (C), Jones, Brophy;

Not exactly a scratch back 4.

Also Barry may have been fucked, but he's suspended anyway so ..

We won.  Im so happy.

The Pox 10 all on penalties against Chelski Kids

Would appear Wes Thomas missed 2 pens in the same shootout, must be some kind of record?

Lundstrom and Thomas miss 2 but their keeper scored!

They lost 13 - 12 and still go through, I loved a tweet by BuryFc official twitter "@buryfcofficial looking forward to watching crouch play in the 2022 world cup - what a prospect"

Well, at least Town don't have to travel in the next round.

Barry - crap
Norris - ankle but thinks OK
Thompson - tear, will have to wait and see

Williams thinks it's a "fantastic" competition. clearly doesn't understand the fans issue

What a melt.

Meh, he's an ex academy coach. Got the impression he doesn't really get it from lower league fan point of view.

in any case it matters not. all I care about is him getting up the league

Spot on batch!

I would trade fifth from bottom for a Wembley win in this shit right now.

Hope it's not his shooting ankle he's gone and done ;)

Piss poor tonight.

The competition next season will be further enhanced with 3rd placed teams playing for the Toolstation Shield.

not...sure..if..serious

We voted in favour of the changes for this season, the club is actively in support of the format and the opportunity it provides I would have thought.  They are wrong, but that is clearly the club view.

What opportunity? The opportunity to play in front of even lower crowds than even the old formats managed?

Home to Luton next round.

Amusingly most of the under 23 sides have been drawn against each other

When do tickets go on sale? Can't wait!

 As far as it goes, a decent draw.  Getting someone like Norwich stiffs would have been horrible....getting the piss taken by Louis. Another Div 3 team even worse.  Luton have Sheehan to boo, Jonathan Smith to try and remember, and Scott Cuthbert, all of whom usually turn out for them .

Also been a while since the Hatters visited the CG.

This will amaze you....not going...

Nor am I...

The cash prize (being bigger this time around to get the D teams in, and maybe Wembley I assume.

Are we all still boycotting this tournament or has the lack of footy tested your resolve for tonight's game

Read in the Adver that after tonight's game the draw stops being regionalised.

I've enjoyed the lack of football, watching Town the last 18 months or so has been a bit tortuous, so the break has been welcome....I'm not going to get bothered until Saturday.

Raised a small smile at the blurb on the official site about tonight's game -

Luke Williams’ side know a victory would prolong their stay in the competition but a defeat in normal time or via a penalty shootout would send them out of it.
Read more at http://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/preview-town-v-luton-town-3453685.aspx#5yIMdKT2SQmp2Yzk.99

This bit especially in case, I guess, any novices to knock out competition weren't aware how it worked.

That said, the ludicrous rules in the group stage, it wouldn't be beyond the realms of stupidity that if we lose the match we progress into some kind of shield tournament with Premier League under 16 sides.

can only speak for myself, but not going to a game in this 'competition'.

Shame as Luton would have been good. Also can't make Fleetwood game, so that's a bloody long time without football.

 Will Randall played for Wolves last night, as their U 23's  defeated the might of Sunderland's U 23's 1-1, in front of 1,115 at Molineux.

 Quite surprised the crowd was that large. Hopefully Town v Luton, won't be so attractive.

For those interested

TOWN STARTING XI | Henry; Evans, Furlong, Thomas, Sharpe; Rodgers (C), Murray; Ormonde-Ottewill, Goddard, Norris; Delfouneso.

Hylton and someone called Gunner on bench

Callum Gunner, Scots U16 international midfielder.

Ah, a wee sweatie bairn

free for session ticket holders & members, £5 otherwise

http://mobile.wolves.co.uk//news/article/2016-17/tickets-checkatrade-trophy-information-3436906.aspx

From Chippenham!

He appears to be 17.. I was a bit worried for a second there.

You didn't get shitfaced and do the dirty with him did you ;)

I went to school in Corsham with a couple of Gunners.

He was a couple years down from me in Sheldon, Chippenham. Good lad

Don't be stupid, I wasn't that drunk.

(No)

Must be punishment duty for ref Roger East tonight or is it because he is local.

Norris scores then.

Man for the big occasion that Norris...

that's doubled his total for the season! let's hope it's a turning point for him

oops 1-1

And 1-1 now mistake by Henry.

Henry keeping like an England no.1 after a week at St George's Park!

goooooooal lootun 1-2

2-1 to them

Fuck the score. How many are there?

I'm listening to this for some reason

Hopefully 11 a side. By that i mean 11 in the Arkells..

Am I right in thinking the score doesn't affect us in the abomination of a 'competition' anyway?

We lose, we're out.

yeah, group stages finished last game. it's a knockout now

Really?

Every cloud...

(http://i.imgur.com/Cqfn814.gif)

Thats next year I've heard. Instead of penalties its a race between the goalies dressed up in foam fat bloke costumes.

And here come the Belgians.

(That'll help England win the world cup)

Hylton, Young, Iandolo all on. BOO, Norris, Rodgers off.

Is Stuart Hall out of Her Majesty's pleasure yet? I'm sure in the current climate the FL will want him to compere.

:Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Just as Norris hits a rich capillary of form!

illililllillando  Clarission had scored 2-2. no attendance that I've heard announced

Iandolo equalises. The bastard.

2-3, crisis averted?

1,692

1692 (134), disappointingly high but that's just my thinking

3 defensive howlers

that said, it's a couple of k down on normal attendance in the jpt

2nd lowest Post war home gate after the 1,681 against Darlo in 84

I hope 12 people are ashamed of themselves :)

I am but I'm not there, does that help?

I don't even want to know about your shame, but I bet it's beer fueled!

I was at the Darlington game, but certainly not there tonight.

*Close Thread*

we're out! happy days.

now on to the serious stuff of the league, a tricky one coming up!

My shame was related to the fact I hoped we'd lose tonight... it feels wrong.

At least we can concentrate on the league

Erm...staying up...

Good.  It is wrong

Sent from my SM-G935F

Ditto!

So last night, although the fans didn't want to take it seriously I thought the club wanted to so the lineup was a surprise.

The new signing is a proper head bang and I am more than willing to write him off after just 1 game. ;D We look for experience and get a carbon copy of what we have with even less experience. That's what we do. The absolute spitting image of furlong. Fits the bill of being able to pass side ways and back but under any pressure looked terrible. Couple of decent crosses and certainly has pace but after the seasons we have had I would just love to sign a defender that can defend.

Positives:
Evans at right back, never seen him before. Looked very good.
Goddard was alright.  
Norris very good finish in pretty much his only chance of the game.
Ilandolo- games usually pass him by when I see him but he came on and made an impact- good running and a top strike.

Negatives:
Furlong at centre back, not his fault, just not a centre back.
You take half the first team out and the replacements play exactly the same. For a team that wants passing as their trade mark, the amount of misplaced passes is truely unbelievable.

Luton weren't too bad not sure if they made wholesale changes or not. Josh McQuid upfront, racked up plenty of goals in higher leagues and a 600k transfer previously.

With the likes of Evans, tom smith and Ilandolo it does seem like we have some decent youth pushing on. One last thing about the crowd, that attendance was way off. Electronic readers were "down" last night so they reverted to tally marks. The kid behind the kiosk struggled to take £5.30 off £6.00 and in the end gave me 80p and just stood there confused before I helped him out.

Power isn't stupid, he knows that putting on these games is costing the club money....hence what is undoubtedly the weakest starting XI in STFC history. That it presumably is within the rules is a bit worrying. Luton I believe were fined last time for a weakened side.

It was the right call. We need no distractions against the relegation battle.

Thing is defenders who can defend and pass are not likely to be knocking about in division 3.

Is that really asking for too much? I'm not talking about a defender to spray 40 yard passes. Instead of signing young full backs with flare and pace, an actual proper defender. I don't care if they cant overlap, cross, play long balls and have pace. Just a player to defend. We have had enough in the past and they are littered throughout the lower leagues. I refuse to believe they are unaffordable.

10 changes according to a Luton f'wit on Twitter. Can't be arsed to check it.

Thanks for bothering to take the time to write up a short report, always good to hear how our young uns are doing in the first team.

As for Josh McQuoid, might be stretching it a bit far saying he has scored plenty in higher division as he only scored 2 goals in the Championship ;) he scored a couple in higher leagues but most of his goals have come in our league and lower, he has only scored 22 goals in total in 200 games.

I see your point and it's hard to disagree, but for good or bad, we want defenders who can play a bit and not just your average lower league brick shithouse.

However frustrating it is, I think the approach is to be commended. I was going to say that the last decent CB we had - that was ours and not a loan - was Flint, but I can't remember much finesse about his game tbh.

What is annoying is the seeming reluctance to try and produce our own defenders through the youth team - it's all midfielders. Having a new CB pairing every new season hinders development of the team.

Get that Pierre fella from Wycombe and groom him for ourselves instead of developing someone for another club's benefit.

I seem to remember McQuoid having one of those purple patches at Bormuff, perhaps the Eddie Howe effect. Probably where the 600K came in.....the fella at Scunny, Morris seems to be doing similar.

However I may have imagined the McQuoid thing...

The sort of thing you'd like is another Sol Davis...who of course left us for the Hatters and played a fair bit for them. Sol never scored for us but could defend if a bit over robust at times.....seem to remember him getting sent off playing for Hatters in the infamous Danson in the Dark match.

Sol's finest hour was probably man marking Defoe out of the game when we drew 1-1 with them in 01/02. Defoe on loan at Dean Court form the Hammers had scored in something like 12 or 13 successive games, this was his first blank.  Eddie Howe played for them.

Probably been posted here before but this is well worth a watch. Sol in a nutshell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6ar5gJGvvA

 :)  would have got a stern word for that in the 60's 70's

Got the ball.

Get that Pierre fella from Wycombe and groom him for ourselves instead of developing someone for another club's benefit.
[/quote]

Maybe not the best terminology to use in todays climate.    :eek:

This is a great tackle (assault)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VIpstRqUAPQ

Ah, meant soapy massage.

Nobody mentioned this little beauty...

https://www.facebook.com/SwindonTownFootballClub/videos/1334564483250060/ (https://www.facebook.com/SwindonTownFootballClub/videos/1334564483250060/)

I did say he changed the game and a top strike. Having watched the replay it was better than it looked live.

I'd say Jay McEverly was the last decent full back in terms of defending ability. And obviously NT when he played there. Ever seen BOO send someone flying with a tough ball winning tackle?

The mention of flint, he was never renowned for passing but winning every header, getting in the way and clearing

And the grizzle guts got booked too if I remember rightly.

If that had been in the Chelsea V leeds FA cup final (sometime around 1970) it wouldn't have warranted a mention

Actually, I don't think he actually touched him with the studs, he jumped ahead of him and "tripped him over"

See we've drawn Wycombe and Bristol Rovers in our group for 17-18. The academy sides are being drawn next Wednesday for some reason!

According to the bbc it's all been arranged around derby games to push up interest. Don't think the FA realise why it was boycotted last season at all.

I think that faint noise we can hear is the sound of straws being clutched!

I'll go if it's Rovers, away.