Thetownend.com

Can't see a thread for the game today, I'm feeling optimistic reckon we'll nick a 1-0 win. Or we lose 7-0 and Williams gets sacked.

Scunthorpe -2 in the handicap betting is probably licence to print money today.

I think we'll try and dig in like at Wimbledon away but an early Van Veen goal will open the floodgates.

Kudos to those that travel.

I'm not overly optimistic about today's game I'm expecting another weak performance considering that we still have a massive injury problem in fact I predict we'll be 4-0 down at half time Power finally snaps and replaces Williams and Embleton in the dugout for the 2nd half, the game finishes 4-1 with Toffolo scoring for us :D cue a mass hysteria  from Town fans and the panic button will finally be pressed. :cry: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Was going to go today but my 11 day old niece was rushed into hospital during the week, things seem to be looking up for her and she is breathing on her own now but we don't want to be so far from home.

Was due to be my last game of the season as the winter is now upon us and as always I'll be in France for it, was aiming to be in resort in time to watch us on the box on Friday, obviously that depends on other things now.

Point is looks like my last game was last weekend which is depressing, was hoping to see a more determined performance today, can cope with losing, as we likely will, but some spirit goes a hell of a long way.

At least we look like we're close to getting a few numbers back so as at this stage last season we have a free hit in the cup coming up to hopefully get some minutes under the belt for those returning.

Cannot see beyond a 0-3 loss, sorry to say!

This could get Lionel.

4-1 them  :cry:

I'm sure I will wince when I turn on the radio at 3pm today.

Need some sort of performance today....a result would be a cherry.

Looking at the fixtures coming up I can see only two outcomes...

We start winning and Luke stays in place or we lose the fucking lot and he will be made a scape goat for Powers failing model.

I prefer the former....I don't dislike Williams as much as I did bullshitter Cooper, I feel for him a bit.

Bit of a free hit today, we do seem slightly better on the road, but it's not saying much. 

Our last 3 visits to Glanford Park have seen a dozen goals shipped against generally struggling Scunny teams, in one case already relegated. That case was particularly damaging as it meant Brentford in the PO's rather than Yeovil.

2 of our sides were PO teams....

At least after the debacle earlier in the year, Luke will know what we're in for.

One of those games that look on paper as "fuck it give them 3 points and save the petrol" But somehow we often do quite well when that's the prevailing attitude. I'll look at 17.05 and be pissed off for 5 minutes, or quite happy for a few hours no doubt.

Big plus of the day (only?) is if Doughty gets back in the squad. Sure things will improve once he returns.

Can't see us getting anything today

Keeping clear of football today, I'm in a foul mood as it is.

I did make a gif to cheer myself up though. Gold star for the first person to say where I got it from:

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

MakeAGIF.com?

I am looking forward to newmarket red's thoughts

Coming up against organised well drilled sides who can score goals is always bad for us. Comfortable win for Scunny today

You have to hand it to clubs like Scunny, in that they show you can be successful up to point, and I think for clubs like ours we're talking getting up to the Championship. If they can maintain their start, then it will be their 3rd elevation, since we were last there.

This achieved by good housekeeping and good old fashioned management, relying on getting goalscorers.  They have Paddy Madden to bring on from the bench....we have Luke Norris.

It's a proper shame, that they can get a Harry Toffolo, and we get a BOO.

Pre match breakfast in The Blue Bell Inn.

Can't quite get the chav cap at the right angle so not really blending in with locals.

Probably clutching at straws but we tend to do a bit better when not expected to, so going for a hard fought 1-0 loss.
No damage done and move on.

Third instance of retail park football this season.  >:(

Port Vale chairman said on Twitter a couple of weeks that Scunthorpe have the biggest budget in L1 (£5m).

Glanford Park is a particularly fine example, you could be on the edge of any town in the country, absolutely nothing to distinguish it.

At least Power has shown no desire to relocate us to a similar Kassam style flat pack shithole.

They are overspending to achieve though.

Are they?  I've always had them down as being a fairly prudent club.  Of course things can change, and I know they're looking at a new ground again.

we will thrash them 0-1

Might Doughty return then?

Think this could be Williams last match as Manager/Head Coach/Power's Puppet, today

possibly according to most recent reports,  has to be on the bench if available

Biggest budget in L1 this season with 21st highest average attendance.

away to the top of the league. I don't see why losing today should influence things, it's expected.

I guess it depends if Power has already given up on him,

My guess is next week is more likely if at all. Today should be a free pass. Eastleigh however is a different matter. The tv money might buy Williams a bit more time.

Do we have any evidence for them having the biggest budget?  I'd be amazed if for example they spend more on wages than say Sheff U or Bolton, or even Oxford.

all depends on the nature of the *defeat* today

*might not happen*

Port Vale chairman on Twitter a couple of weeks ago. He said Sheffield Utd were spending £4m compared to Scunthorpe's £5m.

Must be true then if it's on Twitter.

It was on his personal account, so unless he is making it up himself...

It's the players that need to perform or at least run their arses off.

I don't think Alf Ramsey could of changed that second half last week....fucking woeful.

TOWN STARTING XI | Vigouroux; Thompson (C), Thomas, Rossi-Branco, Furlong; Rodgers, Kasim; Goddard, Murray, Iandolo; Delfouneso.

#STFC 🔴⚪️ https://t.co/Brijd22n4L

TOWN SUBS | Henry, Jones, Evans, Doughty, Stewart, Young, Norris.

#STFC 🔴⚪️ https://t.co/mzeFiqLZct (https://t.co/mzeFiqLZct)

Good to see Thompson at right back. Not convinced by Thomas and Branco as a pairing...

back 4? branco and Thomas cbs? or back 3?

bench slowly looking stronger at least

Going by the semi colons, looks like 4231. Could be quite attacking when we have the ball.

ha, didn't even spot those!

So is that all of our long term injuries on the bench there?

Just remembered Obika.

Taken over by a guy with personal wealth of £340m a few years ago. Peter Swann. They are without doubt top 3 budgets in the league.

The old Leeds, Hull centre back?

Why can't some rich twat spunk all his money on us for a few years?

He did.

Andrew Black.

I suppose I should have added the caveat, and be successful doing so.😒

(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag351/rickrose1204/Mobile%20Uploads/keep-calm-and-pull-the-plug-5_zpsl1yzbolj.png) (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/rickrose1204/media/Mobile%20Uploads/keep-calm-and-pull-the-plug-5_zpsl1yzbolj.png.html)

We've got a corner, first since Wimbledon

in going to party like it's 1999

1-0  :(

From a corner. Lovely stuff.

15th minute, parties over, we've fell behind

Damage limitation now....we can't afford a big hit to the goal difference.

to be honest Reg I'm not that confident goal difference will be a factor.

it's not over yet

it is now

We are rubbish.

 :(

they say it's the hope that kills you.

so flipping that frown upside down, thanks for being thus far hopeless #stfc

Poor defending?surely not?

I expected a defeat by greater than 2 goals so we're not quite delivering.

Time to get a manager in and not a coach methinks or we are going down.

Lul em in and then bang...

I can see us taking it in the second.

They come out nonchalant with a four goal cushion and we put them to the sword...

28' Wallace heads the corner clear with ease
#sufc 2 #stfc 0

Jesus wept do some fucking training on set pieces you shambolic creatures.

 As things stand we're in the bottom 4, 3 points off 24th, let's hope somebody does us a favour.

Williams resigns?

We seem to having lots of corners today.

When did we last take a good corner?

Do we practice them?

Have any of them cleared the first man?

41' Kasim this time with the corner, not Murray, and it finds the side netting
#sufc 2 #stfc 0

Laughable.

Swindon Town FC ‏@Official_STFC now3 seconds ago
38 - Town have another corner but Kasim can only send it into the side netting (2-0)
#STFC


Facepalm.

"the u14 take a better corner, that hit the side netting"

says it all

Sarfend equaliser knocks Shrews back in 24th place. Dale take lead v Oldham  :)

3-0

Not much limitation going on....

I think I might be right about the 7-0 loss

all we are saying, is give us a shot

Ahh for fuck sake

4-0

If this doesn't produce a P45 nothing will.

Jettison the useless cunts.

Double figures?

ch-ching

4-0, half time.

Nostradamus flash

Williams & Embleton out - fucking useless

Fucking depressing!!  Is this the result that sees Williams OUT!

'You are going on a long journey!'.....

Even the Adver haven't been arsed to cover the game today.

sack the cunt.

General play has been ok
A really well worked set piece, the horrendous individual errors from Vigs then Thomas then Branco for the next 3 goals

Not his fault at all but Goddard won't be a right winger as long as he lives

Well we've had 5 corners, that's good yes.

Please not 6 (or more) again.

They are. Go to main site then into sport.   :)

When you concede 2 soft goals from set pieces it's frustrating. When you're 4-0 down at half time you have to laugh.

This has to be a breaking point. If Power doesn't make some big decisions now and start planning for new recruits in January, we can start looking forward to a trip to Forest Green.

I'm not clear on where you stand! 😂

The low budget = lack of quality players, Power out.

Scunny can pass it and are absolute thugs. A decent mix

The budget is perfectly big enough. We just spent it on the wrong players.

And low quality 'manager'

Yeah ok and replace with ?

This . .  . Now!

Looking forward to Lukey's post match waffling already.

Tbh, he needs to leave the club entirely.

Prescient

We've conceded a few 7's, with Bolton, Forest and Newcastle being in recent memory, the last 8 was at QPR in 1930.

Agreed, we just need someone who knows how to motivate the players.

Oh dear me. Wasn't expecting anything today, but the scoreline is embarassing already.

Power must act now. The only place we're heading under Williams is League 2.

The good news is we haven't conceded for about 15 minutes now.

I'm going for 9

Progress

Will be one hell of a foreshadow, I'll kick myself not putting money on a 7-0 scoreline

FFS!

All this calling for Williams head!!

He is only part of the problem...

The model is fucked....

No cunt can adhere to this model and polish this turd!

Ditto

If Williams just sits there and shows no passion why would the players give a shit?

It's not just motivation. It's all the fucking basics starting with organisation. Then add in fitness and discipline. He may be good with individual players but he can't put a fucking team out.

Don't think they do

At this level anyway, Arsenal do a good job

Last achieved v Torquay in 1952.  Following on from 9 concede at Brighton and Hove in 1926.....that was probably due to the General Strike.

No shots....?!

Ideal match for Norris to notch.

6 down....he comes on...bang.

Well fuck me we've scored

Hooray

From a corner as well

Thompson from one of our famous set piece routines!

comeback... 3 to go

Am I right in thinking that make NT joint top scorer this season?

yup, with furlong, obika and I think doughty

 
 :wotjump:

5-4..... we're gonna win 5-4.....

This will probably awake Scunny from their complacency.

Yep on 2

Yep that elevates Nathan to the 2 brigade.

(http://hanguppictures.com/Images/affiliated-artists/joe-webb/joe-webb-Papering-Over-The-Cracks.jpg)

Captain Nathan Thompson is now joint top scorer for #STFC with two goals. He joins Doughty, Furlong, Obika and Delfouneso on that tally.

Delfouneso has only 1 league goal.....

furlong suspended, 5th yellow

yup, didn't he score in the b-team cup, which we know doesn't count.

He's got nearly a 1:10 league goal ratio over 8 years. And he's our main striker unless obika recovers. marvelous.

Another shot! Doughty straight at the keeper.

Ours or theirs?

Just finished in the garden and thought I'd log into Golgafrincham and see how the Town are doing.
4 . 1 seems respectable too me.
Well done to Tepid Tempreture for lifting the boys.

What you been up to in the garden?

Laying a patio.  Never thought DIY would push Town to one side but then again, I didn't see power and tepid Tempreture looming over my horizon

Crazy paving? Are you finished?

(http://murderpedia.org/male.W/images/west/fred_301.jpg)

The general play and effort today has been decent.
But we do not have anyone in defence or defensive midfield with any defensive ability or nous
Doughty being back is huge, even half fit he's tied the play together and even brought brief flashes of usefulness from kasim and murray

We're shit. Something needs to change sharpish. I believe Power will make the right call.

That Morris is a bit shit

Interesting, that's somewhat contrary to what the media and a couple of other fans there have said at half time.

Guess we see different things in games, but I'll cling to any vague hope of things not being as bad as they seem!

Really? The radio commentary was very scathing. Said there was no excuse for the first half performance and we had no pride or passion.

Plus points, Doughty, Jones and Stewart back from injuries and a goal from a corner.

Minus points. Everything else.

Luke Williams bingo will be up soon, we playing for a line or a full house???

I have dibs on fitness being an excuse

We won a half!

I'll go for "dominated the ball"

We won the 2nd half..... didn't get completely humiliated and other results were OK......we're now in the drop zone for the first time since about the same time last season. We do have some players who might come back from injury and help out.

So, just about on the cusp of acceptable for Luke, he'll certainly stagger on for at least another week.

I'll put some bullet points up from Williams when he's on......

Fuck me, that's practically a positive opinion from Reg.

Am I understanding Williams he essentially told the players to give up we've lost at halftime??? Clueless prick

No. You're not understanding him.

Sounds like the standard cliches when you're getting hammered

We do not have anyone who can defend. We have plenty who can pass, move and work hard and we did that relatively well all game.

We have personnel issues - Branco, no proper defensive mid, no wingers if we want to play 451 and no goalscorer which obviously leaves us pretty fucked - but the general play and effort was ok

He said the game was over to effectively take the pressure off them. That seems a fair enough approach TBF.

how on earth is getting humiliated in the first half and getting beat 4.1 acceptable

Fair enough I'm only partly listening have kids making a racket

1.5 points? I'll take that.

But that sums up our whole approach.

 No pressure and we do OK, the opposition put some pressure on and we cave in meekly.

We have no bollocks

Williams:
- Started fine
- First good chance for us
- Corner, didn't mark, then look 2nd to everything, confused then 2-0
- Lost focus couln't pass looked confused then 4-0
- Ask squad to tell me what takes to be a top player. They said 20 things that were mental strengths and only one which was physical
- The mental side is most important. The group buckled under mental pressure
- Unfortunately the group buckled under pressure
- Confidence not there
- 1/2 time said we'd lost the game. Now get out there and play. Compete like men.
- To some extent we looked better in 2nd half
- Seems a long time ago we went to Wimbledon
- Seems not so long that we went to Oldham
- Now back to back defeats conceeding too many goals
- Players need to over come fear if they want a career in football
- Need to be strong and resiliant
- We've got what we've got but with Jones and Doughty coming back we had 2 players who wanted it
- Maybe different mental attitude coming back
- Agreed that needed to apologise to fans for first half
- When players are so nervous it gives the impression that they are not trying or prepared to run and tackle
- Not acceptable in professional football
- Manner of last defeats: Need to be stronger and bounce back
- This group have too many players that feel defeated when we go a goal down
- Think that new players might come in in January. Some players have had enough opportunity and not taken it
- On the 'Swindon way': Players need time and cycles need time to pan out. Club was running itself into the ground when Williams arrived. Fortunate and shrewd to put together a group that were affordable and brought us to 90 mins of the Champs. Now its a case of seeing what footballers we have at the club that can make it and who cant
- Williams has to try to prepare the group for every game. He will put aside pressure of the job and try to put right group on the pitch and train the players for it
- Need to be ready to step up
- Will his position be untenable if we lose at Eastleigh?: He will fight for the club and this group of players til the end. Still thinks that with strongest team we can turn things around. Understands that the decision may come to remove him.

Thanks for that NMH

We're in a relegtion battle playing the runaway leaders, who if it is to be believed have a budget 3 times ours.  So nobody would really expect any points, the aim as I pointed out was damage limitation, at 4-0 down by half time, the goal difference is taking a hit, and a history making defeat was on the cards....that would have been very damaging, and I couldn't see how Luke could stay on. That we kept a GD of -3, is just about the par score, what you'd expect in the circumstances.

Given these comments then id imagine the players will be quivering wrecks if we go a goal down to Eastleigh live on telly.

Good work mate, much appreciated 👍

Big thumbs down for Doris - with Stewart replacing Delboy.

Nobody has any faith in Williams or his methods. Don't like to see anyone subjected to abuse, but he will get shedloads and it would be kinder to get him out before Eastleigh or it will get very ugly if we lose.

I don't think many would have been shocked at the 4-1. The problem I have, and presumably everyone has, is that they steamed though us in the first half. It makes any positives of the second half a bit redundant really as Scunny could cruise.

But Doughty/Jones and Stewart coming back in, and yes keeping it to 4-1, were the positives of the day.

Think we can get something at Eastleigh myself, people are talking like its a forgone conclusion we'll blow it. Maybe that and the returnees will kick us into a bit of a run. Maybe.

But the odd good results we have had haven't made us kick on. We are brittle and if I had to hazard a guess the players don't believe in what Williams is trying to do

Power has to go. Just changing the manager isn't going to solve anything.

his manager, his business model, his recruitment. It's about time he took some responsibility

It is relatively rare that when you're 4 up by half time, you go on and score 8....because as you say job is done, and no need to bust a gut from thereon in.

I've gone past caring about the FA Cup, as long as we get through with no more injuries or pointless yellow/red cards, that'll do for me.  Staying up this term, is important and is going to be difficult...we don't need distractions.

Really? You need a reality check, what's the alternative?

Too many young players - not their fault. Power does need to recruit some experience and recognise that every signing doesn't have to turn a profit for him.

He needs the stand up and take responsibility for a change. His whole business model is a farce. Only willing to invest for a big profit to line his own pockets.

We have huge potential with a 200k catchment area.

All for being sustainable but I want to know where the money has gone from Gladwin,Loungo, Thompson, Byrne and Ajose.

He is taking you all for mugs

Get yourself down the bank monday and get him a big fat cheque then.

Problem is Rory he won't. He will have my inv st for a big return.

Great idea because there are some many potential buyers lining up to buy the club aren't. Whether you like it or not no Power and the cub won't last.

I admit the recruitment has been a complete hash. The lack of experience is so clear to see. On paper we have a good set of young players but what we need is an experienced player that will inject some influence onto those players on the pitch. I like Thompson but he just isn't a leader and that's what we need.
Williams can teach them so much but once the game goes to shit they are like shrinking violets. Shaun Taylor had that influence and a few others in the past.

The phrase that hits me is "....if they want a career in professional football" fucks sake they've unbelievably already got one or why would they be in the fucking team?

That line jumped out at me too. They're already there, with contracts and responsibility to a club - manager, owner, fans and all.

I think we all agree this season (and arguably longer) has been a shambles, because of Power's methods.. Problem is, we can't do anything about it. It's all very well writing 'Power Out' on a forum or Facebook page but those doing so don't seem to realise that it's not I'm a Celebrity - we can't just vote the owner out.

No, we don't all agree. I just think we need a new manager, and I know that I am not alone.

What he means is that we're a turd polishing facility, that is meant to produce players to sell on. That is not happening so they'll be back to non league or the scrap heap.....George Barker style.

The thing is, there might be if it were on offer. But they are as likely to be a Jed as a saviour.

I think the Power approach of spending within means is correct, well its moot anyway because he isn't loaded enough to do anything else.

So how do you do that without taking risks on youngsters to sell on at profit? As far as I can see the club is run on a shoestring as it is, there isn't much cost savings to be had..

Its frustrating, depressing but this is the reality of self sufficiency. You get lucky, you get unlucky.
-----------
I do think that we play a stupidly ineffective and inflexible style though. And doubts about Williams are high. Recruitment has been a shambles.

I'm also amazed we don't have budget for a few more experienced/proven players in the squad. Presumably, and assuming  Power is on the level we just can't afford them. End of.

Fair enough. From what I've seen this season, the squad simply isn't good enough, and that's all down to Power. Interested to know how many think a better manager would get more out of these players, as you suggest.

Incidentally, I haven't actually seen us lose yet this season either.

Williams is completely out of his depth and that is Power's responsibility.

Player recruitment is all over the shop. For every Luongo there's a handful of non-league standard players arriving. Power is gambling with players coming good in 12-18 months and then selling them on. We have too many players who just aren't good enough, we have a poor team and a poor squad with few highlights.

His balance is wrong, fair enough having that policy but young development players need to be in the few and not in the many.

Because that's what 'better' managers are prone to do?

I did see the Bolton game and saw a group with some talented individuals, others less so. The group just seemed clueless as to what they should be doing. I'm confident a decent manager will get our better players playing to their strengths and the less talented playing within their limits. That's what good managers do, it's a very big part of what makes them good managers in the first place.

Not having Branco trying to bring the ball out would be one example. That's not him, he can't do that. He might make an excellent no-nonsense stopper, but he's not being asked to play that role.

Come on then smart arse what are the options then? You going to come and buy the club yourself are you?

Last time we were available and much more attractive only Jed was interested, if you really think forcing Power out now will result in anything other than financial oblivion then you are the real mug!

Thanks. I hadn't worked any of that out for myself.

I watched us at Oldham - a team who put us under no pressure. Our gameplan was clear. The players knew exactly what they were doing - what their jobs were, what the tactics were... and we won against truly dire opponents.

It was similar at Shrewsbury - opposition who ran around a lot, and gave it a good go, but also looked like relegation fodder. Again, our game plan was clear, but we just weren't good enough to pull it off when any pressure was put on us. Passes went astray. Runs weren't made, and if they were, they weren't picked up. Mistakes were made at the back. Our strikers looked impotent.

We don't have players who can score goals. We don't have players who can defend. A centre back and a striker are essential in January. That's why I think the problems lie primarily in recruitment. Williams may not be cut out for management, but I'm not sure this group is good enough to stay up regardless.

Not sure what the sarcasm is for, you asked a question and I answered it.

At this stage of the season it's important not to become detached, which so far we haven't.....in fact we're 3 points better off than the same stage last season. It's not a surprise to see us down there with Shrews and Oldham. Chesterfield is a bit of a surprise, but I assume Evans has been away for them and could come back in to get them the necessary goals. The pink pig basket case clubs, may self implode, but you'd expect them to be able to stay up.....Cov managed it playing in Northampton.  I could see Gills sliding and possibly Bury, if the financial shit hits the fan further. It will look a lot clearer once we enter 2017.

Last time was a fire sale maybe different going through a full process.

Agree we have no assets in terms of the ground and we even do not own the training ground!

We have no playing assets as soon as there is any whiff of a fee they are sold

We do have big potential as a fan base- huge catchment area with little competition within 40 miles-  also in top half of supported clubs in the league- although 6k plus average is poor and Power is largely to blame for this due to his awful PR and poor football- many clubs in this division most of who are higher than us can only dream of our cro fans. Look at Scunny today

The population size is of no relevance.....Swindon used to be a football town, but isn't any longer, and hasn't been for some years. The incomers, have mainly no attachment or interest in the FC....its the way of things. The younger generation even if they're Swindon born, will look towards Prem glory hunting....and in many ways who can blame them, it's not easy supporting a shit side.

On a sliding scale for Scunny's 4 thousand we should be getting 12 being a three times bigger town....we don't.

Another great loss today well done williams keep up the good work.

Another well written and insightful post. Keep up the good work.

The only question I asked was how many people thought a better manager would get more out of these particular players. From what I've seen, they're just not good enough.

And the issue being, as rubbish has some of them have been, they haven't really had competition for their places due to the constant injury list.
I agree with this to an extent. The forwards brought in were never going to be adequate replacements for Ajose. Obika is always going to miss as many games as he plays due to injury and then we're left with nobody capable of hitting the net. Defensively, we've been very unfortunate with injuries. The strongest defence for me would have been Thompson, Jones and Sendles-White. BOO has been rubbish, Brophy hit and miss (this breathing difficulties thing is obviously an issue that's impacting on his ability to play).  The midfield has chopped and changed so much, it's ridiculous. We've missed Doughty tremendously.

However, I also don't think Williams is the right man for the job. He hasn't been able to address many of the longer term issues (defensive frailties etc), seemingly struggles to motivate the team and doesn't seem able to change our tactics.  I think we'd be doing better with a stronger manager, but I still don't think we'd be pushing at the top of table.  Herein lies the problem if Power wants rid of us, as he's unlikely to find a buyer unless we're championship contenders.

You haven't answered my question, if not Power what is the option? Scunny are funded by a sugar daddy owner so poor example.

We've averaged about the same for years prior to Powers arrival so not sure how you can pin that on him. In fact, they were worse at one point

Exactly. In the Fitton era we couldn't even shift 6k season tickets with the prospect of them only costing £150.

Same post as earlier.

Our budget size is absolutely fine. Power makes more than enough money available.

He just signed the wrong players.

cheers Sutton, that brings alot to this thread.........

A closer thing to a solution than any of you lot offer!

As does that.

Are we now to continue in perpetual irony?

.......and this - a third of your total post count - has added how exactly?

As I've said it's been a long time since Swindon could be considered a football town, as it once was. We do however have a core of maybe about 6,000 loyalists, and the present danger is losing numbers of them other than by natural wastage, but due to the poor side being fielded, both players and management.

There are those amongst us who recall sub 2,000 gates in the old Div 4, when a sense of atrophy pervaded the CG....we're not there yet, but nothing can be taken for granted.

I think the only criticism re recruitment from Power is the piss poor striker signings.

I can understand the punt on Delfouneso but what on earth he saw in Norris to part with £150,000 I have no idea.

Kasim needs to be binned - although I presume he needs to be in the shop window for any possible suitors. Personally, I cant see us getting any money for him or Obika in January.

Someone posted previously about a seeming lack of organisation - especially at the back - and it is this aspect a new manager could, and should, improve.

Yes but the last couple of years has seen a decline. Also ST down by over a thousand this year alone.

The football is boring, with a manager out of his depth and an unbalanced squad. Power is to blame on all counts

It's fine saying Power is to blame but if you never put forward a better alternative then it's pointless saying anything at all really.

What's your solution then, again you've avoided answering that? Know a potential buyer do you?

Let's see if you can handle a hypothetical question...

What if Power changes the manager/whatever and everything on the pitch comes good again, would you then be willing to give Power credit for that or only continue to post when things aren't great as you always have done.

Come on Flash, do you really need an answer to that....

http://forum.ybig.ie/waterford-united_topic16623_page1.html

Assuming there's truth in that either use them as a feeder club or he's had enough, if the latter I can hardly wait to see the queue of billionaires looking to take us on!

The manager although out of his depth ain't the real issue its Power.

The club is going backwards, he has alienated much of the media and fan base.

Fans don't  spect to win every week but expect to compete, and his model and recruitment/sale policy is a shambles

Solution is....

Remember when Wimbledon were going to be franchised to Dublin so they could still play in the English league, but home games in the RoI  :hmmm:

That's far fetched even for you Reg!

So then my suspicions were correct.

Answering a hypothetical question is beyond you, thanks for confirming that.

http://thesetpieces.com/features/wimbledons-move-to-ireland/

I remember it at the time but associating it with now is doing 2+2 and getting 758

While it was clearly a ludicrous proposition, Reg is correct that it was seriously mooted by the then Wimbledon owners. Shortly before the (only marginally) less ludicrous suggestion of moving to MK gave birth to the abomination we now see before us

If Power is the problem then we are fucked.

I prefer to think that the manager is the problem. If a change doesn't bring improvement then, again, we're fucked.

The squad is unbalanced.

We have some poor players in the spine of the team.

Power signed those players. Power gave them new contracts.

He is part of the problem.

Which bit are you struggling with dear?

I think you need to learn how to use the forum correctly before criticising others...

Hmm, one screenshot of something from Twitter, apparently (remember this is tansmedia) and a passing reference on hardly used thread (6 pages in 6 years) on an Irish football forum, but no mention on the Waterford news website or the local freesheet Waterford Today while a google for "Lee Power Waterford" brings up these top 3 searches:


That's as close to nada as you can get from google.

It's not what you'd call compelling is it?

There is a lot of their fans on a Twitter mentioning it to be fair to tans

Lawrence Vigouroux, Thompson, Kasim obika poor players in the spine of the team?

He's right when those players are missing - any club in Division 3 would be the same.

Vigouroux has been steady same with Thompson,Kasim goes missing all the time same with obika although it seems more like he's got lost, but there not poor players

Slightly left field for even tansmedia Paul!

Yeah sorry, that kind of read like you were the one bullshitting and I didn't mean to imply that. But I'd want to see a bit more than some random on Twitter and a one-liner on the most neglected backwater thread of the Internet before I start reading anything much into anything

Branco at centre half. Dismal.
Rodgers in centre mid. Very limited.
Delfouneso as striker. Doesn't, and has never, scored goals.

I loved the Kasim version of 2014. The 2016 version, not so much.

And no quality wide players.

Power's burying a feeder club for us :)

oh wait, maybe it's the other way around...

Kasim is a liability at times. Very off form.
Obika is as injury prone as me.

Not much of a spine.

From a Scunthorpe fan -

We always seem to beat you at our place and you always beat us at yours. Your header was a nice header, albeit very poor marking from us. Doughty looked good when he came on, you should really try and play 5-3-2 more as Delfounseo looked so isolated up top and was constantly screaming for support.

He managed to hit the nail on the head after 90 minutes of watching us, why can't our management team see this?

But a month ago, the reason we were losing was because we were only playing 3 at the back.

With this bunch of players we could play any system and it wouldn't work. No width. Lack of strength in midfield. No goalscorer(s). Too many deficiencies.

A magical transfer window needed in January.

We know we need Doughty on the pitch, nothing we could have done about that over the last few weeks, most have said three at the back is our biggest problem, 4-5-1 was played out of necessity and looked sound for two games, the change back at half time, essentially to get players pitch time, means nothing once they've decided to see the game out.

What we need to do is find a system once our best players are available.

Or maybe the manager's just not good enough?

You can put lipstick on a pig but its still a pig.

I think it's this Flash. We need a manager who has tactical nous who can get the best out of players, can see where things need to be changed, adapt tactics as and when needed during the game and motivate the players to want to battle and fight.

Williams has adapted the system lots though!

'THE' system. That says it all.

Maybe he's just not good enough at adapting it?

You just back from a night out in Newbury?

We've played 352 possession and 4231 with a bit more counter attacking.

Neither really working because the squad isn't very good.

and apart from Rochdale - who were one of the worst visiting sides I have seen this season - we have shown very little battle and fight!

Do you think Williams would do well with a good squad?

Fair point.

We do need a new manager.

We also need some new players.

And a shift in philosophy between developing for a tomorrow that never comes to a today that needs results.

The problems run deeper than a formation change.

Well, wasn't he doing all the coaching in 2014/15? Turned out alright.

I'm willing to accept he's a great coach. I just don't think he's a manager.

I think you're probably right. Not arguing against the fact we need a new manager.

He is managing a squad with some big deficiencies though.

To be honest,cant think of a manager with a worse record still in a job.maybe there is one but Id be surprised

it's both the squad and the manager IMO, so you're both right. yeah, everybody wins.

29.41% win percentage

You can find out here

http://www.managerstats.co.uk

In league 1,no then

that's quite an interesting site

http://www.managerstats.co.uk/clubs/swindon-town/ (http://www.managerstats.co.uk/clubs/swindon-town/)

so there are l1 managers out there with s worse win record then

edit, is that a bit out of date..

Better win rating than Onoura but worse than Malpas :/

Yeah I am not sure how accurate it is to be fair.

Danny Wilson is not doing great either is he?

Yay!

Iffy had zero money.

Malpas....fuck me...I was depressed already...

That's a good idea - I could walk to home games from my relatives.  There's a lovely Travelodge just up the road for the rest of you.

Its completely wrong as we're 4-4-8 this season, and we were gash at the end of last as well. So no way is his record 10-14-10. That might be right for first 45 minutes on that site.

Also Neil Harris appears to have managed us in 1939 despite being born in 1977.

I suppose if Luke thinks he's got problems he should look at him. It's one thing to be facing the sack for a poor run of form, quite another to be fired due to a world war breaking out  :hmmm:

Sam Allen, managed us through WWI and then was "upstairs" during WWII, overseeing the CG being a POW camp. Sadly the stress of the Great Patriotic War did for Sam. Given Putin's recent manouevres, Luke might yet get that opportunity.

Just noticed that site is way behind.burton colchester etc are still in league one! So is there a manager with a worse record than Williams still in a job?

Well, £30 to top the tank up and drive was a better option than £100 for a train ticket.

As mentioned earlier in the thread, the general play was ok with slightly more threat up front than the Walsall game.
However, Scunthorpe were just stronger and more determined all over the pitch.
Iandolo and Goddard were very lightweight and contributed very little. Maybe both should have been played infield a bit more rather than stuck out wide.

Good to the see the return of Doughty and Jones for a much improved second half but the damage had already been done.
Looked like 4 avoidable goals given away, sleeping at the back post for the first one, second one looked saveable but not watched the highlights back. The third and fourth were like something from a hungover pub team.
Not surprised that a group of fans vented their anger after no 4 went in.

Also good to see Jordan Stewart back. I like him, doesn't stop running and not afraid to jump for headers against a defender twice his size and has an edge to him well. Would like to see him start when fully fit.
Anyone that shows a bit of energy has to be good for this team at the moment.

The ref was an over fussy homer.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Scunthorpe remain at, or near the top this season.
Good manager, the team can play and also get stuck in when required.

Reckon Luke is ok for the next couple of games, barring a humiliation on Friday.
The players need to rediscover some pride prior to the two live games.

Total respect for making that trip Wobbly.

well wobbly, yours and the previous poster account at least gives hope they are trying.

Actually, I'm not sure if that makes it better or more worrying!

Very similar observations to Wobbly from me: I didn't learn too much yesterday.

I would love 'the model' to succeed, and I think it could with nous, and fine tuning (ok , that's maybe a bit optimistic). I like Williams and that our approach is different and when working, causes challenges that opponents can't overcome. But.

I'm resigned now that a basic, no-frills, streetwise bunch of the best division 3 cloggers that money can buy, can brush aside our sensitive souls and troubled that they're the finest that this dire division can currently offer.  I hated it when the likes of Preston bullied our good model team; I'm genuinely perplexed as to how and why an owner experienced and understanding of the dark arts has tolerated our miserable failure of the last 18 months or so.

So at half time it did feel as though a watershed may have been reached, when even the patience of the few dribbling, incoherents dull enough to travel all the way to Scunthorpe, may have finally given way. After all, our heroes had withered at the first attack the hosts could muster, and capitulated with a cup of tea and a "we're still in this" bravado team talk in sight. So abject those few minutes were, that it was deeper and beyond the "you're not fit to wear the shirt" anger, it was literally hopeless.

That the second half turned into an exercise of some energy, some tackling and some redemption is neither here nor there, as hopeless turned into pointless.  It's easy to try, to raise your game, when all bets are off - a release from the fear and nerves and self-pity of the first half.  As tends to be the case for sore losers, the ref was a monstrous homer: ignoring their every tug, push, pull or assault whilst waving yellow cards around at our lambs at the tiniest opportunity.

And with humiliation avoided, there was some actual relief at the end - Luke made every player, yes even Yasir - acknowledge our troubled existence and they trudged off in one direction, we another, but surely as one in thinking where the hell do we go from here?

(For those appreciative of birds, there was an amazing display (murmuration?) over Doncaster on the way back. If they can bring such order, unity and beauty to the world, maybe, just maybe, we can find hope that eleven footballers could do likewise).

I'd be well happy if we replaced footballers with starlings.

No one wins anything with 11 on the wing..

 Great post Christy.

 It's shame the starlings weren't around Glanford Park, to take your mind off of it.   I remember being at Adams Park, for one of our now regular early Cup departures......we were terrible.  However Adams Park is great for surrounding avian activity, so I watched birds rather than the football.

A perch high in the Arkells, can often afford views of starlings at this time of year.

Bollocks. The birds you watched were those strippers!

Big busty indian ones at that.

Chapaeus off to Wobbly Bob, seems to go everywhere to watch our clowns!

Having a high pain threshold helps!
This Friday will be the first away game missed since start of 14-15 season.

What a picture

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/swindon_town_2014/14832625.Williams_apologises_to_travelling_Town_fans/

Last of the summer whine?

:)

We made it on the BBC's football tweets of the weekend because of an apparently poor dab.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/item/ec0d8a97-1626-4441-91af-0cec2d0de552

I hate to compliment the lad (well I don't) but to me it just looks like he's celebrating cos he's a bit pleased he scored a goal. I didn't realise these things had to be choreographed now  :suicide:

what the hell is dab

some sort of digital radio I think

That headline is total BS the adver annoys me as Williams did not apologise to the fans he agreed with Andrew @ BBCRS that the fans deserved an apology but he didn't give one though.