Thetownend.com

Seeing as I'm going to this I may as well start it off as you previous fuckers have had the kiss of death recently.

Twisted as I am, I'm looking forward to this - but then, again, I do like a bit of self-flagellation.

My first away sortie since we beat Orient 2-0 with a sublime performance just a few short years ago but feels like a lifetime.

I shall be well tanked as due to arrive at 5ish to fully lubricate me vocal chords in anticipation of hurling abuse at Cunstable.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=M72F7R2eOWE&a=&feature=youtu.be

I'll save the Beeb a job by apologising to viewers if they heard some bad language - fucking pinkos.

I do have a tendency to fart hideously after beer + some shitty pub grub so I pity the poor suckers who sit anywhere in the vicinity - Southampton should just about be safe.

Anyway, fwiw, I'm confident we can revert to our giant-killer status and trounce these upstarts 5-1.

Apparently, other upcoming events at Eastleigh include performances by Mungo Jerry and The Stylistics - we have Sham 69. Sums it up beautifully

As an aside, that Ray Dorset is a ringer for Fred West.

Good work A.

Everyone seemingly has written us off. Away, in the FA Cup, against a big spending lower league team. You can see why it has that feel about it.

But I'm confident it'll be a tight game that we can win. We have to be a) up for it and b) have a rare good day in the office in scoring the chances we make - because they will be at a premium.

Lose this one and Williams will really feel it at the CG next weekend, another TV game..

Batch says : relax - we'll grab a draw and do them at the CG in a replay.

I will be on a train. Thanks BBC.

It's either a tense but tedious unconvincing squeeze into the next round against "plucky underdogs", or humiliation on national TV as we become the latest bit of grist to be served up to the "cupset" mill. We really can't win here. I don't even want to watch this on telly tbh. But I will, probably from behind the sofa, like I used to watch Dr Who when I was a kid. Well, and the Stone Angels episodes over the last couple of years as well

Unfortunately I can't see past humiliation on national TV without us scoring any in return.

We're a cheery bunch, aren't we?

If you expect the worst then you aren't as disappointed when it actually happens :D

Eastleigh (-1.0) is around 5/1

Just saying

Draw there tonight, lose the replay at home!

.....after extra time on a cold, wet, windy and miserable night. Typical Swindon.

Hoping for a draw so the Treble will still be on.  ;D

Tough one.. I can't see past a loss... hopefully I'm wrong, though.

What are you all worried about we have our goal scoring machine up front Norris - fancy him for a goal tonight at the other end we have Kamikaze Branco who has to be the shittiest centre back in L1 and no doubt he will leave his player for a free header in the box for him to score or may even let their forward just ghost past him without making any effort to catch him.

On a serious front Eastleigh will be right up for this and if our lot don't turn up again it will be a long night. whatever happens LP wont get rid of LW as his excuse has been up to now the number of players that have been out.

As a Swindon fan for a long time I have never been so pissed off watching us play and fucking bored out my head. The atmosphere in our ground is crap and its all down to the crap we are being dished up on the pitch.

Lose tonight and I think next week there ill be a lot of crap being thrown LP and LW way at the home game to Charlton.

Our results against non league sides has been crap over the last four years and that was with better squads so im fearing the worst tonight but I hope Doughty starts tonight as he is a real driving force for us.

Quite honestly i'm not worried if we lose any of this squad in January as none of them have performed and quite honestly I don't see who would want any of them anyway.

What a load of shite - so, you're happy for us to lose Vigouroux, Thompson, Obika, Doughty etc etc...

Jones and Doughty coming back in will be a huge boost, hopefully preventing Branco from playing. We'll win 2-1.

I'm willing to get shot down on this one, but I reckon Branco is just what we need for this game.

Can you expand on why going down to ten men when he does something fuckwitted is what we need?

... and Quatermass and The Pit!

When the draw was made I was looking forward to catching up with the London Reds for a Friday evening of Town on the telly, washed down with a load of beers.

However it is the wife's brothers' 40th birthday and so we are flying over to Cork (via Shannon airport) for a weekend of Guinness fueled booziness. The flight is at 7.30 so I get to miss the whole game, which is probably a blessing in disguise.

I will be putting a few pounds and pence on a 2-0 Eastleigh victory tonight.

Incidentally, the Morshead will be there tonight with the fellow London Reds.

Think you've got a result there.

Probably not the best bit of name dropping done on the TEF....

This is the level Goddard excelled at so time for him to show us what he is made of. Jones being back is real boost and would also like to see Tom Smith in there as think we need a bit of grit in midfield tonight. Hopefully Jordan Stewart can be involved too as he has a real chance to become joint top goalscorer tonight. 

3-0 defeat.

True.

Did I tell you about the time I almost tripped over David Blunkett's dog at an away game at Hillsborough?

I thought HE was supposed to be the blind one!

I sat next to Arthur Mullard on the tube once.

Not exactly the ideal setting for a Swindon win. Friday night away on a shitty evening, confidence low, on TV, against a non league side with an ex Oxford striker leading the line for them.

Doesn't exactly provoke thoughts of 'Swindon through to the second round' in tomorrow's news, but you never know (or do we know exactly what will happen...outfought with only one or two looking like they have the belly for it, taking risks in silly areas and ultimately being sent home without ever looking like we might win it).

Nice little piece from Lee Peacock about todays game.

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

4-2 to the town im sure williams will get the tatics right tonight be positive people.

What a nice man.....good to see he's still working in the game.

Kevin Watson is also there, I believe

You're not fooling us with this optimism thing.  ;)

3 - 1 win for Town goals from Doughty, The Fonz and Murray

Not on youtube but theres an article here...

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/football/eastleighfc/14841609.FA_CUP__Eastleigh_assistant_manager_aims_to_top_his_day_at_Stamford_Bridge/

Ronnie Moore on todays game..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulB9m9nIt-8&feature=youtu.be&a

He is a nice bloke with a lot of respect for Town and our fans, he was sat behind me at Wembley in with the Town fans for the JPT final vs Chesterfield.

That's more like it....I'm sure Blunkett's dog will have made more appearances in Hello! than Morshead.

I've also sat in front of one of the Proclaimers at a Hibs game before. (although I think it was actually a lookylikey) and walked past Chris Waddle in the concourse at a Sheffield Wednesday v United derby game. I'm sure others have equally dull namedropping stories.

I've just realised the last time I was in Ireland when Town were on TV was the Preston play off game.

I once walked past Trevor Brooking in Eastern Avenue Pompey....I was heading for Fratton Park, he was heading in the opposite direction. I win.

people keep telling me to stop moaning and be more positive  so lets see how far that gets me by the end of evening. :clap:

Fly home now please.

I'm going to the Football Ramble Live in Bristol this evening so I look forward to the post-match apocalypse upon my return home.

2-0 loss.

Don't think Tom Smith will play he's in the gym atm

I hope that Kasim & Branco don't play tonight but sadly I can see one or both playing, Williams seems to put Kasim in the team regardless even though his form is shocking.

You would imagine the pitch at that non league level is not going to be silky smooth for us to play our glorious passing game so hopefully we can learn and keep the ball moving forward instead of going backwards or side to side all night.

Ronnie Moore is known for playing more direct as well which we do struggle against that - let's hope Williams has done some proper homework on them.....time will tell

I'm going to this - Wembley aside first away game since the 1-2 victory at Orient a few years back.

I feel an upset is on the cards in the fact that we might win a game  ;D

Although realistically I can't see past a defeat.

Will yaser fancy a cold night in eastleigh?

Can't be any worse for him than a damp afternoon in Swindon.

Eagle Shit is an anagram of Eastleigh.

True story

I am home now. My flight is at 19:30!

As is "see a light".

and

"A glee shit"

You might if you've not been to any Conference grounds recently. It's not Sunday League, surfaces are generally decent

Off to Eastleigh - only 100 away tickets left. Good turnout!

I always find its preferable to have a good turnout before going to any ground I have not attended before, make some space and all that!

I fear it might be like the Histon game.  1-0 defeat.  

If I had the wings of a sparrow, if I had the arse of a crow....I'd fly over Eastleigh tomorrow.....

They're gonna kick the bejesus out of us.

Yep they will "rough it up a bit" that says it all, they know one of our weaknesses, we don't like it rough.

Yes, that's wha they will do, he's been around knows the score, it's what we do that matters will we be abit more direct?

Fair enough, just thought conference are not fantastic pitches - not expecting Sunday league just not generally great

Oddly, not the first time the term has appeared on the TEF.

In the Concorde club on the doom bar

They don't like it up em.....

Tin hats on....

Horrendous traffic in south London meant I had to dump the car and run to the train station to head down, but it'll all be worth it won't it? :)

Currently watching a recording of River Cottage, drinking Martini over ice, though I started with a nice Pino Noir, probably gravitate to a nice little French beer once the carnage of the game starts. I predict a draw tonight. Though I'm tempted to put money on Eastleigh.

TOWN STARTING XI | Vigouroux; Rossi-Branco, Thompson (C), Jones; Barry, Kasim, Murray, Doughty, Ormonde-Ottewill; Delfouneso, Norris #STFC
TOWN SUBS | Henry, Rodgers, Evans, Smith, Iandolo, Goddard, Stewart #STFC 🔴⚪️

Rumour going around that the scum fans have turned up in Eastleigh

Subs: Henry, Rodgers, Evans, Smith, Iandolo, Goddard, Stewart

Ha I see you amended your team sheet  after I posted ;)

Rumour going round my lounge that I might change my mind on the French beer and go for a brexit busting British ale instead.

Will a stream of the match be on the BBC website?

Looks like 4-4-2 then for a change
Or could be 5-3-2 I suppose or 3-5-2 depending where Barry lines up

Definitely 352. The semicolons say it all.

Doh, I did a Donkey Or was it Batch?  Never saw them, guess I was hoping...

A me.

Good to see two up top.

Aroundthefur I'd a me. ;-)

Yes it will be

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0817rg1

You make no sense when you haven't been drinking ;)

In case you were wondering.

In my seat awaiting kickoff. Pitch has been narrowed by 2 yards either side so they're obviously going to try and push us towards a physical battle. Thank god for rossi branco.


Not a bad little ground but pitch is soaking wet. Pre match warm ups started cutting it up so interesting to see what 90m will do.

Also they don't have bovril so they can't call it a football ground.

thank you squire

Hahaha, that'll stop our wingers ;) Suppose they are trying to deny us the space to pass too, but um, we don't do crosses from wide.

Jesus, barbarians.

Ha haa, Cooper is there on an FGR scouting mission according to Moreshead. Apparently they've given him an away ticket :)

(FGR play Eastleigh soon apparently)

"Esatleigh have only lost 1 of their 8 home games here"

Sigh.

Give me an hour...

Bunch of mouth breathers here with power out signs.

Oxford scarf spotted in crowd.

I am not confident. Is our budget actually any higher than Eastleigh's?

On a positive note how much is the TV exposure worth to Imagine Cruising?

Here we go...

Ready for our annual humiliation in the FA Cup :(

Only for the UK ... anyone got a stream for us exiles, please?

Barry doing the Stanley Matthews look at a pass two feet away like its a scandal and make no effort to go for it twice in the first few minutes!

We don't have poppies on our shirts, we deserve to lose, Power out!

Is there a reason Barry is refusing to chase a ball unless it's played to his feet?

Brad Barry is awful can't pass, defend or go past a player

How have they missed that? :D

I hate to be alarmist but we look shit already.lucky to be level

We havent had a shot yet come on. :doh:

Just like all other games. Barry doing his usual nice gentle ten minutes then a bit of pressure and the goal comes after panicky defending. Keown has taken 10 mins to see all the obvious.

so you and the three previous posters don't get to many of our games then. This is how every games pans out.

Pleased to see we've stepped up our game for the cameras!

Thankfully I'm at home and not in the cold.

still a shot from Norris, a rare thing.

Oh Lummy Thompson's injured. Hamstring. Faaaack.

can this seasons injuries get any worst  a fucking night mare

Thompson fucked. Anyone know a centre half whose close to the ground.

Goddard coming on for him so we go to 4-4-2

Norris has no luck at all. Should be ahead

That's a save, to be fair...

Norris is getting closer

was the ball over the line in that save?

good save, average header

Is the narrow pitch helping us, gaps are smaller.

Any other day and that's a goal.

It was a good save, but Norris headed it back towards the keeper

That was a goal.

Robbed.

I think Norris' instinct was right, head it back the way its come, he's just unfortunate the keeper was out of position.

if not it was a gnats dick away, ref/lino couldn't tell , needed goal line tech

So is Christmas.

Typical Swindon performance so far.

Lots of possession, few clear chances and no goals.

Just waiting for the inevitable defensive howler to gift them a goal

4-4-2 looking better, just waiting for the defensive blunder to happen

Think postive.

Does anyone know how old Luke Williams is? I wish they'd mention it.

To be frank we look much better since Thompson went off (i know thats down to the change in formation,before the Nathanists get upset)

Yeah and their goalie.

Ow phil Neville likes the look of us and thinks we will go on and win the game! He knows nothing, we will lose

Blimey their keeper is older than our manager

Powers turned up wankerrrr.

Fucking Power keeping a low profile, why will he not engage with the media!

That little cunt

This blurry image is why I think it was a bang average header. Look at where Norris is and the keeper is. He had so much space to aim for where the keeper couldn't get to.

The ball is coming towards him and the keeper is rushing back across goal.

To be fair he doesn't realise that we are liable to gift them a goal at some point, and that we are unlikely to score more than one

The BBC are paying £65k. Ker-ching !!

We should definitely keep on playing it to BOO, so he can then play it back into the middle where there's a wall of blue shirts. That'll work.

skills from Norris..

Yeah now that was proper shit.

Norris showing why he's still looking for his first Swindon goal.

Sigh. Obvious.

Had to happen from a set piece

Oh shit

He's a div 1 striker who hasn't scored in months I'd just be grateful he got it on target emphasised by an air shot 3 yards out.

We've had out chances so a home goal duly follows

well, there's a shock

Surprise surprise are you watching lee power. :smugfu:

Branco getting booked thats a shock.

Oh and a loss of composure follows with bookings and either red cards or further goals.

We've conceded so many goals from that sort of position. Pathetic.  Branco doing his usual now as well.

Great ball by Goddard to win the pen.

Don't let Norris take it ;)

Bonus. Fingers crossed.

2 observations

Their captain is a ringer for sean dyche

Brad barry is woeful

Miss this and I don't see us scoring.

A part of me wanted him to miss it.

Brad Barry, Luke Norris, BOO, Branco are not Football League Standard in fact on tonights showing they are not even Conference level

Norris for the winner

phew

We need to leave Boo and take home their left midfielder.

You must be a cunt then!

why?

I am you wanker.

What do you mean why? Can't you see the slow death unfolding before your very eyes?

Wish we would stop giving away needless free kicks that they can load into the box when we are shit at defending them

Branco giving free kicks away constantly now. I can't bear the thought of Thompson out injured.

Nice move, good shot, shame it's at the wrong end.

Strangely Norris reminds me of Fjortoft pre Christmas in his first season, so lacking in confidence.

However I can't see him turning it around and scoring a hat full once he's got one.
Actually I'm not sure I can see him scoring one

fonz ain't exactly on fire either.

That's why! Well put, good analogy.

And that.

''Tis true enough

On reflection you should direct that at the cunts that have bet against the town, you fetid butt plug.

Will Barry becoming on soon do you think.

There's a difference between people that think we might lose, to those that want us to lose.

Here here

Good clearance by BOO

Fair fucks BOO, good decision making there.

great defending. booooooooooo

Agree 100% inspired defending.

Our best FA Cup result for almost 5 years.

Shows how shit we have been in the cup

Should have followed my gut feeling and had money on a draw.

Yes!!!!!! Second round draw, get in

Oh good another home game.

I'm not expecting us to actually play in the second round mind, we've got home disadvantage now

BOO the saviour

Oh, no. More money in the till for mr. siphon.

"Fair result" according to that football supremo Dave(get bodies in the box)Hockady  :toocool:

and us missing the pen would achieve what exactly?

I wondered who would be first to say that.  Congratulations, you're chief dickhead for now.

You may want to quantify that you may or may not want the town to lose. Otherwise you to could be called something unsavoury or worse a Power supporter, God forbid. Other religions are available. I happen to agree with you WRT the result, we are not out of the woods yet. See the clearing, yes, thanks to BOO and their goalie who played well.

Thank you so much, you're a legend.

can only think they think it would be another nail in Williams coffin.

Nothing.

stop being a dick, it's clear what I meant.

And or power.

I can't sorry.

:)

I actually enjoyed the game. Did not deserve to win and on balance were lucky to still be in the draw for the second round. Will be be in it? I hope so but I'll not put any cash on it. We, well, you could all be discussing to death the players, Williams and Power, the future of the club and all the other noise generated on here by the same old contributors saying the same old stuff with gusto. If we reach the third round I'll be delighted but equally surprised as I'm expecting to be concentrating on league before then. That is our bread and butter, clearly things are not right and only Power going is going to change anything anytime soon. Long run in the cup at the expense of league one survival? Or quick exit and survival?

Shows the demise of the club in that I'm genuinely happy that we haven't lost at conference Eastleigh..

Only way we were going to score was from a penalty or a stroke of good fortune. Actually thought Norris had a decent game up until final 3rd, but my word he couldn't hit a cows ass with a banjo.

Still a big problem at the back, needs organising much better and can only see a new manager being the one to instil that given that we haven't defended well the 3 seasons that Williams has been at the club.

If we were doing well/OK in the league, tonight would be put down to "It's the cup".

But we're not doing well/OK in the league, so it doesn't quite work.

So my take on a TV view of the game.

Started off by keeping the ball, doing nothing with it but it was a relief as I expected Eastleigh to come at us like a troop of spider monkeys on acid. But slowly they got into it an created about 3 chances, should have scored one of them to be honest.

The injury to NT was in the context of the game a blessing, because the change of formation seemed to confuse them. Not such a blessing in the context of the season.

Their goal showed Norris what a header should be. Sloppy defending again though. As said above it was a good job we got a penalty because we look absolutely hopeless in creating and taking chances up front. I really genuinely hope one or both of them do a Fjortoft, but ...

Thought after that we'd see the game out, but they came on strong again at the end and thank god BOO has a moment of clarity or we'd be out.

The performance was barely adequate, but at least we got the draw.

Did Nathan Thompson have to be subbed, because he had cramp ? :gay:

Looked like his hamstring? Too early for cramp, surely.

Got fucking pissed off early because I planned to watch it in my local pub with some mates (and copious booze) but you actually needed Sky to watch it so I had to leg it home and drink some scabby wine that tasted like meths.

My only comment is
WHY DON'T WE FUCKING MARK? ANYONE? EVER?

That was definitely a hamstring for Nath.

It was a hammy. Most of our players were anonymous for large parts. Great block by boo, deserves real credit for that. All in all it wasn't great but it wasn't Histon..

What were LW's post match thoughts? Any news on NT's injury?

If Phil Neville thought it was a great game he needs to get out a bit more!

Why can't we just pass forward a bit more and use a bit of pace?

The whole point is to score some goals not dominate possession pointlessly surely?

Same thoughts as most on here. Shocking defending, clueless in terms of creativity except for Goddard and Doughty and two of the most inept strikers I've ever seen pull on the red shirt.

Kassim was embarrassing. Rodgers would of been the better option. Sad not to see Brophy get a run as at least he'll run at players. Special mentions for the Noriss air shot (thogh his header was definately over the line) and the Fonz failing to pull the trigger first time when put through on goal. Honestly, what the hell?

Power looked ill and wheres his died perm gone?

Im getting bored with the desperate love-in for Thompson. Unlucky with the pulled pork muscle but he is an average player who is injury prone beyond belief. And to the sad bastards who made the "one of our own" banner that was shown on telly tonight, he's not "one of our own" Hes from oop North. It's embarrassing listening to so many saddo's sing that dittey every week. Do the research. How stupid are you?

The gallon of Arkells can not stifle my frustration tonight. Should of won the game even with a crummy side.

So Thompson has been with us since he's 8 but he's not one of our own and people who have the banner are sad bastards. Go and fucking do one you dripping g from a diarrhetic arse. He may have been born up north but he's been town longer than most. I think he's pretty limited but he does care unlike most of the shit who wear the read. As for the sad bastards who had the banner, they were there. They got behind the team . They're trying to make the experience better rather than some cunt just fucking sniping. Go fuck yourself

Fucking hell, what did Nath do to piss you off so much?

He's excellent when he's on form but sadly inconsistent and injury prone. And of course he's one of our own - he came through the fucking youth team.

CS said it better

Well said.

Very well put.

Chalks 1-0 up  :)

Well we are in the draw for round two for a change  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:
Not read back, not long got in.
Cracking atmosphere in the away end, outsung the home fans all night.
Stewards a bit fussy, not seen that many ejections in a long time.

First half we played shit but they weren't much better. Second started with some great pressure from us but they go and score. Go figure.
Crap marking again and a free header.
Nailed on pen, cleverly pushed ball past keeper knowing was gonna get clattered.
Why oh why don't we just shoot now and again instead of trying to walk it in. If Fonz had hit his chance first time would probably have scored but took a second touch allowing defence to five in.
Doughty MoM for me.

Oh and couldn't see it from other end of ground but Norris should have broke his duck first half. Fucking lino.

Fucking schlep to the Cricketers too along a lovely unlit lane, lucky road was closed I guess

Some off the commentary from I think Keown hit the nail, He mentioned showboating, and passing sideways is pretty but doesn't get anywhere, it was pretty much an L2 standard game, 1 passing side, 1 pressing side, wouldn't be surprised if we were back there next season in the league.

We did better than I expected.

It's a shame that the sea change of us improving was due to Thompson's injury and nothing at all to do with Williams having an input.

Thought we might get beat.

Header was over the line....Norris must of broken a 100 fucking mirrors...air shot..FFS, I hope he notch's soon.

All in all a draw is ok.

Let's get em back to the CG with a rolled pitch not narrowed by 20 feet....Macari would of been proud  of that ploy.

Typical twisted wisdom of one of those that cant see further than the end of their nose when it comes to the lesser talented one of the Thompson brothers.

If you want a hero to worship, crack on with all the others who have low standards.

It takes more than wearing the captains armband, kissing the badge and clapping the fans after a few matches to get hero status, and being with us since he was 8 really doesn't make him one of our own, though why let facts get in the way of a mouthy rant eh Chalkie?

Now, run along son.

Stomp off or banned for being a twat, either or, to paraphrase run along, you have nothing to offer here.

I have played with and against Nathan, and I can tell you now he loves Swindon Town. He will be the first to tell you he isn't the best footballer we have ever had but I would damn sure prefer 11 Nathan Thompson's on the pitch at the moment.
I've bit now cause I don't think fans appreciate how much he cares for this club, I have seen this fella in tears after big defeats so to say he isn't one of our own is a joke.

I didn't start watching Swindon till I was 10? Does that mean I'm not a fan? Fuck off.

What will it take?

Wiki which might not even be right has Nathan down as being born in Chester but Louis being born in Bristol.

So at most, Nathan was northern for 4 years!
Plus, just because he was born in Chester - doesn't make his heritage Northern.

If he was born to, two Swindon born people but in Chester - his lineage makes him Swindon regardless.

However, I have no idea where his parents are from, how long he lived in Chester or where they moved to after or if Wikipedia is a reliable source.

According to Wikipedia Dean Ashton was born in Swindon, he's one of our own!!!

I have also wondered by Louis Thompson has had various Wales call ups and Nathan hasn't. You'd have think they'd at least have taken a look?

I'd just love to know what it takes to class someone as one of your own?
Have you got to be conceived in the Town End toilets after a fondle in the CGH and be born in the winners lounge?

Does it matter? A lot of Swindon people are born and bred Man U/Liverpool fans, but that might be for different reasons.

Even more impressive would be the other way around....

Just got in, very relieved to have got a draw.  Why is someone slagging off Thompson, just a shit wind-up I assume

 We avoided the bullet, so something to celebrate over the weekend :pint:

 The old cliche holds.....cup game takes your mind off the league.

 Well done to BOO, has to be one of the better goal line clearances. Well done to the fans who turned up.

Fuck me, the bell-end quota is high here lately.

Oh ffs, You promised me you wouldn't mention that in public Dad.

My Irish bad luck charm is broken!

Not read through the thread yet.

The commentary summed us up after 20 or so minutes playing the ball backwards or sideways. When Thompson went off injured we changed our shape and seemed to look more confident and threatening going forward.

It's a shame about Norris' non goal, that could've been just what he needed.

After their goal there heads didn't drop.

Good penalty from Dougherty (sp)

My main concern is that we just can't seem to score from open play.

It was a much performance and we didn't disgrace ourselves on telly.

You utter fucktard, you do realise that means he's not played exclsively for any other professional team don't you. How much more one of our own do you want? Or do they have to be born within the sound of the railway hooter to count now?

How do you sum up a feeling of relief and disappointment? Pleased we didn't lose, but disappointed with how we played.

Thought there were too many players who seemed anonymous for long periods of the game. I've seen a number of mentions of Doughty playing well, but I didn't think he showed the type of energy and impact I would have expected. Looked a bit more tentative than I'd seen before. Maybe not match fit or a little rusty perhaps?

Murray worked hard but lacked quality. I'm also disappointed if it was indeed cramp that he went off for. I would hope he would be able to put in an energetic 90 minute display.

Goddard drifted out of the game for long periods. Kasim popped up every now and again to show that he was on the park. Norris tried hard, but his lack of quality is frightening - I want him to come good, but worry that he is the next Jamie Slabber! The Fonz was bigged up by everyone on the TV, for some strange reason!

Best way to describe it for me would be that if there was competition for places there would be none of the 11 that would have booked their place in the stating line up for the next game.

Relieved we got a draw which was the least we deserved. Great atmosphere in the away end.

I was near some twat who jeered Norris every time he got the ball which really annoyed me. It's obvious he is lacking confidence but he put in a real shift tonight - as did the Fonz. Fuck knows why they spend so much time out wide though.

I've never understood booing or jeering our own, especially when we are in the current predicament.

Because they get zero service through the middle. The few times we did, Doughty won a penalty, Kasim created a good chance and Delfouneso should've had a couple too.

The narrow pitch and 5 across the middle really didn't work. Kasim was anonymous in the first 20 minutes. I thought we looked a lot better once Thompson went off but still lacked a lot of creativity.

Played alright, dominated most of the game after we switched to 4-4-2 without creating much but we still should've won the game. Eastleigh are dog shit, classic non league kick and rush and it's really disappointing we couldn't beat them.

Atmosphere was good though. The 'banter' from the 14 year old Eastleigh fans was amusing. Did particularly them singing about us going down and then us joining in, poor lambs didnt know what to do with themselves.

I thought we knocked the ball around nicely. We have some decent,technically gifted players but that isnt enough. The neat and tidy knocking it about was in areas of the pitch that created little from it.
The flaws are still obvious. Fowards are clearly lacking confidence and the defence is frail. I also think players decision making when on the attack with the ball at their feet is often wrong.
The goal conceeded was shocking. Defender not looking at the scorer or the ball. Team needs some muscle and experience. 3 or 4 in key positions would bring out the talent in the young pro's im sure

Ditto what everyone else said about the atmosphere. Barring the power out twats it was a good effort. Got into an argument with one of them after the game had finished and they were singing it as the players and staff came over to applaud the fans. Bugger had no idea what the alternative was but just wanted Power out for some unexplained reason other than 'What's he doing to our club?'. Idiots. I would rather have power than no-one or some fucking cowboy who puts us into a winding up order or administration again so we then have no club at all.

But I digress. Game was alright. We kept the ball away from Eastleigh well in both halves, but our defensive issues were obvious again. They went forward with pace and in greater numbers than we did as well as having some 'ahem' solid players who could win the ball or get the tackle in.

The whole side is lacking in confidence and it shows. BOO actually had one of the better games I've seen from him, but his confidence levels meant he wasn't willing to run at players or keep some pace on attacks. Norris is just not in any kind of form whatsoever at the moment. I'd rather have Goddard or Stewart start. Delfonseo is doing all the right things at the moment and his work rate is excellent, but his final decision making is not there. That's probably confidence as well.

I don't mind the way we play, keeping the ball and stroking it about, but when we rob all the pace from an attack I do get a little frustrated, especially when we have a good opening.

Special mention to the cowboys who built the stand, who puts a fucking pillar right in the middle?

Replay will be interesting and good for both teams I would imagine.

Ha ha. Nice one. Made me laugh 😀😀


Sent from my SM-G935F

Well, I enjoyed that - maybe because it was a rare away day for me and the stand was rocking. Don't know what the fella with the Power Out A3 sized 'banner' was trying  to achieve, but each to their own I suppose.

Fucking impossible for me to get a perspective on the game from behind the goal - so used to watching from the sides. Honestly couldn't see a thing once the ball got over the halfway line.

Played alright and there will be a few league teams wishing they were still in it at 5 oclock after being dumped by a non league side.

Hope it's £15 for the replay!

That must be the darkest walk-up to a ground ever - passed the graveyard, too. Put the willies up my missus!

You did that in a graveyard? Bloody hell. Takes all sorts  ;D

You're confusing two issues. One is whether NT is one of our own, which I think most people would say he is. The second is whether hes any good or not. This is opinion. As I said, I think he's limited. He's been at fault on some incredibly fucking dumb goals to concede eg Rovers. But whether he's any good or not has no bearing whatsoever on whether he's one of or own.
You don't rate him, I get it. You're not alone but don't combine two different arguments.
Now I'm jogging along, dad.

For some reason I expected Eastleigh to be better than they were.

We learnt nothing new. We're rubbish in both boxes which unfortunately is where games are won and lost.

Need at least a striker and a centre half in January or we'll continue to struggle.

 Jamie Cureton used to clean Lee Power's boots who'd have thought it  :)

He also said he never game him a christmas top for doing it

Very odd location for a ground, completely in the middle of nowhere and the walk from station through a pitch black, muddy field was interesting.

Thought we looked much better when we switched formations. Again, plenty of possession but we seem to really lack the confidence to attack a team. Eastleigh were poor, if we'd have shown a bit more ambition could have easily won.

Feel sorry for delfounso, he makes so many good runs and works hard but gets virtually no service. Kasim might as well not have been there and it makes such a difference to have doughty back.

Nice to see a good atmosphere in the away end too, pretty good away day and nice to at least be in the hat for once.

Although he sounded ill-informed at times, I thought it was telling that Keown seemed to think that us playing three at the back was a completely new thing that Williams had put in place this week - his conclusion based on how we were playing was that our 352 system was something alien and intimated Williams was copying a fashion that higher grade managers had introduced. He assumed that going to 442 was a return to something normal for our players. While wrong in his reasoning, he was absolutely right in that going 442 was the right thing to do. Shame it took Nathan's injury for it to happen. I wonder if Williams would have changed things if he hadn't been injured?

A bit like the current Brexit situation - fair enough to want change, but what the fuck is the next step?

If the shouty Power-outers can't come up with a credible answer when probed (don't) they should be prepared to accept idiot status.

On the Facebook group they keep saying the fans should take over ............. most on there think £25 to watch L1 is too expensive and don't have a pot to piss in so that's a no go plus who ever buys the club would have to fork out a lot of money to pay off Power and Black.

In theory getting a new owner in is a good idea........ but in reality it ain't gonna happen, when Black walked away we only had 2 potential "investors" and the one who "won" only put £1 in, had to ask money from a known fraudster (hall) when that failed to materialise he went to Power who was meant to be director of football and not his investor.

Unless someone comes up with a viable alternative, there is no other choice but it does give the idiots on the Facebook group to talk about.

What a load of bollocks.

Don't have a go at an MP unless you become one yourself and become leader and put forward a manifesto!?

Don't have a go at a player unless you can play better yourself?!

Don't criticise a Chairman unless you can buy the club yourself and win promotion....??

I think change will only happen if someone comes up as the viable alternative. I don't do Facebook, but I suspect it won't be any of them.

No, not at all. The point I'm making is by all means criticise, but when challenged, back up your criticism with your reasoning, not just by posing another question or being abusive.

good idea, cos if you don't think Power is a cunt then you are sucking him off and his love child ......  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Just watched recording.

We did ok.

BOO looked to have a decent game, great anticipation to make the clearance.

Case now of not fucking it up in the replay.

We look to have three new players according to Keown, in Armand, Dowerty and Kasam.

  We've a game in midweek in the Boycott Trophy.

Another example of the stupidity of this comp, it's a game we certainly don't need, especially now we've a cup replay. All the evidence of this season tells us that most of our players aren't fit enough for 2 games a week....normally we'd have exited by now, so leaving a free week for the preparations for Charlton.

BTW, if you think we're shit at home Exeter make us look half decent....1 win in 16, albeit the Devon derby last season.  Only 2 goals, one draw and 6 defeats this season.

Most people thought we'd lose that game - we didn't, so I don't get what some are moaning about.

Better teams than us will struggle and lose against supposedly inferior opposition.

Fuck 'em, I say.

I think the negative is all our frailties and weaknesses didn't look any better against  lower league opposition.

But hey, baby steps.

No point dwelling on a game which doesn't really mean an awful lot in the context of our season. A big concern was that we only looked marginally better than non-league opposition who gave us way more respect than we deserved. The positives were that we didn't totally buckle having conceded and cuntsable had little influence. Cue a load of abuse in the home replay and a crap goal to silence it.

A good measure of our piss poor season thus far is the change in Iffy's Onion Bhaji's posts from a broadly neutral perspective back to the despairing rants of yesteryear. Once a stout pessimist, his attitude has been lightened through Jagerbombs and the realisation that the pre and post match meet up with mates is far more enjoyable than football can be. However, you can see a decline into his old everything's shit ways which is mirrored by the declining performance on the pitch.

Bugger me Bellend, is that a positive post?

What an absolute bellend.

I'm a Power - meh, Williams - out kinda guy. What gets me goat is that I'm convinced we've got the players to get us the table but, game on game, Williams proves he hasn't got what it takes to get the best out of them.

He said recently we didn't have the players to go 442 yet, yesterday, when it was forced on him, we looked so much better.

Who knows if the system is forced on him from above, but we need new blood in the dugout.

We're not useless, we're frustrating.

I'll have that debate with you or anyone else all day long CS, preferably withouit resorting to name calling and insults. Apologies if I riled you last night, but I think you've hit the nail on the head with that post: I don't rate Nathan Thompson. Not that would change my opinion of him as a player, but I don't know him personally like so many claim to, and I don't get the willingness of so many to hero worship him or to call him one of our own.

To be absolutely honest I dont think he should be captain of the squad either as it just seems to burden him. He's a fullback being asked to play out of position and he sometimes does too much on the pitch, hence making personal mistakes and also getting injured perhaps more often than he should for a relatively young player.

A good manaeger would be smart and give him a break and stop trying to appease the fans by continuing with him as skipper.

And for the record, I'd never boo him or any of our lads no matter how bad they were, so whoever mentioned that last night can go fuck themselves.

I think you'd be surprised at the number of people that agree with you about him a. being a full back and b. not being captain. I tend to agree.

But, I do think he's in the team on merit, I'd even pick him every time over branco at CB.

And he is one of our own. And yes he's dropped a few bollocks that have been less scrutinised because of it.

I agree with most of what you say. He's not a true leader but there are no other obvious candidates so he gets the gig. He has too much to do because the way we play does expose him as it does others. Where he scores points however is that he tries to sort the fuck ups out rather than just shrug his shoulders and that is because he does care. A lot of the town players clearly do not give a fuck. I'd go as far as to say the only ones i think do care are doughty, fonz and Nathan. The others are using us as we are using them. We get them cheap but we give them a shop window. We will coach them as individuals instead of building a team. I will always get behind the 100%ers. Id prefer to have a tough tackling midfield general as captain but there's as much chance of us getting one of those as there is of me fucking the next 5 years miss worlds. Like all players Nathan will divide opinion. Hecfucks up too much for my liking but I think there are reasons I understand as to why. I would save my ire for some of the others.

I watched the game back today and the number times players in midfield were close enough to put a challenge in but didn't - they just  half-jogged towards the player and that was it.

Kasim is only playing to try and get some money for him in January.

Say what you like about Power but he's no mug - as a football man he must know what type of players we need.

Whatever happened to the high pressing, get in your face football of the first 2 home games of the season?

Barry is particularly good at avoiding the ball and hiding behind opponents as is Rogers.

For what it's worth, I reckon Michael D would make a better captain.

Good call. The only downside would be that it would demonstrate the high esteem we hold him in, thus pushing his price up and making him more attractive to other clubs.

Making Doughty captain might also detract from his creative role

Most of the players have taken stick but I rather agree with Bellend in that I think there is decent ability in the squad and that the main issues (injuries apart) are instilling better belief and motivation, some drills and more appropriate formations including some PACE or ability to change pace

That may be down to Power but I think the time for the manager's position to be considered has now come.  Eastleigh were poor and barring incredible ill fortune they were there to be beaten on the evidence of their limited performance.

I wouldn't be happy with a loanee being captain.

Doesn't really matter who the captain is. It's not like cricket.

Agree. Just because you aren't a captain, it doesn't mean that you can't galvinise the team and be a leader.
As mentioned above not many that really really care; I'd say Thompson, Goddard and Doughty do and perhaps Barry and Brophy without having the quality to back it up.. especially BB.

Disagree. A strong captain is a huge bonus to the manager and the side. Colin Calderwood here. Tony Adams, Roy Keane two prime examples of great leaders who im sure influenced results due to their captaincy

Gareth Southgate was talking about this in the week, saying that England lack leaders and you need 4 or 5 on the pitch. His line as that too much is left to Rooney.

Because of our inexperienced squad, too much is on Nathan shoulders. Branco and Kasim are the next 2 in line but hopelessly out of form, so seemingly unable to do much. Branco looks like he's yet to recover from his recent op and injuries, and probably needs to be 100% to play at this level.  Yaser looks to have given up, and is playing within himself to avoid injury before moving either Jan or summer.

Difficult to appoint any sort of captain when the oldest is 25/26.

As long as the strong captain isn't allowed too much influence (Fergie bombed out Keane when he openly questioned players on MUTV). We saw that in the play off final when NT was allowed to start when clearly not fit and the game was gone after 3 minutes.

Undoubtedly he is seen as a leader amongst the rest of the team but his passion boils over to his own detriment and the team's.  Remember sendings off against Brighton and Millwall chasing impossibly lost causes or playing when half fit and breaking down again.

 It's a Catch 22, where because he is captain he feels he has to do this for the team but lets the team down by not being available. He needs to be more selfish to get his own fitness and game right. He needs to be a bit more cool under pressure like Colin The Fridge Calderwood. Problem is there are few other options at the moment.

I think the likes of Calderwood, Adams, Keane etc. would have contributed to positive results irrespective of whether they were captain.

Yeah you're right regarding Keane. He ran his course there.
I also agree regarding Nate. I do feel sorry for him though. He needs other leader types around him and with such a young side that is almost impossible.


Agree but their captaincies shouldn't be underestimated either.

Ironic given that Gareth Southgate doesn't even get to pick his own squad. Lacking leaders indeed.

Herein lies the problem with "the model." You're not going to get leaders where players are new and unfamiliar to the surroundings of professional football that they are now in.

You could argue that the main reason we were so successful 2 seasons ago was due to the fact that they were all really good mates off the pitch. Therefore the players were comfortable acting like leaders as cohesion was so strong.

replay confirmed tues 15th, 7:45

http://mobile.swindontownfc.co.uk//news/article/2016-17/date-for-fa-cup-first-round-replay-confirmed-3404028.aspx

£15 adult
£5 u18
fee u11 (max 2 per adult)

Decent pricing that. Would've gone if I wasn't away!

I wonder if the replay will get picked up for TV by either BBC or BT looks like only us and P'Boro at risk of being beaten by lower teams in replays, cant remember if they show replays in R1

Excellent pricing! I'll be there.

Posh won 2-1

If one of the replays is on TV then it'll most likely be Solihull Moors (JED) or Dover.

What I really want to know is; Is Nathan Thompson one of our own or not?

Is the £15 all over the CG or just the TE?

I will forfeit my England v Spain tickets for the replay.

£15 everywhere

That's quite good....might go up in the DRS for a change.

There will be one on BT Sport.

Doubt it will be us as there are a couple of league teams away to non league ones

Halifax or Dagenham

Intoxicating

LP will be loving that. Good chance of a plum 3rd round draw!!

For the 2nd Round, that's a good draw really. If we get through.

Yeah. We're ace at home!

couldn't have asked for an easier FA cup run this year, hopefully the boys can get us into the 3rd round and we get a nice juicy tie :)

Eastleigh,  D & R and Halifax all probably thinking the same

There's no real point in thinking ahead to the 2nd Round, we're more than capable of losing at home to anyone. 

yup

Dagenham are shit and we would crush the non-league non-entity no hopers

Anyone can tell you that

Ask Lou Macari

That's the spirit, Reg, up and at 'em.

Erm, although you are right. You miserable sod  :)

Watched the first 35 minutes or so of the game last night, Norris' header was over the line, but why didn't the big galoot put the thing in the corner! Our defence looked shaky first 20 minutes.

When was the last time we played Halifax? Not sure we've played them since I've been watching Town

1986 apparently.
http://swindon-town-fc.co.uk/HeadToHead.asp?Team=FC_Halifax_Town&B1=Go%21

I was there when Charlie scored his hat trick. I think he also hit the post. Nothing like a Friday night in Halifax.

 My earliest memory of Halifax, was from 62, we were 3-0 up at the Shay with 20 to go and lost 4-3, including 2 in the last 3 minutes.  :(

 Barry Tait was the Shaymen's shaman, carrying on the STFC torment from the synonymous Tommy.  I've never taken anything for granted since  :)

 We signed Ray McHale from Halifax.

My mate dave verity (ex salisbury city manager) used to play for halifax

And a certain Peter Downsborough who is also a Halifax lad.

Is the replay on TV at all?

nope Don't think we got selected

OK, thanks.

I saw us play them a couple of times in the 80's that was back in the bleak bleak days when we were really bad.

Will never forget the game in 82 at the CG when they beat us 1-0 it was one of the worst performances I have seen by a Swindon side, we couldnt hit a barn door with a banjo from 1 yard.

They scored in the last minute with their first attack, their keeper Lee Smelt had a good game as he always did against us as he always seemed to back in the 80's.

Their goal scored by a young Bobby Davison who went on to score 170 league goals for Derby, Leeds, Leicester etc.

One thing I do remember was laughing at their team sheet (as a 16 year old it was funny) that the first 3 names on the team sheet were Smelt, Nobbs, Wood. (sniggers)

Of what?  :hmmm:

Brilliant I'll join you in a snigger.

I actually liked that bleak period around the early 80's, leading up to Macari. We were seeing but maybe didn't realise at the time the systematic dismantling of of the post war political consensus, whereby collective action, working together and a civil society was replaced by "there's no such thing as society"

Somehow supporting had greater meaning to it....I'd only just moved back to Swindon, and on meeting new people would talk them into giving the Town a try on a Saturday afternoon....it was still cheap back then. We always seemed to be terrible, when I dragged someone along  :)

Nobbs Wood :D

I actually used to quite enjoy the games back then, we were much much worse than we are now but we accepted it, as a club, as fans and even the players it seems.

The real dark days of STFC, kinda makes you appreciate the good times so much more.

The day we got Lowndes Lambert on board as sponsor and the whole club was lifted with the appointment of Macari after several years of less than mediocre is still a high point in supporting STFC for me.

If we get past Eastleigh tomorrow I see our second round game is on a sunday at 2 oclock

http://www.thefa.com/competitions/thefacup/fixtures

(http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab225/mark_woolhouse/Mobile%20Uploads/FB_IMG_1479151963468_zpsgt1rgjyb.jpg)

Let's hope Macclesfield can do to the pox on TV what they did to us 2 years running

That will be on the football focus programme with live goal updates.

I doubt that's the actual kick-off time. More likely it's just been shunted to the end of the list until the fixture (and time) is confirmed.

Can we get two wins in a row!?

I'm away with work, or might of been tempted to go along after Saturday's performance.

I do hope we kick on and get a win.

Get through the next game and a glamour tie away would be great..

Don't think it's going to matter what day it's being played, unless you want to watch Eastleigh in the second round :(

Hope Not !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!