Thetownend.com

Derek Smalls, played by Harry Shearer, in the excellent This Is Spinal Tap wears a Shrewsbury Town shirt at parts in the film. However, he may not be a Shrew, as he also wears a West Ham United cap at times.

We're the original STFC, time to prove it.

2-0.

2-1 win.

5-1 win for Swindon, which on the face of it will be a good result, but gives Power the get out of jail card to say we don't need any more players.

Sent from my SM-G935F

Hoping for a win, be some vicious booing if anything less is achieved.  Wife is accompanying me today, first time this season - last game she saw was last year's victory over the Shrews!  Lucky omen?

there are no must win games in January.

but with one point in 18 away from home and a worsening league position in relation to the bottom 4 it sure feels like one..

1-1

1-1

Crucial game for remainder of season. Win and lack of signings will be put to one side at least for a week and give us breathing space over the Shrews. Lose and it will be pretty toxic and will put us right in the shitter with low morale and pressure on any new arrivals. We should be up for this both crowd and players and think we will start with urgency and hopefully get early goal and press on from there. Going for 3-1 win with Rogers, Obika and Goddard on scoresheet. 6105 crowd of which 300 ish Shrews. Team 4-3-3 formation. Vigs, Barry, Jones, Brophy, Rogers, Murray, Goddard, Obika, Norris, Hylton.

Draw

Missed out Branco!

A win please...defeat could turn nasty...

2 shit teams playing each other on a slippery pitch. 2-2. The midfield worries me so unleash Tom Smith on them. A defeat today will not go down well with the locals. Will be interesting to see the attendance.

Even with everything going on, we've SHOULD win this. We're fucking shit but Shrewsbury are very fucking shit.

Really is a must win.

So it will be a draw or late single goal defeat.

6,014 there with just 156 from the fake STFC.

Have we really fallen so far  that people are contemplating getting beaten at home by fucking Shrewsbury?

Welsh cunts. 5-0

My recent predications have been very poor or perhaps I just can`t bring myself to write 4-0 to the other side  :cry: today I am confident of a win as I do believe there is enough skill in the team to be higher up than we find ourselves. Going to be at least 2-0 COYR

Remember the 95/96 season, we only lost 4 games and only one at the CG.....to a poor Shrewsbury team.

Shrews have shown they know how to scrap....the 1-0 win at Millwall indicates that.  We also know that such a win would be way beyond our current shower.  This is a 6 pointer whatewver Batch says, so will require battling qualities. Can our present bunch find some within them....all evidence says not. 

Indeed, the fake STFC have beaten Rovers, Pox and Millwall recently and got draws with Fleetwood and Port Vale, they are no mugs.

Plus they have signed 2 attacking players this week, Rodman a left winger from Notts County on a free and 23 year old Palace striker Freddie Ladapo who is big, strong and fast, and also Hartlepool defender Toto Nsiala.

They will not be easy to turn over especially with a weakened squad with Furlong and Doughty gone back.

exactly 1.3 Att 5700, 125 welsh

0-1 all over it!

2 shit teams in the freezing cold. I'd be surprised if anyone bothered going. 0-0

Im on my way from Wales (not Shrewsbury....)...looking firward to a decisive win 1-0

Sadly I think you've hit the nail on the head. Really hope I'm wrong but I can see us losing feebly today.

A good summary of the difficulties we face with a further weakened squad....given this, a draw would be acceptable in the circumstances.  Not something we could manage in the last 6 pointer v Franchise, which enabled them to edge above us.

Yes, we were by far the better team, couldn't score and lost to a very late break-away goal. Mugged.

I agree, they are no mugs, but to give a bit of perspective, Shrews have lost their last three. Plus their striker Ivan Toney has gone back to Newcastle.

0-1 with much grumblings.

They have indeed lost their last 3 but we haven't won in the last 6 games ourselves.

Ha, its warm today. So we'll be warm and pissed off, not cold and pissed off. In your face.

I hadn't realised our home form was quite so good over last 6 - 10th in table. Lost 1 (Walsall). 11 out of 18 points. 

We  have in the league haven't we (Bradford)

2016 / 2017    2017/01/02   Swindon   0   Southend   0    D
2016 / 2017    2016/12/30   Franchise   3   Swindon   2    L
2016 / 2017    2016/12/26   Millwall   2   Swindon   0    L
2016 / 2017    2016/12/17   Swindon   1   Fleetwood Town   1    D
2016 / 2017    2016/12/10   Sheffield United   4   Swindon   0    L
2016 / 2017    2016/11/26   Swindon   1   Bradford   0    W

Yep but 6 if you include the mickey mouse cup loss too.

4-2 town who needs recruits.

The Village people?

TOWN STARTING XI | Vigouroux; Barry, Rossi-Branco, Jones, Brophy; Rodgers, Thomas, Murray, Goddard; Norris, Obika (C) #

Subs: Henry, Spalding, Evans, Kasim, Stewart, Hylton, Delfouneso

Didn't realise a problem with orthotics could keep Thompson out for a couple of weeks? Is it the same as Ruddock in that he has to wait for a special order to be made?

Anyone else having (worse than normal) problems with STFC Player today?

:hmmm: is that a positive post :sherlock:

Anyone know who the lad warming up in number 38 is, a potential signing?

Spalding?

Twine?

EDIT: no hes 36

He's number 37.

This guy is a fairly  hefty black lad

It's Frimpong

Frimpong?

Great mind and something ;)

Sounds like Rodgers is playing at his usual standard.

He makes me angry and I'm not even watching. It's not often I take a dislike to players on a personal level, but I think he's a cunt.

I think he is a player who is way out of his depth at this level, he needs to go to a conference level team and get experience, but every time a move breaks down it is almost always "and Rodgers missplaces a pass" somewhere in the move.

He is in no way good enough and I genuinely don't know how he is playing for us, hes not good enough.

not a lack of effort, not much quality. probably shaded it between two poor teams

It's not the quality, or lack thereof, that gets me. That's not necessarily his fault. My problem with him is that I constantly hear that he is just not trying. He may or may not be a bad player but that doesn't make him a cunt. His lack of effort, however, does.

I'm here...

Two dogshit teams...One has more will to win...And it ain't us!!

Shameful...

Lose or draw today and we are down.

Turned on just before half time and Hockaday mistook a Rotherham defender for a Sheff Utd forward. Was this someone who was watching the game?

Has anything been mentioned about potential signings?

Not sure how flash worked that one out?

Shrews haven't had a proper shot have they? Unless I was asleep at the time?

@fh, may be wrong but he gives impression of thinking he's better than he is. usually the first to moan when it's his cock up that caused the issue in the first place

Every time I have seen him play in the flesh I have been unimpressed with his effort, hes way out of his depth talent and effort wise.

A defeat would be a blow, but there is still time to get more points.

A draw, while not ideal, wouldn't be the worst result.

A cheeky 1-0 in win would make things look a bit better.

I get the impression that he thinks tackling/pressing is beneath him and that's somebody else's job.

The minimum I expect from a third division footballer is effort, he falls short in even that category.

You are correct he is a grade A cunt

you do talk shit at times.

Slightly better of two poor teams

Penalty to us and a red card.

Ooh.

1-0 Goddard (p)

um, need to see that again on TV but, yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees

Definitely a pen, harsh red card I thought

Yay!

Yippee ki-yay!

good tackle by Norris to get into box mind

Motherfucker.

Lets hope we can kick on a bit now.

In answer to my statement...it doesn't sound like we have kicked on yet.

And that is the danger of having someone who can't defend at full back

Brophy you silly man.

Strawberry blonde card for the
Ginger ninja

We are hanging on a bit now, which is a bit shit

Kasim on for Rodgers...about time.

TODAY'S OFFICIAL ATTENDANCE - 6,137 (259 Away Fans)

#STFC

So 6,137 from STFC then.

1-1

Oh dear!
1-1

For fuck sake.

Just went out of the room and the next thing I find is Brophy sent off.

What happened? Two bookings or straight red?

Bellends.

2 bookings.

under 6000 swindon fans, long time that's happened in a league game :hmmm: Reg

Wankers. Fucking wankers. Bunch of cunts.

Yeah, last time was vs Rochdale in November ;) and before that Port Vale.

But before that?

Pre-empted you ;)

Swindon having a "mental meltdown" according to the commentator :( thats not good.

haha, i was thinking about 5k :-[

Yeah, but before that.😉

Two points firmly dropped.

Game over, poor.

more like a point gained :)

Poor but not unexpected. Need players asap which we knew anyway.

Oh dear oh dear sherwood out. :whogives:

well, I wouldn't call it boring. shit quality, disappointing, but not boring

Don't care...What anyone says...What players we bring in...WE ARE DOWN!!!

Arse in debenhams window? Or a Hitler tache tattoo? You sound uber confident.

3 wins in last 20 games. All competitions. Just seen that on twitter. Frightening.

It's not frightening. It's just not very good.

Well luke says we were too nervous when we had an extra man

We've picked up points in 55% of our last 20 games.

Does that make it sound better?

Thought not.

Anyone else at any other club with that record would have been sacked.

We just get worse. I can't see where a win is going to come from.  Dire isn't the word.

Luke said "we've got 2 points from 2 games, 1 more and that's a win".That's one way of looking at it!

Steve White:
- Game sprung to life with penalty
- Thought that was it. But couldnt get head of steam up
- Shrews always in the mix
- Brophy wrong side of marker. Stupidly gettting sent off. No complaints.
- Very disappointing
- Sprung to life as proper football match in last 10 mins
- Goddard good performer. Hylton good at the end and could have had a penalty
- After 55 mins didnt press them higher up the pitch when they had 10. Didnt seem to have the energy
- Shrews defender caused mix up with keeper. Unfortunate to give away penalty
- Probed and proded in first half but create nothing
- Why have Town struggled? Mixed mesages? Difficult for White to say. First start under Sherwood everyone pressed up the pitch with high energy and intensity. Been away for a couple of months, not sure what has happened since
- Is this a relegations battle? Don't have a huge amount of spark. Havent shipped goals. No strength in depth of squad.
- One would have thought penalty would have given them a spark
- Getting to stage of season where we get pulled into a dire relegation battle.
- Point a game is not good enough
- Next fixtures: Looks quite daunting! Sometimes it doesn't pan out like that
- With no LB then hopefully Thompson back or more players into the club

Williams:
- Dont think there was a great deal between teams
- Might have deserved win for taking lead
- Disjointed performance and nervous. Looked worse against 10 men
- Too many unforced errors
- Brophy. Quite sure after Shrews sending off , ref looks to even it up. Shouldnt have given him opportunity to do so. Bad decision cost us again
- Should grow in confidence at 1-0. But team went into shell, hesitated, made wrong decision. Should have given them a lift, but didnt
- Hard for Williams to know why players playing without intelligence. Can only think pressure affecting players
- Both teams got close to creating chance without doing so.
- Booing is just normal and part of life. We live with it constantly
- Not criticising the crowd one bit, but it can affect you if you are being booed and harrassed. But dont blame the fans
- Williams attitude to give everything to help players and not moan about stuff out of his control. Will try to help them make a difference
- Loves to come out and talk to fans, sometimes to say that he feels the same way as them.
- Fans may not like him at the moment
- Thompson had been hoped to have been fit
- Kasim was very ill yesterday (something he ate) and was dehydrated
- BOO not on training pitch yet
- Increasding psycological frailty: How do we start picking up point? Williams highlighted that they have conceeded less recently and have been close to getting the odd one goal win

Crap questions! No answers!

Defensively poor, no bottle, effort or creation in midfield and we struggle to score.

I too can't see where the next win is coming from unfortunately.

Why do people on the radio keep saying "we miss nathan"?

Karl Robinson at the match today...

That was gash, no urgency and no clue. Whoever we sign they had better be a lot better than some of the players we got else we are fooked if we're not already

Can he play up front?

The worst thing is the thought that we are prime time ripe for a full blown arse reaming from Oxford at home in a few weeks times.

Then why bring kassim on?!?!!!! Shite...

Shameful day for those who paid good money to watch.

Hanging on to a draw.....Fuck off...Disgrace!

I don't think either us or Shrewsbury are playing Charlton soon...could Robinson be scouting players? Seems unlikely on today's performance

Rovers away before that.

Confident? :suicide:

I imagine Robinson was hoping the game would be better.

Didn't someone tell us that Kasim was a Robinson target?

Hopefully he signs the lot of them.

On the first point:  That's why he was dehydrated. (Maybe Karl Robinson was there to watch him?)
On the second: Think Williams is frustrated that he has no leaders on the pitch that can help others make the right decisions.
On the last: Think he was saying that they have been tighter at the back recently and if they had scored one more goal in the last two games they would have had at least one more win out of the two.

Very true.  At least the draw keeps the Shrews down a bit and with Chesterfield and Bury struggling, not too much damage done. However we will need to win about 7 games before season's end from 20 games....we've presently 6 from 26. We've just had 2 in Franchise, worst home record and Shrews in the drop zone and behind and down to 10 and failed to win either.

Failure to strengthen will see us down....but weve been told the D o F recognises this, so here's hoping.

Vigs ain't happy.

Well, we were shit. They were shit. It was a bit like the Southend game. Tentative bollocks football then a mad 20 minutes. In fact the goal net getting demolished was the most entertaining bit of the game up to that point.

Shrews were actually better after their sending off. Looked a harsh red but hard to see.

Brophy had two cynical ones, nothing horrible but can see why it was two yellows.

Didn't think the challenge on Goddard was a pen, looked to take the ball. Did think the one on Hylton was, didn't see him get any of the ball.

Got no problem with booing, or "Power out" (not sure I agree, but I'd happily try a different approach) - but doing so at 1-1 with 10 to go is a bit off. Losing, losing heavily I can see it - not when its still there. I boo'd myself at the end, in case it sounded a bit preachy.

But the crowd has turned. Sherwood better pull his fucking finger out, this is going to get ugly if things don't pick up.

My MOM was ...Norris. Yeah, never thought I'd put that there.

Well, if you were a decent player having that pile of shite in front of you, you wouldn't be too happy either.

We were absolutely fucking dog shite.  It was a penalty, sat in line and by the letter of the law it had to be a red card, but unlucky for them.  How did Rodgers actually stay on for 65 minutes - ne of his worst performances in my eyes!  Although there were a few of those out there!!  Vigs arguing with the centre backs and he does not look a happy chappy at the moment.  After taking the lead we sat back a bit deeper and invited them on to us a bit so they were able to crank up the pressure.  That was two teams who will be very lucky if they are not relegated this season.

Well don't say you weren't warned ;)

My 48 year old love affair with Swindon ended last year and I couldn't care less whether you won or not but my hatred of the piss stains is enduring.
I begrudge giving Power my £25 but I'll be their, unless someone has a free ticket for me?

True. But I was warm :)

I think his tweet was blaming the Ref and flag wavers.

Yeah i'm being flippant, but I had a free day today, but I knew it would be crap, and no way was I spending 7-8 hours, and £80/£90 proving I was right. It is like 10/11, other seasons we've been rubbish I'd go expecting us to be bad, not knowing It. That's what the killer is.

We're 3 points worse off than 10/11 at the same stage. It was the sale of Austin and Morrison in the window that fucked us, the squad then just clocked off. 

This side has yet to clock on....it isn't beyond the realms of possibilty that with a bit of strengthening we could stay up.

Nail, head, hit. Don't blame you. Not in the slightest/

Does anyone know Reg, if so can you tell him his account has been hacked :)

Seriously, yes of course you are right. We can stay up, just not as it is now.

Again Vigs at the end looked like he thought this was his last game at Swindon.

The crowd has totally turned against that team and that management.  Even at 1-0 people were just waiting to pounce.  Trying to drop further and further back and hang on when a goal up and a man up against shit opposition was frightening if  nothing else because of the total lack of confidence it demonstrated and which added to the crowd's anger and frustration.

Are you Albert Brind?

That was one of the worst I've seen today. 1-0 up against 23rd in the league with 10 men, should really had a 10/15 minute determined spell of pummelling them to make the game out of sight. Instead, we sat back and invited pressure.. they took their opportunity and could easily have won it. Was relieved to get a point in the end.

I think in 10/11. Austin asking for a transfer and then discovering Morrison had the 250K release clause in his contract, caught the management on the hop and unable to respond...if memory serves, we expected to sign Joe Mason from Argyle for 300k or so, they were happy needing the dosh being in the basket case category, but Mason demurred reckoning quite rightly he could do better, we ended up with Benyon.

Obviously the sale of Greer was sanctioned partly in the belief that Morrison could step up....so a bit of a surprise when he left in such circumstances.

We're in a different boat atm.....nothing to sell, and have had plenty of time to identify and bring in new players.  OK it is very possible some like a Mason might look at us atm and think no thanks, but it's down to Sherwood to convince them

:Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Toss up who was worse today, team, fans or ref. Think the ref edges it, but it's a close thing all round. And a special mention for Jones throwing his toys out of the pram at the end. Whip round for his ticket back to Liverpool?

That was a crap game between two crap teams.

Was definitely a penalty, but didn't think it was a red card.
There was some positivity after that, 1-0 up and the opposition down to 10.
We weren't playing well, but better than a crap Shrewsbury side who offered very little.

A stupid yellow from Brophy after he slipped, lost the ball and brought their player down, then 90 seconds later, a stupid challenge a yard (luckily) outside the box and he rightly got a second yellow and that gave the Shrews a shot in the arm.

Didn't see their goal as I was having a piss but after that the crowd got on the backs of the players; plenty of booing, "Power Out" and "This Is Embarrassing" chants from a frustrated Town End and factions of the Don Rogers Stand.
I didn't agree with this with 15 mins to go as the game was still very much there to be won, but I think this affected the players as they were a shambles and a nervous wreck for the rest of the match.
Hylton was a ray of light when he came on and should be starting in an attacking midfield position.
That's got to be one of the worst midfield's we've ever put out.
Thomas, seems absolutely useless and i've no idea what his attributes are as he's probably 6'4", but crap in the air, slow, weak and offers no physical presence whatsoever.
Rodgers was, well, Rodgers. I didn't agree with the cheering and booing of him when he was substituted, what's that going to achieve?
Goddard did very little all game but scored the penalty so was obviously awarded MOM by the Sponsors.
Murray was the best of the midfielders, worked hard with plenty of effort.

Felt sorry for Norris who had a good game and made plenty of good runs but was never once found by our midfielders.
Obika played well and probably my MOM, although he does shoot too often from stupid positions.

Two points dropped and we desperately need some new faces next week as the fans really made their displeasure felt this afternoon.

Well what can you say after that shower of shit

Vigs - Did not have a single save to make today. Looking at the replay of the shrewsbury 'goal' it looks very debateable whether the ball did actually cross the line. Only player who currently deserves the shirt.

Brophy - Clueless 2 yellow cards. First one completely his fault for completely fucking about rather than just passing the ball

Jones and Branco - Defensively solid today and appear to work ok as a partnership. Shame it will be broken up to accommodate Thompson

Barry - I felt he had a good game considering he has not played for so long.

Rodgers - Fuck off

Thomas - Fuck off

Murray - Good delivery from set pieces and again played ok

Goddard - Needs to do more when clean through on goal, should have put his body in the way of the defender so he couldn't make a tackle

Obika - Completely off the pace today

Norris - Worked hard but is never going to be a 20 goal a season player

Officials - Shocking again, the linesman somehow missed Thomas taking the ball about half a yard out of play in the first half and I'm not convinced regarding the penalty decision let alone a red card for it. How that can be awarded and then for him to say no when Hylton was taken out when he was only 5 yards away shows what an amateur he was.

The blame has to lay in the hands of the players and Power. Reinforcements are obvious to everyone and there is no reason why at least 2 should not have been in place ahead of today. The next few games are zero points on paper so we are really in the shit now even if the table doesn't suggest that right at this moment. How Rodgers gets any game time is beyond me when you have Tom Smith who has already shown more passion and talent in his short career than Anton. Why we persist in playing him let alone as a defensive midfielder when he can't tackle says it all. For anyone that was undecided on him the first couple of minutes in the second half from him said it all.

Caddis is available on a free and would provide us with some much needed experience. A strong leader in the middle of the park and a goal scorer is the least that is required. A switch to 4-4-2 to provide a solid foundation especially on the road and a couple of wingers to ensure there is service to the forwards.



 

We need signings this week desperately, fans need something positive to talk about.

Glad I didn't make the journey today but will be in Bolton. See you all there.

What happened with Jones?

Got to agree with Gingino on most of his points, but we were right in line and it was a penalty - even if a bit harsh, but how many have been given against us - and as he was the last defender had to go according to the letter of the law.  A bit unlucky in all honesty.  Obika was not himself, but why play him mostly on the left wing when  the only option is for him to try to cut inside and shoot?  Beaks and Norris should be playing much closer together, with Hylton raiding down the wing.  But we are so ponderous and predictable in possession that other teams can pick us off.  Needs changes, possibly a change of coach would be a good start.

He's probably wondering what he has done to be given a loan ticket to shambles thistle fc.

Imagine going from Liverpool to having to play with our shower?

We've a 100% losing record at whatever they're calling the ground which isn't Burnden Park.  So recent norvern road trips....1-4 Scunny, 0-4 Rochdale, 0-4 Sheff U,  I admire your spirit  :)

Bit of a strop at the booing at the final whistle. Missed it but sounded like an arm flailing exercise.

Of all the games I've seen this season, this performance = relegation. The number of individual errors, the lack of quality even for the basics plus the lack of work rate (closing down opposition and getting in position to help team mates in possession) was awful. I can't remember one decent cross going into the box.

Shrewsbury had lost their last three games. To go 1-0 up against 10 men and not be able to exploit the situation, and then look the weaker side says a lot about the mental state of the team and the ability of the coaches.

If we can't win games like this one, given the position we found ourselves in, makes me think we're fucked already. Any new recruit will have to be so good as to play every game from now until the end of the season.

If he'd done anything to justify looking like a Liverpool player I might have some sympathy.

That's 2 of the relegation places sorted. That performance was pathetic. If you cant see off a 10 man shit team when 1 up then you're fucked. I'm struggling to remember a worse or slower midfield. Thomas is just shit. Murray runs like a 90 year old - thats when he does run, he is so unfit. Goddard was total toss but there is some hope for him. Rogers performance was embarrassing for any professional. We then bring on an unfit Kasim and the midfield got even slower. Other than Goddard they should all fuck off now.
How about getting some full backs in, you know proper defending full backs - oh yes, we have got one but he's permanently injured and playing out of position.
Oboka was crap today but like last week, him and Norris are miles apart on the pitch.
If I was any decent player I'd be looking at getting the fuck out of Swindon. We are a total shambles all over the pitch bar the keeper.
If we do manage to stay up this season then I'd put a big wedge on us to go down next season. There are so many things wrong on the pitch at the moment. I can't see anyone with choices choosing us.
Surely Willams and Embleton have got be binned and, to be honest, I'd tell Sherwood to fuck off as well. We need a "proper" manager. Our players don;t have a fucking clue where the others players are. Fonz would make good runs and noone sees him. Its happenning with Norris now as well.
Fuck knows what training looks like as each week the 11 who go on the pitch look as though theyve never seen each other.  
I really hate this fucking team at the moment. Useless, bottling cunts.
It needs totally ripping up and starting again.

He does, he's a whinging fucker.
On a separate note was anyone surprised when Goddard took the penalty that he didn't play it back to Vigs. How many of our free kicks ending back with Vigs?

Ha ha, and looking for a fight at the final whistle

Jones and Barry clashed on the touch line just before the end, both going for the same high ball. They got some grief for that, then at the end the Scouser was mouthing off to the DRS which wasn't prob the brightest thing to do in the circumstances. Plenty of people politely telling him to get the next train back to L'pool. And to not come back.

I keep hearing that Rogers is Conference level. That's disrespectful to players in that league, in my view he'd struggle. With all those little flash 5 yard flicks that constantly end up as hospital passes he'd soon get lumped by his own team mates at that level, or below, coupled with his disdain for getting stuck in.

This is a woeful team.

 
 
It needs totally ripping up and starting again.
[/quote]

Orange Juice - Rip it Up (Official Video) (1983) https://youtu.be/ESy-Z8vqMrE via @YouTube  :nod:

Where was Tom Smith today? I presume he's injured. From the brief glimpses I've seen of him how he isn't getting more game time ahead of Rodgers & Thomas is unreal. Rodgers, even by his low standards, was fucking awful today. I don't agree with the sarcastic cheering/clapping when he got brought off but he needs to come out of the side for his own good, if nobody elses, asap. Thomas was equally shite & I'd be looking to bin him in the summer but that'll be nigh on impossible with 2 years left on his deal.

problem with players with no experience like Tom is they put too much effort in to get noticed, run round like a headless chicken for 60 minutes and then end up pulling a muscle and are out for weeks. We need to be using players like him more BUT they need to be put in the team sporadically to build up their experience so they can learn how to manage themselves. It's a big step going from youth games to L1. We have some good young talent coming through but we don't use them enough imho.

The thing that pisses me off about the team isn't quality, it's passion, very few will put their head in where it will get hurt, won't stick a leg out to win a 50/50 ball etc...... They are here to get paid, it's not about stfc, it's not about wanting to play football and be the best, they are collecting their wage with sometimes as little effort as they can muster.

I agree totally with all of that but the midfield looked far better against Rochdale at home with Smith & Iandolo in it than it does at the moment with Rodgers & Thomas. Unfortunately we aren't in the luxurious position of being able to gently ease the likes of Smith into the first team because putting it bluntly, we're fucking shit. He's better than what we've got so needs to be playing when fit imo until/IF suitable replacements are bought!!

Well, reading all this is quite depressing!!! I was there too and it was one of the worst games I have seen. But it wasn't all bad in my view. We began (once we had settled down) quite well...some fast tight attacks, just missing the final touch. For me (like others) the key problem is Rodgers. To begin with he was moving the ball forward effectively. He then began to make his usual errors in defensive areas and from then on lost it, ending up always facing and passing in the wrong direction and usually putting the defence under pressure. Both centre backs are ok in defence but without Nathan there just isn't the ball skill to move the ball forward...either they pass to each other or they try to run with it and then lose it. I thought Obika worked hard and won alot but his passing was off. Brophy was foolish but at least had some adventure to him. Norris took a lot of stick from Shrews. The worst bit was the complete meltdown after we took the lead....it was deeply worrying....

Fair play to Branco who had me going "oooh shaun taylor!" for a brave second half header that looked the Shrews' keeper's all the way - shame he couldn't keep it down but a show of guts and desire in that team really stands out.

For quality, Vigs once again, who cleanly collected umpteen corners, even in hostile company even though he was given little else bar a couple of good saves over the 90.

Its still early days but vigs is working his way towards downsborough, fods and diggers rather than Findlay, spearing and sheffield

For whatever reason, Sherwood didn't give us the lift we needed. I still don't know what role he has effectively taken.

Time for new back room staff full stop. It's the only roll of the dice we have left.

Team full of chihuahua's when we need lions.
Led by a chihuahua when we need a lion.
Roar.

Awful game with two shite sides. Spineless and pathetic.

Rodgers was terrible, pathetic performance. Needs to be taken out of the team for his own good.

Connor Thomas not much better.

Brophy extremely naive with the two bookings. He'll learn from it.

Kasim obviously not fit, why play him? Summed up by him losing the ball, making no effort to track back and Hylton running 50 yds to make the tackle to clear up the mess he made. Was expecting Jordan Stewart to come on, alas no.

Norris and Hylton only bright sparks to be honest. Goddard gets a little bit of praise for the goal, im convinced he will only get better.

Vigs was Vigs, getting better and better.

What was worrying was taking a step back when the Shrews went down to 10, ffs take advantage of the extra man and attack.

Williams spouting bollocks in the interview. 3 draws is a win? Fuck off pal.

Was quite angry at the end, only really calmed down.

Hear Timmy says 5 signings this week, as others have said, believe it when i see it.

Bolton next week, play like that and we'll get buttfucked.

Time to open another stella.

Two home games to start a new year and maybe it's natural to be reflective.    A walk along the Shrivvy Road, three generations of us who've known no better, who know well enough not to expect but just enough still to hope.  It occurs too that I've been coming to the County Ground, hoping, for 43 years; so young that I remember almost nothing before climbing the terrifying, rickety steps of the old stand.  So there's no place - no home or school or workplace, nowhere - that's been such a constant through my life, and meeting family for a drink beforehand reminds me of those constants and gives me something to treasure, and for a moment, I'm glad and reassured to be here.

-------------

Soon, I'm looking at that green rectangle, trying in vain to hope whilst contemplating how Rodgers and Thomas are wearing our red shirt again.  And others too of course: just how did it come to this?  On Monday, I'd raged at our first half lethargy - playing a team with a day's less rest and no particular intent - this was a scandalous approach.  True, the second half had developed into something much more purposeful with Vigs, Branco and Jones all excelling.  

Today, Shrewsbury came out with that 150mph madness, that only the truly desperate can manage - if only we run around like this maybe they won't realise how hopeless we are.  It didn't take long for the truth to out, and without being especially incisive, in the first 25 minutes we created opportunities at will.  Sorry for those judging the game as a whole, but Rodgers was often an early catalyst for getting the ball forward quickly and creatively.  Obika alone had four efforts, each of which I thought he should have done better with.  And this is my biggest concern with the Williams years, it feels as if it just doesn't matter enough.  I genuinely support our playing and developmental philosophy, but it has to be aligned with being desperate to win football matches.  So SJO has his half-arsed efforts (that's harsh, but you know what I mean, fine margins and all that), and sloppiness and poor decision making creep in all over (and never go away), and the visitors realise they've not actually been hammered yet, winning their own corners and even having a header that went somewhere towards goal.

At half time I thought the few boos were borne out of frustation - we'd created plenty and really should have been ahead.  And back crept the hope, surely we couldn't not beat these?

In a sense, I'm not bothered the game swung one way and the other based on strange officiating.  I've not seen the highlights, but the incident that led to the penalty and red card followed a strange passage of play, with Norris (less involved and effective than of late) waiting for the spinning ball to settle before he was possibly hacked down.  Their's looked a goal through 90 yards of mist and the wrong angle, whilst Hylton's was surely a penalty.  I am bothered though at our approach - we've abandoned the pure Williams high risk 'Swindon Way' and regressed to sub-Cooper pure mess.  The players - at best hugely lacking in quality and depth - look utterly bereft.  For those not there, this can not be emphasised enough, the last 20 minutes were absolutely abject.  It would feel cruel to pick on individuals, suffice to say that the collective (they are a team, after all) mentality, application, execution were soul destroying.  Thanks to those who in some shape or form have shown the guts to front up afterwards - Vigs, Goddard, Embleton, Williams, Brophy.

Times like these are tough, and I'm as guilty as plenty in sometimes feeling hopeless, in saying that these are the worst players ever.  However, in reality, most of us have seen and supported us through worse times...and things do, somehow, get better.  Problem is, this is now, and finding hope walking back down Shrivenham Road this evening feels impossible.  But give it a couple of weeks (and eight new players), it'll be back.  

Here's to the next 43 years.

No I'm not. Do you have a spare ticket against the piss stains?

I dont think you will struggle to get one judging on todays performance :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

I'm desperate not to give Power any money but really want to be at this game. Any takers? Anyone? I'll pay the face value, preferably in the town end but anywhere in the ground will do.

LW says being booed off has "become normal" and "a part of life"

WTF??? Disgusting they are accepting this

Williams is now a figure of fun. He's our very own comical Ali. In a way its quite sad as hes a young bloke finding his way but he's so completely out of his depth. I've no doubt he's a decent man but there is nothing positive in his after match quotes. There is no tactical insight. There is no upbeat message. I think hes shot. He needs to go.
I actually think I'm at the stage where power needs to be seriously challenged. I actually think his approach is right but it has to be grounded in pragmatism and this is where it is lacking. You need experience to bring the youngsters along.
This is a massive transfer window.

He's never seemed like he wanted the job in the first place

I think you'll find that the best coach in the world is well aware of the fact that he's lucky to be employed in professional football and regurgitates the company line and keeps his pay check. No pride, no self esteem for Mr exciting.

Modern Shakesperian. Good post. How I feel, not like the shouty listen to me social media posters.

Loved that Christy. Great post  :pint:

The shit we're seeing in terms of a clear lack of effort and passion from most of the players is shameful.

How so-called professional sportsmen can be so unfit, let alone have such low levels of self pride to put in such awful performances week in, week out, is beyond me.

We can all accept a lack of ability at this level, but it's not going to wash if there is a lack of effort and passion to go with it, but that is unfortunately where we are with this lot.

Not having a defined manager is not helping. The fans don't know what's going on, which isn't good.

I'm sure Power and Sherwood know exactly what's going on but are just bullying Williams in the hope that he'll eventually resign after a sustained period of having to front everything up, and they will then avoid having to pay up his contract.

Meanwhile, the players don't give a fuck as they're still picking up their salaries, driving round in new cars, no matter who's in charge.

And to think that Power openly blamed out previous shittnes on Cooper, saying that Williams was really the one responsible for the beautiful way we play, and is one of the best coaches in the UK, at the same time as awarding him with a new 5 year contract.

Where is Power now that questions are being asked of him? Where is the regular Wilts Sound phone in?

Where is Sherwood ffs??

Lots of questions, very few answers.

Rodgers started the game well and was and usually is the only midfielder that plays forward passes into feet and trusts his teammates to take the ball under pressure. Multiple attacks started due to this, it goes  largely unnoticed though but the first time he doesn't  dive in and leave a huge space behind him, he gets crucified... it was all downhill from there and he was doomed from the start of the 2nd half.

Sent from my SM-G930F

I like Christy's post, it does cover how it was on the field, but in my opinion of the field is a bit more of the problem.

I'm not going over every point. I don't trust power, but can see a sustainable model is needed.

For me it's just that in previous years of turd, you knew that if we get through this season then maybe, just maybe next year will be different.

as things stand, it feels like next year will be groundhog day. another year of flogging everything salable. another year of youngsters finding their way. another year of struggle regardless of if we go down.

add into the mix the least convincing permanent management duo since malpas, a contractless 'wtf does he do' name, a chairman who gives the impression he doesn't give a shit about fans, media and anything other than self interest (and now he's diluted with Waterford)..

add in the shite  football, take away hope and it's not surprising this is the result.

it's going to be a hell of a job for TS/LP to turn it around from here. they've left it very late in the day..... but not too late (I hope)

I'm not sure that is entirely fair, I don't think anyone started the game well.  However he just isn't up to league one standard for several reasons:

1) He fucks up a simple pass or gives the ball away too many times
2) He passes without looking and generally gives the ball away but what makes it worse is where he is on the field
3) He can not tackle or if he attempts he usually gives away a foul
4) His heading ability even when no one is around him is piss poor

Occasionally he has a game where you don't notice him but that's only because he is average but most of the time you do notice because he is crap

If only we had a radio reporter that really asked the super coach some searching questions!  Jump on the three draws equals one win and say "No, it's six points dropped!"  Ask why he said there would be new faces for the Shrewsbury game and fuck-all happened - and I don't believe for a minute the statement that Sherwood told "somebody" in the car park that five new faces would be in this coming week - that's getting back to the Danny Wilson days when somebody would come on and say their mate's father-in-law's brother's cousin's husband is a taxi driver and picked up four pissed up Town players drunk before a game . . . or words to that effect.  Just fucking get on with it, sack or down-grade Williams and get now blood in the team.

We have been a bit more direct at times since TS came on board, however in terms of the playing it out from the back and the domination of possession side of the game, there are only a couple of players in the squad who are generally good at keeping things ticking over in midfield.

They are Kasim and Rodgers, neither of whom could be viewed as tenacious tacklers or true box to box midfielders.
It's up to the rest of the midfield to make up for this and make the tackles and do the running for them up to a point.
People say that Kasim isn't interested but I'd say he is not the same player without someone of the quality of say Luongo next to him to actually run at the opposition with ball at feet.

The one positive from yesterday was that we didn't lose and increased the gap to Bury and Chesterfield.
We will stay up, just, and then time for some major upgrading in the summer.
Trouble is that the budget may have to be adjusted to reflect crowds of 6,000 or less.
If Power is really in it for the long haul as he says then the time may have come to properly speculate in order to accumulate.

Good post Christy by the way.

Can see why Vigs was so pissed off with the Lino, now having seen the replay on the sky sports website.

Ball bounces between the bar and the line twice each before he hooks it out with his palm immediately after its bounced up from the line.  :suicide:

It`s been a while since I saw a performance like that and unless there are plans to get some new faces in we will be in a dog fight to stay up and I don`t think we would win it. Williams interviews are now starting to grate as he doesn`t appear to want to take any responsibility and talking up the draws is not what the fans want to hear - if he talks like he does in the changing room it is reflected on the pitch - gutless devoid of all skill.

I remain hopeful that new signings will appear to get us out of this shit.

Good post Christy.

I am entering my 42nd year of following the Town and have seen a lot worse than the current shower of shit.

I will never stop supporting Swindon, I may occassionally lose a little interest but it never really goes away it just dulls when there seems little hope of it turning around.

Every transfer window I hope that we unearth another Austin that will change our season....hope but never really expect.

With the exception of Vigs I wouldn't mind a whole new team but I know thats not possible so 3 or 4 new signings that can save our season would be good but I also know we work to a strict budget and breaking that could be dangerous for the long term financial stability of the club but short term COULD save our season.

All a lot of Town fans really want is effort, if you show willing, put in a shift and you aren't good enough then fine, but, 100% effort week in week out is that too much to ask for your (fairly large) pay packet?

Come on Sherwood, come out to the press, tell us your plans for the club, how it will be run, what sort of things you are responsible for, do you take training? provide tactics? motivate? handle contracts?

What EXACTLY do you do at the club?

Why is it so secretive?

What can we realistically expect this season and next?

Please up your communication to fans as at the end of the day the fans are the lifeblood of any club and we do not want to be mushrooms, kept in the dark and fed shit all the time.

I'd also disagree, you suggest he trusts his teammates to take the ball under pressure but to me I see him just getting rid of it to give someone else the problem. When he gets the ball under pressure he panics and gives it away.

At the start of the second half yesterday his first three touches all led to him giving the ball away and all came in the first minute.

Now we are a third division team, so can't expect a team full of fantastic footballers but if you are limited on the skill front then you need to at least substitute with effort. For me, despite the odd good ball Rodgers provides neither

That's how it looks to me... shifting responsibility

Hes also the first to be shouting about when someone else makes a mistake

Got to say that the posts of the last few pages regarding the players/management/being a fan hit the nails truly on the head.

As an old fart I go back to the absolute dire experiences of the late fifities and the old Divvy 3 South but the game has changed in so many ways that I can only agree that the current squad and situation is not looking good and is as bad as I have seen it for a while, and we appear to be going backwards from where we were eighteen months ago. I still have trust that LP/TS/LW will turn it around, but time is running out rapidly and my early season optimism is diminishing with every game.

I'm not gonna try and paint Rodgers as a good player, he isn't, but that's a load of bull. Most of time when he lost the ball yesterday was from a crap pass to him where if he'd taken the ball in he'd have been tackled facing our own goal. He got slaughtered for not diving into a challenge he'd have gotten nowhere near at the end of the first half, exposing a huge hole in behind that to me was the smarter choice. The fact he ended up getting beaten anyway unfortunately sums him up.

Sent from my SM-G930F

Whatever you want to say about Rodgers the idea that he doesn't look isn't true. Rodgers is always checking his position, and those around him. Look at any footage of him and it is clear. He lacks the ability to execute but he certainly checks his shoulders all the time, just as any coach would wish.

And that's the problem, he plays to the coach and maybe if he stopped looking at his shoulders and stopped trying to get the highest pass completion rate, he might do something proactive on a more regular basis than the one or two glory passes a game.

Seriously? Coaching players is now a bad thing? That a bit Goveian.

To be fair to Williams, it's now not his responsibility to answer those questions - it's up to Power/Sherwood to. If they are, indeed, trying to make life so unpleasant for Williams that he walks, it fucking stinks.

As for unearthing a gem to be sold for millions, I agree, it's what lower league clubs are all about - if said money, or at least a good part of it, is reinvested in the team.

Apparently, every member of Bristol Rovers' team yesterday played for them in the Conference days. Just shows what can be achieved by keeping a squad together instead of starting from scratch every summer.

I know Rodgers has been crap generally but I don't think he was as bad yesterday barring one pathetic attempt at winning the ball that resulted in a Shrewsbury break that he didn't track back for.

Yes, he should have much less awareness of the game around him, bound to improve any player  ::)

I may have said before, however I am (pleasantly) surprised that the majority of fans aren't accepting the mediocrity being served up and the complete inactivity in the transfer market.

Most on here were crying out for stability following the Black era and that's exactly what Power has delivered. FFS we had a poster not so long ago state he'd rather see STFC in the conference than follow a similar path to Bournemouth and end up playing top flight football! Thankfully that isn't the general view and fans are voting with their feet at the current state of affairs.

That we have entered 2017 with Barry and Brophy starting full backs is a travesty - you won't find a worse pairing in League 1. BOO? A liability however at least he can put the ball in the box rather than hit the first man every time like Brophy. The three of them will struggle to find a league club once they leave here.

I have seen reference to Rodgers only misplacing one pass in the 1st half yesterday. Nonsense. There were at least 3 or 4 and the bottling challenges to boot. Thomas little better however we can't say we weren't warned by Coventry fans. He has looked most adept at centre half however offers nothing in midfield. That an unfit/ill Kasim looked streets ahead of them in his brief cameo yesterday speaks volumes.

Obika has taken a bit of stick however he was the only (slight) danger we had for me yesterday and we look far more likely to score with him in the side.

Enough has been said about LW post match, the poor guy needs to be put out of his misery.

On a final, and very trivial, note....who on earth runs the STFC twitter page? It's embarrassing. Nearly every update is met with derision from fans.

Andrew Steele-Davis. A cracking fella who is a massive Town fan. Its not his fault the team is shit

Not the Twitter man's fault for sure but it appears nobody is taking responsibility for that one!

I don't think it's him who runs it, there's some other guy who does the social media stuff according to the official site:

Social Media Manager
Callum Hampson

Either way it's fucking cringeworthy but it's how organisations and businesses tend to conduct themselves on social media nowadays

the official  player interview/ news content seems to have improved since ASD went in.

not sure shut the load of dodgy emoji on the tweets mind, not the enthusiasms on some of the boycott cup games (oxford)

have to say I am guilty of moaning at the official  Twitter feed as if I'm talking to power himself.. sorry ASD. mind you, I'm sure power monitors social media from time to time...

Can't be right. Bodin surely didn't.

Another ex-Town player, Cristian Montano, didn't play for them in Non-League either (and he also started).

It's not rare to see promoted Non-League climb quickly. Rovers did better than Oxford did in that respect (who I expected to see in L1 much quicker than they did).

I presumed, wrongly, that the Rovers fan who posted that would know what he's talking about.

The general premise is valid though

Momentum seems to be so key in football. Look at the 3 promoted teams, they are all comfortably above the relegation zone and you could argue that all 3 are within a shout of getting into the play-off fun and games.

We appear to have stagnated and (adopt Reg stance) will be lucky to stay up this season. The current season we are having could become the norm unfortunately. We will have a sustainable team which finished 12-17th in League 1 season upon season.

I was going to mention an exciting cup run but we seem unable to get past round 1 these days!

I think you're being optimistic if you think the way the club is going is good enough to avoid years of slump.

Falling crowds will see a more reduced budget which will see, if possible, even less quality on the pitch.

There is no telling where we could end up. Momentum works both ways - if you know what I mean.

I do know what you mean and I agree with you. The football and results are so mundane at the moment that numbers are dwindling badly.

That said, a good transfer window and a couple of morale boosting results against Rovers and Oxford and we build a bit of momentum towards the end of the season and into next.

Alternatively, we bring in a couple of loanees, get hammered at Rovers, lose feebly at home to Oxford and things start getting very ugly.

It won't be boring anyway!

I think a tweak of 'the transfer formula' would be good too, and to be fair that is what they said would happen with some experience coming in.

it may make a few fans think next season could be better, even if this ends in disaster.

maybe I'm being too optimistic on that, never happened before mind..

I was thinking the other day when was the last time we saw Timmy appear on the bench (as he said he would be in his press conf if it was not going right) I'd suggest it was around the time of the BBC article questioning his position

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/37995970

And the last time Power done his 'Power Hour' was when he was given a bit of sh1t by a caller, he's not been on since

I just find it so odd even Sherwood is hiding from the press, he must know of the fan unrest and be told the press are asking to interview him.

I so thought that when he was appointed with adver being given access again that their communication may be about to change if anything it seems to have got worse as Power

If he is not willing to take any responsibility for what goes on during games.

We dont even properly get told about injured players anymore either, what the injury is how long he is likely to be out, you just get a vague answer from Williams when he is asked by a reporter

I was wondering if
  1) he was waiting for the right time (after we've made some exciting signings)
  2) he's been leant on legally to stop and pretend not to be manager (Villa contract?)

I really do need to get a life.

(moved)


In wins, it's 1 for us.

In case serious, 3 draws

Them (north) : wlwlll
Us :ldlldd

Last 6 games/points:
=================
Coventry, Bury 2
Us, (C)oldham 3
Chesterfield 4
PV, AFC Wombles 5
Northampton 6
Pikeys, Shrew 7
....
Upcomings :
Bolton 13 (1 loss)
Posh 9 (1 loss)
Brizzle Rovers 12 (2 loss,  4 wins)
Piss stains 9 (1 loss )

Were they given access or just invited to a presser, have there been any pressers subsequently that they have not been invited to?

No idea what Sherwood has actually been doing, never actually seen any photographic evidence of him on the bench I think we are actually just paying a look alike to sit in the Directors box - is he even attending every game (the away ones as well!)

Point 2 is very likely imo!!

Looks like the weather could save us from another northern hammering next Saturday.
Do Bolton have under soil heating?

Probably. It is a requirement for PL clubs I think.

Has anything happened with the mythical training ground?

I'd guess yes, because a Prem requirement.....whether they can afford to turn it on is a different question.  Saturday as we know will be a damage limitation exercise, currently the goal difference amongst the strugglers is reasonably even + or - 4 between the bottom 6, so avoiding a Stuart Mac style tonking is what the coaching staff should be working on.

This is where the Swindon Way falls down....no point in playing flick fanny football when in a relegation battle. Park the bus, and hope to come away at worst two down.

It's not mythical is it? I believe we started training up there before Xmas.

Yeah it does have grass heating.

Hadn't heard that, that's good then.

I'm sure it was on here somewhere, that we were up there one day a week.

Even parking the bus barely achievable with our current defensive personnel. Currently we have 2 centre halves and 1 right back available with Sendles White, Boo and Thompson injured and Brophy banned.....oh and Thomas I suppose. Branco surely cant be far away from another suspension? Whats the betting any new signings turn out to be technically good, but lightweight midfielders?

Watching the match was bad enough so I can't be arsed to read this whole thread. Just sticking my head in the door to say that the major fault for the dismal display on Saturday lays with whichever fuckwit is currently responsible for substitutions.

As soon as they went down to 10 men, we should have been looking to drag Anton "fraudulently claiming the wages of a professional footballer' Rodgers off the pitch and get Hylton on. I would also have considered replacing Brophy- match fitness more than anything else and Thomas.

Leaving things as they were resulted in Brophy being put under too much pressure and forced into errors.

I used to look forward to football on a Saturday. Its all Meh now :badmood:

Parking the bus largely consists of midfielders working their gonads off in a 5 in front of the back 4.  OK I know we probably haven't got 5 available midfielders, but Embleton said now we've mainly only got 1 game a week, they coaching staff should be able to prepare better.  So if Williams is so good, he should be able to sort something out.

We are there on a Friday apparently!

How much training do teams do the day before a game?

Probably improving their handicaps.

As playing football seems to be a handicap to most of them you are probably right!

Our present shower don't much strike me as interested in golf. A game in chronic decline worldwide with the under 30's

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/12/golf-clubs-future-young-players-dress-code-social-media

The level of anger, frustration and despondency on here is understandable.  I felt all that on Saturday, and shouted (but didn't boo) at individual players who made appalling errors in the game.  Not how I like to feel having driven for two hours, paid my dues to get in and then facing a two hour drive back, so I justify my action even if I despise it in myself.  Harassing individual players during the game and then dissing them all afterwards does not help anyone really, least of all me!!!

So in an attempt to see if there is a more objective way for me to deal with my response, I have been looking back at videos of previous games - admittedly mostly only highlights - but that has been enough for me to feel that I am being unfair to simply discard all (or most) of the players as useless.  It's pretty clear that they are not, and you can see enough in the past from even the most heavily criticised players to know that actually there is skill there in every department.

So what ever is happening in matches?  It seems to me that the absolutely key element is confidence.  Almost all of them lose confidence when something does not go right - primarily when a goal is scored against them, but also when the style of play does not suit them.  It's easy to say 'get over it' and be more adaptable.  But the challenge with a young inexperienced team is to have the experienced leaders playing who can manage the game when all is not going well.  Darren Ward was the epitomy of that.  As a player on the pitch, he was vulnerable to making mistakes like everyone else, but his presence was immense, as it was in the dressing room and in training.  That is what is needed more than anything else.  Nathan T is inspiring, but he still does not have that level of experience and mental stability that just calms everything down and gives perspective to a momentary blip.

It was the chaos that ensued on Saturday in the second half that was most disturbing, not anything any individual player did or didn't do.  They all react differently....some start to make stupid mistakes, some switch off, others start running about like scared rabbits getting in each others' way...  So I hope that amongst the hoped for batch of incomers there will be one at least who will take command.

Nail on the head, been saying it all season, as soon as we go behind or we get a decision against us, the players heads drop and it all goes to shit, they all suddenly become sloppy and basically give up.

It's been getting better in the last 2/3 games but it still happens too often, hopefully with 3/4 quality additions and 2/3 wins on the trot, the confidence will improve and the silly mistakes will become fewer.

I personally think our team as it is, is good enough to stay in L1, with some quality additions we could sit in the top half or even nick a playoff spot...... The team isn't as bad as they make themselves seem.

We could, and probably should, have won our last 3 home games instead of drawing them.

Another 6 points and the pressure would be off. Fine margins and all that.

Friday is Tactic Tim's day along with the super coach's tips!!

Friday should be Statement Day   >:(

I think that's a tad optimistic, unless we bring in 4 or 5 players all of a considerably higher standard than the current lot. As I see it, a good run from now to May would see us finish comfortably mid-table, which is more than achievable when you look at just how bad the bottom half of this division is.

Getting anywhere near the play-offs would involve something of a revolution.

If they follow any form of tactical periodisation, it would be light, non contact sessions. Most likely shape or opposition work. Sorry to be boring.

Barnsley did it, there is an element of luck but we were 1/2 points from the playoffs last season then fell off the horse when injuries happeneded again. It's maybe a tad optimistic but you gotta dream  8)

I see Shrewsbury appealed against their red card and won:

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/38573694

Does that mean we have to give the penalty back then

Does that mean we lost? If it it does, it means we need to draw the next 2 games before we get a win...

:D