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25% => The Reg Smeeton Match Day Action/Reaction Forum => Topic started by: donkey on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 09:31:13



Title: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: donkey on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 09:31:13
Why drop the Borough? Don't care, I'm putting it back in.

Earlier in the week I has a dream in which we drew Arsenal at home in round three. So if we're gonna have 90 mins of 'In 1969...' we need to win.

Get it sorted boys.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 09:51:55
Would love to win and draw a massive Premier side away from home in the 3rd round, Like Spurs at Wembley, Arse or Man Utd so we can get a lot of money from gate reciepts and have a good following for a 3rd round day out with 4k or 5k Town fans there.

We have a 50% record away at Stevenage with 1 win and 1 loss.

Home and away we have beaten them 5 (6) times with 1 draw (win on pens) and 3 defeats including the infamous home game under MacMahon when they were non league and beat us under awful conditions at the CG.

I think our injuries have hit us hard and can't see past a single goal defeat today in front of a paltry 2,455 crowd with 520 from Swindon there.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Wobbly Bob on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 10:29:43
Pre match trying to blend in with cockney rejects in The Standard Bearer.
Stevenage, "where imagination takes hold", possibly not the inspiration behind Bob Marley's Concrete Jungle, but if the cap fits..

Miles Storey leapt like a salmon to score with a header here once.
Had high hopes for young Miles, but once his haircut had a falling out with Paolo then that was it.

All about getting through today, doesn't matter how.
Hopefully our midfield aren't too demotivated by having their work described as irrelevant.

The anticipation of a 3rd round draw would be a good feeling.
Man Utd at home and the club announcing that vouchers issued at the FGR game will be required. Job done.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 10:58:59
Would love to win and draw a massive Premier side away from home in the 3rd round, Like Spurs at Wembley, Arse or Man Utd so we can get a lot of money from gate reciepts and have a good following for a 3rd round day out with 4k or 5k Town fans there.

We have a 50% record away at Stevenage with 1 win and 1 loss.

Home and away we have beaten them 5 (6) times with 1 draw (win on pens) and 3 defeats including the infamous home game under MacMahon when they were non league and beat us under awful conditions at the CG.

I think our injuries have hit us hard and can't see past a single goal defeat today in front of a paltry 2,455 crowd with 520 from Swindon there.

Not just injuries, here we have the farcical situation whereby Tom Smith, who this would have been an ideal opportunity to play is cup tied. Anderson presumably will not be playing as in round 1.  I daresay we'll only have 3 or 4 on the bench again.

It's an opportunity to play Vigs, on the basis it's only the cup and he needs a game.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Flashheart on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 11:02:27
I've a hunch Vigs will play.

Futch said the other day that he's 'back in training', which could be a precursor to 'he was injured all along, and now he's back'.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: adje on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 11:08:30
I foresee a 4 man bench


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 11:59:08
I've a hunch Vigs will play.

In goal or up front? He hit an absolute screamer in a pre game kick about - Yeovil?


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 12:04:07
In goal or up front? He hit an absolute screamer in a pre game kick about - Yeovil?
Most keepers fancy themselves as strikers, Steve Mildenhall was a Swindon youth player as a striker but moved into goal about 16 or 17, he also played up front for Swindon at Tranmere in January 97.

If we are short on numbers and they are fit and willing...then why not.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 12:49:12
So Dion Conroy (Knee Ligament), Chris Hussey (groin), Amine Linganzi (hamstring), Donal McDermott (ankle ligaments), Timi Elsnik (muscle) and Luke Norris (ankle), Tom Smith (cup tied), Keshi Anderson (Unavailable) we are probably going to be very limited in our options let alone numbers on the bench.

Will probably be the same line up that started last week but with Gordon/Woolery in instead of Anderson.

I wonder if he will put Vigs and Henry on the bench to make up numbers.

I predict the line up today will be -

                    RCC
Purkiss Lancashire Preston Iandolo
   Dunne Taylor Goddard Mullin
                Woolery
                  Smith

Subs: Henry, Robertson, Knoyle, Brophy, Gordon, Romanski, Vigs


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: THE FLASH on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 13:08:29
So Dion Conroy (Knee Ligament), Chris Hussey (groin), Amine Linganzi (hamstring), Donal McDermott (ankle ligaments), Timi Elsnik (muscle) and Luke Norris (ankle), Tom Smith (cup tied), Keshi Anderson (Unavailable) we are probably going to be very limited in our options let alone numbers on the bench.

Will probably be the same line up that started last week but with Gordon/Woolery in instead of Anderson.

I wonder if he will put Vigs and Henry on the bench to make up numbers.

I predict the line up today will be -

                    RCC
Purkiss Lancashire Preston Iandolo
   Dunne Taylor Goddard Mullin
                Woolery
                  Smith

Subs: Henry, Robertson, Knoyle, Brophy, Gordon, Romanski, Vigs


But apart from that JJ, what have the Romans ever done for us!?

Let's grind it out today and get a big away draw/piss up....


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 13:31:45
Let's grind it out today and get a big away draw/piss up....
Definately this.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 13:44:22
Someone on FB saying Lingani has told them he is fit and playing today.  :hmmm:


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 14:01:25
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQC9zRXW4AEYOvC.png)

Subs - Charles-Cook, Robertson, Knoyle, Iandolo, Brophy, H Smith, Norris.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: tans on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 14:03:37
Strong team that


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 14:06:11
I am glad Taylor is back at LB he doesn't have the legs to play CM any more, I wasn't convinced by Iandolo at LB last week.

Linganzi will allow Goddard a bit more freedom from his defensive duties which he failed at last week.

Gordon and Woolery have pace to burn up front so no hoofball by the look of it.

Nice to see Vigs back in goal and hope its all settled between him and DF now.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: tans on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 14:06:55
I take it the game is not on ifollow today?


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official M
Post by: Batch on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 14:07:42
vigs viiiiiiiiiiiiigs.

let this be an end to it


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 14:14:47
I take it the game is not on ifollow today?
I don't know mate, I thought it was?


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: tans on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 14:17:13
Dont show fa cup games do they? Im not sure


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 14:18:19
Dont show fa cup games do they? Im not sure
I don't know, I watched the Dartford game on Bet365, no idea if its on or not I was hoping to watch it TBH.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: tans on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 14:22:12
Audio only apparently


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 14:23:22
Yep from the iFollow app..

Quote
No Carabao Cup, Checkatrade Trophy or FA Cup matches will be available to watch on iFollow.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Flashheart on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 14:53:57
Should be able to listen online on the beeb?


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Batch on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 15:02:23
If the beeb are blocking is this a reflector or redirect?

Commentary was playing when I checked

Code:
http://onlineradiobox.com/uk/bbcwiltshire/?cs=uk.bbcwiltshire&played=1


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: tans on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 15:09:47
Yep from the iFollow app..


They say no checkatrade trophy, they are showing the game live on tuesday even if yiu have a uk account soapy tit wank


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: THE FLASH on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 15:14:21
On my Sofa Soccer App Luke Norris on the bench and....is a brother!!?


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 15:14:40
They say no checkatrade trophy, they are showing the game live on tuesday even if yiu have a uk account soapy tit wank
Really? thats a bit weird!


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 15:18:40
Stevenage miss an easy chance, hotting the post.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 15:19:07
1-0 Stevenage.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 15:19:40
RCC would have saved it ;)


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: THE FLASH on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 15:20:54
Shit!! Cmon lads!!!


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: THE FLASH on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 15:23:58
FFS!


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 15:24:06
2-0


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: newmarket red on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 15:24:54
Pathetic


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official M
Post by: Batch on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 15:29:50
oh dear.

maybe next year.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: adje on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 15:30:06
Still, nice to have a cup run for a change


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: newmarket red on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 15:31:47
Still, nice to have a cup run for a change
definatley would be nice extra money for the club but as usual are players bottle it.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: joteddyred on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 15:32:11
We haven’t lost two consecutive games on the road this season..........yet


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 15:34:16
2-1 Linganzi


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: newmarket red on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 15:35:39
We haven’t lost two consecutive games on the road this season..........yet
thats 1 back could you be right. :sherlock:


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Batch on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 15:36:31
Oh, we scored! My internet crapped up and didn't know.
Yeah!


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Batch on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 15:42:15
Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssss.

Taylor FROM THE CORNER!

DIRECT.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 15:43:02
2-2 Taylor.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: joteddyred on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 15:44:27
 :toocool:


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Batch on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 15:48:30
Nuts... 3-2


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 15:49:20
3-2


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Batch on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 15:49:59
h/t.

Arse.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Panda Paws on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 15:53:47
‪Very strange game of football. Both sides look like scoring at will but defensively we disintegrate, especially down the left, where Taylor has been bad. Vigs could do nothing about any of the goals and has made a couple of decent saves.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Posh Red on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 15:56:07
Defense looks really shaken for some reason.

Taylor is being exposed at left back, but to be fair to him he’s not had much cover from the players in front of him.

We haven’t looked that dangerous from open play, but I guess that’s not so bad if you do from set pieces.

Ironically at 2-0, would have taken 2-1 at HT, but 3-2 feels worse. I guess it’s because we’ve just conceded rather than having scored the last goal


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: theakston2k on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 15:56:21
We are so frustrating to watch and poor at both ends of the field. Thank god set pieces and penalties exist as we’d have barely scored this season otherwise. This ‘style’ of play is becoming as hard to watch as last seasons tippy tappy bollocks, how I long for a happy medium, our matches are just a lottery in terms of results.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: newmarket red on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 15:58:17
:toocool:
nearly COYR


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: REDBUCK on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 16:07:56
We are so frustrating to watch and poor at both ends of the field. Thank god set pieces and penalties exist as we’d have barely scored this season otherwise. This ‘style’ of play is becoming as hard to watch as last seasons tippy tappy bollocks, how I long for a happy medium, our matches are just a lottery in terms of results.

So we are a Divsion 4 team with division 4 players


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: theakston2k on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 16:12:04
So we are a Divsion 4 team with division 4 players
That argument is becoming a bit tiresome, we’ve clearly got a bigger budget than most teams at this level and even in Div 4 a team should be capable of stringing a couple of passes together.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 16:22:55
We just don't sound at the races today.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Posh Red on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 16:24:26
Have created one chance in the second half so far, now we replace Gordon with Harry Smith.

Let’s see if we can create a chance


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official M
Post by: Batch on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 16:24:47
agree theakston, but hopefully Flitcroft can see we need a bit more and can address it in January.

doubt he'll be here next year if he doesn't.

I'm not overly confident about getting out this shit league. I just hope if we don't then we haven't spunked all our budget on this one season and can have another crack next year.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official M
Post by: theakston2k on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 16:30:53
agree theakston, but hopefully Flitcroft can see we need a bit more and can address it in January.

doubt he'll be here next year if he doesn't.

I'm not overly confident about getting out this shit league. I just hope if we don't then we haven't spunked all our budget on this one season and can have another crack next year.
Hopefully, my concern is he’s a bit blinded by favorites or “team players” as he would probably call them. Dunne, Purkiss & even Lancashire seem untouchable even when we have a full squad and all 3 are very limited. Dunne has played pretty much every minute this season and has been woeful for the most part.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 16:33:16
Game over 4-2


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 16:37:40
Leaking goals and losing games to teams who themselves have been in poor form. Worrying.

I remember that Bury fan on here predicting a good start, then raft of injuries, then losing streak.

Power will have to think very carefully before January.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 16:38:06
5-2


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: joteddyred on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 16:38:59
We've conceded 9 goals in 3 games.  Absolute rubbish.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Peter Venkman on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 16:40:56
Unacceptable.



Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: woolster on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 16:41:49
We've conceded 9 goals in 3 games.  Absolute rubbish.
9 in 3 sounds good compared to 5 in one :)


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: THE FLASH on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 16:41:59
Norris misses a sitter and bang bang...all over.

Injuries have taken a toll but we probably need to buy just to get the points in the bag to get safe. A terrible slide is to be avoided.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: theakston2k on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 16:45:24
Power was getting well pissed off with our ‘style’ before we got the winner at Yeovil, I reckon Flitcroft will be under pressure unless he does change something.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: joteddyred on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 16:45:43
9 in 3 sounds good compared to 5 in one :)

I was looking for the positive spin 😊


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: tans on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 16:47:35
Power was getting well pissed off with our ‘style’ before we got the winner at Yeovil, I reckon Flitcroft will be under pressure unless he does change something.

Surely he would have known the style Flitcroft would implement before he appointed him? Anyway i think the League of Ireland starts soon so he will be more interested in that anyway


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: theakston2k on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 16:49:34
Surely he would have known the style Flitcroft would implement before he appointed him? Anyway i think the League of Ireland starts soon so he will be more interested in that anyway
Probably but if his job interview was anything like his post match interviews I don’t think you’d know what you are getting.  I don’t think anyone expected us to be as anti football as we are.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 16:50:17
Hearing about it and actually watching it are 2 different things - especially when it’s not even successful


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: THE FLASH on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 16:55:42
Flitcroft will be giving his talk about 7pm....

Will be interesting to read tomorrow...


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Panda Paws on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 17:09:42
Defending shit. Fans shit. Ref shit.

The tackle midway through the first half on Mullin in front of the benches (should have been a red) should have kicked us into life. I’d have expected a reaction. Players fighting for each other. Win the next few tackles. Instead, nothing. They won everything for the next 10 mins and took the game away from us. Worrying lack of bottle, fight, togetherness - the things Flitcroft is meant to give us. Only the cup, but some really concerning signs.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Outletred on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 17:12:31
Power was going ballistic at Flitcroft at the Chesterfield game

Carry on in this way and he won't see out the season.

Had a good budget for this level and looks to have blown it


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: phelpsieboy on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 17:21:10
Power was going ballistic at Flitcroft at the Chesterfield game

Carry on in this way and he won't see out the season.

Had a good budget for this level and looks to have blown it
Could well be sooner....

Heard earlier this week that he had one game to save his job - unsure whether that included today or the next league game however. Today certainly wouldn't have helped.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: joteddyred on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 17:23:45
Power was going ballistic at Flitcroft at the Chesterfield game

Carry on in this way and he won't see out the season.

Had a good budget for this level and looks to have blown it

Anything but promotion will be seen as a failure to Power.  He left the Williams situation drag on for too long.  Should have got rid as soon as we dropped into the relegation places, as it was clear he wasn’t going to turn it around.  Will be interested to see how long he gives Flitcroft if we start to slip off the leading pack.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Sir red ken on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 17:31:50
Could well be sooner....

Heard earlier this week that he had one game to save his job - unsure whether that included today or the next league game however. Today certainly wouldn't have helped.
Another defeat and Power will be looking at possible replacements. We can recruit in Jan with a new manager in charge, the stikers are OK but the midfield don't provide cover/tackles and back line are shocking. We'll be going only one way if we keep leaking goals and that isn't up. I've tried to stay away from the comments but without that 7 match run we'd be relegation fodder by now. The management have 3 games to save themselves, harsh but Div 2 mid table isn't good enough for STFC.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: RobertT on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 17:34:12
Power sold his soul in going with Flitcroft, so it could go either way - he could decide to see the season out with him, going with the view that the past two seasons were spectacular failures under his approach, or he could have very little patience given the complete switch in style, thinking he was wrong to chuck the baby out with the bath water.

The problem we face in going for a replacement is that Flitcroft has brought in a bunch of cloggers and I see little evidence they'd fit a different style of play.  We have nobody who can really play wide (Gordon maybe) and we have nobody in midfield who can play with the ball at feet bar Elsnik.  The back four are recruited with no hope of ever having to pass the ball out.  So, a new Manager looking to play a different way is a bit stuck - only through another overhaul of the side can you make much of an impact and is January a time to do that?

Personally, I'd have him in a room and say "look, we tried it your way, it's shit.  I'm stepping in and demanding you change the style, but to do so I'll sanction a few purchases in the right positions.  I'll sign off on the players with you but it has to be with a view to adding something different.  Don't like it, you know where the door is."

Flitcroft is not changing on his own.

We are too easy to suss out - opposition Managers must know by now that we are simply not going to have any control, so why bother pressing.  Set yourselves up deep as we rarely play with pace out wide and then run at us when the game has spaces.  It's simple, to the extent some poor teams have managed to do it well.  We are still likely to win games, because we can be threat at set pieces and when on song the front four can put a chance away.  The level of ability is poor in other teams so they can't always execute, and that means we are usually in games.  It's just not an effective way of playing for me - it is certainly nothing like Macari's team or even Sturrock (I thought we were dull under him, but I'd take that over this).


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 17:35:04
 I'll say again that we've a very nasty run of games coming up before the new year. The Bury horror run which did for Flitters comes into view...hopefully we can get back on track starting at Accrington. 


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Flashheart on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 17:38:38
At 5 points off the automatic spots it's premature to be talking about getting rid, but that's just my opinion. If Power disagrees, (before) January is about the best time to do it.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Bob's Orange on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 17:41:22
We were appalling today. This lack of midfield is a real problem.

Only Mullin came out of the match with any credit, and Vigs I guess. It was a shambles at times.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official M
Post by: Batch on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 17:49:31
Quote from: Flashheart
At 5 points off the automatic spots it's premature to be talking about getting rid, but that's just my opinion. If Power disagrees, (before) January is about the best time to do it.

agree with you.

but it's not going well the last few games. Deservedly losing to a shit Newport, getting turned over at Stevenage...

But far too panic laden to push the eject button. unless Power gets pissed off at situations like the Vigs issue..


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official M
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 18:00:05
agree with you.

but it's not going well the last few games. Deservedly losing to a shit Newport, getting turned over at Stevenage...

But far too panic laden to push the eject button. unless Power gets pissed off at situations like the Vigs issue..

Power might want to consider sacking himself....


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Matchworn Shirts on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 18:30:36
Magic of the FA cup my arse


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: donkey on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 19:15:34
Our cup runeth over.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 19:20:25
Magic of the FA cup my arse

Sometimes cup football can have a strange effect on teams. Clearly in the case of Stevenage it frees them up a bit.

They've had 1 win in 9 in Div 4, and include in that shipping 7 at Luton and losing at home to FGR.



Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: chalkies_shorts on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 19:23:26
Just got back and going down the pub. Fucking shambles. Agree about Mullin being MOM. They shit on us down the left where Taylor was dogshit, Preston kept having to cover leaving gaps and Goddard was no fucking use whatsoever. Maybe playing so many games on the trot is not fair on Taylor but he was taken apart by their no 15 first half. Midfield total shit and dunn can claim credit for 2 of their goals. Vigs made absolutely no effort to organise his defence and there didn't appear to be any love between him and the other players. Norris missed a sitter at 4-2.    
On the positive side easy to get to, park up and get out of. Probably because there were fuck all Stevenage fans. Also, had my first ever Nandos.
Now for beer.  


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official M
Post by: Sir red ken on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 19:56:15
Power might want to consider sacking himself....
He's not that good at appointing a winning manager, when I say winning,I mean just being average would be a start. Thing is who's next Danny Wilson again.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 19:59:12
We were appalling today. This lack of midfield is a real problem.

Only Mullin came out of the match with any credit, and Vigs I guess. It was a shambles at times.

Exactly how I would have summed it up BO. Highlight of the day was discovering the huge car park over the road from the ground was free. A rare and pleasant surprise.

Having stuck with Williams for so long with disastrous results and being publicly committed to going straight back up, I would imagine Power will pull the trigger on DF sooner rather than later.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Ticker45 on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 20:47:11
Cannot comment on the actual game as rely on the Wiltshire Sound giving me the info. to build my reactions upon and Chalky seemed to sum it up as the trouble being that our midfield is not one thing or the other. In any good team you need the ball winner, the worker and the ball player and we have little if any of any of those. Trust that this can be remedied soon as we will rapidly become also rans in this Division.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: RedRag on Sunday, December 3, 2017, 11:18:27
Sometimes cup football can have a strange effect on teams. Clearly in the case of Stevenage it frees them up a bit.

They've had 1 win in 9 in Div 4, and include in that shipping 7 at Luton and losing at home to FGR.



Magic of the cup?  Beating Dartford was the first non league oppo we'd beaten since Woking at home.  Flitcroft In.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: THE FLASH on Sunday, December 3, 2017, 12:08:20
The shambles of last season has a legacy.....and this is it. So I have no interest in how Power feels at all.

Utterly shit in every department last season.

All the dross cleared off, the bloke in charge of selection (never a manager) bombed out and start again.

New manager, pretty much a whole new squad and a bit of hope.

The millstone that Flitters has is the budget he was given.

Season is on a knife edge, as it was last year. Injuries have fucked us a bit but I'm hopeful that Power will allow some new blood in January.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: FreddySTFC! on Sunday, December 3, 2017, 12:26:50
Is the budget really as large as everybody on here seems to think? It can't be anywhere near what Luton & Mansfield have spent in the summer. Looking at our squad I'm struggling to think of who would be on really good money at this level. Vigs maybe & he's a remnant of a different era.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Sunday, December 3, 2017, 12:41:46
Is the budget really as large as everybody on here seems to think? It can't be anywhere near what Luton & Mansfield have spent in the summer. Looking at our squad I'm struggling to think of who would be on really good money at this level. Vigs maybe & he's a remnant of a different era.

Not everybody here is inclined to believe Power when he talks budget, any more than when he said that Luke was the best coach he'd seen in 25 years in the game, or that Tactics was the biggest signing STFC had ever made.

However I'd have though it was probably around top ten, which is where we are in the league.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: chalkies_shorts on Sunday, December 3, 2017, 13:07:21
forgot to say that tackle on Mullin was a shocker - straight red. It was late, from behind and high.
I think what yesterday and Newport showed is that we don't have a leader on the pitch. If we got a midfield general / captain in I think we could make it yet.
This season is now finely poised. January is big.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: kirky69 on Sunday, December 3, 2017, 13:48:57
Yesterday was very dissapointing as I genuinely thought we may get a decent cup run under Flitcroft. Stevenage seemed to be quicker in movement and thought - son of their forward play was very good and they looked dangerous every time they attacked, by comparison we were very static. Our only real danger was from set pieces.  In terms of forward options, Woolery and Gordon have more impact when they come on rather than starting, but Norris and Smith are too similar and therefore not effective as a pairing, so one of them has to start. Mullin works hard although i still havent worked out what his best position is and Goddard continues to look good but doesn't offer a scoring threat or provide many assists. Although Anderson sometimes overplays, he does provide that link between midfield and attack. Midfield is an issue where  Dunne is a very average league 2 midfielder at best, Linganzi marginally better, but neither are creative, unlike Elsnik  who also has an end product. Would like to see Tom Smith given a run instead of Dunne. The back 4 are  all very slow so when teams attack at pace we are vulnerable I would give  Knowle a chance as Purkiss appears limited, both in terms of tracking back and particularly in a creative sense. I don't believe we are good enough to get promoted with this squad and need some acquisitions in January, maybe funded by a fee for Vigs.

In the meantime I would pick the following xi
Vigs
Knowle
Lancashire
Preston
Taylor
Linganzi
Smith T
Mullins
Anderson
Smith H
Woolery

Subs
Cook
Purkiss
Robertson
Gordon
Goddard
Dunne
Norris

Injured
Conroy
Hussey
Elsnik

Others
Brophy
Landolo



Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: kirky69 on Sunday, December 3, 2017, 13:53:17
Forgot Mcdermott - injured


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: chalkies_shorts on Sunday, December 3, 2017, 14:09:16
I don't actually think we'd get a few for vigs now and if we did it would be 20/30k. I think that ship has sailed.  He didn't look happy yesterday and there was no interaction with any other town players


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: kirky69 on Sunday, December 3, 2017, 14:32:29
I don't actually think we'd get a few for vigs now and if we did it would be 20/30k. I think that ship has sailed.  He didn't look happy yesterday and there was no interaction with any other town players
No maybe not which with no other saleable assets would mean LP backing DF further from his own pockets, where I think we need as a minimum a creative midfielder and pacier defender to give us the necessary balance in the squad. I would if possible offload Dunne, Purkiss, Robertson, Brophy and Landolo as not good enough in my opinion.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: FreddySTFC! on Sunday, December 3, 2017, 16:32:42
Not everybody here is inclined to believe Power when he talks budget, any more than when he said that Luke was the best coach he'd seen in 25 years in the game, or that Tactics was the biggest signing STFC had ever made.

However I'd have though it was probably around top ten, which is where we are in the league.
The other two are subjective whereas the budget is what it is. If it is as big as some on here think its been poorly spent imo. I'd agree with you that it's probably top ten or thereabouts.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Sunday, December 3, 2017, 17:02:06
The other two are subjective whereas the budget is what it is. If it is as big as some on here think its been poorly spent imo. I'd agree with you that it's probably top ten or thereabouts.

Back in the summer when Flitters came in, (remember it took a while to appoint him) he did say that the delay meant a lot of players had already been taken by Div 3 clubs and the big hitters of Div 4, implying that we couldn't compete with them.

There was much speculation of who these big hitters might be, but I'd hazard a guess that Notts County....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42211677

Luton, Mansfield, Cov are 4, presently above us. Of the others certainly Accy, will have a lower budget, probably Wycombe also, and I reckon Exeter comparable.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: RobertT on Sunday, December 3, 2017, 17:59:15
I wouldn't be so sure on Cov being in there, they are a financial basket case who are running the risk of having no ground soon.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: theakston2k on Sunday, December 3, 2017, 18:13:39
We spent a significant fee on Woolery alone, I imagine that would have paid the wages of a couple of decent players at this level.  At the very least our budget will be top 7 so that should be the least expected of the manager. Yes we had to rebuild 75% the squad this summer but that’s not much of an excuse as the player churn is high at every club in this league as teams can’t afford to risk long contracts.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Sunday, December 3, 2017, 18:19:38
I wouldn't be so sure on Cov being in there, they are a financial basket case who are running the risk of having no ground soon.

It's all relative though.  Cov being a higher status club a few years back have probably seen their budget much reduced, but it will still look a bit like ours. Remember last year, it was assumed we would look to sign Jordan Turnbull, but he went to Cov. At the time it was said because Power didn't like Soton's sell on, but I'd have thought wages came into it.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Sunday, December 3, 2017, 18:28:49
At the very least our budget will be top 7 so that should be the least expected of the manager.

Which is just about where we are atm.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Bob's Orange on Monday, December 4, 2017, 14:13:35
Little bit of time now so thought I would look back on Saturday.

We actually started the game quite well, Woolery seemed to get in behind their defence a couple of times but didn't do anything with it/was well defended. But then Stevenage started to crank up the pressure and a solid 5 minute spell of us with our backs to the wall ended with them scoring a neat goal and then when Woolery feebly gave the ball away outside the box, Stevenage broke and an inch perfect through ball was expertly finished. It looked like curtains (or blinds in central europe) but Linganzi's header bounced in off the underside of the bar and then Taylor somehow scored direct from a corner. That should have been the shot in the arm we needed going into the break but more crap defending and a great finish meant all that hard work was undone.

Second half was just a mess, apart from the never ending work rate of Mullin, the rest of the side seemed to fall to bits. As mentioned before our midfield seems to be the problem and a woeful Dunne (who has been disappointing in my eyes all season)  couldn't keep possession and Stevenage grabbed their fourth. To be fair to Linganzi, he tried to make things happen and Taylor's deliveries offered hope, but when Norris pathetically headed wide when it looked simpler to score the game was up as the Stevenage sub ran almost unopposed the length of the field (after another Dunne mistake) to go around Vigs and slot home. The game was done. Chants of 'Flitcroft Flitcroft sort it out' almost caused a melee between the yoof and the more mature of the fans which was a fitting end to what had been a shambolic performance.

On the field the defence looks shot to pieces, Matt Preston suddenly looks culpable and the aging Purkiss and Taylor need to be replaced (although Taylor's deliveries are a good weapon to have). Goddard can't seem to play anywhere but at number 10. He was abysmal on the left wing on Saturday and Dunne may as well have not left the changing room on Saturday. I felt a bit sorry for Linganzi as he tried to make things work. Norris continues to frustrate and Harry Smith lolloped around the pitch winning and flicking on headers to nobody. Vigs wasn't at fault for any of the goals, but his body language was hardly sparkling. DF has a tough job to turn this around, starting with Accrington away on Saturday.

Oh, and final word to the morons who thought it was hilarious to bring out the old misogynist ditty 'get your tits out for the lads' whenever the BT sport presenter did her stint to our right (the light would shine when her broadcast was ready). It really does makes me cringe going to football sometimes.  


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Panda Paws on Monday, December 4, 2017, 14:28:41

Oh, and final word to the morons who thought it was hilarious to bring out the old misogynist ditty 'get your tits out for the lads' whenever the BT sport presenter did her stint to our right (the light would shine when her broadcast was ready). It really does makes me cringe going to football sometimes. 

One of many incidents on Saturday which made me cringe at our support. Seems to just be loads of kids more interested in hurling abuse at anyone and everyone than getting behind the team or anything else. The old boys who had a pop at them went about it the wrong way, but entirely see where they're coming from.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Posh Red on Monday, December 4, 2017, 14:41:46
Agree with most of what Bob says, although you did well if you saw Harry Smith win headers (plural), cause I can only remember one :). I’ve never known a bloke who is so tall to be so woeful in the air.

And as for the chanting by the yoof, I have to say the “shit Chris Kamara” chant did make me smile, the rest not so much so


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Bob's Orange on Monday, December 4, 2017, 14:55:04
Agree with most of what Bob says, although you did well if you saw Harry Smith win headers (plural), cause I can only remember one :). I’ve never known a bloke who is so tall to be so woeful in the air.

And as for the chanting by the yoof, I have to say the “shit Chris Kamara” chant did make me smile, the rest not so much so

Can't really argue with that PR.

He won one header that skimmed off his head straight to the keeper and then made a gesture as if to expect someone to have read and got on the end of the flick. Even if someone had read it, he would never have got to it ran to the keeper so quickly. I am still hopeful there is something in Smith, however I think the horse may have bolted being sat on the bench behind a Luke Norris who offers nothing aside from when we get a penalty.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Bob's Orange on Monday, December 4, 2017, 14:57:08
One of many incidents on Saturday which made me cringe at our support. Seems to just be loads of kids more interested in hurling abuse at anyone and everyone than getting behind the team or anything else. The old boys who had a pop at them went about it the wrong way, but entirely see where they're coming from.

Its a tough one as at least they were trying to create an atmosphere but yeah, way too many cringe moments for me. Did vaguely enjoy the suggestion of where the Stevenage drum should be inserted however.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: ferret on Monday, December 4, 2017, 15:03:57
Granted, Smith has plenty of faults, but he has to start ahead of Norris by default. Norris is atrocious.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official M
Post by: Batch on Monday, December 4, 2017, 16:17:06
have to say that when I've seen them play this year Norris has been the better player to my eyes.

neither are exactly world beaters.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Tails on Monday, December 4, 2017, 16:21:32
I think Norris has been alright this season to be fair, much better than last (although its not hard). Think you're all being a little rough on him really.

Smith I'm still not convinced. He was great against Dartford but otherwise I think he's still way too raw. There is a player there though, and he's taken his goals really well.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: RobertT on Monday, December 4, 2017, 16:36:29
For us to be effective at the type of football Flitcroft wants, then a Smith type player is the way to go.  Norris is not good enough for that - he works hard, but he doesn't win enough in the air or create the opportunity for knock downs/on's.  Unfortunately, Smith isn't that good.  Norris is useful at penalties I suppose, but a leader of the line in a pump it long team he isn't.  I am not sure he is a good player either to be honest.  It is an area I think we could do with improving in January, Woollery/Anderson need a foil to make them at all effective.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: ferret on Monday, December 4, 2017, 17:11:12
For us to be effective at the type of football Flitcroft wants, then a Smith type player is the way to go.  Norris is not good enough for that - he works hard, but he doesn't win enough in the air or create the opportunity for knock downs/on's.  Unfortunately, Smith isn't that good.  Norris is useful at penalties I suppose, but a leader of the line in a pump it long team he isn't.  I am not sure he is a good player either to be honest.  It is an area I think we could do with improving in January, Woollery/Anderson need a foil to make them at all effective.

A good overview I think. The irony with Norris is that he's alright defensively. If the opponents put a corner in, there's every chance he'll head it clear. Put him in the attacking box, where he's supposed to be at his best, and he goes to pieces - positionally, physically, mentally.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: RobertT on Monday, December 4, 2017, 17:45:21
Couldn't do any worse than Lancashire who appears to have enjoyed a career as a footballer despite being trained in Greco Roman Wrestling.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: tans on Monday, December 4, 2017, 17:53:45
The game in the league has been rearranged to Tuesday 16th January. However if Stevenage draw and get a replay, it will be moved to the 30th.

Why not just move it to the 30th in the first place?


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, December 4, 2017, 19:23:59
 Before anybody says it, I don't think because Stevenage got Reading, we would have done.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official M
Post by: Batch on Monday, December 4, 2017, 19:30:10
second tier of desirable ties anyway, behind the big boys.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Private Fraser on Monday, December 4, 2017, 19:51:28
Before anybody says it, I don't think because Stevenage got Reading, we would have done.

I think that on this occasion, Reg, we would have done.  Our game in R2 was Match No 10 ( see here http://www.thefa.com/competitions/thefacup/results).  The ball numbers 1 - 44 for R3 were the Prem and Championship clubs in alphabetical order and the next 20 numbers equated to the R2 match numbers. Whoever won out of Stevenage v Swindon therefore got ball No 54. (http://www.thefa.com/news/2017/12/01/12/10/emirates-fa-cup-third-round-proper-draw-details-011217 ).

We missed a rare home meeting with the ‘plastics’. >:(


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: ferret on Monday, December 4, 2017, 20:10:39
Yes, unless Hoddle and Jenas had applied a totally different method on the basis that Swindon had been in the hat instead of Stevenage we would clearly have had the same draw.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Monday, December 4, 2017, 22:55:03
I think that on this occasion, Reg, we would have done.  Our game in R2 was Match No 10 ( see here http://www.thefa.com/competitions/thefacup/results).  The ball numbers 1 - 44 for R3 were the Prem and Championship clubs in alphabetical order and the next 20 numbers equated to the R2 match numbers. Whoever won out of Stevenage v Swindon therefore got ball No 54. (http://www.thefa.com/news/2017/12/01/12/10/emirates-fa-cup-third-round-proper-draw-details-011217 ).

We missed a rare home meeting with the ‘plastics’. >:(

Fair enough, I thought it was all alphabetical, therefore had Stevenage gone Swansea would be next before Swindon. Oh well, it seems like in a different time that we played Reading, other than a the odd friendly.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: johnritsons toupe on Monday, December 4, 2017, 23:47:33
For us to be effective at the type of football Flitcroft wants, then a Smith type player is the way to go.  Norris is not good enough for that - he works hard, but he doesn't win enough in the air or create the opportunity for knock downs/on's.  Unfortunately, Smith isn't that good.  Norris is useful at penalties I suppose, but a leader of the line in a pump it long team he isn't.  I am not sure he is a good player either to be honest.  It is an area I think we could do with improving in January, Woollery/Anderson need a foil to make them at all effective.

This game is subjective as we all know, but I'm mystified sometimes at the distance between some opinions. RobertT, you make some insightful comments but I have to take issue with you over Smith and Norris.

As mentioned, neither of them are anything to write home about, but for the following reasons I'd say Norris is the better and more effective of the two;

If there is a good player hiding within the mighty frame of Harry, I'd like to see it. Granted he's shown flashes of good technique at times and is inexperienced, but for a big lad he doesn't put himself about anywhere near as much as he should, he can't play with his back to goal and rarely gambles on making runs to get on the end of what are usually quality deliveries from Taylor.

Norris isn't that much better, but he does look more threatening, can play with his back to goal and brings others into the game. His strike rate is pretty good this season and I think he'd be doing better without the niggling injuries.

Woolery and Anderson may be a better option, but I'm a bit old school in that I like to see a front pairing working together in a 4-4-2 and while we insist on playing the front 2 apart or with only 1 up there, especially with a lack of effective attacking midfielders available at the moment, our strikers are sadly set to fail on a regular basis - which is Flitcrofts responsibility.

The little and large style partnerships at all levels rely upon one player complimenting the other (knock downs, pulling defenders away to create space, one-twos etc) and if they're literally poles apart on the pitch, that isn't going to happen very often.

I accept that we're in league 2 and budgets are tight, but when you look back and think about the quality strike partnerships we've had here over the years, it does make the old blood boil a bit trying to see the good in the type of players that would have struggled to get in an STFC stiffs team in the last couple of decades.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: RobertT on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, 02:09:55
I wasn't saying Smith was any good, I was saying you need a good version of him not a good version of Norris if we play the way we do.  Norris is the better player, but not a good player.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: REDBUCK on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, 08:20:00
I must be watching a different player because I haven't seen Norris offer any of these things on a regular basis.


"Norris isn't that much better, but he does look more threatening, can play with his back to goal and brings others into the game. His strike rate is pretty good this season and I think he'd be doing better without the niggling injuries"

It's because neither of our strikers can do this to any great degree that our long balls forward appear aimless. Even the Newport strikers did it better.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, 08:42:27
I have seen Smith play 5 times and for me he is no better than his namesake Michael Smith, neither of whom I think will make league standard profesional footballers.

Smith has poor control, can't jump, can't head but occassionally gets a good shot but thats not enough to play centre forward in Div 4.

Norris is a better player than Smith but is still not good enough to lead the line for us and will never in a million years be a target man.

I have been saying for months that we need a proper target man if we are going to play that way....which Flitcroft seems to prefer...and we also need a creative midfielder, who could be Elsnik if he wasn't out for 10 weeks as Goddard is not that.

We also need a good defensive midfielder as Dunne for me is also nowhere near league standard, Linganzi is a better option but he still messes things up more often than he does good things.

As for the defence, I can't help thinking that they have been ok until 2 weeks ago and they need protection from midfield, which they are not getting at the moment, and we seem to be worse when Dunne and Linganzi play together.

For me Tom Smith has to be worth giving a go in that position, hes played there convincingly at a higher level, and although he may not be the long term answer he should at least be given a chance now starting tonight vs FGR.

Purkiss has impressed me up to now, he gets forward and tracks back ok for a man of his age but I think he might be a better option at CB as he can read the game well.

I haven't seen Knoyle yet so have no idea if he is a better option than Purkiss but whats to lose in giving him game time, again starting tonight.

To summarize, Saturday was a massive blip but at least it was in the cup not league, we missed Andersons creativity in midfield but we need 1 target man and 2 midfielders in January...1 who can run with the ball and one who can defend.



Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Tails on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, 09:31:55
I think we can all agree we should be shopping for a new striker in January!


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: ferret on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, 10:55:43
I know penalties count, and I know we have missed our share over the years, but it would be daft to overlook the fact that most of the Norris goals this season have been penalties. We’d be deceiving ourselves otherwise.

Exclude them and he’s got no goals since 26 September, and 3 in his last 14 starts. His record last season was pretty similar. And, when we consider the widely acknowledged fact that he’s not a target man either, it’s really not good enough.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Batch on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, 11:19:24
I think we are really debating which is the least shit here, not a good sign. I can absolutely see the point

Norris isn't a target man, and is a bit shit. But works hard.
Whereas Smith is a target man, just a bit shit at it.  And ambles too much.
Woolery has been limited in chances, played out of position a lot, but has been a massive disappointment.
Anderson looks the pick of the bunch, but can be a total passenger at times, and good at others.

Not writing anyone off, just how its been so far..


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, 11:43:09
I think we are really debating which is the least shit here, not a good sign. I can absolutely see the point

Norris isn't a target man, and is a bit shit. But works hard.
Whereas Smith is a target man, just a bit shit at it.  And ambles too much.
Woolery has been limited in chances, played out of position a lot, but has been a massive disappointment.
Anderson looks the pick of the bunch, but can be a total passenger at times, and good at others.

Not writing anyone off, just how its been so far..

We are atm a middling Div 4 side. We know Luke isn't all that, but he does try, I also like how he's played through the pain barrier. 

Harry isn't our player, he's come from non league to Wall, and looks to have some issues. He could improve... or not. I suspect he'll go back in Jan.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Paolo69 on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, 13:22:49
Alternatively, we're 3 points off 5th place and only 4 teams in the league have scored more than us.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: ferret on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, 18:07:36
Alternatively, we're 3 points off 5th place and only 4 teams in the league have scored more than us.

Absolutely right, and I think most rational people would agree that we have the basis of a pretty good team for this level.

The goals have been extremely widely spread (I think Mullin is the top scorer from open play). This is a good thing to a point, but I think we’ll struggle for a genuine automatic promotion push without an improvement up front - because it means we squander too many easy home games. Definitely the number 1 priority for January in my eyes.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, 18:36:19
 One thing is for sure, although tonight is little more than a glorified reserve game, it does provide Flitters with an opportunity to get the wheels back on.

 A King style job like this one should suffice....

 http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/MatchCentre.asp?MatchID=20031201

 It appears that Flitters is going for a 3 at the back shape... fair enough to try something out, but I'm not sure we have the personnel. Let's see

OK... think we can bin 3 at the back now.


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Not that Nice If I'm Honest on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, 23:44:17
One of many incidents on Saturday which made me cringe at our support. Seems to just be loads of kids more interested in hurling abuse at anyone and everyone than getting behind the team or anything else. The old boys who had a pop at them went about it the wrong way, but entirely see where they're coming from.

What happened then ?
I left at 5-2 down for an earlier train. Loyal


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Not that Nice If I'm Honest on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, 23:46:01
Agree with most of what Bob says, although you did well if you saw Harry Smith win headers (plural), cause I can only remember one :). I’ve never known a bloke who is so tall to be so woeful in the air.

And as for the chanting by the yoof, I have to say the “shit Chris Kamara” chant did make me smile, the rest not so much so

I thought it was "Fit Chris Kamara" ?
Don't know if that is better or worse from a PC POV, but more witty I think


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: Not that Nice If I'm Honest on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, 23:51:04
I have seen Smith play 5 times and for me he is no better than his namesake Michael Smith, neither of whom I think will make league standard profesional footballers.

Smith has poor control, can't jump, can't head but occassionally gets a good shot but thats not enough to play centre forward in Div 4.

Norris is a better player than Smith but is still not good enough to lead the line for us and will never in a million years be a target man.

I have been saying for months that we need a proper target man if we are going to play that way....which Flitcroft seems to prefer...and we also need a creative midfielder, who could be Elsnik if he wasn't out for 10 weeks as Goddard is not that.

We also need a good defensive midfielder as Dunne for me is also nowhere near league standard, Linganzi is a better option but he still messes things up more often than he does good things.

As for the defence, I can't help thinking that they have been ok until 2 weeks ago and they need protection from midfield, which they are not getting at the moment, and we seem to be worse when Dunne and Linganzi play together.

For me Tom Smith has to be worth giving a go in that position, hes played there convincingly at a higher level, and although he may not be the long term answer he should at least be given a chance now starting tonight vs FGR.

Purkiss has impressed me up to now, he gets forward and tracks back ok for a man of his age but I think he might be a better option at CB as he can read the game well.

I haven't seen Knoyle yet so have no idea if he is a better option than Purkiss but whats to lose in giving him game time, again starting tonight.

To summarize, Saturday was a massive blip but at least it was in the cup not league, we missed Andersons creativity in midfield but we need 1 target man and 2 midfielders in January...1 who can run with the ball and one who can defend.



And yet if you look at the Wantage league in the 80's and the North Home Counties (Luton) League in the 90's, you would see that having a Smith in the team was a recipe for League and cup success


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official Match Day Thread
Post by: DiV on Wednesday, December 6, 2017, 08:52:29
One thing is for sure, although tonight is little more than a glorified reserve game, it does provide Flitters with an opportunity to get the wheels back on.

 A King style job like this one should suffice....

 http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/MatchCentre.asp?MatchID=20031201

 It appears that Flitters is going for a 3 at the back shape... fair enough to try something out, but I'm not sure we have the personnel. Let's see

OK... think we can bin 3 at the back now.

Oh to have a Miglioranzi and a Parkin in the team.
Those were the days!


Title: Re: Stevenage Borough vs Swindon Town Official M
Post by: Batch on Wednesday, December 6, 2017, 09:01:54
we said that about Migz most of the time he was here too. Bloody injuries.