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Three points in the bag  8)

Was it really too arduous to type *Official Matchday Thread* ...just wondering...

I thought that too!
And well thats us losing today then!

Not having that

Strangely looking forward to this one.

Can feel a 4-0 coming on.

Useless stat of the day:

In their last 20 home games, 74% of the 19 goals scored by Swindon have come from forwards, 26% from midfielders and 0% from defenders.

Thank you :)

Not useless, thats a good stat, I thought Lancashire or Preston had scored at home I have to admit.

 :-[

Porter is out injured

And Dagnall but they have signed Shaun Miller from Carlisle who averages a goal every 4 games during his 300+ game career, almost the same career average as Porter.

 Along with Forest, us and the Railwaymen are the least drawing sides in the FL.  Therefore a draw has to be a good shout.  We could do with a win, as given the horrible mini run coming up, over the next 3 weeks, anything less will effectively finish our season.

I think it’s a great run coming up. Get through those undefeated, or at worse 1 loss, and L1 here we come.

We’re better than we were, for sure.

3-1 win. Norris will probably score a penalty.

I agree, we had 3 wins in a row before Coventry, 4 wins in the last 6 games. We should have beaten Coventry they were poor and we controlled the game just didn't convert our chances despite having the better play for 80 mins, we totally killed off Crewe in the first 20 minutes in the away game only a month ago and thats when they had both first choice players playing.

It’ll be a Shit game and we will lose

4-0 win.

Norris and Elsnik on bench. Richards starts.

Didn't see a lot in Richards on first showing, looks similar in style to Mullin so we won't (shouldn't) be hoofing balls up for him to win as much as we do with Norris.

Pleased Elsnik is back, pretty similar to Banks but makes more forward runs than Banks, could be a game changer today if he comes on, I really rate the lad.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUjWfWnW4AAZsdA.png)

Who the heck are these 2 mascot type figures?

(https://s10.postimg.org/km5fe0gx5/Untitled.png)

Ah it appears to be air ambulance from the logo on the back.

Richards 1-0 first attack from us.

Good cross in from Iandolo swept in by Richards from 8 yards under the keeper.

Decent start.

Anderson should have done better with the great run and shot.

All crewe for the first 2 mins, since then they have hardly kicked the ball, we are chasing everyting and closing down quickly.

Lots of good passing going on so far.

Good shot from Woolery well saved from 20 yards out.

Lovely tackle by Richards nearly sets up Woolery.

Good interplay between Woolery and Anderson so far.

1.1. Poor defensive header to set there player up.

1-1 Crewes first shotall game from some poor defending...again.

Should have been headed out not back accross goal from Robertson (I think or Lancashire)

Keep up the pressure its been going well so far, dont let your heads drop.

Think it was Lancashire.  Rubbish header.  We've let them back into a game we were totally dominating.

Cheers, I couldnt see which of them it was TBH, terrible header.

Lancashire and Robertson dont fill me with confidence at all and are weak links, Iandolo and Gordon are not wing backs and look poor when we are defending, fine going forwards though. Dunne is again anonymous in front of the defence.

We should be cruising instead of drawing, all over them till they scored now they have come back into it and we look like we could concede at every attack.

both teams look capable of conceding with ease

so so shit at the back. so shit.

Absolute fucking shit.

2-1 down, no more than we deserve.
Dunne had already a goal bound shot & headed one off the line before they scored the second

The manager has to go ffs.

Yet we haven't signed any defenders? and if we did they'd be freetransfers or non league cheap options. Even better non league free transfers. Lets be honest we can see where this is going and its not back to div 1.

Our defence is appalling.  They've not got an ounce of pace between them seem incapable of finding a red shirt with a pass.

We need at least one centre back and a holding midfielder who can win tackles and pass to a Swindon player.

Norris on for Woolery? WTF? did he get a knock?

Taking off a player with barely 2 mins left on the clock before half time is pretty much a public humiliation.

even if Doris scores that is fucking baffling if not injured.

did he say something to Flitcroft?

He went straight down the tunnel, but didn't appear injured.  The crowd didn't like it and if he's not injured, Flitcroft has lost the plot.

Words were said as he walked past Flitcroft, Flitcroft shook his head and Woolery went off down the tunnel straight away without acknowledging any staff.

Fucking awful management

Back to hooooof probably

Looks that way, I would be pissed off if I was Woolery, he ran a lot but had little service, not having a bad game at all, as I said to take him off before hal ftime is Flitcrofts way of saying do it my way or fuck off, public humiliation, not good management.

I meant in order to get subbed, thought he may have disagree with the bench on something.

other than injury its all I can come up with.

Ah sorry, I didn't see the proceeding 5 mins so couldn't comment, had an unwanted visitor come to the door :)

5 months into the season and Flitcroft still can't get us playing at home

It's beyond a joke.  I'm sick of sitting through this utter shite week after week.

I'd rather have spent 35 minutes talking to jehovah witness than sit through that last 35 again Venks

Well, it's like watching the Barnet/Crawley games again.  Flitcroft's only influence on this bunch of players is to some how make them collectively worse than the sum of their parts.

To start with, the continued use of two attacking midfielders as wing backs has essentially exposed our team to anyone fancying running in behind them.  Neither of them has a clue how to play the role and it's unfair on them as both have good qualities.  That compounds the problem of playing a back five, which seems to be for no other reason than it can make Flitcroft look like he has tactical nouse - he doesn't.  The three centre halves also have no idea how to play in the formation when teams run at us - they are playing as individuals in a back three, not as a back three.  They are limited players, don't confuse the fucking issue for them, make it simple.

The decision to then take off Woollery is another example of Flitcroft trying to show he is clever - it is a constant theme of his time here.  The reality is he has not got a clue.

We may go on to win 5-2, even if we did it would be inspite of the Managers influence and not because of.

I'd get rid of him, as I would have done since about 10 games in to be honest.  You can get plenty of run of the mill League 2 level Managers and give them a half decent budget and they should be able to mount a mid table/play off challenge.  At least they won't be a dick while doing it.

Rob T for manager. Whose going to convince him to take a pay cut to come?

I could do a fucking better job working from home, especially with ifollow, just get Lync chat set-up and I can communicate with the bench :-)

Yeah thats pretty much how I see it today too.

Iandolo and Gordon are not wingbacks and never will be, do not publically humiliate your best striker, stop playing Dunne and get in some new defenders.

45 mins with no subs to use. Has flitcroft forgotten he’s used one in the first half already? At least they were the right changes for once. :suicide:

Looks like Elsnik and Taylor have come on at HT

Oh, and Crewe are the second worse team I have seen this season after FGR.

Yep for Dunne and Iandolo.

Newport too but its close.

No action for Mullin-shame

1-3

Fcuk off Flitcroft

:suicide:

Christ alive

Finally Dunne is subbed.  Very risky to use all our subs with 45 minutes left though.  Totally agree with everything Rob said.

Game over now.  Utterly pathetic. Flitcroft needs to go, but I fear we're stuck with him.

Our defence is shocking, we STILL look like we could win this though, quality of the play is attrocious.

Norris missed when in with a good chance, we are creating but not shooting.

Not a fan then Rob? soapy tit wank

Their keeper hates crosses.

So fucking cross the ball!

do was it a foul on the keeper? looked 50/50 from my seat in the drs

Looked more than 50/50 to me, definate foul.

ta

To get anything from this game we need to pressurize their keeper who looks very dodgy.

looked like Dracula all game

He is indeed, not caught one cross or corner all game.

yet we still dont put the pressure on him, but then thats difficult when you have subbed off your best striker already.

finish!

2-3

Elsnik 20 yarder

TIMIIII!

Anyone Tweeted the goals?

Cracking finish from outside the box from Elsnik, we have missed that sort of shooting.

We have been trying to walk the ball in the net all game.

Dracula is being subbed.

Put the new keeper under pressure straight away from the off while hes not warmed up.

Now that's a humiliation.

Norris clean thro with just the keeper to beat kicks it straight at him.

He took a knock about 10 mins ago and never recovered.

Fucking Norris. Should have scored.

Twice in 2 mins!

Lancashires defending scares the crap out of me.

Oh fair enough then.

3-3 Elsnik

Cross from Gordon missed by everyone except Elsnik, smashes in from 12 yards.

Timi my son

Elsnik saving Flitcroft’s bacon. Should have started.

And Crewe down to 10 men, red for Bakayogo.

Lets hope he can get a 3rd!

inspired subs from Mr Flitcroft  :sofa:

Best player on the pitch by some margin.

And two keepers booked

I have no qualms with 2 of the 3 subs, just why take off Woolery.

Elsnik corner tipped onto the bar, all Swindon pressure now.

Because he can't match Norris's clinical finishing?

4-3 Richards

Richards booked for taking his shirt off to show the crowd his bra.

(https://s10.postimg.org/lv2hrafyx/Untitled.png)

Bloody Hell!

Fantasy football!

Never in any doubt ;)

Gordon wasting time when he should have crossed it.

Check out @Masterath’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/Masterath/status/957294876625985536?s=09

Knew we'd been here before...

A lot of facial egg around on fb!

 

Especially as there was obviously going to be quite a lot of added time

7 mins added time :o

Yeah exactly, silly choice Gordon.

What a ridiculous game.  Looks like my game over comment at 1-3 was premature to say the least!

Crewe defender down injured wasting time ;) probably another 2 mins to be added.

Would love Richards to get a hattrick, his celebration for his 2nd was awesome!

Crewe down to 9 men after that injury.

Does that mean they are going to defy odds and......I'm not going to say it!

Anderson booked for kicking the ball after the whistle.

The game is still wide open.

RCC fantastic block from 1 yard out!

Elsnik skys it when he could have scored!

8 yellows and one red card so far.

Banks makes the keeper save well.

Keep the updates coming Pete, it's appreciated.

4-3 game over.

Thank God for that!

Thanks PV

Richards and Elsnik took all their goals well today, Richards played very well but Elsnik was the difference between the teams.

Very welcome, phew!

Switched the radio off at 1-3. Wildly surprised when I checked in to see what the scathing feedback was going to be.

Ha ha, large slice of humble pie heading your way sir...

Appreciated that one the most.

A dire quality of game saved by a player who is clearly playing well below his level in Elsnik.

Richards is twice the player Norris is.

Flitcroft can still go fuck himself - it's not rocket science that a player of Elsnik's ability would be better than Dunne (I'm not having a pop at Flitcroft for not starting him, I get that decision).  He's just had two or three players get him out of jail today.  Everything I stated at half time still stands, which was why the going on to win 5-2 comment was made.  Crewe were truly awful.

Didn't you read this bit?

Not really.  I stand by it all.  The team has enough ability within it for this level to comfortably be where we are.  You could send 11 of them out in roughly the right positions and they'd be just as likely to win as lose, which is our season in a nutshell.  I haven't changed my opinion all season long on that, feel free to check.  It is my personal opinion that Flitcroft makes us collectively worse as a team.

I did but the subs were down to the manager so that sentence is bollocks as well.

At 3-1 we were obviously still in it, we were playing better than them but defensively we were terrible at times, Lancashire and Dunne the worst culprits.

What he did with Woolery left a sour taste in the mouth for me.

Richards led the line really well, chased everything down and took both his goals so well, he has a scorers instict, hes no target man though, but then again neither is Norris who wasted a few good chances today again.

Richards celebration was awesome, it really meant a lot to him and he probably doesn't mine being booked.

Preston was again our best defender, Taylor looked good when he came on, for a mostly poor Iandolo.

Gordon cannot defend to save his life, RCC looked fine in goal, banks didn't contribute much but never let us down, looks a solid player.

Anderson ran around a lot, made good runs, a few good passes but cannot pull the trigger when he should, played fairly well though.

Elsnik is a level or 2 above all of our players, he made runs and crosses and shots all game, deserved MoM.

Good result even if not the best performances, we didnt play badly but Robertson and especially Lancashire are both liabilities and we look like conceding when they are being pressed constantly.

Lancashire makes mistakes when under no pressure too, get rid of them both.

Shall I start the match day thread again?  :)

Ditto
To say I was surprised would be an understatement
 :pint:

Well edited.  ;)

Indeed..

Think we're two centre halves away from a top 3 side. Lancashire and Robertson aren't up to it in my opinion and may be the reason we have to enter the lottery of the play off's.

Whats he said on the radio? He been on yet?

You may ultimately be proved right, however, there is a long way to go yet. Some teams have not had any kind of wobble, some may be going through one. On top of that as has been said before by others anyone can beat anyone, as evidenced by today’s result. Ok we won but by Christ we came perilously close to snatching a defeat from the jaws of victory. Lastly if, if we can maintain our away form and then kick into gear our home form to a level anyone in the top half of the table would expect, we would well clinch a top three. So for me that’s the comfort blanket of being where we are as a club at our level. You can go up or down. In the PL once you get there is only down with the same old same old every season.

 Games like that are why most of us, love lower league football... bonkers.

 Flitters is now going to have to put on his thinking cap for Tuesday. We've already been stuffed at Stevenage playing with a back 4, and we know we have lost every mid week league game this season. Stevenage will be right up for it as a chance to get themselves back in the PO hunt. 

As stated a while ago, playing 3 donkey central defenders isn't really what, 3-5-2 is about, its too easy to pick off especially with non defending wing backs... OK it can work for the odd game, if an element of surprise, and the opposition suit, so useful as an option.

I think he'll have to stick with it for Tuesday, given what happened in the cup game.

Still not been on...

Papering over the cracks.

Did they announce the crowd?

It didn't look many more than about 6,000 with about 200 Crewe fans there at most.

Woolery was tactical then

Hmmm could have waited the extra 2 mins and taken him off at half time rather than giving him the embarressment of being a first half substitute IMO.

Was Woolery playing poorly? Seen a few people on Twitter saying he was doing alright.

Hope this isn't another Flitcroft fall out in the making.

That was clear at the time, which was why it was so demeaning - should have waited a few minutes until half time to make it, then at least you have a chance to explain it to the player.  Norris didn't add anything, so assume he was trying to go longer than we were already going.  He's just too keen to make it look like he is a tactical genius.  The one sub that made the difference was the one everyone watching would have made - Elsnik.

It wasn’t two minutes, it was more like 5-6 before half time and DF said he should have done it earlier. Woolery wasn’t doing what was asked of him. Why keep him on for another 5 mins to spare his feelings? No idea how DF can get pelters for the subs. We always moan when managers don’t make changes early, but now he did, it was a bit mean?

Not read back much yet,  but this caught my eye and I normally roll my eyes a bit and tut at such comments after a win. But not this time, because you are potentially absolutely right. Let me explain, no point in a match report doing so.

The first 10 minutes we were excellent. Thereafter we went to dogshit. The reason we were successful is because Woolery/Gordon and Iandolo were pushing down the wings with space and running at them. Then Crewe worked it out and pushed forward themselves thus rendering that tactic ineffective. Add in an absolutely dire performance from the back 3 (5)  and it was obvious things weren't going well. Iandolo and Gordon aren't wingbacks, the opposition work it out and attack them. Dunne is piss poor. Sorry, don't want to make scapegoats but he's Pook bad.

The decision to take Woolery off 2 minutes before half time was a shambolic piss poor piece of management. Totally and utterly wrong. Its my opinion that go on to lose the game, this is the straw that would have broken the camels back in the fans eyes. Just do it at half time you utter dick.

The decision to replace Dunne and Iandolo  at half time made sense. Felt it was a big risk with Elsnik just back from injury and Doris being injury prone. But it paid off. Eventually. It wasn't great until we scored our second to be honest.  Crewe being as inept as us at the back, coupled with them going down to 10 men an a superb RCC smothering save at the death bailed Flitcroft out.

So will he finally concede defeat at midfielders as wingbacks, and with Dunne in midfield. Or will he revert to type? We are at a crossroads, and I don't know which way its going (other than Viggsy buggering off for a screwdriver for a couple of years).

I should be extremely happy we won a close game in the last minute of normal time. But I'm kind of not. Happier than losing, but thinking we'll end up well short of autos.

Nope he was playing fairly well IMO.

Spot on.

Woolery taken off at 42 mins on the clock was done to make a point to Woolery IMO. yes as PP says there was probably 4 or 5 mins including added time but the clock said 42 and Flitcroft wouldn't have known there were 3 mins to be added.

The other 2 subs were spot on.

Why wait if a player is not doing what’s asked and following instructions? Just don’t get it. He was subbed on 40, giving Norris 5+ mins to get up so speed before half time. That’s more important than Kaiyne’s feelings.

Bonkers thing to be slagging DF off for in my book. There was a reason. He gave that reason. We won and the subs paid off.

I'll take papering over the cracks if it gets us up.

There are indeed large cracks but there are a lot of big plusses too, Elsniks return and Richards over all performance being 2 of them.

seriously? you can't see how it could damage the player? I'll stick by it being piss poor and add that Norris made no impact whatsoever. I'll also stick by the timing being absolutely pointless. get Norris up to speed my arse Flitcroft.

I had the same criticism of Di canio and Connell.

Anyone who went today and didn't leave feeling thoroughly entertained shouldn't really bother coming back. Lacking in quality? Well yes, it's league fucking 2. 99.9% of games in this division lack quality.
We were losing 3.1 and came back to win 4.3, can't we just enjoy that?  I'd rather get 3 points seeing a game like that.

It's a squad game these days with 3 subs... any player who is part of the squad shouldn't be too downcast about being subbed, as it is likely done for the greater good.

There are those who slag the manager off, because in this day and age it's what you do.  I think it's justified when incompetence is proved beyond any reasonable doubt given the circumstances.

However take Flitters today there are those calling for his head again, yet we won the game. If we were down with a Chesterfield, a club of similar size, who we've been sort of linked with recently... namely in Div 3 PO's 2 and half seasons ago and relegated last year, it could be understandable.

Di Canio subbed players in the first half a number of times, including a keeper, but everyone loved him. Flitcroft does it and he’s a cock.

have you read back when Di canio did it though.

I remember a fair bit of criticism

Quite right. A most enjoyable 90 mins - plus the late win netted me nearly £230. I must have sat behind RobertT as he was furiously texting after half time!

The defending, or lack thereof, was lamentable, but some of our forward play was very good. Much less hoofing than is usual.

I still don’t get Kellan Gordon.

If Kaiyne, or any other player, is damaged by that they’re finished in professional football. It’s bollocks. Manager made a decision. Turned out to be right (this time) yet we’re all concerned about Kaiyne and how he might be damaged? Nonsense.

waiting until half time would have made no difference whatsoever to the result.

anyway, moving on, Great save from RCC at the end. thought they'd rescued a point

Two total shit sides fucking up at will. For the first 15 we looked totally in control until they realised we didn't have a midfield.All 3 goals conceded were very easily defended but we were too shit to do so. We got out of jail today. Crewe were shit.
I thought Woolery looked crap and disinterested today and was not surprised he was subbed but was at the timing.
Yet again, for the fuck knows how many times this season, our midfield was non existent. Surely its not that fucking difficult to put together a midfield that can play as a unit or at least resemble a fucking midfield.
Richards and Elsnik will get the plaudits but what a save at the end. Don;t forget they were down to 9 men yet they should have equalised. Thats as good a save as you will see this season. Nothing flashy but strong hands and agility to keep it out. 

I think Batch is a precious flower who must've been subbed before half-time in early life :)

Completely agree. Heard some bloke text into the radio saying he was furious because we were awful. Jeez, if you can't enjoy that (and yes we were awful in places) you just don't enjoy watching football. As Jurgen Klopp would say "What the Fuck was that?" Brilliantly bonkers

Ha. you've seen me play.  As if I started games.

Also I've injured my finger either celebrating the winner, or saving a shot from an u9.

Delicate flower or not, he's right. Poor man management. On the up side, recruitment this Jan has been decent, now carry it on with a defender (or two)

I went. Left at 3 - 1. It was fucking shit and I don't really want to go back. Definitely not renewing my season ticket. I fucking hate football at the moment.

First goal went in and I was thinking 4:0....how wrong.

Lads fucked off at 3:1 but I stayed....glad I did.

Last season we would of lost 5:1.

Knife edge season ....over if we had lost today..

At 3-1 it was fucking shit. At 3-3, it was brilliant. At 4-3 it was insanely terrific and reminded me why I go to football, because most of this season I've felt like you did

(https://s18.postimg.org/mkub766x5/FB_IMG_1517082437591.jpg)

For the record, do you still see us as relegation candidates? You did last month. If there are any doubts, I'll trawl up a relevant post or two. Not a problem.

Two goal down comeback wins should always be celebrated & enjoyed regardless of circumstance.

Normally in a promotion season there is one game that can act as a catalyst for a really good run to be put together, maybe that was it. Next six games will determine where we end up.

Certainly an 'interesting' decision to sub Woolery.
Hopefully a good manager would then take the time to explain his decision and the player takes any potential criticism on board and everyone moves on.

Thought their no 39 looked a decent player.

The ref certainly liked to play advantage, even allowing Crewe to play on after a foul on Anderson, before eventually giving us the free kick.  :eek:

I like ferret. He's the anti-reg.

I know he is often overly critical of reg, but I think that just adds some balance. It saves me (and others) from trying to offer some balance as well.

Highlights are on sky

http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/competitions/league-two/11225501/swindon-4-3-crewe

I’m happy.

The reaction on Social Media at half-time seemed premature regardless of how bad we were and I guess our shit home form has created that.

Some fans elsewhere clearly have a passionate anti-Flitcroft agenda. That’s fine but the fact of the matter is that his changes were justified today.

Stevenage will punish us if we don’t learn from this game.

3 points :beers:

Speaking as someone who is generally anti flitcroft and had a social media meltdown at half time - i thought the second half today showed the strength of character flitcroft has instilled (which I give him credit for) and papered over the tactical shit show that was otherwise unfurling. I don’t think flitcroft is good enough to achieve success with us, and it’s painful to watch.

Please hurry up and do it then, so we don't get to read the same post every other week.

At 16:10 our season was over by 17:00 it wasn't, some frantic re writing of angry posts this afternoon.

Yes, I get that. Trust me, I’m as frustrated and unsatisfied by what goes on at the CG as the majority of our fans. It was the case today, it was the case a fortnight ago, and it’ll most probably be the case in a fortnight’s time - whether we win, lose or draw.

Equally, however, I’m willing to call out someone who talks a load of non-committal, half-arsed bullshit, dropping a subtle hint that we might lose, going to town on it if it comes off, and overlooking it completely if we win.

Just watched the goals. Great late save by RCC but he was massively at fault for their 3rd.

did it look a foul on him? presumably not.

Hi Swindon fans, help please from you. Does anyone know your match attendance today please. I've search the internet and can't find it anywhere. THANKS

Do you want the before half time or after

Final total please. Why did have of them walk out after the break?

The football was too good, it blew their minds

52,851 includes 171 away fans.

Do so. I'm happy to have my musings questioned.

"damage the player?" it's you who surely can't be serious?  Any professional sportsman who is "damaged" by being subbed when they don't want to be needs to get a grip.

Yes, for sure good man management is about respecting people but it's not about pandering to them.  If someone is consciously not following your instructions then it's essential that they and everyone around them see that it won't be tolerated.  As I understand it that was Flitcroft's intention.

You snowflake millennials are all the same  :D

millennial  - if only!

damage the relationship with the player then... and yes it depends how he takes it.  Not like we've not seen it happen before. Hopefully he has more sense.

Thanks for the wrong answer, The County Ground wouldn't hold 52,851. As a person that was born and bred in Swindon and taken to watch Swindon regularly, perhaps a sensible answer could be given

Thanks.

Any idea what the red card was for?

So tear a strip off him at half time in the dressing room, that shows the player and the group that the behaviour won't be tolerated and adds an element of peer group humiliation (which presumably was also the intent). But to make the sub 3-4 minutes before half time seems to add an unnecessary element of public humiliation. Taken together with the way he's hung Vigoroux out to dry, it does look like poor man management. He may well have his reasons, he may well be justified in wanting to sanction either or both players but the purpose of such sanctions is to reset the relationship and enable it to be rebuilt, hopefully stronger. Whereas Flitcroft just seems to burn his bridges publicly to prove who's the bigger man. And in both instances, with players who the club had hoped to make a return on. So not very good asset management either.

That information does not seem to be available from any of the usual outlets for some reason :sherlock:

C5 highlights say it was a second yellow for the wild take out in the lead up to our third goal.

The first yellow for their no 3 was for time wasting. A total joke of a yellow as it was the no 20 fucking around. Threw him the ball and then the no 3 gets booked. 8 yellows and1 red and no really bad challenges.

Thanks. I was watching on ifollow but didn't spot the second yellow foul. Yes, the wrong player booked for time wasting.

Think the ref was sponsored by Clintons tbh

Spot on about their No. 20 who should have been booked. Would have been his second yellow, too, so maybe that explains why the ref booked the other fella.

No crowd figure announced, or reported on the website.

I blame Power, even though he was in Australia with Tactics Tim.


FWIW my feelings are.
Wait til HT to sub Woolery, nothing good can come of trying to humiliate one of your better players.

Crewe did us a huge favour of stop attacking after 3-1, had they have continued they would probably have scored more goals.

Lancashire looks poor, but Robertson is worse.

Dunne is a very limited footballer, has very little club what to do with the ball, but he probably saved two goals in the first half with a clearance off the line & a block of a shot from inside the box before they made it 2-1.

ok, so the official attendance yesterday is: sparce.

reckon they don't announce < 6k? looked like it could be that low to me

Attendance was 5427 im quite sure. They announced it in hospitality and said they didn't over the tannoy because it was so low. Which it was. Hell of a game to miss!

thanks. it was a few less at 3-1 too! like you say, hell of a game.

Still doesn't feel like this year's 'Northampton' though. The game where you think this is a nailed on good year. Guess it's because we aren't dominating and look vulnerable at the back.

Richards and Banks look like good signings to me though.

Thanks.

This 100%.  Absolutely shit man management imo.  Some might say it paid off, but it was Elsnik and Taylor that were the difference not Norris.  Norris missed several good chances after coming on as per usual. You only had to hear the crowd reaction to see what people thought of the substitution at that point in the game.  I didn’t even think Woolery was playing badly, but christ if he wants to start making an example of players who aren’t performing, there’s several far better candidates who are utter crap week in and out.  The fact we ended up winning saved him from a real backlash yesterday.

FWIW,. it's just the timing that irked me. Didn't think he was playing badly but that's irrelevant

Just watched the highlights.

Interesting to compare Norris 'setting up' Elsnick's second as compared with the finishes for the first and fourth goals.   :D

Anyone who’s watched football knows that the one thing that can embarrass a player the most is being substituted in the first half. Anyone who says otherwise is being obtuse

Same as. In fairness, Flitcroft can reasonably argue (and indeed did) that he took a bold gamble by making 3 subs at half time and it paid off. And to further balance out the criticism the transfer window signings have been good so far, albeit need another defender if we can.

Had he have made the three subs at half time I don't think he would have got the criticism he did, it was hauling Woolery off at 41:52 in the first half that drew most of the criticism.

To be fair to him, he is partly right though.

His subs did change the game, although I think it was a bit of a no brainer to bring Elsnik on

Yeah sorry, I phrased that badly. What I meant was that he effectively made 3 half time subs, given how close to HT it was when he chose to publicly humilate Woolery. And that bit worked (the 3 subs). Which makes the very pointed and unnecessary public humiliation all the more disappointing.

For no problem with the subs. iandolo was venerable (as was Gordon) and as pointed out the two Dunne clearances were crucial but he was hopeless.
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not sure Norris added anything, but hey ho.
Wonder what it was that Woolery didn't do. A couple of us have noticed he had been backing up against defenders recently, but not yesterday. Surely that's not it. Nobody would use a fast mobile player as muscle.

WTF was Robertson doing for their third goal  :eek: :doh:

Catching his breath and turning like an oil tanker.

In fairness I guess he and Lancashire thought it was dealt with. Yes, you should always make sure...

indeed nice use of the "air shot and pass with the standing foot" technique.

The laugh is apparently Woolery wasn't doing what he was asked to do? So i assume Norris was, which begs the question what is Norris asked to do?!?! Be shit i assume.

I noticed on the excellent swindon-town-fc.co.uk that Vigouroux's next game would be his 100th for the club. Do you think there is any coincidence in the fact that that game will never come? Could trigger something in his contract/ transfer fee?

Ok so leading up to our so called game in hand, versus Accrington. I predicted the outcomes and so far we did lose to Cov (should have won), beat Crewe (phew) and have Stevenage then Lincoln to play. I'd take a win in either of them and a draw. I just think we might be able to manage it against St. Evenage on Tues because that game is such a carrot for us now. To clinch 4th place and really be forcing the teams around us to pick up points the following Saturday then who knows it may spur us on to take something versus Lincoln.

Accrington. I've predicted the two out of three matches leading up to us. Similarly, they won versus Vale when they probably should've lost. Pretty much any betting man would have chosen Crawley to beat them on their own patch. I too think they will beat St. Evenage yet on  their own turf, this coming Saturday. This tie is really lining up to be quite a decider, in which one of us makes a valid stake (and maintains a winning run, wit the odd blip) for an automatic spot with about 1/3 of the season to go.


As for Saturday against Crewe. I think we should celebrate this kind of win, it's always a great team effort to come back from two goals down. However, I share most of the concern on here because at one point it looked like Town were about to capitulate and "do a Luton". There is a sense of papering over the cracks, especially in defence. It's odd because the form of Preston seems to have deteriorated over recent weeks. Is that down to Flitcroft? Are the things he (and his coaching team) is asking certain players to do at a detriment to their better abilities? Should he be allowing a little more freedom in style of play? A couple of us on here had been calling for relevant subs to be used over several weeks and it was frustrating as hell. Yesterday, DF certainly got that right and some may say "I understand why he didn't start Elsnik", we have to remember, Timi played in two U23 matches for Derby before coming back to us. The final one versus Birmingham, where he showed natural control and ability from a searching cross at the touchline, to then break away back in field was sublime. The guy is clearly too good for Swindon Town. I am glad we have got him at least until the end of this season. He showed again from the bench what a provider he i becoming. He oozes quality. Likewise Taylor and Richards both showed they can still offer something else. These three should start the next game. I am still struggling with the reason Dunne is starting (and generally finishing) most games. He really does not offer much at all. I can only guess he gets his head down in training and is well acquainted with DF?

We need to add a better CB or sign an quality holding midfielder to take the pressure off (this is certainly key, in my opinion) the defence. Since there are massive gaps and as mentioned, Dunne just cannot even distribute the ball very well. If Rohan Ince is an option for us (maybe he's seeing if any other clubs become available  before he chooses us?) then we should jump at the chance. In L2 he will be more than adequate as the missing link between Preston and Elsnik.

There's not a lot more needed. We have players who can deliver good crosses and set pieces (Taylor & Iandolo), goalscorers (Timi, poss Richards, others chipping in and even Norris), and imo RCC is a good enough shot stopper at this level. With the right coaching and more experience the command of the area and claiming crosse will come. He is decent enough, it's all about the confidence.

To conclude, even though we have been picking up results I feel that our weakest link is indeed DF. I do think there are plenty of half decent L2 and poorish L1 managers that could "manage" this set of players better. There is so much more that could be squeezed out of them. We know they aren't all going to be world beaters and L2 i what it is - it's shit. However we have enough quality but every week (yes even after a 2-0 or 3-0 win), I'm still left thinking to myself - this manager isn't good enough to take us any further than the line or just over it. L1 would be out of his depth and yes as harsh as it sounds, you can sack a manager that gets you to the play-offs or promoted out of this wretched division because we know his ability lies within L2.

So after Saturday you think Richards is only possibly a goalscorer....

Ffs, one Swallow doesn't make a summer. I'm not writing him off and my post holds more than just that part of it. If he follows it up on Tuesday or next Saturday with a goal then indeed he will seem more than a possibility.

The 100 includes games where he was here on loan so probably not.

A sensible outlook...Richards had gone something like 23 matches without scoring before Saturday.

He certainly looks like he will do the business at this level but it's early days.

I agree awful man management by Flitcroft.

I agree with all of that, Robertson, Lancashire and Dunne are weak links in the defensive part of the pitch and need replacing, if not Robertson & Lancashire then one of them, Lancashire always looks like hes about to make a fuck up, Robertson is just very limited.

Dunne gives the defence no cover which is what I imagine his only job is because hes far to limited a footballer to give us anything past the half way line, get rid now.

Definately.

Possibly so, although its been interesting to see the contrast in response to when PDC did similar with Fodders at Preston?

TBF I can't remember if there was a backlash or not to that at the time, although I did certainly think at the time it was a very poor decision by PdC.

http://thetownend.com/index.php?topic=49087.0

As a wise man said in that thread....

Watching Barca last night... they're 1-0 down at half time, so Valverde, indicates he's going to hook the 2 fullbacks Digne and Semedo, 3 minutes into the second half, clearly as they're not following instructions and the team is suffering. They go on and win 2-1. What's the difference between 3 mins before half time and 3 minutes after?

3 mins before HT, you may as well wait until they get into the dressing room and either re-instruct or make the sub if you don't think they're going to do it. 3 mins after, you've done that, and they're still not following the instructions.

Fair enough, but which ever way you look at it, it's still the manager hooking the player(s) with plenty of time to go because, he thinks the collective no longer requires their input, but rather someone elses.

In the modern game, with 3 subs available, it is in fact a tacit admission by the manager, that he got his first picks wrong as much as a reflection on the player.

Not always, sometimes it can be a deliberate tactic, there's a long tradition of the "impact sub" being used to change a game. David Fairclough made a very successful career at Liverpool out of being a "SuperSub" (which these days just sounds like an extra size fast food offer)

I know we've had a decent run with it but can't help thinking 352 with three clogging centre halves and no natural/competent wing backs is going to be on borrowed time at some point. With Elsnik and Banks, the squad looks ideal to play 433

If Elsnik stays fit we'll go up in autos. If not, we won't, which speaks volumes about the management because (despite a couple of weak links) the recruitment has been good enough but we rarely seem to play to our players' strengths in open play

But at the time it was seen as a lesser role....  whereas now because of 3 subs,  fans normally get the squad nature of the managers decisions.

This is my issue with the Manager (beyond the football).  Everything wrong was of his making - the decision to pull off Woollery - if it was that bad a performance (which it wasn't) make it either much earlier (if you see something going wrong and the player refuses to change it should have happened much earlier in the game) or wait until half time or just after.  Landalo coming off - entirely because the lad is not a full back/wing back.  He doesn't know the position and is learning it while also learning to be a first team footballer, that is not fair on him.  At worst you give it a game or two, but the deficiencies in his game at that position have been evident since game one - taking him off was a no brainer, anyone in the crowd would agree with and probably call for it.  If he now plays him there again it will just be because he has a sense of wanting to be RIGHT.  Dunne - again, given his performance you'd probably have found a 100% vote in the crowd at half time and maybe a more than 75% vote before the game not to use him.  I gave him the benefit of the doubt in the early games of the season but the vast majority of fans agree he is not good enough.

Therefore, every decision that was made is either likely to cause a problem or was a direct result of a problem of Flitcroft's making.

Agree 100% with this. Subject to Linganzi being fit at least.

If you can play Linganzi/Elsnik/Banks as your midfield three, and Woolery/Anderson/Richards up top then i think we would be good.

At Stevenage a few weeks back, we went back 4, Dunne and Linganzi holding and then 4 footballers up front, but no Norris to hold the ball up. We shipped 5. Vigs was in goal as opposed to R C-C, whether that made the difference I don't know.

Other than Luton and maybe Barnet, I think you can't read too much into the games we ship a lot of goals.  I think that is just the outcome of playing the %'s game of lumping it forward.  You allow possession to transition so rapidly and retain no control, therefore you provide lots of opportunities to do the same to yourselves - the opposition can lump it forward or run at you just as regularly.  Sometimes you get a clean sheet because they don't get lucky or you have individuals play well, sometimes you just get unlucky.

Certainly the current players in the formation probably creates opportunities for other teams - behind the fullbacks and straight through three central defenders not playing as a cohesive unit.  That doesn't mean the opposition will create anything though.

It really wasn't - Fairclough was a bloody legend in our house.

Completely agree with this, felt really sorry for Iandolo - really wasn't working and the change was the right one, but not the lad's fault and really difficult when he's trying to establish his place in the 1st team. Almost like he's being set up to fail (which I don't think he is btw, don't think Flitcroft's that subtle!)

Out of interest, how many teams in England do you think don't play the % game?

Most teams in the top two leagues now play a degree of the "modern" way, most teams in League Two clearly play Long Ball football - it is a very specific version of this I have an issue with.  Flitcroft would play this way in any division.

I am not that endeared to Burnley for example, maybe a little less of the hatred though.

Beck was clearly different to other teams who played direct in that era.
Allardyce will tell anyone who listens that he has a secret sauce
Wilkinson tried to change the football DNA of England before DNA was a thing in football, thankfully that failed - although it could be argued we haven't replaced it with anything much better
If it wasn't for his time at England, I'd probably leave Taylor out of this, he at least saw the need for something more expansive once possession was retained higher up the pitch

Actually, I never had an issue with Wimbledon either, there was something quite interesting about the way they went about football tactically that did work and could be repeated.  We saw that when Wise came in here.

Flitcroft is just an Emporer's New Clothes tactical Manager - it's long ball shit, it is by design and it's not clever.  The fact he thinks it is clever is why I then have a problem with it, it is what creates situation's like Landalo at left wing back.

Becks teams played the shittest anti football ever in the history of the world. Absolutely abhorrent total shite dross.

That was why he is on my list!  It was right on the border of what would constitute sportsmanship.  For that alone, even leaving the long ball aspect out of it, he deserves to be disliked and eventually found out, as I think it was.

Oh, it's also clear this entire league plays in a similar fashion, which is why it is so open at times and why teams can go from bottom to top in a season.  Our starting XI should have enough to be in the play off hunt in such a scenario, playing the %'s.  I happen to think Flitcroft's desire to be a genius makes us less effective than we could be - that personality trait, mixed with the football is what grates me.

What do you mean by the modern way?  The last 2 PL champions have played direct football, a variation on the tried and tested. Especially Leicester, couple of big old donkeys at the back, Huth, Morgan. A scuttler in mid field Kante, alongside a lad Drinkwater who could get in forward early to a runner Vardy.  Chelsea similar, even to the extent of Kante and then signing DD. You can allow yourself one footballer... Mahrez/Hazard.   Chelsea's key man... Diego Costa, a proper old skool centre forward.... get it up to him and he'll battle to allow a Hazard some space.

The difference is in Div 4, you're more or less trying the same sort of things with more limited players.

Possession based football as purveyed say by a lot of clubs in  Spain, bores the average English fan rigid he/she wants their muck and nettles. You could see that last couple of season's with Luke trying something a bit more cerbral and the fans hating it.

Only because it was losing football with repeated mistakes week after week.

The first 6 months of the play off season saw some of the best football seen for years.

Oh God they were terrible to watch, it even got to a point that Cambridges fans, even though they were getting results most weeks called for his head.

I remember we beat them under Hoddle in the FA cup away and the home fans were chanting "we want football".

I would certainly not say we are like a Beck team yet though.

And the fans still complained and hated Cooper. "FORWAARRDD"

Playing possession football is difficult, sides work you out after a while... Cooper's team had a purple patch, but 6 wins from the final 20 games showed that we'd been sussed.

Had Power continued with the Dabo, BOO, Barry, Colkett model, with Anton as a squad man,  then every chance we'd be fighting for our FL place atm.

I'd say part of the drop off was due to the Asia fucking Cup. Kas and Mas were mostly shit after it.

quite agree about continuing with the model being a possible disaster though. And frankly I hated last seasons football even more than this

Kas still waiting to get back form 3 years later.  Mas, has just about managed a Div 2 career, but no evidence that he'll move on to bigger or better.  QPR may just about have enough to stay up, but they are shite, so could easily go.

One of my favourite examples of this was the season prior to the PO season, we were away at Colchester and the ball went backwards from the half way line and some woman shrieked 'YOU'RE GOING THE WRONG WAY' we scored less than 10 seconds later.  Brilliant

Thinking fans football?

But therein lies the problem, even when it's very good.

Agreed, this season we are competing..

 I do think the next couple of games are pivotal.

 Somehow, earlier in the season it felt like the home/away disparity would perhaps right itself, namely home form pick up away drop off.  Mainly based on historic great seasons in Div 4 like Lou's 85/86, a dozen away wins.... PdC's 10 and Sturrock/Wise 10.

 Getting a win tomorrow, would represent one of our best results in recent years.

Agreed...

I've no issue playing direct if a) there are some recognisable patterns of play and b) it attempts to maximise the strengths of the players in the team. Which is exactly what Leicester had/did

Hard to say either is happening at the minute despite there being enough decent L2 players. I'm not anti-Flitcroft particularly but just don't think it takes a rocket scientist to understand/tweak what we are doing

Interesting that he almost got the England youth gig, well at least that’s what he told us anyway but with his ego you don’t know what is true. With his brand of football and man management skills I do wonder what a cluster fuck that would be but then I suppose Aidy Bothroyd has been there for years now. Can only imagine that Flitcroft comes across well over a couple of interviews with all his buzz words and makes him sound knowledgeable. However after 6 months of it you realise he’s just talking utter crap and football manager cliches.