Thetownend.com

Let's get back to the old ways shall we. A thread started just after midnight.

2 - 1 to Town 6,785 Richards and Mullin to score.

Bouncebackability!

Paul Mullin deserves a goal the CG, been a decent lad. Here's hoping.

3-1

Stick with tradition so 5-0 it is!

Elsenik to net 1 nil

In games between Swindon and Port Vale at the County Ground over the years Swindon have won 23, drew 9 and lost 9.

Port Vale have not won at the CG in the last 6 meetings with us scoring 20 goals and conceding only 4 in that process, this included two 5 goal scorelines and one 6 goal game.

Port Vale have only won here 3 times in the last 18 games with us winning 11 of the ties.

Port Vale have 4 wins and 3 draws this season on their travels, their last 7 games home and away have been LLDLDDL.

Port Vales last 4 away games LLLL, Swindon last 4 home games WWWW.

Got home defeat written all over it!

In front of a crowd of 6,235 with 185 PV fans there.

Going today. We should win handsomely. We probably won’t.

From what Flitters has been saying this week, he seems fully aware of the need to maintain intensity, after the key run of 6 pointers has effectively ended our auto chances.

However, it will be very difficult, as I'm sure the players know they put everything in but have come up short.  Vale, on the other hand, after the thrashing by Cheltnum, will be very keen to avoid a further slide towards the Conference.

We could drop to 8th tonight.... Exeter have Jabba's lot, not easy. Lincoln visit Crawley, a draw would be nice as a Crawley win would see them in our rear view mirror and we've yet to go there.

Not entirely sure you can confidently say that ended out auto chances as we are still only 5 points behind 3rd place with 39 points still up for grabs.

If we don't win in our next 3 games then maybe so but a win today and we will still be well in the hunt.

As you say Port Vale could well be a wounded animal after a total capitulation last week vs the 'Numb who apparently played them off the park.

If we keep 17 goal Pope quiet then hopefully we will be in with a chance.

It's about likelihoods and seizing the moment..... as Sun Tzu said  :china: Opportunities multiply as they are seized.

We had our opportunities and weren't quite good enough to seize them....

like to see norris dropped and mullin given ago sneaky 4-2 win today depending who plays.

I hope to see the fighting spirit again and lose our old  habit of losing to lower sides. 2-1 as they score from a defensive mistake .  A lovely day to play our best football.

I would like to see Norris dropped and Woolery given a go, in the away game they couldn't cope with his pace as their whole defence was areally slow.

Just read on fb that Lancashire's not playing today.

Correct

Obviously Luke Norris is carrying out the manager's instructions to the letter

Offered to cut his lawn in the summer!

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DWPgs3WXcAAoThj.png)

Only 6 subs again.

Don't bother about controlling the ball, miss time shots when in good positions and don't worry about finding a red shirt when you pass.

Perfect.

The back 3 is a worry with first 3 choices out. 2-2.

Apparently only managed to play on Tuesday thanks to an injection before, so could be more than one game out, which might mean an extended run for Robertson.

That worries me

I don't rate Lancashire but I rate Robertson less, could be tough up against Pope today.

Attack will be the best form of defence today.

Vale finding large holes in our defence already.

Vale player offside finds the net, we look poor at that back already :(

Corner to Town.

Very flat atmosphere today.

Mayo finds Norris who blasts 10 yards wide from 15 yards out.

Extremely quiet.

The ref is whislte happy and blowing for everything.

0-1

top assist Norris

Free kick hoofed in and Norris heads it back into the danger zone right onto the foot of their player who gleefully fires in from 10 yards.

Well this has been a cracking start! Shambles.  Did it take a deflection? Everyone seemed to be static.

Dear oh dear.

Flitcroft out.

Following instructions though...

plenty of time, we know it'll be a case of "can we score more goals than you"

Anderson again fucks up his final ball with Banks waiting in space for it in a great position.

Richards surprised to get the ball fires over from 15 yards out.

Vale look possibly shakier than we do in defence!

Long range effort from Banks a yard wide.

To be fair to Norris he had Pope pushing him from behind and he couldn't do much else.

I will be shocked if this game finishes 0-1 its got 2-2 or more goals written all over it for me.

RCC gets away with flapping at a corner and missing the ball.

And the ref finally gioves us a free kick for all the pulling and pushing of their defenders all game.

Which Taylor fires high and wide.

Just about every ball into our box looks like a potential goal.

Couple that with Robertson’s ability to look as if he can give away a goal at anytime, I reckon we’re going to need 4 to win.

As Richards gets the first one

1-1 Richards

Yep.  It's a big concern.  Nowhere near again.

1-1 Richards.

Great goal that

Long pass from Norris finds Taylor on the left whos cross is right onto Richards head from the penalty spot into the corner.

to be fair the cross field pass from Norris was good in the buildup to that goal

Knoyle found with a long cross dives in and heads just wide.

It was, he found Taylor well.

Slow starters, we're growing into the game. Opportunities building, just got to take them!

Lovely ball fizzed in to Richards' feet who laid it off for Norris pass out to Taylor too

TBF we are playing some good attacking passing football, its just scarey as fuck when they attack us.

2 poor goalkeepers on show today and 2 sets of very poor defenders too.

Simple philosophy today but get it on target and there is a very good chance we'll score.

I am sorry but Norris is not good enough.

Norris pulls off a lovely turn and pass to Taylor then straight after fires over from 20 yards...well over.

I think his problem is that he's just not a striker, or even a forward really, had he been trained as a midfielder or even a defender he'd probably be half decent

Anderson would get so many more free kicks if he didnt go looking for them and diving when all he has to do is try and stay on his feet and they will be given.

Great corner in missed by everyone attacking it by inches.

I have often said he looks like a defender to me.

Get in!

2-1 Richards

Get in, Richards 2-1

Really good by Norris

Terrible back pass their keeper fucks the clearance to Norris who passes to Richards on the edge of the box and into a near empty net.

Great strikers goal.

Goal machine. Could be the difference between top 7 and not.

2.2. RCC flaps at another corner.

keepers ball....nope...2-2.

2-2

Dreadful goal to concede

Keeper STILL isn’t good enough. Surprise surprise.

Done by another corner.  This is pathetic. Sorry but RCC is not good enough.

Terrible defending again Norris does not jump and is beaten to the header by their player heads into the top corner.

RCC should have done better.

Love how you only reply when something against town is happening. May just be coincidence but you could at least comment when we do something good in this game.

Great through ball from Anderson nearly sets up Richards.

Curse of the returning ex player ffs

Well I got the first half score right....lets score one more than them this half and win it!

For both teams tbh. Richards was at Vale once.

Not sure you’d be able to make a decent defence between the two teams.

Must be getting close to putting Moore in, although the last time RCC was dropped Vigs let in 13 in 4 games.

If we don't win this, we deserve to be in League 2 next season.  Port Vale have offered very little.  Unfortunately we look like we might concede every time they get a corner.  It's basic marking and basic goalkeeping ffs.  

That’s abysmal keeping for their second. It’s 3 yards from his line FFS.

Why? It’s not good enough and hasn’t been for some time. Praising that would just paper over the cracks.

We should go on to win this easily, so long as they don't get any more corners!  RCC will be lucky to ply his trade in league football after he leaves us, he just doesn't have the balls to be a keeper and he could be a problem for us in the Play Offs.

Overall, when we let Banks, Elsnik and Anderson get on the ball we look like we have the beating of Vale who look like a poor version of us until they get set pieces.  Just any level of competent keeper would be better, based on how we approach the game they don't have to kick well so we could concentrate on a retired old fashioned keeper and be better off I think.

I'll go for 5-3 final score to us.

Norris is annoying, the part he plays in both goals shows there is something somewhere in there, but it's followed by targeting the Stratton Bank clock, or having the control of Ifil and the strikers instincts of Shaun Close.

We should tap up Konrad Logan from Mansfield. He was pretty good.

We look like scoring at every attack but then again so do they.

They have 2 big useless centre backs who just like to kick Richards/Anderson/Norris and their keeper looks every bit as poor as RCC has done this half.

They cannot defend anything down the left wing and Taylor if given the ball more should pepper their goal with crosses and shots.

RCC really isn't good enough and his confidence looks poor, not claiming enough crosses or corners and nowhere near either of the goals.

Norris seems to do one good thing then one poor thing all game, he did 2 lovely passes and set up the 2nd goal but then misses easy passes and fairly easy shots, he also set up their first goal and didn't jump at all when Montano headed into the net.

That may be harsh on Norris but he has a job to do and defending wise he didn't do it for either goal, I have watched both goals a few times now and he could/should have done better as should RCC.

Elsnik still not quite back to his best and has mislaid a few passes but is always eager for the ball.

we were shit, then scored, then quite good  , then shit again.

another to set pieces conceded and flappy mcFlapface I can not defend in the second. it's inside the 6 yard box I think. not that the rest of the defence have been brilliant

oh, and I think we'll win still

Since Lincoln, RCC has gone from middling to terrible and it’s becoming too costly. Irrelevant of how this game ends, Moore can’t be worse, certainly at dealing with crosses.

Makes the Vigs situation even more annoying, but nothing we can do about that fact he’s a bit of a prick and whether we go up or not, a decent number 1 from the budget freed up by Vigs is probably the biggest priority.

On a positive front, we have played more "football" in the past two home games than we have in the entire season before that.  Too early to say we will keep trying, but the mixed approach does make the game more watchable.

One thing though, you cant say its not exciting to watch its just lacking in defending skills by both teams!

It could finsih 5-4 the way its going but I wouldn't like to call who to.

We are playing some lovely passing football at times and Vale can't cope when we run at them, we just need to do it more often.

It's all about how you see life I suppose. Fair enough berate that bad parts but praise the good parts too or is your outlook always this negative?

Wellwisher: Congrats on the birth of your grandchild!
PB: It's a fucking girl!

It's not like w are 100% shit 100% of the time. Bit of perspective. Balance is a healthy medium ya know  :)

Have a good day.

Dunno about both teams looking like scoring when they attack. Has either keeper made a save

As long as we don’t concede any free kicks or corners we should be alright second half

Yes since the OG at Lincoln RCC's confidence is shot, even if Flitcroft won't play Vigs then surely Moore must be worth a go. He can't be much worse.

Banks clears the town End roof with a long ranger shot after a good set up by Norris.

Good block tackle from Banks inside our box.

Robertson under no pressure at all gives away a corner.

And we very nearly concede from it, just over the bar with an unchallenged header.

Anderson clears the ball from 20 yards after a corner to us is knocked out to him.

Elsnik makes their keeper save from 20 yards out.

Have we not got 3 centre halves playing? What are they doing at corners?

Norris being practically assaulted by 2 centre backs.

Has Taylor got another thronker in him?

Awful miss from Banks from 3 yards out after a free kick.

Not much TBH.

Richards surprised to find he had the ball with a near empty net mis controls it and loses a chance.

RCC claims his first cross of the game. Hopefully it will give him confidence.

I’m not sure the ironic round of applause he got will help

Probably Banks poorest game so far for us.

I am guessing not, I couldn't hear it on iFollow TBH.

....or the slating he gets on social media from his own fans.

Fair play to Norris he won a good header there from their corner to clear.

Nathan Thompson sent off for Pompey

Port Vale corner, and a towering defensive header to clear, by Luke Norris.

Maybe we should play him at the back:)

Anderson and Taylor interplay end with a Taylor cross just over the bar with their keeper flapping.

Dunne on for Elsnik.

Dunne’s on uh oh.

Woolery on for Norris.

Banks good break finds Woolery who goes past the fullback and shoots and makes the keeper save well.

Elsnik looked to be limping slightly :( another significant injury.

Woolery just offside from an up and under pass.

Think we have to remember, while yes RCC has been at fault at times. He's had the balls to put his hands up and admit his mistakes. Publicly. Thats big respect and I won't forget that, especially what is his full season for Town. Let's face it, if Vigs hadn't been such a petulant dick then RCC would have had a few limited opportunities. People can slate the shit out of him but without quoting an ex boss - as a GK he is young and we no longer have Steve Hale who I thought was a pretty decent GK Coach. But hey, what do I know? I just have respect for a young keeper to come out and say sorry. Maybe I'm not as fickle as some"fans" that give him shit but when he admits his mistakes he deserves a little more respect. That doesn't mean I don't think the GK situation isn't a concern but cut the guy some fucking slack, he's obviously a confidence player.

Banks kicked badly in the centre circle, Vale resorting to a lot of fouls.

Have to say as much as people slate him, he does get back and defend.  Surprised to see him subbed today.  He's had far worse games and played the whole 90 minutes.

Probably trying to close the match out as they tire.

Oh and we have gone 442 since the subs came on.

https://twitter.com/jiff1967/status/964900336879259648 (https://twitter.com/jiff1967/status/964900336879259648)

I don't care how much of a prick Vigouroux Is,if he's the better keeper he should be here....and playing

Looks to be about 150 Vale fans there today, not a great following.

I genuinely don't think he'd be doing that well for us if he was here. That's just my opinion. However, you're wrong on the don't care if he's a prick. If he's disrupting the team it can influence younger players and cause splits in the camp. We see it in workplaces when someone doesn't want to tow the line so they start being a cock. It's not healthy regardless of the talent. Only the individual can mature themselves. To coin a phrase "You can take a horse to water..."

Woolery manhandled to the ground yet the ref doesn't give it.

Poor pass by Dunne under no pressure set them up for an attack when we were attacking.

Mullin about to come on.

Mullin on for Anderson.

Wrong. A goalkeeper who flaps at every cross or corner and seems to have at least one error in him every game is far more disruptive for this team. How can the defence have any confidence in him?

Prick or not, Vigouroux should be playing. He’s the best GK at the club.

Vale resorting to fouling all the time now.

Hopefully they will do so in the box at some point

Town playing wank. Don’t deserve to win the game and can’t stribg 2 passes together.

Hopefully we can nick it but wouldn’t surprise me if they scored a third from a set piece.

Mayo booked for holding back their player.

The game could still easily go either way.

Can't see us scoring again to be honest.  Utter shambles.

We have been a fair bit less wank than they have TBF, not much skill on show today though, entertaining if not for the football being played.

I' talking about Vigs not RCC. He probably just edges RCC currently. RCC is a better shot stopper. They're both currently shit at decision making and claiming crosses. RCC has slightly better distribution. RCC is a gent. Vigs is a dick. Very little to choose from in quality wise and when Vigs has played for us he hasn't put the effort in. We're going to go round in circles because we're both backing different horses.

Robertson to shin in a winner? soapy tit wank  :soapy tit wank:

Not sure what game you are watching but doesn’t seem to be the same game I’m watching !!  I guess people watch games differently.

Att
5713  :eek:

3-2.

Get. The. Fuck. In!!

Sub 6k on a Saturday afternoon...

Mullin

Ya. Get in. Still much to be concerned about though.

Undeserved but will take it.

Should be starting over Norris tbh.

Crept over the head of the keeper.

Ha ha.  Need to hang on now.

Knoyle giving a Vale player a bit of their own medicine.

Awful late foot in on Knoyle, done as a revenge tackle. Should have been sent off.

Ha, only one goal out on my predicted score. Still the right result

More people would go if JJ’s commentary wasn’t so compelling.

Town playing the clock down.

FT. Thank fuck.

Great result if not a great game.

I try ;)

phew. it's the points that count. not the performance

I do hear what you're saying and I do agree that there are concerns. For me though, there always will be, when supporting the Town.

Lets be clear, the second half was terrible and seemed to be by design as we utterly changed approach from the 46th minute onwards bar a rare outbreak of football that created the goal.  That is how we have played for 31 1/2 games this season and it must be horrible to watch with someone asking for 25 quid from you before hand.

I'd start Mullin ahead of Norris next game and give Elsnik some cotton wool to wear and whatever drugs are legal.

I still think that overall we deserved to beat them because we were less bad than them.

It was entertaining even if not for the football played.

We strung more passes together than them, created a fair few more chances than them and had more possession, the less crap defence won it in the end.

Mayo was the best defender on the pitch and kept Pope quiet all game shame that Robertson was his usual self and Purkiss had possibly his worst game for the Town in many months.

League Two Results
=======================

Barnet   1 Accrington   1

Cambridge   3 Grimsby           1

Carlisle   2 Chesterfield   0

Cheltenha  0 Wycombe   2

Crawley   3  Lincoln City   1

Crewe   1  Colchester   0

Exeter   0   Mansfield   1

Morecamb 1    Forest Gree   1

Newport   0   Notts Count   0

Stevenage   4   Yeovil           1

Swindon   3    Port Vale   2
====================

Some good results in there for us and puts us 5 points clear of Exeter in 8th but more importantly 4 pints clear of Lincoln who have a game in hand. So a decent buffer starting to appear and I still believe there will be enough twists and turns to have a shot at autos. Acccy drew, Notts County Drew, Lincoln and Exeter lost. Crawley, Town, Mansfield, and Wycombe won. It's going to be quite a ride. Hold on to your hats!

The back three continue to play as three defenders plonked onto a pitch rather than any semblance of a unit - it means they look ropey when 1 or 2 have a dodgy game.  Often in that game you two defenders within a yard of each other trying to clear the ball, or challenge.

It's odd how our coaching team must have seen we caused them problems when we attempted to control possession yet it was as clear as day they asked them team to get it forward quickly in the second.  We played the entire half, nearly, like it was the last 5 minutes of a game.  It took away any control and opened the game up to the usual pinball efforts, which can go either way.

We’re looking a bit of a patched up side at the moment. Hopefully, with a run against, supposedly, easier opposition we may limp along and win a few of them.

The keeper situation does scare the shit out of me.

 :) A good time to break your duck

DF with a pretty defensive post match there.

Preston out for the season.

Better than our defensive performance, though

Any out of contract cloggers around?

soapy tit wank :soapy tit wank:

That is awful news.

Yep not great and also Lancs is going to have surgery in the summer which means he will probably play sporadically with injections...

Didn't mention emergency loan or free agents etc. but we need cover. All things considered as crap as we think we are, that under the circumstances, today was a well fought win. Need cover though.

Preston out for the rest of the season is a massive loss.  Lancashire playing through pain and injections, so likely to miss some games.  Genuinely could cost us promotion.  We're just not good enough defensively atm.

I think we will have little option but to go flat back 4 again with the amount of defenders at our dispersal.

Oh bollocks.

Trouble is all our "fit FB's are rubbish at defending.

Do we go Robbo/Purkiss and Knoyle at FB, and Mayo and Purkiss/Lancs CB? With Taylor LM and Anderson/Woolery/Gordon RM, Banks DCM and Elsnik ACM, then Mullin playing off Richards up top?  The above is neither garbage or top class but leaves us light in cover. One injury away from really barrel scraping.

Fuck if we had Hussey back I wouldn't be as concerned. When is he due back can't be far off can he?

Not going to attempt a match report. We were pretty shit defensively. RCC has no confidence in his own abilities - that said he was the second worse keeper on the pitch.

Norris is Norris, contributed to three goals today. Does something good, then fluffs a three yard pass. Useful in defending (mostly)  too. Bit harsh cheering his sub (or was it for Woolery coming on?)

We won. That's what counts.

Preston being out is a massive. Gutted about that and could our season.

Any news on Elsnik?

Maybe that's the solution? Stick him at CB  :hmmm:

Good 3 points.

On that basis I'm prepared to let Flitcroft stay on for another week.

Exactly. Put norris back there and play mullin with Richards. Today was a game of two total dogshit defences. Man of the match was a mere formality today. Richards has been excellent. Shit game, great result.

It's an option, I wonder if Dunne or Linganzi can do emergency centre back.  Amine is a powerful lad, although I suppose given that Timi looks down again, we'll need him in midfield.

We won this league with a midfielder at CB.

Think you are being overly harsh here if I am honest. A bit of realism is needed, they have been plonked on the pitch, ones played a handful of league games, one an ageing right back and the other is literally 6th choice centre half. All this on the back of 6 games in 20 days in games where we have had players sent off against good teams.

Talking of mayo, I did smile at his most cynical of yellow cards.

It was just like a playground game where the shit one has had enough of being skinned by 'silky' and pulls him back by the jumper.

(not saying mayo is shit btw)

It would be harsh to call it out just today, granted, but it has been an issue since the switch to a central three and I have called it out before with better players in there.  Also, Flitcroft has always had Purkiss down as a possibility at centre half.

I do like the look of the new lad, I'd be tempted to go to back four, just because they will have played most of their careers in that shape so have more of an idea where to position themselves, especially with the injuries.  The issue is how to play in-front of them, because we don't really have wider players bar Gordon.  Earlier in the season this was our problem, playing four forwards in the roles, which exposes the defence just as much.  Anyway, the biggest issue is the keeper right now.  We should make the play offs regardless but it's going to be risky having him in there in a pressure situation.  It's not a confidence thing, he has been the same since he arrived, just not found out everytime and he was the same at Coventry according to their fans when we signed him.  It's technical and/or mental.

Just read Flitcrofts post match interview. tetchy.

As if the media alert other teams to our shitty defending of set pieces..

https://www.totalswindon.com/sport/swindon-town-manager-david-flitcroft-unhappy-the-local-media-alert-other-teams-about-the-clubs-weaknesses/

I agree with everything you said here except confidence is generally a mental element.

And a right back at centre forward who scored 18 goals in Henry.

I was thinking that Banks could do the CB role, hes big, can head a ball and can tackle.

He’d have a point if there were no match highlights, reporters, supporters or the games were behind closed doors. Nearly forgot, scouts, yeah that should cover it.

Looking at our run in i’m Looking at 83 points max, which should give us an edge in the PO.

I just think the media didn't like the way DF defended his players. The headline doesn't show the whole story tbh. DF was really getting at the fact that the local media (well BBC's Hawes) were pointing out only negative elements. So DF defended that and tbf he's done the right thing, by deflecting it onto himself and protecting his players. Obviously it's in his interests to but I think it's a bit of a none story. They've both ruffled each others feathers. Both sides should know better really, yet DF is hardly going to say "You're right Andrew, we're shit."

 ;)

they just have to search #stfc on Twitter!

I didn't hear the interview bamboo, thanks for that. it was a slow hobble back to the car today.

In any case, it was hard to take any positives other than the most important one today. if he can't cope with that then tough tits.

What a muppet the manager is. Kim Jong Flitcroft will be asking Channel 5 not to broadcast the goals against next. Comes across as a very simple chap with a considerable chip on his shoulder.

I think it related more to Hawes said something regarding defending set pieces, in which DF said it's something we've worked on but you keep bringing it up. You'd have to listen back mate. In any case yeah, it was uglyish but we got the 3pts.

RE: Hobble back to the car. You ok mate?

I'm not sure what the marking system has to do with anything.  One goal is just bad defending - you need to jump as high or higher, and the second is the result of the keeper not taking control.

just a running injury bamboo, I'll survive.

 It'll be good for our lot to have a clear week now... I'm still none the wiser, as to whether we had any say in rearranging the Accy and Stevenage games.  However, Exeter and Notts are playing this week, Grecians at Crewe, Notts at Cambridge.  Both those had home wins today, so might carry a bit of confidence into Tuesday.

I’d go so far as to say we are nailed on for the playoffs. In view of everything (keeper and defensive issues - plus Norris), our form is never likely to be good enough for autos. Equally, it isn’t likely to be shit enough to come 8th or below.

We’ve played pretty well in recent away games and been unlucky, and / or just about let ourselves down. We’ve played pretty badly in recent home games but have been lucky, and / or done just about enough to beat some shit sides (FGR, Crewe, Vale - we were well worth the win over a decent Mansfield team).

We have the potential and experience to cope with the playoffs. Richards is a fantastic signing. Taylor is worth a goal a game to us.

Interesting times.

Today was the same as most of our games this season, 2 poor sides but the side with a better forward line winning the game.

Signing Richards in January was huge, if we didn’t we could easily be sitting mid-table right now. He was superb again, took both goals as you’d expect him too and worked his ass off. I also thought Norris was better today and we actually looked worse when he went off the pitch.

Defence was what we all expected, didn’t looked comfortable but we didn’t actually gift them any clear cut chances, balls in the box and set pieces our downfall yet again.
RCC is a massive worry, his confidence is shot and the sarcastic cheers when he claims a cross aren’t going to help.

We still have enough to challenge for automatic, keeping Richards fit now is a must though.

Sums it up for me. TBF, thought we were good (in relative terms) in the 1st half, pretty awful second half. And at the risk of invoking a tantrum from the manager, we can't defend set pieces to save our lives. But we got the 3 points.

Fair one. Is it long term or you recuperating currently?  :pint:

New one for me. Not sure its totally Prestoned, couldn't walk much last week, hobbled from Gorse hill this so its improving. Its sleeping thats the bitch, lying on my side and it kills. So have to sleep on my back, or not as I keep waking up on my side with said aching knee!

What’s the highest level Marc Richards has played at? He is a quality player, especially considering he is 35.

I don't think we were too bad today. 5 home wins in a row is a great start to the year. flashes of really good football but second half was a struggle. BUT after conceding two soft goals in the first half we (I think) restricted them to no shots on target in the 2nd.

We deserved the points no question. the defence is becoming a worry but it is what is. we are being hampered with injuries at the back. I am fairly content and happy with the attack and the attacking options off the bench.

At the start of the season it looked like the opposite was happening. Richards has been an absolutely fantastic signing and when I saw that he signed I would never have imagined after 7 games he would have 7 goals.

You tried building a "wall" around your head to keep you sleeping on your back. Sounds stupid but if you support your neck then your less likely to roll to the side. So one pillow under, then one either side. It's not very romantic but may help. A semi decent nights kip could help a lot. As well as your normal physio/recuperation program. I sleep really crap but that's not injury related. However, I take a herbal tablet that contains concentrated hop strobile. Boots sell 30 for around £3. They are pretty good and there's no worry about becoming hooked on more addictive sleeping pills like Diazepam (or many of the pams).

Fuck me, here he is, Dr. Bamboo!

Nah, just an option mate. I appreciate a decent nights sleep can really be a game changer. You'll get there mate!

I feel your pain Batch. I had a bike accident a few weeks ago  and dislocated my shoulder and broke my arm. Sleeping sat up. This getting fit lark is dangerous  :D

Don't think he's ever done higher than Div 3... I guess Vale fans would have sensed though he'd score today as he had his best scoring time there for a few years.  Probably also why he didn't exactly celebrate...

One of the reasons why I gave up strenuous exercise like football, running and even to an extent cricket, was because I didn't want an injury that would affect my walking.   I know enough people who are a bit limited in their pedestrian mileage, by a dodgy knee, ankle, back etc.

However it is easy enough to do something nasty when walking, like recently I was up on the Wansdyke and leg went down a rabbit hole, thought I was proper fucked, but happily a cursory inspection proved otherwise. Couple of Sundays back went arse over tit on some sheep shit on Windmill Hill, just about managed to remain upright.

Er, that's feeling my pain x 100! Hope it gets easier soon. Sounds horrendous.

No not tried that. I'll give it a try!

Rambling Reg!

Think I'm beginning to see the attraction of a nice summers walk along (e.g.) the Cotswold way, good views, stop at a pub for a refreshment at the end. Too busy for that at weekends though with the kids.

I do a lot of walking (careful  :D ). Reg, maybe when you're in my North Midlands/South Peak District neck of the woods we should go for a ramble. I'm not really that bad you know  :pint:

Had a few forays up that way back in 2013/14, did a particularly fine walk up on the Roaches above Leek, on a misty damp October day.... a Sir Gawain and the Green Night vibe taking in Lud's Church. My reason for going now lives in London  :(

My arm basically came off, yep it's not something I'd recommend  :)

One season in the championship with Barnsley 10 years ago

At least he had a shot at the big time...

Fantastic record at League One and Two level. Cracking signing.

Utterly shit football match.....they started on the front foot and we never started at all, when we did get going we huffed and puffed at their pace.

Richards goal came from no where after we managed to string a few passes together.

Error strewn game....but...somehow we won and thats what counts another three points to try and cement the play offs.

I did enjoy the slow mo moment as the winner glided in.

Autos look a step too far and with Preston fucked a ram shackle defence looks even worse.

It's like fucking Mumsnet on here with you old fuckers and your bodily ailments.

Let's hope nothing similar happens to you.

He played 31 games in the Championship in 2006 scoring 6 goals, otherwise its pretty much all L1 and L2.

The Vale fans were desperate to re sign him when we signed him, they love him up there...and I can see why.

Edit just saw Jayo put this, its early and I am tired!

Have you tried the upside down V pillow.  Last year my wife had a shoulder replacement and for six weeks had to sleep on her back and basically upright.  The surgeon recommended her to get one of those pillows and it made a  big difference.

What did it say on Mullin's under shirt? (He showed it off when he scored)

Something about someone called Eddy

‘With You Eddy’ to be exact

Former team mate of his now at Plymouth who has just been diagnosed with cancer

Thanks chaps.

anyone else impressed with the way Norris ripped his shirt in half when he miss placed a pass?