Thetownend.com

tbh you would think we could at least complete with a wage budget of the bottom half of League one, our attendances are better/same.
Were be lucky to be in the play offs with this half of feeble squad.

There is of course the small matter of whether the player is prepared to play in L2...

Surely now Richards is out for a couple of months a striker is a priority now.

PB is quoted in Adver saying that.  Also mentions two centre halves.   Did I imagine it but was not Robertson told he is free to find another club?

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STFC close to signing winger Lloyd Sam

Been playing in America for a bit, so he must be used to Div 4 standard by now :)

Certainly been in the US, but hasn't played much.... last serious FL 6 years ago. 34 in September. For me not an indicator that Power is serious about going up. Still 3 weeks however so provisional assessment atm.

If Lloyd Sam is fit that has the Potential to be a great signing.

last years he was playing in the MLS which i'm sure is a better standard than L2.

Think Brown mentioned he wanted to see his fitness before signing as that was the reason he was let go at Wimbledon.

Fingers crossed a good one

just need about 8 more players now for a Squad :) 3 weeks till opener. Anyone else a bit concerned?

 

Had there not been a World Cup to distract attention for the last few weeks, I think there would be more concern being voiced than there is now.  And now that it's all but finished and the season just a few weeks away, we're going to see a lot more concern unless something happens fairly quickly.  We do seem to be leaving it very late this summer.

I think there is this Reg chap who may have briefly mentioned some concern?  ;)

Cheapos and punts so far Reg. No doubt some will call such observations panic, but if he had the money to put together a lower risk promotion strategy I'm sure he would have got some more proven players in by now.

I'm sure* we'll get a couple of half decent players in, but expectations are receding by the day for me.

*ish.

Its just like all the other LP close seasons, wait to see what's left and sign a couple of loans before the season starts.
We'll get a few unsigned/unwanted players who haven't any value or wanted by others as we're broke as a club.
If PB can get us promoted with his hands so badly tied then it would be a master stroke.

I can confirm that the MLS is a significant step-up from L2 standard.  Some decent money is starting to come into the league now and they've been picking up good quality young South American talent.  he looked good the season before last.  Surprised me that a few more haven't been looked at to be honest - wages are still not astronomical due to caps being in place for all but the "marquee" signings.

This isn't going to be popular, but if Power hasn't got the money and needs us to live close/at breakeven then this is the reality of what you get. Its understandable.

As a fan its disheartening. Odds are we need a lucky season or Power to exit AND find someone better/with deeper pockets to move us forward. (IMO)

I mean this assumes he isn't sandbagging some signings of course.

TBF to Power, there has usually been one or perhaps two who've been brought in with an eye to future sales, so far none this campaign..... it could be we'll see one yet or it could be Power has binned that strategy having not got any profit since Ajose 2 seasons back. It could be he sees the property deals as the way forward, and provide some cash as he leaves, so as long as we maintain a league club that will do.

At first I was surprised given the latter potential scenario that PB was prepared to take the job.... so thought perhaps it indicated something better, however PB is on his 3rd wife and divorces don't come cheap, so perhaps he's just happy to have a job.

It certainly hasn’t got the whiff of a promotion push at the moment - I have no idea of the financial gain of promotion to L1 apart from an increase in attendances. Maybe Power doesn’t give a fuck if we go up or not - status quo for him.

For all we know maybe the youngsters will get a good run and may turn out well. That’s the problem, though, it’s all stick your fingers in your ears and hope.

Can only hope the actual football is better than the Flitcroft way. Surely it can’t be worse?

Good foootball is winning football... especially at home where most of the fans watch.  We've been poor at home for 3 seasons now... last season was odd given that the away form was probably in our top ten best historically, but not so many watch that.

Don't think there'll be much patience at the CG if we knock it around nicely at the opener v Macc but get undone by some hairy arsed punts up to Harry Smith.

He played 150 games in the states Reg.

I was going by Soccerbase who have him down as 50 odd.  So at least he's been playing over the last 6 years.

When you are out of work and looking for a job Reg, it must be attractive to be offered one!  He was only here to the end of last season so he must have seen something - and so did LP - to want to sign a two year contract!  The fact that he has attracted a decent no.2 and Matty Taylor was happy to sign on again does say something.  Hopefully he will be able to build a squad capable of mid table obscurity again!

Certainly in the real world at 58 you'll be lucky to get a proper full time job. Something casual or a bit of consultancy far more likely. For PB, that would be a bit of ad hoc punditry on 5live, but I can't believe that pays too much.

Somebody mentioned they want to see eight more signings. I don't disagree, perhaps more. Realistically I can't see more than four maybe five. How many more do you think is an absolute minimum? 

Assuming Lancashire and Conroy are fit

1 x CB
2 x CM
2 x ST (1 covering Richards)
1 x LB (cover)
1 x Winger (cover)

By my calcs as things stand we have 13 available fit outfield  players for the opener in 3 weeks.... that includes the kids like Romanski, Young and Edwards.  Further there are 4,  Richards, Lancashire, Woolery and Conroy injured  who hopefully will be available at some point. Dunne is suspended.  I make that 18 outfield players. Given ideally you want 2 for each position so a squad of 22, add on 2 keepers and we've 20. 3 more loans available + Sam seems to have signed, will give 24, so probabaly allowing for a couple of the kids mentioned to go on loan somewhere.

I’m at the stage where I’d like to have had a couple more in, but shrugging as I realise that this is how Power does things.

I’d expect our full quota of loans - so another 3 - and 2, maybe 3, more permanents.

When they are all known, then is the time to express concern or delight. I still can’t imagine those coming in/already signed can be worse then the crap we’ve offloaded already - Preston excluded.

We weren’t that far away from the POs last season, so I honestly expect to be there or thereabouts again.

Power could get away with it a bit more when emergency loans were available.... the Cooper/Lingy/Willaims season being a classic.  A joke squad, Balmy, Bangoura, Ojaama anyone  :hmmm:  A few injuries and a terrible start which cost Cooper his job, could only be bailed out by being able to get in El Abd, Louis and Ben Gladwin in on emergency loan.

 Not an option now as we found out the following season... no cavalry, you need them at the start.

Balmy is now smoking in the French 3rd Division, or Ligue 3 if you will.

Ojaama has fared a little better, getting promoted last season and transferred to a Polish top division side.

As for Bangoura, there are a few on Wiki but I can’t find our particular one.

Where BOO these days?

Isn't he in Belgium somewhere?

Didn't he go back to Helmond Sport eventually?

Ah, one of his little ‘trips’

Indeed, just checked he signed a year after leaving us with Helmond Sport (Dutch League for those that aren't aware).

I guess it'd be like schmokin' a pancake for BO-O...

What's the team for tomorrow then?  Have we got enough fit players?

Andy Lonergan           GK

Charlie Comyn-Platt   LCB (standing in for the injured Vincent)
Claude Gnakpa          CB
Jerel Ifiil                   RCB
Ashley M Westwood   LWB
Patrick Noubissie       RWB

Alex Rhodes              RM
Kevin James              LM
Paul Evans                CM

Fola Onibuje              FW
Sofiane Zaaboub        ST

We look ok.

Mullin was probably the only player from last seasons squad I’d have kept if a full clear out was an available option.

Norris, far far from a great player but we haven’t even replaced his goals.

Easily the weakest Town squad in my life time. Don’t think that will change come the start of the season.

We will never progress under Lee Power.

I suppose even getting promoted back to L1 isn’t exactly progression

it is progress from where we are today. one step at a time

It’s progression from being a mid table L2 club, who have been on the decline for the last 3 seasons.

Hell, even stopping that decline and finishing better than last season would be small progress.
Not going to happen though.

The nature of the WBA game being 2 x 60 hours with the first team only playing one shows how light we are. 3 weeks to go.

Something consistent over the last 3 seasons, is the impact of injuries.... this is a particular problem when operating on a wing and a prayer.  This season we've got them in pre season,  so already look exposed.  Power may think with only 2 down, we'll be able "to limp over the line" as he mistakenly hoped the season before last.

I really meant progression during Power’s tenure

on that basis we haven't had progression for a couple of decades from anyone.

definitely in decline since he took over, not arguing that

Jesus I struggle to make getting through 90 minutes but 120 hours of watching us sounds like hell on earth!

We have been bad fans. We must be punished.

I'm not sure that anyone has said we wouldn't sign any new players.... especially when there are 3 loan slots available.  It's more that there was an assumption that as Norris and Mullin were good enough for Div 4, their slightly surprising exits meant we had some sort of credible replacement lined up... instead we got a kid from Fulham on loan, a sort of this season's Harry Smith. Stick Richards' absence on top of this and rather than looking OK up top, we look very under powered.

Don't Panic.......

Played in the friendly defeat by the mighty Hampton and Richmond

He has been invited back to play for the Pox on Tuesday in their next friendly, apparently he didn't play too well for them, they split their first team between 2 games yesteday a 3-1 defeat at Hampton and a 5-1 win at Pox City.

Not panic... pissed off more like.

Last season I thought there was some evidence that Power had learned something.  This campaign, thus far, it's back to the previous, lack of signings in time to integrate them, and reliance on loan kids and non league standard punts. Throw in the wholly needless signing of LMc, which has immediately driven away some fans of long standing away and it's not a pretty sight.

Power pissed about risking our Div 3 status, and we the fans paid the price.... I've seen nothing this close/pre season to suggest he's serious about righting that wrong

Just seen in LP at faro airport wearing some very fetching stone island shorts

C'mon tans, you've got to photograph that.

Tansmedia content.

Me and magicroundabout were going to go and chat to him but by the time we got back he had gone

Reg, last season the early signings were largely crap/mediocre: Purkiss, Robertson, Lancashire, Hussey, McDermott, Linganzi, Dunne, Mullin, Woolery, H.Smith.  Unless you have a lot of money to spend (like Mansfield, Lincoln and Notts County), the only players available early on tend to be players who no one else really wants, hence why we were able to bring in Purkiss, Robertson, Lancashire, Dunne, Linganzi early last season.  I'd rather wait and get the right people in.

Yay! He’s going to re-sign Tijane Reis.   :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

No, the signings were largely fit for purpose.  Bin the trying to develop kids for sale, and try and actually win some matches, keeping the previous model could easily have led us down the Chesterfied path.  We're in Div 4 let's have a Div 4 style team.

As things stand we have some players who are good enough for Div 4.... and some unknown kids and punts.  I guess what PB gets in this week will tell us more about our prospects.

The fact that we didn’t get in the playoffs surely means the team clearly was not fit for purpose? At our level youth development is a key part of every clubs survival model isn’t it? The previous model ‘could have lead us down the Chesterfield path’, as could have other models. As an example, throwing huge amounts of money at journeymen/experienced div4 players can also unravel. Why should we have a Div 4 style of football? By that I assume you mean a DF style route one brickshithouse style players? I can see that going down a storm at the ECCG.

I agree with your last paragraph, though a blindingly obvious comment.

I have maintained that before the final whistle of last season both LP & PB were working in tandem for this season. After all it did not take to long after they sat down to discuss ‘next season’ for them to agree on PB being our next messiah. In my mind they both new halfway through the ten games we were not going up. I would like to think these last few pieces of the jigsaw puzzle have been well thought out and executed. They may not blow our socks off, however though, as as long as this time next year we are looking forward to a new season in Div3 who cares?

They weren't fit for purpose.  They weren't ultimately good enough.  Spending c.£300,000 on Woolery isn't a mistake that a club like Swindon can afford to make.  Our league position was very flattering under Flitcroft IMO.  McGlashan isn't a punt as Brown has worked with him.  Martin Smith isn't a punt as McDonald has worked with him.  McCormick isn't a punt.  Alzate is v.highly regarded in football and has previous L2 experience.  I suppose using your logic bringing any young player on loan is probably a punt.  Brown is a pragmatist so I imagine that we'll have a 'Div 4 style team'.  Hopefully it will be better than the uncontrolled, tactically inept, pinball of Flitcroft.  I'm reasonably optimistic.

When Flitcroft bailed out we were in the PO's but undone by injuries to Lancashire and Preston.  Signing players a gaffer has previously worked with doesn't mean an awful lot.  Sturrock ahd worked with Steve Adams and Hasney Aljofree and they weren't up to much.  Luke had worked with George Barker and Anton Rodgers.

As regards PB..... here's what you had to say at the time of his possible appointment...


I'm not sure what has changed since for you to elevate your thoughts to optimistic...

I don't think we would have made the play-offs had Lancashire and Preston remained fit.  I think we had a lot of luck, which was highlighted to some extent by the poor goal difference.

Yes, signing players a manager has worked with doesn't necessarily work out, but it can't be described as a punt.  It might prove to be ill-advised, but it is not a punt.

Flattered that you trawled through my previous posts.  I think Phil Brown is a tit and I would have preferred someone else as manager.  The appointment of McDonald as his assistant raised my expectations as he is a v.good coach and will add qualities Brown lacks, I think.  Several people I know who went to the West Brom friendly thought that Swindon's football was better than last season particularly the passing and organisation with Anderson markedly better.  I'm happy enough with the signings so far (though clearly we need c.4 more players as Brown acknowledges).  My Leyton Orient friend thinks Alzate will be v.good for us.  Putting that altogether is why I'm reasonably optimistic.

Not worried...usual shit expectations..

Get it done early and bedded in....

Nope...here we fucking go again..

Never know your strongest team til around October..

Fair enough, at least you've given it some thought. I'll need a bit more convincing.

I think pre season is a time for optimism -now matter how it turns out. Otherwise what’s the point?

You should have gone Saturday, Reg. You might have been pleasantly surprised.

I had intended to go but the certain appearance of LMc put paid to that.  I do like the odd pre season friendly to see how things are shaping up, but always apply Smeeton's 3rd rule...... never read anything into pre-season friendlies.

My focus is always more on the little things around the place and how they add to the bigger picture.... how does the infrastructure look, have the bogs had a lick of paint, has any player been added to the frieze at the Arkells/TE corner... how is the PR doing, is there a fans meet players open event etc.

One huge positive in recent years is the work on the pitch, which since the days of Carson has been 1st class and TBF to Power, so far he has maintained that standard....  is it still the case  :hmmm:

Marcus Cassidy does a fantastic job, and that would be at any level of football even in the Premier League he would feel at home, when you see the standard of some pitches we played on last year which were frankly appalling, our pitch looks great, the pics are from last week.

(https://s22.postimg.cc/47c4trv6p/36712159_10155676106323595_2197162649949569024_n.jpg)

(https://s22.postimg.cc/9wsde5ly9/36734537_10155676106398595_2190194834310955008_n.jpg)

And I agree that you can't really tell from pre season much at all but if you get some good results and performances then sometimes it can carry over into the new season.

Some seasons we have been awful pre season and gone on to have great seasons and visa versa.

Looks first class again....  the best result from pre-season friendlies is to avoid injuries, we've already lost Richards  :( 

Speaking of 'open days', it was good to see this pic from the 1977 one posted the other day. Is that you in the collar and tie, Reg?

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dh-rp5PX0AAjsY2.jpg)

The first season I started going regularly, as a 9 year old.

(https://s22.postimg.cc/mlr9bozht/37006073_282876022458860_7022597267869663232_n.jpg)

  :) That's ace PF. Completely captures the time. The Proph in all his glory.

  One of the tie wearers looks a bit like SSW  :hmmm:

The Late Great - Dave Syrett

Fixed it for you :)

Just along from him, it would appear that Jaws from the James Bond films was a Town fan :)

There is a lot of whinging about the lack of investment from Power, but from the photo pre-season training seemed to be being done in the grounds of an industrial estate?

That's the back of the Arkells no?

Yep.

You will still see him now by the players' entrance before and after games, home and away - every single game.

Whatever you do, next time you see him, don't ask for his view of Lee Power.  :zipped:

And Susan Boyle just to the front of him.

That's so good!

4th from left at the back - Reggie Perrin's son Mark?

Of course it is your prerogative, Reg, but there are some promising, young players out there who deserve a bit of support. To me, the positivity around the prospect of watching players like Iandolo, Romanski, Twine and Alzate develop far outweighs the negativity that the signing of LMc has engendered (for some).

... and on the right hand end, Chunk from “The Goonies” (in anorak) and a young Kieran Trippier (holding ball).

I love Danny Williams with his briefcase probably full of tins of baked beans cos he wouldn't eat that "foreign muck" :D Nice to see Kevin Morris in happier times too.

John Trollope looks like Ian Dowie there!

An altogether different issue.... I think all Town fans like to see players come through, but in this day and age it's very much a long shot.

Whilst watching other clubs kids come through on loan is OK, it doesn't really satisfy.  Of our own, if they are perceived as any good, like a Walcott or Matthew Mills, they'll soon be off somewhere like Soton... the best we can hope for is perhaps like Jordan Turnbull a loan back.

Louis Thompson, was decent, Power soon flogged him off. 

Yep, definitely only Power who'd have done that.

Think this is the guy who used to be a porter at the old PMH.

The original point was about the enjoyment of watching yoiungsters come through, I just pointed out how difficult that is in the modern game. Louis had about 25 starts before we flogged him.... of course better than the ones like Henshall who get flogged before even getting a game.

Kind of on a similar topic, I see one of our old scholars Jake Evans is now playing for Premiership Cardiff City.

Is he the guy with long hair, wears a cap and is always looking for autographs ?.

been like that for a bit.

Was annoyed Lucas J got sold after so few games.

books need balancing and kids have ambition I suppose.

No. The point is about reasons for supporting/not supporting Town this coming season, therefore not an 'altogether different issue'. You've decided the signing of LMc will stop you going. I've tried to put forward a suggestion why you might reconsider, based on something positive (watching the potential progress of young players). However, you've taken that positive and focused on it becoming a potential negative (if they are any good they won't be here for long).

I've no doubt you won't change your mind about watching Town until LMc is no longer at the club. That's fair enough, but I'd like to think that there might be some other incentive to get you back to watching sooner rather than later.

Yep.

As I said at the outset, I'm still undecided if LMc gets no further than the bench. I go to support the players representing what remains of our club... I don't expect much, other than not having the piss taken out of the fans by the owner and management.

Why does it matter if he's on the bench or if he's playing? He's still employed by the club and earning a wage.

...for a pretty decent fee, plus sell on.... and by the way, we got him back on loan for the season. Just thought I'd add that for a bit of context. Don't think anyone can complain about that.

The gateperson may have a dodgy past, and be earning a wage....  however the nature of football, is that you offer encouragement to the players representing you on the pitch.... I've explained this previously, but fans have a distinct and unusual relationship with the keeper... for me not an option with LMc.  I'd rather have that sort of relationship that Leftside craves with Will Henry, obviously not in  :gay: way.  

So go and don't offer your encouragement then? Keep schtum whenever he touches the ball / his name is mentioned - our fans are quite good at that anyway. I respect people's right to attend or boycott, but your logic is difficult for me to understand.

There's not a lot of logic involved in being a football fan.

Spot on.

You don't need Wittgenstein's Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus for this.... if McCormick is playing I won't be going if he's not playing I might go.  Try this thought experiment.... would you support the signing of McCormick if the two kids killed were Town fans?

Perfectly put, but the club may withold the fact he's playing, meaning you've already turned up. The only option then would be to leave the ground having paid to watch the game.

Why would it make one iota of difference, in your peculiar world view is a kid who supports Town more valuable in some way than one who supports another team, is one whose parents vote Tory less valuable than a good old socialist urchin? Ultimately as the victims were entirely random and no more than in the wrong place at the wrong time I really have no idea of what point you are trying (and failing) to make.

You choose this as an excuse not to go, that's your choice and no one can argue with it, but stop tying yourself in evermore ridiculous philosophical knots trying to justify yourself - you are not going (and are unlikely to be going to any game this season unless you plan to make the decision on a week by week basis considering the team sheet released at 2pm every Saturday afternoon), we get it.

I've tried to keep out of this, but that was bizarre. Even by Reg's standards.

What, the actual, fuck?

Yeah. If he’s employed by the club whether he plays or not is irrelevant, surely.

I was referring more to the question of which club the kids supported, but whether or not McCormick is actually playing is also a tad baffling.

I am more interested in the fact that Swindon fans are apparently of some manner of superior race who are worth more, after the previous attempts to compare to the holocaust its all gone a bit Mengeley?

Perhaps this thread needs renaming as its the fans worrying me more?

Rather than projecting ideas which aren't necessarily implied.... why not try answering the question posed in the thought experiment.... presumably you're sanguine about signing McCormick, I'm interested in your logic.

Not exactly overwhelmed still, but we'll see come October/November what they are all like.

Will say as a statement of intent this summer has been at the bottom end. Hence my expectations are low, and so mid table up will be a bonus!

(Compulsory disclaimer: New signing make take us up as well as down. Current assessments may not reflect future performance. May contain nuts.)

McCourt is a good age, has a bit of experience of Div 4 with Chesterfield and Torquay, OK they both went down but like Alzate with Orient the experience may help. Let's see what he can do.

I am entirely indifferent about signing him (its creating an entirely unnecessary shit storm but that's life), he committed a crime, he did the time and as far as I am concerned has the right to get on with his life (as the victims families have also confirmed), but then again I am not desperately trying to shoehorn some manner of virtue out of this so what would I know.  ::)

I assume he's trying to see where your boundaries lie, or if indeed you have any (not implying anything bad here by the way)

At least, that's how I've tried to explain the fact I can't deal with all crimes the same. My version was - would you treat any of these signings differently assuming that time had been served and all legal issues dealt with (my opinion in brackets).

1. a reformed  drug addict (no problem)
2. a still active drug addict (uncomfortable, as role model)
3. a still active drug addict that robbed and assaulted to get money for a fix (red line
4. a recovering alcoholic  (see 1)
5. a (recovering) alcoholic that has been convicted of drunk driving and is seeking treatment ( no problem)
6. as 5 + caused death by dangerous driving (red line)
7. a proven rapist or domestic violence abuser (red line)
8. a pedophile (red line)

If you would treat all of those the same, fair enough.

No doubt many will be puzzled by 5 and 6. For me the results of the crime influences the way I look at those people

Exactly my thoughts too.

I'm also indifferent, but I'm intrigued as to how which club the kids supported is at all relevant.

I'll answer that question you asked, Reg.. Whether or not the kids supported Swindon makes no difference whatsoever to my position on the matter. Now what, Reg? How is this even a thought exercise? (as you put it)

Surely the point of any kind of boycott is that people know you’re boycotting - not just us fuckwits on here.

50 or so souls deciding not to attend matches seems pointless to me. Forgiveness is a wonderful thing if you can manage it.

Exactly.

Oh I have boundaries, being too intolerant of people spouting bollocks to gain attention on line being one of them  ;)

Ultimately everyone is different and has their own reasons for taking whatever stance they take, be that based upon personal experience, moral compass etc etc. I have no issue with that and I am sure many have reached their own conclusions quietly and will act accordingly without the need to mark a big fuss which I entirely respect, likewise saying I am not going end of story.

In light of your list and in honour of the wider hyperbole which has infected this thread, you need to add...

9. Gassed a load of Jews (red line apparently, though may depend on which club they supported)
10. Killed a supporter on another club (jury still out on that one)
11. Killed a supporter of our team (red line)

Sorry I am being flippant, but as a learned gentleman said earlier WTAF, I cannot wait until McCormick signs a three year extension at the end of the season?  :hmmm:

WTAF - the actual fuck is to test the point 'he's done his time so I welcome him' applies to everyone. Which you've already covered in the first part.


I hope he breaks his leg/is poached by Supermarine - just for balance. And its half true.
=================
================= <---------------Drawing a line under this. Back to squad talk
=================

12. A convicted, time served, Granny mugger with a weapon and domestic violence abuser? who we did give a long contract to.

To be fair, the WTAF actually only came into play once the holocaust and the value of different kids life's was parachuted into the debate.

As for worrying about the squad until we actually get to the start of the season and play a competitive games its all bluster and bullshit really, I tend to wait until people see them playing in the flesh in formation to pass judgement, I will, as every year, await the reports after the 1st game with interest (and trepidation).  

PB's been doing this for sometime, I trust him for now.

As I say, perception is no reflection of how they'll actually do on the pitch. But at least you can see (e.g.) signing a div 4 warhorse and someone who has banged in 15 goals a season forms a different perception to a couple of unknown who may well score 0, or 20...

Anyway we weren't that far off last year, Preston injury was key though I feel we'd have come up short anyway. And my opinion we are weaker than last year until we replace Norris/Mullin and get a couple of good CBs and a good CM in.

Which is apparently being worked on.

Absolutely, but its boring if we don't talk about anything until November - when the squad settles and August's/early September crazy 6-0 type scorelines are a thing of the past!


He has, you are probably right.

I wonder if he's worked under such a strict budget before. I mean Southend can't be flush, but didn't they sped a fair wedge on agent's fees alone.

Over 200K.

However I'm sure PB wasn't sold a pup by Power, he must have known the owner's modus operandi

And been happy with it. On that basis you should be too, as should all of us, I am.

Eh?

You like to see young players coming through... in this case I'd agree and rather see Henry used than LM.  The relationship bit refers to the unique status of custodian as a position..... someone who spends half their time stood in front of the TE.

I never mentioned Henry.

Nor do I crave any relationship with a player.

But you do like seeing young players come through?  And Henry is a young player.

If you prefer watching a player like Romanski come through rather than a Chris Robertson, for example.  Isn't that becasue you relate to them in a different way in terms of your support.... hence a relationship?

There is an alternative reason but we will not go into that.

 Seems that even PB is starting to notice that we're weaker than last season....

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/16361545.swindon-town-are-short-of-defensive-quality-

 What to do about with a little over a fortnight left ?.... as things stand a combo of Robertson and Romanski, isn't going to win you many Div 4 games.

 A can only assume, that PB has been working on this, and has perhaps been rebuffed by players, agents, clubs or Power.

All that practice on free kicks for Twine, shame that Conroy took the ball of him last night and smacked it high a wide. 😀

I'll bite :-)

He doesn't say weaker as a team, he suggests he needs more defensive quality.
We won't play an entire season with a combo of Robertson and Romanski - so you don't make much of a valid point, especially as he is happy for one of those to leave.
He is seeking players in that position, and said so several days back, which suggests he is indeed "working" on it.

But given we've known since about March that we lack in this position, because of injuries, why hasn't something been done about it as a priority?  

To me it seems blindingly obvious, that there's a clear weakness in the squad.... OK it's complicated by 2 players contracted in that position being long term injured, and therefore not knowing when or if they might get back up to speed.

The worry is, of course, that Power has previous for ignoring the blindingly obvious.  Anyway as I said what's to be done about it?

Umm, look for new players, like he said he is?

Or, maybe, signing a proven L1 CB like, oh I don’t know, off the top of me head

Diagram, no Diaphragm, no that’s not it. Diagourara (close enough)

He's a DM?? Leeds paid over half a mill for him just over 2 years ago.

Is he? Didn’t know that. I’ll shut the fuck up.

I may be spouting bollocks, its only based on this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toumani_Diagouraga

Well the Leeds bit really doesn’t have legs based on the way they run their club, that said if PB thinks he’s good enough that’s good enough for me.

No. You’re right.

http://backpagefootball.com/mystery-fleetwood-towns-toumani-diagouraga/117842/

Yes he is, but he didn't play on Saturday and my post was based on the young players who impressed during the first 60 min game v WBA.

I didn't say I preferred to watch youngsters coming through over anything else. I said seeing young players develop is a positive. Seeing Robertson improve and merit a first team place would also be a positive. My support on a match day has fuck all to do with building/creating/craving relationships with individual players - that's something you seem to have interpreted erroneously.

Just imagine Power announcing this

‘Carlisle are holding open trials this weekend in a desperate attempt to put a squad together for the season ahead.

Ex pros looking to get back into the game and young Sunday league players are what the club are looking for but anyone can turn up and try their luck as long as you don’t mind a salary of £400 a week.

So if you still have dreams of being a footballer, get yourself down there on Saturday morning. Bring boots (studs and moldies), shin pads and a packed lunch.’

Fair enough..... I won't bother replying to your posts again, as for me relating to a player vicariously, in both an individual and holistic sense is the essence of fandom. There's obviously no hope of reaching any agreement.

How precisely do you relate to them? I understand there's something that exists.. I'd probably implicitly back Matt Taylor over X from another club out of the blind loyalty that exists in a personality contest.. But I don't actually relate to them in any way.

Have a day off Reg.

Matt Taylor would be a good example.... you can see his quality as a player, but further can admire his sheer commitment to his profession and thereby the fans.  You can also see that he's coming towards the end, but that kind of increases the respect....

And the other 10 from last season?

That PB (not lead) has no chance of assembling a squad before the season starts. Absolutely no one of any credible experience wants to play under him, we're only signing youths and punts, and a bunch of trialis...*







*Investigate elements of sarcasm where necessary.

Do you really want this?

I'll offer Ben Purkiss, I liked him, an interesting character, obviously quite bright,  made a career out of steady Eddie RB, shovelling it up the line. Rumoured that he could play CB and then sort of did reasonably... materialised that he is a Trade Unionist... then got pelters for making a bit of a joke about Harry Kane.

I guess it's easier for me to relate to players coming to the end of their time with a bit of baggage, but even say a Kaiyne and Keshi, I can see they're trying hard, and I want them to do well, but sometimes wish fullfilment, isn't enough. IN that sense I empathise with their struggles....most of us have been there.

Perhaps under different management the players who struggled last year may flourish? I have already seen reports that Dunne has moved positions slightly and looks better and Anderson seems to have had a decent pre-season to date so I don't think we should right them off yet.