Thetownend.com

I'll take a point as well.

Even if the new boys are the dog's bollocks, it will still be too soon to expect too much from them.

well once again we play the not so great - rock n roll swindle town. there is no way we can allow such a cheating team such as swindle to get the double over us. for what they have done in the past - they should be thrown out of the league and dumped in national league south. in both legs of the play off semi finals - we were cheated out of perfectly good goals and also when we were winning 2-1 at their place in a top of the table clash the floodlights failed and we lost the replay. if I am correct- james Norwood currently has 79 goals for Tranmere rovers - so there is no better team to get number 80 against. I am going for 2-1 to Tranmere with the lord and ollie banks against his old team to score.

Some fans have a rather large chip on their shoulder from years back...

Their biggest gripe, of course, is that when we were demoted to the 3rd Division it was Tranmere who were to be promoted to the 2nd Division in our place. As we were subsequently only demoted to the 2nd Division (or, rather, denied promotion to the 1st Division), they had to stay down in the 3rd.

They're probably right about the disallowed goal at our place in the play-offs, but I don't recall the one at their place, unless they are talking about when Digby saved at one point and the ball may or may not have crossed the line.....impossible to see from the TV coverage.

I can't believe they are still bitter about the floodlight failure. Fuck me, it happens. Get over it.

Pound notes maybe Reg. Not tenners, no chance...

Their biggest gripe, of course, is that when we were demoted to the 3rd Division it was Tranmere who were to be promoted to the 2nd Division in our place. As we were subsequently only demoted to the 2nd Division (or, rather, denied promotion to the 1st Division), they had to stay down in the 3rd.

They're probably right about the disallowed goal at our place in the play-offs, but I don't recall the one at their place, unless they are talking about when Digby saved at one point and the ball may or may not have crossed the line.....impossible to see from the TV coverage.

I can't believe they are still bitter about the floodlight failure. Fuck me, it happens. Get over it.

Well, it kinda worked last week, in as much as we didn't lose. Tranmere away, they are in a fairly good position with good recent form. I'd definitely take a point.

Given the newbies anybody like to hazard an XI for tomorrow?

Difficult to call given number of recent signings, but subject to fitness levels, I would go with the following:

McCormick

Knowle
Woolfenden
Broadbent
Koaki

Carroll
Rose
Doughty

Anderson
Woollery
House

Suspect however that Wellens may stick with Vigs, Conroy, Dunne, McCourt and Richards - all whom I would have on the bench alongside Taylor and Twine.

We will win tomorrow, and then beat Crawley and Forest Green.
The promotion push starts tomorrow.

Or maybe they are just naturally gobby in this part of the world.

You need to ask? :D

I have been to Prenton Park more times than any other away ground as my dad lived in Runcorn for 25 years so it was a convenient place to stay over before a Friday(as it always used to be) or Saturday game, I have been there 12 times and a few of those being THE coldest games I have ever been to!

The game was often around my and dads birthday (21st Feb) so we both went to the game as he couldnt get to many games at the end of his life so I took him when we were up there. It was always fog, rain, snow and strong winds...often in the same game!

One game the day after my and my dads mutual birthday the Friday 22nd Feb 2002 (a dull 0-0 draw) was appallingly cold and wet and it started snowing half way though and was -4 pitch temperature at the end. Horrible. It was the first time my missus had ever been to a match and was reluctant to come along to another for a while!

Most of the fans up there are gobby but not bad and the play off games were very special.

Train stopped at Runcorn on the way up.
Looked a bit worse for wear. Then again, most places do these days.

Judging by the video that the club put on YouTube of yesterdays training there is no TD, McGlashan or Taylor in the squad. As none of them are training and Taylor isn’t even cone collecting.

Wasn't someone convicted of a sexual assault in the away end when we played there on a Friday nignt?

Pics on the official twitter page show the pitch seems to be in an awful state compared to the CG.

That the same post that has the date as the 12th ?

Conroy and knoyle dropped

knoyle is my player of the season so far. so hope so.

I'd have liked mcGlashen on instead of twine last week too.

Still if we win all will be forgotten

Ex Town players Banks and Ridehalgh start and Mullin is on the bench today.

I was always quite a fan of Mullin, he definitely showed a lot of endeavour when that particular squad seemed to lack any. I'll wager he gets one today.

Visit Prenton Park on a Friday night and live.  :)
Mine was in 91 also a 0-0.

Train stopped at Runcorn on the way up.
Looked a bit worse for wear. Then again, most places do these days.

Hang on, mine was in 83, and also a 0-0. Odds for today?

Hope you’re doing the HMHB memorial tour today Wobs.

HMHB?

Hang on, mine was in 83, and also a 0-0. Odds for today?

Hope you’re doing the HMHB memorial tour today Wobs.

What appears to be a good attacking line up. I fancy an unusual away win today.

Commentators saying Ridehalge. I liked to think it was pronounced Ridehay. Anyone got the definitive?

Woolery great run sets up Anderson but his cross doesnt find anyone.

Anderson should have had a shot there.. 

Commentators saying Ridehalge. I liked to think it was pronounced Ridehay. Anyone got the definitive?

Boommmmmm

0-1

Been coming really they've not offered too much threat yet.  As we know with Town, there will be ups and down but I believe when we've gone in front we haven't lost under Wellens?

Is Richards realising that he IS a goalscorer and rediscovering himself? 2 in 2 now.

2 in 3

Broadbent already looks like our best defender

He was in 2 minds and chose the wrong option.

Koiki has got over his early game nerves now, looking much better

Tackle by Anderson and Doughty takes the ball off his foot from 25 yards and chips the keeper from the edge of the box, great finish.

Anderson moaning at Doughty.

That sub’s another porker. No pies left for the fans today.

Richards is doing ok but I wonder if House has some pace because McNulty has the speed of an oil tanker.

Might be a good switch later if we can keep it at 2-0 deep into the second half

New player has nervous 15 mins on full debut?, well I never

Did I criticise him for being nervous? 

No but I did, and rightly so at the time.

I wonder if this is the heaviest 11 in the league.

4 Swindon Town wins at the CG
5 Swindon Town wins away from home

https://www.soccerstats.com/homeaway.asp?league=england4
[/quote

Over this sesson not Tranny in general!

No but I did, and rightly so at the time.

Knoyle on for Richards.

you called it, nearly

perhaps not at shooting Bernie

Koiki is a liability defensively at the moment.

Wellens agrees.

he's looked great going forward, but...

How long left?

How long left?

4 off the play offs.

Are we safe yet?

Having slept on it, i have decide that not only will we win the above games, we will also beat Franchise.
3.1 win today.

well, it's taken me 90 minutes to make me switch from 'no chance' to 'maybe' for the playoffs.

no, no, stop being silly..
but 7 out of 9 points..
but we don't have a striker..
but the window isn't shut yet.


aaaaaagh

. Win say 5 of the next 6 or so

Yeah, its still tough. The games in hand others have are still a factor. Win next week at the FGR game becomes a big one.

Yeah, its still tough. The games in hand others have are still a factor. Win next week at the FGR game becomes a big one.

it is always one game at a time but if the play offs are such a stretch then my glass half full says we'll be entering them with momentum....and we know what that means.  COYR :pint:

Well, it kinda worked last week, in as much as we didn't lose. Tranmere away, they are in a fairly good position with good recent form. I'd definitely take a point.

Still a lot to do, but this win at least means that probably for the first time since the early few games we can start to look up.

Wants 1 more - a ‘wildcard’ wide player who can create something out of nothing

Doughty very upset at being taken off and showed that to Wellens but he went missing in the 2nd half.

I really like the sound of that.

Not looking for another striker then?  :hmmm:

Maybe he thinks House is what he needs. He's seen a lot more of him than we have. Richards also seems to have remembered where the goal is.

Not looking for another striker then?  :hmmm:

In the space of 90 minutes we've gone from 7 points "off" to 4.
Forgive me if I don't think the play offs are beyond us.

Started off saying he wanted 2 then said that is probably being greedy, finished by saying he wants 1.

Praised Richards and spoke about gradually building him to full fitness

True, but on Tuesday it could go out to 6 as FGR host Grimsby.... we could do with the Mariners getting something

I could listen to Welllens talk all day. Knows his onions. Reckon he’d get a bit feisty after a few sherberts as well

2 will go out this week - trying to get Romanski a loan at a Conference club

Wants 1 more - a ‘wildcard’ wide player who can create something out of nothing

Shame Power didn't go with his gut and appoint Wellens in the summer. How did Broadbent get on?

Calm, collected made a couple of good defensive headers, only made one small mistake that wasn't latched upon, his long passing is as good as I have seen from any defender for Town, a good outlet always looking for the ball and took on his man a couple of times too.

Thanks very much. Early days I know, but would you say he's better than Nelson?

As with every week now this season is hanging on us winning matches like these. Iv been missing the commentary for the away games but my new DAB radio (used for macclesfield) has a 100% record. For this reason alone I'm going again for a 2-1 win. looking forward to seeing broadbent have a goal scoring debut

And you've gone one better, credit where credit is due, Wellens has done OK but 4D is very much the hero of the hour here

Or we could reduce it 3 (2 or 1) when we play them at our place in a few weeks. All a lot of if, buts or maybes but life's better when you try to have optimism rather than just finding a negative.

:french:

:facepalm:

Great result today. The radio seemed to suggest Anderson worked his socks off, which is good to hear. Not a massive fan of his shaking head reaction to Doughty’s goal. It’s a team game Keshi.

I'm really coming to peace with Anderson and Woolery not being goalscorers. Both of them have so much else to offer. As long as we do have others that can stick the ball in the net, we'll be fine.

Didn't see head shaking on the highlights, great finish from Doughty though. How oh how did McCourt manage to miss from a foot out...

Didn't see head shaking on the highlights, great finish from Doughty though. How oh how did McCourt manage to miss from a foot out...

Because he is in the 4th tier of English football....

Well yes, but regardless of the level it actually looked physically impossible to miss from there.

Interesting to see we conceded from trying an overhead clearance for the second consecutive week. Whatever happened to 'if in doubt, kick it out' ?

Have you ever played football, competively or otherwise? It is easy to fuck up the most mundane of tasks in the work place environment.

Have you ever played football, competively or otherwise? It is easy to fuck up the most mundane of tasks in the work place environment.

Great result today. The radio seemed to suggest Anderson worked his socks off, which is good to hear. Not a massive fan of his shaking head reaction to Doughty’s goal. It’s a team game Keshi.

oh and good subs from Wellens today. Didn't think he got got it right last week........

True, but on Tuesday it could go out to 6 as FGR host Grimsby.... we could do with the Mariners getting something

Still a lot to do, but this win at least means that probably for the first time since the early few games we can start to look up.

Not moaning, but it would be nice to win a game by more than 1 goal - the old ticker ain’t getting any younger. Could this be the pivotal game of our season?

Apparently, we’re top of the league when it comes to points gained from losing positions.

They also host Mansfield the Tuesday before they come to us. So they’ll be level on games by the time we play them.
All we can keep doing is winning games, it’s no good looking at the table with all the games in hand to be played. If we are within touching distance at the end of February then we can get excited.
For what it’s worth I think we will be, I fancy us to win 4 or 5 on the spin.

Been out, as is the etiquette after a win against serious play off contenders. It almost felt like shades of promotion seasons gone by but fuck me, Reg...this is the most positive Town based, league positional reference I've ever read from you! Have you pinched my rose tinters while I was out?

Love it! I can only say that from this extrapolation of positivity, that we are going to now go on and gain automatic! :)

Come on Reg, I think I can almost see the corners of your mouth curling upwards, akin to the knowing smile of yesteryear, when a dashing young filly from the East of Europe, fluttered her eyelids and says to you...."Town only come, when they're on top!"  :soapy tit wank:

Waheeyyuuv?! Yes I'm inebriated!
Oh what a bit of positivity does for the soul!

C.O.Y.R!

Whatever...

oh come on, clearly he didn't do it on purpose, but that is the very definition of a 'my nan could have scored that' sitter.

thankfully we can laugh about it now.

oh come on, clearly he didn't do it on purpose, but that is the very definition of a 'my nan could have scored that' sitter.

thankfully we can laugh about it now.

Maybe this might help you?

It's a massive bug bear of mine as well. you see on so many occasions that a full back will make a good tackle and win the ball back then blindly whack it down the line straight to an opponent who can put a decent cross in. all the good work ruined.

these are meant to be league standard players but I think a lot of them have ability but are thick as shit.

putting a ball out of play has almost become unglamourous and they try to not only win it back but play out of trouble to look even better

I'd like to see us go for Enzio Boldewijn at Notts County. Very good for Crawley but just doesn't seem to have happened for him at NC.

Hadn't realised that was only Tranmeres 2nd home defeat of the season. Even more impressive result.

Hadn't realised that was only Tranmeres 2nd home defeat of the season. Even more impressive result.

I'm going to go out on a limb and give some credit to Swindon for that first half. Their high pressing, high energy, incisive passing and controlled possession did for us. Admittedly, we didn't appear to be at the races, but they well and truly rattled us. As much as we changed things in the second half, so did they. I guess it was impossible for them to maintain the first half intensity, despite them looking fitter and faster than us, hence them sitting deeper allowing us more time in possession. They resorted to a more counter-attacking style and were very adaptable due to their pace. In contrast, most of our build-up play was slow and over-elaborate, often giving away possession; Banks being particularly guilty of this.
To our credit, we did control most of the first 20 minutes or so of the second half with our goal being a rare bit of quality. They astutely changed their personnel to largely nullify us for the remainder of the half, creating a couple of good chances themselves making our defense look like they were running in sand; soft and deep sand at that. Disappointing, but we move on and we're still in this.

Swindon were in the League while we spent three seasons in the VNL. They did their homework today. They pressed us first half and marked Ollie out the game. Can we stop criticising our players when other teams play a better game plan. Micky changed it second half and if Connor had scored either of his chances its a different game. And thats no criticism of Connor.

Wellens said a few weeks back that we would see the best of this team come end of January.
Certainly signs of that with the last two first half performances, but it will take the new signings a few games to bed in.

A very good shape to the team yesterday, particularly in the first half.
Impressive to restrict Tranmere to very little on target apart from the goal.
Get in front, then play mainly on the counter in the second half. Ideal game plan for playing away.
Signs that Anderson and Woolery are developing an understanding as well.

A long old day but well worth the effort in the end.

.........It seemed in the Stevenage/Newport games that a really rapid start and get an early goal worked....

Those two games iirc are the only ones that we came out of the blocks quickly and is something that I am always anticipating at   the start of games and are nearly always left disappointed. Perhaps they need fifteen minutes out on the CG extension before a game so they are well and truly on their toes!  ;D

Once again like last season we're better on the road than the CG. How do you put that right?   It seemed in the Stevenage/Newport games that a really rapid start and get an early goal worked.... but then if that doesn't work what next?

Once again like last season we're better on the road than the CG. How do you put that right?   It seemed in the Stevenage/Newport games that a really rapid start and get an early goal worked.... but then if that doesn't work what next?

Fast start and getting in front is key. Although Flitcroft banged on about this as well and it didn't really happen.
I always feel that the ball being hoofed out of play from our kick off (Taylor was good at this) hands the early initiative to the opposition.
Haven't checked the stats but get the impression that coming back from a goal or two behind has been difficult for all teams in this league.

Also, under PB there never seemed to be enough players in the box.
This has improved a lot under Wellens and there shouldn't be any reason for the team to shit themselves when looking at the remaining home fixtures.

Hes been out injured for 3 months, he returned to action this weekend for the first time in ages. He is also on huge wages at County.

From the Tranmere forum...

Good works as always JJ...fans of all teams in all sports tend to just see things from their own perspective and forget there are actually two teams out there and the 'other lot' get paid as well and are there for a reason. So it's interesting to see an objective write up like that.

To be fair Richards is the sort to go on and score in 3 or 4 in consecutive games.

Still hoping for a Power deadline day special though.

I, for one, am pleased with nearly everything Wellens has done so far.  Promising times at last.

Those two games iirc are the only ones that we came out of the blocks quickly and is something that I am always anticipating at   the start of games and are nearly always left disappointed. Perhaps they need fifteen minutes out on the CG extension before a game so they are well and truly on their toes!  ;D

I disagree. We tend to start games very well at the CG and look far the better team. The problem is that too often that isn’t translated into scoring. The Exeter and Lincoln games were a case in point.

We’re a decent team who play some good stuff but struggle to score at home. Sort that out and we’re flying.

I think the point I'm probably trying to make is whilst a goalscorer would obviously make this easier, it's not really mandatory to get promoted.

Isn't that the problem though, that there is a mentality that we need someONE to score goals instead of getting more goals from all areas of the team?
Lots on here and maybe some in the team expect it to be a one man job, and instead of having a shot they look for a.n. other.

Commentators saying Ridehalge. I liked to think it was pronounced Ridehay. Anyone got the definitive?

The team as a team are not scoring enough. The defence isn't the problem.

Long story short - we need a striker who can replace, or support Richards, add depth and give us options, but we can be successful without a 20-goal-a-season man.

So on Sat, unusually for them they had to chase te game, and despite having a scorer in Norwood, couldn't do it.

Thats because defensively we were better than them and marked Norwood out of the game and cut out any supply to him giving him only a single chance, which he duly took.

Therefore we now need to start being better defensively than sides at the CG... starting on Saturday, but althoug Crawley are poor on the road, they did win at Lincoln, so nothing should be taken for granted.

No team should be taken lightly, at this or any level.

Put them under a lot of pressure early on as we did to Tranmere and they should crack, but don't get frustrated when we don't score but keep the pressure on them.

In the away game Crawley were very poor and we should have crushed them after going 2 goals up early, in the 2nd after the stupid sendings off of Toums and Dunne they put us under a lot of pressure but never looked like scoring right up until the equalizer in the 98th minute penalty when our players looked mentally and physically drained.

Come on lads he surely has to go. He clearly has no clue how to set up a team. His record speaks volumes! Got to go!!!

Shocking tactics today. Absolutely clueless!

I'm sorry to say I think you are on the money. I hoped he would prove the doubters wrong. He hasn't. Us and Notts County for the drop

His record is dreadful to say the very least. His post match conferences spout the same old spiel on “how we had chances” , “we go again” etc, but we are running out of games against winnable opposition.

Three very tough games coming up, which I don’t think will yield anything and by then we could be in the mire.

We are absolutely dire and the only way we won't go down is if two sides are even more crap than we are, just 6 points between us and Macclesfield now and still 17 more games to go, at this rate we'll be lucky to win another game this season

Agree he has had long enough we look more clueless every week

this squad has more quality and experience than any we have had since we left league on..Cioffi has turned them to dross.

We have the worst away record in the football league so I am not holding out for any points from the next two games and then we have some very hard home games and if we play like today then we are well and truly in the smelly end of the league. Todays performance was the worst this season no citing edge and the team selection shows that he does not know what is his best team. HE HAS TO GO.

By the way I’m not blaming Cioffi; he’s tried his best and given us some good performances but the form we’re in is a real concern. I suppose the question is do we stick (as Yeovil have done with Darren Way; they won their last two games) or get a replacement (as Macclesfield have done; they’ve also won their last two).

I don't blame Cioffi for this, although frankly his results have been pretty dire. The questions need to be asked off the field - absentee owner, who is running the football side of the club and so on.

Crawley fans not enamoured with their manager Gabriele Cioffi.

Could be a good time to play them it seems with their current League form being

DLLLWLLDWWLLL

When Thierry Henry went to Arsenal he had a record of 1 goal every 5/6 games but with the right coaching turned into one of footballs greatest ever goalscorers, he never really started scoring goals until he was 24.

That and playing him as a forward. When he started out he was played as a winger (by Arsene Wenger as it happens). He only started playing as a forward after joining Arsenal.

That and playing him as a forward. When he started out he was played as a winger (by Arsene Wenger as it happens). He only started playing as a forward after joining Arsenal.

We have won 2 of our last 51 home games in all comps by more than a single goal, and, given that most have been in L2, and others have been versus feeble cup opposition, that really is a shocking stat.

A good stat... although is it quite accurate?

I'm guessing they were probably 3-0 ers v Dale and Charlton in Luke's relegation season.  Hill bemoaned a Tueday nighter, down south after a trip on the Sat, and Charlton bemoaned having to play a Sky game whcih would have been postponed ordinarily as they had a few on international duty, but we beat Accy 3-0 last season.

Afraid so.

This season - 19 home games in all comps.
Last season - 26 home games in all comps. Beat Cambridge 2-0 and Stanley 3-0.
16/17 - Beat Gills 3-1 in Feb. Further 6 home games followed this.

Fair enough.... I'd prefer to view it like this, league games only, which over the last 2 and half seasons would yield 5 wins, the 3 you mentioned and Dale and Charlton which would give 5 in 60.  Clearly nowhere near good enough.

Yes, and I suppose another way of looking at it would be to say we've won 2 of the 37 L2 home games by more than 1 goal.

I guess as a gaffer you don't really care if you win by a goal or 2 goals as long as you win.... it's just us poor buggers watching would enjoy the odd game where we can relax.

Whatever the stats say we have been utter gash at home for 3 + seasons now.

Whatever the stats say we have been utter gash at home for 3 + seasons now.

Totally agree. Quite looking forward to Saturday in a strange way. I have a nagging feeling that we may just have turned a bit of a corner.

Cue 0-2 and more hysteria.

PV I'll admit I didn't realise it was that few defeats and only losing 3 points on Lincoln in that time.

Exactly.

Look at Arsenal in the 90s under George Graham, rarely did they win by more than a single goal hence the song 1-0 to the Arsenal.

Result first and foremost, entertainment 2nd.

I think that since Port Vale away we have been a far harder team to beat than ever under Flipflop or Brown, a lot of our fans don't appreciate that we have suffered only 1 home and 1 away defeat since the 17th November, a run of 2 defeats in 11 games.

Lincoln by comparison in the last 11 games 
DDWWWWLWDDW 6w 4d 1l

Our last 11 games are
WWWLDDDLWDW 5w 4d 2l

Thats not much difference in form yet a lot of our fans seem to have given up any chance of a play off spot even though our form is almost the same as the team in top spot.
The FB group...

Whatever the stats say we have been utter gash at home for 3 + seasons now.

Exactly.

Look at Arsenal in the 90s under George Graham, rarely did they win by more than a single goal hence the song 1-0 to the Arsenal.

Result first and foremost, entertainment 2nd.

I always liked the fact, that then method employed by Howe and Graham to get the defensive solidity, was to tie a rope between Dixon, Adams, Bould, Winterburn, so that they got used to moving together as a unit... then sticking the arm up for an offside.

Go back to the opener v Bradford after the PO defeat... we had the rebuilt side, with the Liverpool lads, Stewart. Williams and Vigs, but still had a few of the successful side around like Nathan Byrne.... we stuffed them 4-1 Byrne got a hat-trick.  Byrne then became the next to go and it's been a struggle since.

Having looked at the results from that season the scores are frankly ridiculous.

4-1, 0-6, 4-2, 4-3 1-5, 1-4, 4-0,3-0

Yay I have a claim to fame seeing us win in Kent. I haven't been there since. I think i'd better next time we play them.

I did have pre bought tickets for the 0-5 drubbing a few years back. But got really monged up the night before and didn't wake up until 2pm

There's not many who can claim that...  :)

For some reason Ralphys' excursion to East Midlands airport popped into my head

We did have a fair few there to be fair, couldn't guess at how many as I spent at least 3 hours in the pub before hand with a load of gills fans which was entertaining.

I was at the Gills game the day after Boxing Day in 86/87, actually it was a really good turn out by Town fans about 2,000 there IIRC. The old bill were collecting sticks of celery from Town fans outside the entrance and inside the Gills fans were throwing loads of bricks and coins at us.

Yep that sounds familiar. My fav story about the Jills away was one of leroys on MOS when he hid his beers under a traffic cone to collect on the way back to the station. I fully beleive it after seeing him in action a few times.

Exactly.

Look at Arsenal in the 90s under George Graham, rarely did they win by more than a single goal hence the song 1-0 to the Arsenal.

Result first and foremost, entertainment 2nd.

Right, but we aren’t very good at getting the result either, and we certainly don’t make a habit of 1-0s. 13 wins in 37 L2 home games. However it’s dressed up, it needs to improve drastically over the next 4 months if we are to put a late challenge in.

Leroy was real?
what about riddle?

My memory fades me a little with age but some of the bits I remember....

Swindon boys gonna sing you a song
We all got dinkles 1 foot long
We're the boys who love a fight
Especially in Oxford on a Saturday night

Adi Elsworth laying in the bath
Playing with his dinkle having a larf
Gave a cry and shot his load
He almost burst the overflow

There was Ollie laying in his bed
Playing with his dinkle the ends all red
We all see the size of Ollies dong
It was 2 feet wide and 6 feet long

Stabber lets his dinkle dangle
Got it caught in a kitchen mangle
its almost the same as Ollies dong
Except its six feet wide and 2 foot long

Oxford girls keep their legs shut tight
But they open to the boys in the red and white
We know their used to a smaller size
So the Oxford girls get a big surprise

there were at least another 3 verses but I cannot remember them now, summut about trouble in the townend etc and policemen....

Something like Trouble in the Town End here we go
Along comes constable 710
etc

I would say petswinsprizes would have probably seen them around. But as pets hangs around dulwich hamlet in pink hotpants these days it's doubtful.

Back kind of on thread I was thinking about having Alioki at LB instead of Taylor should make us much more dangerous going forward.

Alioki looks like the kind of LB that likes to get to the byline and has a dangerous cross on him. Taylor is too slow to do this and tends to cross into the box from around the arc of the D, which is always going to be less fruitful. If we can get Alioki and Knoyle to provide ammunition in this way, I can see Richards going on a bit of a run.

I would say petswinsprizes would have probably seen them around. But as pets hangs around dulwich hamlet in pink hotpants these days it's doubtful.

Ali Koiki looks very handy going forwards a bit more suspect defending but hes young and that was his league debut. He has pace and skill and can cross a ball, his cross for Richards was better than anything Taylor has put in the box all season.

If we know his limitations then we can work around them, Broadbent being left footed obviously will learn to cover for him when he attacks, whereas Taylor could never hope to get back with his pace I think Koiki will get back faster when he loses possession.

Richard will always attack the near post as he has done in every game, its just the deliveries to him so far this season have been shocking, I think that will change a lot with Koiki and he could end up with a fair few assists.

Kyle Knoyle has his fan club on here, but the other day I said I can't think of too many assists from him this season, now I could be doing him a disservice as I'm just running our goals through the skull cinema.... but do think he needs to step up in that area, if he's to become a really effective FB.

The rampaging overlapping full back is a dying breed these days which is a shame, but Koiki looks as if he could fit the bill.

Knoyle gets forward well but the quality of cross could be improved.
He also passes inside too much. (BOO was guilty of this as well).

Young players coming out of PL academies have to unlearn a lot of the shit that they are taught when it comes to surviving in L1 & L2.

Must admit I like what I have seen so far and look forward to our charge into the top three as the season progresses.  Looks like Wellens wasn't such a bad appointment after all.

First things first, how does Knoyle cope defending?  I can't think of many games where we have looked exposed down his flank.  He sometimes loses a runner behind him, but generally recovers well due to pace I guess.  Not often utterly out of position though.

Going forward he looks good, he can beat his man, and he doesn't lose possession too often, I think this is where Venks describes the balls back inside.  I actually think that is a good trait, he won't just run a blind alley.  However, his crossing is the area he can improve.  Not that his crossing is bad mind you, it's just the wrong type of ball for the players we have today.  His crossing would suit a Peter Thorne down to the ground, he tends to stand it up.  Richards' threat is what we saw at the weekend, whipped in balls between backline and keeper.  He won't get to as many as he used to, but that is where the threat is with our team.

First things first, how does Knoyle cope defending?  I can't think of many games where we have looked exposed down his flank.  He sometimes loses a runner behind him, but generally recovers well due to pace I guess.  Not often utterly out of position though.

one things for sure, knoyle is a better right back than Carroll at both ends of the pitch.

Carroll has looked fairly handy in the centre of midfield.

Definately this.

Carroll is not good at RB but can cover there if needed, midfield is definately his "thing" though.

I think he's a horrible bastard too, which is good.

Good, you need one or two of them.
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looks like the gap is going back to 6 points tonight

and relegation looking less likely :-)

Good, you need one or two of them.
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looks like the gap is going back to 6 points tonight