Thetownend.com

The PO motor is running on high octane fuel and there’s a whooping in the offing.

Just do enough over the next three to make Cambridge away worth attending please!

We'll win tomorrow. 1-0 - Doughty pen.

Is this based on knowledge? It's a
suspiciously long absense and if he's back it's brilliant news!

As for the match. too many imponderables. The good news is that Yeovil can be backed at 9/2 for the win or 6/5 for win/ draw.

Will happily lose £10 to cover my nationwide ticket on those odds.

The other 2 big fixtures to look at- Cheltenham v Exeter and Crawley v Forest Green. Sadly I feel we have to win tomorrow to stay at the same gap

Wellens said he's back fit in his presser yesterday. Expect him to come off the bench and then start at Newport.

suspiciously long absense and if he's back it's brilliant news!

As for the match. too many imponderables.

Oddly, I disagree

How is it 'suspiciously' long?

How is it 'suspiciously' long?

To go or not to go, that is the question...

Suspicious to me because they have had clashes between them in the past (Wellens & Doughty), because he hasn't been in the squad since the 12th of December and i can't recall any information coming out of the club about what his injury is and a time frame for a return (apologies if missed)

He has only played in 24 league games this season out of a possible 39.
Out of those 24 we have W11 D8 L5 average 1.7 ppg
In the 15 games he has missed we have W4 D4 L7  1.06ppg

A season with doughty playing every match we could be 5 points off automatic instead of the same out the playoffs.

he's a very important player for us

Michael doughty has played 11 games for STFC since 12th December, scoring 4 goals in that time

I assume you mean the 12th February. Which would be a period of 7 games, in which we’ve scored three goals at least three times (43%). In the preceeding 31 games we scored at least 3 goals on five occasions (16%) - one of which (v Yeovil) doughty didn’t play

I’m sure it’s not a statistically significant stat, but would suggest we’ve not exactly suffered without doughty in recent months

Michael doughty has played 11 games for STFC since 12th December, scoring 4 goals in that time

I assume you mean the 12th February. Which would be a period of 7 games, in which we’ve scored three goals at least three times (43%). In the preceeding 31 games we scored at least 3 goals on five occasions (16%) - one of which (v Yeovil) doughty didn’t play

I’m sure it’s not a statistically significant stat, but would suggest we’ve not exactly suffered without doughty in recent months

how many games have you been to this season? how many have we won?

yes sorry 12th Feb not December. everything else should be correct. agree, recently we have done well without him. but yo8 can still see that overall we get more points with him.

Can all of us just place a bet on a Yeovil win to force a case of reverse psychology?!

I know it has no fucking bearing on what the team actually do but if the National team can have Eileen Drewery, "Kiss Beckham's Metatarsal", "Rub Goldenball's Sack", and "Sniff Rooney's Toe" then surely the Town can have "Stroke Doughty's Thigh", can't we?  :D

Yeovil Town Caretaker Manager Neale Marmon has said that the club will not begin their search for a new first team manager until the club's League status is confirmed. With the Glovers currently occupying a precarious 22nd place position in what is looking increasingly like a three-team battle with Macclesfield Town and Notts County, there are just six matches remaining of the 2018-19 season, and in line with previous briefings from the club, it seems highly likely that Marmon will be in charge of all of them.

The 57 year old plans to move into a permanent role at Huish Park as the club's Sporting Director, once Rob Couhig completes his purchase of the club, and has told BBC Somerset that he will be one of the key people who will select who the club's next first team manager will be. But he has said that the Glovers are not currently searching for a new manager, and will not do so until things are mathematically certain, because of the difference in the level of applicants they will be able to attract:

"I think that in my new position of Sporting Director next year, I'll obviously be in the role of selecting the manager for next year. We haven't even thought about it for the moment. We've got a load of applicants, but we'll worry about that when it comes around. The person that comes to the club will have to be either a League Two gaffer, or for the National League. Hopefully it will be League Two, and we're going for that, and then we'll have a big choice."

Marmon has also restated that the club are still awaiting a response from the Football League concerning the process that all clubs have to go through in the event of a change of Ownership, or the appointment of new Directors. The Fit and Proper Person's Test and Ownership Test will see Couhig and those he intends to co-opt onto a new Board vetted for any past financial or footballing transgressions, as well as allowing the League to inspect the forward looking business plan and funding model, to ensure that the new Owners are capable of fulfilling the club's contractual obligations.

The Caretaker manager said that they were still waiting on things, but also added that he was not in regular contact with Couhig, explaining that the potential owner was keeping a 'hands off' attitude to the football management since expressing an interest in the club:

"That was the situation when he took over, that he didn't want to get involved in the football side of things. Basically he'll be financially supporting the club, and making the new surroundings here. I wouldn't get involved in that side of things anyway, if it was the case that a new owner was telling me what to do. Everything has been handed into the EFL and we're just waiting for the return. That's it."

Neale Marmon Speaks To The BBC As Part Of The Build-Up To The Swindon Town Game
 
Yeovil Town Caretaker Manager Neale Marmon spoke to BBC Somerset on Wednesday 3rd April, as part of the build-up to the League Two match against Swindon Town.

TS: Neil, just over a week in the job now. Have you settled into things?

NM: Very much so. There wasn't much settling in to be done. I've been in the building since January, so it was quite easy settling in.

TS: I guess football doesn't wait for you to settle in anyway. The games come thick and fast and it's a tough prospect with Swindon away this weekend.

NM: Definitely. Obviously they're pushing for promotion as well, but I hope they under-estimate us.

TS: I was here earlier in the season when Swindon played here, and they were among the best sides I've seen at Huish Park this season. In usual circumstances it would be no shame to go to Swindon and not come away with anything, but times are different now, and Yeovil need the points.

NM: Definitely. We'll try to go there and nick something, but I hope they under-estimate us and we can really go forward and try to hurt them.

TS: Is that the tactic? To go there and be really solid and hope that you can grab something?

NM: We have nothing to lose basically. Obviously we need the points, but because they're in good form at the moment, not many people expect something.

TS: What are Swindon Town's dangers?

NM: Obviously the three strikers are very very quick, and we're very aware of that. But we're looking at ourselves at the moment, and just concentrating on our game getting better - defending better and going forward better.

TS: Yes, one goal in the last five games for Yeovil Town. How do you improve that scoring record?

NM: Well generally in training there's always finishing involved. It's getting confidence up, and getting into areas where you can score goals.

TS: Is that part of the problem for Yeovil Town at the moment? Is it just getting confidence and moral back from the players?

NM: Well I think a lot of people saw in the game last week that we kept the ball well for 60 minutes. After the goal, they got the second one quickly, so that broke morale a little bit. But the boys came back and got the game at 1-2. We were pushing for a second one, but then we got caught on the break. We've got to be aware of that, because Swindon do break very well. So we've got to watch the three quick players and stop them.

TS: You said after the Newport match that you were happy with the majority of the performance. Are you seeing improvements, but in that game and on the training pitch?

NM: Because I've been in Germany for a long time, we do try to keep the ball and that's what I've been doing this week as well. This afternoon, the eleven v eleven game that we always do on a Wednesday afternoon, the other guys that didn't play can offer themselves to try to get back into the team. But I will try to keep the core of the team together.

TS: Have you got some options at the moment, because I know you had to leave some players out last weekend that were fully fit, just because there's that many players available to Yeovil Town at the moment.

NM: At the moment we've only got two injuries which is Alex Pattison and Rhys Browne. So they're all chomping at the bit to come into the team. But as I've just said, I gave the guys last week the chance to show what they can do. Obviously today with the eleven vs eleven, there will be a few guys trying to get into the team, but at the moment I've got my core team in my head.

TS: Are you saying to those guys - the ones who are on the periphery, you've still got six games to go, everything is to play for. You can play your way into this team?

NM: Everyone in the squad makes themselves available at the start of the season anyway. But I thought the last game was quite good for 60 minutes. If we keep building on that, I think we'll get the points we require.

TS: You've made it clear that you're not going to be permanent manager here, as from next season, but you will be at the club in a different role. Are you involved in the selection of who that next manager might be, and is that process starting right now?

NM: I think that in my new position of Sporting Director next year, I'll obviously be in the role of selecting the manager for next year. We haven't even thought about it for the moment. We've got a load of applicants, but we'll worry about that when it comes around.

TS: Do you have to wait then, with the games being the most important thing at the moment? You'll wait until the end of the season and make the decision then?

NM: Yes, because the person that comes to the club will have to be either a League Two gaffer, or for the National League. Hopefully it will be League Two, and we're going for that, and then we'll have a big choice.

TS: Obviously Notts County are below and Macclesfield are below. They've both got home games this weekend. Do you even take a look at what they're doing or is it just about concentrating upon what Yeovil are doing?

NM: I don't even look at them, to be honest. I look at what we're doing in training. We'll get the boys ready for Saturday, and we'll see what happens.

TS: The other thing as well - the new owner coming in - Rob Couhig - is he speaking to you, and telling you what he expects in this last run-in of the season?

NM: No, that was the situation when he took over, that he didn't want to get involved in the football side of things. Basically he'll be financially supporting the club, and making the new surroundings here. I wouldn't get involved in that side of things anyway, if it was the case that a new owner was telling me what to do.

TS: Obviously a lot of fans are wondering what's happening with that. I know you're close to Mark Palmer. Is there any update with the negotiations and how all of that is going?

NM: Everything has been handed into the EFL and we're just waiting for the return. That's it.

TS: So hopefully it shouldn't be too long then?

NM: No, hopefully not, although you don't know with the EFL, do you!

From that interview it sounds like complacency on our part will be one of their main hopes.

Would be very disappointing if that happened. Don't think it will.

My thoughts reading between the lines, is they have slow defenders, we have fast forwards. That means 1 or 2 of theirs off for early showers.

I can't get used to KO being 5pm here. Going to be even stranger Tuesday with a 9.45pm KO.

WWhich part of the planet are you on, TAFKAA? 5 pm here too (Kazan, central Russia)

I think that unless, and until, his contract is sorted, he’s toast.

Steve White reckoned that Eileen sorted him out.... injury wise that is... so good enough for me.

I understand it to be Kefalonia.

Judging by Wellens comments and reading between the lines it sounds like Vigs has decided to leave.

Is Vigs under contract for next season? If so I'd say cash in (even if nominal) now. If his contract expires season end then if he doesn't want to negotiate let him go.

Is Vigs under contract for next season? If so I'd say cash in (even if nominal) now. If his contract expires season end then if he doesn't want to negotiate let him go. He obviously wants to/believes he is adequate for L1 (we may be there yet). Could see him ending up signing for a club like Southend/Gills if they were looking or maybe he's happy to sign with a "bigger club", and be third choice? I don't feel like Vigs is totally motivated by appearance time but is happy to be selected as 3rd choice Chilean GK. Hmmm?!

LMc for me is a more consistent GK, while Vigs still has some time to possibly improve (handling/claiming/commanding/footwork). LMc only minor downside is quick release/passing but everything else cancels it out. Solid L2 GK and could do a job at L1. Be interesting in the summer if Vigs goes, what our movements are in that area. Likely just sticks with LMc and Henry/Matthews.

Maybe Wellens jokingly muttered something about Waterford and Vigs got in a strop. You know, seeing as he is an "International Goalkeeper" and all that jazz!

Let him go, there always seems to be a problem with him.

Can't argue with that, hes ok but hes not as good as some are making out he is. Also he has been replaced by better already. Let the fucker go.

Yeovil centre back and captain Enoch Showunmi stands a good 4 or 5 inches taller than Theo!

Didn’t he used to play up front?

Yeovil centre back and captain Enoch Showunmi stands a good 4 or 5 inches taller than Theo!

Omar Sowumni, it's Omar.

Omar Sowumni, it's Omar.

Robinson looked lethargic there on the interception from the keeper. Should have lobbed him.

FGR, Colchester and Carlisle all losing.

Yes. Odd goal with Woolf popping up on the left side of the area.

Indeed, Woolf playing a great game so far.

You just wondered if it would be one of those games, but I would be surprised if we don't win this by two or three now.  By far the better team, Robinson could have had a couple.  Playing like a team that knows it is in control right now, the sort of thing you'd expect from a team in the top 5 or so.

Bennett MoM bit random.

Should be Rose

first half was fine final ball aside.

second half was a scrappy and ever retreating performance

At least we scored a goal at home.

The problem’s in our heads. Our lot think they’ve won every home game before we start. Never the same energy and focus as when we’re away. We could all see it coming but they’re powerless to up their game.

I think they get nervous. Every time there's a bit of a buzz about the playoffs, the performances suffer.

Aka bottlers. Not unlike many other STFC teams of the last decade, barring PDC era of course.

Yep. Could do with a strong captain/leader to help keep their heads in it.

Maybe nerves, but fuck me, this is hardly the Stadium of Light.

Which at least beats your expectations as the season commenced.

I think the recruitment in January showed a bit of step change.  If we repeat that in the summer I think we look well set-up to make progress.  Broadbent looks a very good capture for example.  Robinson, despite putting his boots on the wrong feet today is certainly a top half of this league type of player.  Koiki is a step up in a problem area for us, and assuming he sticks around for a full season I think he will be a big plus for next season.  Wellens has identified the weaknesses in the squad and does seem to be starting to get some juice out of the attacking players more often that not.

Clearly a lot depends on retaining the right ones and adding, but Wellens is gradually growing on me.  By and large he seems to make the right types of calls and while we still have an inept second half in us like today, we also have the first half and the previous couple of games.  The foundation is better - we find ourselves in trouble less often.  If we were 10 points better off when he took over I think we'd be pushing on now, instead we were just a bit too far behind and it's hard to build the confidence in the players to sustain it in every game.

Carrol and koiki are fucking awful

Their equaliser was always coming.  Disallowed goal and a couple of good saves from McCormick and still we didn't take heed.  Subs far too late as well, changes should have been made earlier when there was still time to make an impact.

Reality is, at the start of the season it looked like Power had recruited for mid table, in the vague hope that Brown might have enough nous to add some value... there was a stat about his time about Sarfend which suggested he tended to finish higher than budget might predict... that soon unravelled.

Wellens when coming in said in that blog interview.... "hello we could be in trouble here"   to that end he's done ok to steady the ship and in the Jan window, reinforced that secure mid table slot.  That's all it is... we're still on course for our 2nd lowest finish ever, and it feels about right.

 Under Power we've got steadily worse, so as regards what the summer may bring, let's wait and see, however it will ned significant strengthening if a serious bid for automatic promotion is to be mounted.

I don't understand why Carroll is getting game time in front of permanent midfielders.  He's rubbish, gives the ball away constantly and spends the game moaning at his team mates.  Offers nothing imo, which probably means he'll be bought on a permanent deal.

Their equaliser was always coming.  Disallowed goal and a couple of good saves from McCormick and still we didn't take heed.  Subs far too late as well, changes should have been made earlier when there was still time to make an impact.

I wouldn't mind betting we are in the top 7 form wise since the Carlisle home defeat where Wellens essentially let the existing staff pick the team.  We might even be sneaking the top 3 or 4.

There is no way you have watched the last 6/7 games.

Wellens reign minus Carlisle is 21 games. The table since then would have us 5th with 36 points. A season on that form is 78 points.

I wouldn't mind betting we are in the top 7 form wise since the Carlisle home defeat where Wellens essentially let the existing staff pick the team.  We might even be sneaking the top 3 or 4.

So, a little more than steadying the ship and settling for mid table.

The squad is not the best, but I maintained we should have been a play off contender.  It's hard to judge, but that stretch suggests Wellens may have achieved that if he had the full season.

Carroll likes a tackle and can pass from time to time, so is a better Dunne.  he's in to break the play up.

Wellens isn't culpable for not being able to bridge the gap... he's done OK, to steer us to the mid table.  I don't think it possible to speculate how next season might look until we know its make up and how we recruit. For example Salford are now top of the Conference and they'll have a budget way in excess of ours, further the  likes of Eastleigh, Leyton Orient and Wrexham who are in the mix, spent more on agents fees in player recruitment over the last year, which does indicate a bigger budget.

Every team needs a Carroll type.

We lost that game in the first half.  Yeovil were clueless at the back and toothless up front.  We got into countless good positions and couldn't produce the incisive final pass or the clinical finish. 

We won't go up.  Yeovil will go down.

He has produced a team that is 4th best in the league under his watch, doing so from a team you suggested needed to be in fear of losing it's league place.  I'd say that is better than ok, and he's moving us towards the top end of the mid table range, maybe even sneaking into the top third if he can sustain it.

Agents fees paid by clubs is more likely a reflection of their structures as we get to this level - paying agents to bring players in, as I imagine it will not include the fees players pay their agents.  There is a possibility that the Jewell link has helped here.  Either way, the January window was a success, who gives a shit what the budget was?  We've had a good budget and fucked it up before.  I'd still hazard a guess we are a top half budget at least, in terms of total wages.  Bury are doing a good job of showing that big budgets without funding may well come back to bite you.

Vigs text wellens at 9.37pm on Thursday evening that he'd be at a funeral on Friday.

Carroll likes a tackle and can pass from time to time, so is a better Dunne.  he's in to break the play up.

I agree with this & I do like Carroll but Diagouraga is a far superior player. I can only assume he doesn't fit into Wellens' style of play as he is fit now & didn't even make the bench today (behind Dunne & McCourt in the pecking order.

His own by the sounds of it.

The play off chase is all but over after that, I love him but yesterday I am afraid Robinson must take the brunt of the blame for not killing off Yokels, he should have had 2 or 3 goals by half time.

The problem that Wellens needs to solve is still the home form.... we won the first 2 and have had 5 further wins in the next 19, we'll not get very far with similar results next season.

Thats the ironic thing, we have now gone 6 games at home without losing, the first time since PdC was with us in the 2012-13 season.

Had we won the 6 we'd be in the mix, until we can build a side that can be more reliable, we'll be hanging about in Div 4.

That is indeed true, nobody has ever said otherwise, but you stated improve our home form, which Wellens has done, dramatically so it could be said after how we started. But yes of course too many daws in there but still unbeaten in 6 at home which Cooper, McDonald, Ling, Williams, Flitcroft and Brown never managed.

For someone so ingrained in stats, you do seem averse to accepting them Reg.

The home form HAS IMPROVED.  FACT!

Won three and drawn three, 11 goals for, 2 against, 4 clean sheets.  Could have easily been 5 wins with better finishing as we have been the dominant team in them all (the stats confirm that, as does the watching of those games).

Wellens has the 4th/5th best form of the division over his entire stretch, which is clearly better than ok compared to where we were when he took over.

He has ticked all the boxes you would have asked for and he has got us close to being the in play off spots with 6 games left to go.  We probably have a little too much to do, but he's made it interesting when you were telling us all to worry about the trap door when he took over.

I really don't see why it is so hard to say he has done a good job.

Nobody is saying his is the Messiah, and we all know next season has nothing to do with this one.  Lets just enjoy the fact he's turned us around for now.

For someone so ingrained in stats, you do seem averse to accepting them Reg.

The home form HAS IMPROVED.  FACT!

Won three and drawn three, 11 goals for, 2 against, 4 clean sheets.  Could have easily been 5 wins with better finishing as we have been the dominant team in them all (the stats confirm that, as does the watching of those games).

Wellens has the 4th/5th best form of the division over his entire stretch, which is clearly better than ok compared to where we were when he took over.

He has ticked all the boxes you would have asked for and he has got us close to being the in play off spots with 6 games left to go.  We probably have a little too much to do, but he's made it interesting when you were telling us all to worry about the trap door when he took over.

I really don't see why it is so hard to say he has done a good job.

Nobody is saying his is the Messiah, and we all know next season has nothing to do with this one.  Lets just enjoy the fact he's turned us around for now.

And our form since and including then, won 7, drawn 4 and lost 3.  Away form is won 4 and lost 2.

So, it is more likely that we will get some good results rather than bad ones (not probable, just that the form suggests we stand more chance of winning than losing).

Nobody has said Wellens isn't doing OK, or that he's not improved on Brown, but to give some sort of context, if you compare Wellens' 23 game tenure to Flitcroft last 23 games, and remember you regarded Flitcroft as terrible... Flitcroft had one more point.

I think you have to consider that Flitcrofts situation was based on building the team over the summer to his specification - Wellens’ Is in light of walking into mid season mediocrity and trying to implement a system and new players mid season

You can’t put a numerical factor on that, but If there points totals are the same id suggest it reflects more favourably on Wellens than Flitcroft

You are good at picking out quotes, so you'll no doubt have plenty to choose from where my views on Flitcroft were not specifically results based.  We will never be Liverpool or Man Utd, so having some fun while watching our usual abject results is always a plus.  I simply did not enjoy very many, if any, of the games he was in charge for.

Wellens is combining results with games that are generally ok to watch (there have been some exceptions of course).  Their records at a points per game level are very similar right now, I know which one I'd prefer to watch.

I think you have to consider that Flitcrofts situation was based on building the team over the summer to his specification - Wellens’ Is in light of walking into mid season mediocrity and trying to implement a system and new players mid season

You can’t put a numerical factor on that, but If there points totals are the same id suggest it reflects more favourably on Wellens than Flitcroft

For me, in Div 4, you'll not go anywhere with an overemphasis on playing pretty football..... you can have a bit, but the time honoured verities of being able to battle, grind a win or perhaps an important point out of adversity are still all important.

That's Wellens challenge for next season.... can he give us that bit extra.... find more goals from set pieces etc.

That is the case in al divisions, not just ours.   However,  let's stop waffling on about Flitcrot, he was shit, his management skills were shit and his style of play was shite.  Good riddance,  just a pity he hadn't gone earlier in the season.   As far as I'm concerned the confidence and style of play are a different class.  Flitcroft has gone Reg, let's move on, Wellens is a major improvement, whether you like it or not. Please stop trying to defend him.

come on reg, Wellens has been somewhat hamstrung in transfer manoeuvres.

we don't know whether hell get better players in during the summer, but that's what he should be judged on

For fuck's sake! The Reg show again?

Yep, dont think we’ll be seeing him in the team again. To be honest if he doesnt want to be here, dont play him, keep with McCormick and carry on preparing for next season

:Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: I've managed not to bite at all today. Lovely trolololololololing session by Reg.

I know its potentially only a storm in a tea cup this time but this is the second manager he has pissed off and after his act of paying a fines in one and two pences he doesn't seem to have learnt his lesson.

Its a shame as I think he's a good keeper, his handling is generally impeccable and he isn't a bad shot stopper and has the ability to distribute the ball accurately. His lack of discipline is going to hold him back in his career. I have a feeling he may leave England after his contract at Swindon expires.

The only thing stopping him having a good career is himself. He'll get his move, and sit on the bench for a L1/bottom half champ team next season.

Him or his agent, definately.

I agree with BO I think he won't get a club in England but could get on in the Scots Prem or abroad somewhere, I think his attitude will precede him and prevent him getting a club in England, all managers speak to each other, especially when asking about signing a player.

Attitude accounts for a lot, no manager wants a disruptive influence in the dressing room, otherwise Nile Ranger would still be employed.

There will always be managers who think they are the one to turn around someone with an attitude problem... Vigs isn't in the same class as a Ranger, but a keeper with an attitude problem isn't a great idea, as the bit betwen the ears is probably more important than for an outfield player.

Yep, dont think we’ll be seeing him in the team again. To be honest if he doesnt want to be here, dont play him, keep with McCormick and carry on preparing for next season

I wonder when the team news was announced to the players ? Thursday perhaps and Vigs finds out he's on the bench....

Although the TEF is mostly about bollocks, there is space for a bit of football debate, and this one has been about how well Wellens is doing, perhaps might do in the future.

Join in the debate.... it's fun.

There's plenty of good young keepers in the set ups of PL and championship clubs for us not to worry about LV. Get rid, use the budget somewhere else and bring in a loanee to compete with LM next season.

Thinking back over the games I have seen this season so far (all at home) I cannot recall any opposing 'keeper that has stood out so that might be a pointer to those at this level but it might also be due to our non-finishing abilities.  :hmmm: