Thetownend.com

We're up against our favourites in the boat race   :)
A must win game for our play off push.  :footinmouth:

Season's basically over, but quite like the idea of a trip to Cambridge tomorrow.  Will see how it feels in the morning.  Had a brilliant pre-match pub crawl there about 20 yrs ago, but couldn't name any of the pubs we visited now.

We will win 5-0 with only 5 shots all game.  I suspect we are involved in some elaborate real life game of FM, and it's like those games where you have 30 shots to 2 and manage a 1-1 draw, then win the next one 6-0 when you have no possession or chances.

Great away day. Fantastic city to drink in and a classic lower league ground. Looking forward to it.

Will win 2-0. Doughty and a defender. 600 away fans.

I'm going.

Where is good to drink in Cambridge?

Some great pubs in the city centre. We drunk in the Cambridge brew pub on king street last year. Not a football pub at all mind. There is a club at the ground too.

 I recall an Easter trip to Cambridge in 86.... had we won, then promotion guaranteed, as it worked out we had to wait another game which happily was at the CG.  So for the best. It ended 1-1... an example of how difficult it is to win end of season games. We got a record Div 4 points haul, Cambridge had to apply for re-election.  David Crown was key for them, one of those lower league goal scorers, who got more than any Town player that season.... 23. Bit of an anticlimax.

 Cambridge should be OK, but will need a win to make sure.

Time our luck changed. Another dominant performance with a deserved win!
1-3 Town

Pre match we've all got a cross to bear in The Regal.
Tweed & corduroy today in an effort to blend in with the locals.
Any spilt beer on the brogues and I shall be frightfully upset.
Just waiting to see which of the few early morning patrons here are going to break ranks and order a pint.
On the flat whites until then.  :(

A Town great in the opposition dugout today.

A case now of just trying to win the remaining games and see if it's enough.
No point in looking at what those above us are up to.

I was there for that. Went in a ford escort van with a load of others. Stopped in a pub near Cambridge and a removal van stopped next to us full of town.
I have a vague memory of picking up someone in Bedford in an already overcrowded van. A Mike Skinner special.

I went to that after a heavy night on the sauce. All i remember is the away end packed, and staggering across a park/field to get to the ground.

Anyone know why I can’t seem to log in to my iFollow account. Been fine up til now. Doesn’t say user name or password is invalid, just doesn’t do anything.

Been there 3 times and never seen us lose, also saw us win there last season on iFollow, hopefully will be watching today too.

They have lost 3 of their last 4 matches and only have 1 win in the last 8 games.

Thier last home win was on 9th Feb a run of 6 home matches.

Cambridge sit in 21st place in the table, 8 points above the relegation places with 4 games left to play. They are the 2nd lowest scorers in the league on 37 goals (lowest are Port Vale 36) and conceded 61 the 4th highest (Town have scored 53 and conceded 50).

They have lost 8 at home and only won 7 times there all season, we have equal 3rd best away form in the league with 8 wins and just 7 defeats on our travels.

Cambridge won the game at the CG 2-0 in what proved to be one of the last nails in Brown coffin, one of just 5 away wins this season for the strugglers.

Cambridge have no players with a Swindon connection but obviously have ex Town hero Calderwood as manager, in his 20 games in charge so far they have won just 7 of them and lost 9 times, a win ratio of 35% (Wellens win ratio of 39.2% from his 28 games in charge). James Dunne the only current Town player wh has played for them.

Swindon 3-0 Oldham with Anderson, Robinson and Woolf scoring in front of 4,351 with 455 Town fans there.

That was the first time I ever visited Cambridge, took the train from Liverpool St along with about another 100 Town fans, there were loads of Town fans there that day, almost half of the 3,150 crowd. We totally outplayed them but could only scramble a draw in the end. They had Tom Finney playing for them that day, yes not that one, but I bet Reg saw the original Tom Finney play :)

Clear your cookies or try a different browser, my iFollow didn't work in The Edge last week but did work in Firefox.

I remember the Preston Plumber... along with Sir Stanley... Nat Lofthouse, Lion of Vienna, and I'd put Jimmy Armfield in that company. As a kid these were role models, not only great players, but great sportsmen. In a Town context Maurice Owen was cut from the same cloth, and I always had time for Gentleman John Atyeo, despite the City connection.

I like the way Preston have an image of Tom in their seating....

Today’s the day we click - 4-1 victory.

A similar thing for Sir Don would be excellent if Swindon ever redevelop any of the stands.

At the university of Preston they have a tom Finney stadium. My daughter asked who he was. I said he was a shit don Rogers. those around me weren't happy.

Having a read up pre game on the Cambridge forum, they seem very confident of at least not losing against us with several saying they will easily beat us.


Would those commentas about Hoddle be from the same fans that sung "we want football" towards John Beck when we absolutely thrashed them there 3-0 in the FA cup in 92 when Beck had them playing football antithesis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=b39QzFNOeYk

1992 when the mullet was king.

Was at that cup game.
Calderwood scored when concussed.
Not the first time he had suffered a knock out for the cause either.

Ha, I knew Stuart Mac quite well, ex bus driver turned Radio joc - bring back memories does that.

I see as well that Cambridge have 2 forwards out for the rest of the season this week in Alex Jones and George Maris and Jabo Ibehre only returning to training this week so could be doubtful too.

I love opposition fans being over-confident.

Twas a great time to be a Town supporter.

Cheers! Didn’t like Safari but is fine in Chrome.

Especially when they are actually on a pretty shit run too. You have to wonder where such optimism comes from especially when they are playing a team in equal 9th place in the league who havent lost in 6 matches and only 2 defeats in 1 games.

No probs, iFollow can be a bit finicky at times.

We're away,   we'll win !!.   COYR COYR COYR

Bit of a contrast with the weather from last time.
One of the coldest away days to people walking around in shorts.
The amount of wobbling cellulite on display is not good though.

Going to be a long sweaty walk back to the station.

Exeter are 2.0 down...... just when you thought it was over.

Oh do fuck off...not you Quagmire, just the whole play off hopes.

You wouldn’t be the first person to tell me to fuck off today JJ ;D

:D I have just come to terms with us being out of the play off race...now this!

Not quite the right song, but a goalden oldie in anticipation

‘When the Proph goes up . . .’

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House in for Robinson after his misfiring the last 3 games, gotta be worth a go, otherwise unchanged.

No Vigs on the bench again.

Exeter 1-2 Creepy

COME ON CREEPY.

I've always had a soft spot for you (honest!)

Creepy winning would liven up the next few games thats for sure.

1-3 Creepy!

Now watch us blow it.

Yes thats always a possibility with Swindon!

(https://media.giphy.com/media/nRjzkXLENJp2U/giphy.gif)

The problem with social media. NOBODY LISTENS.  :pint:

FT Excetera 1-3 Creepy

Even if we win today we will still be 2 points behing them.

Still keeps the season alive until at least 5pm today.

Conroy great long pass to Knoyle who wins a corner.

Some good chasing down by Anderson too.

Bennett draws a foul 30 yards out and central.

Nice ball to Anderson from Rose who beats his man but his shot is wild and wide.

House and Bennett link up well but House shot hits the defender.

Woolery misses a sitter.

Woolery should have scored

Bennett great dribble and beats his man who finds Woolery inside the box unmarked but his shot is high and wide. Poor finish by Woolery.

Knoyles poor pass puts us in trouble but Cambridge can't make a good pass luckily.

Woolf misjudges a header and gives away a corner.

Towns attacking passing is quick but not as good as it has been the last few games.

Woolery great effort from 25 yards good save by the keeper as it swerved.

Another good passing move ends in Knoyle winning a corner.

Not a bad delivery from Bennetts corner but Town can't get a head on it but it finds its way to Rose 20 yards out who volleys the ball into Norfolk.

Cambridge have some pace up front but they have no quality in their final ball or shot so far, typical mid table Div 4 team.

Town controlling the game in midfield but Cambridge still look a little dangerous on the break.

Cambridge have a shot from 20 yards but it goes 30 yards wide.

Koiki not have a great game so far, especially defensively.

Knoyle wins another corner.

House not playing too badly but he seems to prefer trying to chest the ball down rather than head it. Hes done that 4 or 5 times so far.

Everyone else around us winning!

Conroy and LMc collide and both look injured.

Good move but House caught offside for the 3rd time.

Poor period of play from both teams the last 5

Great save McCormick from a close range effort.

Ibhere has a shot but LMc makes a great save at point blank range.

Great save

Pretty poor game by both teams so far. We are passing the ball far better than they are but they have had the better chances.

Perfect summary

Not really done  much attacking in the last 10..


-----------

Off the line from Doughty as Cambridge look the more dangerous

Cambridge putting us under pressure, Doughty off the line to save us.

Doughty is having a good game today, predominantly defensive wise

Knoyle injured?

Radio think its a face injury/cut. Looks OK

Knoyle down injured. Hes been our best attacking outlet so far.

Yeah he looks far more comfortable than is the last match in the same role.

Anderson hacked down 25 yards out on the angle of the box.

Calderwood’s got them tackling hard. They’ve been pretty good defensively so far.

Not a good free kick by Bennett. Again.

Feels like last game of the season.

No atmosphere, game is so slow.

He has them playing like a typical Div 4 team, hard in the tackle, quick on the break but little passing quality, big defence and a big striker to aim for.

Woolery not having his best game today, not getting the right ball played to him to be fair to him though.

I’m quite enjoying it. Tough physical contest, will open up later on.

Bennett started the game well but has tailed off in the last 15 mins too.

House pulled down in the box but the ref doesn't give it.

Knoyle shoots straight at the keeper.

Cambridge arent a dirty side as such but they do like to spoil our passing with pushing and niggling of us.

Knoyle and Doughty our best players this half.

Woolery decent cross but nobody can get a touch on the it.

They are, I think Rose has been OK but had a few wayward. Anderson has been our best attacking outlet.

Koiki felled near the touchline.

bennett terrible shot.

HT 0-0

And the wankest ever free kick to end the half.

Half time.

First 20 minutes I thought we were going to pass them off the pitch, though we didn't create that much.
Then Cambridge were the better team, or at least created the better chances. Very organised.

And although we found our feet again in the last 5, slightly relieved to be 0-0 given McCormicks smart close range save when it looked like the goal was a certainty.

Not really sure that House is the man to lead the line second half. I don't think he's done too badly given its his first ever start. Just don't think its suiting us.

Which might have been tough on Cambridge given it was taken 3 minutes after the announced 45+1.

Not a good game, Town have shaded the football side of things but Cambridge had the best chances.

Feels like an end of season game to me.

House doing OK but I think Robinson offers us a bit more, I would take Woolery off and try 2 up front with House and Robinson being very differnt type of players that could compliment each other.

Anderson looks good when attacking but cant get a decent shot in. Bennett started well but has finished badly.

Could go either way but could just as easily end 0-0.

Well that was pointless.  This is the type of game Wellens needs to earn his crust.  It's all too slow, partly because Cambridge sit all their team behind the ball and let us have the ball.  It means the forwards have no space like they have had in the past few games to makes neat turns or run into channels or switch play.

House has shown us what we get from Robinson I'm afraid.  It's his first full game, so can't be too harsh I guess but he doesn't look mobile enough and two lumps can easily take care of a stationary target man.

I'd be inclined to sacrifice one of the Anderson, Bennett, Woolery group and get someone into the midfield to release Doughty.  We might not get more space that way, but Doughty has the best pass when there isn't any space and can score from the edge of the box.  Robinson for House to keep the defence a bit more honest as well.

Something went wrong there - we had two injury breaks of at least 4 mins in total.  I think the wrong number went up.

Yeah when Conroy and LMc collided there was at least 3 minute delay then.

Maybe I have low standards but I don’t think it’s a bad game. Have to give Cambridge credit for closing us down very effectively and having pace on the break. Rose and Doughty look composed in the middle, Woolf is the pick of our defenders and Anderson, Knoyle and Woolery are connecting well. House has been ok, but he’s not really testing the defenders by pinging the ball back each time rather than turning goalward. He’s been ok, but I don’t really trust him leading the line yet.

It's on the edge of being an ok game I think.  It's not horrific, and we don't look at see.  We just look a bit lost as to how to adapt.  Doing so will be what turns us into a good team challenging next year because we look to have the ability to control possession in a game, and we look really good when teams open up against us.

Town 65% possession 1st half with 6 shots to 4 for them with both sides having 2 on target. 3 corners to Town and 2 for them.

I personally don't think its a very entertaining game, its just a bit dull IMO.

Cambridge are dealing with us where it matters in the box and hitting us on the break with their chances. I do think House was brought down but the ref was too weak to give us a penalty in front of the Cambs fans.

Cambridge have a great chance with just LMc to beat and Ibehre fucks up royally and Town clear it.

Good job Ibere, or whatever his name is, is as slow as a snail

Ah yes, the intimidating Garden Shed End.

Bennett almost finds House in the box after a nice move.

Luckily Cambridge finishing has been worse than Swindons.

Town are playing ball to House the same as they do to Robinson and House is not the same type of player. Bennett is especially to blame for those balls.

Could be worth bringing Robinson on to see how he can perform against the huge centre back pairing.

Game is a bit livlier this half so far.

Bennett and Koiki link up well but Koiki shot is blocked.

Corner to them on the break.

Robinson was a doubt, think he's going to be protected with Monday in mind - but that'll be pointless if we can't score here.

Another corner to them.

Absolutely.

Cambridge put 6 passes together :o

Getting a bit out muscled at times.. Can't keep it.

Time for a tactical change by Wellens.

House is not a bad player but we aren't playing to his strengths.

Another corner to them, Cambridge on top last 10 mins.

Dunne coming on.

Which is more than they managed under Beck in total.

Dunne and Robinson on for House and Rose.

Dunne on , Rose off
Robinson on, House off

Doughty kicked in the chest.

Cambridge take off probably their best attacker.

God Koiki’s hopeless today.

Its just not looking  likely is it.

Still, only takes one unexpected moment

ooooh.  Good effort from Doughts there.

Doughty should have scored there.

Yep.

Koiki header pushed over the bar for a Town corner.

Anderson off for Richards.

Anderson (!) off for Richards.

Wrong sub for me .

Literally everybody around us still winning aswell.

Town creating more chances in the last 10 mins than all game.

Dunne cynically brings down Ibehre on the break and is booked.

Dunne just didn't need to do that, he had the pace

I agree. Woolery off for me.

Just over 10 to SoS

Ditto

Ibehre misses with a great chance from 2 yards out.

How the hell did Iberehe miss that?!

Oh, Conroy got a touch

Definately our poorest over all performance for a while. Not THAT bad but not very good with little real creativity.

Again, for the 3rd or 4th match running, soooo frustrating to watch.  So many more points could have been in the bag based on the performances recently, just can't hit the back of the onion net..

Robinson pushed over just outside the box, free kick.

Doughty to take the free kick.

Good free kick and well saved, corner to Town.

Knoyle wins yet another corner.

Doughty shot hits Robinson.

Doughty felled on the touchline half way down their half.

grrrrrrr so frustrating....

Cambridge taking off midfielder and bringing on a defender.

Towns small play off hope seems to be fizzling out after there being a half a chance at 3pm.

3 Injury time

3 mins added.

The season is petering out as a bit of a damp squid.  4 consecutive draws.

Squib. All squid are damp.

0-0 Still unbeaten but that was a pretty shit performance over all.

Play off hopes finally over.

Not many bad performances except maybe Koiki and possibly Woolery but not really many good performers either.

Knoyle my MoM followed by Doughty, Woolf, Conroy and Rose all looked better than average. Anderson looked good at times too.

House looked OK but not better than Robinson.
Bennetts poorest game for weeks too.

Game over man, game over.

Bit of a limp way to surrender the season, but truth be told we've simply not been good enough today or all season.

Stupid football

Too many draws.

Wellens gave the ref a right ear-bending at the end. Can only imagine it might be about the House penalty chance. He seemed pretty fair otherwise.

You are correct  :)

Not quite the story of the season, but a game that showed we are not quite there yet.  Early season cost us dearly, Wellens has shown we are as good as anyone in this league and better than most, but we left ourselves in a position where away draws are not enough.  Next season we need to add a sprinkle of players that enable us to unlock this type of game, because most at home will be like it.  I'm am happy with how we have performed away, certainly after the turn of the yer.  We'll get enough points on our travels playing the way we have been, but we have to win more at home.  If we were to get a couple of wins from the last couple of games then our form since Jan 5th will be good.  Wellens needs to keep that going and just push it a little but further.

I agree with this. The framework of a decent side is  there,need a few new faces in the summer to strengthen our attack.
I doubted the appointment of Wellens but he's proved me wrong and given a whole season with a full squad of his choice i think we will do well next year

Today in isolation:

I'd take their Keeper if today was true of his general play.

Knoyle looks a good player, get him signed up.

Koiki - still a lot of rough edges.  He was poor in defence last week and going forward this week.

Conroy - did ok

Woolfenden - did ok

The pair of them combined is just missing something, Broadbent should be a good addition as he adds a bit more steel.  I think today we were on the edge of being a bit bullied from the long balls forward.

Rose - I like him, think taking him off was not the right move, would have taken off Bennett or Woolery.  Extend him for the full yea and build the midfield off of him.

Doughty - on the edge of having a good game but he probably needs to be released forward more to be truly effective.

Anderson, Woolery & Bennett - none of them did enough in truth today.  This is our issue for next season.  Against a Bury or Tranmere, this group look a handful running into space and on the break.  Against a team clogging the pitch they look like they dally on the ball too long and get in each others way.  Either we unlock their potential, or we add something to change it.  Personally, I'd try and find a midfield bully, an athlete to sit behind Doughty and take one of those three out.

House - nothing shown that makes you interested.

Robinson - looked more lively and caused the defenders to make snap judgements that they didn't do when House was on.  This is another area we need to add to - someone different, a proper goalscorer, one who can create when a game is tight.  I'd be happy enough for Robinson to be signed, but we need another alongside him.  Options are needed, and we don't have them now.

Dunne - busy, but he's not going to be a player to push us on.

The foundation is solid, in certain types of games we look really good, in others we look a bit blunt and that's where we need to focus in the post season.

Wellens pissed off.

says we played at 60%.

The problem is, are there are likely to be many better players we could attract than Woolery, Anderson and Bennett?

4 points from the last 12 has done for us. Not really a fair reflection but shit happens.

That's why we need a different approach available.  Doughty should have played a game like today behind the front players, with an athletic water carrier behind him.  The type of player who could burst forward if needed and also mix it up a bit in midfield to enable Doughty to forget about defending.  Those three are still a great asset in a fair chunk of games.  Also having another option upfront down the middle would help us.

Vigs is out of here! Not training with club for rest of the season.

Rejected new deal 5 weeks ago.

Unprofessional since,  wanted day off to go to his new club to look at facilities.

And over a full season - a game like today and a result like today should be ok.  It's only the context of where we are that makes it so frustrating.  The pre-Jan Home form is the issue we need to fix.  We've looked much better at home since the end of the transfer window, but it still needs a bit more improvement.  then today is a point to add to a tally of points gained at home.

I’ve been a fan of Woolery but I’m beginning to doubt he’ll ever make up to be a consistent, effective player.

Anderson has much more influence on a game.

Bennett is too hot or cold for me.

Whoever is a regular next season we need to start scoring from corners and have a free kick specialist in the Taylor mode.

Absolute twat.

love you too X

oh wait, maybe you meant Vigs. In which case yes

Christ almighty, what a cunt.

His team are (were) challenging for the playoffs and he does that. Nice way to repay the fans, Vigs, you fucking bellend.

To be fair, Bennett, Anderson and Doughty have looked a threat a free kicks on goal, but yes, the other set pieces need something doing to them.

 This was always the danger for Wellens, in the little run of away games, that we'd drop back down the league and so get our second worse finish and heaven forbid finish beloiw Chetnumb.... he did OK getting the draws at Newport and Oldham, which kept them below us at least for now in the case of Oldham, but needed to back it up by winning today. Lose on Monday and we drop back into the bottom half. That isn't a good look for the  future and needs avoiding as does losing at Numb.

Tbh, Reg it doesn’t really matter a jot where we finish or whether Cheltenham finish above us.

Historic bollocks shouldnt cloud the fact that the club looks to be going forward - on and off the pitch.

The real good news we have at the moment is the ground sale- but now Waterford ain’t getting Europa league (this and this alone was what Power wanted to make him money)- it’s debatable whether Power now will raise his half of the money.

Football is the bread and butter and over the last 4 seasons our league position has got worse every year. Hardly a ringing endorsement for the owner

This only seems to really matter to you as you bring it up every week.

Clearly it isn't bollocks.... league position is the sole reliable reflection of status, and if we finish in a lower position this season and so continue the year on year slide under Power, it looks the exact reverse of going forward.   Dress it up as you like, however win a couple of games and things would look a lot better. 

So for example our haul of 7 home wins is as things stand our worst ever in Div 4.... of seasons in the 21st century, only 10/11 and 00/01 had fewer. 10/11 we went down lamely.... 00/01 we nearly did but were saved by Rovers imploding.  It isn't great, but a chance to at least put a bit of gloss on by winning the final 2 games at the CG.  It needs to happen....

The nearly men since RW arrived. Big plans for next year but this is dead.

Was that the day off when he (I’m guessing) made up the funeral story?

that's not how it sounded. separate incident.

Think he asked a coach for the next day off, and when asked if everything was ok he said he wanted to go to his new club to look at the facilities.

after our previous years of low final positions did we bounce back or continue to decline?
does a low position have any real influence on where you will finish next season?
does finishing below cheltenham for a season when it looks like remaining fixtures are dead rubber mean anything to next season?

Season over when the Yeovil equaliser went in...they were fucking shite!!

Then we rubbed our lucky rabbits foots for a run of the green and it didn't happen.

Then we hoped others would drop points and we would have a late surge.

Today was the day that it finally died ..

I will be there on Monday with the thrill of beating Nostradamus Regs doom sayer prediction....also going to Numb...we will win there handsomely I tell thee...

Need a decent finisher, didn't/haven't got one and it's been the difference.

There’s a world of difference between finishing 10th after not winning any of your last 10 games then finishing 10th after not losing any of your last 10 games.

Our final league position will be more an indictment of Brown wasting half a season. I’d imagine the vast majority of Town fans will be, rightly, optimistic about the next campaign.

And I fail to see what relevance Cheltenham have in all this. FGR will finish above us, too.

What a dickhead. Lack of respect. I guess he’s going to QPR with win percentage.

This 100%

(https://media3.giphy.com/media/l2JeiYyT7qFABka9W/giphy.gif)

going to nam for the piss up. we are sure a win there.

that and the GWReds annual BBQ means the strain isn't a write off yet.

oh, and Chippers beer festival next Friday. live isn't so bad

Each season should be viewed according to how it pans out.... so for example finishing 10th after a collapse, would suggest you must have decent been  in the early part of that season.... were there reasons.

Finishing 10th after being poor before the last 10 is basically Oxford, and I'm sure their fans having wanted Robinson gone, will have some optimism for next seson depending on off field stuff.

I don't like Cheltnumb... as regards FGR we know Vince puts the money in so many would expect them to finish above us, so no surprise... Cheltnumb isn't a football town doesn't, have a wealthy owner, and are doing well to keep league football there.... they've never finished above us in the same league.... if we can't manage to finish above them, then we have problems.

The best comparison would be the 4 years spent in Div 4 in the 80's..... an initial 8th place finish was followed 2nd season by a slide to 17th.... Macari then rectified this by getting back to 8th, with strong home form which gave the fans some confidence for 85/86 when some pre season strengthening happened....  we went up.

Wellens needs to win the last 2 at home, just to give that bit of belief within the fan base that with some strengthning we could be on to something for next season... limp endings just create the wrong impression.

I would suggest that this from Wellens emphasises that we aren't going forward ....

i think it's fair enough to say we are not quite where we need to be.  We are pretty much light years ahead of where we were after 20 games though.  For me, we feel on the edge of it, like Wellens describes, it's good but not quite good enough.  I don't think we are a mile away though, the sign are of improvement overall, of a team that it is now dominating and not looking likely to crumble under the slightest push of pressure from an opposition.  We sometimes look very good, we often look just short and infrequently look poor now.  Add three of four payers of the right calibre in the right positions to the team today and I think we'd be there.  Wellens has to work his backside off now to keep the right ones at the club.

I think he's saying that, because he sees a slip backward... looking at the league table tells him that... he'll be hoping that it brings focus to the importance of the last 3 games.... you have to have the right attitude, and character to want to win.

And rightly so... he'll be looking for a response on Monday.

It was balmy in The Cambridgeshire sun but time may have been better spent basking by the river than watching a fairly inept display at The Abbey. Never mind. Was happy to be in the presence of legend Calderwood exactly 36 years  to the day he he led us to clinching the 4th division championship at Mansfield. Now that was Barmy!


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Tmj-hWcZ0DI

The bit that I think strange is why play the Wolf and leave Broadbeam on the bench? Surely the Wolf isn't going to be here next year is he?

Because he preferred Wolf and we were still in with a shout?

Perhaps.

Time to tear it down & start again.

Loads out, loads in.

Mid table again next year.

Rinse & repeat

Nah.

We have a decent squad at this level, it just needs a few tweaks.

Keep the core of the squad, add some potency (a goalscorer) and an older head or two and I reckon we're about there.

Can’t say I’m convinced a few tweaks will take us from a mid table team to a top 3 team.

Tweaks will turn those draws into wins.

Such tweaks would easily have given us 6 points +

Well, 6 points doesn’t put us in the top 3...

As always Reg has got it spot on.  He always seems to see these things with such clarity and precision.

This is now the most vital few days in the club's history.  If we don't win on Monday then we will inevitably drop out of the league next year. Also my next door neighbour's cat will die in mysterious (but explainable by Reg) circumstances.

Win it and we'll be in the premier league in 3 years.  Make that 2 years if we win by at least 2 goals and Cheltenham lose.

Your Wellens quote was a tad disengenuous. He actually said he didn’t think the group had a promotion in them this year.

Most would agree with that. My point, and others, seems to suggest he is on the way to getting it right next season.

You live in Croydon  :hmmm:

That is obvious, and as pointed out, he's trying to get a response for the final 3 games.

Which then means if it isn't forthcoming, he'll be taking a core squad of players into next seaason who he thinks lack the necessary attributes of an auto side.

I like his use of the term "smell".... as fans "smell" also. (some quite literally).  So at no stage this season has it smelt like we've had a team capable of going up.  As to whether the significant strengthening required wil be forthcoming we'll have to wait on that one.

step one, get. Conroy and knoyle signed up

On the radio pre game yesterday Knoyle was hinting he was going to sign, not heard about Conroy though.

Well, the fat lady has finally sung,  reading the reports it seems a draw yesterday was a fair result.
Can't say I expected us to make the play offs, had numerous opportunities to put ourselves in the frame but failed miserably with each opportunity.  Still,  much better than we anticipated mid-season,  just got to get it right next season,  but not holding my breath.

For a bit of fun, let's consider what we know or perhaps suspect about next season, and see if a "few tweaks" are likely to suffice.

GK  LMc considered a back up this year.... now to be numero uno. A steady enough keeper.  How has Will Henry done on his travels, has he improved? Bench sitting is no use to him.  Is he ready to start?

Defence.  Knoyle, offered a contract, a useful player, needs more in the attacking third... assists and a couple of goals.  Not beyond the realms of possibility.   Broadbent and Conroy.  Tom looks to have something, but at his age bench sitting is no good... relatively speaking he's inexperienced. Dion, has been a good story, insofar as he's come back from long term injury and looked good enough for Div 4.  Then we've the boy Curran, who is something of a mystery, but presumably will be expected to step up next season.  LB, remains a problem area.

Midfield. Suspect Rose, will be offered a deal... and is a steady player, doubt he's the fitness though for a sustained auto campaign. Doughty, yes good enough for an auto side, if fitness improves. Diagouraga, sadly has lookd a bit Nalis from early doors, a leap of faith to see him come back.

Attack. A final chance for Keshi and Kaiyne to get the required consistency, both out of contract in 2020, so might focus minds, to have a good season and get a move.

Scott Twine has he pulled up any trees in Ireland, or has it been more peat bog digging?

Sol Pryce  :hmmm:

The rest are out of contract with no talk of renewal or loans.

I think you are right.... there's a nucleus there of another mid table effort with some recruitment, of a similar standard.

Another sub standard summer, as we have seen can happen under Power, and we might carry on the season on season slide.

For a proper shot at autos, we will need to see strengthening,

Knoyle, Broadbent, Conory, Dougherty worth keeping.
Robinson worth signing.

Need a vast upgrade on everyone else.

I've seen Henry for supermarine a couple of times. I rated him when he played a few times a little while ago and j still rate him now. The only thing is he'd need to be given a run of games and I don't think we'd do it. I'd happily have him as first choice regardless of what I think of LMc.
Almost certainly he'll be let go at end of contract, drop down and then come back up again.
Apparently he's a thoroughly decent lad and those at supermarine speak very highly of him as a keeper and a person.

Conroy has been good recently, but he really needs to stay here for another year or two and get some proper football under his belt. He was either injured or poor for a long time, and hasn’t got enough behind him to move higher up.

Defensively I'd revisit Sid Nelson. Woolf will be going back to Ipswich, which would leave us with Corduroy & Broadbean as our only first choices (the young lad Curran we have no idea about yet). Three CBs you can rotate/cover injury, which then gives a chance to filter in Curran in the Boycott Trophy. We know what Sid brings - throws himself literally at anything and I think he would pair well with Broadbean. Conroy has revealed himself this half of the season though so competition/good cover for places is what we will need to compete for top three next season.

On the Sid point, do make sure to check with Exiled Bob that I have all the correct information. I've yet to talk to Sid's dad...yet  :soapy tit wank:

No. Just, no!

Corduroy must've been an autocorrect. I definitely put in Conroy! As for Broadbean. I've used that from the off. As have several others.

I've seen some bad 'nicknames' on here recently. Exetera for Exeter being the worst. Easyjet for Etienne Esajas was a bad one from a few seasons back.

Not as bad as the player mind...

Flipflop was the worst

Gotta say, I don't think I ever used "FlipFlop", Knobcroft may have been used though. That's a perfect term though. He is a knob.

Nah. Not as bad as Aljokefree.

Or Lee Peacock. Oh wait that is his surname!

Good shout.

Calling Reg, Ploughman was another.

In fact, we could list them all & make a tournament out of it.

That is what everybody calls Exeter down this way, nothing to do with football thats just what people in South Somerset and North Devon call the place.


Flipflop is Flitcrofts actual nickname given to him he was playing at Rochdale and has been all his career.

Thats like saying you don't like his nickname is not about specifically us labelling him it, thats his nickname. You could say you don't like Chicharito for Javier Hernandez or Dave for Diagoraga, same difference. Its just moaning for the sake of moaning.

Aljokefree is a different matter totally.

I thought Flitcroft's nickname was 'Flicker'? Maybe he has more than one.

I thought flip flop was Fjortoft, and the players called him that as well. There's a difference between nicknames and the fucking awful puns that some people try to use.

I thought Flitcrofts nickname was ‘cunt’ in all honesty

No. I think that's his real name.

This. Call teams by their proper names, none of this Shitty/Poxford bollocks for example. & if u don't like a particular person just call them a cunt in true Town End fashion.

Flitcroft is a jobbing lower Div 4 manager... he may well get Mansfield up.

A lot thought him a poor man manager when Vigs ended up at Waterford, despite the evidence of the fault laying with the keeper.  That trying to get rid of a disruptive influence is pretty basic management seemed lost on some, and those of us who advocated cutting our losses and getting rid were criticised... wrongly IMO.

Proper nicknames like ‘All Hands’ and ‘One Size’.

Clever names, them!

One size is the best nickname ever IMO.

Martin Offiah (Chariots) is a cracker too.

VD for DV.

Apparently, he absolutely hated being called that.

In terms of nicknames for Town player we've had a Fridge, Beast, Animal, Killer and a Chief.
I suspect that fans still prefer players who have chomped on some raw meat, so to speak, before pulling on the shirt.

Can anyone remember any more genteel type nicknames?
Sadly the most common sobriquet in recent seasons has been Useless.

For non Town players I like some of the nicknames from the 60's & 70's.
The Ghost (Martin Peters), Stroller (George Graham) and of course Ron "Chopper" Harris.

Harley was known as the shadow as he had fuck all presence. Dadid geddes and Lilian nalis were Douglas bader. Badger Bryan Wade.
Others in the hardman mould were Rambo and stigger.

Add Razor to that list.

Daisy (Duke)

Stigger was names Stigger because of his resemblance to stig of the dump, usually after 2 or 3 days straight drinking.

Gladys Morgan

Bobby Howe was called Stephen. One of those middle name jobs I guess.

After he left us I've got a vague memory that he played one game for Farnborough where they got trounced 9-0 or something. Can any statto's confirm. I've got a hangover and my googlefu is failing me (I can't be bothered)

Interestingly Bobby Barnes first name was David, he wasn't a middle name job as that was Oswald, I'd guess not named after Mosley of that name

http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Person.asp?PersonID=WILLIAMG

Gordon Williams nickname was "slacker"; not the best nickname to have....

My father used to tell me about a black player we had, whose nickname was Nutty, as his surname was Slack.  He never played for the first team but made the reserves.

This was probably the 50's, when you'd get a decent crowd for a Combination game.... nutty slack, which younger readers wouldn't know was a low grade coal of dust and bits, necessary at the time for much of the working classes, before climate change made winters more acceptable.

I've never really tried to hunt down a bit more about Nutty... perhaps I should, but Wilf Slack, was an England cricketer of Caribbean decent who died tragically young.... so suggestive of a slave name.

Hungover again but a bit more effort reveals that Mr. Sexy Football made 2 apearences off the bench for Farnborough. A 7-1 away defeat to Barnet where he came on at half time. And the next week a 6-0 home mauling by Hereford where he came on in the 76th min.

My non-extensive research can't find anymore appearences. And quite honeslty I'm not sure why I care.

My favourite nickname was Everton fans calling Neil Pointon “Dizza”. 

I thought Booby, was a better sobriquet, for Stephen.

Not comparable situations are they though? At the time Vigs had 18 months left on his contract and whatever his attitude issues (which were widely acknowledged at the time), he was still a saleable asset that "Flitters" chose to devalue to the detriment of the club. That's very different to the situation now when we're a few weeks away from the end of his contract and he's refused to renew. But you know all that and choose to ignore the facts that don't suit you, as per.

I don't think Vigs is all that, but then I remind myself of the shit we had in goal when we didn't have him here.  McCormick, personal issues aside, has at least show he is a stable GK for this level.  I don't panic when the ball goes near him.

Exactly this for me too.

Vigs certainly has never really been a saleable asset.... had he been he'd have been sold, that's why Power bought him.

He has been an average Div 3/4 stopper, with a bad attitude, that you probably don't want if looking for promotion.

This is about opinion... and in my opinion we should have cut the losses on Vigs and got rid.... if in your opinion we shouldn't then fine.

Actually it's not. My point was that you weren't comparing like with like, but as ever you shift the ground when the facts don't suit.