Thetownend.com

Well, he’s hardly going to get cheaper after this season!

Don’t know why he needs to look at Doyle - he’s 31 and if the bin dipper loves him so much he must know all about him. Plus Doyle wouldn’t even be available until June.

Could understand if it may be Yates

Just bought 2 tickets for this. So max 138 left now! New ground for all of us going I suspect. Should be an interesting game, with a distinct  clash of styles, Salford are pretty direct against our passing game.

Expect Zakuani to come in for Donahue, to deal with their aerial threat, with Fryers moved to left back. Grant in for Rose and Doyle for Woolery.

1-1 draw with DJ getting our goal.

What's the total allocation?

Almost a sell out. 140 tickets left. Fantastic support.

They have a fans forum?

Salford 0-0 Swindon in front of 2,995 with 1052 Swindon fans there.

It does but I am going by the fact that announced figures are always below the expected number. Although I did put a 0 by mistake.

Yes, you meant to put a 2 where you put 0 goals for Swindon  :)

we will have a least one defensive change too, with the Donohue situation (presumably linked to his impending court case, wage demands or both).

Have I missed something happening with Donohue, thought he was on a short term month to month deal?

I have missed it too then.

Difficult game to read.... our record against the newly arrived from non league is a bit of a mixed bag, so no guidance there.

 Both sides in decent form, so that's not much help. 

The weather could be the decisive factor.

Whilst we have the goal threat from Doyle and Yates, we will have a least one defensive change too, with the Donohue situation (presumably linked to his impending court case, wage demands or both).

The weather could be the decisive factor.

Not sure where all this talk about the weather is coming from Salford is not in bloody Siberia.

Tomorrow 9-10 degrees little wind and limited chance of rain!

Limited chance of rain? In Manchester? Behave!

No in Salford  :girlgiggle:

Pfft, same difference. They're all Mancs

Which reminds me of ...


https://youtu.be/ZDKF8KkD7rE

Not sure where all this talk about the weather is coming from Salford is not in bloody Siberia.

Tomorrow 9-10 degrees little wind and limited chance of rain!

Watching on iFollow these past few months, has it stopped raining in the UK since August?

Watching on iFollow these past few months, has it stopped raining in the UK since August?

Exactly, that's why they get rained on all the time. Even God hates Mancs

Says the plastic scouser

Hit the North early for this one.
Meandering across Prestwich on a Mark E Smith pilgrimage.
Yeah, it's a pub crawl. A fantastic life.  :pint:

Hit the North early for this one.
Meandering across Prestwich on a Mark E Smith pilgrimage.
Yeah, it's a pub crawl. A fantastic life.  :pint:

Here's an apt song for your train journey home WB.

*yes, I know it's not The Fall.

https://youtu.be/O3aco_v7cH0

Had I been arsed to go then it would be hunting down the Ewan MacColl red plaque  :)

(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcRiQVlZSEKR6JMviQVgBm6fGw-zpd0Zsu1bavQPzGrxNCelLo3b)

Hit the North early for this one.
Meandering across Prestwich on a Mark E Smith pilgrimage.
Yeah, it's a pub crawl. A fantastic life.  :pint:

A pint in The Commercial?

Shut up shop apparently.
Joseph Holt pubs are ok and do a decent pint.

Even StefTroll must be happy at that! L2 title in the bag then!?

0-0

Having spent a day here the depictions of the locals by JS Lowry look to be accurate.

can you watch this one from the uk?

The iFollow link is always there but only allows you to have audio commentary.

Checking other teams forums they suggest iFollow was not available for matched against them.

I am the same, i have to sign up option on the Salford site eithet. Just login to an existing account.

Will find out soon.

STFC_Manc  :)
Not in Mancunia then?

Nope not lived there for years but what's the point in changing my name

Iandolo for Donohue.

Donohue is excellent and a big miss. Iandolo played ok against Rovers but was still caught out of position at times and missed one relative sitter.

Hopefully he plays a blinder.

Donohue is excellent and a big miss. Iandolo played ok against Rovers but was still caught out of position at times and missed one relative sitter.

Hopefully he plays a blinder.

I agree totally mate.

Looks like the game could well be on iFollow.

I just made a bacon sandwich and it's fucking amazing.

Today is going to be a good day.

Just asking. How can one bacon sandwich be more amazing than any other?

An all ex-STFC front-line for Salford, with Rooney and Jervis. What chance of escaping the curse?

Just asking. How can one bacon sandwich be more amazing than any other?

It doesn't shock me, we mess around too much with it at the back frequently

Nailed on pen.

Fucking fannying around. Benda is a twat

ht.

the game is there to be won.
or..

61% possession. We can win this if we can fashion some slightly better chances, and stop Rooney getting in. Doughty the player of that half. And I don't think I've ever seen Woolery win so many headers.

Back on for the penalty, well timed at least.

Woolery’s best game for ages

Top of the league...

Top of the league...

Doyle you donkey!!!

What was the penalty given for? Who was at fault?

Any mention about Donohue?

From the Salford forum...

"The Swindon guy with the beard and longish hair pulled so many strings in midfield and upfront and was the architect of so many of Swindon's creative moves that should make him a prime target for us come the next transfer window".

I'm sorry.....fucking what  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

From the Salford forum...

"The Swindon guy with the beard and longish hair pulled so many strings in midfield and upfront and was the architect of so many of Swindon's creative moves that should make him a prime target for us come the next transfer window".

I'm sorry.....fucking what  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

From the Salford forum...

"The Swindon guy with the beard and longish hair pulled so many strings in midfield and upfront and was the architect of so many of Swindon's creative moves that should make him a prime target for us come the next transfer window".

I'm sorry.....fucking what  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

“Our system worked well, you wouldn’t have thought our budget would be significantly lower than theirs.”

From the Salford forum...

"The Swindon guy with the beard and longish hair pulled so many strings in midfield and upfront and was the architect of so many of Swindon's creative moves that should make him a prime target for us come the next transfer window".

I'm sorry.....fucking what  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

From the Salford forum...

"The Swindon guy with the beard and longish hair pulled so many strings in midfield and upfront and was the architect of so many of Swindon's creative moves that should make him a prime target for us come the next transfer window".

I'm sorry.....fucking what  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

That was fun. Shame about the two penalties.

Great to see us top but as a nervous type, who has seen too much underachievement from Town in the past, I’ll feel a lot more positive once we’ve actually shown we can beat a team in the top half.

Well our wins v Cambridge and Salford have come when both were in the top half at the time we played them. 8th & 11th respectively so you may want to revise your point...

From the Salford forum...

"The Swindon guy with the beard and longish hair pulled so many strings in midfield and upfront and was the architect of so many of Swindon's creative moves that should make him a prime target for us come the next transfer window".

I'm sorry.....fucking what  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Any mention about Donohue?

The phrase “don’t get ideas above your station” springs to mind.

Whilst they undoubtedly have money behind them they’ve just had a team from 170 miles away play them and have almost half the gate even with £10 tickets. They aren’t exactly the most exciting proposition for a player.

I love smoke bombs.
Great to see us top but as a nervous type, who has seen too much underachievement from Town in the past, I’ll feel a lot more positive once we’ve actually shown we can beat a team in the top ten.

We’ve now beaten all 91 other current league clubs according to the adver journo, the only team to have done so. Which maybe isn’t as impressive as it sounds (I doubt arsenal have much opportunities to beat Salford and Forest Green for instance) but is a nice feather in the cap nonetheless

They have a lot of money.

We’ve now beaten all 91 other current league clubs according to the adver journo, the only team to have done so. Which maybe isn’t as impressive as it sounds (I doubt arsenal have much opportunities to beat Salford and Forest Green for instance) but is a nice feather in the cap nonetheless

They can have as much money as they like but with only 3500 gates max they are gonna struggle to fit any other players within the FFP cap.

It should be clarified that we've beaten all the others, but not necessarily in league games there's a few like ManU, Everton, Chelsea, Liverpool, only in cup games.

The stat was true last season, further we'd lost to all the others, as of last season, losing to Rochdale recently fucked us over on that.

They can have as much money as they like but with only 3500 gates max they are gonna struggle to fit any other players within the FFP cap.

It was true when we beat Fleetwood a few years ago.  I posted about it then ( I can't be arsed to find the post). A damn fine achievement.  If Bradford beat Salford they'll join us in the 91 club (maybe 90 for this year).

Edit: first posted about it 5 years ago.
http://thetownend.com/index.php?topic=55379.0

From what I understand wages are a maximum of 50% of turnover - which is why Bradford will struggle to recall Doyle on his full wages.

Most players take the money rather than the proposition.

Rooney from Aberdeen to non league Salford a great example.

True to an extent but not one of their players would get into our 1st XI so they clearly aren’t as attractive to the higher quality players as people thought. An older player looking for a pay day will probably be interested but to a more ambitious player playing in front of 1000 home fans probably isn’t that appealing.

I have seen much better referees than this character today.  I also understand that an unfortunate slip led to their equaliser and the penalty decision seemed harsh.  Yes I also feel their 3rd was just unlucky that we couldn;t clear it but....

Can't understand why we can't buy a win at home while away we play attractive passing football

these are better players than we have ever had but the entertainment factor is just not there

I really don't think we can complain too much about our 2-3 defeat as Swindon looked the more composed side of the two with their acurate slick passing and aerial dominance frustrating us throughout large parts of the afternoon. Adam Rooney gave us the perfect start with a successful penalty kick only for Swindon to capitalise on our hesitancy at the back with an equaliser just minutes later. I really can't remember us making any serious threat on the visitors goal for the remainder of the half as they appeared to grow in confidence. An encouraging start to the second half soon evaporated as we reverted back to hoofing the ball forwards, playing too many over hit passes and failing to take any advantage of any number of free kicks into the Swindon 18 yard box. A spell of some pressure came and went without any reward and while the visitors looked less threatening than they did in the first half two quick breaks saw them take the lead from the penalty spot after Liam Hogan - I think it was - was adjudged to have handled a cross in the area followed by the killer third after Chris Neal had made a double save only for it to be smashed in from point blank range. It was no more than the visitors deserved although Adam Rooney still found time to net a second penalty conversion on the stroke of full time after Brandon Asante had been adjudged to have been brought down after he had missed a great opportunity just two minutes earlier by firing wide when well placed. No complaints then about the result as the better team definitely won but I felt we didn't do ourselves any favours in the way we lumped the ball high and wide too many times and didn't win enough one on one battles where it mattered.

I’m happy to be a league 2 team, but I don’t see any evidence that we’re learning anything. Backing off all the time and this awful hoofball. I’d rather lose trying to play football than hoofing the ball

It was very dispiriting today to see another awful, pedestrian performance full of the long ball garbage.

currently the football is boring the pants off me.

They are a good team (Swindon). No doubt about it. They ran the midfield.

Swindon are clearly a very good side but I thought we could have approached the game much better

Swindon were faster, sharper and more creative. They could always find an unmarked man in acres of space. BUT, apart from Doughty, our players should be as good as theirs.

Their fans were excellent, best this season.

We had far too many players yesterday standing and watching, maybe in awe, at the Swindon players. That’s not about being outclassed, it’s about players just not doing their jobs.

55% in L2 and 60% in L1. But bear in mind that Bradford have an average crowd of almost double ours.

Alternative commentary...

https://twitter.com/JLLesterrr/status/1196045686778806275?s=19

Alternative commentary...

https://twitter.com/JLLesterrr/status/1196045686778806275?s=19

Alternative commentary...

https://twitter.com/JLLesterrr/status/1196045686778806275?s=19

So we take Salford apart with a 5-goal display of sublime football and still only get the standard 1 minute 30 seconds on Quest, but Forest Green's turgid 1-0 defeat to Plymouth gets a full 10-15 minutes. We sat there last night, just going "WTF? How are these highlights?"

So we take Salford apart with a 5-goal display of sublime football and still only get the standard 1 minute 30 seconds on Quest, but Forest Green's turgid 1-0 defeat to Plymouth gets a full 10-15 minutes. We sat there last night, just going "WTF? How are these highlights?"

I think that sort of thing is predetermined

I.e extra cameras sent there, possibly even the commentator as well

So we take Salford apart with a 5-goal display of sublime football and still only get the standard 1 minute 30 seconds on Quest, but Forest Green's turgid 1-0 defeat to Plymouth gets a full 10-15 minutes. We sat there last night, just going "WTF? How are these highlights?"

Looking at the league two fixtures, if you had to pick one to give extra coverage too it probably would've been that one as both teams are around the top 7.

No I wouldn't. I'd pick our fixture as we are clearly the best and most attractive team to watch. On the planet. FACT!

How do we get 2 points out of a game?

Just asking.

Seconded..

FGR are in danger of becoming the new Bmuff fairytale favourites!

They are, moneybags FGR who were paying Doidge £10k pw before selling him to Hibs so they could squeeze under the FFP rules after his move to Bolton fell through because Bolton are twats.

I am very happy to sit "under the radar".

This may be controversial, but if we can only afford one, Yates is the player I hope we can sign permanently - he is critical to our style of play, has the versatility to play up front or deeper, if Doyle has an injury or lean spell can score goals, plus he would fit the LP model of having longer term resale value (unlike Doyle and Grant who are 31 and 32 respectively.

Perspective is provided by the fact we're a point better off after 18 than under Flitcroft and we were 5th.

All joking aside, we are top of the League and there's regular headlines in mainstream football coverage (i.e. not just lower league anorak stuff) about the Ginger Pele. I think our "under the radar" period might have passed.

I concur.  Yates is a worker, scores a few goals ad can get better.

Let’s stay under the radar, accumulating points while we do so.
Excellent result on Saturday - let’s hope we can get two more this week and continue to build the momentum.

I know that it's Doyle getting all the credit at the moment but as a squad, we are really starting to form solid partnerships all over the field. At the back Fryers and Baudry have formed a good CB pairing, Hunt at RB is often involved in a lot of good work down the right. Lydon, Doughty and Grant are probably the best 3 midfield partnership in this league when on form and of course up from Yates and Doyle are a dream. He doesn't contribute goals but Kayne Woolery appears to have really found some form and his pace and direct running causes all kinds of problems. At the moment, there isn't really a weak link in the side. Confidence is oozing through the team, we are playing with a swagger, moving the ball quickly and creating lots of chance.

Long may it last!

And that’s when we’ve lost Conroy, Andersen and Isgrove to long term injuries! Tbh, I thought we’d struggle with those 3 out. We actually seem to be getting better!

Talking of Doyle (as we often do) is he the first Town striker ever to score in 6 consecutive matches for Swindon?

I don't remember there being another but I don't think Parkin, Paynter, Mayes, Rowland or Austin ever managed that IIRC.

Bobby Barnes did it, though he wasn't a striker as such.

Harry Morris did an 8 and a 9

Bobby Barnes did play an AMC game in the middle of that so yes consecutive league games he did but not consecutive games (which obviously wasn't what I stated).

Fleming did 6 consecutive matches but each included a cup game, Bobby Barnes did 6 league games but not 6 consecutive games.

How do we get 2 points out of a game?

Just asking.

But it's league games we're interested in.  We played an FL trophy game in the week, it wasn't taken seriously, therefore there's no way it should be included in any comparisons.  However you might want to do something on FL trophy games, llike who has scored most goals in it, who's scored in most consecutive FL trophy games etc.

Yes but it is still a "first team" fixture, like it or not, taken seriously or not it is still a 1st team game and has to be counted as such.

tbf, not in any meaningful sense. Like for example, having many actual 1st team players playing in it

Something else has not been mentioned (at least I haven't seen it mentioned) Saturday was the first time since March 2016 that we have won 4 consecutive league matches.

And also the first time that Richie Wellens has ever been in charge of a team to have won 4 consecutive league matches in his managerial career.

According to your reckoning that should only be 3 as we lost to Wovers in the week.

No if you actually read what I wrote I stated 4 consecutive league matches, please don't change what I wrote for your own argument when I never wrote that.

It really is a bad habit of yours to twist posts to suit your own arguments.

Please don't be an idiot when a lot of what you post makes sense but to deliberatly ignore things, thats not on.

There was a very pleasant week of sunshine in about mid September, I remember walking up on the Ridgeway nr Wayland's Smithy.

I'd arranged a walk with a ladyfriend for the following week, she doesn't like rain, grey skies etc, but will do snow and ice; still waiting, it has rained or been grey just about every day since.  :badmood:

You argued that FL trophy games were first team fixtures, therefore couldn't be ignored. Fair enough if you append "league" games, but my line that when we're talking about Doyle scoring in 6 consecutve league games, then Bobby Barnes matched that..... you suggested in some way because of an EFL game he didn't.

It would have been quite easy to say.... yes Doyle has matched Barnes.

The important thing is we've got Pele, the ginger Pele...

Shame he can't play tomorrow TBH, I think we would easily beat Numb if he did play.

The change in system will not be to our advantage as we don't have a like for like replacement for Doyle who leads the line so well and his goal poaching instinct is amazing.

Shame he can't play tomorrow TBH, I think we would easily beat Numb if he did play.

The change in system will not be to our advantage as we don't have a like for like replacement for Doyle who leads the line so well and his goal poaching instinct is amazing.

I think we will probably push Woolery up front again or keep him wide right and play DJ as wide man more on the left.

So a similar line up to the away game last week but possibly without Donohue and Iandolo playing instead, as long as Rose is fit enough as he only played 2 mins at the weekend after going off vs Rovers.

Yates pushed up front and DJ wide left which suits him more than wide right but still being flexible so he can swap to the right if needed.

and he scares the shit out of slow lumbering defenders, like Salfords werem you could see them panic when he got close to the ball.

Probably had cars parked behind the stand and were worried he might hit them?  ;) :D

Shame he can't play tomorrow TBH, I think we would easily beat Numb if he did play.

The change in system will not be to our advantage as we don't have a like for like replacement for Doyle who leads the line so well and his goal poaching instinct is amazing.

but regarding the system and formation changes this can work to our advantage as the Numb would have no idea how we intend to play

I think it’ll be the same bar Donohue as you say.
One thing that seems to have been glossed over is Woolery was in the league 2 team of the week and seems to be finally starting up progress. He was involved in 2 of our goals on Saturday and should have been a third if Doyle hadn’t missed a sitter, just needs to start finishing more chances. I think it’ll be a front 3 or one depending on if you see Woolery & DJ as forwards or Yates as a lone striker in this formation.

Looking at the highlights I actually think Woolery should have gone on alone and shot as he had a free run in on goal

Woolery was excellent on Saturday he has really grabbed the chance since Isgrove got injured, as ou say his finishing is poor but his crossing is improving, the set up for Doyle on Saturday was very unselfish and should have resulted in a goal.

Hes not quite reached the level of improvement that Naderson has but hes getting better each game and he scares the shit out of slow lumbering defenders, like Salfords werem you could see them panic when he got close to the ball.

He probably should have but his pass to an unmarked Doyle was perfect and very unselfish, a poor miss from Doyle in the end.

They played us just last week and we didn't have Doyle.

If he was a finisher he'd be worth a few million.

May be of interest to some

https://totalfootballanalysis.com/match-analysis/efl-league-two-2019-20-salford-city-vs-swindon-town-tactical-analysis-tactics

Thanks Audrey, interesting read that (although the English is a bit awkward at times)

He can't help it, hes picked up Greek in the time he has bene over there....oh you mean the article :)

Thanks Audrey, interesting read that (although the English is a bit awkward at times)