Thetownend.com

Thought I’d give it a whirl this time.

Play like last week and we’ll get nailed good and proper.

Play like we did first half at Posh and we’ll win. We’re already getting slagged on their forum with comments like

‘Swindon fucking Town, ffs’ and ‘We should be battering clubs like this’.

Probably explains their frustrations at having 3 seasons of not battering clubs like us.

They have injury problems too, with both regular CBs out. We’ve got Caddis back which pushes young Stevens into where he should be playing. Odimayo is back fit as well.

I expect a draw but not surprised at a win - 3/1 to win at home with Skybet!

Like they battered us in 1990?  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: They are rightfully in this league.

They never mention 1991 when we best them 5-3 either :pint:

I've got a bad feeling about this

I expect them to be physical and well drilled and a tough nut to crack

We should be battering the likes of Sunderland.

Always bitter at being in Newcastle's shadow. Horrible club.

That said we'll do well to get anything from the game.

They haven't been the same since they lost the Roker roar or when Marco Gabiadini left😁

Again, I am sad to say that this has away win written all over it.

Hope not as we got two tricky away games coming up

Wannabe Geordies.
We’ll beat them.

Some of their fans seem pretty decent to be fair
https://www.readytogo.net/smb/threads/swindon-away-98%E2%80%99-memories.1530544/

Nahh, we'll piss this.

3 points please.

Not confident, but it's still what I want. Or at least an improvement at the back, and getting back to be good going forward again.

The has been Accrington Stanley of the North East. Home win.

Any news on Palmer and why does everything go to the last few hours of deadline day when they've had weeks to do business🤔

And Middlesbrough's to be fair.

2-1 win, Caddis & J.Smith

Sad all over?

Haway the lads

Just to pick up on that Mackems are far from wannabe Geordies, they hate Geordies as much as Newcastle natives hate them. Its the hinterland area that tends to try to be Geordies when they aren't, got a mate from Washington who claims to be a Geordie, hates it when I confirm he is a Mackem, he's a good lad though!

We are gonna ship at least 3 so unless we discover how to hit a cows arse with a banjo we are fucked, followed by a Wellens interview moaning about lack of bodies and the injury prone players he signed mysteriously being injured! 

Knew some Mackems at university and can confirm that they have little regard for 'geordie twats'.

I’m well aware, which is why I said it.

Caddis training this morning.

I think we'll have a good response to last week and be bouyed by some late signings. I also think having Tyler up top will give us much more energy in the press, as well some genuine movement. Will be a seriously tough game, but think a score draw.

If we have a fit RB, it's a big call to pick three from four behind the striker. Time for a big performance from J Smith I think - flattered to deceive in the league, and could miss out to Stevens tomorrow.

I'd also love to see Grounds and Akin, not Baudry, but won't happen.

               Kovar
Caddis AO Grounds Donohue
         Grant Smith
Stevens   Payne      DJ
              Smith

1-1

Sunderland are aguably the biggest team in L1 this season (and last season) the best ground, the highest average support(30,000), the most FA cup wins (2x) and league title wins (6x) the club do have a massive history and are hugely underachieving.

Between the teams in recent years (since 1989) we have had 3 defeats in the last 12 game between the sides with us winning 5 and 4 ending as draws.

Overall We have beaten Sunderland 9 times, 6 have been draws and 13 defeats with us scoring 34 times and them 49.

But in home games vs the Mackems we have the upper hand with 7 wins, 3 draws and 3 defeats in the 13 competitive games between the teams, us scoring 21 times and conceding 14. The last meeting at the CG being a 1-1 draw in 1998 with Onoura scoring for the Town.

Sunderland have started the season fairly strongly with 2 wins and 2 draws in the first 4 league games, draws vs Bristol Rovers and Charlton and wins vs Peterborough and the Pox, scoring 4 goals and conceding just 1 in the process.

There are no players with a Swindon connection in the Sunderland side and no Swindon players with a Sunderland connection either. The only connectiong being our beloved owner LP played 3 games on loan for Sunderland back in 1993.

Phil Parkinson prefers to play a direct long ball game as opposed to Swindons passing style, getting the ball forwards quickly and relying on a very strong packed defence normally with 5 accross the back, something many Sunderland fans don't seem too keen on reading their forum. Normally a 532 or 541 but with wingbacks.

Some of the memorable games vs Sunderland over the years.

Swindon 4-1 Sunderland in 89.
https://youtu.be/TRZ8Hw3n-Yg

Swindon 5-3 Sunderland in 91.
https://youtu.be/8d_KDj_ZHHA

THE Wembley final Swindon 1-0 Sunderland when we mullered them.
https://youtu.be/gobMS5_6OGE

Plus our only win up in the North courtesy of Zippys winning goal.
https://youtu.be/FQAR2i7p96U

I think we will go with

                     Kovar
Caddis   Odimayo   Grounds    Donohue
         Grant        M Smith
Stevens          Payne          J Smith
              Smith

I have a feeling DJ will miss out on a starting slot.

Swindon 1-2 Sunderland

Annie Martin doesn't seem to be a regular starter for the women's team either, the curse of TEF sponsorship strikes again!

We signing Grant Smith PP? ;)

Went to all of those JJ, some of my all time favourite games there. All classics for different reasons...

Absolutely mate, I was at all of them too, a real high point in supporting the Town, at heights we may never achieve again, but we all hope.

Couldn’t be more wrong.
Superb loyal fans, detest the Black and Whites like our hatred of the Pox.
After that 1990 game their Supporters were absolutely magnificent. Love the NE like, real people and real passion regarding their football clubs.

You are all way behind the Swindon related A - Z thread:

"S is for Sunderland.

Bryan Wade's swivel at the Town End in the League Cup.

The 1-0 annihilation at Wembley.

5-3 goal fest at the CG."

Yes, there fans were amazing in 1990, far more gracious in (totally comprehensive) defeat than I could have been if I'm honest...

Spot on.
If he is a Washy lad then a Mackem he is.
Can’t be a Skunk from Washington :)

Love the NE.
My favourite region in the Country and spent many weekends up there as a single lad.
Quite unbelievable. Mind you Football was mainly involving Hartlepool or Darlo.
Getting smashed 5-0 by Gazza and Newcastle a long way home.

I know you shouldn’t generalise but they are in the main decent people.
Never had any trouble up there and if you don’t act a cock you are always made welcome.
Sadly they would have sold their allocation tomorrow.

Cannot stand Sunderland.
My old geography teacher aside, their fans are twats.
Chuffed to bits when they got relegated in 91.

and... and... I'll tell you, honestly, I will love it if we beat them, love it!

How did their fans treat PDC during & after his tenure there?

Oh good. Sunderland beefing up their defence ahead of tomorrow.


I wonder what is the smallest club ever to be called "massive" by an incoming player.

"I'm delighted to be joining Forest Green. They're a massive..." oh fuck off.

Very good signing that. Liked him last year when I saw him for Cardiff.

Haha! Yeah, I do smile inwardly when our new signings describe us as 'massive'...Joel Grant being the latest...it's all relative I suppose...still funny though  :)

Sunderland are this season's Leeds aren't they?

A club of their size and stature should be up there with the likes of Leicester, Sheffield Utd, Wolves, Southampton and Palace etc

Leeds were that season's Leeds for a few seasons.

3-0 then   :)

FUCK YEAH!

Hope that's the full time score and not half time only!

It's games like this where home advantage would usually be a factor. They'd bring a decent number down, we'd sell more than usual and the players would be well up for it.

I think the lack of fans in grounds is really starting to impact on players in general, there's no one to pick them up or to castigate them and everything looks and feels a bit like a training match that doesn't really matter. I reckon this is part of what is winding Wellens up, it's just not really football is it.

Looking at their squad and given our defensive issues I'd expect us to get rolled over today. I'd be very happy with a point but I'm optimistically going for a 0-2 defeat. That will teach me for finding "Sunderland till I die" so funny.

You're right. They're all just barely glorified pre season games at this point and interest is defo starting to be lost.

Loss 0-3

Can’t see past a loss here really...still going to watch it with a hint of optimism though..

Yep, I cant see past a defeat with no new signings on deadline day and so many injuries. its not being defeatest its being a realist.

I always watch with an element of optimism. Who knows they could have a massive off day and we just click and thrash them.......maybe....

Negative Nancies.

3-0 win.

FUCK YEAH!

I truly think even if we had signed just 1 new player on deadline day that I would have had some more optimism. I just think we are struggling fitness wise not neccesarily quality wise, and our defence scare me, its the Kevin Keegan school of football.

Change of formation I hear......

Is Johnny match fit now

At the risk of upsetting the neighbours, I miss being able to celebrate a goal properly.

We have quality going forward.
Just need to take the chances when they come and defend properly.
Phil Parkinson has won 5 of 19 league games when managing against us so I'm sure that he'll be shitting himself on the quiet.

We're gonna get pumped.

Every goal, any moment where I shout about the ref, my other half moans at me and tells me to calm down. She now disappears off upstairs when it's on. Kids don't want to sit and watch the games either.

I think that is exactly what we will go with. But I think that Sunderland are probably better at the back than what we have seen thus far. I think it may well be 0-2.

He is getting there, probably about 80%, bear in mind he was in L2 and they never played for 4 months, so match fitness was the issue as he generally is a fitness freak anyway and eats the right food and doesnt really drink.  :toocool: :D :D

Cheers for the update

Slightly off topic, I’d better make use of my BT subscription and watch scouse v scouse at the scouse stadium in infected scouseville.

Same here with that also scouse McManaman droning on and don't know why they can't play the game in Stanley park so dog walkers could enjoy 😁

We’re 10/3 underdogs at home. Can’t even think of the last time we’d have been that unflavoured at home

I fancey us to win 2-1 today  but going behind first.

Although I personally don't fancy us getting a result I have a feeling those odds are based more upon the huge Sunderland fans backing them knocking their odds right down and nudging ours up.

Lets face it they have an average home crowd of over 4 times ours so it makes sence that they have 4 times the amount of people backing them as they usually have a very confident and mostly optimistic fan base.

Let's hope Sunderland play in the traditional parky dull as dishwater way to give our defence an easy afternoon

They do play a long ball set peice biased game with a very strong back 5.

If you take them lightly they will thrash you as they did Villa youngsters a few weeks back, almost every one of the 8 goals they put past Villa are goals we have conceded similar so far this season, they look a huge threat with many high crosses into the box.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0beVAgfXu8

That is my concern it could end up men against boys as they will be a big physically strong team

Not going to watch today, think I’ll watch the game on Tuesday instead and go for a long walk/cycle around the wild Atlantic Way instead. Not too confident today about getting a result so to come back to a non-defeat would be lovely.

Where is Atlantic way

Donegal isn't it?

Yes spot on!! I had an idea but was too lazy to google

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ekha63WWkAM3cga?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)

3 at the back with Hunt and Donohue as wingbacks by the look of it.

Or trying Odimayo as a defensive mid as that’s where he came on last week.

He came on right back last week?

He seemed to spend much of his time in the centre, it certainly didn’t look like he was in the back line.

Quite like that team in the circumstances, assuming it is wing backs. A bit England-esque, albeit with fewer right backs.

I would think thats definately a 5 at the back with 2 wingbacks, same line up as Sunderland play so maybe picked to counter their line up.

If it is a back 5 gotta hope this one of those moments where we stumble across a formation that works.

It will definately mean that we will try and play them on the counter with both our wingers on the bench, but if it doesn't work then we have options off the bench at least to change to plan A from plan B.

343. Southgate-esque. Back three with two deep midfielders should give real solidity.

Surprised in the shape that he's gone with DJ and Payne. Expect big things off the bench from Smith and Stevens.

Carnage!

Good news on Hunt. Was worried he was facing a long injury lay off.

Some great comments from Sunderland fans on seeing their line up.

Ffs, fucking Wyke, Might as well punch the TV now, I’ll be asleep before HT.

Yeah lots of their fans seem to hate Charlie Wkye, he has a cracking scoring record of around 1 goal every 3 games in his 270 game career though.

Yeah, they hate him - and most of the others too, tbf.

‘McLaughlin and Wyke FFS. Utter dog shit team selection.’

Always the problem when you are a massive club, which they are, that have fallen on hard times and not won promotion back in the first season in L1. The expectation is huge on their players and manager.

They are in this league because they weren't good enough over the last few seasons.

Can't see past a defeat, but still got my tenner on at 7/2, stranger things happen  .........
Come on you Reds.

Yep, no expectations today but plenty of hope. COYR.

They’re not too keen on Parkinson, either

‘Unless your lads can generate a bit excitement the only issue you will have is keeping your eyes open mate. Sideways,, backwards, hoof. Parky ball. You should get a laugh at our centre forward though.’

‘Hew Parky. FUCK OFF BACK TO JURASSIC PARK you massive kernt.

feel slightly better now... 😂’

Fuck off back to Jurassic Park :D

Anyone else find it really hard watching us on TV?

This isn't a private conversation. Why give the opposition an insight into how we might play.

It BUGGERS belief.

I am pretty sure that Phil Parkinson doesn't read the opposition fans forums for tactics tips! :D and even more so an hour before KO!

great day thus far.

missed Scouse derby because Mrs B tyre failed. the bastard was showing metal on the inside edge .. obviously she can't be trusted to check them.


then the locking wheel nut wouldn't come off.

not knowing and with wheel stuck I tried tyre weld which pissed out there and onto the floor.

then I felt tyre and cut finger on tyre metal

then I dropped the locking wheel nut socket down a drain.


then I retrieved wheel nut socket by lifting said drain and inserting hand into 6 inches of shitty water

then we called breakdown, who to be fair were out within 30 minutes. we were told an hour and so has gone home to feed kids. luckily it happened 7 minutes from home. 5 if you ignore speed limits.

then breakdown removed locking wheel nut with some screw grab and a mallet within about 4 minutes.

based on that 0-4.

Early doors but I think we have a new and significantly less good camera operator.

Chance for Sunderland, deflected wide for a corner to them.

Their number 5 Bailey Wright is a fucking huge lump in their defence.

Another corner to them already.

Why is it so zoomed in?

Wasn't he captain of the Preston side that did us at Wembley?

Odimayo good long ball to Tyler who wins a throw in under pressure.

I think you are right yes.

Odimayo has pace. Seem to be under the kosh at the moment. Grounds looks like a good acquisition.

Odimayo has started very well.

Good move by Town, nice play by Tyler and DJ but they couldnt find a way through a packed defence.

Think I'm getting travel sick watching this stream, the zooming in and out is incessant

Good attacking play by DOnohue gets in a low cross but its cleared.

Its awful.

Better last 5 minutes from Town, after a nervy start

We are struggling to get grips with the different formation, slowly creeping back into the game now though.

yup. wank

Is Wellens in the stand? He aint on the bench

I liked Donahue knocking it past the fullback and running round him. Promising.

Good play by DJ to Tyler but its a bit short.

Hunt and Donohue are playing nearer to wingers than wingbacks.

Did I imagine it, or did he get sent off at the end of the Boycott game against Exeter?

I’ve put Sunderland in my accumulator which pretty much guarantees they won’t win.

It’s working wonders for Barnsley and Wycombe so far

I doubt it as he was serving a touchline ban in that game after being sent off in the Wimbledon game!

He was sent off at the end of the Posh game and served his touchline ban for the Exeter game. Wellens often watches games from the stands 1st half.

Only had a ban for the EFL trophy game

Feels like a cup tie against higher league opposition.

Sunderland CB down injured after an innocuous challenge by DJ.

Easy take by Kovar froma long free kick. Followed by poor distibution.

Oh yeah. Forgot which game. Gobby Manc in ref tangle shocker.

The wanker Maguire down again! :D

Maguire getting clubbed. haha.

Shame about the yellow

Kind interpretation.

Donahue yellow for clogging him again!

Kovar nearly caught off his line but he scrambles it past the post.

kovar... fucking hell he's a nervous Nelly

Bloody hell Kovar!

Positioning!!!!!!

That was a decent save.

Sunderland taking off the injured defender and bringing on a striker.

Really? You don't think the shot from the half way line came because he was too far off his line? Desperate reach up and just managed to put it wide.

Then from the corner we luckily scramble it away when the ball bounces round the 6 yard box.

Not great defending.

Another corner to them.

I thought he had a right to be where he was to come for an interception. It was a clever idea, and Leadbetter has a proper boot on him.

Donahue looking nearly like he did last year going forward.

Fair enough.

We have definately set up far more defensive today than we have for a long time. Trouble is this leaves Tyler up front on his own chasing lofted hoofs.

Free kick 30 yards out for Town, Matt Smith fouled.

Decent header by Odimayo in their box from Paynes FK but the ball wouldnt fall for a Town player.

Grant down, he took a knock in his tackle.

Awful pass by Baudry puts us into trouble, Grant saved him though.

Baudry putting us in trouble again.

Baudrys first mistake pits us under pressure again

Kovar claims the cross but he didnt want to come for it.

Didn't look convincing on the cross....but saved it.

Tyler Smith going to earn his corn today.

I don't think he wil last the full 90 mins.

0-1 unmarked

What the everloving fuck was that.

He'd have had less space at a penalty.

for fucks sake. absolute dogshit

How the fuck was Baudry not on him, he was 5 yards away from his marker Baudry totally unmarked.

Looked like Baudry was taking a shit.

There we go! Five sodding defenders leaving the number 9 in acres of room. Stupid mistake again from Baudry.

Baudry just basically stood there and watched... bizarre

Probably THE worst goal we have conceded this season so far.

That’s got to be one of the worst goals we’ve ever conceded.

He had the penalty area to himself.

Very solid and disciplined opening 35 mins set on fire by Baudry. Again.

Awful.

Really angry about that.

Goalie at fault for the goal.

He was so far ahead of our defence and with the camera zoomed right in I was fully expecting the offside flag to go up, but alas it didn't.

No......But he was rooted to his line.

I glanced up to see the goal go in and assumed he must have been a mile offside to have that much space.

You really can't overstate how unbelievably bad that goal was...

I’m sorry but the keeper should have seen that coming from the halfway line 🤣🤣🤣🤣

That’s a ridiculous view, even by your standards.

I fear with this more defensive formation we have today that we won't create enough chances to grab a goal, we miss Stevens and Jonny Smith.

At some point we are going to have to try a back four with Grounds and Odimayo at CB. Baudry is just not in any kind of form or quite possibly just isn’t up to it.

I mean, if you’re going to sacrifice your attacking threat but still make the same defensive cock ups, what’s the fucking point.

We look very poor all over the pitch.

Football isn’t your thing is it? That’s ok there probably another sport out there you might understand

Even with three central defenders we've conceded a dogshit goal, imagine the cricket score if it was just the two back there...

It's a shame because the system change actually did seem to be working in restricting them, but if you're going to try and play defensively individual mistakes are absolute killers.

Needless foul by Baudry just outside the box.

He's having another mare. Dunno what's happened with him.

HT 0-1
Poor.

This

Other than one massive brain freeze our tactics have pretty worked as planned from defensive perspective

No, he's trying to be a clever fucker by being sarcastic. He's trying to say that I always criticise Kovar, no matter what.

I would take the risk and sacrifice Baudry and Hunt/Donohue and bring on Stevens and J Smith and go 451.

We just arent creating enough chances.

Nothing wrong with the performance if we were intending to contain and try to knick it on the break, but that doesn't work when your captain and CB is a walking disaster.

Get him off. Get Stevens or Smith in and go back to 4231. No point trying to hang on to a 0-1.

Frustrating half because, other than one moment, that went exactly to a fairly clear plan. Unfortunately that moment means we need to change the plan entirely for the second half. Over to Wellens.

For me, Baudry off, Odimayo CB, Hunt RB, Stevens/Johnny to the wing. Need to play differently now.

Ahh i see, you never can tell with him, he’s a bit of a dense fella

Almost every negative in the last 2 games has come from Baudry

Some half time ska: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9v0-NPIXrtE

well that was shit.

melodramatic, but we will do well to maintain our l1 place based on the last few outings. we do have players to come back I suppose

I'd also hook Baudry.  He has been a liability in every game so far, not sure why because it all seems to be concentration as opposed to ability and he's old enough to sort that out.  No idea if the Covid situation has messed a few players up though.  Several mistakes by him already, and a very costly one.

The formation has surrendered the control of the game, but if you can't legislate for mistakes you may as well abandon that idea and try and at least cause them some problems in the second half.

This isn't a dig at Kovar but this is a really tough defence for him to develop in. He's not ready as a number one with such a shaky defence. I would happily have him as a number two and gradually bring him in. Town should have retained or tried to retain LMc, his experience would help right now (or similar). People can harp on about Town's style needing a ball playing keeper but surely all that becomes fairly useless if you aren't getting the freedom to play the passing game as a keeper too often?!

He's now getting pressured continually as in a somewhat weak defence. Signing two young keepers was always seemingly bizarre but for sure, Kovar had recommendations. It now seems that these recommendations have been slightly over exasperated. Having two young keepers is suicide and RW has got to own up to getting this wrong.

It actually isn't fair on the lad Kovar because he clearly isn't ready to step up just yet. I want him to; I want him prove all the bashers wrong because there probably is a bloody decent keeper in there but Town are ruining him.

At the minute, the only way Town can generally win matches is by outscoring the opposition. Pretty much going to concede every game.

On a slightly positive note, if you fancy Town to turn it around...they are 20/1

I think his legs have gone and he's trying to be clever to give himself an extra yard all the time and it's constantly back firing.

Awful and unnecessary goal to concede. Might as well roll the dice now, we could play all day and not score in the current set up.

Tyler Smith needs some support further up the pitch, we need to press higher and try and put them on the back foot.

No surprises, Sunderland better side the more powerful better at keeping and working the ball, better off the ball running.

One bad mistake ruins a good plan to make us more secure. Unfortunately formation gives Sunderland a lot of the ball

Promoted div 2 team against solid league one team with championship experienced players.

Change the formation or hope for a lucky break. Big choice for Ritchie.

There were some bright points. I thought Donahue looked as if he is getting back up to speed. Grounds looks solid. Odimayo playing well.

Shame we have to set up like that at home. But seeing how big and strong Sunderland are, it could have been embarrassing if we'd played like the last couple of weeks.

Before conceding, I was wondering if we would stick with the same formation for the 90 mins in the hope of a 0-0 or whether the plan was to keep it 0-0 at half time then go for it later on.

Think I might be in inclined to stay with the same 11 for the first 15 mins then look to bring Stevens and Smith on for the last 30 mins.

Baudry had just as many mistakes in him last season but they are just being punished more this season given the step up. Early days but he doesn’t look like a League 1 defender.


We’ve paid Sunderland a lot of respect so far and are devoid of any creativity as a result. I agree with the calls to introduce Stevens and Smith to have a right go at this.

Take off Bad-ry, bring the wingers on and try to outscore them. We don't have a defence capable of keeping a clean sheet at the moment.

The perfect storm Bamboo....an rookie ‘keeper and bumbling backline.

I expect finances dictated that recruitment didn’t see an experienced GK signed.

We did try and retain LMac, and then we did try and get an experienced keeper in, but neither came off. Best laid plans and all that.

Wonder how many trainers Doughty has sold?

It has to say something when Donohue, Grounds and Odimayo have played well enough only to be undone by Baudry. Grant struggling to impose himself in L1. Matt Smith playing well too. Feel sorry for Tyler Smith with zero service.

McCormick is injured and practically retired so fat lot of use he would have been, his shoulder has been fucked for years.

Well the one I’ve done is in County Mayo. We’re in Achill Island, stunning part of the world!

That's the point I've tried to make. With this defence you need someone who is going to pull of a worldy or two and Marshall them. Kovar isn't ready to do that....yet (perhaps).

With Kovar, I don't think he'll have been exposed to so much aerial stuff coming into the box in the youth set-up at Man Utd.  He looks a bit bemused as to how to handle it right now.  He'll learn, the problem is that having a wobbly defence in front of him just exposes the frailties.

While we generally contained them, it still befuddles me how our full backs allow players to wander around them - with a back five you can spread quite wide and use the touchline.  It's all down to being switched on, and we certainly seem to have come back from the long break with a blinking concentration switch.  On and Off all the time.

Agree with this. I'd keep it tight until the hour and hope that we can make some chances. We're doing ok on the right with Payne and Hunt, but DJ needs to get much more in the game to drive us forward on the left. If we're not getting any more joy, hook DJ and Payne or Grant, introduce the pace of Jonny and Stevens down the sides, and add Hope to go two in the middle.

Edit: so I'm wrong - he's going for it straight away. This will be interesting. Could be carnage!  :headhurts:

Wellens disagrees with you and agrees with me! :D

Stevens and J Smith on for Hunt and DJ.

DJ has gone off the boil recently hope there's nothing gone on behind the scenes

There is, we sponsored him.

Jinxed then  :no:

Baudry gives away a corner.

Free header at the far but he pushed Odimayo.

He’s playing at League 1 level for the first time in his career and is adapting to the step up in a mis-firing team.

I don’t know why the go to view is an off the field issue....

Payne dives in the box, close to a pen but not quite.

Well that was basically the penalty Caddis gave away last week.

Payne felled in the area! Penalty not given!!!

Either a penalty or a dive. No yellow so how's that not given?

We have not been given any penalty decisions so far this season but have had a couple go against us.

Bizarrely no replay shown but looked a stone wall pen on first view. 

Nice move by J Smith, Payne and Stevens but just a bit too far from Stevens in the box.

Wellens is going to get sent off again isnt he

My first reaction was it was a dive as it looked flamboyant and exaggerated but I would like to see it again.

Two excellent crosses come to nothing there, one from each side.

slightly better tempo so far

:nod:

Lovely cross from Donahue. Scuffed shot from M Smith.

We look far more comfortable playing with 2 out and out wingers again.

Much improved here. Come on Town.

Burge blasts it at Smith. Nearly rebounds in.

Stevens pace causing problems. Wasted chance.

Hope coming on

Penalty to them FFS.

WHY DIVE IN THERE FOR FUCKS SAKE

fuck it

FFS!

Make that 3 against us now.

Didn’t Grounds get that ball cleanly?

0-2

Great counter attack from Sunderland to be fair, but man going sideway across the box just need shepherding not a dive in. Is that a third penalty we've conceded this season?

Crapski

No

Tyler off for Hope.

Ridiculous, poor final pass at one end leads to them going straight up the other end 2 on two, stupid challenge in the box, game over

Trouble is that you dive in and the striker dives then it's a penalty.....Unless we do it!

See Above ;)

Hope on, expectation off.

Fucking joke.

Meh. Avoiding financial oblivion is the ultimate objective this season, I'm still struggling to get worked up about the on the pitch stuff.

Errr, noooo. Don’t flatter yourself buster. It’s not all about you. It was a swipe at those who think, say, feel that our No.1 keeper is not up to it. HTH.

so Northampton away then....

Payne fouled 35 yards out.

Header just wide by Grounds.

Great delivery on that free kick from Payne.

Payne fouled 3 times but ref plays advantage then gives free kick in worst position for us!

Great free kick and Grounds unlucky not to score.

We're still in this.....Or could lose by 3 or 4!

When I said three nil, I meant to us  ::)

Gonna be a long season

J Smith fouled 35 yards out.

I quite like Odimayo....

Stevens takes a wild shot from 30 yards, high and wide.

Poor free kick. Wasted shot by Stevens. Should have crossed.

Hes looking our best defender, growing in confidence every game he plays after a slow start to his career vs Charlton.

Donohue’s got a lovely touch at times.

And one of a rapist at others...More of the former today.

Definately Donohues best game since his return, he still doesnt look fully match fit yet though. Put a few good passes in today.

Worryingly Grant now looks like he hasn't got it at this level any more  :(

I'd start him over Baudry now to be honest.

I agree.

Grounds a natural left footer and Odimayo a natural right footer alongside in the CB pairing.

We’re shot shy.

Just realised...is the Pit Pony injured?

We have been in the last 2 games, trying to walk it in instead of actually shooting.

So much for us creating so many chances any old striker would fill his boots.

This. So very much this. To add to our midfield problems.

He could bully league 2. He cant in this league and he is relatively poor on the ball which doesn't help us at all. M Smith is the only short pass for the midfield.

I think you could be onto something there.

Out for a month

Kovar does struggle to take a clean catch.

Stevens looking a long way off a Premiership player. So many mistakes.

Town have played a totally different system today. When you start with five at the back the emphasis is always going to be on defence and nicking something on the counter attack. Not a lot Tyler could've done today.

Town started off well (as we seem to do quite a bit), nearly a whole half. Get to HT and who knows but Sunderland unpicked Town with a free gift akin to Tom Champagne; another penalty which ended the game.

Tactically Wellens got it wrong today, overt the period of the match. Tried to change it up but 0-2 is always going to be difficult to draw back against.

Matt Smith booked for mouthing off to the ref.

Ta :)

We created fuck all v Wombles

this has not been enjoyable

Neither did they! That wasn't even a football match lolz

Very one-eyed reffing here.

What the fuck is up with this ref.

Referee making a bit of a twat of himself now, and Grounds booked for making that point.

I'm sure somebody else has already made the joke, but not the first time we've had problems with a Ben Toner etc. etc. and so on.

Just let their guy run off with the ball when it was our free kick and not even a threat of a booking.

Odimayo wins a corner.

Yep unbelievable reffing.

Out for s month groin injury doing his laces up😁

I think it’s been quite a decent game. Our heads have never gone down. Some encouraging performances.

Certainly didn't do it pressing or making a run...

Jonny Smith looks so good when he runs down the wing. But seems to cut inside far to much and run or pass into trouble.

Tend to agree, we've looked a fair bit better than vs Wimbledon. Not much luck and a few horror moments but not an irredeemable performance by any means.

I do hope we properly go for it against Northampton.

Agreed, really frustrating but a result to be expected and some good signs for sure.

Donahue, Odimayo, Payne, Matt and Jonny Smith all look comfortable at this level.

We need to get back into the winning habit and the next few weeks will be massive in shaping the rest of the season but we should be ok

Great ball from Matt Smith, looked like Hope was fouled after getting the shot away too?

I agree, we havent been awful we have been undone by one of the worst goals I have seen us concede in years and a penalty, if we were given the penalty for the foul on Payne at 1-0 it could easily have been a different outcome.

This is the 1st time we have suffered 3 consecutive league defeats since the last 3 games of April 2017 when we were relegated from L1.

FT 0-2

Hallam Hope chance. That is the difference between L1 and L2 striker. It's also what we would want from a keeper

Well, disappointing but not too disheartening. There's still a good side in this lot, just not much luck and a few individual moments of disaster there.

Big game on Tuesday.

Donohue is looking good, naturally takes a few games having not played for so long.

Surprised we have Odimayo at RB rather than the two RB's we have. Circumstance of shape change i guess  and to keep more aerial competition defensively.

Stevens came as a midfielder i would like to see that tried in a game to allow us to play the 4-3-3.

Payne behind Pitman looked our best outlet. Paynes running and legs to cover for Pitman, but Pitman offering more of a presence up there. Nor sure Payne supporting Smith works the same way.

I would like to see something like.

Hunt Baudry Grounds Donohue
              Grant
      Stevens    M Smith
DJ                            J Smith
             T Smith

Decent in the second half.
Mistakes are costing us.
The ref's a cunt.

This crap run of form is destined to end when we least expected it right? Away at Oxford? Please...please...

Stevens prefered position is winger, he said so himself. And Odimayo is only at RB because Hunt is carrying a back injury (was suspected as a stress fracture) and Caddis is still unfit.

was better in the second half, but we didn't really create much.  Hope should have scored though.

Sunderland obviously are strong at the back. And it was fairly routine for them imo.

disappointed

Decent side Sunderland helped by a very biased ref.  Much better second half from Town

I think Sunderland always had enough to beat us today, but, if it wasn't for the complete brain fade from Baudry and then Grounds being far too quick to dive in, who knows.  The second half was a pretty even game, we certainly do not look out of our depth and against lesser teams we create a fair bit still.  How to stop the stupidity though?

Donohue and Smith down the left should be our go to for as many games as we can make it happen.  Smith is a bit hit and miss, but looks very good when he is a hit.  Donohue grew into the game today - always looked a threat but really looked comfortable second half.  The right side needs a fit Caddis or Hunt.  M Smith looks classy, Grant looking a bit leggy at this level though.  Overall, there are still positives.

Kovar - Nothing he could do for the goals.
Donahue - Best performance so far
Grounds  - Solid. One mistake for penalty. Unlucky not to score.
Baudry - Performance littered with mistakes.
Odimayo - My MOTM. Played well. Did nowt wrong.
Hunt - Did ok. Wasn't poor but sacrificed for creativity.
Grant - Breaks up play but offers nothing else.
MSmith - Played well but passing a bit off today.
T Smith - Ran his socks off
DJ - Surprised he went off. Inconsistent but wouldn't have sacrificed.
Stevens - Pace but poor touch, passing and shooting
J Smith - Looks tricky. Better when going outside. Runs inside into trouble and seems to blast the ball at people.
Hope - Offered none! Should have done better when clean through.

Ref in favour of the big club shocker.

Lyden for Grant when fit?

Odimayo for Baudry now

No mention for motm Payne (for me anyway). ;)

Ooops!
Payne - Tried hard. Couple of great deliveries and mazy runs. But ran into trouble in the box time and again. Buzzed around often with little success.

Tommy Wright doing the post match..

Yep not impressed with Wellens shirking Friday and now post match.

Perhaps he has Salford a lot on his mind

he's got a headache (Wellens)

He’s acting very odd at the moment...

Wright (rather than Wellans)
- How frustrating? Sunderland more organised and street wise
- Gave bad goal away
- Better second half
- Young players need a bit of help from seniors
- Sunderland have a lot of top players
- First half defended well but we werent a threat
- Wide players gave us a bigger threat
- Penalty was disappointing
- Everyione disappointed, but a lot of positives
- Hunt had a sore back
- DJ wasnt working for him, but he'll come right
- Ongoing occurrance that we arent getting rub of the green
- Not blaming that for defeat
- Need to stop giving goals away and get our shooting boots on
- They were big, physical and experienced
- Tyler: Isolated but did well
- Hope gave physical threat. With wingers it gave us a bit more
- Tried to bring players in but for whatever reason it didnt happen
- Got good players. Need to get a couple back. We'll be ok
- Enough depth? Yes, when everyone's fit. But they arent.
- Wellens has headache which is why he's not turned out for the radio interview
- Salford: Wright hasnt heard anything. There are 1000 rumours in football every day
- Things turn quickly in football.
- Wright said he has lots of experience of this type of situation and is feeling very positive.

Manager has to be prepared to face up to questioning. Ditching last night and today is not good.

He was sounding frustrated in preseason and into the season.

Not sure what to make of the last 2 no shows. Very easy to misread things though

It all adds credence to the rumours doesn't it. It'd be easy enough for him to scotch them if he wanted to. He isn't.

I wonder if Salford have made an approach, hes keen and has been told no.

Salford lost today so imagine they will be desperate to make a quick appointment so this week will probably reveal all.

on the performance, last few games I think we look a bit disjointed in passing. Things get misplaced a bit too often or otherwise broken up. Which puts us under pressure

Apart from integrity it's hard to see how Wellens head wouldn't be turned as it's down the road from his home and he would be backed beyond belief to get them promoted. Also it makes you wonder if he's fallen out with Power over lack of transfers etc

Wellens is a Manchester United fan as well so I can see him being very interested given who's involved with Salford.

You could see Salford job might be tempting on a personal level being close to home and working for his Man U mates.

Wellens did make a big point last season that it's tough managing in League Two in terms of trying to play a passing game and getting clubs to loan players.

Hopefully that's enough to keep him here and he has a better chance of building his reputation in this league than dropping to League Two. Think there is a 'Power Play' going on here and creating a bit of chatter.

That's true plus his son is with them and it must be really hard living down here away from his family

Sorry.  But if the scale of his footballing ambition is to take the helm at the pseudo-club hobby of a few ex-Man Utd pros who have promised to buy him a promotion, then he'll not be the Manager that I thought he was.

All speculation, of course.  And probably nothing in at all.  One thing I've realised recently is that pretty much everyone has stuff going on in their lives that most others don't know about...so a few skipped interviews could mean anything.

Football is very fickle and we don't know what Wellens relationship is like with Power over recent days

I guess he’s in a position where he can’t currently go in the same house as his family so that must have changed his priorities a little.
To be honest though, if we got enough compensation to cover us for the next day 6 months I don’t think I’d be too fussed. This season is all about avoiding financial oblivion.

Like it or not, that hobby club probably has better prospects of climbing further up the pyramid.

Good point as I had overlooked the Covud situation and being 160 miles away from home each week must put a lot of stress on family life

Tough again today.
Feeling flat and second best all over the park.
Could see we were trying to keep it tight for the first half, however that marking was Sunday League Standard. Penalty could have been avoided.
Now the big game next Saturday and can I survive the nerves.

All we have to do is make sure they are still bottom of the league this time next week!

If he went to Salford it might take two seasons to get promoted to be in the same position he is in now managing in League One.

If it goes wrong there then Wellens career goes backwards. It depends how ambitious the owners at Salford are? League One or Championship. Are they prepared to write a cheque for £6M each year like Dale Vince at FGR given the similar gates.

I could see Wellens moving on by next Season but stay here and he might get a Championship job or one of the big northern clubs falling into League One.

I get the impression Power has pulled up the financial drawbridge either due to Covid-19 and waiting for the EFL money deal or the ownership case. Wellens is pissed off about but Power should know from 16/17 that you cut the budget in this League and you end up back in League Two.

At this point it looks like a long hard season.

Black cats played well enough without creating many clear cut chances.. We have to stop giving gifts ...simple as that.

WTF was that first goal all about? Pen like taking sweets off a baby!

Played on the break but nothing happened for us, poor ambitious passes or marshalling  long punts out for throw one...nothing stuck.

I thought Pen as the defender raised his foot and Hope really should of scored...but apart from those glimmers, no complaints with that defeat.

I suspect the phrase „where has the £ gone“ is being typed furiously by a number of our more ‚special fans‘ on social media

I think if he did go it would be because of Power not matching his ambition in the transfer market as you could argue if we went down that dosen't look good on his CV

I'm sure...I'm off all that white.

Did Baudry slip for the first goal as mentioned in commentary or did he just ball watch?  There was real danger for the second but diving in rather than putting off was very naive.  The first goal negated the more cautious approach, which though dull, had quite fairly become a priority given the goals against tally and squad limitations.  Second half however was far more fluid and I felt we were possibly unlucky with the interception being called back by the ref, never mind the pen he turned down.

Sunderland worthy winners however and you'd expect them to finish top 7.  Still no goals conceded since first Lg game.

But if they didn't go up he might get the sack, given the way they've treated other managers

It's all if's & buts but if family are involved in any decision he may or may not make who could blame him for choosing to go back home.

There are shades of Mark Cooper about Wellens at times. Toys out of the pram when things aren’t going well.

Yes definitely agree with you and was trying to remember if he was ever red carded whist Swindon manager

Budget!  We are existing on fumes right now, next to zero income.  The squad is ample to stay up and get to mid table, the real job this season is to still be in business for the next one.

The problem could be we are not good enough to stay up if players keep getting injured and who's to say Power will spend in January

I do think there must be clubs in our league hoping for a quick funding deal with the Premier League if they are still getting players in this week.

Could be interesting come the next transfer deadline with clubs trying to offload players if the funding is not sorted.

Completely agree. Stay in the league. I'm sure there are a lot worse players and coaching staff at other clubs. We should be fine to stay up, as long as everyone keeps their cool.

I once heard someone say something similar about Rushden & Diamonds.  Salford average 3,000 at home, and that's with all the publicity they get from Keane & Scholes being involved.  They've peaked already.

Time will tell

As long as the Highworth Chapparal is OK. That's all that matters.