Thetownend.com

I'm back. Hopefully this will kick start our season  :)
Rovers look like their season is similar to ours so far, they got dicked 4-1 at home by Fleetwood last time out.
Bring it on.

3-2

0-9

5 nil down at half time.
Take off Fryer and bring on Kovar.
9 down with 20 left to play.
Caddis to go in goal and save a penalty.
Pitman doesn’t move the whole game.

Posters criticise other posters for being negative.

This could be the goa!fest we've all been talking about.  Two poor sides, it's either going to finish 0-0 because we're both poor side's or there's going to be a hat full of goals because neither of us can defend, either way, after last night I'm going to give this one a miss and save a tenner.
(Will be listening on the radio though).

BBC Radio Wiltshire!?

Can you scan your TV Licence and post it on here please?

Team will be interesting for this one - we're desperate for bodies back. Didn't sound like Shez was interested in changing shape; "not about systems, it's about personal responsibility".

The Fryer experiment should end. Assuming no bodies back;

                       Kovar
Caddis  Broadbent  Odimayo  Hunt
             Grant         Smith
Grant            Payne             Stevens
                      Hope

 - Pitman has to go. Doesn't move.
 - Harsh on J Smith? Maybe, but feel we just need to freshen things up moving forward and if Stevens is approaching full fitness again, is worth a go.
 - The CBs can't get worse. Big Tom's physicality could be vital against his old club.

We're crying out for a Lyden, a Fryers, a Donohue, a T Smith, a DJ.... Anything to give us a lift. Even on paper that team is weak.

Head says 2-0 defeat. Heart says 1-1 draw.

Can’t leave Jonny Smith out - he’s the only one that looks ‘likely to’.

He also looked absolutely shagged at the end of the game on Tuesday. We can't rotate in many positions, but that's one we can do.

yeah, Matt Smith could benefit from a rest too but no personnel to do so

TBF though hes a 20 year old professional athlete, he shouldnt need a rest after just 11 games into the season.

4 - 1 defeat

3-5-2 or 3-5-1-1 for me on Saturday. Get numbers down the centre of the pitch, an extra man in CM will help take the load off Grant, extra CB again will give more cover.

Kovar will have to come back in, drop Pitman as he's pointless and have a Hope and Payne combination up top.

I’d drop Antony grant and play odimayo there. Then the defence might get some protection.

I dunno, I think whoever plays in a 2 with Smith would struggle. Smith is good but he does wonder a lot which leave the other centre midfielder needing to do a lot of covering.
Worth trying a Smith, Grant and Odimayo midfield 3 at the very least though.

                    Kovar

Caddis Odimayo Baudry Broadbent Hunt
              A Grant    M Smith
J Smith                            J Grant
                     Hope

How Broadbent still isn't starting is beyond me... Grounds looks absolutely hopeless

I think thats an excellent point about the midfield 2. As you rightly state, Matt Smith is a wanderer and this often leaves Grant exposed and often overrun. I do think we need the 3 in midfield but don't really have the personnel unfortunately. As Sheridan took Palmer on loan, I wonder whether we are in a position to cancel his loan and have him back. It does seem absolutely barmy that Wellens would let him go out and leave the CM position woefully short on numbers. (aware that Wellens has said that Palmer didn't want to be at Swindon)

I thought Wellens wanted him - and Broadbent - gone to free up wages for new players. And I thought Palmer had both Oldham and Wigan after him and he said he didn’t want to go to Oldham.

This could be a good idea to push Smith forward so that he is on the ball higher up and we arent relying on him to cover defensively as much.

I like JoeMezz's team better than Panda's.  Broadbent alongside Odimayo is a big risk due to experience, I think both Broadbent and Odimayo need at least one experienced head alongside them.

I also like the idea of 3 in the middle and Odimayo could do a job in there alonside Grant and push M Smith forward slightly..  At least we have a couple of options there with hopfully Sheridan will look at.

So do I. I just don't think Shez will change the shape, but maybe the change last night suggests he's open to it.

Can start using 5 subs for the rest of the season, starting from the Rovers game for us.

Sent from my XQ-AD51

Kovar

Odimayo
Baudry
Broadbent
Hunt

Caddis
Grant
Smith
Haines
Smith

Hope.

Probably 451, 10 men behind the ball stuff

I just popped my thoughts on a potential go forward team in the other thread, but I had forgotten about Broadbent.  He looked shot last season, but he did look OK on his return.

Maybe I tweak it a little:

Kovar
Hunt Baudry Broadbent Donohue
Grant M Smith Odimayo
J Smith Payne
Hope

Odimayo replaces Haines in my other attempt, but him and Grant basically sit in front of Baudry and Broadbent.  Leave Smith to do his thing and try and get control of the game for us.

J Smith is our best attacking wide player, by a mile.  Payne is to flicks and fancy for a team that is weak down the middle, move him out wide to create from there and allow that extra defensive body in central midfield.

Pitman is either completely unfit or past it, either way, he cannot lead the line a single forward right now.  Hope is the better option until T Smith returns.

Is Donohue fit?

I left him out assuming he’s not available

Not sure, if not, Caddis retains his spot and Hunt on the left.

It has been a while since I’ve suggested a DV style ‘Brentford away 05/06’ back to basics approach but now seems a suitable time!

Let’s get Haines in, pack the midfield and try to scrap out a point...

Having to play like that, at this stage of the season and at home to a fellow struggler seems to be akin to realising that taking your dog to the vets to be put down is the only way out.

Yep. Well, if you have any better suggestions...

I don't think I'm ready to post in here yet!

I like this team

Let's fast forward to Jan 1st can we get Twine in our team🤔

I doubt that he will be particularly pleased about having to leave  a relatively successful League two squad for a (currently) struggling STFC

As above, he'd likely want to stay at Old Quay City for the season. Would like to see him back here to give him a run out for Town (let's face it, we can recall for the month and then send him back if not ready (a la Yates Rotherham return) for us yet) during January.

As for v The Gas...

BTTS should be a given.

Both teams to miss would be a better bet !!.

 Hasn't Tisdale just been given the Rovers gig? New manager syndrome always works against us very seldom for us. Can't see past either a Rovers win or at best a struggling draw.
Really hope to be proved wrong because this is a serious slide.

Going to be tough against Tisdale.

Have to bring back Kovar in goal - Fryer clearly not ready. Bring in Broadbent and Baudry to start - I assume Donohue is injured - go with Haines as extra midfielder and push M Smith further forward

Kovar
Caddis Broadbent Baudry Hunt
Haines A Grant
M Smith
J Grant Pitman J Smith

Its completely irrelevant, he's an employee of STFC and surely he would be up for the challenge of testing himself at League 1 level having started the season in L2 very well?

The posts on these threads are all over the place right now (not just you Pooky). Despite multiple errors leading to goals in a number of games, Kovar and Baudry have been rehabilitated, while after one serious error and one defeat in three games Fryer is out. (Though I suppose Sheridan might change keepers as he doesn't have the previous with Kovar that we do.) Meanwhile, on the basis of a single solid but relatively uninspired game against L2 oppo, Haines is supposed to become the lynchpin in our midfield. It's all a bit over the top isn't it?

I know isn’t a reply to me but I posted a 451 earlier in the thread with Haines included.

My reasoning is simple. I wanted 3 CMs in the 5 man midfield. With by default is Grant, Smith (M) and Haines based on nothing more than availability.

Same with Baudry at CB. I wanted Odimayo at RB and Caddis in front.

I can’t even remember which keeper I picked, horses for courses on that front.

I also thought about beefing up centre-mid, but wouldn't want to blood a youngster into the current team for a derby game. I'd be concerned about the creativity in your centre three - that's why I suggested Odimayo had the ball-playing skill to move forward and also provides better cover for 2 CBs than Grant, who's not really doing a job either way right now.

Yep, his wearing of a natty cravat, or silk scarf, will mean they'll be 1-0 up even before the game starts. Be warned.  :hmmm:


 https://www.sportsjoe.ie/football/exeter-manager-explains-how-hes-feeling-the-bs-in-his-unique-touchline-attire-58362

It is obvious that Grant and Matt Smith cannot work as a 2 in midfield, Smith for all his great running and passing leaves Grant exposed, he can afford to do that if there is another central midfielder alongside Grant, which could be why it worked with Haines alongside him at FGR.

Odimayo could be a good shout and keep Baudry and Grounds together despite both their individual limitations, that way you can play Caddis and Hunt/Donohue too. Much as I would like Broadbent to play against his former club there must be doubts about his fitness stopping him starting.

Payne is very creative but if he is not given the ball then he can't create anything, I would play him wide left with Jonny Smith wide right and probably Hope up front.

I have a feeling that Kovar will play as Shez hasn't seen him perform "in the flesh" yet since becoming manager.

I would like to see this line up tomorrow

                Kovar
Caddis  Baudry  Grounds  Hunt(Donohue if fit)
        Grant       Odimayo
J Smith      M Smith       Payne
               Hope

Why would a young CB be a better option than a young CM (Haines) in CM? Not sure I get that.

I'm desperate for us to go to either 343 or a more solid 433 with two holders. Either should give us more solidity. I'd be fine with Haines alongside Grant and Matt Smith ahead of them. Give it a go and then it's a straight swap when Lyden is fit.

I’d have no issue blooding a youngster in a derby game. If anything his sheer enthusiasm to impress would get him through. He’s in a middle three so could play a simple, basic game and let’s be honest - he can’t do any worse.

I put Odimayo at RB to have Caddis at RW. Just adds an extra layer defensively. Now a days wide players are usually used to being part of a front three and think their tracking back and defensive contributions are seriously lacking.

Also means we could / can go to back 5 if we are seriously under pressure.

I’d have probably dropped Grant if we had anyone else.
I’ll happily sacrifice creativity for solidness. Then if it’s 0-0 with 20 to go, think about changing it up.

I’d even go all Gareth Southgate and have Odimayo/Hunt as full backs and Caddis/Donohue as wingers if the availability was there

Surely with no fans, the fact that its a derby game is a little irrelevant at the moment? He won't have to face the vitriol and abuse coming from supporters, so surely it would be the perfect time to blood him? (given we have almost zero other options in this position in reality)

Haines is a central defender too and DMC is not his natural position.

A lot of people advocating playing people out of position to solve problems we have. I think they need to try that FGR approach again personally.

                          Kovar
           Baudry   Odimayo  Grounds
      Caddis    Grant      Smith      Hunt
           J Smith    Hope    Stevens   

Still two in midfield but having Hunt and Caddis around them helps reduce the space they need to cover. Can be very defensive when Caddis/Hunt make it a back 5 and Stevens/J Smith drop in to midfield.

Gives us the pace to attack, with M Smith having more than just the J Smith ball to play. Pace cutting in on their preferred foot to shoot themselves, Hunt and Caddis overlapping if we have enough of the ball.

Having a read of the Rovers forum they must have been served up some dross this season so far, yes there could be a new manager bounce tomorrow but these comments came after Mondays Plymouth Pompey match.

I thought Plymouth were really poor all over the pitch against us. Again defensive fuck ups cost us any points there.

All info on Haines seems to indicate he’s both a defender and midfielder.

He’s also 20, which isn’t necessarily a youngster in footballing terms. Infact if we aren’t going to blood him now in a shit, injury ravaged team at age 20 - we never will and he might as well go to Supermarine now

Really? I did not know that. Seems to have been played in CM out on loan and in his fleeting appearances here.

For me I liked what I saw of Haines but I would like Odimayo and Caddis playing and Odimayo seems to have more about him and looks very comfortable on the ball.

Whoever plays though I want to have him stay back with Grant and just protect the defence and play a short ball to Matt Smith to do what he does best and start off attacks not relying on him for defensive duties.

I am sure that Shez has seen enough in training and been advised by Wright and Hunt as to his best option and we have to trust his judgement on players roles and positions as well as our current best formation.

Time for Sheridan to show us what he has got.

A proper massive game and lets hope the Rovers fans end up throwing their own chairs at the TC screen as its cheaper than the seats on the Stratton Bank.

He played CB for Chippenham, Hereford played him in CM though.

If we change shape, I'd go with this but with Broadbent in instead of either Grounds or Baudry.

Yep. Broadbent for Grounds and that side/shape may get us something out of the game.

I’ve got an iFollow ST but I’m struggling to want to watch the disasters unfold before my very eyes. May leave it to the TEF and Jeff Stelling.

A bit from the Chippenham fans on Haines.

Some interesting comments about playing him as a target man!



Chippenham fans really rave about "Hainer" so no time like the present to give him a go, in at the deep end could make or break him in a rough and tumble local derby, if hes good enough hes old enough.

I know that level is far lower than L1 but Darlington play at the same level and they beat us.

That may not be the case. He may be comfortable with the team/environment etc.  A solid season in league 2 may enhance his career prospects more than half a season in league 2 and half a season playing a very minor role on in league 1 (and in a struggling team).

I like Broadbent, but it worries me that people see him as the answer to all of our defensive problems based on an hour in the JPT.  If he gets back to his first 10 games for us then it might work, but that was in league 2 and is a big ask for a guy that has effectively been out for a year.

I hope it works, but i am concerned that he will be the next knee jerk if it goes wrong.  In the space of a few weeks we have gone from Fyers and Grounds being our next big hope of saving our season to being complete duds - there is nothing to say that Broadbent won't deliver the same reaction.  Fryer has proved that if you have one really poor game you are dismissed as not good enough.

Fair words Bernie.

Its been the case that 'those who aren't playing will be the saviours' for a while.

I don't think he's the answer as such, I just think we can't get worse. Plus his physicality and aerial ability is something we don't have in other CBs.

Plus I imagine Broadbent feels he has a point to prove after Wellens basically
bombed him out

As I think you acknowledge, the belief that Broadbent will save the season singlehandedly is not held by everyone.

I thought that Grounds was a very good addition but he doesn't play like someone who has a lot of experience at a much higher level. He seems to want to play the ball out from the back but with limited success.

Very much.

I do think that a solid defender in L2 is about the same level as a solid defender in L1, and possibly the Championship too. Shaun Taylor, Aden Flint, Shaun Morrison, Rob Dickie at Pox and Charlie Goode at Northampton have proved that. Defending is what you are paid to do. Its about defending not being a classy footballer.

Stopping goals, making headers and tackles and getting in where it hurts at both ends of the pitch.

I know there is a trend to say that defenders should be able to pass and dribble and be great distributers of the ball but if you can't defend then you may as well not be there. Win the ball and make a short pass to a midfielder to do that pretty stuff.

Shaun Taylor with the greatest respect was not much of a footballer but man he could defend.

Broadbent is the closest defender we have in style to Taylor but 1 player cannot stop the rot on his own, we need the defence playing as a unit, a couple of clean sheets will do them the world of good but they look hugely unlikely at the moment even against the poorest attacks.

Don't let it worry you as thankfully none of the hysterical  arm chair experts gets to pick the team for real also as no one's in the stadium players who perform badly can't get dogs abuse.

You can imagine how bad it would be for Kovar, Baudry, Grounds, Stevens all of whom have been described as poor footballers at one point or other on here

Haines would just be the next in line, who knows if he's any good. Hereford and Chippenham aren't much of a guide. Wasn't Twine performing well a Chippenham.

Broadbent falls into the same category, a good performance in one game makes him more attractive over those currenrly underperforming. If he turns out to be as inconsistent as he was in games he played last year back  he goes into the team selection tombola.

Just my opinion you understand.

Isnt that what a football forum is about? peoples opinions even when they differ from yours?

Some people defend poor players, some suggest options some just have a moan and like to have a go at others opinions while not actually offering any opinion of their own other than just to disagree.

I think you will find its exactly the same at every club.

Yes, and is now performing well in the team who are top of League 2.

Goal of the month to boot.

I’m not sure that naming five players across 25 years, one of which (Dickie) is a ball playing centre half, really makes your point.

Sheridan not doing the presser today due to personal reasons. Tommy Wright doing it instead

Joining Oldham

Their league for this season is DLLWWDWLDLL

Under the now sacked Ben Garner they always played 352 or 361 under Widdrington on Tuesday they played 532 and beat Chelsea 4-3 in the EFL cup. I would expect Tisdale to not interfere with their formation much for tomorrows game.

They sit 2 places above us with 2 more draws from their 11 games than we have got, we both have 3 wins. Our goal differences are the same on -8 but Town have scored 5 more goals but conceded 5 more goals.

We have similar current form over the last 5 games they are WLDLL and we are LWLDL.

In all games vs the Rovers there have been 150 meetings with the scores level at 65 wins each with 20 being drawn, we are behind on goals scored at 214 to Rovers 226.

In games at the CG against them we have the edge after 51 meetings Swindon have won 29, drawn 9 and lost 13, scoring 82 and conceding 64 times. Swindon have only won 2 of the last 4 meetings at home and Rovers winning 2 of them, they won the last meeting at the CG 2-1 in 2016 when Branco scored an OG late in the game.

The only player in the Swindon camp with a Rovers connection is Tom Broadbent and Steve Mildenhall is the staff member who played for them.

For Rovers they have ex Town loanee Ali Koiki who has made 3 appearances for them since signing on deadline day.

Wright on Sheridan

: "We joined Leeds together, shared a house together and he is my best friend in football. He's a good coach." #stfc #efl

Wright on advice to Sheridan


: "I told him it was a good club and we can make things even better." #stfc #efl

Wright on goals conceded


:We've been letting in too many goals together. We all need to pull together because the goals we are conceding isn't acceptable. As individuals you have to take responsibility but we have to defend as a team better and need to get this right." #stfc

Wright on individual mistakes


: "I spoke to the team this morning, and heads are a bit down but that's not an excuse." #stfc #efl

Wright on Bristol match


: "I have a lot of respect for Tisdale. If I was a betting man this game won't be nil-nil. Hopefully we just score more goals than them. We want to be an attacking team and score goals." #stfc #efl

Wright on injuries


: "It will be virtually the same. Donohue will be back in the squad and we need to assess the team in the morning." #stfc #efl

Wright on Sheridan's tactics: "He can be a fiery manager when you need to be. He is similar to Richie and has a drive to win." #stfc #efl

Wright on Salford rumours


: "I'm happy here and definitely not leaving Swindon." #stfc #efl

Jayesimi got Covid-19

All other injured players self isolating

So, they’re now no longer injured but have got to isolate. Or are they still injured but now have Covid as well.

The latter, apparently.

Journo says they are all back in training monday

DJ, Fryers, Conroy, Lyden that is - touch and go for Oxford

 :hmmm:

Was told 2 weeks away thus about right.
Pleasing thing is Dion Conroy will be involved in training games next week.

Blimey, good news!

Makes me think Tommy will stay as no.2 to Shez (I know how much you like that) and that Noel will be heading north (he said...putting 2 + 2 together and coming up with 3.14149....etc)

Edit: just seen it's been confirmed in the Tommy Wright thread (that he's staying, not that Noel is going although I expect he will)...my maths isn't that bad after all...

Who is taking charge tomorrow then? 

Seen enough!?!

Sleeping it off - according to Bamboozle

I’d be surprised if Hunt followed Wellens to Salford, he and his family are supposedly quite settled relatively local to Swindon.

not sure if mentioned previously but will the 5 subs rule make any difference at all to us? one day we might not be chasing a game and could always bring on loads more defenders I suppose.

it would be fantastic to not concede within the first 10 mins tomorrow. small steps

Hopefully our defensive pairing and keeper.
Don’t think my health can take much more of the chaos at the back.

In normal times, this would be a game we would be relishing.  I guess it's up in the air.  Sheridan bounce vs Tisdale bounce.  Battle of the bounces.  Which side has chosen the bounciest manager?  Think I know the script.

I'm pinning my hopes now, if I'm honest, on Sheridan forming some sort of working relationship with our returning injured next week.  No denying we've been hampered recently.  Expecting very little today, but hopeful that the manager can start turning it around (hopefully in time for Nov 28th) once Fryers & Lyden are back.

If you're reading this Doughty, miss you.

We’ve had our dead cat bounce. I’m trying to convince myself nothing can be as bad as Tuesday evening, but I can’t see any logical reason why we won’t get more of the same.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a8jphxpi1ro

Trying to muster a small dab of optimism, one thing that still baffles me after 30 yrs of following this club is the way we seem able to turn out insanely different performances just days apart, with the same team, for no discernable reason.  Consistently inconsistent.  'Past performance is no guarantee of future results.'  You usually see that in adverts for investment products, but it could be equally applied to STFC.  Just hoping it applies today, and we sweep them aside.  Go on.  Surprise me again.

I don't know what to expect today!

A vast improvement but still a bit leaky at the back

4-3

The only good thing about this game being BCD, is the opportunity for the Rovers fans to take the total piss out of us after another hammering will be lost.

Glass houses and all that. They support Bristol Rovers ffs.

Right, the CG is going to be a fuck up free zone for anyone in red (or yellow / magenta) this  afternoon, isn't it?
 :nod: :no: :hmmm: :headhurts: :crash:

Odds are not good that, for a change, we get to have a good laugh about an opposition keeper booting one into his own net.
Looks like it will stay dry and the game will start, but a request to charge Rovers fans full ticket price to watch should have been made anyway.

Winning the two Saturday games this week would cheer everyone up a bit.
 :pint:

Have I missed something? Has the game been played already?

Yeah, just hope that it's a decision that he doesn't regret when reflecting back in the rocker at the pipe and slipper stage.

I can honestly say its the "Swindon way".

I started going to watch Swindon in 1974 on my 8th birthday, over the years its always been the same, 1 great result is often followed by 1 shocker, often alternately throughout a season.

What we all want is for "today to be the day we destroy a team" rather than "today is the day we crumbled".

I was thinking the other day about our fluctuation in performances, it has always been there, I made up a little list of a couple of examples of this since I have been going where all is great then all is shit often inside a week, I only went up to 1999 but there have been many since then too.

But we always keep on wanting to go back even when the shit hits the fan(s) as we all know we CAN do it but we hope we WILL do it.

Here are a few in each season I found, these are consecutive matches often Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday-Tuesday etc.

1998
H Bristol City W 3-2
H Oxford W 4-1
A Portsmouth L 2-5
H Watford L 1-4

1981
A Burnley W 2-0
H Carlisle W 2-1
A Bristol Rovers W 4-1
A Walsall 0-5

1984
A Peterborough W 1-0
A Scunthorpe L 2-6
H Hartlepool W 2-1
H Southend W 2-0

1987
H Man City L 3-4
A Leicester L 2-3
H Plymouth D 1-1
A Leeds L 2-4
H Bournemouth W 4-2
H Huddersfield W 4-1

1980
H Bury W 8-0
H Arsenal (LCQ) W 4-3
H Exeter L 2-3

1978
H Lincoln W 6-0
A Carlisle D 0-0
A Southend L 3-5
H Colchester L 1-2
H Tranmere W 4-1

1977
A Cambridge L 2-5
H Shrewsbury W 5-0

1976
H Port Vale W 2-1
A Sheff Weds W 2-0
H Bury W 2-1
A Palace D 3-3
H Aldershot W 6-3
A Preston L 2-4
H Peterborough L 0-3
H Hereford L 0-1
A Grimsby L 0-1

Logic v hope. Nothing suggests we'll do anything other than a repeat of what we've done all season and yet I'm hopeful that today's the day the players wake up and start putting things right.

I'm not too concerned about this bad run until we get all our injured players back and Sheridan has time to sort it out. I prefer hope to logic with STFC.

I took a mate from school to that man city game to give him a feel for a proper football match, an electric shrivvy road, 7 goals. he never went again. Prick.

Trouble is, we never seem to have all our injured players back to field a ‘best’ eleven.

Injuries + poor form + regular mistakes = a very good chance of relegation.

Hopefully things will click into place soon but I fear another defeat or two before they do.

Robins 1 - 5 Gassy Pirates

Draw. 1-1

Cracking match that was.

https://youtu.be/j22NRwL_zAw

TBH our match does have a 1-1 written all over it for me too.

I doubt there will be any Gas heads stripping off in the launderette in Manchester Road this afternoon😁

2-2

Remember this 4-3 well at Twerton Park all those years ago.  I'd take this again.

Bristol 3-4 STFC (http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/MatchCentre.asp?MatchID=19930102)

We have had a few high scoring games with the Gas, I went to all of these, my favourite was the first match here, at Eastville when we stuffed them 4-1 on a very soggy pitch in pouring rain.
https://youtu.be/EzN4AbpxZLo

The 5-2 win.
https://youtu.be/xM4_-Rlewtc

The 4-1 win at Twerton.
https://youtu.be/w0TPhTgq_fw

The 4-3 win at Ashton Gate.
https://youtu.be/GXy2VRfYa7o

Some uber confident Gas fans here.

https://gaschat.co.uk/thread/17100/swindle-gas-official-match-thread

I’d be confident if I supported any club playing Swindon at the moment.

Even a club with almost exactly the same last 5 form as us? 1 win and 3 defeats from the last 5 games?
WLDLL vs LWLDL.

Fully confident we're gonna get absolutely spanked today.

Not one going for an STFC win,  strange !.

I don't think Bristol B will beat us.

2-1 win, an own goal and a goal for J.Smith

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

The concern with this team is once again losing the Midfield.
Pitman needs to put a shift in.

I would rather have sacrificed Pitman and played Haines.

I wish rather than post a list of names in number order they’d set it out the formation or something.

What do we suspect it is?

Same here. Pitman might have a blinder now.

It's going to be an absolute belter this isn't it?

As much as I, like everyone else, have been mightily unimpressed by Pitman so far I think we have to give him a run. We need him to come good if we're going to improve as a side. Binning off our marquee signing after a few bad games and without any real alternatives (Hope is okay, better off the left, Smith is injured) would be tough.

I hope he does!

I would think Odimayo will be right back and Donue left back.

                Kovar
Odimayo  Baudry  Grounds  Donohue
        Grant       M Smith
J Smith       Payne          Hope
               Pitman

I guess its 4-4-2 but that leaves the same week centre mid.

Ho, hum

I would have sacrificed anyone. Never been so disappointed in a signing for a very long time.
Stealing a wage and does not look interested.

Looks about right. Don't think it will be 2 up front, purely because Hope is better out wide

I would just love that.

Hattrick today? ;)

If Sheridan was set on playing this formation I’d rather have Joel Grant up front than Pitman at least he will run. You just can’t play a guy that barely moves from the start IMO as puts us straight on the back foot.

Now that would make my weekend.
If I don’t say ffs more than twice at him during the game things are improving :)

3-4-3 or 3-5-2 I hope. 3 at the back at the very least, gotta start keeping clean sheets

This sadly. It just feels like playing with 10 men when he clearly contributes fuck all.

I thought more

Kovar

Odimayo
Baudry
Grounds

Smith
Smith
Grant
Donohue

Payne
Pitman
Hope

Which for the record, I think would be an awful choice but feel it might be what we are doing. Maybe swap Payne with Smith

Maybe a Lazarus/Fjortoft performance is just 90 minutes away. 🤞

It could be that too, we won't see until they kick off I expect and if its not working then they could swap to the other formation.

Rovers do crowd out the midfield, it does surprise me that we have 2 fullbacks on the bench but no midfielders, could have had Haines there instead of Hunt or Caddis. As it stands we have 1 keeper, 4 defenders and 2 wingers on the bench.

Heart ruling head and going for 2-1 Town win. It would be good if we’re still in the game at half time

Marquee? More like a bivvy bag thus far.

I’m thinking Portaloo.

Nice by Kovar!

Set up with a flat 4 at the back so far.

Just switched on.  0-0.  Yay!

Passback to the goalkeeper on target... I can't say there was no moment of concern there but Kovar deals with it properly.

Nice move by Town but can't get a header onto Donohues cross.

J Smith runs with the ball and wins a corner.

Short corner from Matt Smith great cross into the 6 yard box but theres no Town player there and its cleared.

They have binned the fake crowd noises by the sounds of it

Should be taking plenty of shots with the sun right in the keeper's eyes.

Payne strikes 2 shots but both are wayward.

Grounds heads the free kick out for a corner to them.

Decent delivery but poor header well over Kovars bar.

Definitely ditched short goal kicks.

Hope unlucky winning a challenge in their half but taking a knock.

Grounds and Baudry get in the way of the striker and Kovar claims the ball, quite lucky defending.

Good move, wide from Payne

Nice ball from Matt Smith to J Smith and his cross is good but Hope leaves it.

The ball comes out to Payne and his shot is wide from 20 yards.

Is Payne playing a little deeper, maybe in a midfield three?

J Smith felled 30 yards out.

More so than usual yes, and seeing more of the ball too.

Agreed, long goal kicks to our big forwards. This going to work well!

Poor delivery from the free kick by Payne, doesnt beat the first man.

Chance for Rovers from a cross but Donohue clears it.

Grounds gives away a corner.

Baudry clears it.

Pretty low in quality so far.

Good clearing header from Kovar.

Hope went to ground to early in the box he should have stayed on his feet and he could have won that ball.

Payne shoots over the bar unmarked from 15 yards.

Clearly a plan to get shots in from distance, is their keeper notably dodgy?

Think Payne thought he was offside then.

Local boy Jonny May scores a brilliant try against Ireland. That's two for him now.

Odimayo to J Smith but his cross cant beat the first man, Rovers hit on the break and it ends with a shot well wide.

Jonny Smiths final ball remains terrible and allowed a dangerous counter attack for rovers.

Great block by Donohue after Matt Smith does well then loses it in a dangerous position.

Rovers miss a half chance in our box, high over the bar.

Matt Smith just showed why playing Pitman is a problem. He did well to win the ball in the middle but there’s little point passing forwards with Pitman’s lack of mobility. So ended up dwelling on the ball and lost it.

Same goes for Payne from free kicks, Matt Smith should take them.

Matt Smith great idea but his long pass is just cut out.

Grant much more incisive so far today.

Great cross by J Smith but Pitman is a bit behind it. Best delivery so far by Jonny.

Grant is looking better today with another man in there.

Another corner to them.

Yet another corner to them.

Awful header well over the bar from their centre back.

Went for the glory ball from to far out should probably have used Odimayo

Rovers putting a lot of balls in the box aerially, this is a Broadbent game I think.

Don't see enough keepers in caps.

Pitman nearly gets a goal from 3 yards out.

Brilliant ball from Baudry.

Should have been a corner, came off the GK

J Smith shoots from 20 yards deflected high into the keepers arms.

Lino was on the side too, blind cunt.

Don’t know how the officials missed that.

Thankfully he was challanged enough but they keep getting to the corners first

Grant looking like last seasons Grant so far.

Defence much quicker on the challenge today, nipping in an intercepting instead of standing off and giving them a chance to turn

A much more ‘normal’ performance so far today.

I wonder if J Smith is carrying a bit of an injury. Not looking as quick and full of running this week.

Good run by Odimayo, shot saved comfortably

Odimayo breaks inside and hits a left foot shot from 18 yards, too close to the keeper though.

Goal Matt Smith...

....for Millwall  :girlgiggle:

Paynes right foot shot from 20 yards well wide and scuffed.

It’s as if the problem on Tuesday was the performance rather than the team.

?

Try not to be a dick.

Jonny Smith’s final ball is a real issue at the minute, he has so much space but never beats the first man with the cross.

Donohue yellow.

I think it could be worth swapping with Hope to the left.

Just to clarify to everyone

Terrible long free kick by them one side to the other, throw to Swindon!

Donohue best player on the pitch for me so far.

Shit, Can do without Grant being injured.

Fleetwood dicking Plymuff - they could be dark horses for the league.

Grant down injured.

Dislocated shoulder I reckon.

Grant flagging immediately that he's hurt. He's looked near his best and we have no cover. Fuck.

Grant having a decent game as well so far.

Up again now.

Grant up and moving, gingerly.

Ankle then, looks ok now.

definitely not shoulder.

DJ, Conroy etc in the stands. Thought they were self isolating?

Grant still running with a limp.

I think I just watched Brett Pitman beat a player to the ball?

I smirked too.

Then passed the ball off the pitch...

Both back in training again now after finishing isolating according to todays adver.

Grant looks fucked, can't see him lasting the 90

Touch wood but Kovar has looked like a proper keeper so far today...

Not understanding why J Smith isn't overlapping with Odimayo?

Ah lovely stuff 👍

Pitman volley over the Stratton Bank!

Amazing volley from Pitman clears the Stratton Bank.

The whole team have looked like a competent football team in this first half. Keep it up.

Look like strangers playing, no understanding at all.

Nice to get to HT without a -2 handicap :pint:

The first ffs with Pitman.

Swindon look easily the better team so far, Rovers look really poor, Town not able to convert one of their many chances yet though.

Rovers probably the poorest side we have played in L1, yet, we are still not winning!

Not too much quality in the box though but some good approach play.

Not Brilliant, but much better, lets get at 'em second half.

HT 0-0

Not too bad TBH.

Further to my previous comment we have not won a single long punt goal kick from Kovar. I despair.

That shot from Pitman looked like somebody who couldn’t be arsed to do the hard stuff.

Definitely more stable at the back. Winnable if we turn the ball quicker.
Rovers not that good.

Happy to take 0-0 at half time

Much better.

Today's half time ska https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAfqguL88tA

This.

Ideal first half. Solid, simple, more controlled and no individual mistakes.

Kovar looks comfortable. The full backs are our best players. Not quite happened for M Smith and Payne so far. Pitman has done well to win some ball, but when he does win it it generally turns to shite.

Now how do we build a little bit of quality on that?

Two really poor teams. Swindon slightly the better. Which ever team shows ambition will go on to win the game.

Pitman too isolated upfront.

Nice not to concede before 15 minutes for once !

It’s there for the taking. Could go either way. Let’s hope we start strongly in second half. Payne is getting into good position but hasn’t found his shooting boots yet today. I do like Odimayo. I don’t like the way grounds always tries to do skilful turns when under pressure - it is predictable and he will get found out (again) if he continues to do this. Kovar looked okay - not been tested but coming well to claim balls and did well to head out when under a bit of pressure. Maybe Caddis was left out because we wanted a bit more height against Rovers? Donohue been playing well. Glad to see Grant okay. We have played some quite nice stuff at times. Final ball hasn’t quite been there so far. Would be good to get the ball to J Smith a bit more so he can run rings around them.

Who are they chatting to on radio Wiltshire here? Cricketer? Missed the intro.

90 minutes of football without conceding a goal. That's novel.

Encouraging though if we can net one early in the second half.

Graham Wagg

Rovers are easily the poorest team we have played this season, we need to smash them 2nd half, Town easily on top of the game but need to get some shots on target, all the long range stuff is too soft.

Johnny Smith needs to beat his man and get balls into the 6 yard box, hes capable of it, Rovers defence is brittle.

Its just not working for Pitman so far.

Cheers.

Unfortunately J Smith tends to use left foot only never likely to run to the byline very often if at all.

He made a good run into the box in the first half that was crying out for a right foot shot. He appears not to trust it, maybe worth a switch 2 nd half.

Grant has looked a bit more influential today. Is that because of the lack of quality of the opposition perhaps?

FB group will having a wet fit, Doyle AND Yates scored already.

Things are looking up as that must have took a lot of effort😁

Not sure one of Grounds headers has gone where he intended it to!

Rovers shoot from 20 yards deflected wide for a corner.

Another corner to them.

And Salford winning 3-0

Kovar miles from that corner, another corner to them.

Jesus, that was a scramble

Kovar didn't come for the next one but Town scramble it clear in the end.

Donohue beats 2 men but fouls the defender in the box, nice little move by Town.

Donohue has played really well (so far).

Yep, Baudry, Donohue, Grant all done well so far.

Hope wins a free kick about 35 yards out.

Stevens on for J Smith.

Pitman obviously hobbling.

Stevens hasn’t really showed anything since his pre-season form. Time to step up.

Very much so, he has a really poor final ball but loads of pace and dribbing skill.

Stevens terrible pass back to Odimayo straight into touch.

Ed Hadwin commentating for them

I used to like Hadwins comms.

Grant needs to come off he’s increasingly struggling to move.

I would push Caddis into his role or move Odimayo central and Caddis to RB.

Took a knock towards the end of 1st Half... couldn't continue... ::)

Good cross from Odimayo by Hope doesn't get to the cross.

He didn't look to be moving freely for about the last 10 mins of the first half. Bang goes your bet ;)

Grounds beaten on the deck, yellow card.

To be fair he was very good and even mixed with the Swindon fans at Wembley against Preston after he had left BBC Wilts

For a local derby there haven't been many nasty tackles by either team.

I think Stevens has been a good outlet since he’s come on.

Pitman with a useful contribution at last holding the ball up.

Odimayo booked now.

Because it isn’t. Fans make local Derby’s, without them the derby element is irrelevant as no local players really involved.

Are we going down to 10 soon?

Grounds loves to argue with his team mates whenever he makes a mistake.

Becuase it's not a derby to them. Why would any of our players care about this game more than any other?

Derbies are completely constructed by the fans. Players are then influenced by the fans. This is just another glorified preseason friendly.

Close from Hope.

There hasn't been one nasty challenge at all yet, all bookings were for niggly fouls not malicious ones.

Officials not covering themselves in glory this afternoon with poor decisions and soft bookings.

Piss stains winning😡

Rovers are another team like us, Northampton, Shrewsbury, Burton etc . There’s a dozen or so poor teams in this league which at least gives hope of being able to survive.

Pass out to Stevens from Pitman was decent there.

Donohue deep cross defender gives away a corner under no pressure.

I noticed this and I don’t like it - he seems to blame those around him.

Try not to lose your sense of humour.

You've been allowing yourself to become very irritable of late RF. I do like you but seriously you're taking task with people more than I do from time to time  :) Maybe take a step back from the TEF for a while.

Pitman offside? never, hes not fast enough.

Joel Grant on for Payne.

The second Pitman ffs.

Nah, you were being a dick there BB. Don't pretend goals have gone in, people genuinely follow the game on these threads.

He did it twice on Tuesday too, yet he was the one at fault for both then.

True.  But come the end of the season, if we do go down it will be because of games like today's.  We can't fail to take 3 points from games like these and also expect to stay up.  It's just not good enough.

Just so people didn't lose their shit, apparently  ::)

Joel Grant seems to have given us a boost so far.

Crying out for Tyler Smith again this match..

Pitman felled just outside the box.

1-0 Yeds

Pitman  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Go on Town, let's nick this.

And for the close skills of DJ too, a game changer with 1 peice of skill.

Pitpony - Get In !!!! 1-0.

1-0 Pitman!!!!!

Pitman scores.... wow!

Yes!!!!!

Header from 2 yards!

He’s great when he doesn’t have to move!

Always liked him.  : )

Get in.

Great ball in from Matt Smith

yeeeees! Pitman header from a yard. Get in!

A pivotal moment for the season. You read it here.

Looked threatening all game! 😂

what a fucking ball in!

was just about to say it was one of Smith's less good games.

nice one Pittman

If he was faster he would have gone too far!

Great delivery from the free kick from Matt Smith though, pinpoint.

And on the flip side if we now win its wins like this that keep us up. I’d say Rovers has as many problems at both ends of the pitch as us.

Play the advantage ffs

Matt Smith fouled 40 yards out, he was well away then.

Ffs Fatty Lardy cake xx

Hang on to your hats, folks.  Vertigo kicking in.  We're up to the dizzy heights of 18th!

Matt Smith is an awesome tackler.

Baudry wins a header from the free kick but he just manages to head it out.

Big 10 mins this, need to keep these 3 points

At least we’re not trying to keep 10 men behind the ball.

Reminds me of Alan O'brien. Fast but not a footballer.

Looking at the other scores so far today this league is wide open, anyone can beat anyone else.

Shrews drawing at Ipswich, Fleetwood hammering Plymouth 5-0, Nopthampton winning 3-0 at Burton, Blackpool winning at Peterborough, Oxford actually winning too.

The Shagshat forum is funnier reading now  :idiot:

Great save by Kovar.

Good save Kovar, chance caused by Odimayo attempting a backheel clearance

Rovers hit the post with nobody else near the ball, Kovar well beaten.

Agree! (Then they hit the post with a header)

Grounds is an absolute calamity nearly all of the time.

Think I'll log off for the next 15 mins  :bye:

Several chances in their box, nice move by Town after Hope wins the ball from the defender, good chances.

Whenever he says Tutonda, I can't help think about Black Panther, and I haven't even seen the film..

Grounds clears under no pressure, get Broadbent on for him for the last 5 mins.

I hear Tutonic!

Hope awful miss.

Hope should have some better there.

Oh Ali Ali Koiki...you put your left leg in...left leg out...coming on for Rovers.

Hang in there, Town.  We need this.  Cool heads.

Very nervous now.

How many mins left?

Them or us?

Good block by Grounds there in the box.

2 mins plus

We've been very poor at defending corners. Even under Wellens...just saying.

Town bundle the ball out for another corner to them.

Apart from that one.

Correct.

We are giving them too much space.

Broadbent on for Pitman.

Broadbent for Pitman. Nervy as now.

3 mins added.

Fucking hell Kovar was lucky there.

Oooooh Matej you lucky lucky boy

Kovar drops the cross but gets away with it this time.

Fucking hell Kovar.

FFS Kovar, fucking heart attack

kovar, you lucky fuck

Our luck would appear to have turned there!

That wasn’t a difficult take either. Ffs Kovar.

1 min of added time left.

That should be it.

FT 1-0!

Dirty win! Get the fuck in!

Up yours Rovers!

Big win.

Yes, I'm just saying it has been a noticeable and significant part of Town's ability to give away poor goals.

It looks today like Tommy Wright has organised the defence a bit better and they appear as a defensive unit to be doing the basics better today. Also we are winning. Long may it continue.

Koiki should've scored just then.

This is a bigger win than many will give credit for but it was imperative for Town to beat such a poor side today. I'm glad Town took the opportunity. Great assist by Matt Smith. Defensively much better.

Time for beer  :pint:

Phew!

That'll do pig

Goodnight Irene😃😃😃

classic no.

important win against local rivals. yes

brilliant

Relief

Massive win. We looked competent, but nothing special but good god is that an improvement.

It’s not the mythical ‘Wellensball’ but it’s a win, it’s a clean sheet, we had some luck and we at least looked like a professional football team. Something definitely to build on for the first time in a while.

Not a great performance, but a sensible one considering.

3 points.

And a clean sheet.

1-0 to the Swindon Town, 1-0 to the Swindon Town  :pint:

Well done Shezza!

Never in doubt.   :D

an utterly disgustingly fantastic clean sheet win.

Good win.
Much needed.
Ugly but who fucking cares.

8)

Plus I started the matchday thread again (worked last season).
Oh, and fuck off Irene.

I do enjoy a win over a team whose fans continually refer to us as ‘Swindle’

Yep. But 3 very important points, take that. Pitman is a latter day Pele

Lardy Cake all round.
Poor game but that win crucial. Defensively set up very tight.
Donohue decent game and looked solid. For once we simply ground out an ugly win.

That'll dooooo  :D

The pork pie Pele?

God we needed that. Credit it where it’s due to them all. One step at a time.

Yessssssss.
They looked very poor didn’t they.

:D get the t-shirts printed!

Ha ha I must be psychic

I like that 4d

I love it!

When Kovar dropped that cross ...... blood pressure :)

Grounds suspended next match after 5th yellow. That may just be a blessing in disguise. If anyone was to be marked down today, it was him. Needs a cooler head and to not let the moment get to him. Not a terrible player but more composure boy.

Whoever comes in for him has an opportunity to hold down that CB spot. Possibly a time for Broadbean to step up?

On another note...Shrews lost after leading from 4minutes with them conceding in 90+7. Looks like my mate Samuel allowed another invitation of pressure onto his side. I expect announcement of his departure soon.

We're now 18th. Three points 13th with a G-i-H.

Wright post match presser now live on BBC Wilts...NMH do your thang.

PS: I think it's Wright running things you know (but I know nothing ;) )

:nod:

For me they were the poorest side we have played this season, no heart, no guts no quality.

Haha, they reckon we were the worst side they've played to date. But they lost  ???

Just what the doctor ordered. A clean sheet, grind something out, nick a set-piece... perfect.

T Wright:
- Clean sheet pleased him most
- Scrappy game
- Neither team in form
- Victory vital
- Expected Rovers gameplan
- Told players to keep discipline
- Can play better and will play better, but it was all about the result
- Thought it would be scrappy.
- Disappointed with quality of set plays today
- Pitman: Need to work on fitness
- He needs to step up his training
- Goalkeeper: Felt for Joe, but felt we had to take him out
- Kovar great save. He'll be good in the future. Normally find that first loans end up with lots of mistakes from goalkeepers
- Derby not the same without fans
- Expecting to be a bit more grindy. Need more discipline.
- Not playing free flowing football like last year
- Goals conceded need us to tighten up and grind out results
- Wanted to be more structured in midfield in defence.
- Sheridan had family bereavement so not been around much
- Players are good. Just told them to be more disciplined
- Players relieved. Important win

OBESE PELE OBESE PELE

YESSSS Thank f**k for that. Really shitty win, just what we needed.
Well done Town !
Irene's a prostitute

I know I am colating their responses so you can all have a laugh, what a bunch of cunts they are :) worst side since Macclesfield if not longer to visit the CG!

Not one person giving Swindon any credit! if we are the worst side they have seen what does that make them?

 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Kovar 6/10: One good take, one good header, one excellent save down low. Two dodgy moments including dropping the ball in the middle of the goal with a couple of minutes to go.
Donahue 7.5/10: Strong attacking first half. Faded in the second. (Amended)
Baudry 6/10: No big mistakes. No chances taken.
Grounds 5/10: Moaned a lot at everyone. Did lots, but everything looked a little frantic and the ball not going where intended.
Odimayo 6/10: Couldn’t get a lot going down the right. Seemed solid enough
A Grant 7/10: Did the dirty stuff well. Appeared to feel the knock in the second. (Amended)
M Smith 6.5/10: Lots of endeavour today, but looked tired. (Amended)
M Payne 5/10: Lots of weak shots in the first half. Didn’t produce much in 2nd
B Pitman 6/10: Did his job. Lots of ugly play and took the one chance.
J Smith 4/10: Couldn’t get going. Not sure he was fit.
H Hope 6/10: Ran his socks off. Worked hard. Couple of shots, one curled just wide and over, the others were way off target.
J Grant 5/10: Didn't get into the game
T Broadbent: Not on long enough to mark.

After their utter confidence pre match these comments are so fucking funny, a massive dose of sour graps anyone?

Worst side to play us this season and possibly last season too.

Half seem to want Tisdale out after 1 match in charge! and I thought some of our fans were a little impatient!

Not a great game but a win is a win and even better when its against bitter local rivals!

Up until the goal.

After the goal

for me Matt Smith was off it a but today. Obviously his great ball in won it for us. So even on an off day..m

The other STFC conceded in the 97th minute to lose the game :)

Yes, I agree. Think I gave him a higher mark because he is just so much better than the players around him. Needs a rest though.

I'll see you in my dreams  :smugfu:

I also thought we looked more of a threat when Joel Grant came on, better movement up top.

Donohue was almost faultless for me I would give him a solid 8 and Anthony Grant a 7, considering he carried an injury for over half the game he did well today against poorer opposition.

on another note, my sister's boyfriend is a Rovers fan.

Absolutely delighted to have set him up so he could watch on ifollow today. marvelous

8 out of the 9 members of the band I used to manage and both sound engineers are Rovers fans :)

They are very quiet tonight, time for some messages to be sent....

Hallam Hope:
- Team buzzing to get 3 points and clean sheet
- Everyone had to dig in
- Not just the defence, but the whole  team had to work on the clean sheet
- 'We were always going to score' (Really, not what I was watching!)
- The team knew it wasnt good enough against Accrington
- Good players who can pass the ball about. But its the other side of the game we have to do. Had to play long sometimes today
- Sheridan ideas on organisation and communication, which helps
- Some things are similar but others different that when he played at Carlisle under Sheridan.
- Anthony Grant: Think he'll be alright. Big player for us.

You still speak to her Batch?  :)

Not pretty, Rovers were very poor though not as bad as Rochdale earlier this season (worst team I have seen since us under Williams), but 3 well earned points, and for once fortune favoured us with the ball not bouncing in off the post as it has had a tendency to do this season.  I'll take that thank you, and optimistically take the view we have turned the corner.

Did the 442 help with the clean sheet?

blood thicker than water. plus I need her to forward the message to him :)

Changed a couple of my markings upon reflection. I think Donahue and Grant were the standout performers and M Smith the best player on the park, but nowhere near his best.

 -Pitman: Need to work on fitness
- He needs to step up his training
Clearly not happy with his attitude then. At least this is noted and as a professional sportsman needs to take action.

It was 433. The biggest thing that helped us look more solid was our FBs staying at home more.

Odimayo solid out of position

Kovar and Grounds poor as usual

Matt Smith a class above

Hope didn't stop pressing the whole game

Pitman awful, but scored so hey ho

Game Changed when j Smith come off. Zero end product once again. Stevens was lively, changed the game.

You tinker JJ  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Kovar poor?

Explain yourself.

Sent from my CLT-L09

Just glad to see STFC win.  Fearing a heavy defeat, I didn't watch on ifollow today. 

I thought we deserved to win what was a very scrappy game without much quality.
Both teams desperate for points and to avoid making a mistake.
Apart from his flap at a cross late on I thought Kovar did well, including making one good save. Hopefully he will draw some confidence from that.
Donahue excellent, and first half Payne looked lively. Baudry made a difference at the back, too.
Matt Smith also good again.
I thought Broadbent May have come on a little earlier than he did, as they were throwing crosses into the box.
I don’t recall their goalie making a proper save - some woeful shooting from some good attacking positions by Pitman (almost hitting the clock first half - maybe he noticed it was 5 mins slow), Hope and Payne in particular.
I think Grounds may be suspended next game - so another defensive change required on Tuesday.
Hopefully we can build on this result as the injured players start coming back.

That and having Payne (and later J Grant) deeper, provided cover for A Grant, who was much more like himself today.

Not quite what I saw. Smith seemed to receive a hefty challenge in the first half and looked quite immobile afterwards - Really noticeable as he is so quick.

Stevens, is quick, but not as creative.

Did someone say Pork Pie Pele?

(https://i.imgur.com/Wi4PNzF.jpg)

Couldn't disagree more. Smith was still winning second balls and driving forward from midfield second half.

Sorry I thought you was on about M Smith

Thought that was a terrible game of football, that we won, which is nice.

Adding the third player in midfield made us look a lot less open, shame Payne looks awful in that role.  I'd have him out wide instead but keep the same formation.

Grant looks a lot better when he only has to worry about a small box of the field in front of the defenders.

Thought Donohue looked decent today, Odimayo was solid, Baudry was OK and Grounds is getting worse.  Overall, the formation and only one stinker in defence helped.  Baudry and Grounds nearly conjured a moment of pure comedy though, with both of them attacking a through ball in the air and both missing it as a result.  Their forward had stopped though.

Pitman's shot first half was as bad as Fryer in goal the other day, in terms of embarrassing for a paid footballer.  Looked ragged, poor touches, scores a goal.  I suppose if he could manage that every game or two you'd take it, problem is it's every 5 or 6 games currently.  Hopefully it really is just fitness.

A 1-0 win is welcome, shows that we can easily battle to mid table this season if we can just concentrate.

Yes, after that hefty challenge it damaged his MCL as his foot was planted ..Possibly grade 1/2 Tear suggested... scan on Monday,  stupidly played on in 1st half and then played 10 mins in 2nd half before knee locked. Out for a while.... I will know more on Monday.

Gutted ... and so is he...

RF...Out...

Appreciate the update and fingers crossed it's not as bad as it sounds.

[/quote]
Do you know why the physio doesn’t step in and tell him not to go back out? V sorry to hear he’s not in good shape, but with a small squad, we just can’t go and take those risks if it means he’s going to be out for weeks longer than he would have been if he came straight off.

Can’t we have any luck.
Down to the bones, a glimmer of hope with a few due back within weeks and now another injury.
Let’s hope the injury is not that bad.

That is ace. Fuck da vinci and rembrandt that is art of the highest order

That picture is the best thing posted on this forum in a while

Solid performance, not sexy and imagine the mood would be different had we not scored but we needed to solidify and we did. 3 in midfield and more conservative full back play helped massively

Kovar made a good stop from a long range effort in the second half and distribution was good, but still looked hopeless at crossed and nearly chucked one in at the end. Better than fryer but remains a position of concern

Stopped the rot on the pitch today so to speak and I'm all over that pork pie photoshop faster than you can say Harris Factory. Well done Samdy!

Sorry to hear that. He didn't look quite right today. Let's hope he heals quickly. Best wishes from all on the TEF.

Fuck the win, that pic has made my weekend.

Definitely, although the 3pts was welcome  :D

Would you take a defeat against Lincoln if we beat the piss stains😃

Yep. 3 points from the next two games would be good.

yup

Same here!

A poor quality game, between 2 teams lacking confidence with both playing a far more cautious style than normal due to a desparation to get a positive result. Fortunately we got the 3 points and finally had some luck on our side with their keepers error leading to a goal and ours not.

Main positives :
Firstly 3 points and a clean sheet
Donahue's excellent performance at left back
Grant and Baudry both putting in decent performances, near to last years form
A narrower midfield 3 giving more support to the defence
Kovar's performance - particularly the save low down to his right - until the flap at the end

Negatives:
Grounds looks a bag of nerves for somebody so experienced and his 5th yellow may prove a blessing
With Caddis absent, our link up play down the right was virtually non existent, but in mitigation Odimayo didnt let us down defensively, until one daft flick in our area which could have led to a goal
Pitman still largely off the pace and him and Hope both looking to lack quality and ideas. Their shooting was woeful, as was Payne's.
Our determination not to concede naturally led to a reduction in creativity overall, but I guess needs must at present

On to Lincoln and that will likely be an altogether stronger test, against a side chasing promotion. Wouldnt expect too many changes, although with Grounds suspended and J Smith injured, there will be at least two, with Broadbent and Stevens the most likely replacements.

Think we desperately miss Fryers as left central defender and Lyden as defensive mid and those 2 coming back, maybe in time for Oxford (please) would be a real bonus for the team. DJ also, particularly with J Smith's injury. I would love to see a starting 11 against Oxford as follows: Kovar, Caddis, Baudry, Fryers, Donahue, A Grant, Lyden, M Smith, DJ, J Grant and Stevens. That gives us extra midfield cover with plenty of pace and creativity on the break, with J Grant or Stevens playing through the middle. Cant see Pitman being able to play 3 games in a week anyway and prefer J Grant to Hope. If DJ isnt fit, then stick with Payne, who for me has flattered to deceive with little end product.

Having said that, I will take a hard to beat rather than free flowing football STFC for the next couple of games, if it means we can avoid defeat against Lincoln and Oxford.

Looking further ahead I can see 3 teams - Wigan, Burton and Shrewsbury - already looking like they may get cut adrift at the bottom. In which case we would only have to be better than one of Oxford, Northampton, Rochdale, Rovers, Franchise, Gillingham and Crewe. So it's crucial that we pick up points against these fellow strugglers. We've done OK in that respect so far with 3 wins - Burton, Rochdale and Rovers - and a draw against Shrewsbury, with only the 1 defeat against Northampton. In we are going to win one of the next 2 games, please let it be Oxford!!!

Great to nick a 1-0. Clean sheet and a goal for your centre forward is what dreams are made of when you're struggling no matter how poor the opposition.

Tuesday will be tough against Lincoln. They should be a different proposition than the brute force side under the Cowley's that we faced in League Two.

Looking forward, hopefully Oxford get a proper going over at Pompey leading up to Saturday and we get some more bodies available over the next week. Real shame to lose Jonny Smith. Hopefully positive news comes from his scan.

They have some pretty deluded fans, are they stuck in a Bristol B club bubble? Spout on like they are world beaters. I must have missed their champions league exploits.

There is often a clear divergence between perception and reality and I don’t think that North Bristol FC are really any different from most other lower league clubs.

Excellent post.

For what it’s worth, the XG table suggests MK are in a false position: https://twitter.com/experimental361/status/1330400113819316225?s=21

However agree with your point, that if we can get injured players back there is a far chance of at least 6/7 teams (Wigan, burton, shrews, rovers, Northampton, Rochdale, gillingham) being worse than us

Enjoyed that summary.  Thanks for posting.

Good morning all. We won. Don't care about the performance. Keep it tight for Tuesday and then win Saturday with a ricochet from our only shot in the 99th minute.  :D
Of course it won't count as a win.....

Get a draw on Tuesday or at absolute worst a very narrow loss as long as we beat the Pox on Saturday.

Although their fans will get the excuses in already, say it doesn't matter as its not a game played under proper match conditions. Just like the last win in the Checkatrade Trophy, not a real competition, was only on pens...blah blah blah.

Who's the Pox main threat JJ as I can't be bothered to go on their forum as all you will read is their obsession with "scum" no debate just horrible content

Matty Taylor the ex Shitty striker has 4 goals for them so far. They are sat right below us in the table in 19th place 1 point behind with a game in hand.

I forgot about Taylor he's still a threat and slightly more mobile than Pitman

A clean sheet. Bliss.

So, Brett Pitman.
Just had a look at the compilation of his goals for Pompey on YouTube.
Three of the 42 were from outside the area and the majority looked to be finishes from inside the 6 yard box.
Some good headed finishes and I guess that he'll be the penalty taker when we eventually start getting some.
He looks to know what he is doing.

Get him fit(ter), get balls into the box, don't worry too much about the contribution in general play and he'll score the goals I'm sure.
Feed the PPP and he will score.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88oy77vIslk

That's what I don't understand surely the coaching staff should be making sure he's fit and not carrying too much weight

Lump it to the fat kid up front you mean.

One thing that will be interesting is the fullback situation. Donohue and Odimayo both looked very good yesterday and both have good strength and mobility. It’s going to be very hard for Hunt and Caddis to get back in the team now, neither has looked good enough defensively for league 1 this season and have been a bit lightweight.

Watch the dropped catch by Kovar near the end again. Pretty sure he is impeded by the arm of a rovers player.

I’ve criticised a grant this year but he was back on form yesterday.
Swap Conroy for grounds , move Matt smith forward into a doughty role instead of Payne  , bring in Lyden for Payne and I think we will look good

Great compilation, certainly hits a penalty with pace, hope he can get the rythm back with us.

Just need to decide the option at RFB, more physicallity and mobility in defence against more invention going forward.

For me full backs are solid defenders first and foremost

I'm hoping that he comes good like Fjortoft did, rather than being another Thorpe / Cureton.

Feed the Pork Pie Pele Pork Pies and he shall (may) score.

in the mom thread you called me for for questioning our rbs attacking abilities and now it's something that needs addressing 🤔

I didn't call you out, you insisted every ball went backwards, I pointed out that maybe that wasn't strictly true. 

Also, i didn't say it needs addressing just pointed out that there is a choice to be made one which Sheridan / Wright made on Saturday. It appeared to make us more secure defensively but it's difficult to tell as Rovers weren't particularly threatening.
 
Away to Lincoln will be a much bigger test.





 
 

the home game will be tricky too

Not sure he realises it's at home😁

This has passed me by.  Where does the Pork Pie Pelé thing come from?

We’ve lost Ginger Pele and replaced him with a heavier version, hence Pork Pie Pele although as  Lardy cake is being discussed at length this week he could have been Lardy Pele just as easily

He needs to score a lot more before he gets Doyle status😁

We’ve got Pele, a pork pie Pele, we just don’t think you understand,
He’s John Sheridan’s man, he’s slower than Zidane, we’ve got a pork pie Pele.

Yep, it has potential.

Agree with all that, I was a little apprehensive of mentioning the arm on Kovar as I wasn't sure if I was being too kind but there is something there imo

Sent from my CLT-L09

If you check Samdy Grey's avatar, all will be revealed. Samdy posted a wonderful work of photoshop tomfoolery, which is now (rightfully) used as their avatar.

Check a few pages back and you'll see the image in enlarged pixel gorgeousity  :D

4D coined the name, I just copied the Doyle photoshop idea.

It's like having Beethoven back with us. I especially liked "slower than Zidane", top work, sir!

Credits:
From an original idea by 4D
Artwork by Samdy
Music by LL

Pork Pie Pele, the full multimedia experience.

Lets hope that the club's caterers get in on the act as well. Could replace the Di Canio pizza place with somewhere that sells Pork Pies. Of course, the attire of the staff needs to be the old Pork Pie Hat.

Such japes.

Pitman's Pies. All staff required to also wear "Brett Pitman" aprons. As a nod closer to Wiltshire/Devizes, maybe it is conditioned that all Pitman's Pies be delivered by Pony (sorry Donkey).

Correct, such japes. We say all this and he'll be gone quicker than you can say Melton Mowbray!

Can we use Bret ‘the Hitman’ Pitman as well please?
For those of us of a certain vintage.

This. I think we can be friends now  :D

One tries.

Pitman reminds me of Ethan Suplee in Unstoppable every time I see him. Hopefully Pitman can similarly transform himself!

Meat pie, sausage roll, give ‘em to Pitman he’ll score a goal.

He eats what he wants, he eats what he wants Swindon’s Bret Pitman, he eats what he wants.

Pie, pie, pie, Bret Pitman tra la, la, la, la, la, la.

Pork pie Pele, we’re proud to sing your name, while he eats his pie we’ll win the game.

Pitmans a pie man, Pitmans a pie man, no time for salads cause Pitmans a pie man, till the end.

I have others 😁

3.14159265359 is the magic number.

He's not much of a QT3.14 though.

how many decimal places have they calculated Pitman to now?

Fixed.

About 0.185 mph

Ponies are rubbish compared to donkeys.