Thetownend.com

Evening all  :busted:

After the enjoyment of an easy 3 points at the weekend, we face a tougher game at Gresty Road on Tuesday. One bonus is they have lost 3 games on the bounce.

I'll go for a  score draw 1-1.

1-2 to us. Winner in injury time by TB, after which he is nominated fora knighthood.

On the face of it I think it will be another scrappy game. The good thing about playing away is that the emphasis will be on Crewe to attack.

Defensively we look much better but it’s had a major impact on our attacking ability. There is too much space between midfield and attack with our strikers really looking isolated up front. As a result it’s been hard watching Swindon play this season (even though we have beaten two of our local rivals).

I am hoping the comeback of some of our key first team players will help improve things going forward but I think the game against Crewe will be another low quality affair with both teams playing tight and hoping to knick a goal. I can see the game ending 1-0 either way.

Before yesterday I wasn't sure this squad had the minerals to dig in and get results, possibly should have known better after Rovers but now I'm full of confidence that we can pick up positive results on a more regular basis, even if it needs to be ugly.

That said it will be tough at Crewe. The bounce from Saturday should give the lads huge boost of confidence. Hopeful Sheridan's more simplistic style will enable us to grind out a point or better.

1-1 draw and probably another set of fans calling us the worst team in the league.

Fucking love it. Straight out the piss stains copybook  :D

Remember when Lincoln kept being called one of the worst playing sides, a couple seasons ago? Well they went up off the back of it. I think people forget that a team (depending on personnel obviously) can change their style of play too.

After Saturday Sheridan may well see 442 as the way to go. If so, then expect Super Tom to start up top with Smith T.

Sure, it’s not what we’re used to, especially after last season, but if the shoe fits . . .

I wonder if the two up top, one knocking it on and one chasing in behind will see a fruitful Bret ‘Hitman’ Pitman & Tyler Smith partnership at some point.

Possibly but also think Tyler would be helped by having DJ and Payne out wide to link play up with touch and go passes.
Rather than J Smith and Stevens who are more slalom runners, which has its uses but leaves Tyler isolated

I've said before about the "worst team we have played so far" comments. Our manager left early in the season, we have had a number of injuries. We have good enough players in all positions, just need to settle and cut out the errors. I think we'll be fine. I'd be more concerned if we weren't scoring.

we can be everyone's "worst team we have played so far", as long as we pick up points

Fair shout

Given Crewe's style and our selection issues, I'd go with:
           
                 Kovar
Hunt Odimayo Grounds Donohue
                 Grant
  Stevens   Smith  DJ  Payne
                 Tyler

The midfield 4 would have to try and dominate the ball as best as possible, and be responsible defensively. It might be a bit expansive for Shez's liking.

How long is Hope out for?

I was so happy with the win, I don't recall the question being asked.

As far as I remember they just said he was "injured" nothing else was said of type of injury or possible length of absence.

We’ve been without Hope for about 25 years now...

Always live in hope.

Noel Hunt on the remaining injured players in detail.

https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/18909188.noel-hunt-gives-update-injured-swindon-town-players/

No mention of Jonny Smith or Pitman  :hmmm:

It's comments like this that make Hunt so important as an assistant. Exactly the sort of tyres pumping up comments that some players need and dishing it out doesn't come naturally to guys like Sheridan (although he has been surprisingly upbeat so far) or Wellens. Good that he's been given the responsbility of this interview and noticeable he was much more engaged on the toucline on Sat.

Hunt on Anthony Grant playing through the pain barrier: "He's a warrior. He's come through some injuries that a lot of people i know wouldn't have played with. It's important people see that in him, that he has gone through the pain barrier on a number of occasions this season, when other people would not play or even think of playing."

a very very welcome update on injuries. be lovely to get some players back in proper positions. just imagine having a full 11 for a fixture!

pleased to have ifollow available for tomorrow. the last 2 trips to crewe have been terrible.

2-1 win

0 - 0

On the Supporters Club fb live this evening, first time I've heard Broadbent acknowledge that he simply "wasn't really the last manager's cup of tea". We'd always heard the stuff from Wellens about him being physically or mentally unfit. Writing a player off like that begins to look a bit silly now he's been MoM in the last two games, albeit in unusual circumstances, but he certainly has something about him. Careers are made or broken on the whims of managerial comings and goings.

There’s also Wellens’ hypocrisy regarding Scott Twine. The reason given why he wasn’t in his plans was his lack of physicality, yet he signs other players of similar physical stature - Payne, Palmer, Smith etc.

Anyway, another point would be very welcome this evening.

One Crewe fan doesn’t fancy their chances

‘Luckily I won't be watching tomorrow's game, but, given Sheridan has history absolutely shithousing us, it's definitely going the same way as the Gillingham game the other week.’

Crewe's last 3 games, all losses, have come with them having > 55% possession in each game, but allowing 50 shots on goal ac ross them.  Cheltenham had 19 shots.

Sounds like the perfect game to use the counter attack.

happily take a point and avoid 'after the lord mayor's show'

They outplayed us from start to finish at Gresty Road last season.

A dour 0-0 would do me.

Loss, 2-0.

My free Ifollow pass that I was hoping to use for the Oxford game arrived yesterday and has to be used for this game so will be tuning in.

Would describe Crewe as a convenient day out as opposed to a good one in terms of away days.
Dead easy by train and just south enough of true north to make the drive for a midweek game bearable.

The Grand Junction pub in Crewe won the award for most miserable landlord last season.
The anger and the wild staring eyes. Why?! Only asked where the toilet was.
From the ridiculous to the sublime and Hops Belgian Style Cafe Bar was one of the better pubs on the L2 circuit.

Will it be 4th time lucky with anything other than a defeat on a Tuesday night visit to Crewe?
Had them down as doing ok this season.
Some teams have surprisingly failed to overcome the worst team in the division. Same again tonight hopefully.

We are in Cheshire and the pre match playlist should include some of this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ryJB-FF_Jg

Fully expect to get spanked after the high of Saturday.

Yes, I'd be surprised if we get anything from Crewe away. I'd adopt the same tactic that Wellens did in the home game vs Crewe last season and try to jam up central areas as they don't put in very many crosses. Assuming A.Grant can soldier on through his injury I'd play (3-4-2-1):

Kovar; Odimayo, Broadbent, Grounds; Stevens, Caddis, A.Grant, Donahue; M.Smith, DJ; T.Smith.

Crewe will have more possession so hopefully we can get something on the counter.

And that is fine really isn’t it.

Not really no, a point would be a nice way to build on Saturday.

A spanking is a step backwards

More from Crewe fans posted yesterday.

In all games vs Crewe the Town hold the edge with 19 wins from 40 games with Crewe winning 15, with us scoring 57 and conceding 45 times.

Crewe have been victors in 3 of the last 4 games though, but prior to that Swindon were unbeaten in the 9 games leading to then.

Alex hold the advantage in games at Gresty Road with Swindon winning 6 of the 20 ties and losing 11 of them. But in the last 6 games there it has finished with Crewe winning 2, Swindon winning 2 and 2 ending drawn.

Ex Town walking calamity Ollie Lancashire has played in the last 2 games which both ended as defeats for Crewe, he has a 100% losing record this term.

Crewe will be without Swindon born important midfielder Callum Ainley who went off on Saturday and has a serious hamstring injury.

So far this season Crewe have only managed to score 13 times with only Rovers, Wigan and Rochdale having scored less in the league, but they have only conceded 14 times which is the lowest outside of the top 10 positions.

If Swindon can manage a win they could in theory reach the dizzy heights of 11th tonight.

I will be happy with a draw but they are certainly not one of the better sides in L1.

Perry Ng is likely to be dropped after his disgusting gobbing incident at Cheltenham last Saturday.

How can Ollie Lancashire be holding down a place in League 1?  :eek:

Funny how different managers see different players. It's not as if it was just a confidence thing. Lancashire looked like he had no right to be on a football pitch.

Dion Conroy should be on the bench tonight.
What a comeback for the lad, very long road from 2 tough freak injuries.

Cracking if he could get 15 mins in.

According to the Crewe local rag the manager Artell says "the matter has been resolved after a chat with his captain Perry Ng and no further action is expected".

I hope Ng doesn't play, he was easily their best player last season.

He is holding down a place for the last 2 games, his first games of the season only due to injuries to other defenders.

I think they've got similar injury issues to us at the back

One thing I always notice at Gresty Road is how short the pitch is. Could help us get around the aforementioned problem of our midfield and striker(s) being too far apart. However, in the last few games I've watched there it's been our undoing as we've spent 90 minutes trying to thread the ball through a crowd with little success.

How do you get around that? Width would be one thing. Perhaps having somebody up top who can win headers and hold up the play too, but I would be shocked to see Broadbent starting in a forward role even after Saturday.

10 yds shorter than ours but 3 yds wider apparently.

Crewe have got to be the youngest team in the EFL?

Pickering seems particularly highly rated, and then Ng, Lowery and Kirk all get rave reviews. Assume they’ve also got a few cloggers (Lancashire) to balance it out

Their possession stats this season suggest they are edging on full Luke Williams territory.

Disgusting that, should have been suspended. Hardly surprising though from Crewe - if they turn a blind eye to nonces for years, they're hardly going to let a little thing like spitting on someone in a pandemic bother them

I hate spitting, if anyone did it to me I'd lamp em.

Anthony Grant desperately needs a rest, he's running on fumes at the moment but we literally have nobody to replace him. Bit fearful that Crewe's nimble midfield players are going to give him the runaround tonight.

Flipside of that - Matt Smith should be in his element. I'd drop him in alongside AG again and play DJ, Payne and Stevens ahead of them.

Yes very true point re Matt Smith.

If Lancashire is playing I’d stick Super Tommy up top to fuck him up physically alongside Smith T to tie him in knots on the floor = penalty and red card!

Sheridan has only gone and done it!

Fair play, looks like Sir Broadbent is up front

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EoKnx6rXIAEkBC6?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)

Not sure if Super Tom is up front though

He is and he will!

4-4-2 then with DJ and Payne on the flanks?

I think he may well be with Caddis right back, it didn't work for him on Saturday in midfield.

Ng starting unfortunately.

Still no Pitman even though Hunt never mentioned him as being one of the injured players.

Nice to see Conroy on the bench

I thought same as Saturday but with Broadbent for Baudry and DJ and Payne for Grant and Stevens

Thought it was obvious he wasn't mentioned due it being more long term.

No Rob Hunt at all?

Pitman is out for 6 weeks.

How long will Hope be out for

He also never mentioned Jonny Smith and his is supposed to be only 2 weeks out at most.

Bloody bus home is late! Was panicking until I saw we are a 1945 start! 🙂

7pm kick off  :hmmm:

Definately 7pm KO.

Fake news. It’s a 7pm kick off.

Oh bugger! It said 1945 on my Sky app.

Guess I'm going to miss the first calamity then!

I think if he does start with Broadbent up top its a very brave move by Shez, hopefully it works well again.

Told you didn't I. Well, suggested it as a possibility. Proper old school lower league. Hilarious.

C'mon the Makeshift Maradona! (c) Marley

My first game on I follow. I have a code but could someone tell me what I have to do? Please. Techno idiot I'm afrais

Both teams ran out onto the pitch in a really lethargic way tonight.

I'll be very surprised if Broadbent is upfront from the off.  Same as the start on Saturday with Broadbent for Baudry.

Hodgetts says he is. We're about to see.

I take it back, what do i know

Ballsy as fook from Shezza

I do like our away kit

Be surprised!

Lancashire has already picked out two more good passes than he did in his whole Swindon career.

Kovar nowhere near that 20 yard effort by Ng luckily its about a foot high.

Nice lay off from Broadbent there to DJ.

Backs to the wall so far.  Broadbent with a nice lay off and then a central defenders chase after the ball..

Crewe must have had 70% possession.

73%

Good work closing down by Payne

Good run and cross by Payne but its cleared.

Picky.

It's ok chaps. I got home in time.

I'm more surprised that Lancashire is playing.

Even more surprised that he has done alright so far

I'm going to say it before I I hopefully eat my words but fuck me we cant seriously start with broadbent up top can we!

hero status aside let's take a step back. our front game has. even focused on a press which goes out the window and just encourages a long ball.

I know we are thin on the ground but there has to be some youth options if desperate. actual strikers which can move and read the game like a striker

Just stating facts from the BBC :)

Kovar got a bit lucky with that misspunch.

Softest punch ever!🤦‍♂️

Don't disagree, but no defender near the Crewe player either. Could have ended badly.

Very much, great chance for Crewe.

Kovar could punch me and I wouldn’t go down.

1-0 Grant!

We score when we want!

Great cross from Donohue and super header from Broadbent to grant 12 yards out, booted into the net.

nice one Granty

I gotta agree..  last 15 mins when you are chasing a game fair enough, starting with a CB up front doesn't sit right with me.  I get we a short of bodies, but if you are not going to throw either a youngster or an attacking minded player up there in situations like this then what is the point of having them in and around the squad.

The General scores, get in.

Broadbent heads down to A Grant who likes it home!
 0-1 (and my first scream of the night!)

The Beast

Broadbent assist. We've somehow become a competent long ball team. Not convinced it's a long term strategy but hey ho, let's think about the long term when we're not playing Sat-Tues every week

yay

Broadbent is an assist machine

In 50 minutes as a striker Broadbent has 1 goal and 2 assists.
Hopefully we can keep hold of him in January.

We’ll see. On what I’ve seen, I’d pick Broadbent over Pitman. Which is moot, because we don’t have any other fit strikers.

That cross from Broadbent was properly good!

And that should have been another assist.

:D

Payne looking lively.

What a great move!
Payne, DJ, Broadbent and T Smith misses sliding in!

Range finding.

Sir Thomas of the Broadbents is not just a big lump. He's got skills as well.

Are you telling me that Tyler's misses is playing as well? jeez we are short

Or in our position you just go with whatever system and players that work which this seems to at the moment. No point playing a youngster if you have a CB that you know will at least do a job up there.

Payne’s on fire so far. Live wire.

Better than he is at the moment. (Just missed a headed chance and caught offside from Broadbent lay off)

Of course I get that, but you don't know if a youngster is capable of doing a job up there if they are never considered

Kovar - Get back in the box!

Which is always an option if this doesn’t work. So far I’m glad Shezza went with my plan.

Grant is much more snappy than he has been tonight

0-2 ooofffftt

2-0 Tyler

DJ - Tyler claiming another one

That's what EFL trophy and dead rubbers at the end of the season are for, no point in a league game especially one we'd target a win from.

Great touch by Tyler on replay

Really missed DJ just can create something.

0-2 DJ shot. T Smith poss touch.

How are we winning this?

1-2

That was quick!

2-1 to Town, bit slack by Caddis.

Caddis mistake again there.

bugger. Caddis should have put that out

1-2 What the hell was Caddis doing there? Poor by Kovar too!

At your most vulnerable after you’ve just scored.

my god this is too much excitement

I not arguing that Broadbent starting was not the right thing to do, I am just agreeing with Iffy that it doesn't sit right with me.  That's what opinions are all about, we are all allowed one.

Still at least we tried our young strikers out in the EFL trophy..

There was no excuse for that sort of mistake from a senior pro.

All that suggests is they aren't good enough or ready then. Management see them in training every day and if they were impressing then they'd get a chance, it's not like matches are the only place you can see them.

Agreed, my point still stands.

Of course again, i know that.. i've been around the blocks, i know how this football thing works.  it's just an opinion...

HT 2-1 to Town, happy with that really.

Pity one of our usual defensive cock-ups took the momentum away from us. 2-0 at HT and they'd have struggled. They get through the middle of our defence time after time, so the trick will be to hold the ball further up the field. This is still wide open.

A bit nervy at the back and we need to keep it down more, but can't complain too much.

Some half time ska:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U79o7qwul48

The mistake from Caddis is just symptomatic of the season really, he knows better, he'll know as soon as he headed it that he made a mistake, but we cant seem to stop them.

Overall, scrappy, they look fragile but neat and tidy.  We look like we could concede some more, but we have the lead to hold onto and battle for now and they do look like a wet blanket at the back.

Grounds is the biggest culprit in defence, he lets people wander off him with little to no effort.

Get back to work Rob T

I'm double dipping :-)  On a meeting at the same time.

Near post. Again.

Yes, Caddis should have cleared, but to be consistently beaten at the near post is really something that needs ironing out in training.

Yep only half way but considering several were expecting a damn good beating or to lose (this may still happen) and I think many of us would be happy with a point so if Town do go on to win this match it will be an awesome set of 6pts taken from two games we would all admit Town possibly would get best part of buggar all out of.

It also appears that we seems to have adapted to a system of long ball quite quickly. The passing game will come when it's needed but right now it seems a bit of "Geerrrrr iiiii faaaarrrrraarrrddddd" is some of what we need.

Kudos to Big Tom, he's doing everything asked of him whilst not in his preferred position - who knows, maybe this will become his preferred position; he's not doing too bad at it, is he?


If we win, I think I may have a glass of Dubonnet  :D

Dropping far too deep.
Starting to stretch us and need to push up a little.
Come on you redssssss

Agree with all of that, except the Dubonnet

Fair play to Sheridan. Could be delivering another decent result

If the score stays the same I wonder if you will start to see Tom getting deeper and deeper :D

Not much coming off for Matt Smith tonight.

2-2

Great finish

Kovar rooted to the ground, good finish.

It was coming.

Good goal that. Phone got the iFollow notification before it happened on screen!

boollocks

Too fucking deep

ref2-2 Poor defending. Good finish.

We're at 6s and 7s now!

Come on, get a grip.

That’s Crewe’s game, tidy passing, nice little curler. We’re still much too open, CBs playing too far apart.

Jesus... off the post

Payne and Caddis seem to be struggling. Both look knackered.

Off the post Kovar well beaten.

Eesh we are on the ropes.

F*cking post again!🤦‍♂️

We need to change something - pronto.

all over the shop

Got to be Haines up front for Payne. Drop Broadbent into defence. Odimayo to RB and Caddis to right wing

The way its going I will be very happy with a draw.

We have no shape this half at all.

Obviously didn't take our dextrosol at ht

2-3 ffs

was always happening

Thrown this one away.

I think every fucker watching this can see we need to change something.

We're suddenly back to not being able to manage basic defensive tasks. Full backs are getting overrun, Caddis somehow the man on their target man despite being the shortest man on the pitch.

Playing like Shrewsbury did against us.

3-2 Too fucking late.

Knife through butter at the back right now. We’re very tired and next to nothing on the bench.

Caddis struggling

That's disappointing

Think we are suffering the effect of the comeback against Oxford- caused us to go with a formation that has eventually unraveled us against a footballing team.  Completely exposed all the frailties we have - namely the ability to switch off in defence.  I kind of get why we did it, but it's not the answer to our problems.  It's then fully exposed the lack of legs in some of our players.

Oh fuck off Kovar.

Look's like we could get a thrashing now.

fucking hell. it's a calamity

Caddis is being ripped apart.

Has Kovar... ducked under that?

Buildup play horrendous too but that was just weird.

Caddis is done.

4-2 Have we given up?

Might as well play rush goalies!

Cripes

There’s nothing left out there. We just need bodies. Even kids at this point I suppose.

What on earth is this defence?

Sheridan's getting on my fucking tits.

DO SOMETHING

indeed

It's because he's getting no support from Payne.

Payne looks knackered. He lost the ball for the 3rd. Payne wasn't helping defend for the 4th.

Town do have a habit of conceding goals early in the second half, this season. Obviously concentration related but I wonder if it is physical fitness too.

A little under the cosh at present and we seem to have fucked it up in 10 mad minutes. I see they rolled the dice switching out Porter and Murphy for Mandron (of Michael fame) and O'Finney. It appears to have worked.

I notice quite a lot of alcohol related names playing tonight;

Perry
Murphy
Porter
Grant(s)
Sherry(dan)
Art(k)ell

Captain Kirk on the bench for them too. Broadbean now booked. Game of two halves innit!

I see the serial spitter scored too. I shan't be having Perry this eve!

maybe now the game is lost we could try some youth in proper positions and see what happens. no point saying everyone's legs has gone and then not use the bench

This.

He is shit and we all know it. Caddis is getting destroyed all game and he has done nothing. Crewe are dominating the ball and we still play two in midfield. I know broadbent set up the first, but he is a waste out there right now, we would be much better with another midfielder or defender in there.

A lot of the players look knackered, and the ones that aren't have no support. This is Saturday-Tuesday catching up with us a bit here, although tactically we could have done a bit more to prevent it too - putting Broadbent into the back line seemed almost too obvious.

This is funny, some of you got a little carried away on Saturday.

The mad six minutes gave us a respite but now the commentary has reverted to type.

Move Adimayo to the right to look after Powell.

People can back the keeper all they like but he's shocking tonight. Caddis is a 45 minute. Bring on the youngsters now, no reason not to in my opinion

Kovar does well in a 1:1 there.

Shambles we are all over the place.
Ffs what is Sheridan doing.

Stevens coming on to close the stable door and wonder where the horses all went.

I think we need to cut the remnants of this team a bit of slack tonight. They’re running on fumes.

What a strange sub.

Caddis ripped to shreds yet he takes Tyler off for Stevens, not the move I would have done TBH.

not really sure I see that sub.

though t Smith is coming back from injury

What's the point of that sub? It doesn't really change anything!

Think it is more to avoid another injury than any attempt to change the game.  We are done with this one - you can't suddenly replace half a team (the knackered ones) and expect to win it anyway.

Tyler was struggling. Only first team option.

oh good, Curran

Curran for Jaiyesemi.

Great 1st touch by Curran.

Probably best the video analyst stops recording this one, right about now, if they haven't already.  We will learn very little in the remainder other than creating a horror flick I expect.

The gaps in our defence are undefendable.

Painful

Why bring on Curran when Conroy's on the bench?

Maybe Sheridan's written the game off and there's an incentive to bring Curran on???

Grounds is utterly slack, like he just doesnt care.

They are quite attackable though

Is Grounds on a long term deal, or was it a short one?  I mean, Curran is clearly here as a favour, but Grounds is holding a slot that could be worthy of replacing in Jan.

We have an injury crisis already, not rushing Conroy back if he's not absolutely fit seems firmly sensible. That sub was more about who came off than who came on.

The Military Messiah down injured now.

Grounds contracted to EOS.

I think it is a very definite case of writing this one off now - save as much as you can for the next one.

1 year deal.

Crewe full of energy we look absolutely done for.
Concerning how many muscle injuries we have, without doubt we do not look fit.

Harry Parsons comes on for his debut and immediately commits a foul.

Definately, its damage limitation now, don't concede any more sloppy goals.

Broadbent now injured. marvelous

Parsons - First touch in pro football is to kick the left back up in the air! Nice! 😂

Basically Crewe have made the right changes tonight and galloped away with a strategic second half victory. I could see Town maybe getting one back but as others have said, Town are on fumes at present.

Realistically there is only Stevens on that bench with any real minutes in him. Maybe if we were 2 ahead you bring Conroy on for a 10min run about. On the flip, I think with the game conceded in those ludicrous 10-12mins, I think maybe treat the last 15 as a training game and bring on a few youngsters. No pressure just purely "go and show me what you have".

I see Agent Olly Lancashire getting in on the act with a shot on target!  :no:

Shame, not going to get into a melty McMeltdown scenario, several were predicting a loss. It is what it is for Town this season, they're are rather like Franchise a few seasons back when they just didn't know what team would turn up on the day. One game looking like doing/building on something, the next looking like a team of Raggy Dolls.

Frustrating nonetheless!

We've played nine times since 3rd November, it would be an absolute miracle if, with the squad we had, we weren't absolutely done for stamina wise.

M Smith has played every single minute of those games I think. Grant had one off.

Worrying but the nature of the injuries are concerning.

Switching off now good night everyone.

Probably the best season for fans to not be allowed.

I think Town have written this one off for tonight. No point risking injury and build some kind of First XI for the next one. Conroy playing tonight was only ever going to be the case if we were comfortable with 10 or 5 mins to play. Would be suicide to stick him on expecting him to do something - at present.

It wasn't all shit, I thought Broadbent did really well in a very unfamiliar position, Payne had a good 1st half but faded 2nd, Tyler did quite well while regaining fitness, Grant looked quite sharp 1st half but is obviously injured.

DJ gave us a different outlet but his obvious lack of fitness hampered him 2nd half.

Matt Smith again covered every blade of grass.

The problems tonight were all accross the whole of the defence and goalkeeper yet again.

Not sure I’d agree with all of that PV.

I'm not arguing that the defence/keeper were a bit shit but they got absolutely no support in the second half from the midfield in front of them, especially down the flanks. Any defence looks dreadful when they get no support, and ours isn't exactly bulletproof to start with.

Kovar made a couple of fuck ups but also a few good saves - he just had a lot to do and isn't good enough to do all of it well.

It's tough because Payne and DJ both looked great in the first half, but they were a big part of why we couldn't defend too.

Need some rest.
Credit to Crewe they have exploited our frailty.

Can't think for the life of me why Caddis and Grant have both played 90 minutes.

Not much blame on Kovar tonight. He was holding them off on his own.

I think poor old Grant needs a month on a beach somewhere. Clearly carrying injuries and his legs look completely gone.

Nothing on the bench

Too many games in too short a time, too many injuries and players returning to fitness.

Generous. Broadbent set up the first goal, but rarely won a header after that.

Caddis got wrecked. Kovar should have done better again.

The major problem today is Sheridan. Everyone could see Caddis getting ripped apart especially without Payne tracking back like he did in the first 30 mins. Nothing was done to change it. Midfield got over run. Probably M Smiths poorest game. Sheridan changed nothing to put an extra body in there. Uninspiring and insipid from a managerial standpoint.

Absolutely knackered they are. No depth at the moment

I could venture a guess.

I’m listening with Crewe Comms. They are thoroughly confused about the Swindon performance and can’t believe how open we are at the back.

Yup, that's pretty much it. Frustrating to watch but I'm not going to go writing off players on the back of that, felt like watching injury time in a cup match or something in the second half.

Sheridan needed to do more tactically to help us defend the lead. Not much on the bench to help, but just putting Broadbent back would have helped. Main culprit for the collapse in my view, but limited resources.

We do not have a game next Tuesday. It's a Christmas miracle.

everyone that impressed against oxford were invisible tonight.

I say this every time we play Crewe. massive soft spot for them, such a good team to watch and a ruthless passing team with a fantastic DNA. maybe they just always play well against us!

we were tired yes but at 2-2 it was a matter of time and we didnt change anything. the least kids on the bench can do is run so instead of letting those tired senior pros play yet another 90 mins just bring on all 5.

what a wank second half

every man and his dog could see that needed shuffling pdq after half time

The team look done in.  Kovar left horribly exposed by the tired  midfield/defence. He kept the score down with some good saves.

It's all very well making the odd save when 4-2 down, but it might be nice not to be beaten at the near post, not to spill the ball saving to the left, not watching the ball curl into the right and not slipping and ducking under the ball above your head!

Caddis was ripped a new one, but that was because Payne was offering him no help.

Donahue struggled with pace against him. Grounds criminally stood off for the curler!

Grant and M Smith looked knackered. Worst game in a Town shirt for M Smith.

DJ obviously not fit.

T Smith was poor. But why replace him with Stevens, who I don't think touched the ball! If you are going to put Parsons on the bench then give him a chance with a target man!

Oh, I can't be bothered!

Every club has the same number of games. We’ve just got too many injuries - and pick up even more every single game.

Must be a reason for that.

Nor me, just too many mistakes at the back again, you can argue till blue in the face where the problem lies, midfield protection, poor defending by the centre back or fullbacks being skinned or individual mistakes by defenders/keeper, the point still stands, we can't defend.

Give Crewe credit they saw both our fullbacks weren't at the races today and punished them.

Take nothing away from Crewe's performance.

We looked tired.

Not quite true of November, we were making up games from our Covid cancellations.

It's really unfair to blame Sheridan or that team for this. We've been playing twice a week for a month. We have an entire first 11 out. His reasons for the formation, the starting 11 and all the subs are obvious, and I can't see what he could have done differently. The only option he didn't try was putting Conroy on, and I assume that must be because he's not really worth risking.

If you're seething at that loss, you either haven't been paying attention, or you don't understand football.

Have no problem with the starting formation, the starting XI or even the identity of the subs, but we shipped four consecutive goals with no tactical changes. During that time we had a serviceable centre back up front. It's not about the identity of the subs, it's that he waited so long to make them when everyone could see that legs had gone.

I'm not seething, but I think Sheridan takes more blame than the players for that turnaround.

Horrible to watch that 2nd half after a reasonable first. The signs were still there though when we were in front, Powell had Caddis toast and they were able to play dinked balls onto the penalty spot at will without any sort of marking. Had Porter been a few years younger he'd have probably grabbed a couple too.

The only shining light for me was Payne who was everywhere until he ran out of gas (although he left Caddis exposed he was out only real attacking threat). I thought Kovar should have done better with the 3rd and no fucking idea what happened with the 4th. Making some good saves after that is neither here nor there when the game is gone. Don't want to single him out when there are so many issues with that defence and the squad overall.

We have downgraded in every position from last season and that only ends one way. It's a long old season and we just have to hope there are a few teams more fucked than we are.

No seething from me. It is what it is. Think we'll just about be better than maybe 5/6 other sides this season.

It was an evening at the Alamo for Kovar.

That was 45 minutes too many for most of the lads tonight. Shame as they started brightly with the 2 goals and maybe if Caddis had headed out for the first goal we conceded and we made it to half time 2 up we may have got a draw out of it. That said, we were genuinely knackered all 2nd half and they could have had another 5 but for a few decent saves and some poor finishing. A little realism required with the amount of games they’ve played and the wafer thin squad with all the injuries. At least after this Saturday they have a free midweek for the first time in a while, need some bodies back to be able to rest some of the older legs.

Payne was a threat in the first half. Yep, agree he was everywhere. But, he looked knackered after 55 mins. He then offered little tracking back. Said at the time we should have taken him off (while at 2-2) and put Haines up top while Broadbent dropped back into defence. I think Odmiayo would have covered the threat at right back.

I think you're clutching at straws. If pulling Broadbent into defence, going to three centre-backs with Curran and leaving Parsons and Stevens up front for the last half-hour would have had a different outcome, you can see how desperate we were.

We got what that squad could deliver I'm afraid. Zilch.

Not putting too much on tonight. Saturday was a massive effort for an already depleted squad. We've taken 3 points from two away games and I'd take a point if offered against Gillingham on Saturday. It's no secret we're short on numbers and I believe next week will be our first clear week since the start of November.

Sheridan could also benefit from a full week on the training ground. After Gills we play four very tough looking games against Fleetwood, Doncaster, Charlton and Portsmouth.

Hopefully we gain some bodies over the next week or two rather than lose even more.

Crewe been playing 2 games a week since the beginning of Oct and played 120 minutes on Saturday. They may have a fitter squad but our injuries make me wonder about our approach to training etc

This.

Now off to watch the scum highlights again to cheer me up....

Just noticed we're 5th in the goals for column and bottom of goals conceded. No prizes for guessing where we need to improve.

Our injury record of players is shocking- well I suppose what can we expect as we’ve signed a load of injury prone players.

Roll on February and the court case.

We look weaker in almost every position than last year in a higher division- a recipe for disaster.

Sooner Power loses control the better- which he will do if he loses the case.

Sheridan:
- Game too far? No. First half we were excellent. Game plan good and players played to it.
- Goal before half time was disappointing.
- Second half. Players have to demand from eachother. Sheridan was shouting lots.
- Complained that none of the players were vocal and shouting to eachother
- Dont want to be too hard. They have worked their socks off.
- We have an experienced back four who should be demanding of each other (Telling each other what to do)
- Downer to concede 4
- Gave it away cheaply
- Didn't organise eachother and be vocal on the pitch
- We have to demand all over the pitch to get results
- Injuries not helping
- Very short on bodies
- DJ and Tyler shouldn't have been involved (coming back from injury)
- First half ok
- Too many little things in the second half that ended up in big things
- When you are 2-1 up you should push yourself even more to win
- Should have been stronger and braver. Too many people standing off.
- Broadbent up front as he had noone else
- Wanted to leave out T Smith and DJ. But couldn't
- Bit soft second half
- Smith and DJ off to protect them. At 4-2 game was gone
- Not sure whats wrong with Broadbent
- Hunt calf strain
- Got to make sure we keep as many people fit and available
- People need to be sharper in defending
- What we did in the first half we should have done in the second
- Where can consistency come from? Make the game look simply. Just do the basics properly
- We make ourselves vulnerable
- No good rushing people back. Just have to wait and see.
- Would like a few more bodies fit and available.
- M Smith tailing off? He wouldn't talk about individuals. If he had something to say about an individual he would do it in the changing room.

That’s my concern we are a weaker side than last season and the number of muscular injuries surely are not just coincidental.
That second half we simply couldn’t run, one attack 5 against 2 with players walking.
Massive concerns.

Need Dion Conroy if anything to vocally organise that defence.
Interesting comment from Sheridan regarding the communication, noted that tonight.
It’s over now and some interesting internal discussions will follow that.

Bit of a "going through the motions" interview with Jaiyesimi, I thought  :hmmm:

DJ:
- Had hold of them first half
- Their first shook Town up
- There is communication on the pitch, but we need to talk more
- Second goal 'It was a shot from me and Tyler got on the end of it'
- Good to be back. Felt OK today
- A few injuries and Covid aint great but he's back now
- Can pick out little excuses, but he thinks everything will click soon
- We let them play their game. We should have kept it more compact
- DJ came back to get games under his belt and kick on
- A few injured lads coming back into the fold.
- There is potential to beat the big sides

I think you just forget that one tonight.

This is with a lot of hindsight, and I've said it before, but Wellens does have to shoulder some of the blame here (maybe he saw it).  He has recruited like it was last season and not taken account of the freak nature of this season.  It was a gamble last year and it paid off, and I think he was right to take it.  This season was all about having bodies who could get through a slog in a bizarre world mentally.  We've recruited the same type of players - this time it is killing us.  We have too many injuries and complete mental collapse.  The individual talent level is OK, getting it to work is tricky in the circumstances though.

IF, and that is a very big IF, we can manage to ease some of the injured players back in, get away with a few Oxford results along the way and keep ourselves above water, I think a fit version of our squad stays up.  I do think Sheridan has to take the responsibility from the players of making us more compact though, in the meantime at least.  If we don't have the legs for it, going 4-2-4 (which is what we essentially did with players like Payne and DJ wide) is asking for trouble if done for more than a last 15 minute gamble.  Get some extra legs in the middle to help Grant and then let the front 3 be forward thinking (they can't really be anything else with the players we have).

It won't stop the brain fade that will keep happening, but it will ensure we have a few extra bodies to cover for each other.

Next, Grounds has to be benched - he's the only one I watch and think he's just not got it.  Caddis tries even if his legs are not with him, as does Grant.  Odimayo has a youngsters head, but he's trying and generally looks sound.  Grounds just seems completely lost - I don't want to say he isn't trying, but it sure looks like it at times.  Problem is we've started to run out of other players again!

I don't have the time or inclination to overanalyse events this evening.  My view remains that relegation will be avoided.

Oh, and the Keeper situation really does need looking at.  I'm not going to jump up and down blaming the young lad, but we can't carry someone learning their trade this season in that position.

Kovar 5/10: I expect a goalkeeper to make routine saves. He did that when we were 4-2 down. Could have done better with at least 3 out of 4
Caddis 4/10: Criminal header to give away possession in the box for the first goal. Torrid time defending on his own.
Donahue 5/10: Struggled against pace. Put in a strong shift running everywhere, but kept getting caught out by pace and movement
Grounds 4/10: Don’t stand off! Our keeper doesn’t save much. Try protecting him!
Odimayo 6/10: Not brilliant. Not bad. Consistent.
A Grant 5/10: Scored!?! Not sure he  influenced much
M Smith 4/10: Not a great game tonight. Needs a rest
J Payne 5/10: Fizzed around the pitch first half and was burned out by 55 mins. Needed to support Caddis and didn’t
T Broadbent 5/10: Won a few things early on. He tried but he’s not a CF.
T Smith 5/10: Seemed to have his arms out protesting lots. Scored one. Missed one easyish header
DJ 5/10: Looked threatening on occasions in the first.

Subs:
T Stevens 1/10: Didn’t see him do anything
H Parsons 4/10: Ace kicking the defender up in the air in first 5 secs! We had 2 mins of chances and then it subsided.
T Curran 4/10: Stopped a corner. Didnt do a lot more!

Who is going to buy the club?

We do need one experienced keeper in, granted. It looks like binning Fryer off/not renewing in Jan for an older head. On Kovar, and I did say previously he wasn't ready to be a no.1 all season. However I do feel he is improving (yes even tonight) and IF we do get in an experienced keeper to guide him, share responsibility etc then we may see an increase for improvement.

One thing I will say...Mildenhall clearly isn't having a positive influence on them. That may seem harsh but surely if issues like coming to claim balls and errors at near post, these would be seriously drilled in training until it stuck. Maybe they do, do this? You'd like to think but it doesn't seem evident or transferring onto the pitch  :hmmm:

PS: I wish Reg would come on just to tell us we face a season battling with our L1 safety.

Clemente Giovanni Bruno Morfuni of course. The Strayan Plumber!  :pint:

Well that was certainly a back down to earth performance after the delirium on Saturday.

Everybody knows Crewe are a good passing team who are however suspect at the back and until tonight have an inability to comeback from going a goal behind.

So to be 2-0 up after 35 minutes is a great position to be in.

Absolutely love Paul Caddis and his contribution in 2 spells at Swindon has been immense, but tonight proves to me that he unfortunately is not reliable enough to play at League 1 level and I really hate saying that. He doesnt have the physical attributes and the goal conceded at Oxford and first goal tonight shows that his sharpness of thought is lacking. To go in 2-0 up at half time I suspect we dont lose that game. That goal gave them hope.

The second half is a complete disaster. Yes Crewe played well, but we let them attack at will. Surely Sheridan had to react earlier. Clearly Caddis and Donahue are being exposed and DJ and Payne as the wide options are offering no protection, so bolster the defence/midfield. I know we are lacking in options but put Broadbent back, move Odimayo to full back- their threat is out wide - and put either Caddis or Donahue to midfield to bolster numbers. 2 up front didnt make sense at that stage.

I fear for our safety in this league after tonight's performance. Yes Oxford was the big one and a great win, but we look so vulnerable and the continuing lengthy injury list is a massive worry and why after Crewe played 120 minutes at Cheltenham did they look so much fresher than us. Like most teams we have a mix of young players and experienced players , but we seem to pick up so many more injuries than other teams - why??

Would have been happy with a draw before the game, expected a win at 2-0 up,  feared a loss at 2-2 and wanted to avoid a drubbing at 2-4.

Overall a very worrying performance.

Good summary - Spot on how I saw it too.

Perfect synopsis. I was going to post ‘at 0-2 up we should have shut up shop or parked the bus or whatever metaphor you’d use to say, don’t fucking lose this one’. I won’t be watching on Saturday, I’m sorry but my heart is not in it after last night. I’ll be back shortly, I just need to lick my wounds.

well said kirky.

I thought Caddis was one of our more consistent performers until the last 3 or 4 games. maybe 2 a week is too many. maybe age is simply catching up.. not sure

Still annoyed with Sheridan.

Even still at 2-1 I think everybody could see they were just going right through us. Something needed to be done - a change of shape or something. I think he's done a decent job up until now but that result is on him I reckon. I get the players are knackered, but you could still try and do something.

I'm concerned. Oxford could easily have been a defeat too.

it's going to be a long tough season for sure

edit: unless we stop shipping goals for fun. it's been an issue all year

But it wasn't, and Lincoln could easily have been a win (but it wasn't). Other losses/draws could also easily have been wins (but they weren't).

The league is not decided on what could have happened.

Knowing this season we'd likely get a result on Saturday and we can all flip to being positive again, before then flipping back again when the next result goes against us, and so forth.

Correct. People got carried away with the result(which is understandable) and forgot how poor that game/performance actually was.

I was surprised that Haines was not introduced in the second half to shore up the midfield. He looked OK the few minutes I've watched him this season, and we had nothing to lose  as the whole team was being overrun anyway. 

I know, I'm not stupid  :) Just not confident, yet.

But, either way it proves there are worse teams than us.  Sheridan seems to have gone from hero to zero  in a just a few days, maybe he should have changed the formation at 2:0 up, but with an empty bench he obviously felt at half time that we had enough to see the game out......... Wrong.
Hopefully the injury problems will improve, possibly strengthen the squad in the next few weeks, either way don't think we can blame Sheridan entirely, he can only work with what he has in front of him.
Keep the faith !!!.

Yep, one swallow doesn't make a summer.

The shape didn't work at all - 442 with TB upfront was ridiculous from the outset, but to not change it as the game went on was criminal.

But more than anything, our squad is in bits. The players that are playing are running on fumes. Get through Gills and we've got a week off to rest and try and get some bodies back. Last night we had 10 or 11 fit outfield players. A Grant is injured but playing. M Smith is shattered.

It's the same for everyone - it's going to be inconsistent, it's going to be brutal. We've just got to win more games than 4 others.

When you look at our squad, how many are suited to playing in a relegation battle, utilising a completely different style to the very open, expansive 'Wellensball" way, most were recruited for.

It's much harder fitness wise to play without the ball and we have gone from a side that dominated games to one that is looking to feed off scraps, using a much more direct style, which does not play to the strengths of many of our players, particularly the likes of an ageing Caddis or youngsters such as Matt Smith, Johny Smith and Jordan Stevens, who were all loaned in to support an expansive way of playing.

Of the current squad, perhaps only Hunt, Broadbent, Grounds, Odimayo, Donahue, Antony Grant and Lyden fit the bill and they are all either injured, recently returned from injury or approaching the end of their career, in the case of Grounds and A Grant.

Injuries have clearly taken a massive toll and Sheridan will be hoping that we pick up enough points from the next 6 fixtures in December (Gills, Doncaster and Pompey away, Fleetwood, Charlton and MK at home) to not start getting cut adrift in a bottom 4 along with Wigan, Shrewsbury and Burton. They all look difficult fixtures with the most likely source of points being Gills away and MK home, although fielding 11 fit players is going to be a challenge for the Gills game on Saturday. If we can get a settled back 4 of Hunt, Odimayo, Broadbent and Donahue playing behind A Grant and Lyden as 2 holding midfielders, then we may be able to do better than I expect in December, but that currently seems unlikely.

The January transfer window is going to be crucial, to firstly bring in some characters who are vocal, physical and used to playing the way Sheridan wants us to play. We may have to send some young loanees back as i cant see them being up for, or thriving in a relegation battle. We also need some players that have a decent fitness record, as our list of injuries is frankly embarrassing. Also an absolute priority is to get an experienced keeper in, as although Kovar may end up as a top keeper, he is not what we need at the moment. Perhaps we could make a cheeky bid to get Luke McCormick on loan from January, he would fit the bill. All of this depends on finances, which means hardly any of it is likely to happen of course.

Sorry to sound so glum, maybe it's 2020 finally taking it's toll on me, but after witnessing the surrender in the second half last night, I really dont hold out much hope for the rest of the season.

 :442 not working at all isn't strickly true as we were 2-0 up using 442 and then gave away a poor goal that had norhing to do with shape.

Sheridan seemed to change from being safety first as for the last few games to being more open for longer. As people have pointed out he failed to adapt when we were obviously struggling.

Looks likely at the moment that we will be in a mini league at the bottom where the teams are more our level.

We didn't go 2-0 up because of the shape. The CMs were too deep and overran from the first minute. Suicide to go 2v3 in there against Crewe.

@kirky - I fear the January window will be non existent

well, non existent without fresh cash coming in.

in this environment I totally get that and accept it.

Yep. We were deservedly ahead.

Then the game changed, but we didn't. I'm willing to be quite forgiving given our injuries and whatnot, but Sheridan not doing anything is fucking baffling. I'd love to hear his reasoning behind it. Maybe he has a legitimate reason for it.

Yeah there are worst sides but that doesn't get away from the fact that we are also a struggling team.
I'm not offering an opinion on Sheridan. He's been here 5 mins and it would be foolish to do so yet.

In mitigation, we have pretty much an entire team out injured and on the positive side we've won 2 and lost 2 of our last 4, keep that up and that will be enough to keep us going. Last night just looked like a game too far, or perhaps 50 minutes too far. We looked pretty good for the first 35 mins or so, but then the cracks started to show. They're clearly knackered, injuries and two games a week are killing us. The question is, is this just a horrible crossroads of the peak of our injuries and getting toward the end of the busiest period of two games a week or are we going to keep seeing two coming back as two go out?

Not sure that's very fair to say he can't play at L1 at all. Perhaps "can't be expected to play twice a week for months" might be fairer?

He was brilliant last season in a team playing an expansive style, dominating the ball, which played to his strengths. He is not suited to a backs to the wall, more defensive minded team.

Added to the fact he is up against more physical, powerful and better attack minded opposition. Powell completely had him on toast last night. I just think its a season to far for him, certainly in this team.

Caddis has been mostly fine so far this season. He's not suddenly lost it overnight.

He was poor last night, and patchy on Saturday. But he's generally been pretty good most of this season. Just think weeks of playing twice a week is finally catching up with him, along with tbf most of the squad. Far too early to be writing him off just yet. If we manage to get some players back so he can be rested/rotated a bit and then he's ropey, I'll gladly concede your point but to date I don't think what we've seen proves that he's completely gone rather than just knackered and overused.

Sheridan got tactically beaten last night.
Crewe reminded me of the Richie Wellens school of football, tidy, patient, pressing and possession based. Yes they went from right to left but executed the through ball at the right time.

We can make excuses tired, injures etc with some mileage but Sheridan got that wrong last night.

Fair enough Paul. Btw I am a massive fan of Paul Caddis, probably my favourite right back since David Kerslake. Looking forward to Saturday, it seems unlikely that DJ and T Smith will be able to play 3 games in a week after just returning from injury and Caddis clearly needs resting.  Expect a couple of the youngsters to get a run out: namely Haines in midfield (supporting A Grant) and Parsons up front. Will be good to have a dose of much needed fresh energy. Would expect Conroy to start as well if Broadbent and Hunt are ruled out, with Odimayo switching to right back. Will be a struggle to fill the bench.

Yeah, I got that, just don't give up on him yet!

Can't really add too much as to what's already been said but I had a free Ifollow pass so watched the game last night. (I usually don't bother with midweek games) Seeing Broadbent up front with Tyler Smith did seem a little bit ridiculous, but it worked on Saturday and given our injury list, why not?

We weren't great first half but having Broadbent up front does seem to disturb defences and he got an assist and should have had 2, but Tyler Smith couldn't notch from a dreamy cross from the big fella. However he did manage a nice finish from a DJ cross and that was as good as it got unfortunately. Caddis dawdled allowing Powell to make it 2-1 and make the second half a different challenge.

One which we just weren't up to. Crewe took total control and 6-2 wouldn't have been an unfair scoreline, it seemed Crewe could score whenever they want. This is a Crewe side that played 120 minutes at the weekend and were able to rest their best player (Kirk) and yet ran absolute rings around us. Can't really blame the side or Sheridan too much, the list of players missing, or playing when they shouldn't be, is not getting any shorter. The fact that at one stage we had a Centre Back and a left winger up front says it all really.

I think once we get all our players back from injury and match fit we should have more than enough to stay up. Given how tight Sheridan has had us recently I think being so open away at Crewe was a mistake - perhaps he had no other option, who knows. Nobody played particularly well and the whole team, to a man looked absolutely shagged for the last 30 minutes. Perhaps its time to play Parsons and Haines etc for a couple of games, just to take the strain off of the older heads who are having to play Tue-Sat week on week. Its killing us really.

Hats off to Crewe, they play some great football at times. Back to the drawing board for us, don't think we'll see big Tom Broadbent starting on Saturday somehow.

Looking at it;

Wellens 9 games W3 L6 (that might include the 1 or 2 that Hunt managed whilst Wellens was ill negotiating to fuck off

Sheridan 6 games W2 D1 L3

So as it stands its not much different, Wellens was not working very well and he jumped Sheridan the jury is still out.

Cannot believe Wellens has only been gone a month, feels like a bloody lifetime!

Cannot be bothered to do the maths, but as the season started late I assume we are playing so often to catch up, on that basis (and the fact that we are out of all the cups) I assume the calendar will ease a bit in the not too distant?

I'm pretty crap re tactics etc but the difference between Sheridan and Wellens appears to be that Wellens is a bit of a one trick pony and generally sticks to plan A. Whereas Sheridan has come in, seen that we are a bit shit at the back (understatement of the year) and put out teams to try and make us hard to beat, garnering us a clean sheet and a streaky 1-0 win and pretty unlucky not to take a point at home to Lincoln. Also, there is not a hope in hell that Wellens would have thrown Broadbent up front at Oxford.

Its perhaps not completely fair to say that Wellens wouldn't have got us 3 points at Oxford, and our injuries have been horrific but I do think in the current circumstances I think that Sheridan is more likely to keep us up than Wellens would have been. See his pathetic attempt to keep Oldham up during his first managerial role.

I think Plymouth fans would say the exact opposite about Sheridan that he too is a one trick pony. I guess only time will tell, but Wellens did leave us in a poor situtation entirely of his making.

I am sure too that Wellens wouldn't have the guts or inclination to have played Broadbent up front and hence we probably wouldn't have won at the Pox.

Agree with pretty much all of that, what causes my eyebrow to twitch is this idea that Wellens introduced some sort of revolutionary 'Wellensball' which is writing him a reputational cheque he cannot honour.

Note that he has W2 and L 3 in the league since he took over at Salford, so not a million miles different to Sheridan, not sure what Alexander's record was like before he got the Elbow, but they seem broadly where they were in the league?

From what I have read PV, I think Sheridan is a bit of a lower league Allardyce where he seems to come into clubs and save them from relegation, where he tends to struggle is when he has been somewhere a long time and is unable to take clubs to other levels.

I'm not suggesting Sheridan is the saviour or some kind of tactical genius but I do think that in a relegation dogfight I reckon Sheridan has more minerals than Lieutenant Abandonship.

So far he has done more than Paul Hart achieved and will long live in the memory as the man that broke the Pox hoodoo, no matter what happens for that I am grateful, even if he is not here for the long term.

Looking at it Tyler Smith has 7 goals in 7 starts, that bloody good and seems to have been rather missed (at least by me!)

Though less than four in the League? He doesn't make this table:
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/league-one/top-scorers

According to the ever great below he has 4?

http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Squad.asp?Season=2020-2021

Congrats to Harry Parsons on making his debut, albeit he has a very severe fringe!

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EoOMZi_XYAAp-DF?format=jpg&name=large)

Is that keeper trying to copy Wayne Hennessey?

Spock-like

Shame Charlie Kirk didn't come on for Crewe and take the armband

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1sju0GFJCA&list=RDW1sju0GFJCA&start_radio=1&t=0

Perry Ng suspended for the next six matches for his naughtiness last weekend.

A grand old piece of timing that.

So much for "the matter is now sorted" from his manager!

I am not sure that even a missing Ng would have changed the outcome on Tuesday but it could have spurred us on a bit more possibly from the outset.

Pity it didn't happen a bit sooner !!.