Thetownend.com

Here we go again  :)
Early kick off apparently,  1pm.

Hopefully we will batter them, but who knows. Our away form is pretty poor.

2-0 defeat.

0-0 - I think we'll deal ok with their lumps up front but will struggle to create.

God knows what the team will be, and who's fit or who's not, but please do not play 442 with a CB as a striker.

Ideally something like:

                  Kovar
Hunt  Odimayo Grounds  Donohue
                  Grant
Stevens  Smith  DJ  Payne
                  Smith

Hoping for a Bristol R/Oxford/Gillingham clean sweep.  Never say never.  It's do-able.

Where will Broadbent start, I wonder?

I can see us getting a point from this. But that is very much subject to who is available, obviously

However unlikely it is I would like to see us line up like this, bring in a defensive minded midfielder to give Grant someone alongside to save his covering so much space left behind Matt Smith as he ventures forward.

* If Lyden or Conroy is fit then either of them would be an option rather than the inexperienced Haines.

DJ and Payne are our most creative options so would have to play IMO to create for Tyler but giving the defence far more cover with Matt Smith in a more advanced role.

                      Kovar
Odimayo Broadbent  Grounds  Donohue
              Grant       Haines*
DJ                 M  Smith                  Payne
                    T  Smith

5 - 3 win for the home team

early kickoff has knackered me watching it, silly do what you likies.

had there been a presser yet? can't see Broadbent being fit

Why is it an early kick-off?

who knows. presumably agreed by us though

All Gills home games seem to be 1pm KO's from what I can see, no idea why, save costs on floodlighting? can't think of any other reasons.

Gutted to be missing out on a trip to New Brompton FC on my birthday.
Then again, possibly not.  :)
Would probably have stopped off in Rochester for the culture and essential fuelling before the game.
Maybe next time.

The 0-0 in Feb 2016 was possibly the windiest Town away game that I've been to.
The not so temporary away stand managed to survive the battering and the matchday thread made it to 8 pages.

Hoping (against hope) for a repeat of Dec 1986. Must be due a win at their place.  :hmmm:
At least they won't have the possible advantage of the backing of 2,000 Men & Maidens of Kent.

Speaking of which, here is an Ice Maiden of Kent at her finest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9c1Um74jFY

Would of been a defo for me as little miss Flash lives in Kent but...alas...

Im going for a good win...to strengthen our inconsistent tag....

A difficult trip in normal times but they've had 5 good results on the spin, not holding out much hope

3-0 defeat I'm afraid

I'd imagine Johnny Smith is in contention again?!

Gillingham has never been a happy hunting ground for Swindon with only a 10% win rate in 49 games there. We have drawn the last 3 games in Kent though so its not all bad.

I was lucky enough to have attended the last win Swindon had there 9 games ago in December 86 when we totally outplayed them in a 3-1 win with Peter Coyne grabbing an early goal.

Probably the most intimidating atmosphere I have witnessed at a Swindon game ever, far worse than any Pox, Shitty, Gas, Millwall or Cardiff game with endless showers of bricks, bottles and coins being launched at the 2,000 or so Town fans in the open end.

They really fucking hated back then after the heated game in 79 at the CG which started the hatred they have for us.

https://thewashbag.com/2012/04/17/gillingham-there-may-be-trouble-ahead/

With Grant carrying any injury I expect Broadbent to pop up as a holding midfielder next

We could do worse than trying him in goal.

That would be an ace trivia question if we did!

You can't read, and you can't write,
You wear gold and Nikes,
Cos you come from Gllingham,
And you're all fucking Pikies

Bearing in mind the amount of snow that has been dumped on the South East over the last 24 hours, is there a possibility of the game being called off?

May I adapt... ;)

You'll never learn to read, you don't wanna learn to write.
Ya wear fake gold and fake Nikes!
There's nothin' real about that AU.
Cos you come from Gillingham, what a fuckin' sight!
All suppin' Sunday sesh Tenants, what a bunch a Pikeys.
Where the time zones different,
The fuck ya always KO before two!?

Ya talk about the chains ya got and where ya "diamonds" got cut.
But the only chains ya have are the ones keepin' ya in that shitty Town!
Still ya play it like Kings, that's Gypsy Kings at best. Greatest Hits - Bamboleo.
See ya never gonna get ya Kentish selves outta this rut!
There's only one place for you rood boi, that's down.
No, no, no - not givin' head?!
Down like relegation - ya know?


*Apologies to any decent Gills fans ;)

say goodnight to the folks Gracey

My daughter's boyfriend will be watching this with me. Do this and we may have a conversion.

I believe it’s because they need to get the Gas canisters connected back to the caravans before it gets too dark.

Think this will be a tough one, so on that basis, anything would be a bonus.
We're the only ones kicking off at 1pm in this division so don't have to worry about other teams efforts until 3o'clock.

Repeat of 2009.

5-0

Could be a Dickens if a game

Was there a pre match presser? Do we still have those? I've no idea who's back in contention regarding injuries/knocks (Broadbent, J Smith, Baudry, J Grant?)

Am assuming Lyden, Fryers and Pitman are still longer term? And Conroy on the bench at crewe but not near to a start?

Loss. 2-1

Do you think we will only concede 2😁

I’m not riding high in the prediction league for my good looks Jimmy my friend!!

I wish all Saturday games kicked off at 1pm. It takes me two hours to get home from the CG. Much better to be home at 5 rather than 7.

I am amazed the Football League haven't changed this just to suit the likes of me. (That last point is heavy with sarcasm).

True that, the fans parking their horses outside the ground is no longer an issue.

That’s a theory. I think it may have to do with the geography of Gillingham, (although Plymouth don’t do it) Whereby they kick off early to allow away teams to get back at a reasonable time. I think their home Midweek evening games kick off at 6.

Nah its definately more to do with horses, gas cannisters, caravans and electronic tagging. :)

Don't put yourself down Bob I bet you can still turn a few heads! If we only concede 2 I will be surprised unless we've signed a new goalkeeper and Dion makes his comeback😃

Haha!

Gillingham's striking options are Vadaine Oliver, Dominic Samuel and John Akinde so I’d be tempted to go with Broadbent at the back for more physicality.

Yes good shout and at least try and keep things tight at the back

Four memories of Gillingham.
The first was the 3 playoff games culminating in the Selhurst park win, still my favourite PO, I guess you always remember your first best.

2nd was the league game win same season I think. I ended up in their bad boys pub mistakenly thinking it was town fans before the door was bolted behind me. 200 heads turned and stared and I could see they were thinking here's their village idiot.

Third was the 5-0 leathering about 10 years ago. I somehow ended up out all night before the game, woke up at 3pm with my unused ticket. That result didn't improve my hangover.

Last was leroy (ex myonlyswindon resident comedian) stashing his undrunk beers from the train journey under a traffic cone outside the station and posting a picture of them..

Mixed bag of memories which means 1-1 draw

3-1 1977 if I recall where the hatred was born.
What a game and atmosphere, TE was bouncing that day and put Gillingham out of the faint promotion push, unfortunately we also blew our chances in the remaining away games.

One of the best seasons supporting Swindon and fighting on all fronts, League Cup, FA Cup and League finally took its toll and we ended up with nothing.

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

Curran?

Curran :no:

Curran starts?

Christ! I hope he has a blinder.

Power must have told Sheriden to pick him😁

Up front, out the way.

Curran. really? I mean caddis has had some stickers recently but ...

I guess everyone has a clean slate

So Broadbent the latest injury? No idea where you put Curran in that line up unless it’s a back 3/5.

Presume he’ll be 1 of 3 CBs with Odimayo RWB.

Penalty incoming!

And goals😂

Eek. Good luck to the lad but that's not inspiring.

Curran in midfield? That or 343, think that seems more likely to me.

Yes Caddis had a stinker at Crewe but so did a lot of players, I would rather Mayo at CB and Caddis at RB personally.

Curran came on back on Tuesday and his first pass was along backpass that went out for a corner, it doesn't bode well. More bodied in defence does not always mean less goals conceded.

Hopefully he has an absolute blinder, we live in hope.

Not many attacking options off the bench though.

Baudry has played defensive midfield at Orient and MKD maybe he is going to sit in a sweeper/DMC in front of a back 4 alongside Grant?

Similar line up to what I suggested it could be yesterday, just surprised with Curran starting TBH.

                      Kovar
Odimayo Curran  Grounds  Donohue
              Grant       Baudry
DJ                 M  Smith                Payne
                    T  Smith

Caddis was beyond tired in the second half against Crewe, I doubt he’s physically capable of starting today to be honest.

Curran ffs.

Bob Hope and Hallam Hope.

he went off injured in Tuesday, so not a surprise

Wonder whether he is on a bonus for starting? :-)

Lyden and Conroy on bench a positive.
Hopefully no further set backs.

What happened to Stevens? He only played 20 minutes or so on Tuesday. Has he fallen victim to the injury plague too?

Good to see Lyden and Conroy back on the bench but that starting 11 fills me with dread

Year ago today Grimsby away.
So much has happened in a year both on and off the field.

Need to not concede first today.

Apparently they just said on t'radio it appears he is injured too as is Broadbent.

Same here.

If Curran is being played up front, I think thats a bit of a snub to Haines.

Neither are L1 players yet, but I would have thought Haines up top in front of Grant and Smith with the other Smith would have been preferable.

Although, in the one game Curran played well, it was part of 3 at the back.

Samuel, Akinde and Oliver as their front 3 scare the shit out of me with our defence TBH, all massive lumps.

Curran part of a cunning plan (we hope).

Poor effort by Smith when clean through. Wins a corner though.

Grant misses the goal by a mile unmarked at the far post.

Baldrick also had cunning plans

That Gills player was about 5 yards in front of Smith for the free kick.

Baudrick.

DJ good shot after cutting inside and its saved for a corner to Town.

Kovar: That's how to cover the near post!

Baudry heads wide fromt he corner, good chance.

Three shots on goal in 5 mins.

Another good move by Town from Donohue, Payne and DJ.

Thought I’d give this ifollow thing a go. What you all moaning about. All town so far

Curran you fucking knob, terrible pass puts us in trouble.

no, a bloke down the pub called Rick who has no hair

Thought both DJ and Donahue were fouled in the area then.

Is anyone else having problems with buffering?

Fine here.

DJ looking closer to his old tricky self here.

Bad foul on DJ, DJ looking like Maradonna so far! :D

Very strong run there resulting in Robertson yellow.

Good quality for me here.

Grounds header from Smith free kick about 2 foot wide.

Ooooohhh

After absolutely dominating the first 15 minutes you can absolutely see us going behind....

Baudry shouting at Kovar.

Kovar should have come for that, Baudry shouting at him, but its good defending by Baudry in the end.

Was thinking the same. 😢

0-1 1st attack

there we go

Unbefuckingleivable.

And we did.

We'd looked so good. Feels like one of the early season games where we looked strong and then fucked up at the back.

And there it fucking is!

Curran massive fuck up.

My bad.

Oh cunt flaps

Hopeful punt

Sheridan audibly shouts 'oh my fucking god' at the goal.

Curran wrong side.

No surprise there really.

It would have been better if he didnt go to ground behind the striker, stay on your feet and get goal side of him.

Why ohh fucking why start him.

Curran doing what Curran does.

A half fit Conroy must be a better option than a 100% fit Curran.

I’m well out of the loop with loads of the current squad. What’s the deal with Taylor Curran ?

At the point of the goal Swindon had 65% possession with 6 shots to none in Towns favour.

Curran is a complete clown.

Suggestion was always that he'd been signed as a favour to a family member, but not sure we've ever quite had clarity on that in the way we did with Agombar.

Would have been less disastrous to play Grant instead of Curran and Haines in for Grant.

Curran isn’t a footballer - period.

he's not looked at the required standard, hence the suprise at the start and no surprise at the cock up

Town hit the crossbar twice.

Wow

I'd rather Caddis at centre half than Curran

Fucking hit crossbar twice in three seconds.

For a massive team, Gillingham seem very bad at defending set pieces.

Grounds and Tyler both off of the crossbar!

Good movement there.

Great move by Town down the right from Mayo to tyler who turns in the box but gets tackled, another corner.

What a turn from T Smith!

One of the best moves of the game.

We look very, very good on the break between Odimayo/DJ/T Smith. On another day we could have scored three already (or indeed, if we were attacking our own defence)

Odimayo has been excellent so far. Very dangerous going forward. Another great cross just gone in from him - unfortunately Curran was on the end of it.

Absolutely this.

Odimayo, the Smiths and DJ looking awesome.

5 or 6 of our players doing really well so far.

We are playing as well going forward as I have seen this season, just have the defensive frailties.

Not fashionable to say, but Grounds is leaping like a salmon! Immense in the air at both ends.

I’m sick of watching it, tbh

TBF I think everyone of our players are playing quite well apart from Curran, even Grounds so far has won almost everything in the air against the donkey Akinde.

Another good move that is inches ahead of DJ in the 6 yard  box.

Odimayo’s delivered more centres than any of our wingers this season.

Curran handball inches outside our box, FFS.

Is it still a scapegoat if it's literally all his fault? I can't express how well everyone else is doing...

Shit FK 2nd shot is saved by Kovar.

According to some posters, yes it is.

Curran a fucking liability.

Conroy warming up.

Oh wow, Conroy coming on...

Sounds like Sheridan might have caught up with us on Curran.

Better team here just need that composure up front.

Anton Rodgers was the last great scapegoat - but Curran is 10,000 times worse.

Conroy on for Donohue.

Shit. Donohue.

Good claim by Kovar.

Gutted for Donoghue but nice to see Conroy on the pitch.

Grounds at left full-back  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

My god, Donohue off. Do we have a fitness coach? Never known anything like it.

Matt Smith and Odimayos movement down the right has been excellent so far.

DJ fouled and he gives THEM a free kick!

Unbelievable!

DJ gets pole-axed on the edge of the box and the ref gives them a free-kick.

Fuck me ref. How do you get that wrong from 5 yards away

Darren Drysdale. Why do I have a bad feeling about that ref’s name?

Another good claim by Kovar.

Yeah that name rings a bell, not a good bell either.

We are missing Donohues pressing down the left since he has gone off.

Payne gone quiet again. I'm sure it's a fitness thing.

Odimayo clumsy foul and needless booking.

I was there when Curran did something right.

Bloody hell Curran! No sliding in the area please!

We can't afford to get tired in the second half again

Far too much hair for Darren Drysdale.

Gillingham is everything I imagined Steve Evans would bring.

Good attempted pass forward from Curran. Just too much on it.

Good run down the right by Odimayo  but his cross is cleared.

Odiamyo is playing like Dani Alves today

Payne has been tracking back really well today.

Curran fucks up but Conroy saves him.

Good covering back by the "tiring" Payne just now

Odimayo is one of those player who could seemingly play in any position on the pitch. Very impressive.

HT 0-1 good performance so far other than the goal.

Half time. We've been very good, the score is a frustration.

By far the better team.

Some half-time ska: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaMX0Cs5Bc4

Very true.  May make an adaptable wing back

classic.  let's hope Town keep going and come back.  No reason why not (well just one maybe)

That’s who I-Follow and the EFL site say is slated for the game.

Arguably the best half of Shez's rein, certainly a belting opening 30 mins and one straight ball kills our 3 CBs, all of which are at least partly culpable.

DJ is killing them, Tyler looks razor sharp and AK has been a real outlet too. It must be so frustrating to be a forward player in this team.

Curran is a disaster. I know nothing of any bollocks rumors or anything and have no axe to grind with him. All I know is he's not capable of playing at this level or the level below.

As a club, someone has to take responsibility for wasting a squad place on Curran.

John Sheridan can take the blame for playing him.

A good solid half from most of our team.  Several good chances.  Wasted thanks to a defender who seems unable to walk, let alone play football.  For most of this season you can shake your head at decent professionals losing focus, you can't take the same solace when it's Curran wandering around the pitch.

If Caddis is even remotely fit I'd bring him on for Curran, or Haines, or Sheridan, anyone.

DJ, Payne, Smith x2, Odimayo all looking very good, the defence is not doing too badly either just 1 fuck up yet again has cost us, Get Caddis on in the 2nd half and put Grounds back to CB instead of Curran, the rest of the defence and Grant all playing quite well.

We are missing Donohues pressing down the wing since he went off.

Kovar doing well so far too, made a couple of very good claims and couldnt do much for the goal.

Our 10 (11 with Donohue) proper footballers are doing well.

Yes it was. To me, he seems to have an extra burst of pace and energy in the first 20 mins of a game. After that, the 'burst' seems to be gone. He still runs around, but is less effective.

I think though, in the last few games, his tracking back has been noticeable. The one you quoted being a good example.

The point I was making about 'tiring' may have been phrased wrong. Maybe loses his turn of pace after 20 mins is a better way to put it.

Summed up perfectly.
Other than that not a bad performance and deserved more.

THIS

Nothing against the lad.  He's a fine player but just not at this level of the game. 

Wouldn't blame Sheridan unless we know the background re injuries and contractual obligations.

You're spot on, NMH

Just getting behind Payne, who's had a great half, along with all bar one to be fair.  Payne may well need subbing, once again, second half.  If we perform as well as in the first half, it really could be an ideal time for Haines to come on.

Some interesting comments from Gills fans, seeing it as we have too, in the main.

https://forums.vitalfootball.co.uk/threads/it-s-swindon-but-no-one-cares.110762/page-2

Once again we are in the position of dominating a game and losing. Trouble is we seem not to be able to be clinical in the box.

Tyler Smith, Matt Smith and DJ on occasion today have looked like world beaters outside of the box.

Neil Hair according to the Gills forum.

Gillingham are there for the taking, they play a crude style of football with 3 huge strikers, they are weak in midfield, but we need to punish them with better finishing and stop the silly defensive mistakes.

Curran is a mistake waiting to happen all game and he hasn't disappointed on that front so far.

Keep getting at them, they can't cope with our passing and pace at all.

Conroys first "on the pitch" minutes for 434 days.

Well that would properly prove your previous point.

The Shezza long ball isn't working, we need to get it back down to DJ/Payne/Smith's feet.

Conroy has come on and looking long all of the time..

Baury header straight at the keeper.

As someone said earlier for a massive side that rely on hoofball tactics they can't defend the high ball into their box very well.

Kovar unconvincing punch but Town clear it.

I see Mr Evans has put back on a few pounds!

Hate that brand of football anyway.  But that aside, I don't think we have the personnel to play that way.

Hence why it is not working, the ball either runs through or doesn't stick to our front men, because they are not that kind of front men.  We look so much better when we play through the middle, they need to stay patient with that approach instead of reverting to long..

Oh good. We’ve got a long throw option ourselves.

Comical moment when Baudry and defender had ball trapped between their chests and Baudry was still running forward with defender running back.

He's reffed us twice before.  1-1 draw against Grimsby, 1-1 draw against Northampton.

Not an expert on footy analysis  but feel like we should be getting more out of this

We need to switch to 2 CB's and put an extra body in MF or upfront to have a go at pulling this game back..

Jaiyesemi has their defence worried on the break.

Lovely having Conroy back.

Best performance of the season from Jayasemi

Zero complaints on the performance.

Looks to have so much time

Good claim again by Kovar,

Smith just wide from distance.

DJ was rarely this influential even last year. His turns are mesmerising.

Yup.

Just a shame noone seems to be able to profit from them.

Massive gaps in Gills midfield, they are there for the taking, how are we not at least drawing.

I would definately go to 2 CB's now and put on an extra in midfield where we are over running them already.

This must be hard to watch as a Gills fan, every time they get the ball they just get rid and invite us to attack again.

I’d rather be in their shoes at the moment.

One option might be to push Conroy forward, forget about playing a left back and have Grounds tuck in.  We do have 4 CB's on the pitch.

If we score soon, we'll win this.

Diallang Jaiyesemi's close control is a thing of absolute beauty. Just has the ball on a string sometimes, not sure it's exaggerating to say I've not seen a Town player quite like that since Mark Walters. Better players, definitely, but not at that one precise skill.

He’s been excellent today. Great to have him back

I just don't think Curran is good enough, we need another more attacking option now, like Lyden. With that Curran makes yet another slip but gets away with it.

Grant bad miss from 20 yards.

We are fantastic getting ourselves into crossing positions but there's never any fucker in the box and if there is its 5ft Tyler Smith! Surely that can't be the game plan.

Get caddis on for Curran. At least it will give us another player that can do something with the ball rather than just a body just filling space

Fucking Curran foul throw - good lord.

I agree that Curran is not good enough, but I don't think he has done any worse than Grounds and Baudry at times this season.  But I don't disagree, as I originally said, 2 CB's, extra man in midfield (probably Lyden) and push Payne or DJ further forward.

Game over

Undeserved 0-2

Absolutely shit.

Fucking hell!

Ffs.

Irrelevant now, game over.  Shezza does like to wait a long time before making changes.

There it is. What a load of shite.

This was likely to happen

I could be wrong but Curran looked a million miles out of position.

You’d have to say Curran was out of position.

He was in the wrong postcode.

I see we are keeping up our 2 goals against per game average. We are shit at defending

Maybe so but are we actually creating any clear cut chances. Are we getting him in dangerous positions enough

Well this is frustrating and shit .

So frustrating.

We’ve done well playing with 10 men.

Worst defence in English football - 32 against

Curran was way out of position for that goal, not wanting to heap the blame on him unjustly but he is not good enough and at fault for both goals.

Get Holland's and Haines on.

Game has gone. Give them experience.

Fuck.

A good performance by us. Thinking in the long term, I'd rather take this performance and a loss to a poor performance and a lucky win. We're going to be just fine, it's not often other teams get as lucky as Gillingham have been.

DJ MOM of me, with Odimayo not far behind.

I'm off for a shower now, got things to do.

Grant's gone apparently.

Grant hobbling now.

Sheridan must take the responsibility here.
Absolutely wrong on every count starting with a non league player.

fucks sake. fucking shit. more injuries. wank

Minutes for Lyden.

Grant injured now

Nice to have Lyden back.

Not nice to have two more than two fit central midfielders we're willing to play at a time.

I'd rather 3 points all day long. We all keep saying we'll be fine and we have enough to stay up, but we keep losing. Really need something extra up top in January.

Why didn't Shezza make changes earlier?  Wait until we are 2 nil down - frustrating

a very good game too from the General today

69% possesion and 3 shots on goal suggests we have problems at both ends today

Would I take us playing crap hoof style football like Gillingham and be winning the game? under the present situation probably yes, but much rather watch how we have played today. Unfortunately this result keeps us in the mire through two defensive errors, bring on 2021.

two off the woodwork

87 mins before an unenforced substitute at 2-0 down.

This cunt is clueless

If this was a normal season, I’d say we were odds on to go back down. Truth is, there are 10 or so teams just like us. It’s pot luck. But with a supposed sale of the club I can’t see much being done in the Jan window.

Nobody said otherwise, but without Currans 2 worst mistakes we would have at least drawn the game.

He seems to set teams up from the start with quite a decent amount of tactical thought - we've played in quite different ways over the last three games and largely, they've worked to begin with.

However he also seems utterly averse to making any tactical changes in-game, even when it's blindingly obvious that there's an issue.

It's an odd one.

I’m no fan of Curran but if the 2 goals are to be laid at his door it’s a bit much when you consider the out and out horrendous individual mistakes others have made this season.

FT 0-2 to the pikeys.

Really enjoyed watching that. Very good performance by all bar one of our players and amazing to see Conroy back and play well. DJ was a joy to watch and MOTM.

Unfortunately, Curran was a predictable disaster, at fault for both goals (hilariously so for the second...where's he going!) and it's a damning indictment that he's part of our club.  

Yes but which changes.  There was only one team going to score the next goal for me.  May have put Caddis on for Grounds as Grounds had little going forward after being forced by injury into a LB role

Quite satisfied with the afternoon apart from the obvious.  

Well that was frustrating. We really were good, just two defensive fuck ups and a mix of bad finishing and bad luck finishing.

Not despair, but this can't keep happening.

No game on Tuesday: thank fuck for that.

A loss with a bit of a whimper at the back and up front..  Bossed midfield.  That about sums up the 94 for me.

Almost every game there have been horrendous mistakes by our defence/keeper, he is just 1 in a long line.

I agree. Curran has improved and didn't look as bad as he has in the past. But still not a L1 defender.

Agreed

Good performance from 10 of the 11 players today, shit result though.

Not unenjoyable at times but we were unlucky in front of goal and please don't play Curran again, he is nowhere near L2 standard let alone L1.

Disappointing result

Remember last Saturday?

So which subs would you have made that would have changed the game and avoided a sucker punch?

I didn't say they did, it's just an opinion am i not allowed to join in with the gang.

You could also say without hitting the bar at 1-0 we might have got a draw.

No idea the game wasn’t on at 3pm today, just logged on to OS to pay for the game and saw the result.......

The difference between today's goals against and the others is that until now, our mistakes were made by footballers. Starting with Curran means a -2 is virtually a given. We slaughtered them in midfield, but we never had enough pressure in their box either. We just don't have anyone there.

Lots of positiives from that performance, but two more injuries. Makes you wonder what we could do in this division with a fit first team.

We were totally dominant.  

Given the bench I don't see what subs would have changed the game.

You like to argue with almost every comment of mine so I am doing what you do.

Make you feel like a cunt doesn't it.

Very disappointing. I'm not sure where the next goal is coming from.

Kovar came for some crosses. Knew on both occasions that he wouldn't come to our rescue when they broke through. Not saying the goals were his fault. But want to see his positioning from another angle. Could he shave done more? I don't know.
Odimayo played well.
Payne was incredibly deep.
DJ jinks and turns but has no productivity.
M Smith looks classy in the middle of the pitch but offered little in the final third.
Grant looked awesome with no midfield to play against.
T Smith offered nowt in 2nd half.
Grounds wasted on left wing. Can't cross. Needed to be in the middle on the end of crosses!
Conroy did ok. Too many Hoddlesque cross field passes.
Curran caught out of position twice. Only made one or two other slight errors.

Others can take just as much blame for other games, that much is clear.  In fact, the others are more frustrating because you know they can do better and it is just focus.  The problem I have with Curran is that he isn't any better than today.  That game his him.  To play him is asking for trouble and we got it.  He was squarely to blame, not even a small bit but totally.  The first one he all but sucked the forwards cock off in his pointless collapse to his knees.  The second he has come across the pitch to get involved with a player marked by Conroy and vacated his position.  Terrible.  The lad is not a professional footballer in any sense other than his bank seems receive a pay cheque I guess.

Overall, Curran aside, we were quite good today.  With Lyden coming back and DJ getting back to form, plus Conroy seeming so much calmer than any other central defender we have, things could be about to turn for the better.

Kovar was steady enough.
Odimayo could be a real talent as he gains experience
Donohue was causing them problems
Baudry was OK
Grounds - he worries me.  In the second half he was where attacks on the left went to die, so he is not much kop in that role and he seems completely unfocussed in central defence.
Grant had a much better game
Smith has found his position - a lot didn't come off, but he makes us tick going forward when he does get on it
Payne had much more consistent game for me, seemed far better knowing he had a job to do
DJ - a real handful, more to come, which means we have a threat and keeps possession so well
Smith with score a few more this season, I like him.

Overall, add Conroy for Curran in that starting line-up, don't get an injury to Donohue and we probably win it.

Sheridan - ask yourself if you have any footballing brains, if so, never let Curran on the pitch again.  Play a bloody youth lad instead if you have to, hell, start yourself.  That's the bit that makes me angry, that we played him.  The lad is hardly going to say no, he is hardly going to go get a job on a building site if someone has been willing to give him a footballers contract.  It's not his fault, I;d play if they asked me to, but I'd be shit. Grrrrr.

Caught me out too as I was wavering about watching after my midweek paddy. Imagine my surprise on the way back from Lotmead farm with our Pagan ritual tree and he pipes up that we’re losing 1-0.

That is putting a hugely negative spin on what was in many ways a positive performance.

There must be a reason why Sheridan hasn't given Haines any game time at all since he took over, but I can't think of it.

Sheridan:
- Thought we were excellent
- Bit shocked at how we lost 2-0. Doesnt reflect performance
- Should have been 2 or 3 nil up at half time
- Looking at the goals. They have come through naivity
- Totally dominating the game when they scored
- They are an awkward team to play against
- Could have done better in the final third
- Good sign that the players have responded to Crewe
- Dont understand why we are getting so many injuries.
- 8-9 players back at home injured
- Gutted we havent come away with anything
- Our problem is keeping the ball out the back of the net
- When we are dominating they we let them score
- Tactics and personnel were determined by availability and the way Gills play
- That performance would win a lot of games
- Curran: All players need to be ready to play
- Broadbent knee issue. Stevens is ill
- Once we get people fit we will be a good outfit
- We are not going to win the league. But team good enough to stay in L1
- Midweek break good.
- Grant played last few games with ankle injury
- Havent tested goalkeeper enough in second half.
- Missed good chances in first half.
- Not the most physical upfront. T Smith unlucky
- In final third we have to be better
- Conceded two cheap and poor goals
- Have to look on the positive side. We put in a good performance. we have to continue to do so.

Kovar - 6.5, missed one punch but go away with it.
Odimayo 8 - attacked well and defended well.
Donohue 6.5 - looked good until the injury.
Curran 3 - made 2 blocks but made at least 5 other fuck ups including being at fault for both goals.
Grounds 6.5 - did well against 3 huge strikers.
Baudry 6.5 - same as above.
Grant - 7.5 looked mor elike last seasons player.
M Smith 8 - covered every inch and looked classy again.
Payne 7.5 - Attacked well and tracked back, looks a little lightweight but skillful.
T Smith 6.5 - agile and quick with good feet but he did't quite find his shooting boots.
DJ 9 - my MotM caused them a lot of problems but in the box he got himself tangled up a bit at times.

Subs
Conroy 7 - looked back to fitness and solid
Lyden not on the pitch long enough.
Parson not on the pitch long enough.

On another day we would have beaten them, we hit the crossbar twice and had a few good chances but it wasn't to be, 2 totally different styles of football on show. Evans hoofball worked today and with less defensive slips and better finishing we would have won comfortably.

But we didn't and thats football.

I live in hope that Sheridan has now seen Curran play and realised he is not a footballer.

OK. Gills were fucking shit and hoofed the ball up field twice. Swindon performed really well, played lovely football. Some really silky skills on offer. Sprayed the ball all over the pitch. Had several players dominate.

Gills won 2-0! They get 3 points, we get fuck all and move closer to a relegation fight.

I am not having that it was Currans fault for the 1st. The experience that Grounds has surely means that he should know he should be covering round the back of Baudry there. Curran to be fair did well to be in close contact with him. As the right sided defender he should not have been anywhere near it.

Apart from that he was absolute dog shit

Maybe he’s just not good enough? We get this every season with youngsters like Tom Smith, Will Henry, Sol Pryce etc. Wellens was a prick but he was right when he said young players need to earn game time (Curran aside obviously). As harsh as it sounds the likes of Holland, Haines, Parsons etc wouldn’t be here on merit, they are here because they came through the youth system so unless they really impress in training then they are unlikely to get game time.

Personally, I don't think that playing well offers any consolation.  

The home side played to their strengths and won.  The 'history books' will show that they secured the 3 points and there will no record of our subjective assessments as to which was the better team.  

Irrelavent of the first header, it's Sunday league defending to be round on the cover when your colleague is competing in the air. TC is square and not goalside. It's unforgivable.  

You don't watch history books. I enjoyed it, mostly. That's the most important thing to me, so of course it matters.

Kovar - 6/10 Little to do. Came for crosses. Better than earlier in the year. Want to see the goals again to see if he could have done more (I honestly dont know)
Odimayo 8 MotM- Top performer of the day. Hope we can keep hold on him in January.
Donohue 7 - We lost impetus on the left when he went off
Curran 5 - Did well most of the time. But at fault for both goals. The second was part of chasing the game.
Grounds 6.5 - Was superb in the first half at both ends of the pitch. I'd give him an 8 for that half. He isn't a left winger. I'd give him 5 for second half.
Baudry 7 - Thought he played well. No glaring mistakes. Looked solid when they pressed.
Grant - 8 Looked immense pushing forward. But didn't have a midfield to play against.
M Smith 7 - Same as every week. Looks a class above in 2/3s of the pitch. That's his game.
Payne 6.5 - Looks to be tracking back more. Played too deep in 2nd half thus not having an attacking threat
T Smith 5 - Should have scored a couple in the first half. Anonymous in the second.
DJ 7.5 - Caused lots of problems. Looked a world beater in the first half with some silky skills in midfield. But, gets crowded out doing the same things in the box.

Subs:
Conroy 6: Looked calm and assured.
Parsons: Should have come on a little earlier to give him experience

Where do you think Grounds should of been?

All fairly predictable, unfortunately.

Conroy:
- Amazing to be back after 14 months
- Disappointed to lose
- Emotional, especially having gone through it twice
- Have worked really hard to get back
- Still need to get fitness back
- Ankle operation set him back.
- Will take time to get to where he wants to be
- With performances like that we need to be winning games
- They have had 2 shots from 2 mistakes
- Lots of positives. Need to iron out the mistakes
- Its been hard to have proper preseason and with injuries we havent had continuity
- Less injuries will help
- A lot of teams are going through long injury lists
- Lyden coming back and hopefully others too.
- Players tired from Saturday and Tuesday games
- Have been brought up to play from the back. Disappointed with a couple of wayward passes
- Need to get rid of the rustiness
- Disappointing to come away with nothing
- Doesnt like to play with no fans
- Hopefully we can get some normality back soon
- Not being able to celebrate L2 trophy with the fans
- Sheridan has had a good impact.
- Everyone is excited in training and working hard

Another disappointing result.
We played well and controlled the game for long periods. 3 big chances - T Smith From rebound off the bar,  Grant early on, and Baudry’s free header early in the second half, none of which really tested their keeper, who didn’t make a proper save all afternoon.
DJ was clearly pushed in the box as he went for a cross at 0-0.
Two mistakes at the other end leave two one on ones, both finished well and we end up beaten again.
Two more injuries - they seem never ending.
Positives - Odimayo played well, also DJ. Conroy looked composed, it’s good to see him back, and I’m glad he has a week to prepare now rather than having to play twice in a week after an hour today. Good to have a cameo from Lyden  too.
We need to translate the possession into proper target goal attempts which test their keeper, and cut out the mistakes at the other end (how many times have we said that already this season?)

Positives: DJ. Conroy and Lyden getting some minutes
Negatives: Standard shambles at CB. No attacking options on the bench to change it after an hour.

I’ve seen us play a lot lot worse but it was a classic rope-a-dope performance from Gills

A lot of tough-on-paper fixtures coming up, but at least there’s no Tuesday game this week

Sheridan does seem measured in his post-match comments.  Level headed.  That gives me hope.  He will need all that for our battle at the bottom.

Oh dear. Whose arguing, i just pointed out that we've got issues at both ends just happened to quote your post, Its allowed.

That's one cunt and one twat today, very welcoming.

Agree, I'm clinging to the hope he quickly sees the issues and juggles the pack whilst we wait for the injured to return.

Bit disappointed with Currans selection today.

Indeed. Curran's basically a competition winner. Haines must be wondering what the fuck he has to do to get a game. I know he's a youngster and all that but at least he's actually a footballer.

To be fair with Broadbent injured there aren’t a lot of options. Obviously Odimayo CB and Caddis RB was one, but the fact Caddis didn’t come on suggests he really requires a break.

Conroy looked pretty good today, need him and Fryers back and we can begin to hope to look up the table.

To be fair Bob you were pretty close with the score you predicted

Haines played CB at youth level and on loan at Chippenham. And is an actual footballer.

He has also played DMC and target man for Chippenham too, not sure if Sheridan has been made aware of this by the coaching staff but he is a very versatile footballer indeed from all the reports I have heard.

Very good point. At this stage I’d be tempted to give the kid a go, can’t do any worse than Curran surely?

That's one cunt and one twat today, very welcoming.

It’s not an exclusive club, get over it. 😁

This may be harsh and I'm not Sheridan's biggest fan but it's glaringly obvious he is a bit of a thick fucker.

He was a decent player and often featured in my fantasy football teams back in the day.  I'm remain confident that he will steer the team to a finishing spot outside of the relegation zone.

Only thing i will say in Sheridans defence here is that he will clearly try many different things. Broadbent up front Caddis in the middle and happy to play Curran. Maybe Haines is just not showing enough as he does strike me as the type who will play him if he is good enough

I think he will meet his remit in keeping us up (if he is here after the boardroom reshuffle) and he was a good player. Very much in the Roy Keane mold regarding facial disposition.

Also I wonder if he'll want to bring Mark Crosselly to the set up as a GK coach? To me this is doubtful as I still think it is a short term appointment. A move like that would suggest otherwise though.

Fair point. Sheridan sees them both every day in training, we don't

If Swindon had drawn all three away games (3) points would the fans still be unhappy

Except to then counter that point, he may well see them in training etc but gleaning from his Post-Match Presser, he says he doesn't know how the players are picking up injuries. My only suggestion would be he finds out why and quick; whether that is scrutinising the fitness and conditioning team, the programs the players are on, training surfaces, accumulative game fatigue or individual players not following programs properly themselves.

We know that Wellens loved to sign a sicknote or two which brings its own mitigating factors against but there are players with seemingly good fitness records also picking up injuries (or claiming so). It clearly needs to be identified. That is in part Sheridan's job to do so as manager. Can't just state it in the P-MPs. Hopefully he is on the case.

Painful watching, but things to look out for:

1.What does Grounds do to Curran after after Gills score their first?
2. Listen to what Sheridan screams after Gills score their first.
3. Try to work out why Curran was doing on the wrong side of the pitch for the second. Then go back and look at where Grounds was for the first goal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HuqcmiCaFY

I saw enough yesterday.
We are going down unless we cut these fundamental errors out.
It’s no good us keep kidding ourselves that we played well etc, simply clutching at straws.
Every game, every fuck up and it’s wearing thin.

Let’s just hope when we get the “better” players in we won’t have to play Curran and Grounds out of position. I believe Zeki is fit to train this week and a central pairing of Baudry and Conroy may give us some hope. Dion Conroy does need game time though. Great to see Lyden back.

No more muscular injuries though and this surely is not coincidental.

Unfortunately we are toothless in attack and need an out and out mobile number nine.
The thought of Doyle and Yates with their movement just depresses me and to think we have that lump of lard to lead the line.
On to the next game and hope the crowd can lift us back to winning ways. The League is so open from top to bottom and any side stringing 3 wins together will change their season.

1. Noticed that too, and I think it may have been on purpose. Didn't kick it hard enough for me to think that he was just kicking it back towards the centre circle for kick off

2. Can't make it out, what did he say?

3. Shocking positioning

1. Drop kicks the ball towards the Centre Circle and it gentle hits Curran - Whats your point.
2. Can't heat t all but Baudry goes for a ball he shouldnt really but needs to win if he does. Curran assumes we'll win the header and is thus on his heels.
3. Curran is trying to cover the run of the Gills player in front of him whose unmarked and making a run forward in to space left by Grounds Conroy who has his back turned.

I gueess you're suggesting he should be covering the space out wide but he can't do both and that would leave a big gap in the centre. When Bauldry initially gives the ball away our shape is terrible nobody attempts to track the goal scorer who gambles that his forwards will win the ball and is on the move but we are expecting the opposite and ball watching.

Just my opinion but if people  want to blame Curran for it all that's fine.

1. Yes. Not 100% sure. But Grounds positioning is exactly the same as Curran in 3.
2. Think it's 'Oh my f*ing God!'
3. Yep. But why has he been pulled out of position just like Grounds in the first? Is there a coaching point? Is this what Sheridan was on about with lack of communication?

That's not what I was doing. I'm saying is for the first that Grounds does the same as Curran for the second goal.

I'm also saying it's not professional to kick a ball against one of your own players if you are angry with them. It's also ironic that Grounds wasn't the innocent party!

Finally, what I'm saying in this post, is don't be so aggressive in your posts! Try reading them back to yourself before you post. Think about how others might view them.

I suspect that the majority of fans would argue that the current squad looks stronger than the one relegated in 2016-17.
On paper. Just. Maybe.
At least there seems to be more optimism this time around, whereas back then it was a bit more doom and gloom from quite early on, if I remember.

Anyway, same number of points and one place up on 2016-17.
And we don't have the imminent appointment of a high profile gilet wearer to look forward to this time.

This season.
P16 W5 D1 L10 F21 A32 GD -11 Pts 16

2016-17
P16 W4 D4 L8 F16 A23 GD -7 Pts 16

I think it is pretty simple - Curran is nowhere near good enough and made two glaring mistakes because he is not good enough.

Grounds is good enough (based on career to date) but playing as if on sleeping tablets and has been central to quite a few goals against this season.

Look, it is entirely possible for more than one player to be a problem - even Baudry was culpable directly for a couple of goals earlier in the season.  The slight difference is that Baudry and Grounds can play better, so the fix with them is different than with Curran, who has shown no ability to defend like a professional footballer for 90 minutes in any appearance thus far.  The fix with him is not to put him in that position - don't pick him, hell, don't give him a contract.  I'm not having a go at him personally - we would all play if picked, it's surely just clear that he isn't anywhere near good enough.  Equally, the Management team shouldn't be harsh on him - don't pick him!

The question is are the management team seeing something in him to persevere or are they being told to keep him involved with squad etc

You involve a non League player who has no positional sense then you are asking for trouble.
Completely destabilises the already fragile back line.
As soon as I saw the team sheet yesterday I told both my lads that we will gift another goal hence why I have just about calmed down now.
If Sheridan thinks putting Curran into an important league game is the right call then he will get questioned. If he does it again then I am going to have to question his nouse.
Yet again another 3 points that we have thrown away.

Sorry it must be me but i just don't get where this second glaring mistake is, someone will have to explain.

We'll have to see what Sheridan thinks over this next week and especially now that Conroy is back with fryers to follow.

Curran should be back as an also ran if Sheridan sees him as a non professional footballer

You think he defends well on both goals?

I'm not saying he is the only player not doing a good enough job, but he makes positional errors on both.  The first - he switched off, maybe expecting the header to be won, but it isn't and he isn;t goal side, he then collapses to the floor in chase rather than stay on feet and apply pressure.

The second, he abandons ship.  Yes, the left side of defence doesn't do well, enough, but he can't jst vacate the right side as he did.  Conroy probably gets back to force them to do something, they may still create a chance, but his run to the left opens the entire other side of the pitch.  He also has the player in his sights so he has to know what he is possibly about the create, but he panics and thinks he has to go over to the left.

They are both errors in my book, basic ones.  If that is all he had done this season you could place him in the same book as Baudry and Grounds.  However, it backs-up every other game he has played.  I'm not even bringing-up a couple of other bloopers he managed that didn't cost us.  He spends a lot of the game looking around trying to see what he should be doing.  In some games he has played, you have had players literally pointing for him.

Basically, other people are making mistakes, his are the ones I see being made by someone who can't do better.  That bit is an opinion, maybe he will prove me wrong.  I very much doubt it.  He is a defensive Dean Hooper - another player you just knew from watching one game was not going to cut the mustard.

Curran has a similar football brain to Aly Dia and that's being nice about it.

Agreed.

Gold

-1 to Sheridan for persevering with Grounds at left wing back into the second half.

-1 to whoever was responsible for playing Curran who is a little short of the skills that I have seen required at Conference to Lg 1 level) but given injuries and a certain prudence in not wanting to rush Conroy and the mystery of Curran's contract, I'm not sure it was Sheridan.

That aside, it was a very good performance from a badly depleted squad.  Dominant in all areas, goals and shots on target aside*.  Odimayo was superb on the RHS (well done Sheridan also).  Whole team showing improvement. 

*  Yes, I know, the result is all that matters....but I feel the positives have been a tad understated.

So, when everyone is fit - I know, I know - what would the 1st XI look like?

Kovar
Donohue Fryers Conroy Hunt
Odimayo Grant Smith
DJ Smith Smith

              Kovar
Hunt Conroy Fryers Donohue
    Lyden Grant Smith
Smith                         DJ
              Smith

This. Possibly Payne for Jonny Smith.

Would be so good to have Lyden, Conroy and Fryers back for a run of games. Not only should they help results, but they are genuinely good players to watch. All three would be at much better clubs than us if they weren't all perennially injured

Absolutely - best team we can put out, I wonder if we will ever be able to!

We are Audrey's red and white army.

I'd have Odimayo instead of Hunt.  He looks far better at RB than CB and looked even better at WB on Saturday.  Got a bit of size and pace about him too which is always handy.   Hunt hasn't played as well this term, particularly on the left - although none of them have to be fair.

I genuinely believe this team challenges for the top 6.
Unfortunately, as Rob said, I doubt we will ever see it.

Top six - with Kovar in goal - really?

Also T Smith is our best forward and promising but is not there yet

😂😂😂😂

I'd say that team could be capable of going on a good run with one of Odimayo/Caddis/Hunt alternating. Top Six would be ambitious but certainly mid-table or possible Top Ten could be achieved.

As others have said - seeing a squad similar to that, consistently available will thus be believing.

In League 2 next season you mean?