Thetownend.com

The only positive I have is that Burton beat them 4-2 a few weeks ago.

3-0 defeat

Any news on the tickets for this game?
Have they been allocated yet?

I have commented little thus far on performance or sheridan etc.
Tuesday night was the first game this season I have missed. I watched the extended highlights and we didn’t look as shit as people are making out. We lost away to a very fancied side 2-1 and pushed them. A bit more luck and we could have snatched a draw.
Things are obviously improving and with decent first team players coming back into the equation I can see us winning this by the odd goal.
Keep the faith .

Being done today Duke. I think there was some discussion they might have been waiting on the tiers announcement this morning before doing it, in case we get pushed into Tier 3

It’s all very frustrating, we look good for large parts of the game but then shoot ourselves in the foot. I’m still confident that once we manage a win that we can go on a decent run. Let’s hope it’s this weekend, 1-0 win

I imagine we'll probably play "ok" and give a reasonable account of ourselves but ending with a comfortable 2-0 for Charlton

In isolation, you're right. Tails nails it though - play ok, give a good account of ourselves, lose comfortably, repeat for the 5th game in a row.

We will play ok. Strikers will miss sitters and DJ will nutmeg 8 players and do 35 stepovers and run it out of play. We will blame Kovar

PaulD will blame the government for our defeat  :)

I wouldn’t trust Sheridan to pick his nose properly, let alone pick the right team with players in their proper positions.

He’s a fucking liability.

And 4D will blame the public ;)

Could do with some of this to be honest.

https://youtu.be/YO9F6BDffx4

We'll win, and everything will be ok. People seem to always think the worse when we play badly/lose.

The cunt is only here til end of the season. Anything except relegation, even at the start of the season, would be a good season.

Not looking for an argument but genuinely interested, what team and formation would you have played the other night with what we have

Just going to jump in, I don't think the starting team was far off what I'd have picked. But to not bring a striker on for so long was so wrong.

My starting team Saturday if certain players are fit would look like this:

                   Kovar
Odimayo Conroy Fryers Hunt (Grounds if not fit)
                     Grant
              M Smith  Payne
J Smith           T Smith          DJ

it's odd isn't it. I agree with JoeMezz on Tuesday, yet he went with with subs and Broadbent and changed the game against the pox.

think of have chucked Pitman on, but I've no idea if he's fit*

* ok unfit but uninjured

In which the manager will likely state we drew 2-2.

DJ was obviously played in the CF role as he is so much more capable of holding the ball up that T Smith is, we also wanted him to be able to turn a man and be closer to their goal than he would ordinarily be.  Away from home I don't think that's such a bad idea given what we have available, Hope on the left is to give an aerial outlet although I don't think that works to well.

J Smith obviously likes to be on the right but I have much preferred his contributions on the left in his few outings there, he doesn't have to beat a man to get a decent ball in the box, we need others to be on board with that and start attacking the near post more often to make those decent balls good balls.  He can obviously beat a man if he needs to too.

Hopefully a rest has done Grant some good if he is to come back in on Saturday, really looking forward to seeing what should be considered our 1st choice CB pairing for the first time ever.  A fitter Grant in front of Conroy and Fryers should be a much calmer unit than we've been blessed with so far.  Grounds has looked OK at LB, as he should given his more recognised position over his career has been just that, doesn't look as keen to get as forward as we have been used to recently but he did manage that more on Tuesday once J Smith was over there with him.

Massively unexcited about this game, aagainst a team that turned us over at the CG earlier in the season while we still have optimism (some of us).

I just can't see us keeping a clean sheet or even scoring, we create chances but just can't hit the onion bag lately.

Heavy defeat I am afraid to say.

Even if he's not fit, he still should know where to be if the ball goes wide? He's scored over 150 career goals. Wonder what the cumulative career goals was on the pitch for us on Tuesday

Smith T instead of Hope, Caddis instead of Grounds.


Kovar
Caddis Conroy Baudry Fryers
Payne Odimayo Smith M
Smith J Smith T DJ

Grant A to replace Payne if/when fit, Broadbent replaces Baudry if/when fit

At English FL level

Baudry 16
Fryers 3
Grounds 11
Matt Smith 2
Conroy 1
Tyler Smith 10
Jonny Smith 14
Payne 33
Hope 45

On the bench that never got on

Grant 18
Caddis 22
Pitman 169

Would give that a go.
Only unknown would be at the heart of the midfield.

Swap Conroy and Akin.

Wildly and randomly optimistic about this weekend for some unknown reason. Reckon J.Smith is finally going to find his shooting boots and we might have 3 points on the board come 5 on Saturday.

(Copied from the other thread)
Club have updated ticketing information after the new Tiers announced: people with addresses in Bristol are now eligible, but fans in Berkshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Surrey and Hertfordshire aren't. Delay to announcing the tickets  for Saturday while they go through and remove people in the new Tier 3 areas

https://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/2020/december/important-ticket-information-following-the-updated-tier-restrictions/

people in Bristol are not eligible for the Charlton game as the ballot is closed

Sorry, yes, bad summarising on my part. They are eligble for the ballots that are still open for Franchise and Wigan.

The tickets are being sent out now. I'm in :)

Yeah, ticket just came through. Same seat.

Mixed feelings.
It was good to be back on Saturday, but performance aside it wasn't an enjoyable experience.

Celebrating a couple of goals would help with that.

Just got my confirmation for the DR stand - great news and hope everyone else is lucky 👍

I'm in again...not sure if I should be pleased or feel I'm being picked on  :)

Nothing like gallows humour.
“FFS why pick on us again”

I’m lucky to be in the TE again. Different seat but closer to seeing a defensive howler and more likely to be visible on TV.

As mentioned, it would be fab to celebrate a goal going in, preferably a winning one at the TE.

How are you notified of getting a ticket - is it email ?
If so, I haven't got one and didn't last week, so would've thought/hoped more likely to be lucky this week !  :badmood:

Same here. Gonna be mighty missed off if not in for this Saturday.

They need to let you know on your account somehow going forward. My email address often doesn't receive emails from Swindon for some reason. (AOL)
I only find out if my brother gets an email. (You may have got one, but been blocked?)

Same as here, applied for both games and not received anything last week or so far this week.         A little concerned email gone astray or I’ve upset someone.

I wondered if there was such a problem so contacted Danny Lee at the club last week to check. Assured all ok. However, as it is Swindon, I will go and re-check all.  >:

Looking forward to watching the game live !!!! Missed it badly....

Like your son’s shots at goal. ;)

Sorry that does seem mean but it is tongue in cheek I promise! :)

FWIW, maybe he needs one to go in off his arse or a shot deflected and he’ll be off and running. Fingers crossed it’s on Saturday.

Unless we've got over 4,000 season ticket holders, if you didn't get one last week you should have been prioritised in the ballot this week. Do you live in one of the newly Tier 3-ed areas?

Was it a prioritized ballot though? I know it should be but i thought it was just pot luck still not who did or didn't have one last week

EDIT: found it

"we will aim for supporters who have been unsuccessful in one ballot, to be at the top of the next ballot."
https://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/2020/december/swindon-town-covid--19-return-of-fans/

they did say that.

https://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/2020/december/swindon-town-covid--19-return-of-fans/

Made me laugh that Bob, No offence taken ( Ex Referee...Thick Skin)

Look I am his worst critic ... but also his best supporter, and being a FA Coach we have had some indepth chats recently  :hmmm:

Get the monkey off his back and relax then they will fly in... I am looking forward to that time.

Looking at the shot he put over the bar that he should have scored from on Tuesday, he took the right position , picked the right area of the goal but just lent back a fraction too much, he could not have put it low because there was 4 sets of legs at ground level but right shot. Needs a goal we are talking small margins and unfortunately that has also applied defensively,  and you have to be honest that 1st half there was no difference between both teams and Swindon really should have been ahead.... thats the margins ... a couple more players and an injection of confidence will see it swing the other way.

Same as 2 supposed ballots 0 tickets ........farce

Really sorry to hear that some people seem to have missed out twice. Not sure how this can be addressed other than letting the club know.

I’m pretty sure Hodgetts said on the radio last Saturday that those who missed out on the Fleetwood game would be successful for Charlton.

Yes heard that too, will now press for refund of corporate day purchasesd for this year, no contact over that also. Shambles of a club

I think they use the old cunt ratings on here to weight the ballot.

Yes - because I am sure it is operating on all cylinders in the current environment, people just sat around in arm chairs at the ground trying to find something to do, eating Caviar.

As a matter of interest, has everyone who got a ticket for Fleetwood now got one for Charlton?

Not mee

Did you get one for Fleetwood? Please read my question again.

No

The reason I asked is maybe because of the short time involved they duplicated the Fleetwood result. Wasn't it done by Ticketmaster?

Very poor excuse, people have received new first time tickets & been relocated, so must have done something.

Does that mean the old cunts should or shouldn’t get priority, either way I’m don’t seem to be getting a ticket.

Would even prefer a email confirming I’ve not been selected, at least I’d know the emails are working and my tickets not gone missing

Cheers Paul i had not seen that

Did you actually contact the club before venting on here?

I’ve had tickets for both games and a pretty smooth experience so it’s likely you’ve changed your email or changed your account details over the years.

No the always seem to contact me via email usally

Well contrary to you calling him a prick the ticket office guy is actually quite helpful and if you messaged him you’d probably find out you have a ticket. I remember a couple of seasons ago there was problems linking season tickets to accounts and transpired people had multiple accounts from over the years.

um, yes. bit feel a bit guilty as I assumed y those that missed out last time would be head of the queue.

one son can't go this time, so only two of us. back near our st seats this time after a trip down the bank end

Bloody hell, Johnny Smith's Dad is actually Geoff The Ref!  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

So, can anyone recommend anywhere good to eat near the ground ? Cafe/Pub/Restaurant etc

https://www.losgatos.co.uk/swindon/

Unusual optimistic prediction from me for Saturday:

Something is going to click for us and Charlton are going to have an off-day.

3-1

The dismal run has to end soon...PLEASE!

Nope. I got one for Fleetwood (second choice location) and received my email a day after most other people heard, but nothing so far for tomorrow. Not expecting to hear now. Hope those who were 'lucky' get to see a win.

I have just sent back two tickets so hope one or two of the TEF community are lucky.

Well that is very festive and charitable of you Vagabond :)

Thanks... Tried all day permanently engaged on the phone.... ::)

Looks like a KFC then....

Missed out on both games!  Not sure whether I should be sad or mad!!

Have you checked with the club?

I checked and have been informed I should of had tickets , so the club (Danny) had resent them, all received okay.  Unless you have just been unlucky

Gang of 7 of us usually go. 6 of us applied for both games, 5 successful for Fleetwood and all 6 successful for Charlton. Sorry for those unsuccessful, not so sorry that I want to give my ticket up though. Who knows what process is being used.
2-1 to Town tomorrow, Rapid Flyers nipper starting his impending haul 👍

LWB....  Not sure on that one...?)

Sheridan throwing the cards in the air to see where they land again then.

Seriously?

Sheridans taking the fucking piss now.

he's surely joking

The Ship Inn at Upavon does the most wonderful sandwiches. Was there the other day after getting engaged at Stonehenge and highly recommend it.
Hope your boy has a blinder tomorrow!

congratulations no 2

Thanks Batch, they were fantastic sandwiches and great value.
Full of hope for tomorrow as first half vs Donny we dominated as with loads of games we've lost this year (Northampton the most frustrating).
Funny season as I think a lot of frustration is coming from the fact that we actually look half-decent some of the time.

Thanks No2,  I finally got through tonight to Los Gatos , so booked there, but as driving looked at nearest car park as Prospect Place? Would you say that is the closest ?

Cheers

RF

Try Hoopers Place too if you want to park in old town - bit bigger than Prospect Place.

Yeah, it’s only a few minute walk from there. Likewise the car park which google tells me is called Britannia place, just around the corner

Shame it’s not more normal times, plenty of decent bars in the area

Edit - me and panda are talking about the same thing

RF, I drive from Nottm and head for Old Town (where Los Gatos is) for a pre-match breakfast/lunch. Loads of parking short-term/long-term all about. When lockdown ends you can experience the wonder of Legends Lounge pre-match. COYR.

On the day we last moved house, we beat Charlton 3-0 - thus on the (clutching at straws for omens) basis that we are starting the joyous task of packing tomorrow, I will rather hopefully predict another win

Based on what the guys talked about on the pod in midweek, I’d gladly take a defeat tomorrow if it broke the ‘beat charlton, get relegated’ hoodoo

The new Nathan Byrne?

Perhaps El Sheridino thinks Johnny Smith is actually Dion Donohue, who has now subsequently come back from injury and is available to play tomorrow...meanwhile he thinks Johnny Smith has left the club, maybe/possibly/who knows?  :hmmm:

Shezza knows.

Don't think I can watch today :-( Not sure whether to try to avoid the result (nigh on impossible) and then watch the full match replay or just watch the highlights.

Think it might be horrible either way.

Surely today is the day that the Gods smile on us, we get a bit of luck and pick up 3 points. Without checking the stats, I have some fond memories of games against Charlton and some unexpected wins. Going for an expansive display, a 3-1 victory and the fans on their feet at the end demanding that Power immediately offers Sheridan a 3 year contract. The goals will be scored by the 3 Smiths!

Win. 2-1

Odd

2-1

We're not nearly as bad as some are making out. We're actually quite decent. Just need something to click and/or a little luck.

Still over half the season to go, so anything can happen.
The slide into the very restrictive environment of Tier 4 is not guaranteed, but today would be a good time to stop the losses.

Ending up as a League 1 yo-yo club wouldn’t be great, but still preferable to bouncing around between League 2 and the Conference and both options are better than nothing.
Where is Reg when we need him.  :hmmm:

As I posted in the Donny thread from their forum.

We're overdue for a win, based upon our general play bar the fuck-ups.

That’s my thinking as well, law of averages. I don’t think Charlton are pulling up any trees and if we click I think we’re good enough - we beat Hull FFS!!

Today is the day!

Their recent form is WWWWWWDLWLDW 8 wins in the last 12 league games.

They put 5 past Wimbledon last week, a team that beat us at the CG. We have only scored 6 league goals in the last 8 games in total.

I like your optimism mate but I am not sure I share it.

Remember last season when we kept saying someone's going to get a tanking by us soon,  just a dodgy win would suffice this season,  1-0 to the Town would be more than acceptable.

In 31 games between the 2 teams at the CG its pretty even with Swindon winning 10, Charlton 10 and 11 draws, Town scoring 44 and conceding 41.

In the last 15 meeting at Swindon the Town have only been victors in 3 of the games and Charlton have won 9 of them, thats since 1980.

Records are indeed there to be broken but with Omar Bogle, Conor Washington and Chuks Aneke up front I cant see us keeping a clean sheet today. Aneke tore us a new one in the home game in the LC earlier in the season ripping apart Iandolo at LB all game and giving Fryers a torrid afternoon too, and they weren't even at full strength that day.

Our recent lack of goals seems to have coincided with Caddis' absence from the team. Looking back to the beginning of the season he was involved in quite a few of our goals whether it was a direct assist, starting the move or scoring himself. Wonder if he plays a part today?

I'll just leave this here

https://youtu.be/aMsARnMuHwk

Yeah perhaps I should have checked before I said that I didn’t think that!! Doh!!

Well they are there to be knocked off their perch in that case PV!

Damn right! we are well capable of beating them even if it feels almost impossible at times recently.

Personally I would like to see is go 3 at the back with Grant and Conroy sat just in front of them

Having watched how we are playing I suggest that Tyler cannot play as a lone striker successfully so if hes fit then Pitman should play (for all his faults).

Having Odimayo and Fryer as left and right sided centre backs they can cover the fullback positions with Conroy and Grant able to slot in behind them if they are drawn out wide.

This formation leaves Payne & M Smith to do the creating. Until Lyden is back when I would play him over Payne.

                             Kovar
         Odimayo       Baudry         Fryers
                     Conroy      Grant
DJ              M Smith         Payne           J Smith
                             Pitman

I quite like that team PV

The usual comments from the Addicks forum...

The ref today is Benjamin Speedie. He has refereed 15 games this term, producing 41 yellow cards and two reds in his first football league season.

Also.....

https://twitter.com/STFCcouk/status/1340221615259455488?

No way can we have Baudry on his own in the middle.

Yes its heavily defensive biased but it does have some good creative players too, flexible and Matt Smith and Payne do not have to worry quite so much about defensive duties that way, also playing with 2 wingers they can track back and cover the wings defensively too.

I doubt we will see it though, the only one I am unsure of in there is Pitman but Tyler can't play a lone role so there are no other viable options...yet.

Hes not though, hes in a 3 CB's side but Fryers and Odimayo can cover fullback if the wingers don't track back with Conroy/Grant slotting into the hole left exposed if they do.

Here is my very basic rudimentary explanation.

(https://i.postimg.cc/VLDrhTk3/Untitled.png)

Those playoff games are two of my favourite ever matches. 'A touch and shoot!'

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Epmo_6uW8AICvje?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)

If we didn't have Rapid Flyers Intel I'd guess 343.

Kovar
Baudry Conroy Fryers
AO Grant Smith Grounds
DJ Smith Smith

If Jonny is LWB, I can't figure it out.

I like the team. We'll play ok. We'll also lose

I mean. I would like it to be

Kovar
Odimayo Baudry Fryers Grounds
Conroy Grant
M Smith
DJ Tyler J Smith.

433 essentially with 2 at the base and Matt Smith breaking forward.

If J Smith is LWB then

Kovar
Odimayo Baudry Fryers Grounds J Smith
Grant Conroy M Smith
Tyler and DJ.

but my 433 looks far better imo

Like the 11, let's see how we set up.

Yeah, I'm struggling to put Jonny at LWB in that lineup. So if AK is RWB, how do you put Fryers, Baudry, Conroy and Grounds behind Grant and Matt Smith? Bizarre.

It looks like another experiment coming up...  :(

Conroy up front with Pitman, anyone?  :hmmm:

J Smith as a wing back is a massive mistake, if thats where he ends up playing. Far too often he gets the ball 60 yards from the opposition goal, yeah he can charge up the field, but his real danger is getting in behind the defence or only having to beat one player and not 3, plus he can't defend. Just a massive fuck up if thats how we line up.

Yep, the mistake in the last game was keeping DJ with his back to goal and no-one freeing him and Jonny to run at the defence. Both need balls to run onto.

Conroy in centre mid same as the last game, with three at the back and M Smith playing further forward in the Payne role?

Sounds sensible. It's only the Jonny at LWB that screws things up, when you'd expect at least one of Grounds or Fryers behind him.

Perhaps Sheridan is trying Wellens mind games - if so, not very well.  ;D

I was surprised to see the experience in the Charlton side today.

They have 3,821 appearances and 515 goals between the starters.
Add to that a bench with 1,190 games between them and 100 goals.
They have amassed 182 international caps between the 18 players.

By comparison we have 1,694 appearances in the starting line up with just 97 goals between them.
On our bench we have 1,557 appearances and 304 goals between them.
And 7 international caps.

So in starting line ups they have double the appearances between them and 5 times the amount of goals.

That's a properly scary L1 team on paper.

It shows that although they are under ownership issues they can still pull in a huge amount of experience and quaity, with just 1 player (and 3 in the squad) with under 200 appearances.

By comparion we have 8 starters with under 200 appearances, 7 with under 100! in the starting line up.

no matter what the formation its negative. we are yet again starting 5 centre backs and 1 striker. does my fucking head it when we have the personnel to play 2 up top. we are at home not playing away for a point.

we will lose this. but i will still watch this in hope something magic clicks- why else is he persevering with a losing selection and formation?

Though our best players this year have very few apps to their name, while some of those with the highest have been a long way off their, or our best.

So, Grounds at LB.

If you go by career appearances then it's only 3 CBs and of those Conroy has played a lot of games as a DM which he is playing today and Odimayo has looked more than capable as a FB and has put a few really good crosses in.  We are also playing 2 up front.

Ref seems to be wearing similar kit to Charlton.  Distracting.

Mistake by Baudry but luckily the shot is poor.

Baudry getting his mistake in early today, hopefully.

Twine nets again for Newport

Another 25 yard stunner too.

Bit of continental keeping by Amos punching with distance when he could have caught it.

I still do not believe he adds anything to our team at all. People hoping he returns and think that will positive are just hopelessly lost. It will also matter even less with Sheridan in charge when he plays J Smith at LWB. Twice could well be RWB!

Odimayo looking like our main attacking threat so far, interestingly.

We are playing the offside trap more this game than we have all season put together.

So we shouldn't give him a chance at all?

*Jonny isn’t LWB.

Grant takes a knock winning the ball.

I think he has had plenty and proved every time he is lacking. Could have developed more this year, so can have a chance for sure. I am 99% sure it will be a waste of time.

He very much is LWB

I actually agree, I think we should bring him back, extend his contract and send him to enjoy his football with a successful team for the rest of the season, it can only benefit us.  If we bring him back to a team low on confidence, with a fanbase expecting him to score from 25 yards every game it is likely to not end well I think.

I get that we are desperate for bodies, but I also don't want to ruin Twine by bringing him back.  A full season in Lg2 with a successful team, and perhaps a promotion will do him and us no harm at all.

Pratley is not good at CB we need to pressure him much more.

Corner to Town.

Near post corner from J Smith doesn't beat the first man.

Doing alright here. Charlton seem to be less than the sum of their parts.

Very nearly a good ball from Jonny to Matt in the box but its just beyond him. Good idea not great execution.

I think we are (in the main) nullifying them.

It's a good job you had nothing to do with Austin and Vardy's development.  Some players just take a little longer to be ready.  Any other player his age with his record so far this season in L2 would be considered a decent target, we already own him so deserves a chance to show he has indeed developed.

Great goal DJ

1-0 DJ

Great set up and finish.

Fucking get in there, great goal!

Goalazzzaooooo!

Well worked that and great finish from DJ.

Well played reds. Everyone wanted a go at that.

Conroy played a beautiful ball

That's more like it!

Good goal. This formation actually seems to be working pretty well, Conroy as the extra man in midfield is allowing us to dominate, we had been building pressure for the last 15 so goal was coming.

DJ using his cool skills where and when it mattered.  brilliant!

Great to finally score during one of our better spells.

Jonny Smith needs to be on the right, he doesn't want to attack outside their right back, wants to come inside every time and it's too crowded in there..

Fryers rescues Baudry.

Fryers tidies up a Baudry rick

Fantastic twist back and turn inside by DJ and wellied it into the middle of the goal from 6 yards on the angle after a great set up by Conroy who had a nose bleed in the box!

Fryers' recovery pace the difference as Baudry makes a bit of an error.

Fryers just does whats necessary.  Thank God!

This is shit, CBs aren't supposed to be getting assists in the opposition box, way too attack minded for my liking.

Washington is a moany fuck.

Charlton focussing all the attacks down our defensive right side so far, Gilbey looks a threat on the ball.

Bogle shot hits Conroy goes just over.

normal service resumed

Great run down the left but very poor delivery from Jonny Smith.

Awful goal to concede, Fryers mistake.

1-1 fuck up.

FFS Comedy ensues again

soapy tit wank.

Well that was very reminiscent of the start of the season. Everyone slipped over there, have they oiled the pitch?

Fryers slips up then Kovar misses the ball and Bogle slips but still finishes.

our best defender now looking like Bambi on ice

Probably a good thing it went in really or we could have had Kovar sent off and a penalty against.

Great chance on the counter attack to conceding in 15 seconds, Jonny Smith’s final ball needs to start improving and soon!

I’m sure I’ve seen more defensive fuckups already this season than in my entire supporting career.

Another cock up!

what a miss. phew

We have turned to shit

Bogle misses a sitter.

Bogle misses an absolutely golden chance to make it 1-2

Yes we've gone shite at the back again. Bogle misses an absolute sitter

Fryers again ball watching

When these mistakes happen they seem to affect every single member of the side. Need to get our heads back on quickly.

We’re just so fragile. Concede one and we always go to pieces.

Fryers looked pretty good for the first 35 mins now he looks very poor, missing everything.

DJ about 6 inches away from a cross by Odimayo.

Really decent left footed cross from Odimayo cutting in there, impressive stuff.

same old, good start, starting to fade

Fryers gets a leg in to stop the cross, good interception.

How is that not a yellow for Pratley? Killed a counter stone dead

clear tellow v Pratley as Smith turns him - not given!

Grant misses from 12 yards, high over the bar.

Grant down injured in the middle after a poor challenge.

Ref left his yellow cards in the dressing room

J Smith really can't find a pass.

Two pretty textbook yellows ignored there. Don't really mind leniency as long as it's consistent...

HT 1-1

We've played well bar one horror mistake, but that mistake cost us. Feels a bit more like the games we were having under Wellens rather than the ones under Sheridan so far. Odimayo and DJ playing especially well for me.

We are doing quite well so far but that was a massive fuck up by Fryers this time costs us.

Plenty of reasons to be positive. Hopefully we kick on in the second half instead of the terrible second halfs we've had recently.

Some half time ska

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzkTTA0YQe4

He is like a carbon copy of Brophy, all pace and a bit light weight. He had a really good chance to create something before they equalised and just went into the first man which he always seems to do.

Ah well HT we are playing ok but one fuck has cost us as always and then we had a jittery 5 minutes after it.

I think the equalizer was plain unlucky - there's not much you can do about slipping. Their player slipped as well but was lucky enough to be able to knock it in still.

Annoying. 

We have the look of a team that will relegate itself I'm afraid.  Played quite well in patches, looked a bit threatening, but passive in defence - we are constantly standing off and it's almost like every player is trying to remember where they should be when defending.  That means we are always a step behind the play and it creates moments for the opposition.  The goal is comedy of errors again, but straight after that Fryers has not committed to the ball coming in and Grounds has AGAIN let a player just wander off him.  Grounds does this so often, he's just not switched on.  It's as if his brain is working in slow motion.

Going forward we've got into some good positions, but a LWB J Smith is not.  He's doing quite well at showing why you play him wide right ahead of a fullback.  Covering too much ground and then seems to have had too long to think by the time he gets to the final ball.

It's quite frustrating now, because you look at the players out there today and think they are not our worst team and for periods we look more than capable.  But, you just know we've got another goal to claw back in the second half in all likelihood.

Decent half.
Just an unfortunate slip but we are creating.
Better movement without doubt.
Charlton looking for the though balls and open game.

Can’t decide which was more comical - our latest defensive cock or Tanglefoot Bogle’s mind blowing miss.

He is awful.

Bogle subbed for Chuks Aneke.

FFS Aneke has come on for Bogle, he will be more of a threat.

Jonny Smith down injured, holding his thigh.

payne for Smith

Jonny Smith off for Payne.

Still wonder if Bogle was the other attacker that Wellens turned down as we were linked.

Payne seems to be playing LWB, no shape change just yet.

DJ wins a corner.

Grant kiss from 10 yards same as 1st half

Grant misses another from 12 yards, high and wide.

Should've scored there.

Grant misses a straightforward chance. Have to hit the target there.

At least on target. Decent chance it gets blocked but give it a chance.

Tyler nearly gets to the backpass, good chasing.

Grant draws a foul in the middle, clever work.

DJ does have some of the best close control I have seen by a Town player at times.

Baudry gives away a needless foul on the edge of the box.

Fryers gives away a corner from a cross.

Awful corner from them.

Odimayo cleverly wins a free kick near the corner flag.

Poor deep delivery from Payne, easily claimed by Amos.

Odimayo actually steals more yards to throw the ball in than he actually gets distance on the throw in!

fucks sake 2-1. was it off?

1-2

Surely offside?

Aneke just for a fucking change.

And there it is :(

He was a fucking yard offside.

Oh man he's two metres offside.

The first ball certainly looks offside.

Just home and switched on to see the second goal. How was that not offside?

Keep going PV,  football commentary has gone off on the radio due to covid announcement.

Pork pie Pele to save the day.

That was well offside

The shock of Sheridan making a sub on 61 minutes...

Level with that and he was well off and knew it as well. Lino has been 5 yards behind all game and just guessing.

Looked to me like Grounds played the first ball on then switched off and looks at the linesman rather than track his player who is certainly not offside.

(https://i.postimg.cc/yNLH9k0G/Untitled.png)

Watched that a couple of times now. It's not even close. Absolutely farcical. I think both first and second balls are offside, the second one even more so.

From what the PM has just announced, this season won't matter anyway.

Definately offside that pic was as the ball came through.

I am sitting on the 18yrd box line and he was at least a yard offside when the ball was played.

Terrible liner decision

Not our season. League 2 here we come.

Well if that's not offside my pricks a bloater.

Ball just went a yard out and lino missed that as well.

Terrible decision.

These are the sort of errors that will get us relegated.

Corners have been horrific today. Really need to try something different.

decisions, great and small, going Charlton's way.

Refereeing yet again is shockingly shit today.

And still going Charlton's way.  Wtf

Matt Smith gets the ball between his feet in the box, good chance.

Weather looks proper shit now

Come on ref do the right thing and call the game off due to the weather.

Weathers atrocious now, I’m getting wet in the DRS.

Still 20 minutes left, definitely at least a point in this game.

The weirdest things turn you on ;)

Without a total fuck up comedy goal and an offside not given we would be winning.

Charlton are not very good. A shadow of the team that tore us apart early season.

Yes but if a shit side are beating us what hope have we got.

They do say you make your own luck but fucking hell we have had some real shit luck this season so far.

DJ shot well wide from 20 yards.

We do lack any cutting edge whatsoever.

Because we're I  the relegation zone?

a team with attacking players such as pitman, DJ, T Smith, J Smith and Hope with M Smith pulling strings SHOULD be able to manage more than 1 shot on target.

 this is poor, really poor. every week. playing with a safety catch on with zero attacking intent and always conceding

Slow and predictable going forwards.   We lack any idea on how to break sides down

We seem to constantly run into highly populated areas of the pitch rather than dribbling into space, beat one man then run into trouble.

Reminds me of a Williams teams, walk the ball into the net.

Other than his black socks and the lack of a number on his back, the Ref look like a Charlton player and is their MOM :badmood:

Completely turned to turgid shit in the second half. Lost the battle in midfield. Flaky at the back. No bite up front. We're going down.

Doughty retiring was a really costly moment in our season, we need his creativity and footballing brain.

Beautiful turn past his man by Odimayo. He gets better every week, no matter what mad position he ends up in. Contract extension please, if he'd sign it.

Classy tackle by Conroy on Aneke.

I dont think you can deserve to win with 1 on target and none other clear cut openings. we arent having any luck with the goals that we concede I agree but we certainly dont deserve to win anything whatsoever

Return of Rob Hunt.

I’m placing all my faith in No. 19

Late equaliser here makes a big difference to morale. Come on Town.

Quote of the day "too close to the goalkeeper".

Definitely this.  A huge miss.  

We have gone from decent last year to bollocks this year, the division isn't an excuse, it's no better than league two.

To summarise STFC for the last 25 years - one season forward, five seasons back.  :suicide:

Arsenal used to often win games 1-0 with only 1 shot on target every game, but its about keeping it tight at the back, even with 5 centre backs playing today in Grounds, Conroy, Baudry, Fryers and Odimayo we still had gaps in the centre of defence.

I don't know what the answer is, but I do think we have deserved a point today over all.

piiiiiiiiiitmaaaaaan

Letters of complaint should be addressed to Mr R Wellens, Salford FC.

2-2 Pitman

PORK PIE PELE

Get that man a pork pie

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

Good header poor keeping, deserved.

Cmon! Still time to win this!!

Pitman starting a fight, lovely stuff

Hahaha

2-2 ft

FT 2-2

Well cheers for that lino.  :crash:

A good point. Not a perfect performance but good in parts. Late equaliser a morale boost we sorely needed.

What we need  :)

Big point. 3 points off 16 place. Can’t see us getting anything against Pompey but then easier fixtures there after.

A deserved point. Could have been 3 if the lino wasn't such a cunt

Someone obviously doesn't like StefPol.

Lots of people 😉

Good result, OK performance, poor defending again.  Think Charlton created far more than we did, but we looked half decent on the ball at times.  Payne looked completely lost at LWB, if Hunt was fit enough to come on I'm not sure why he wouldn't have been the option.  Pitman did absolutely nothing, then scores a goal - if only he could do that more often you'd take him being a statue for the rest of the game.

Overall, something to build on - getting these key players back has been key.  Now to find some sort of tactical and selection consistency.

Would have settled for that with two minutes to go.  Seems like our luck may have changed,  upwards and onwards,  On shit, Pompey next, we'll need a bit of luck there.

2 goals in a game, some very poor reffing, didn't create too many good chances but didn't deserve to concede 2 against a poor Charlton side who had the ref on their side as well as lady luck for the first goal.

Odimayo my MoM for a good all round performance.

Still nowhere near firing on all cylinders yet but every point counts come the end of the season.

Can't see us getting anything at Pompey if the game goes ahead though.

MOM:  Eventually plumped for Conroy's mix of passing and defensive play just edging Odimayo - either way, Odimayo was always involved positively and asking questions on the rhs.

Conroy did very well considering his fitness level and made one amazing tackle to come away with the ball from Aneke just outside our box, he also had a huge hand in the 1st goal which was unlike him! but Mayo was a constant threat going forwards and just shaded it for me.

I guess that sums us up, a centre back, playing at right back was our best attacking outlet all game!

Might not have Matt Smith's class, but Odi an early season contender for player of the season...he's even done well in post match interviews that Sheridan didn't fancy, ffs!  One or two lapses in concentration, but for one so young and inexperienced, he has been outstanding.

Haven't seen Pompey but had Charlton held on, then they and Donny, with their games in hand, have been as effective as any other side in this Div thus far.  

I think we have been overdue a break in our luck. :pint:

Sheridan:
- Point well deserved against a really good team
- Think Charlton will be near auto promotion
- Competed with them well
- Need to keep belief and be patient
- Played good football at times
- Great opener
- Cant fault the effort from the players
- Massive bonus to get something from the game
- We have competed well against some of the better teams in the last few games
- Pitman is trying to get fit
- Conroy is trying to get up to speed after injury
- Poor, poor goals conceded yet again
- Payne has come on and done well. Reacted well. Sheridan was always grumpy when he was left out. Payne answered this well with his performance
- Massive downer to concede in that manner
- Coped with a team who have the best away record in the league
- Second for them looks offside
- Players have been playing well. Desire and willingness is there
- To score late in the game and come away in a point is good
- At home I expect us to take the game to the opposition. I wanted a goal threat (J Smith LWB). Wouldn't play him there away from home
- Pleased subs reacted well (disappointed not starting) and did well
- If we keep the level of performance then we will get results
- Appreciate patience of the fans
- Downer for everyone conceding , but they encouraged the team
- J Smith tight thigh strain. Will need to assess more.

Back on iFollow today as in a tier 3 area, so at least didn’t get drenched second half.

I thought we deserved a point - although we don’t create enough or get enough shots on target. Apart from a few crosses under little pressure their keeper didn’t have a save to make.
Apart from his slip for the first goal, Fryers makes the defence look more solid. Conroy was very good, Also Odimayo.
DJ the main threat but was well contained after half time. A better performance from Grant today also..
The referee and linesman were poor to say the least.

We need to review the loans in Jan - I’d personally send back both J Smith and Stephens - both have pace but their decision making is poor / no end product and they seem injury prone.
If Payne was on loan I’d send him back too, as after half a season I am not sure what he is bringing to the team.

The main positive for me is that we squeezed a point out at the death - we have lost too many by the odd goal and need to grind out some ugly points.

it was a bit messy at times in the second half, but we regrouped and got a point, which will do for me.

it's far from good, but I'll enjoy the point and being there to celebrate 2 goals

What formation did we play if JS was at LWB???

3-5-2

Pitman:
- Results havent been great
- There have been signs in games that we were going in the right direction
- Performances have been 'better'
- We'll take drawing scrappy in the situation we are in
- Just tried to get the header on target and lucky it has looped in. Didn't realise at the time it was so late in the game
- On conceding the first: Things are going against us. We seem to get punished for every mistake
- We will not point fingers and stick together at a team
- Frustrating coming in without a pre-season and got injured a couple of times
- Haven't really trained too much because of injury and the constant games
- Hopefully can stay fit. Always been someone who plays lots of games. So far hasnt been able to do that at Swindon
- Has worked hard to try to get fit again and put himself in the frame to be picked
- Portsmouth is just another game for us. Gutted that there wont be any fans there.
- The quicker we can get fans back in every ground the better
- Portsmouth will be a tough game.

Far better decision making today. Still lightweight up front but without doubt a positive step in the right direction. Let’s not forget Charlton were a championship side last season and tipped to go up.
For large parts of the game we were the better side. Showed character and far better organised. The first goal just a real pity and not deserved. Charlton were on the back foot when 2-1 up and that was pleasing to see as no way did the heads drop.
Conroy a real Captains performance, vocal and organising. Was cool on the ball and I believe he was the big difference today. Odimayo also had a decent game.
A point at Portsmouth? Would be great but the next two home games if we can get this level of performance again I reckon we could turn a corner.
It doesn’t feel disappointing tonight but one of a little more hope.

.....and a Happy Christmas to every single one of you Swindon fans.

Charlton fans very gracious in defeat (you would think it was a defeat from the comments on their forum!).

A lot of opposing fans have said Swindon are the worst or one of the worst teams they have played this season. If it was one set of fans then you can brush it off. However lots of different club fans have said the same. Also the league table doesn’t lie so they are probably telling the truth..... I guess they just are unaware or out injury problems etc.

Bristol Rovers have been the worse team I have seen this season but they have picked up well recently.

It was great to be back at the cultural home of English football.
Thought we competed throughout without ever impressing with quality. Physically they looked fitter and stronger.
Enjoyed our first especially as we had fought our way back after a sluggish start. Their first was a calamity of errors. Had hoped we would stop gifting the opposition easy goals. Crowd reaction to their second suggested offside. I couldn't see from the other end but a trusted friend said it was a good goal. Evidence on here suggests otherwise. Pitmans header was one bit of quality and it got us a point. Thought the crowd were great and the organisation of the ground very reassuring. Can't wait to return. Beer time. Cheers!

The second certainly looked offside and it would have been hard to take if it had been the winner. Overall I thought we played well. Fryers, cock up aside, and Conroy returning have helped tighten us at the back and if J Smith hadn’t had to go off, we might have nicked it

Realky enjoyed that today. A point that feels like a win due to the very late nature of the goal. Great to be back at the CG for the 2nd week in succession, although suspect it might be the last for a while, due to covid numbers.

Unlike last week, I always fancied us to get a result. In fact I turned to my son as Matt Smith was about to take the last corner and said we'll score from this. We created more decent chances than against Fleetwood and both defences looked vulnerable when pressed, hence it made for an entertaining game. I dont agree at all with whoever it was that said this league is as bad as league 2 last year. We have come up against Fleetwood, Donny and Charlton in the last 3 games and they are all far superior to anything we came up against last year. Charlton's attacking options of Bogle, Washington, Aneke and Maddison are all impressive for this level and presumably would be well beyond our budget.

I thought Conroy (my mom) looked very composed in a DCM role and it was probably no coincidence that Antony Grant had his best game for a while given the extra cover that Conroy gives. Matt Smith was also decent and was involved in both goals. I thought the formation worked well, with Johny Smith as an attacking LWB and Odimayo as a more defensive RWB, until the final 20 minutes when he almost turned in to a right winger! Odimayo's crossing was very good on a couple of occasions, less so on others, but he is an excellent prospect, with fantastic athleticism and endeavour. DJ showed great skill and composure for the goal, which watching back on replay was an excellent team goal, with 5-6 players doing really well to retain possession and pass to a colleague.

Kovar had very little to do, but again we concede two goals. Seems to be that way most games. His kicking was largely excellent and his slip just unfortunate, just like Fryers, who otherwise was again very good. I thought Baudry was ok, but appears less confident than last year - maybe it's the step up in quality of opponent (Aneke was a real handful when he came on, reminded me somewhat of Akinfenwe). Grounds was decent and seems to be over his wobble period.

My only frustration was at 1-2 down we appeared to be playing too safe, with players frightened of passing forwards rather than sideways, presumably for fear of losing the ball, given the number of goals we have conceded in transition this season. I felt it was better when Hunt came on at LWB, releasing Payne to play through the middle. Worth praising Sheridan for his subs, as Hunt, Payne and particularly Pitman all had a positive impact on the game.

Final plusses - we score from a corner, Pitman gets a goal and fans clap players off. Its beginning to feel a lot like Christmas and thank goodness Boxing Day falls on a Saturday and not Tuesday, otherwise we wouldnt have a hope in hell of getting anything against Pompey.

I hope this is a turning point in the season and notwithstanding all the negativity about Sheridan - and I have not been overly enthused by some of the performances or indeed some of his press conferences - I thought the players showed a real desire to get something from this game. They didnt play like a disgruntled group to me.

Just watched the highlights but how on earth was their second goal not offside?
I’m assuming someone plays him on off screen but it looks so bad.

are you taking about the first pass DV? It's tight, even with a straight line,!!

The big fella is blocking the view of the lineo, is literally the only thing that I can think of. He looked miles offside at the game, that linesman was fucking useless all game, our players were getting mauled right in front of him, he doesn't see shit, their player dribbled clear off the pitch, he doesn't see shit, Payne (iirc) did similar later and was given as a thrown to them.

I think Grounds plays him on, but more importantly why is Grounds 3 yards behind the rest of the back line!

If that part wasn't offside, it surely was when the ball was crossed for the tap in. (It seemed like a forward pass to me)

Because he has no idea.

No the second where the scorer is stood a few yards in front of our goal with no Town player anywhere near him

I mean he’s in front of the defender in that picture.
So in the time it takes for the player with the ball to pass it the scorer manages to drop back behind the defender then get away from him again and stay onside.

Not impossible granted but still...

Aneke was behind the ball when the pass was played I think so was surely onside?

Like our second goal in the play off first leg versus Tranmere when we initially broke the offside ‘trap’ and it was just rolled across for Mitchell/Maskell (I forgot which way around) to score.

Yeah Aneke is 100% on. He's behind the play.

Aneke was in an offside position when the first pass was played to Washington, but was back onside when Washington squared.

Grounds should've stayed with his man rather than waving his arm in the air hopelessly. Play to the fucking whistle.

Absolutely. We actually played the offside trap quite well yesterday aside from this catastrophe!

He was rubbing his thigh and doing stretches during the shooting practice in front of the TE before the game. Pitman also hurt himself during the same practice. Who knew taking a few pot-shots could be so dangerous.

Overall an improvement on the Fleetwood performance and I thought a point was deserved in the end.

However, I couldn’t see where an equaliser was going to come from as out ponderous play on the ball allowed Charlton to set up defensively and the midfield seemed reluctant to get forward of the man with the ball, hence lots of sideways and backwards passing, and when the ball got forward quickly, there was often too much of a gap between the striker/s and midfield.

Thank heavens we’ve got DJ, otherwise we’d look bereft of quality and urgency up front. He’s definitely a saleable asset - fingers crossed a bid doesn’t come in in January.

Akin’s looking like a useful, versatile player and on yesterday’s performance Conroy could be a new Grant.

I’m certainly not convinced by Sheridan but he’s still having to make decisions on a squad full of crocks and mistake-makers. I’d be happier if he could get a bit more dynamism into our play but maybe, just maybe, that might come with a settled formation and match-day squad. I still think relegation is more likely than not though.