Newport County v Swindon Town official match day thread

[ronnie21]

I know this has been alluded to before but this season's problems started when LP couldn't find a manager after reluctantly sacking Williams.  Flitcroft arrived when the majority of the decent free transfer players had been snapped up but his recruitment was average at best.  Come January and he made a complete bollocks of it, especially the defence.  It was always flimsy but to rely on a guy from the slave traders with hardly any experience was criminal, it was obvious if we picked up any more injuries/suspensions the defence would be in trouble.  In midfield we lack a player who can put his foot on the ball and dictate play, I personally thought that guy would be Elsnick but his fitness has been a major problem and his form has suffered.  Thnk with the forwards we have we should have scored a few more goals and eased the problems slightly but Norris has had his problems and I dont really think he is the answer.  Since the Vigs blow-up we have struggled with both of our keepers, perhaps Henry should be given his chance in the remaining games. 

If what is being said about Hussey punching a supporter is true then he should be fucked off back to Bramhall Lane pronto, at least that would open the door for Vigs to return next season!!

[FreddySTFC!]

But we’re you expecting better solely because we were in L2, ergo, we must surely do well, despite the obvious dodgy signings by the Flit Meister?

I don’t think even my own low expectations quite envisaged having the double done over us by Newport fucking County. The fact that we struggled consistently despite it being a rotten, shit league does worry me, though.

I expected a top 7 finish, not because we're Swindon & we're 'too big' for this division but because I made a rational decision based on the other sides in the league being largely of a poorer standard than ourselves. The fact we've failed to achieve this (or are extremely unlikely too) means it's been a shit season in my eyes. I've also been 'subjected' to every home game which in the main have been sub-standard at best.

[FreddySTFC!]

I know this has been alluded to before but this season's problems started when LP couldn't find a manager after reluctantly sacking Williams.  Flitcroft arrived when the majority of the decent free transfer players had been snapped up but his recruitment was average at best.  Come January and he made a complete bollocks of it, especially the defence.  It was always flimsy but to rely on a guy from the slave traders with hardly any experience was criminal, it was obvious if we picked up any more injuries/suspensions the defence would be in trouble.  In midfield we lack a player who can put his foot on the ball and dictate play, I personally thought that guy would be Elsnick but his fitness has been a major problem and his form has suffered.  Thnk with the forwards we have we should have scored a few more goals and eased the problems slightly but Norris has had his problems and I dont really think he is the answer.  Since the Vigs blow-up we have struggled with both of our keepers, perhaps Henry should be given his chance in the remaining games. 

If what is being said about Hussey punching a supporter is true then he should be fucked off back to Bramhall Lane pronto, at least that would open the door for Vigs to return next season!!

Am I missing something here? Why would Hussey going back allow Vigs to return? Did something go on between the pair of them?

[hefty toe]

Flitcroft was a bad manager.  All lion, no fox.  Not remotely analytical just preaching 'a million percent' bollocks and full of bluster.  We were fortunate that Mansfield took him off our hands.  Our league position was very flattering under his reign as suggested by our poor goal difference.  The football did not improve during his tenure - it was always just hit and hope.  The fallout with Vigouroux was probably just about pride and machismo.

[BambooToTheFuture]

Flitcroft was a bad manager.  All lion, no fox.  Not remotely analytical just preaching 'a million percent' bollocks and full of bluster.  We were fortunate that Mansfield took him off our hands.  Our league position was very flattering under his reign as suggested by our poor goal difference.  The football did not improve during his tenure - it was always just hit and hope.  The fallout with Vigouroux was probably just about pride and machismo.

I prefer the term 'a cockless pornstar' - aka, all mouth and no trousers.

[BambooToTheFuture]

I thought that was DF's first win in 6. It was his first win in 9!

[RobertT]

I think it is entirely possible to say this season has been shit, namely because it has been bar about 4 games, and also say it could have been a heel of a lot worse.

Flitcroft got in a team with one thing in mind - thump it forward and play for the knock downs.  During our first league game i think I lamented the style but suggested we would probably make the play offs - we have fallen just shy.  Unfortunately, because we just played roulette each week, we stood the chance of losing too many, and we did.  In December it was clear we were not quite right, it looked like the defence was shit and we were not quite as cohesive upfront as we should be, with players often playing slightly out of position.  A change then could have provided another Manager the opportunity to fix a few cracks and see us over the line.  It was too late once it was forced, and Brown has been left with a team with big holes as well as trying to get them to play a different way.  in an ideal world you just come in and keep it going - it's a messy end to a shit season to watch, and yes Reg, the course we were on from last season could have meant it was worse.

[Batch]

I thought we were in danger of going non league.

it has been shit, the most shit it's been since i started watching league position wise. just less shit than I thought it would be.

A shit season, but it could be worse. lets hope power hasn't spunked his financial load on this season.

[Bob's Orange]

I think our cup ‘run’ sums up the season a bit. Get past the first round of the Fa Cup for the first time in ages, breezing past a non-league side that was, on paper, a banana skin. Only to concede five pathetically at a poor Stevenage side.

[Wobbly Bob]

That was the performance of a mid table side with nothing to play for.
Except that there was still something to play for.
Not sure that the mentality of this squad has ever been quite as it should be.
Still, the sun was shining for a change.

Quality issues aside, Flitcroft was partially successful in getting results away from home.
It's the early home form that finished us off this season.

Not convinced that the budget was as "competitive" as has been stated, but regardless of that, it's still up to the manager to forge a team with the requisite spirit to get out of this league.

It's interesting that the teams with the lowest budgets could end up winning both this league and the Conference.
Macclesfield are supposedly full time, but some of the players have second jobs to make ends meet.
Look to have issues with a stay away owner as well.
I'd imagine that they would be among the favourites to go straight back down, so possibly only one relegation spot for Reg to worry about.  

[cdakev]

 I must be in minority here as i expected us to finish in the top 3.

Our biggest problem was a failure to land a goal scorer as early doors we created a hat full of chances.

The next issue was losing Conroy and Preston thus having a shit defence.

Then we decide not to play the best goalkeeper in the league. Yes he might be a dick but that should have been sorted behind closed doors.

After that the season became a mess and yes we messed up big time.

It will require a total rebuild next season with a hand full of players that would justify remaining.

LP needs to resolve the manager situation asap, and if it is Brown then make that decision so he can decide who wants

IMO i'm neither here or there with Brown but i'm not sure what the alternative is.

[Batch]

 .
Then we decide not to play the best goalkeeper in the league. Yes he might be a dick but that should have been sorted behind closed doors.
.

Even if you think getting Vigs out the club was justified - replacing him with a keeper that turns to jelly when having a bad patch, and a backup keeper who just isn't of the standard yet... that's Flitcrofts mess up.

That said, the problems team far deeper than the keeper. As you pointed out.

[Ticker45]

I expected a top 7 finish, not because we're Swindon & we're 'too big' for this division but because I made a rational decision based on the other sides in the league being largely of a poorer standard than ourselves. The fact we've failed to achieve this (or are extremely unlikely too) means it's been a shit season in my eyes. I've also been 'subjected' to every home game which in the main have been sub-standard at best.

This in a nutshell.

I have renewed my ST in the hope that it can get better, but as this season implodes moves must surely be made now as to a manager so that he can get us moving in the right direction early, not as happened last summer.

[cdakev]

IMO the two goalkeepers next season should be Vigs and Henry.

I would play Henry for the remainder of the season and i would have played him far earlier.

Charles Reese-Cook and Moore need to be moved on.

[OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR]

I'm not terribly analytical in assessing whether it's been a shit season or not, I just ask myself the question, "How much have I enjoyed this season?" My answer is "Not one bit OST"...it has therefore been, without doubt a shit season.

I know I should be grateful (Reg) that we've not 'done a Chesterfield' and slipped through to the Conference - as it appears they are going to do - and of course I am. On the other hand, that's not made the season any less abysmal and it's not going to cause me to crack open the Champagne, neither is the fact that it was far worse 35 years ago as some like to regularly remind us (not having a go at anyone but it does get a bit boring)

Appointing Flitcroft looked a decent move initially, especially in the light of 'handing him the keys' and letting him get on with it (although I did have some misgivings about his 11 game losing run at Bury). It turns out though that the bloke is a Grade 'A' Bullshitter who is right up there with Hart and Malpas in terms of shitness - in fact he's worse, he is an absolute imposter of a football manager. I sincerely hope he does not fluke Mansfield into L1 as it would be utterly undeserving for him to get a promotion for this season on his CV.

Having said that, if Power can regroup, get a half decent budget together (doesn't even have to be huge, just decent) and get PB to stay, I'm sure we can challenge for a top 3 spot next season (which I thought we would do this season cdakev - you're not alone!)