Swindon Town FC v Colchester United pre match chat and match day thread

[kirky69]

I think I'm in the minority, I like Carroll. He does the dirty stuff in midfield and he's effective in that role. I don't think Wellens expects him to be creative, just to break up play and get the ball to one of our players. I haven't got a problem with him passing backwards either, he's not the type of player who will dribble with the ball, or ping a cross over. Win the ball, keep possession,  that's his game.

100% agree and reflection of Wellens excellent recruitment of effective players. Same for Broadbent and Robinson who with Carroll make up a very physical and determined spine.

[Wobbly Bob]

Great win and well appreciated by the 5,700 at the end.

It's not easy to step up and then maintain the pressing for a second half, so credit to the management for sorting that out at half time.

Robinson, superb and shows what we've been missing up front this season.

Bit of a 'dogs of war' type midfield, but maybe what is needed in the games against direct rivals and until Doughty and Rose are fit again.
Not pretty but as long as they are effective, that's the main thing.

Presumably Bancroft now goes back in the grow bag on the high protein mix.

[FreddySTFC!]

I think I'm in the minority, I like Carroll. He does the dirty stuff in midfield and he's effective in that role. I don't think Wellens expects him to be creative, just to break up play and get the ball to one of our players. I haven't got a problem with him passing backwards either, he's not the type of player who will dribble with the ball, or ping a cross over. Win the ball, keep possession,  that's his game.

This. Gives us a lot more than Dunne & McCourt imo although tbf Dunne hasn't been too bad of late. A lot of the time yesterday he was correct in having to pass backwards as there was very little movement in front of him. Usually Doughty would be dropping short to receive the ball from him to link up the next phase of play but Dunne/McCourt were never going to provide that option yesterday.

[Quagmire]

Presumably Bancroft now goes back in the grow bag on the high protein mix.

  He’s fucking HUGE isn’t he, 17 years old.

[jayohaitchenn]

Hilarious that their keeper is also their goalkeeping coach

[Batch]

yeah wtf does he coach, soapy hand saves?

[Batch]

Conroy's ball that helped with the 2nd was a thing of beauty.

they have now

seems quite mobile too

[Flashheart]

I think I'm in the minority, I like Carroll. He does the dirty stuff in midfield and he's effective in that role. I don't think Wellens expects him to be creative, just to break up play and get the ball to one of our players. I haven't got a problem with him passing backwards either, he's not the type of player who will dribble with the ball, or ping a cross over. Win the ball, keep possession,  that's his game.

I like him as well.

My comments above were more of a compliment than a criticism. Every team should have a bit of 'dirty' about them and Carroll pulls it off with aplomb.

[bigbobjoylove]

Easy win in the end against a team that shows how shit this division actually is. How are they anywhere near the playoffs?

Theo Robinson needs to be signed up for next season.

[Peter Venkman]

Not much chat on the Colchester forum it seems post game, just a couple of comments...

Ref has been awful, he has given us free kicks when he should’ve played advantage and let them waste a ridiculous amount of time

We’ve not played worse than this for a long time. No single player can take any credit.

Been coming. Gilmartin's hands not strong enough.

We've been as bad 2nd half as they were for the first half an hour. No pattern, no flow, no pace. I get the logic of the changes but they were not what we needed. We needed a bit of pace and the ability to pull their players about, It's all been too comfortable since they took the lead.

Don’t get it. On paper this is a team who should be challenging for automatics. On their day they are as good as I’ve seen. But, as has been said, we have a suicidal tendency. No consistency. Something is wrong with their mindset. Seem to be bottlers.

Have to say that we were poor and bringing the ball out of defence. Too slow, easily closed down and put under a lot of pressure. No dissimilar to Carlisle game where they also gave us very little time on the ball. Has our style of play been worked out by every team in the league now

Absolute bobbins versus The Robins

there was little energy to the team at all which matched Swindon for the first 40 minutes where the match resembled a game of walking football.

[Peter Venkman]

But only lost 1 of the last 6. I’m going with that stat!

Alternatively we have only lost there twice in 11 games!

TBF most of our losses up there were pre 1981 so yes you could have a point.

I have seen us there 3 times and not seen us lose.

I think I’ve only been once - an FA Cup tie in the 80s when we were low down and they were going well.

Think it was a draw. There was a good old football special train

That was the first time I went there, a great performance and Endersby played a blinder in the nasty conditions, the train trip was a great day out, the long march through the city to the ground escorted by the police, a great football memory.

[Peter Venkman]

as I'm sure mentioned that wasn't good today but 3-0!! We played a lot better against Grimsby imo but I don't really care I don't think iv seen a home win this season.

We lacked a lot of creativity and also bravery. The need to pass backwards instead of confidence.

The first 30 started much like previous, no threat to our goal, control of the ball but nothing really happening apart from a blind hoof to Theo who seems to make good of any lumped ball.

Bennett and Carroll were probably the worst offenders. Bennett offered little, gave cheap balls away, created nothing for a supposedly attack minded player. Carroll is a little bastard really but he's ours which is better than having him against us. Seems intent on trying to get a yellow- quite unbelievable how many fouls he gave away and constant whingeing about options in front him without the ability to drive forward himself and poor passing. BUT they bith won us the game, the way of football.

a fantastic result against a team we had to win. I'm really happy with a good 7/8 players of the team and it's look like a team we can build around for seasons to come.

Totally agree with all of that.

[Peter Venkman]

I too love Carroll, he put himself about a LOT leaves his foot in but does it far better than Dunne, I think him and Toums in defensive midfield would be an excellent pairing. He looked shit at right back but otherwise he is exactly the type of player needed at this level even if he is a booking waiting to happen.

[Reg Smeeton]

Totally agree with all of that.

Even the last bit about building a side for seasons to come.  

Of the starting XI, 2 are contracted for 19/20.  It's the modern game at lower league level.... rapid turnover of players with lots of loans or short contracts.

Of the side that Wellens inherited v Carlisle, only 4 would be starting if he picked the same XI as yesterday, next week.

Of course what it does mean is a lot of these players minds are focused atm, by a need for a contract next year either here or at another club.

[Peter Venkman]

I think several of the loans will still be with us next season, I hope Robinson will sign for us on a perm, Koiki will sign on a loan for the season (yes I know he didnt start yesterday) as Wellens said Woolf may or may not re sign next season if Ipswich stay up, Wellens stated that Carroll could be available next season for a year loan, Bennett...not sure about, he offers very little all game then scores almost out of the blue, yes helped by the keeper a lot, but he still took a shot, something Anderson needs to learn to do.

A funny point from the pre match interviews last week, I love how Steve Mildenhall says he constantly rips the piss out of Carroll for coming from Oxford....good lad!