Swindon Town v Notts County matchday thread

[Bob's Orange]

We didn't start very quickly and notts forced Wes into a good double stop but aside from one save in the second half didn't have that much to do. I was getting a bit frustrated as Byrne got booked for a dive and Gladwin couldn't do anything right, although he improved.

First half we played well without really looking that threatening, Willo's chance was one Notts gave us, rather than anything we created.

Second half we got the goal from a delightful run and finish by Swift and then gifted a penalty as Willo tried to get to a rebound but held down on the ground, spotted by the Lino. I though he would miss but didn't, bang in the corner. Notts then faded like my old red ford escort's spoiler after years in the sun and we took control. A great run and pass by Swift put Mass through and his shot well saved by Roy Carroll was gleefully finished by Toffolo. Hurrah!

Swift was rightly man of the match running the show in midfield although I also thought Branco was excellent today, totally bossing Lita. Luongo to me looked a little flat/tired, not his usual energetic self, although he was clearly in a rush to get to London flying past us in his Range Rover Sport at over the speed limit, tut tut! Andy Williams deserved his goal for another 100% committed performance, he really does give his all every match.

Great to get back on track, hopefully we can now kick on.

[Bob's Orange]

I didn't even mention the officials today, Barmy performance by them!

[Nemo]

Talking of mad officiating, anyone watching West Brom v West Ham? Yacob just got a second yellow for being slide tackled.

[THE FLASH]

Not the greatest display or game I have seen but what a fucking result...get the fuck in.

Ref and indeed the Linos were a total disaster today.....lost control and the plot. I didn't see the punch but that must of been the only dirty thing to happen all match. If you looked at the stats you must of thought it was a bloodbath.....

[THE FLASH]

Talking of mad officiating, anyone watching West Brom v West Ham? Yacob just got a second yellow for being slide tackled.

West Ham have appealed as they reckon they are not playing!

[Bewster]

I enjoyed today, well one things settled down after the initial scares. Thought Swift had a good game but needs to play it quicker and easier on occasions. Would like to counter attack more place as we tend to slow the game down and show the opposition to get back and reorganise.

Branco reminds me of skilfull, Brazilian Jon Gittens - one mistake away from disaster  

[Nemo]

West Ham have appealed as they reckon they are not playing!

The kit is the right colour!

[Batch]

doh!

[THE FLASH]

lino who gave penalty presumably trying to compensate for not spotting their number 15 holding down and punching Williams in the head about 10 feet away from him. How the ref could book Byrne for diving and then not book the Notts number 15 (again) for the same offence 20 minutes later only he can explain. But luckily for him referees don't have to justify their incompetence. Town End called him a Sunday League referee. I'd be well pissed if that short arsed little twat came any where near refereeing my lads games on a Sunday

Also....I didn't see him put a flag across his chest! Just flagged...? Shite!

[Ardiles]

Buzzing from this...

I say this quite sincerely...your enthusiasm/optimism is a breath of fresh air.  Think we all get a little jaded as we get older.  STFC does that to you.  But you're doing a good job right now.  Hope you keep it up.  We need more like you.

And good luck with the Loud & Proud relaunch, if you decide to go for it.  The pic of the Town End you put on twitter from just a few years ago shows what we should be aiming for.

[chalkies_shorts]

A really good result today. I wasn't looking forward to the game and in the first 10 minutes country had a couple of decent efforts. We didn't get a shot on target until nearly half time. Up to half time it was all about the ref. Byrne really was a dopy cunt to get booked for diving. His control was shite and knowing he wasn't going to get it he dived. If the Traders want any evidence of Town players going down, they should get this. We then have their no 15 smacking Willo and getting away with it. He then dived when trying to break through very much a la Byrne and....nothing. So by then he should have had a straight red and a yellow but nada.
The second half we pissed all over them. good finish by Swift but he's still got a lot to learn. Then we have the penalty which was one. Their defender was a dopy twat for conceding it, not that the ref noticed, the lino gave it. It was good to see Gruffalo get the 3rd.
MOM for me was either Stephens or Branco. Stephens did a lot of very simple things well and Branco was Jeckyll not Hyde.  

[kerry red]

Thought the support was much improved today, too.

Also, there was a nice touch I noticed as the players came out for the 2nd half. Yasser, who must have been pissed at not starting, low-fived the other players as they came onto the pitch.

Nice gesture.

[Ardiles]

Yaser has had a lot to deal with recently.  Great form before Christmas and great reviews out in Australia for the Asian Cup.  But since he's been back with us, his form has dipped.  Hardly surprising.  We just need him back to his best now for the run in.  Hopefully taking a back seat briefly will have helped him recharge.

[chalkies_shorts]

Just noticed the Franchise game is a gold category game at £27. Live on Sky, 12:15 kick off, fuck all away attendance. Struggling to see this one as anything other than a bronze game - get the crowd in, don't give them an excuse to sit in their armchair.

[Benzel]

Much improved today, plenty of purposeful play if a little unthreatening in the first half. Lovely goal from Swift who played well going forward and back imo. Notts seemed to lose their heads over nothing. Very odd - Thompson on Willo, Roy Carroll yelling himself into the book and then Noble ranting himself into a double yellow. Bizarre.
Branco was excellent today, I'd be tempted to start that XI again next week.

Top work from the fans today as well. Let's have some more of that.