Thetownend.com

On a roll.  :)
2-1 to us.

Att: 5,174 (78 away fans)

1-3
Back to reality against a decent team
att 5937

No idea.

Any chance you’re out on the piss again tonight?

'fraid not.

3-0 defeat then

Score first would help. A back to back win especially with a clean sheet would also be ideal.

We'll play well for the first 15 minutes,then concede a soft goal and go on to lose 0-2.
I'm still not convinced by Wellens but happy to be proved wrong

As we have been repeatedly reminded throughout the last 18 months (as if reminders were necessary), top end away form and bottom end home form will leave us somewhere in the middle, and we need to push on at home. Tonight is important - we can't afford to end up 10 points behind Stevenage by bedtime.

I'll go for a 1-1, with plenty of missed chances and encouraging signs.

Boo  :nonono:

At least have a beer on the balcony or in the Garden to give us some hope, thanks

Stevenage away: W3   D2   L4   F10   A13,  13th in the Away table
(we are 7th in the Away table W4   D2   L4   F11   A12   )

Beatable if you ignore our home form (20th)  W2   D4   L3   F9   A14,
And FFS don't look at the last 6 at home (W0 D3 L3 F2 A9, rock bottom) :(

Still, an unbeaten home record against them to maintain as well as a lowest crowd of 6022 to beat.

Lots to get excited about

Coming to this one against my much better judgement... No idea what to expect really but can't be any worse than the last home game, can it?

I don't think it can Tails.

We are due a win. Expectations are fairly low. Just hope the crowd can keep their frustrations down a bit while we are in the game.

Somebody already mentioned how important it is to score first. quite agree. do that and I reckon we'll win.

I still have no idea, but I'd settle for a point and overall improvement. I'm not expecting much in terms of goals considering we have next to zero strikers available. Would like to see some creativity, though.

I'm another who objectively knows I should take a point and a solid performance but is actually hoping for a win.

2-1 ..... somehow.

When was the last time we won back to back games? I think it could be a big boost psychologically for the team (that will quickly be ruined when we get beat by Woking on Sunday..)

Not going to be easy,  especially with zero up front.    But,  keep the faith, a penalty and an own goal for a 2-0 win.

Ha ha, Trails used to be so positive, he's been ground down like a lot of us :)

I must be missing one, but first glance suggests the last league back to back wind were end of January (Crewe home, Stevenage away). have I missed one?

q. when was the time we won in the league at home?
A. August 18th

... and from then on he was forever known as Trails.

oh FFS.

Optimist hopes for a sneaked win, however as I have not seen us play and base my opinion of the team on what is posted on here we are going to lose 27-0.

Stevenage sit in 8th place and 7 points better off than Town with their last 5 league games being DWWLW.

They have won 9 games and lost 6 times in their 19 games so far scoring 24 and conceding 22 goals.

In their 9 away games so far they have won 3 drawn 2 and lost 4 scoring 10 goals and conceding 13 gaining 11 points.

Their form in all games in the last 12 games though have not been so impressive with W 3-2 v MKD, L 4-0 v Bury, L 1-0 Plymouth, L 4-0 AFC Wimbledon, W 3-2 Oldham, W 2-0 Cheltenham, D 0-0 Port Vale, L Crewe 1-0, L Newport 2-1, L 8-0 Charlton, W 3-1 Col U, L Exeter 1-0.

So in all competitions last 12 games has been LWLLLDWWLLLW scoring 13 goals and conceding 22.

Their leading scorer is ben Kennedy on 4 goals with 4 more players Guthrie, Newton, Revell and Seddon all on 3 goals apeice.

They have several ex Town faces in their squad this season with Michael Timlin, Scott Cuthbert, Alex Revell and John Goddard (out on loan at Bromley) all there.

In 10 games vs Stevenage Swindon have won 6 drew 1 and lost 3 times scoring 18 and conceding 12.

At the CG vs Stevenage we have only lost once in the famous FA cup defeat in 98 when Grazioli scored the winner for them. Swindon have won every league game played between the sides at the CG winning 3-2, 1-0 and 3-0 in the previous 3 games.

I genuinely don't know how this will pan out at all today, back to back wins would be a massive boost for Wellens and the team but Stevenage are full of older pro's who will be no push over at all.

2-1 defeat with Anderson scoring a crowd of 5,774 with 67 Stevos there.

Yes, around that time we were starting to look at an outside shot at auto, but were undone by the mid week fixtures at Accy and Wycombe, and as we know fell out the PO's slots when Flitcroft bailed.

This season at the CG we've yet to score first in Div 4.... hence the historic games without a win sequence.  The challenge for Wellens is to turn that around... if he can do it tonight, that would be very impressive.  However, a point would be acceptable, as it would help towards keeping the buffer to the drop zone. 

Defeat wouldn't be the end of the world, given the depleted squad and opposition on the back of an excellent win on Sat.

Numb at Bury, and Notts host Carlisle. Neither easy we've comfortably lost to both this season.

I think it's down to getting older to be honest mate! I get angry at young people now too.

welcome to my world. I'm a long way ahead of you in years. There is a pleasure to be found in being grumpy.

Ha, if only football worked like that we'd be millionaires.

I put those stats as I didn't realise statistically how shit we've been. I mean I knew it was shit, but not that shit.

you can't argue with facts. they just aren't going to absolutely dictate future performance.

anyway, last back to back win was achieved v Stevenage. it's a sign

I'm enjoying it. Almost a master at tutting now.

It's a well trodden path  :)

Plenty on here will... it's true that because something happened it doesn't necessarily mean it will happen again, but there are patterns that can be used as indicators.

certainly is an indicator.

Should have a reasonable idea which way this is headed by end of January.

Wellens will have had a bit of time to instill his ideas, and Power will have opportunity to show he's got the resources (or wheeling dealing) to change this season - assuming it's needed and Wellens hasn't pulled a rabbit out the hat by then.

I digress.

Tonight I think I'd start with twine and Anderson just behind. Back 4 as per Saturday. Obviously Doughty comes in for McCourt, I think he'll play Taylor deep again, so right and left mid to fill. mcGlashen and ?

could go with a narrow 3 in mid (Smith) and put mcGlashen and Anderson off twine. not much cover for vulnerable left side though

If Anderson is available, then I'd go for a sort of 4-4-2, using Keshi and Twine to work the channels.

That's the point. The fact is that we lost our last home game 4-0, and then won away. The fact is that Stevenage lost their last away game 4-0, and then won at home.

If, further to that, any kind of outcome was obvious, there would be a lot less than 5-6k on the gate.

                 Vigs

Knoyle Nelson Woolf Iandolo

               Taylor

 McGlashan Doughty Alzate

          Anderson Twine

I think it will either be that or with Dunne/Smith insead of McGlashan if we are playing narrower.

McGlashan has played striker for Southend and Cheltenham but I don't think he is good enough to play that role now.

[quote author=Peter Venkman link=topic=57596.msg1479478#msg1479478



They have several ex Town faces in their squad this season with Michael Timlin, Scott Cuthbert, Alex Revell and John Goddard (out on loan at Bromley)
[/quote

Shite, didn't realise Revell was there, that fucker always scores against us.

TBF he hasn't the last couple of times... but before that it was 7 in 8 games  :(

Playing well at the moment too according to their forum.

We need to start well. We're the only team in L2 who haven't scored first at home, 0/9.
We've scored first in 4 away games winning 3 and drawing the other.

We go 1-0 up in the first 15/20 I think we will be fine. Concede first and it could be a long evening.

2-0 Town.

Strange how even having a mainly different squad we still have the same home/away traits as last year.

We’ve really thrown in some utterly dreadful home performances - Bury, Cambridge and Carlisle - much like last season against Crawley and Barnet (amongst others).

Perhaps it is down to us - the fans!

I knew I'd forgotten someone!

I don't think it's to do with the fans..... although we had some ropey shows last season Flitcroft had won 5 in a row before he bailed, and then it turned to shite again... for me that was more to do with losing Preston and Lancashire.

The other factor is sides in recent seasons have generally found it easy to play against the tippy tappy football.... keep it tight, sit in, watch the ball be played around in front of you and wait for the mistake, either in open play or set piece.

If you play tippy tappy and are good at it then you intimidate sides.... so when they visit, there's already a psychological block in their head.  Same applies if you're more direct and good at it.

We have no intimidatory factor.... most sides now turn up expecting to get something and usually do.  Stevenage tonight will expect to win....  changing this mindset is Wellens' challenge, it won't be easy.

               LV
Knoyle Sid Woolf Iandolo
  Smith Taylor Doughty
Alzate   Twine    Keshi   

If our record against Stevenage (P10 W6 D1 L3) tells us anything about tonight’s game its that we might win or lose, or maybe even draw.

A wet & cold, drizzly soaker of a Tuesday night match always brings out the true heart of any side. I'm sure Wellens is up for it. Would've been his kind of game when he was playing. Stevenage are no mugs but surprising things happen - this league has proved it time and again.

I'll say 1-1

Twine bags his first.

6012 (39 Steves).

Anyone know if there is a pitch inspection planned,  or is the weather in Swindon Ok  ?, been absolutely pissing down here all day,  local roads flooded etc.   Not really looking forward to a 90 mile round trip if there's a chance it's not happening !!.

No probs here.... and forecast for the evening is drying up.

Thanks Reg.

That was the team I'd go with, maybe Alzate and Doughty swapped around to keep some consistency with Alzate in positional terms.  It looked workable with our players and we should be trying to get some consistency in something that we do.

We should certainly be pushing for the win tonight.  By the Reg use of Facts, we are statistically closer to being in the Auto promotion hunt than we are the relegation hunt, so on that basis alone, it must be certain we'll be going in with confidence high and taking a chance to crank up the pressure on third place.

I'd go for that

Mansfield’s game tonight is off.

Stevenage 2 Swindon 1 but I hope I am wrong

You already are Rich. We're at home  :D

Sol Pryce starts

Good luck to him, hope he shines today.

He becomes Towns 1,000th league player.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DtB6DXAWsAU-dOe.jpg:large)

Both our guesses just 1 player out.

I really am surprised that Scott Twine is playing at his age. Look at his profile on the club website!

My best mate works with his dad and knows Scott quite well, hes a very young looking and gentle natured lad.

If he can gain more body strength that will aid his development, Saturday he played quite well but was pushed off the ball a little too easily at times. Good prospect though.

Only our club could put on it's players profile a birth date of 1901!

Timlin, Cuthbert and Revell all start today against us.

Looks like Wellens has a formula he wants to try.  Good to see consistency, good luck to Pryce as well.  Doughty is hopefully fully fit, it as only a gash on the foot this time around, so strength wise and stamina he should be ok.  As well as McCourt played, that might be an improvement on the team from the weekend.  Adebayo was just as likely to terrible as he was good, so hopefully Pryce puts in some extra effort to impress and Twine takes on the responsibility of a first teamer.

Breakspear is the referee, is he the one that fucks us over pretty much every time? Also the one where Vigs got into trouble with last season for telling him how bad he was?

fuck me, it's very quiet right now.

It's very empty tonight in all stands tonight.

Crowd does look very sparse on iFollow right now

Think we will draw this one. Here’s hoping Town surprise me though with a good performance and a win !

What’s the deal with Dave and Woolery? Neither even mentioned let alone what is supposed to be up with them.

Certainly does with just 2 mins till kick off.

1.0 :girlgiggle:

1-0 Pryce 15 seconds!

Unbelievable Jeff!  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Has to be a record with a debutant scoring that quickly.

Amazing. Chuffed for Sol. What a start!

Must be the quickest goal we’ve ever scored. Reg?

All-time Football League record?

Stevenage kicked off, we won it in the centre, Doughty ran with the ball and passed and Anderson then to Alzate who crosses and Pryce pops it in for a few yards out!

Gotta be up there!

His scoring-rate has dipped appallingly since his promising start.  :badmood:

Twine goes to the deck under a weak challenge on the half way line.

:D

the most shocking stat that was just mentioned on tut radio is that Brown didn't manage 1 back to back wins 2.0 haha

Doughty break with speed and is felled 35 yards out in the centre.

Same old Swindon...

fucking hell.

Wellens bringing in price is inspired. and twine too now

fuck

2-0 Twine

Twine. 2-0. Glad I bought this one.

Good free kick from Taylor who belts it in low and the keeper pushed it out to Twine 6 yards out, good finish.

Starts don't come much better than this.

At the moment Doughty is making the difference.

Jim Fryatt 4 seconds.But,fuck me!

Twine with a ropy tap in was it 🤔

I don't remember us ever being 2 up after 6 mins.

Who needs Flashheart on the piss now!

edit: long time to go and this is STFC

I think the team are responding to the absence of a crowd.

Revelations:

Sol's Pryce is right. As the cluster of Steves proclaim "He's just a shit Miles Storey".

Could he be the missing link in a team devios of an out and out striker/poacher? What an introduction. Get in Sol.

Twine chases Cuthbert down in the corner, Twine has Cuthbert beaten for pace on that showing.

Anderson does loads of hard work with a dribble but then walks away from the ball in a dangerous position.

Just got back to Swindon. I knew if I didn't get back in time to attend they'd put on a display. The fuckers!

He might have changed his mind, taken a gallon for the team.

Two academy graduates. Nice.

Poor pass from Taylor puts us in danger at the back. A simple short pass goes out for a throw to them.

balls 2-1

Corner to Stevenage.

2.1 ::)

And we missed both goals  :(.  My son forgot his season ticket, so we had to go all the way back round and get a replacement ticket.

Cuthbert just scored.  Twat!

2-1

Someone’s been on the happy juice.

Pleased for both youngsters tonight long may it continue. :clap:

Cuthbert at the far post with a header, Vigs pushes it into the net as he dives. Should probably have done a bit better with 2 hands on the ball.

:Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Good cross from Anderson into the box headed out for a Town corner.

Wierd short corner from Alzate and Taylor, didn't quite go to plan but its better than just hitting the first defender.

Long shot from them straight at Vigs from 25 yards.

Tranmere play offs 1992? That must have been close

Iandolo gives the ball away in the left back position and they hit us quickly but we close it down as it hits the box.

I am desperately trying to take on the mantle of far away supporter getting pissed for the team in his absence....

Doughty and Timlin, marking each other, could almost be twins.

Great run and cross from Iandolo in the box but his cross doesnt hit a Town player and the ball goes out to Taylor who hots a shot 30 yards wide from 20 yards out.

Corner to Town won by Knoyle.

There's so much more movement. They look as though they're all on coke compared to playing under brown.

Been so used to us taking a while to score, I can't keep up. 2 full home debuts, two goals. Really chuffed for the lads.

Then the ex Town man nods one in. 2-1. 3 goals in 10mins has to be some kind record, let alone Sol's 15 second goal.

This is going to be an eventful night. This is STFC and as some Scotsman once said "Ya can't win nothin' wi kids"

Low corner from Taylor finds Twine who knocks it over the bar from 15 yards, defelcted.

Its been a lively start by both teams, 100 miles an hour stuff. Totally different to under Brown indeed.

Anderson low cross doesnt quite reach Twine in the box.

bloody post

Yep you are right, 2-0 in 3 mins that day.

1993 wasn't it :hmmm:

Alzate good run and shot from 18 yards, off the post with pace.

Free kick to Town from 18 yards out.

Taylor good free kick blocked almost on the line with the keeper beaten.

Good feet. Great pressure round the box.

Alzate felled 20 yards out, Stevenage defender booked.

Taylor free kick just high and wide.

This is far from perfect but considering how light we are on bodies, it's amazing what happens if you play with pace, attacking intent and energy.

Still questions defensively, as a unit, but fair play to the manager for trusting and empowering the young attackers.

Just counted 57 Stevenage fans there, thats pretty shit for a team in 8th and just 100 miles away.

We are attacking with loads of pace and skill, yes defensively we still have weaknesses but its 100% better than under Brown. Yes lots of credit to Wellens for risking 2 youngsters up front.

This is the best I’ve seen Town play in a long time.

Enjoyable first 30, playing well. Unlucky to not have scored 3

Great pass from Anderson sets up Twine who cant get a finish from 8 yards, corner to Town.

Better corner but Town can't get a head to it.

YES!

Town playing a very expansive game, lots of pace and width and a lot of passes.

Pryce reminds me in build, style and play to Ajose.

Oh yeah!

Great pass from Anderson sets up Knoyle down the wing but his cross is blocked in the 6 yard box, corner to Town.

Long from Taylor but the keeper punches it away.

Doughty’s running the midfield.

Iandolo beats 3 men in cricles but loses the ball in the box.

Not Iandolos best game in defence though, hes slipped up a couple of times so far.

Hes the difference between the 2 teams today.

What the fuck was Vigs doing for their goal?

Really hope some team offers us a fiver for him in Jan so we can get LM back between the sticks. Far better keeper IMO

Taylor fucks up in midfield and nearly costs us. Not having a bad game otherwise today.

good game this, playing quite well, obviously evenly poised and the job isn't done yet.

it's like proper football

Stevenage shot from 25 yards out good solid save by Vigs.

Cuthbert connects with his head from the corner but Vigs makes a great save.

Town hit them on the break and Cuthbert brings down Alzate 35 yards out.

I'm currently at whisky club... I'm doing my bit.

Twine goes down easily again under pressure, not really a foul! well done Twine, free kick to Town 40 yards out.

Good low free kick to the near post from Taylor and Anderson flicks it inches wide.

Pryce does a good pass to Doughty in the box he loses it then wins it but can't get his shot in just inside the box.

And I just got my boy to bring me a third beer. You’re not getting fan of the match without a fight.

Anderson 25 yard shot just wide.

Knoyle looking great going forwards but not defending to the best of his ability so far, caught out a couple of times.

Great tackle by Woolf as they run into the box, cleared by Iandolo.

3.1

fucking pinch me 3-1

3-1

:-)

To be fair, that might be Pryce.

Great goal Sol!!!

3-1. This is more fucking like it!

Pryce on the counter runs well and great finish from 12 yards.

Such a cool finish from somebody in his 1st ever professional game.

HT 3-1.

Good passing performance today, everyone playing quite well, lots of great passing and link up play especially down the wings.

Still could get either way but its great entertainment and a very open game.

Some defensive frailties are still there but overall not too bad.

Doughty our best player IMO.

Sol Pryce has a calm edge when finishing that I haven't seen since Ajose at the club.

Well done to the lad.

We may have solved our striker problem. If I was Crazy, I'd be working my nuts off because if not he'll be sent back. One Sollow and all that but the boy is taking his opportunity.

I think Cuthbert could be sent off in this match too. He's never changed.

brilliant half. best 45 this season? we looked sharp and pryce and twine movement really help. peach of a run and ball by pryce/doughty.

Stevenage aren't out of it, they've had their moments, but so far fantastic

I was meant to go and watch Swindon tonight, I must have gone to the wrong ground because some of the football I’m watching is superb.

Hope the lad nails a hatrick tonight. :pint:

I have really fucking enjoyed that.

Lovely attacking play, defence as a team has been good on the whole. Stevenage are a decent league Two team with some big players who have caused problems which we have managed to deal with mainly.

All three goals scored by players from our youth team. Pryce making some lovely runs and took both goals very well.

Fucking more of that Town.

is he old enough to drink it?!

Doughty making a big difference.  Well done to Pryce, excellent finish.

I'm sure I can help him.

This is noticeably different to any game in the last couple of seasons, much more fluid and pacey. Not sure if it's by design or the personnel available but this is much more easy on the eye and attacking.

Adver reporting Pryce’s goal was in 8 secs

That must be the best half of football from Swindon in a long old stretch, could have had a couple more with a little luck.  We looks suspect from crosses, and for a team playing with three central midfielders there are too many occasions where nobody is in front of the centre backs, BUT, the stuff going forward is excellent.

Pryce has looked very good so far.  Holds up well, stick in the middle giving us someone to play off of, and that last goal showed a good turn of pace.  He almost got put through before that as well.

Twine continues to impress me, even if he has had less of the ball.  Won a few free kicks again, keeping the pressure on the defence.  Good instincts for the goal, maybe should have shot first time when slotted in later.

Alzate has looked busy around the right and Doughty doing likewise on the left, and you get the feeling he is only at 80%.

Have them on toast on the right when we attack.

Anderson has looked a better player with a forward holding the ball up infront of him, means he can make those dead end runs and it is less frustrating.

Knoyle is handful when he overlaps, less assured at watching the runner behind him, which is also Iandolo's obvious weakness.

I don't. It'll go right to his head and 10 yrs from now, when he's working in a call centre, we'll all be trying to remember the name of that 12 yr old who scored a hat trick on his debut in 2018.

It's like an actual fucking game of football. Even if we lost this, creativity, good link up. Ball retention and lots of passing. Perfect time scoring just before HT as Steves would be thinking they can get back in this. Important first 10 in the 2nd to come. Don't let them get an early goal or doubt will set in. There's not much on the bench other than LMc and Smith. Game management at 70mins.

Players have clearly taken on board and listened to Wellens/Hunt ideas and are applying it. Tighten up our defence at corners/set pieces and with January round the corner, we could easily be challenging.

This Wellens fella might just work. COYR

It wasn't. Adver's behind the action.

On the face of it i’d agree, however other than a cross country marathon would you entertain the A1, M25, M4 and back mid week? The return journey would be a morass of lane closures for night time maintenance and that does add to the return which should be no more that two hours but is likely to be three or more. Still shit as i said.

They are wrong.

(https://i.postimg.cc/Wp0MFkvx/Untitled.png)

That third goal was a thing of beauty. A brilliant flick-on in midfield from Doughty, a one-two with Alzate, a pinpoint through-ball from Doughty, great awareness from Pryce to time his run and a really composed finish. I've already watched it ten times!

Nice one Town. And Wellens for throwing the young lads in.

Nelson down injured in our box.

Just watched it back. The perfect counter attack.

I think we'll need at least one more.

Currently doing my bit with Glenmorangie Single Malt and a nice continetal lager while I can still get it.

We still don't cope well with long high crosses, that nearly cost sus then but Revell was a bit away from it.

Nelson still hobbling.

Alzate down injured now.

Are we playacting again?

Good break by Town, Pryce a yard offside when clean through, so close.

Not yet....

Stevenage having a lot of the play right now

Been a lot more of Stevenage this half so far.

Town standing off defensively when they should be putting a tackle in.

That is unlike the Adver

Twine makes a great run for 20 yards then shoots from 20 yards and good save by the keeper who can't hold onto the ball.

Is this cameraman on YTS or something?

Nice confident run and shot from Twine.

Doughty nearly sets up Pryce who can't quite get to it from 6 yards out.

:D shocking with Twines shot.

High long cross from Taylor and Nelson heads solidly but a good save from the keeper.

Now it's some cunt fucking about with comms

They’re saying Nelson but it was Woolf.

I couldnt quite see TBH I went with their naming :)

As it stands Town sit 11th. 4pts off 7th and 10pts off 23rd...


Did someone say "Fighting for our FL status"?

Town coming back into it now again.

you rotter :banana:

Super tackle by Woolf in the box.

Knoyle almost finds Pryce with a cross.

Iandolo shoots just wide from 25 yards.

Free kick just outside our box centrally.

Just over the bar.

Pryce suffering from cramp.

Vigs nearly slips up kicking a backpass from Taylor.

Pryce down with cramp already. Not used to working this hard.

Currently on a Port Charlotte Islay Barley.  Bloody lovely.  A whisky you could take home to meet the parents.

Some great attacking play by Town, Twine got in the way of Pryce and visa versa loads of chances ends with Iandolo hitting over the bar from 25 yards well wide too.

Doughty great pass to Anderson whos shot is a bit weak but is well saved.

Keshi has been excellent.

Lovely pass from Iandolo to twine who runs into the box but his shot is blocked, great football by Town.

Everyone wants to score suddenly!

oh FFS. deflected 3-2

Keshi, Doughty and Woolf all excellent today.

3-2 deflection.

Vigs no chance with that.

DO. NOT. THROW. THIS. AWAY. FFS.

Last 10 mins was all Swindon and hit on the break.

Maybe stick McGlashan on up front for 10mins. Pryce has earned his stripes tonight. All about game management now. Keep it as it is and see the game out. No drama. How i should be.

Keshi's game is crying out for a goal. Confidence building though.

3-2

Stevenage looking dangerous now.

Stevenage player dives in the box.

Pryce off Lancashire on.

Tek a boo son.

All Stevenage at the moment.

FFS take a fucking shot dont put in weak crosses when you can shoot.

McGlashan on for a fairly poor Alzate, 1st half he was decent but not so good 2nd half.

Scott Twine making some great runs today.

There are a lot of very tired Swindon players.

Iandolo booked for pulling the shirt then fouling a player who ran past him.

Town soaking up a lot of pressure.

Good blocking header from Taylor off a cross into our box.

Town just hoofing the ball away at every chance.

Hope there's not 10 minutes injury time again  ::)

I’m still soaking up the continental lager.

5 mins added.

C’mon town bury this fucker.

Anderson wins a free kick in the corner.

McG draws a foul to buy time.

Its a good job Stevenage are pretty inept in front of goal!

Last minute.

FT 3-2 massive result for Town and Wellens, excellent first half hit and miss 2nd half.

Two back to back wins breathes life back into our season. Four points off the seventh.

Well fucking done boys  :pint:

1st back to back wins since January in the league.

Really fucking enjoyed that. We were excellent at times.

FUCK YEAH!

Bit nervy in the last 20 minutes, we looked a bit tired around the pitch.  Taylor, Alzate and Doughty all seemed like lost puppies in that period.  Iandolo was put under pressure and creaked.  The 70 minutes before that though was pretty good stuff, we could have been three or four in front with a little more luck.

I really don't know how anyone listening to the radio has any idea what happened in the game, the commentator is terrible at picking out players, or even what is happening at times.

Some positive signs in the past two games, I like the way we have tried to play.  Hoping that Pryce has shown us what he is capable of rather than it being a one off.  On that single performance you'd have him in there as first choice and Doughty is a real threat with him with the ability to thread the ball.

1st half was utterly brilliant and 2nd half we had a couple of 10 min spells of some superb attacking passing football, as good as any I have seen at Town in many years. Stevenage came back into it but held solid, Vigs could do nothing about the massive defelction for the 2nd goal, could easily have been more goals for us.

A bit streaky in the second half, but some really good signs of the new regime making its mark. Was Doughty captain? He played like one, marshalling the line and geeing players up several times. Made me think how much we’ve missed having a commanding captain so often in recent years. Worth an extra man on the pitch.

Why the fuck can you never get post match on a Tues/Weds night?  I'm stuck with Kelly fucking Morgan!

Two bottles of wine and a bottle of Leffe...

You're welcome!!!

I see only four other teams have better form in our division than us over the past five games.

Doughty on the ball is head and shoulders above this league, if only we can get him fully fit and keep him fit.

Do you let that team play again at the weekend, or do you rest one or two - we looked knackered at the end, but would making changes risk upsetting a good blend?

All the crap i have watched this season (and last few) and I miss this performance owing to a dose of the flu!!  Pleased for the manager and team but I shall await the verdict from Reg and Sir Windon with interest.

Wellens;
- Wanted us to go for four or five, but we ran out of legs, the energy had gone.
- Had to change to a back five late on. They're a fit team, our young lads aren't used to working like that for 90 mins, we were struggling to match them.
- Take Matty Taylor out, average age about 21.
- We defended too deep, brought them onto us.
- Hard to ask players to do things they've not been doing day in day out but there was desire and determination
- Sol is a shocking trainer. Could have brought Keshi and McG in, but didn't want to disrupt two or three positions when I could change one. In the end I decided to bring Sol in, he didn't look great in training so I almost changed my mind. Glad I didn't.
- We'll play some teams with so much physicality we can't match it so we'll have to think how to take that out of the equation.
- Didn't like the feel of the place before kickoff, very subdued, 18 seconds later we made our own atmosphere.

He seems to drive the whole team forward when he gets on the ball, and he can't even be 100% match fit.

Taylor. He fits the bill as captain material. Nice to have two of those types in the squad though.

Glad to hear Wellens isn’t happy - shows high standards.

As for the subdued crowd, I hope someone has shown him footage of what it can be like - like the Sheff Utd play off game. Get us playing good football and crowds will return. I may even be tempted myself.

Doughty just managed to find 10 yards of space every time to receive the ball, the sign of a good player.

Excellent 70 minutes and did well to hang in for the last 20 for a good win. Only criticism is that I don't think I've ever seen a player as tired as Twine was for the last 15,  I don't understand why we left the poor lad on. With him providing cover to Iandolo who is a little shaky at times it did let us get a bit overrun down the left. Thankfully we held on.

Comfortably the best game of the season for me.

While the win on Saturday was nice, Vale were relatively poor.

Tonight Stevenage weren't shit. They put us under a reasonable amount of pressure and we held.

What a way to settle any nerves from Pryce. 18 seconds. And the coolness of the finish on the third was superb. Don't want too much expectation heaped in the lad but it was a dream debut. Nice opportunism from Twine on the second too.

What was different tonight was that it was a performance for 90 minutes, not just 45. Its true at times we dropped deep in the second half. But we were dogged in defending and not to win that would have been unfair.

We played with movement, with width and with mobility and a fluidity not seen for a long time.

This feeling of satisfaction and joy seems a bit alien right now! Shame there were so few there to see it.

Pryce and twine played well - the way pryce took his second goal was very assured for someone his age

Thought Woolfendon was next best player behind pryce - won near enough everything that came forwards

Would replace Taylor for diagouraga when he’s back, and felt we missed dunnes energy as the half progressed. Doughty is a cut above for this level

Vigs needs dropping. Whatever he was doing for that first goal, absolutely criminal. Added to that I cant help but feel an inexperienced back 4 could be marshalled a lot better with a grizzled veteran shouting at them non-stop

I'm not sure Taylor deserves it, just out of deference to his status. Doughty seems to communicate and organise the line better.

Bit harsh to drop him, pulled off a top save later in the half. And what the hell were the defence doing on that first goal. Not marking that's for sure.

But the goal, yeah he could have done better.

Totally agree and also, when LMc was in goal we got that. I think it was 4 clean sheets out of 5 wasn't it. That's the change I'd make.

I'm glad we're disagreeing about the things we should be. "Who's the better captain?" I think they are both equally decent captain material. Not just out for status with Taylor. He also stands and is counted when the shit hits the fan and defends his players. Lancs should never have kept the armband when he was given it by Flitcroft. Just isn't a proper el capitan. I'd be happy with Doughty or Taylor as skipper. However the former has to stay fit and a captain is much more than just the 90mins on the pitch too.

Iandolo didn't jump and left Cuthbert have a free header, I'm not sure there much he could do it was close range.

I would just rather LMC doesn't play unless needed, he's a good backup but an unnecessary cause of friction amongst the fans which isn't what we need right now.

He was stood behind his goal line a punched a head height ball straight upwards into the goal

He was moving across his line, like I say if Iandolo had jumped it would have been irrelevant.

on a side note I can't believe at 3-2 that some mongs boo'd Lancashire when he came on.

I wouldn’t back iandolo in the air against Scott Cuthbert (even if he should have done better) - it’s a mismatch Stevenage did well to manufacture

I would back the best goalkeeper in the lower leagues to not be caught behind his line and punch a head height ball upwards into the net

I think Vigs could have done better having watched it back

I wasn't disappointed in iandolo, it was the two or three players unmarked on the left where the cross came in from that was the issue.

Great pace and finish from Pryce for the 3rd. If we can ever get him fit, this new style could also suit Woolery.

Players are always taught to at least jump with the man to try and put them off.

Either way Vigs has played in our first back to back wins of the season, I think it would be from the Flitcroft school of management to drop him as he's played his part in both wins.

McCormick had 4 clean sheets from five, I believe. We shouldn't have conceded 2 tonight. 1 yes and even that was a lucky deflection. Vigs fucked up for that goal though.

Haven't read back..

A deserved win that was ground out..

Usually us that concede an early goal..

Cuthbert getting a red would of been the cherry...never mind, back to back is a dream.

Shoot on sight as a rule in the second half and we could of had a few more...

I’m not convinced Wellens would be allowed to drop Vigs even if he wanted to. Doesn’t Power want him in the shop window ahead of the ‘January Sales’? He was certainly upset with the last two managers when they binned him. Our shared delight at tonight’s win over the mighty Stevenage obviously demonstrates how far we’ve fallen but I for one am just going to enjoy it for now.

Could've, should've, would've. One more and you'd of had a hattrick  :soapy tit wank:

Such a cheerful soul. Rather than focus on decent win it's find any way to bash it. Each to their own.

You judge a team not on name but on current season form. Any pro that looks at a teams name and says "it's only such and such..." deserve to get beat. Good job you're not a pro :)

Don’t think you’ve read the post carefully fella. As I said, I’m going to enjoy the win.

Your dismissive attitude towards Stevenage suggests otherwise. We were losing to them when we were in the Championship, well Division 1 as it was so pretty shit as benchmarks go.

Enjoyable, positive, vibrant football. Fully deserved our win.

Yes, it’s naive at times, we creaked, there are faults - nobody is blind to that. The oldest defender was 22. The old head up front was 19. It’s not going to be inch perfect. But it’s going to be very exciting and very worthwhile to watch. The type of selection, and football, that was totally beyond Brown.

A really big night for the club. And not because we won. I feel as if I got my Swindon back tonight. Onwards and upwards.

A rare trip to the CG for me tonight, and thoroughly enjoyed it. The game had everything a lower league game should have: attacking flair, shaky defending, pantomime villain ex players and a comedy linesman.

Hello Wiggy  :bye:

One for Reg, Charles Breakspear was ref tonight.

Amazing... a win with him as ref. Tonight is the the sort of reason for still going, a bonkers performance with a couple of academy products scoring.  Hopefully we can keep the momentum going  :pint:

A pleasure to watch that.
Must be a long time since 'our own' scored 3 in a game.

Anderson, superb tonight, played with purpose.

Wouldn't it be great for the club to flourish on the pitch under a hungry young manager who looks as if he might know what he is doing. Time will tell.
Not quite Bert's Babes, but Richies Rascals did ok.

I'd hazard a guess it would back to the days of John Trollope's side, if looking for more than one.  Charlie Henry scored 18 including a hat-trick in 85/86

Nothing like getting carried away after one performance.As for Anderson, couldn't disagree more about his performance. Too much of an 'look at me' game for me, doesn't do enough grafting for the team when he hasn't got the ball.

thought Anderson was Anderson. Good one second, slow to pass/misplace pass the next.

he's an 'almost' player, so frustrating.

I've no idea how anyone can criticise Keshi for last night, and highlight his work rate. When Pryce and Twine were dead, it was Keshi who led the press for the last 20. And he was excellent on the ball the first 70.

All round, tons of positives. Add Diag, Dunne, Bayo and eventually Woolery to the squad but maintain that attitude, pressing, enthusiasm, intent and we could be on to something. I think Dunne for Taylor in that mf makes it very mobile.

Still, think Iandolo has a lot of work to do defensively but he's a very good attacking LB.

Knoyle is very much becoming indispensable. Nelson and Woolf were fantastic. Doughty so good in the ball.

They did overrun us on transition a couple of times, the first goal in particular when for some reason it was three on one wide right.

On to Sunday. Would rotate a little. Smith for Taylor for sure, but keep the front three the same. A win and a good third round draw and all of a sudden we have a season.

Yeah I know. It doesn't last very long. Shoulders are now back in slumped mode.

The players need to stay grounded though, which is also a test for the management.
After the run of wins last season I think it was Dunne who mentioned that a bit of complacency then crept it.
Which was surprising given that it was an experienced group of players.

Firstly, fair play to Wellens for those brave selection. So many others would have shoehorned in other experienced players or completely changed shape to accommodate.

Wellens did neither & chucked in a kid who hasn’t played any senior football as far as I’m aware.

It was a brave gamble & it paid off. Fair play.

I agree with nearly all of that, especially re: Keshi.

I can understand why he frustrates, but he really bust a gut when the going got tough near the end. He's as fit as anyone out there.

April 83. Batty & Bailie against Aldershot.
Not sure that Storey and L.Thompson in 2014 v Sheffield United would count, but Storey did sign as a youth.

I thought we were looking foir 3 goals....

Re Anderson.

Everytime I have seen him he has shown signs of being a decent footballer. He has good pace, can drift past players, good dribbler and always works hard and puts in a shift. However - his distribution is often poor and his shooting (aside from his howitzer at Grimsby last season) wayward.

If he can improve these elements of his game, he'll be a decent footballer.

Another well done to Wellens for regrouping the players he lost in the dressing room after the Carlisle debacle. As DV said, throwing in Twine and Pryce is a brave move, and paid off in spades.

Don't get me wrong we played well against a solid side but Anderson may have led the press but not very effectively as we were under constant  pressure. Also he never seemed to show in the right place for an out ball when we cleared the ball in that period, although he was doing it on his own as we were too deep. Something to work at.

Also, he may have looked excellent on the ball but not very effective or particularly threatening towards goal.

As for Dunne for Taylor it may increase mobility but reduces the quality of long balls forward of which Taylor did a few yesterday which started off attacks quicker. Unfortunately Taylor needs  time and space these days which we don't always give him. He needs to become Ross Maclarenesq. Sharing corner duties might help.

Talking of corners... Even they were quite good last night.

After months of hitting the first man or drifting harmlessly towards the back post they were whipped into the danger zone.

Aside from the perfomance on the pitch which others have covered better than I can, what was great was hearing the crowd singing and cheering the team on with real belief again. I think I'd forgotten how long it is since I've really heard that, got too used to the sullen silence. Last night people were genuinely proud of their team again. I know someone will pipe up now with a "It's only one game, one swallow" etc etc but that's kind of my point really - it doesn't take much to get the crowd back behind the team, we want to support the team, we want to believe, give us something to cheer about and we will.

Last night reminded me why I support this basket case of a football team. Weeks of absolute shit and then we come up with a performance like that.
I can only see it getting better too, more time on the training ground with Wellens, and the likes of Toumani, Dunne, Adebayo and Woolery to come back in, hopefully we are in for a very exciting second half (and a bit) of the season.

All I could find without delving back into the 60's and 70's.

Spot on, I would probably play Taylor at LB rather than Iandolo on balance.

Vigs I feel is not as good an all round keeper as LmC, he should have done a bit better with the first goal, the 2nd goal though he had no chance with shuch a huge defelction, a couple of times he came running out for the ball only for him to look stranded and the defnder rushing to clear his lines instead of calling for it. His communication and decision making leave a bit to be desired IMO.

I'd offer the infamous game v Wovers in March 82.... we beat them 5-2 4 goals for Brian Hughes, Paul Rideout with 2 and Charlie Henry.  Infamous because it ws probably the most violent off field game ever seen at the CG.

http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/MatchCentre.asp?MatchID=19820129

I agree on all of that.

It speaks volumes that some of them were as knackered as they were. For too long they've been asked to play at a sedentary pace, no wonder we've been struggling for goals.

It's been mentioned before that the slow starts, are probably due to a fear of running out of legs late on... it's all about game management.  Further endurance athletes come into their prime later on, kids just haven't developed the stamina.

Although Matty Taylor may not be as quick as some of the kids, I reckon his fitness stats are probably higher.

Well, I went in dread but have to say, I haven't enjoyed a home performance like that in a long, long time. It wasn't perfect at all but to see a bunch of young lads work their absolute socks off and play decent football really gave me a good buzz about the club. I thought Iandolo, Twine, Keshi, Doughty, Alzate and Woolf were magnificent. Pryce obviously gets the headlines and I found him an interesting player... The runs he made for the two goals were amazing but he had to be carried through a lot of the game, mostly by Taylor who was telling him where to go and where to play the ball. Nonetheless, a memorable debut.

If this is what we can expect from Wellens then I think we can finish this season strongly. Stevenage were no mugs, looked a decent side.

Taylors fitness level is not much of an issue, his lack of pace can be though.

I'm just saying it's why we don't come out of the traps like greyhounds.... Usain Bolt is quick but stick him in an 800 metres and he'd be fucked, probably couldn't run a half marathon.

I was just going to post that the Adver missed out on the Headline " The Pryce is right" then bang....they had done it already!

Didn't bother with iFollow last night - the 2 times I have watched home games on it have been horrendous (Bury and Cambridge).

Seems there is some life left in the club - that result/performance needs to be replicated on a consistent basis.

Newport up next in the League - another decent side but have conceded 32 goals. Let's be honest, there's nobody in this league that is that much better than any other.

There's hope yet!

See I wouldn’t JJ.

Iandolo (and Knoyle) could be key to the way Wellens wants to play. Both able to get on the ball and run at players, able to cut inside and create chances for themselves from full back. I fear if you put Taylor back in there, you would lose the creativity of someone like Iandolo, and he would do his usual punt up the line as soon as he’s got the ball.
 
I also think we have players more than capable of putting a good set piece in. (Iandolo, Alzate, Doughty) so when Toumani, Dunne and McCourt are all available, I think Taylor could be seeing himself out of the team.

It's the hope that gets you.... think last night should just be enjoyed for what it was, maybe a sign of something better.

The OS did it last night.

Agree with this although Iandolo needs to work on the defensive side of things. We were much more mobile last night and having quick players both sides of defence is a good to have. When Taylor plays left back once he gets turns he's out of the game as he can't catch up, a number of times last night the fullbacks were able to still get back and cut out the attack. I think the only place for Taylor now is the holding midfield role and with a fully fit squad the competition may push him out.

Yes. The soaking on the Stratton Bank was well worth it that day.
Off field problems with City and the Oxford smoke bomb game that year.
Full set of local derbies with Reading in there as well.

Iandolo at lb for me too.

Iandolo can improve defensively.  Taylor isn't going to get quicker.  

So Taylor can compete for the role of holding midfielder - as well as still being very decent cover for lb.  As another poster suggested, he could look to become our new "fat controller" a la McClaren (if not Hoddle :)).  

I feel his leadership qualities on the pitch are worth a little extra and especially with a young team.  Bottom line, his direct free kicks bring us goals.  But for Taylor, Cuthbert's strange goal could have been an equaliser.

We seem to have struggled to last 90 minutes for 2-3 seasons now?

The last proper fitness fanatic manager was Paolo Di Canio. I'm not a stato, but as I recall we scored a lot of goals in 80+ minutes that season, see Northampton away.

Going back to LV, looking at the highlights what the hell was he doing for their first goal, he could have easily just bloody caught it?

It did come in at speed, but didn't cover himself in glory there.

At one point in the vid, you see OB removing a staunchion from the terrace... Wovers lot ripped it out and battered a hole in the Shrivenham Road stand, and then tried to batter a way into the South Side until repelled, it was like orcs attacking Helm's Deep, Bristolians a similar visage to Sauruman's mutants.

What wasn't shown, and perhaps only replicated v Millwall in the 94/95 LC QF, were fights breaking out all over the Arkells.

I lived in Stratton at the time and later on the way home a bit pissed, climbed through the hole and sat in a dark and empty CG soaking up the eerie atmosphere, not experienced before or since.

But straight at his body, it would have been easier just to gather to his chest rather than get his hands in a muddle and punch into the net.

Whereas I see your point, this season we've gained a few points late in games (Macclesfield and MK being the most extreme examples), and the only ones which we've really lost were at Crawley, where in fairness we had played with 9 men for over half an hour.

Presumably he simply misjudged it or it came quicker than the highlights do justice. He made a great point blank save later mind.

I'm never going to want LMC in.

That Millwall game was wild. Some Wall fans in the Intel got a bit of a battering. They were of a mind that they could sit where they chose at lil ‘ol Swindon. Fantastic atmosphere and that fantastic goal but Jan Aage

Crowd of 3,887 last night - very poor.

Surely not?

So I was told my a member of the London reds. No idea where he got the info from tbh, so could be bull.

Source?

Apparently it was in the print edition of the Adver.

It was pretty empty, but that's far lower than I thought.

But looking at my pic at kick off, it may be right.

Town end was similarly empty. Couldn't see the DRS as I was sitting in it. There were a lot of empty seats by us and the concourse was quiet.

We have more STs than that and report tickets sold, not attendees. I'd be shocked if true, but also won't believe it until it's actually confirmed.

Do we? Genuinely lost track of latest ST sales. That's actually unexpectedly positive news.

The Don Rogers was as empty as I've seen for a home league game.

Can't blame those who didn't attend based on home form, but they missed probably the best 45 minutes I've seen at the County Ground for several seasons. Great to see youngsters playing with pace and without fear, Stevenage couldn't deal with it in the first half and we could have been 5 up at half time. Having Doughty back looking fully fit, makes a massive difference to the team - we just desperately need him to stay fit!

30 seconds after you took that picture we were 1-0 up :)

Lowest league attendance since.................?

probably less than that!

I remember a Tuesday night fixture back in the early 00's v Notts, it was cold but I could luxuriate in the TE, and lie on the empty seats and unusually still see.  THink we won 1-0 with an Invincibile goal. 3,000 something.

Here you go...

http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/MatchCentre.asp?Tab=Video&MatchID=20020128

Lowest league attendance since another made up figure.

I'd be gobsmacked if we lost 2000+ home fans overnight.

3,877 was the official attendance away at Port Vale on Saturday, there was easily 5,800 there last night.

whatever it was it's the emptiest I've seen it in ages.

the Arkells can't have had more than 1500 in it..

if it was 5800 in the ground then I stand very much corrected

It happens.... midweek fixtures have seen crowds down for some years now, whereas once upon a time they would be higher for midweek matches.

All sorts of reasons why....

Just my view, I could well be wrong!

It seems a bit wierd that the attendance was EXACTLY the same as Saturday away at Port Vale, I think someones wires was crossed in translation from mouth to ear.

So you were live texting from the ground? Magic fingers!  :notworthy:

No, I can't watch in real life and post :D just going by the views on the camera and the videos at the end of the match of the DRS which looked fairly well filled as always.

I think you might be right :)

And please don't shoot the Melinda, I am only passing on what I heard - although it was from one of the Tans clan! :)

Ollie, give him my love next time you see him!

You should know better by now.

I should - but he was very convincing!

Will do mate - not seen many of the London Reds for ages to be honest!

No I mean that I'd be surprised if there were 5800. Now you've pointed out the PV away attendance it seems likely 3887 was an Adver printing cock up.

But I wouldn't be surprised if it was around 5K, possibly sub-5K

It doesn't happen.

Give me one example where the number of home fans has dropped 2000 or 35% from one game to the next, and without extenuating circumstances (free tickets etc).

Having had a brief trawl it appears very difficult to find attendance figures, I notice that even the Swindon statistic site has no figure for this game or in fact the Carlisle game....

And as Panda says anyway, if it is a "tickets sold" rather than "bums on seats" figure even the announced attendance is somewhat deceptive.

But yes, they didn't announce the last two. Have they got a "radio silence" low figure or something?! They announced 5824 v Cambridge, that's the official home league low point thus far.

2005-06 was very up and down. Not sure on the free tickets though
http://swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Results.asp?Season=2005-2006

Yeovil (aug 27) 6973
Southend (10 Sep) 4785

Bournemouth (21 Jan) 6092
Wallsall (31 Jan) 4597

Gills (14 Feb) 5530
Rotheram (18 Feb) 7518

etc..

I mentioned the Notts game of 3800, the previous hame game of 7000+ was v Bristol City, so extenuating for you, but the one before that was 7000 + v Bury.

Nowadays it's hard to get folk out on a dirty or cold night, when the football on offer isn't that great.... unless it is a big name club.

Yes for club reasons its always been the same, they announce tickets bought not attendees.

Thats why I suggested 5,800 which seems to be the lowest crowd we seem to get in the league as it seemed fairly similar to the Cambridge crowd, obviously though Stevenage couldnt have brought more than 80 at most so that can affect figures.

Why there is a silence about attendances this season I don't know, there would appear to be no advantage in doing this.

Fans know that the crowds are down, you can just tell from the amount of empty seats around or the space in the concourses at HT... if in the DRS or Arkells.

Be interesting to see what Sunday's is like. It doesn't help changing the KO times and days etc... personally I'd have gone on Saturday, but may well not bother with a 2:00 on Sunday.

I understand Woking should sell around 1,000 tickets according to their forum, they sold out their first allocation and have asked for more as well as POTD, they will bring a lot more than Stevenage (or as a comparion York did last FA cup game).

Woking reckon they’re bringing 1000!

Fair fucks if they do. They have a player called Loza- name rings a distant bell as someone we were linked with a while ago. Seems feasible as he ended up at Woking!

I remember they had a decent turn out last time... the novelty hasn't worn off then.

Jamar Loza, linked to us while he was at Norwich a couple years back.

not sure I'll do Sunday now.

son #2 has an u10s game and it's his 50th appearance so he gets a little medal presented. Somebody has to work the camera. Don't think I can trust Mrs B, even on auto :)

Could just be non-league online forum bravado but they seem confident after selling out their first allocation(number unknown) and filling 3 coaches already. Last time they came in the FA Cup in 2009 they brought nearly 800.

Tbh the lads have been asked to last 100mins and 95mins in the last two matches. Both of which we've won :)

...and I posted it as he scored it. The plagiarising bastards!  ;)

woking do travel in numbers for big games (only 1hr 15 mins away as well) should be a decent atmosphere if we can recruit some more fans after a couple of good results.

this match is the biggest in a couple of seasons for us in terms of the potential windfall that the 3rd round can bring.

woking on decent form: won 4 of last 5 and 3 clean sheets. i don't thinks it going to be easy but we just have to get through for the draw.

Woking have ex Town striker Jake Hyde in their squad who has scored 8 goals in 14 games so far.

They have also 2 former Town targets in Jamar Loza (circa 2016) when he was at Norwich and Kane Ferdinand (around 2012) while he was at Southend.

Loved watching the highlights.    https://www.skysports.com/football/swindon-vs-stevenage/393885

With the Woking game being a Sunday KO is there any chance of finding a live link?

There is some sort of coverage but no idea what.

Definitely another Adver cock-up!!  And I quote - Attendance: Charles Breakspear, Referee: 3887!!  Never believe the Adver, the paper has really gone to ground these last couple of years.

seems to be a BBC thing that's like soccer Saturday, but they show the goals and highlights as they happen switching between games.

Not being shown live anywhere afaik

Exactly. Never woo Tans' clan!

Adver confirmed it was a mistake - apologies for posting fake news.

Sol Pryce made the football league team of the week.

One for the stattos: Has an 18 year old, academy graduate, debutant ever done that before. I will guess no, which makes him a 1-in-a-thousand player (league games only).

I wouldn't be at all surprised if Wellens starts Pryce from the bench against Woking.

I don't want Pryce to get weighed down by expectation, but he's earned the right to start.

That said he was dead on his feet after 70, and so maybe it would be best to protect him SAF style

I'd look to bring him on at around 60/70mins (if the game is 1-0 or 2-0), will be much less pressure for him to repeat his previous but he'll get a nice bit of recognition from the home crowd when he comes on. If he doesn't score, no biggy as hopefully the game is sewn up. If he adds one, it'll only add to his confidence and confirm ours and likely the managers trust in his ability.

On from the start and if he's struggling, it's a big ask to expect him to get the goals. Could set him back because obviously he'll be desperate to fulfil the wishes of the Town faithful.  I agree though he has earned himself a start and a good headache for Wellens.

Give him some game time when there's the opportunity I reckon. He'll probably move back down the pecking order when Woolery and Richards come back, plus we're likely to pick up one or two in the window. It might be a while after that until he gets a lookin again.

Depends how seriously we’re taking the Cup.

I’d rather he was full of energy for our next league game.

Can't turn your nose up at a potential money spinning 3rd round tie. Could make a difference to who we bring in for January.

Never change a winning team.

I think we can leave it up to the manager to decide, on the basis of seeing the players every day. You know you're not getting paid for all this free consultancy?

Maybe we can..... but what about Power?

Bit late with the first pebble in the pond for today Reg, late night

There are umpteen ways of looking at it.

From the outside, I’d keep things the same. We played really good football on Tuesday, and we should at least give that the opportunity to continue and gain some momentum.

I know Woking are going well and must be taken seriously, and retaining a winning team clearly indicates that we’re doing so. Dartford were in exactly the same position last year and, by going there with the right attitude, we swept them aside.

The Sunday kick off works well in that we will have had 5 days to recover from Tuesday, and on that basis I expect everyone would be capable of starting again.

Well he did v. Carlisle and we all know how that turned out!!

The only way young players are going to get used to playing first team competitive football is by playing in first team competitive games. Fuck all this mollycoddling.
I don't want to get all 'old man', but Pryce is 18 and Twine 19, not babies that need protection..

My initial comment that Pryce might not start vs. Woking was based on me not being convinced that Wellens is much of a fan! Twine seems to be rated though, he’ll start.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Wellens did bench pryce tbh, to keep his feet on the ground - based on nothing other than Wellens post match comments about how bad a trainer pryce was

By the same token, I also wouldn’t be surprised if pryce started again

Official attendance was 5,273.

so <5000 bums on seats not a massive stretch of the imagination

the 3600 odd first provided by the adver causing the fb group meltdown (doesn't take a lot) was a big stretch however. 1500 is a fair few out