Thetownend.com

I was sat on the loo this morning and came across a potential perfect brand sponsorship - the EFL Trophy and eco-friendly loo roll company Who Gives a Crap? It's such a good fit that I'm shocked it hasn't already happened.

Anyway, today's Who Gives a Crap? Trophy game (which I think doesn't even have a real sponsor anymore) is against Arsenal's kids. We could do without this one from a fitness perspective, but hopefully we can rotate a bit and pick up no more injuries.

To quote myself in the Walsall thread:

Got a feeling Kanu might start this one

Wouldn't mind that - Jaxon Brown (midfielder) is the other youth player who's been on the bench more than most at the start of the season.

Dworzak seems to have some sort of fitness/illness issue that's cut short his loan, but may be around the squad.

Hart and Fox are out on loan and I presume won't be involved.

Yeah this one isnt rocket science. Whoever the 5 are in most need of a rest, rest them. Maybe even look at a first sub after 20 mins or so. Fill the gaps with who needs game time and youth opportunities.

Result I'm not too bothered about. Play well and don't get pumped.

not even bothered by playing well or the result.

just no more injuries to first team players. That's all I want

Will this be on iPTV

Does anyone have chapter and verse on the rules regarding how many need to start?

Seems to be hard to find online for this year's competition.

These are from 21/22:

Minimum of four qualifying outfield players in their starting XI. A qualifying outfield player was one who met any of the following requirements:
Any player who started the previous or following first-team fixture.
Any player who is in the top 10 players at the club who has made the most starting appearances in league and domestic cup competitions this season.
Any player with forty or more first-team starting appearances in their career, including International matches.
Any player on loan from a Premier League club or any EFL Category One Academy club.
A club can play any eligible goalkeeper in the competition.
Any player out on a long loan term at a National League, National League North, or National League South team can play as long as the loaning team agree to allow the player to return for the match.

On that basis I think I'd be looking at:

                                              Brann

                              Hart        Minturn     Ward

Genesini                                                                       Uwakwe

                                           Kinsella

                            Shade                      Cain


                            Young                     Wakeling


I think your four qualifying players would be:

Young - started last game
Genesini - started last game
Kinsella - Over 40 career starts
Shade - Over 40 career starts

Hopefully we can get Hart and any of the loanees back for this.

Its on ifollow video pass so would assume so

That's an interesting one, suggests Aguiar could play if Worthing didn't mind!

Seems like those rules are a lot more lax than they used to and we should be able to play just about anyone.

It seems that way. I think we need to protect anyone from the 1st XI TBH. They all must be knackered after this burst of games. Fuck all point running them into the ground in this pisspot trophy when we are down to the bare bones anyway.

I'd even give Brann a run out tonight.

100%.

No benefit to playing Mahoney whatsoever. Only risk.

Yes but if Brann plays 5 or more times wouldn’t be able to bring in an emergency loan goalkeeper. Depends if he is seen as a genuine option at this stage of his career.

Giving him the 3 group games should be okay...

Not overly bothered by the result, would like a good performance from the stand ins, give as many of the kids game time as we are allowed by the rules.

Will watch the game as its part of the season pass, not expecting much from the kids TBH.

Being we are at almost bare bones it could be some selection worries for Flynn as the fines are £5k per game and thats a significant hit if we dont follow the rules especially when you expect a sub 2k crowd which wouldnt even cover the cost of the fine.

Of our first team pros, the only people who I don't think meet these criteria are Minturn and Dworzak, so I think we'd have to work really hard to get a fine!

(Cain has 41 appearances, Uwakwe 60ish)

The rules should be abandoned asap, the top teams are allowed to play their kids so we should be able to as well. If clubs want to take it more serious then fine, but other clubs who dont care should not be penalised for this.

Well, they've clearly been heavily softened from the early days of this competition when it really was a bit silly (hence the first minute substitutes and the like). Asking us to play four our of our 20 eligible first team pros doesn't really feel very arduous.

It does a little more so when you a) dont want any more injuries. b) when your main striker is 34 and cannot play Sat, Tues, Sat all season. c) of that 20 players currently 4 of them are injured (RHM, Clayton, Devine and Shade).

I have a feeling we will go with - not sure if he will test Brann n goal or go with Mahoney as these games are not normally very taxing for keepers. I also think he probably risk Kanu but will bring him and Brown off the bench.

                 Brann
      Minturn   Brewitt   Ward
Genesini                            Uwakwe
         Kinsella             Cain
                    Khan
            Young       Wakeling

It is starts, not appearances.

Cain is short: https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=125530
Uwakwe is over the line seemingly: https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=108688

Really don't think we should be playing Brewitt if we can avoid it. All of the first team need a rest.

They usually are.

Then also Mahoney, Genesini, Ward,  Khan, Cain, RHM, McEachran and Wakeling are all under 61 starts too in league football.

Correct, but Mahoney, Genesini, McEachran and Khan would qualify having started the last game.

To be fair if its only first four teamers, that isn't that limiting. Especially if players like Cain who you'd want to give game time count already.

Fairly sure he doesn't...

exactly. Get rid of the two tier approach and let us play whoever we want and I might just go again.

I think 45 mins for him & 45 for Dokes would be Ok.

Don’t play FBT, not for rest just to avoid another yellow card

In twenty twenty three
The Boycott Cup First Round
The Arsenal came to Swindon
Walked to the County Ground
They thought they’d have it easy
Their kids would get ahead
Along came Swindon Town FC
And tucked them into bed

It was always a mickey mouse cup, but the introduction of B teams killed it.

It’s that irrelevant I’m skipping it to go out for my birthday dinner.

Yep, wouldn’t watch the game if it was played in my backyard

I'm at work till 8 and not arsed. Will have a look on here but would have done that if there wasn't a game on.

Guessing Ward starts tonight

Curious how he does at CB actually if he plays, as clearly LWB isn't working out.

On L. Ward not B. Ward.

]

Sorry, I meant Lewis Ward....

Picked up my Donny tickets today and the fella in the office said they’re expecting 3000+ this evening.

People are forgetting its the boycott cup with the lack of sponsor maybe.

+2

-2

also, the away shirts are very limited in numbers and size. 3xl (lots), xl, l, m for definite as of 3 but not many unless they've hidden them.

some sizes might be gone now

"more in a few weeks"

Not shirt specific, but has there ever been a range of clothing where there *haven't* been loads of XL+ left and the medium and larges are all gone? You'd have thought clothing companies would have an idea how many they need of each size by now, but every sale rack in every shop I ever go in is dominated by larger sizes.

Arsenal to win 3-1 attendance 3,200 on a lovely summers evening

Bon anniversaire!

Yowzer! How are we getting away with this?

suitably rested squad, marvelous

l Ward, Kinsella, Cain and Uwakwe fit the required appearances

Thought we needed to play 6 of the team who played at Wrexham

A first-team player is defined as someone who starts either of the matches directly before or after the EFL Trophy fixture in question, a player that has started 40 or more senior matches or a player who has started at least the 10th-most matches for the club that season.

4/5 Arsenal to win is printing money

. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230822/bea823aae9afa6f80429c004797cf898.jpg)

Are any of their players any good then?

Top Academy side I think.

In his interview on Sky earlier Flynn did imply that the timing of this game would likely mean having a look at youth & fringe players.

Also mentioned an opportunity to have a look at possible loans, although that was more a general comment with regard to playing U21 sides in this competition.
He does know Arteta though. :hmmm:

Bit of a kick in the nuts for Kinsella?

Can’t find it on iPTV

My Gooner season ticket holder mate says watch the double barrelled players especially Crozier-Duberry, and then Nwaneri

Crozier-Duberry is Michael's son, right?

Pleased with that team. Kinsella, Wakeling, Uwakwe and Genesini are our four I believe.

Lewis-Skelly is hell of a talent. Really fun ball carrying midfielder to watch tonight.

Hopefully good old Ian from Orlando is doing his in play highlights on twitter tonight seeing as i'm at work. nice way to keep up with what is happening.

That’s right. Perhaps Jody Morris is his Godfather…

Got it now on iPTV

Dont give a shit about the result be nice to see some good performances though from the kids/ressies.

Arsenal last time they came here they were shite, and we beat them.

Delighted we’ve done what we’ve done but this season has to be the death knell for this joke tournament.

Losing transmission every few minutes

Queuing back to the GC Hotel as the game kicks off.

Arsenal move the ball very fast.

Feel like we say that every year.

Lewis Wards kicking hasnt improved.

x2

1-0

1-0 OG

Great run by Wakeling.

1-0. Shambles on the line! Brilliant from Wakeling

Still queuing to get in #shambles

Superb run from Wakeling 1-0 oggy

Fucking hell that’s pathetic. It’s a quarter full Arkells!

What a run. He looked really sluggish v Crewe. Blitz there.

The Arse look like they dont like to tackle.

Wakeling inches wide from 20 yards after a nice thro ball from Cain.

1-1

What's caused it the early kick off catching fans out or lack of turnstiles open?

1-1

Hart totally lost his man he was marking and it was a free header from 14 yards.

Here we go again, Keeganball Town!

He did get clobbered early on against Crewe (prompting the really objectional piece of shit in the back row of the arkells to almost start a fight by shouting 'get up you fucking poof') and was clearly not playing to his potential in the first half.

Missed two gaols and we’re in the wrong seats thanks to a stewards who do not know what they’re doing.

Great cross from Uwakwe to Wakeling but his header is well saved by the Arse keeper.

I do think a few fans have written Wakeling off, but there's a player there. Was so very good for the first third of last season, then got played out of position a lot and missed Gladwin more than anyone else did I think. Mind you Shade looked excellent in the FLT last season!

B Ward kicked in the face, looked nasty.

I think Wakeling has a lot of talent, he will be a decent player, his work reminds me a lot of Mullins. He seems to pick up injuries but I think hes a good option off the bench if not starting games this season.

Arsenal look good on the ball but tackling and chasing us they look awful. Defensively its like a Luke Williams team. Which I guess is understandable with him being an academy coach.

Hockaday’s in fine form.

Zzzzzzzz

He could be watching a 5-5 draw and make it sound boring.

Isn’t he just. Jaxon Brown looks handy

Good block from Hart bails out B*Ward, who did well initially but then got beaten at the last.

Didn't realise we'd got Brown from Spurs as an injury rehab - would be nice to know anything about our scholars from the club, just some pen profiles or something.

Excellent track back by B Ward who almost kept up for pace and then a save almost on the line by Hart and pounced by Ward after he was well beaten, nice defending in the end by the youngsters.

Murphy Mahoney feeling fairly relaxed watching Lewis Ward here I should think!

Ward poor pass sets them up but Minturn gets in a foot to deflect a shot high.

Good point blank save by Ward.

Makes you think Minturn should have come on v Wrexham at the end

Its quite obvious that our 5 defenders have under 50 1st team appearances between them, and 45 of those are for Uwakwe.

Ward L looks well undercooked

Kinsella has been very disappointing so far. Conversely Cain looking fairly good to me.

Benn Ward doesn’t look like a player who should be in the first team mix.

Kinsella anonymous. Think we’ve been sold a pup with him.

Nice low save by Ward after a long curled shot.

Hope Mahoney never gets sent off/injured

Drinking game - one shot every time Dave Hockaday says something positive.

And the best thing is, your teetotal friends can play along too!

Walsall fans description that they were trying to say was bad but what we needed, hasn't even come to fruition so far.

Brown started well but has been caught in possession 3 times now and some of his passing is a little sloppy.

2-1 Uwakwe

Why we constantly get him I'll never know. Its baffling.

Uwakwe tackles the keeper and puts in in from 1 yard.

Sensational defending from Arsenal there.

You’re miles ahead of me

I think hes badly lacking in fitness missing most of pre season, I think he will come good, hes just off the pace so far.

IPTV is usually 1 to 2 mins behind iFollow and iFollow 30 secs behind live.

This is brilliantly shit.

Great minds!

Good save by Ward 1 on 1 after a Hart mistake and then off the line by Kinsella!

Benny Hill Ball.

Got that to look forward to

Its almost comical but entertaining!

Football as circus

I’m really enjoying how bad it is. Can’t take my eyes off it  :D

This is actually quite a good game :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

It shocks me that the Arsenal keeper Karl Hein has 22 full international caps for Estonia! he looks like a Kovar clone in his play.

It seems like you dont need to be a competant keeper to play at the highest level any more.

Arsenal are really good at the things they're good at - pace, transitions, breaks, pressure and really, really bad at everything else, especially finishing and defending.

The Importance of the Art of Defending: A Case Study

youth coaches always favour players at the big clubs, even if the eye test tells you they shouldn't be ahead of players at less fashionable clubs.

In the words of Hockaday "defending is a dying art".

Genesini has a decent cross on him, hes not had much of the ball down the wing tho yet.

If Cozier-Duberry could finish we would be 5 down by now.

Dixon, Bould/Keown, Adams and Winterburn watching this through their fingers, their legacy covered in hot piss.

HT 2-1

Entertaining is not bags of quality.

The only positive is that Wakeling looks in good form

Yeah,that and every time he says "let off for Swindon"

Ummmmmm, well, I know this isn't a game to really spend too much time analysing, but that was weird.

Wakeling is the only player on the pitch, from just that half of football, that looks like he has had a sniff of first team football, and even that is in fits and starts as he manages to show some rank bad decision making with some good touches and runs.

I wouldn't want to be relying on any of the defenders on the pitch to be anywhere near relied upon for first team minutes (which is a worry given three of them have already been used).

Brown in midfield looks well below this level of talent.

Arsenal are doing a very good job of ensuring we get the message to not scout the U21 groups for defensive loan talent.  They are shocking.

I don't want to be too harsh, but every youth/2nd string player on our team needs a lot more time there before being used by the looks of it.

You might be half joking but not far from the truth,seems almost that being decent with your feet is becoming the priority for keepers

There was no element of joking in my post mate.

Better make a better fist of it v Reading

Turned on at 1-1. Quite what I’ve been watching I have no idea.

I’ll just say that Ben Ward doesn’t look up to this level.

My prediction.

Swindon to win 4-2 and Kinsella grab the game by the scruff of the neck 2nd half and set up another goal for Wakeling.

Taken from our WhatsApp group

"That first half was like a low rent version of Soccer Aid."

Watching live, if it was just down to technical ability, speed of thought, movement etc then I would take any of the Arsenal outfield players on loan.
Doesn't work like that though & don't think that any of them are what we need at this time.
I do like the tricky forwards & their captain looks an elegant footballer.

It looks like its knocking on a 3k attendance too which surprises me.

No way Arsenal will continue to miss chances like that again. 5-2 loss

Cain is putting in a decent showing for me today, not great but looks ok.

Obviously as a three, this back line is only ever going to appear in a league game under extremely extenuating circumstances. Minturn alongside any of the current first choice incumbents would not be disastrous in my opinion

Ukwakwe has put some good crosses in

Nice low save by Ward.

He looks decent going forwards but poor defensively. Like a left sided Hutton.

Easy low save for Ward from a long shot.

I cant see this Arse team scoring 4 this half unless they have a good striker on the bench.

To be fair to the defence, no more than two of this five have never played together, they are going to look a bit disjointed!

Yellow for Ben Ward.

TBH its probably THE least experienced and youngest back 3 we have ever played in an official 1st team fixture.

Cain 40 yard FK but its too soft and an easy save.

Why is Hockaday banging on about everyone looking tired

Because that’s what happens to everyone after he’s been talking for an hour.

Good claim by Ward from a corner.

Sponsored by Mogadon

New word from Hockaday - out-strengthed

Nice run (walk) by Kanu thro their defence but his shot is deflected wide.

Arse should have scored there but Ward with an easy save with just him to beat!

You could be right

Kanu is decent. Give the kid a contract before someone else pinches him

Shade coming on with Dworzak. Shade to LWB.

Return of the Shade.

Shade on for Uwakwe

Dworzak on for Brown

Keen as mustard

Even Hockaday is singing his his praises

Kinsella saves Dworzak who gives the ball away with his first touch.

Arsenal couldn't finish a sentence.

Town clear off the line from Sago with Ward beaten.

Kinsella has grown into the game.
All of the ‘first teamers’ have looked pretty solid.

It sounds like Arsenal don't want to score!

Att 3,352

Yes fairly impressed with Cain and Uwakwe today, Kinsella started poor but grew into it.

Att: 3,352

Obodo on for Kanu.

Arsenal have 2 full internationals on now

Yes one with 22 caps for Estonia and one with 3 caps for Mexico, probably unheard of in the EFL Trophy before I would think.

And we have Shade with 2 caps as well.

Arsenal have been like a cute cat that caught it's prey but refuses to kill it so it can keep catching it and releasing it again.

Serious question - where do Defenders come from these days?  I mean, they must still exist, but even our youth group don't really look like how defenders end-up.  Is there some magical food they get served at the age of 23 that converts them?

Well bearing in mind its the U23 trophy we have done well with only Lewis Ward and Kinsella are over 23 in the whoile Swindon squad today.

That was coming

2-2

I reckon there are so few ‘up and under’ teams about now, defenders are more supplementary midfielders.

Ah, a nonsense penalty shootout would definitely finish this silliness off nicely.

Att 3353 I think

Close.

Nearly time for us to concede 2 more isn’t it?

6 mins

That wasnt even touched by Ward for a corner! that was a dreadful miss by the Arse player.

FT 2-2

Pens now for the extra point.

Well, not sure anyone learns anything from that one.  Not a defender on the pitch and Arsenal need to send their kids to finishing school.  Shade did a Shade performance when he came on - one good break forward with a bad touch and miss, lots of lolliping around looking lost.

1-0 Cain

Good penalty.

We have quite a good record in penalty shoot outs that don't actually matter (i.e. outside of all the major cups/playoffs) so we'll probably piss this.

1-1

2-1 Wakeling

2-2

3-2 Shade

3-3

3-3 Ben Ward misses hits the post

No successful penn for Benn

3-4

4-4 Genesini

4-5

Well, that was a lot more fun than these games usually are. Very silly though, no real conclusions to draw.

Does that mean I should cancel my Wembley hotel?

Positives, still unbeaten in 90 minutes

Indeed.

Is Dvorzak all right? His legs seemed to have gone after 5 minutes. I've never seen a pro footballer move like that.

Whatever illness he's had has been mentioned quite a few times. A bit worrying.

Benn Ward is a Dylan Kadji level loan. Absolutely no use to us.

Yeah I thought so

You have to hope Ward is a player that needs minutes to bring his skillset to the fore, because based on his LWB cameo's and today, he really isn't the sort of player you'd use a loan spot for.

Flynn:
- Good game of young players showcasing their talents
- Impressed with Arsenal. They had a lot of pace
- Young players with very, very good mentality and they finished stronger than us
- Good test for our boys to see where elite players of their age are at
- Their movement was quick and sharp.
- Game where we kept going and rode our luck
- Got game time into legs of first teamers and youngsters
- Completely different test with their movement
- Enjoyed watching how youngsters were going about the game
- Jaxon Brown and Anu Kanu: Its a learning curve for them Wouldn't single anyone out. They have worked hard. Can't compare them with 17 year olds at Arsenal. Its like if we played our firsts against Aresenal firsts
- Lewis Ward: Its always been there. The game will have done him the world of good. Didnt work out at Sutton. Can concentrate on getting back where he wants to be
- Rode our luck at times and had 2 cleared off the line
- First half we were too open
- Free kick at the end: Flynn was worried it was deja vu from the weekend
- All were very good penalties
- Got out of it what he wanted to

No better than Minturn

Not as good I reckon

Do we have the worst overall cup record in the EFL in the last decade? It is utterly rancid.

Really enjoyed the game, funny to see so many people leave at fulltime, not knowing about, and missing the penalties ! :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:
Thought our youngsters acquitted them selves well, considering the opposition ! Kanu looks likely to become a good player for us !

Good value for a tenner. Enjoyable knockabout fun.
Not sure men against boys is the correct expression to describe Arsenal's dominance.

Valuable experience for our youngsters.
They were up against players who have benefitted from top level coaching for years through the age groups.

Useful gametime for those in need of match fitness as well.

"we" won at snooker, get back to see no new stfc injuries and still unbeaten.

that'll do

Merci mon vieux. It was until I caught the penalties while looking out over the Med.

Really enjoyed that game for £10. We rode our luck but defensively while compromised many times players threw themselves in the way to clear off the line at least three times. Arsenal were quicker, actually and better technically, however, you’d expect that. Very wasteful in front of our goal and we could have and should have been mullered. But we weren’t so for that I’m pleased and I agree with Flynn’s comments.

I understand why some of you are disdainful of this tournament in its current format but for me it gives me a glimpse of the PL without have to pay extortionate amounts to see it. Yeah, they’re kids I know but the future stars of tomorrow, if they can make it.

Go to the Reading or Etc game? Doubt it. Go to any other piss pot, pizza cup games doubt that too. Lastly, lest you didn’t know, Arsenal is my hometown club.

Stoke used to play Charlie Adam and Peter Crouch in their B Team. Do you still get the 3 over age players or has that been nixed?

Has looked a fish out of water so far, hasn't he? Sounds like a bit of a panic one when Clayton got injured. I'd rather play Minturn.

Enjoyable game to watch for a tenner. Some skillfull players from Arsenal, but reality is that none are likely to go on to have a long term career at the club, and most will end up at L1/L2/National League level within a few years! Thoughts on a few of the team:

Ward (L) - great shot shopper, but terrible on the ground and with Arsenal playing a high press he never wanted to do anything apart from lash the ball forward for most of the game.  Never going to be more than a backup for us.

Ward (B) - sorry, but he looks a million miles off the quality of player we need.  Caught for pace and positioning on many occasions.

Hart - he is clearly young and has plenty to learn, but there was something Shaun Taylor about his general demenour on the pitch and some whole-hearted challenges. Give him 2-3 years of senior football and you can see the potential

Kanu - you have to love his committment and willingness to put himself about.

Wakeling - I thought especially in the first 15-20mins of the 2nd half he looked sharp, made some lovely runs that weren't picked up, and led the line well before he faded as Arsenal took control of the game.

Shade - how does a player manage to look so bloody disinterested.  This could have been a golden chance to come on, blitz the LWB role for 20mins and convince us he was the left sided messiah. Instead he looked disengaged.

https://youtu.be/ZAXVZ9WbYcA

Sunday league stuff in here. Rush keepers?

on shade he has just come back from injury, so maybe playing within himself?

Interesting you say that because Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis Skelly and Cozier Duberry are all tipped to go onto have very good careers. Arsenal thought they might lose Nwaneri to City or Chelsea recently.

Shade played like Shade always plays.

To be fair he was really good in the EFL Trophy as a centre forward last year. He did absolutely play like this in all the league games though!

On the level of development from these sides I thought it was interesting to look back at the U21 teams we've played over the last few years.

Arsenal U21 22/23 http://swindon-town-fc.co.uk/MatchCentre.asp?MatchID=20221201
Charlie Patino is now at Swansea, he was the standout. There's a few of that team who played yesterday

Chelsea U21 20/21 http://swindon-town-fc.co.uk/MatchCentre.asp?MatchID=20201201
Lots of names here - Ian Maatsen, Marc Guehi, Tariq Lamptey, Billy Gilmour, Armando Broja and er... Tariq Uwakwe and Marcel Lavinier

Chelsea U21 19/20 http://swindon-town-fc.co.uk/MatchCentre.asp?MatchID=20191201
Similar team to the year after, but with George McEachran

West Ham U21 17/18 http://swindon-town-fc.co.uk/MatchCentre.asp?MatchID=20181201
Grady Diangana as a sub - and Dan Kemp! Not much else

He was fiarly good when they played him up front as a lone striker and allowed to wander doing what he does and creating problems for defenders.

As soon as you tie him down to a position he struggles in knowing his duties, as a sub to come on and create random havoc and do what he wants he could be useful.

My thoughts exactly, his body language from the moment he came on was one of "what am I doing here". He just did not get really involved, talking back to the bench more than once and just seem to amble around. Not a good look for someone who should be fighting for a first team place.

Mild trivia, with thanks to Rich Banyard (answer on Twitter, so easy to come across).

With Tariq Uwakwe scoring yesterday, players with surnames beginning with 25 of the 26 letters of the latin alphabet have now scored for Town - only X has failed to register entirely, probably because we have never had a player whose surname begins with X.

At the other end though... who can guess what the highest scoring first letter of surname is for STFC? (all time, men's first team only).

M

I understand you can field 2 over 21 aged players now only.