Thetownend.com

Botan Ameen to start?

Just got round to listening to Mad Gavs 1st interview.

He sounds alright and obviously knows whats wrong on the pitch but its the setting us up to act on that now thats important.

He seems to say the things we all can see about motivation, chance creation and defending so now put your money where your mouth is and get the best out of this motley crew of mostly youngsters and give us something good on the pitch at least if not off it.

I dont expect much to change after just a few days with him in charge though but make us play with a bit more effort and heart and change from that 3 at the back with 2/3 wandering CB's as it just isnt working.

4-3-3 I reckon.

2 new CBs with UGM and FBT either side.

Four at the back for sure, 4:3:3 would make sense.

If the new outfield guys are match fit then play them by all means but that would mean a back three/four plus goalkeeper with precious little understanding of each others game apart from a couple of training sessions, so what’s to go wrong……..

I mean our defence have played with precious little understand of each others games all season
So it wouldn’t look any different.

Is this match likely to be on? Presumably pitch covers are on (if we haven’t flogged them)?

Be fine, wind and drizzle on Saturday. The weather will be similar too.

Pitch covers will be on, having been nicely positioned to cover most of the DRS sponsorship boards for the livestream on Tuesday.

I’ve changed my mind about Saturday. I’m going now. Mad Gav and the players still deserve our support even if Clem et al doesn’t.

Going as well... first game for my son and taking my nephew. Sometimes in adversity these are the best moments. Hopefully the handbrake will be off and a positive performance. New signings in the mix too.

This.

I will be going and weirdly excited by the changes.

Lets see what they dish up!

Gav has played a form of 433/451 in every game he has managed with us so far so that makes me think thats his prefered formation so stick with it.

I would play Dokes at RB and FBT and McCarthy at CB with Koko at LB unless Brewitt is fit enough then I would put FBT to LB which was his prefered role when he first came to the club.

                         Bycroft
Dokes        McCarthy   Brewitt           FBT
           Khan     Kinsella     Devoy
Shade                                          Glatzel
                       Austin

If fitness is an issue with Brewitt then FBT at CB and Kokolo to LB.

Get defenders defending again and get the ball forwards a bit quicker as he stated in his 1st interview.

Tranmere were no great shakes when we played them a couple of weeks ago and one of the poorer sides we have played this season so with some effort and better defending we should win, but this is Swindon.

Swinon 0-1 Tranmere in front of 8,355 (222 Trannys)

Are you allowed to say Trannys these days.

Probably not, dont care :)

And I bet you are using it with the wrong one in your head.  You do realise you can say what you like, to a degree, it's just you can't expect others to like what you say is all.

My definition of a tranny.

(https://www.maas.museum/inside-the-collection/2013/05/27/tr-1-the-worlds-first-transistor-radio/TR-1%20The%20World%E2%80%99s%20First%20Transistor%20Radio%20%E2%80%93%20Inside%20the%20Collection_files/H5580-2-Transistor-radio.jpg)

Honest to god I just want to see a flat back four.

If it turns out to be just as bad or even worse than 3 at the back. I don’t care. At least we can say we tried something different.

For Tranmere Rovers fans, it's more likely 'Trannies' and in context, yes of course if you're referencing them. If you're using it to be derogatory towards a Transexual then of course the messaging changes.

You know this though Aud and are more than clever enough to know this  :)

But here's an article for you to lap up  ;)

https://www.thespoof.com/spoof-news/sport/143593/tranmere-rovers-fans-pissed-at-lgbt-spat

I've decided to go as well.
My 7 year old lad loves going and i'm quite looking forward to seeing Gunningball and the new recruits.

It's giving Mike Bassett vibes...and I'm here for it   :D

Agreed.

We're better than The Mexicans.

Three cheers for Ramirez.

If we fall 2-0 behind, make sure there's someone by the floodlight switch!

Interesting mention in the LSPOD saying if the game was on

Not likely to be off is it?

Audrey, you've probably been to the ticket office today, are the pitch covers on?  :)

This. So much this.

I'm not exactly sure why I did it, but I looked at the table before posting on this thread. The reality is that we have changed our manager, freshened the squad - including strengthening our achilles heel, the defence and have the added boost of the youths knocking Man U out of the FA Youth Cup. Overall it's been a good week - ignoring the Clem stuff.

We now have 2 home games against teams we can beat. Tranmere on Saturday and then Bradford a week later. If we can pick up 6 points, we are potentially only 2 points off the play-offs (I haven't done the maths and it's probably impossible) and maybe with some further additions can we look to end the season strongly and get out of the division the right way? Don't forget that Pressure is for tyres.

I think we win tomorrow, but won't keep a clean sheet.

I'm one of the Unsullied these days. Freeloading bastard, I know what I am

I would rather win on Saturday ;)

Ugh, is it only Thursday?

Something else which has also been touched on, but I hope Gunning sets up on SATURDAY to keep Charlie Austin away from having to do any work that is not in the final third. Flynn was asking him to do far too much and whilst you can't deny his work ethic, it was a hindrance. Charlie has scored every time he's played in a side managed by mad Gav, I suspect that record will continue.

I'd be very surprised if we won Saturday. Think a score draw is the most likely outcome followed by defeat.

I can only see the squad being downgraded and while I hope and expect its enough to keep us in the league, they'll need some time to gel to get us there.

0-3
8250

I feel you on the 'only Thursday' vibe. Today has been slowww and it started at 5.30am for me  :cry:

RE: Charlie...I get the MadGav factor but also Austin is on a bit of a run, think he's scored 2 in 2 hasn't he?

Don't under-estimate the element of surprise on Saturday. Tranmere's homework, which would have been a doddle had Flynn still been in charge is now infinitely harder. New manager, new players, possibly a new system. There homework has effectively gone out the window and it will be up to Adkins to work out what we are doing during the game (unfortunately he probably will be able to do it quite easily)

I think you'll find Pressure is a song by a number of popular beat combo's m'Lud.

I think you need to take another look at the games in hand that other teams have over us.  I know that doesn't mean anything in reality, but when you take note of that it should put that shred of optimism back into the box where it should rightfully sit (until July)

Yeah I don't disagree at all. But not that long ago I thought it was Friday so give me a bit of a break! :)

Pitch inspection 1pm tomorrow

Due to be 4 degress from tomorrow morning and rising?!

Wonder if they didnt cover the pitch after tuesday

Or sold the covers.

Was part of the Hutton sale to Gills. So the rumour mill goes  :headhurts:

Won’t be bothering, going to London instead so if anyone wants to use my 2 season tickets to avoid giving this lot anymore money let me know.

Can you imagine the pain and distraught shock in Tony Hall's demented face??

Double freeloading. That's equating to 18 free games a season  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Well played Theakston  :clap:

You jest but making tickets non transferable is probably something that twat would try.

Seems a bit premature especially with the forecast staying in the positives from 10am onwards tomorrow, hopefully there's enough time before it goes ahead for the pitch to thaw out if need be

Oh absolutely, most I say on here is tongue in cheek but with this current guerilla regime. They'll try anything...except stopping their own friends and associates bringing their clothes to the SN1 Laundrette  :hmmm:

How could they do that anyway?

That's what I thought. Say it's frozen at 1pm tomorrow,are they calling it off regardless of overnight temps? Surely 10 am Sat would make more sense

Not if you have to travel & leave before then 😂

Face pic or DOB on the card.

Who checks that? The kids on the turnstiles don’t see or handle the tickets - you just stuff them under the reader and you’re in.

Tranmere will be travelling down pm after a morning training session to stay overnight. Last thing they need is to set off tomorrow and get stuck on the motorway or find out the pitch especially that strip in front of the DR is still frozen.

They’re checked before you get that far aren’t they by security.

Surely it would make sense to do it around 1600 tomorrow, gives the pitch almost a whole day of sunlight and it'll be prior to most fans travelling with it still being a work day. 1300 just seems too early in the day for a game the day after

Only the last game has anyone asked to see my ticket before I hit the turnstiles.

And I didn’t appreciate it either.

Apparently its colder tomorrow than Saturday, so it makes sense that if they take the covers off tomorrow at 1pm and the pitch is fine, they can say with fair confidence its going to be on.

Its around the time they'll be taking the covers off for warm ups the following day I guess.

As I said. I had it way before Christmas. Neither did I.

Mrs Audrey had a bit of a grilling over her ST and I just told her to carry on and go to the turnstile.

If they think we are part of the notorious ‘20’ they can forget any ticket money from me.

is there a minimum call off time before we are liable for away travel expenses?

not having a pop, it would make sense if that was the reason though

Maybe it’s to give the locals more time to take precautions to protect their hubcaps.

  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Covers on

Are those heaters on there too?

Yep

Probably growing some stock

Lowest gate of the season I reckon.

I disagree, I think a few will be tempted back to see the return of Gunningball.

7,463 vs Barrow and 7,654 vs Col U are the targets to beat.

Home fans accounted for 7,330 vs Barrow and 7,235 vs Col U.

Just going on the amount of blue seats on the site.

I don't think it'll be on tbh.

I'm told that the pitch is still frozen even after the blowers on it over night so I'd be surprised if it goes ahead.

I'm hearing that Gav has requested more time on the training pitch to fully integrate the new arrivals etc,
So the ground staff have been working through the night on this https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-make-fake-snow
Club to put the call out for volunteers with shovels ahead of the inspection to cover the pitch as part of Operation Snowdrift.
The slowest volunteer as picked out by the oversight committee of Ant, Clem & Zav will have to the get the pizzas in for everyone.

Mansfield v Sutton is off

Their games always seem to be called off first which I understand is due to a very high water table in the vacinity of the ground.

Ours will be off due to the high bullshit level at the ground

Cheltenham off as well

Game off

oh well, couldn't go anyway

Yeah not a shock

Mad Gav stops the rot!

[joke]Can save a weeks wages by not signing any more players until next Friday now[/joke]

No aggro for Clem to contend with😁

Good result for somebody!

Glad I held off buying a ticket. Ah well Bradfud next weekend. I can change the springs on my car now  :)

Sensible from the club, needed an early decision for the away fans and to avoid potential costs (not sure they'd be able to argue that one)

100% this. Had it been a game against Walsall, Newport for example who will have travelled on the day then perhaps they would have given it an extra 24hrs...

Hopefully Tranmere under floodlights. Will bring back memories for some!

Only if the floodlights work, or actually maybe not 😂

Do the covers not work though ?, surely they protect the ground from the frost, I know we have areas over by the DR that don't get as much sun but surely they must know that by now and ensure that area is fully covered so the frost don't have time to get into the ground ?

Not sure what the covers are meant to do if they don't protect from frost.

And rearranged for Tuesday, bet our lot don’t act as quick as that. 

The covers will stop surface frost and freezing but, we have had a fairly long period of sub zero temperatures which have lowered the ground temeprature to the extent that freezing sets in to a deeper level despite covers.

Imagine putting a cup of water in the freezer, next to a cup of water wrapped in a cloth. The naked cup will be frozen whilst the wrapped cup will take longer to freeze but will freeze eventually.

Good analogy - point taken

They have also had the heaters on since the game Tuesday- but we have had such cold nights recently -7 2 days running ground is frozen solid. Also expected rise in temperature not enough time for it to thaw out

I’m amazed Bristol Rovers were able to get their game on Wednesday evening on the night it was -8 and bitterly cold since last week end.

All the hot air?

They thought they were going to Anfield😁

Is science allowed on this website?  Surely that means 79%, not 80%, bollocks.

Who says I know what I'm talking about?

In this case, yes, great explanation of insulation in an open system.

I might still go over to the ground tomorrow afternoon to make my feelings known .

Thanks.

I’m guessing with all the recent shenanigans the club were not to fussed if the game was off, especially if they knew a protest was involved. Anyone know if Morfuni still here by the time the next home game plays, Bradford on the 27th?

He's slated to be there in person at the fans forum (which I think is around 30th January) so I'd imagine that will be his last game he sees before heading back down under.

Indeed, I understand he flies back to Oz on the 1st Feb.

You've had an answer but they are only ever dosed to be good down to -5 typically anyway.

The club are surely desperate for cash flow.

especially if rumours like this are true. Possibly rubbish mind

https://twitter.com/davec8114/status/1745780929593770291?t=W6BhEB4HjFxGs5_niPg1jg&s=19

Would it surprise you if that was the case thoogh?

No stewards = no game = unable to fulfil fixture = points deduction

(https://media1.tenor.com/m/3UpqUyC6Y1EAAAAd/leonardo-dicaprio-absolutely-fucking-not.gif)

No. If it is they’re not the only ones…

no. But there have been plenty of rumours they have been total rubbish

Clem's a cunt and we're fucking dog shit, but a saturday without a Town game is so fucking boring

 went to the ground today but nothing much was happening . was hoping to see some like minded supporters

Why would there be anyone there if the game isnt it on soapy tit wank

Bit of late afternoon dogging - obviously  :D

You don't get a name like 'Steak Supper' for nothing ye nar  :I'm a complete mofleakin Deak

 I thought that they would be some aggrieved vocal supporters

But who would be listening!

 you might say that at a match day . I am sure that the stfc coffin has been seen on non matchdays

Now Tues 27th Feb

Play ball

Might want to retitle this now that 4D has brought it to the fore - Wouldn't want anyone to think that the rearranged game has been cancelled

Tranmere are a strange one. in their last 4 games they've lost to FGR, Doncaster and Morecambe yet they spanked Stockport 4-0. The optimist in me says this is the game it'll come good, or at least good enough, and we'll get the win.

Indeed, but the Swindon fan in me says 0-0 draw tomorrow.

Two clean sheets in a row, eh? 

Amazingly we achieved that under Flynn with a 6-0 v Crawley and a 0-0 v Doncaster.

I'd certainly be happy to witness that combination again.

2-0    Percentage 12.5% [2]
2-1    Percentage 12.5% [2]
1-2    Percentage 12.5% [2]
1-1    Percentage 12.5% [2]
3-1    Percentage 12.5% [2]
10-0    Percentage 6.2% [1]
1-0    Percentage 6.2% [1]
0-3    Percentage 6.2% [1]
0-1    Percentage 6.2% [1]
4-1    Percentage 6.2% [1]
0-0    Percentage 6.2% [1]

Here are the current predictions off the prediction league for tomorrow's match, i thought the 4-1 was optimistic but would love to know who's going for the 10-0 win!

I'm the 4-1, going for the general theory that STFC always pull something out of the bag when I'm on the cusp of sacking the whole season off and going to do something else on Saturdays.

I'll buy my Accrington ticket off the back of it and we will inevitably be hot shit in that game.

Swindon 2 Tranmere 1 att: 7,747 (285 Trannies)

Todays presser if anyone is interested

1:52pm
Gavin Gunning on contracts:

No interest in that at the minute, it is tunnel vision on the next game. The players if they play well will get the contracts and where we are in the table shows we haven't been doing that enough. In the next 12 games they need to show their value to get into our thought process.

1:51pm
Gavin Gunning on settling in:

Anyone who has seen what I am doing and what we are putting in place, that can be hard to see from the outside. At the weekend we showed a different side from us, they probably had the better chances but we still could score goals.

1:49pm
Gavin Gunning on Tranmere:

They are very disciplined in shape, run all day, Adkins has done a great job in turning them into a different team. Norris will probably play and him and Jennings are great players. Apter is a livewire. I am looking forward to it and hopeful of getting the three points.

Football is like a chess game to try and get the advantage and the space and where do they have one.

1:48pm
Gavin Gunning on coaching staff:

I lean on them for certain stuff and the rest is my idea and use my opinion as the main one. I want input from everyone, whoever that is from, because you will never be the cleverest in the room and when you think you are there are problems.

1:47pm
Gavin Gunning on set pieces:

Sometimes it can be personnel and having the will to attack the ball and being aggressive. Are you instinctive or reactive? There are all those little aspects in set plays. Set plays are massive and we give the players all of the details of what we want to do. At time you want them to try something different and hopefully we will start to properly attack them.

We have defended set plays really well and Mildy spends a lot of time on that, so he deserves a lot of credit.

1:45pm
Gavin Gunning on putting things together:

It is not like the results will just click straight away, but the performances have been there and I am very optimistic that we will put a run together. There is a realism to where we are at, but the dynamic of the group is changing for the better. You are trying to blend two groups together so we have had a mini pre-season with them.

1:45pm
Gavin Gunning on putting things together:

It is not like the results will just click straight away, but the performances have been there and I am very optimistic that we will put a run together. There is a realism to where we are at, but the dynamic of the group is changing for the better. You are trying to blend two groups together so we have had a mini pre-season with them.

1:44pm
Gavin Gunning on Khan:

It is tough without him as the others are 8s, George can play as a 6, but the others are more advanced so you are wheeling and dealing.

They kept their shape well against Stockport and didn't create big spaces for them to play in. At the Franchise game, I won't blame players, but they didn't take the information on board in full-back areas. So they had the man advantage in there. You watch them and they make all of those passes, so that was the most frustrating game.

1:42pm
Gavin Gunning on injuries:

McEachran is ok. It was an impact injury, so we will see about tomorrow. Everyone seems to have recovered and trained today.

Is Khan still suspended ?

apparently so. The FA site says "until" today, so I guess it must be inclusive and 10 yellows = 2 games.

I’m pretty sure it’s a two game ban for 10 yellow cards

Thanks, was hoping that wasn't the case, so lightweight in midfield without him.

Lightweight with him as well!

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GHW5s9EWIAEmA4x?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)

Can’t say that gets the pulses racing

Couple of changes. Dokes, McGurk, RHM and Aguiar in for Cain, Elboozy, McEahcran and Kokolo. Khan still banned?

Piss weak

Midfield looks very lightweight

Is this the line up? or will we go 3 at the back and push Dokes into a DMC role?

                    Bycroft
Dokes  McCarthy  Minturn     FBT
          Devoy         Aguiar
                    McGurk
RHM            Austin           Glatzel


Norris and Turnbull start against us.

The back four is fairly big, but crikey the rest of that team is not physical.

It does seem like rotation for rotation’s sake. For God’s sake, pick your best starting XI and stick to it.

Certainly rather see Cain than Aguiar and McKirdy than RHM in the starting X1

Cain 100% but McKirdy cant be risked for a whole game yet unfortunately.

But Kinsella wouldn’t get in the team apparently…

This is the least balanced team we have started with under Gunning, happy to be proved wrong but it just seems lopsided all over the pitch.

He’s picked that team out of a hat hasnt he

I'm fairness all we have left is dead rubbers. I think Aguiar is under contract next year so may as well have a look

looks piss weak though

No doubt about all of that but put out a mildly balanced side at least.

He doesn't have to play the full game, just rather see him start to be fair

Its not just us.

I understand that mate but I expect he has a clause saying he is not allowed to start games yet from what Gunning was intimating a week or so ago.

Ah,I didn't know that

soapy tit wank, attendance may be delayed because the card machines are working for season ticket holders.

notepad and pen deployed 🤣

There were rumours he cant play more than 30-35 mins for medical reasons and Gunning said he is time limited for appearances.

So far Harry has only played 21, 24, 28, 35 and 12 mins in his 5 games.

Yeah,if only we still had him

Pining for Kinsella pretty much sums up the season (I am not, for the record).

Sounds like Steve Hale on co comms.

Gunning coming out and blatantly lying in saying that Kinsella wouldnt have got into thie team if we hadnt sold him is utter fucking bollocks.

TBH I dont think anyone is pining for Kinsella, just stating that Gunning blatantly lied and that we are so fucking weak in midfield.

Imagine, months from now we may find ourselves looking starry and misty eyed back at a time when that lad from Franchise, thingymajig was playing in midfield.  Began with a D, what was his name again - you know the one, Devoid, or something like that.

I think you will find his name is Decoy.

That's the one, used to leave a gap where Aguiar was supposed to be, when they were both playing.

Hawes says they're warming up with Minturn at RB and UGM at LB... This could be wild

I was being sarcastic. Lowest form of wit I know

Oh.

I can see the logic of not separating FBT and McCarthy but if it's that or play two players out of position... well, it's the higher risk option for someone who's auditioning for the job.

Rockin Robin seems to have put some weight on, can he play central midfield?

I could be wrong, but wasn't the last time UGM started as LB the Aldershot game...

Highest form of intelligence though

Tuesday night and the gates are low

If I wanna listen for free do I have to find an old fm radio?

Stand outside the Town End

Doesn't the EFL App/Ifollow App have radio access for those living locally?

FGR leading Wrexham already

Doesnt look any more than 7k tonight.

Sutton 1 up as well

                    Bycroft
Minturn  McCarthy     FBT    Dokes
          Devoy         Aguiar
                    McGurk
RHM            Austin           Glatzel

Looks even more lopsided on the pitch.

Glatzel coming right over to RHM's side regularly at the moment, if anything he's central with Austin deeper.

Typical Div 4 football between 2 teams lacking in quality and in the bottom 3rd of the league in the pouring rain. Going to be a long night.

Not sure we have completed 3 consecutive passes yet.

Corner to them.

Two grim teams in grim conditions as things stand.

Good defensive header by Dokes to clear it.

Desperate to be positive about this but it is like anaesthetic.

Ignoring the midfield unbalance but why play a centre back at right back, a right back at left back and our only left back on the bench?

Find it odd we are managing everyones minutes but Glatzel who probably needs it the most is playing every game

Absolutely, he gives everything every game too.

I think I'd call it more of a 4-2-4 with McGurk on the right, Glatzel and Austin in the middle. What do you think PV?

Whatever it is, it's not exactly clicked.

I geuninely would call it unbalanced flexible, we are tryng to bypass midfield and at times we look 4-4-2. I dont like Dokes having to cut back onto his right when going down the left every time.

I am not 100% certain even the players know which position they are supposed to be playing in all honesty.

1-0

Excellent goal by McGurk.

Why on earth are we playing glad all over again

Lovely stuff. Wouldn't say it was against the run of play as there hasn't really been any play, but a moment of quality and hopefully makes the game a bit more interesting.

This 100%.

Quality

Unusually composed finisher for a young player is McGurk.

Inside out full backs is odd.

1-0 though

McGurk has some amazing close ball skills and often beats his man, hes better than L2 on what I have seen.

1-1

1-1

Poor defending.

Oh FFS. Good shot from Apter but he shouldn't have that sort of space.

Stop me if you've heard this one before, but our midfield was non existent there.

Pretty fortunate that it dropped to him. Good finish

Great hit, Bycroft stood no chance.

RHM finally beats his man to get across in, corner.

McGurk is class and too good for STFC. Our defence is still wank.

At the time of writing...two very poor sides afraid of losing but with strangely two moments of individual quality. Could end up six-all  ::)

NB: Personal gripe - Co-Comms really needs to stop using the phrase ''Swindon really need to step/put their foot on Tranmere's throat''. It just doesn't feel right or appropriate to me

Devoys passing is fucking awful.

Devoid

Great goal for RHM 2-1

RHM does his annual good thing!

2-1

Dokes 40 yard pass thro to RHM who goes past the keeper to score fro 17 yards.

Really weird game, it's properly shit and then three really good goals

Absolutely this.

3 goals way better than the standard of the match.

Hands up if you thought RHM was going to fall over instead of score  :D

RHM shoots inches wide of the far post with the keeper well beaten.

:D

Hale "Swindon need to go for the juggler"

Admittedly some extra circus entertainment would help the game.

Got away with the air shot from 15 yards by the Tranny player.

Devoy dives blatantly in the box, never a penalty.

We are Devo

Fucking hell Austin should have buried that.

Harrison Minturn just went full Arjen Robben... This game is so weird.

Bycroft easy save from Norris.

Yet it ended up Reliant Robin.

Basically said as much as this on the previous page. Along with very weird phrases from co-comms

RHM forces another save.

3 mins added.

Well done RHM, looking like a footballer today.

Cross/shot just over the bar from RHM.

Town get away with some awful finishing by Tranny, Minturn waltzed past like he wasnt there.

Floodlights seem to be holding up!

Thats because we are winning ;)

HT 2-1

 Football' s a funny old game !

everything is going left for Tranmere.

Very average game. but we are winning so that's good..

disagree with venks. think bycroft could have had that but he's played well anyway.

thankfully Tranmere gave wasted a couple of good chances

Strange game, before the first two goals dreadful but better since , not high quality outside of the goals but more happening. Our defence is holding up okay, our midfield less so but frankly it's not a midfield game.

We're still on for my 4-1!

What the fuck was that?

I presume Tranmere are down by us?  Not actually checked, but they look terrible when defending.  Are they playing a school kid at left back?

Awful standard of football, three pretty good finishes, could have been 4-3 to us.  Nothing much created by either team, but when it is, it seems to be a nailed on chance.  Their lad spinning and missing the ball from 8 yards out being a great example.  We left two on four at the back post from a free kick!!!  I think Austin might hide Aguiar (think it was him) in the changing rooms for the second half - he was not really involved other than to get in Austin's way.

Good lord.  Winning!

No doubt a much improved RHM will get subbed in favour of our reserve keeper in another Gav manager masterclass.

I mean, it's a simple game at times  - just keep chucking balls in behind their left back, he has no idea how to defend.

Tranmere neck and neck with us in the table going into tonight Rob.

Bloody hell. How to make a negative out of a positive

Not watched a lot of STFC of late. Found it was ruining my weekends.

Up to the the goal, that was pretty depressing viewing, both sides looking every bit their league position.

Happily the quality did grow a bit as the half rumbled on. Good value for the lead, and RHM looking more a danger, than a Bambi doppelgänger.

Oh, and I cannot remember our pitch ever looking so awful.

It shows.  Goals aside, and a few chances later on, that would be a bit like looking directly at the sun.  Tranmere have looked every bit as lacking as we are, if not a bit more.  They remind me of Rochdale before they went down.

UGM is superb tonight. Devoy nowhere near as bad as some make out definitely a step above Aguiar,one shit ball but a superb ball to RHM who should have scored. It's League 2 standard obviously, not sure what people expect, but I'm entertained. We should be at least 3 goals up of course,so that's a worry as we all know what that could mean. Think McKirdy could possibly have a purple  patch if he gets half an hour.

Minturn off for Kokolo.

Odd change if there's no injury, the odd defence has been mostly fine.

Att: 7,245 (292 Trannys)

How is that negative. It's just pretty obvious, he's too good for Swindon Town AND L2.
The lad would look comfortable in any L1 side.
Some players just are a better class and STFC aren't immune to having a player who is too good for them...I mean we're at the dizzy fucking heights of 17th {as it stands} in the basement division.

Sorry I'm not skipping through a field of corn with Sir Clemente, holding hands and sucking each others thumbs.

No chance!

Dokes break with the ball, runs 40 yards and finds McGurk but his shot from 18 yards curls just wide.

More individual brilliance from McGurk. But for shaping it a little more. Deserved a goal there.

McGurk reminds me a lot of Bobby Barnes, small tricky, great skills and shot but occasionally just loses his footing.

I'll be surprised if McGurk isn't playing in a Premier League squad by the time he is 25. Nothing is guaranteed of course except {and is this negative or just realistic} he definitely won't be playing for Town - unfortunately.

On recent events it'd be a surprise if any of these players were playing for town by the time McGurk is 25.

Dokes is outstanding today.

None of these, including the subs and the youth team will be playing for town by the time he is 25

Bycroft makes another save at his near post.

Oh my word Kokolo really tried to concede a pen there!

Apter has a bit of the 'only attacking plan' about him that we had with Kemp.

Drinan on for Austin.

Devoys should have done better on the edge of their box there, ends up giving the ball away cheaply.

McGurk's close control is reminiscent of Jaiyesemi.

Hes only there on loan from Blackpool, could be a decent aquistion next season in a season loan.

Devoy yellow for a crude foul on Norris 40 yards out.

Kokolo great chance saved by their keeper, the pass from McGurk was wonderful.

McGurk's pass to Kokolo crossfield there was absolutely delicious.

Norris goes off, hes still shit.

Hale is a remarkably positive co-commentator.

3-1 RHM

What a pass by McGurk again.

Have it! McGurk and RHM again.

Fair play we've been actually good in the second half and deserve that.

What a player he seems to be!

Won’t be here long! 😢

Its definately been better this half.

Nobody is here long, better that they're half decent while they are!

Indeed, but I was trying to be positive.

Calm finish by Rusty there. If he is having his annual good game then he might as well score a hattrick tonight  :pint:

Tranmere close to scoring an OG from RHM cross.

Aguiar, Dokes and McGurk off
Elboozy, Cain and Brewitt on.

Can only beat what is in front of them and Tranmere are incredibly poor but Town have been better, more fluid and divisive in transitioning their play this half so far.

However, it is STFC and we know that ANYTHING can happen in added time  :cry:

Apter off, hes done ok for them today.

Nothing to do with us making them look poor?

Glatzel has given everything today probably time for Harry to replace him.

Haven't we made all five subs?

4 isnt it?

Nope you are right my adding up is shit!

Is this where we win on Saturday as well and people start talking about the playoffs?   :soapy tit wank:

Harrogate getting pumped 4-0 at home by Newport

Lucky we may sign another diamond Exactly. Especially as many thought we couldn't possibly sign anyone good in the window

Hawes was talking on Saturday about a play off charge being still possible! :D

The commentators also seem to think we have a sub left which is very confusing. I think it's the half time one throwing people.

Yes thats why I mentioned about it, I assumed I added up wrong.

Defo 5 subs used

Just Kokolo, Brewitt, Cain and Drinnan so far isn't it?

Edit: Boozy as well

And Elboozy.

Tranmere seem to have given up, which suggests they haven't seen our late in games record...

Yeah, corrected after

Devoy with an awful pass to Elboozy down the line, hes been very poor again for me today.

Superb defending from Brewitt

Kokolo wins a corner.

It's quite funny how desperately RHM wants his hatrick.

Not at all, Tranmere are a poor side. So are Town...remind me where Town are right now? Just not as poor as Tranmere {thankfully}.

I will add that even if Town somehow end up within a whisker of the POs {they won't}, it still isn't effing good enough. Clem doesn't get a Hall Pass {no pun} if Town has an ok finish to the season. He needs to fuck off.

The bar is excruciatingly low but I have already said that Town have played better in this half than they did in the first half

I would love him to get a hattrick too against his old club.

Cain great pass to Drinan and his shot from 20 yards is well saved for a corner.

Devoy tries to foul but isnt fast enough but Elboozy tackles him.

5 mins added.

Gump concede in 93rd

Great refereeing there

Wouldnt like to take away the MotM from RHM today but McGurk and Dokes both did great today.

It would be funny if Pike gets booked for Tranmere and refuses to give the ref his name.

:D

Hawes has already mentioned that he didn't need to panic.

FT 3-1

Needed that win.

3-1, move along, nothing to see here.  Tranmere very much remind me of Rochdale from a year or two back,  worry for them.  You can only beat what is put in front of you, and we usually don't, so positives.  Still has the appearance of a poor team though.

Strange starting line-up, but Gav seems to know what he is doing.

The subject of 'pretendances' came up on this week's Price of Football podcast. Kieran Maguire confirmed the higher figure for 'ticket sold' rather than those actually there is mainly used to try and attract higher sponsorship and partnership revenues as you can say X attend each game to possible partners.

The other thing Maguire mentioned was that there are money laundering investigations going on at 'lower league' clubs too where they state more are in attendance than actually sold.

Yet,shitty old Swindon managed to sign him
Ridiculous comment. Where have I mentioned the owner?Typical of some on here,anyone who says anything positive is obviously a Morfuni arse licker.  It's childish.

How could anyone verify or not whether clubs are announcing correct attendances?

He tries a lot of things tactically. A decent amount of them seem to come off, all things considered, though certainly not all of them. He certainly couldn't be accused of having only one way of playing football come hell or high water like Flynn did.

Our first win against tranmere in 6 games.

I take it Tranmere have now taken over from Bradford as the worst team we've played. It honestly baffles me that we can't possibly make anyone look poor. Fuck sake they smashed Stockport 4-0 a week ago It's League 2,anyone can beat anyone. And I don't love Clem either.

People seem to be very binary about this.

It can both be possible that Tranmere are a less good side than the average side we've faced recently, and that Swindon played better than we have recently.

"Nothing to see" apart from an entertaining victory with good performances and quality goals I suppose. But you are entitled to look at it that way I guess. Fair enough. Only a fool would say it's a turning point or anything but get some enjoyment while you can I say

Yeah I get that but constantly it's pointed out that whenever we win,it's because the other side are poor. When sometimes it just may be that we made them look poor. That's the point I'm trying to make

That made me laugh

Didn't really enjoy the first half. We scored two good goals.

Did enjoy the second half though.

Tranmere are a bit one dimensional. Hoof it forward or hoof out to their left wing.

Nice to win

Enjoyed that overall, thought we played pretty well for the most part. Still some clear gaps in the side but we have options up front for sure.

Harrogate are in shit form, only 8 points off the play offs..... :yay:

If Leeds have enough quality in their U23s that McGurk is surplus to requirements then we could a lot worse than looking in that direction again…

Agreed
The improvement in both performance and attitude is marked in my opinion

I still don't see the intended pattern myself, but if results come then all is good.

it's all pretty irrelevant anyway given the number is OOC players we have.

Fun game, Tranmere were dogshit, none of it matters. Fin

This is a bottom half, L2 match day thread. 

I for one was impressed by the skill and commitment on display by STFC and enjoyed the match.

Well done to all involved.

I think Gunning got it right tonight and deserves credit for that for all the reasons Nemo stated.

Enjoyed that watching on iFollow. RHM started slowly but then looked electric. Great goal for McGurk. Hopefully McGurk can be signed up long term. We could have easily scored a lot more tonight. Devoy tackling Austin, 2 further chances for RHM and one for Kokolo spring to mind but I am sure there were more. I feel Gunning will probably get the job rightly or wrongly. In any case we are more entertaining and successful than the latter stages of the Flynn era.

I do love how RobT has effectively stated similar to myself, yet you respond with a much more measured approach to his post than mine. Interesting dynamic how you responded differently to similar posts.

I mean I even stated that Town played well in the second half. I never said you was a Clem Bummer either, yet my similar opinion is seemingly less valid than Ted Lasso? Sorry, I mean RobT.

Maybe we just both see it for what it is - yes in isolation, it's a good win but my opinion is that Tranmere are a poor side and Town also are a poor side - only Town are the slightly less poor. The first half was a weird hybrid of two very poor teams but with very much three individually great goals. Perhaps they thought they were playing in the FA Cup on't tele?

In the second half Town were better {I have stated this several times} and it seemed like any threat Tranmere may have had disappeared. It appeared to me that they had forgot how to score/create a goal. Fair fucks, Town deserved to win but it doesn't change my opinion that STFC are a poor side. They wouldn't be sat in 17th in the basement division if they were even a below average side. Our own interim manager has stated ''...it's a shit league.'' and as i've previously stated, if it is that shite and Town happen to be on the cusp of finishing in the bottom quarter, what would you say it makes them? In my opinion it does not make them good.

I'll enjoy the win in isolation but no matter how the season ends, I genuinely am not going to be happy about things unless the club ownership changes or we get notice of a new buyer for the club on the horizon {I won't be holding my breath either}. Until then, I'll still be of the opinion that the bar amongst several fan based has dropped so low that a mid table finish would be a happy proposition for them {I'm not saying that is your status/opinion either}. To me is very fucking sad, for a club I believe has so much bloody potential, an absolutely solid fan base {who appear to like being manipulated} for this division AND the division above. What the hell has happened to the aspirations of being pretty much a club that consistently challenges in League One? I will never be content with Town being also-rans in the bottom tier - as well as the borderline gamble with our Football League safety that the current owner seems to happily play with an ignorant nonchalance.

Well. The game was lacking in skill and for the best part any desire to win.
What surely must be noticed is the attendance of 7250.
February, Tuesday night in the rain and still making the effort.
Surely there is some bloody good reason why nobody wants to buy the club ???

I think it got mentioned but when did the goal music change back to GAO?

Enjoyable win last night, some really positive signs. Our remaining home fixtures suggest the end of the season could be a bit of fun at the CG.

Ironically (with exception of the first two paragraphs which clearly are a personal opinion/exchange) I agree with this post. My stance hasn’t changed and I won’t go to any more home games this season, outside chance of an away dalliance but that is me finished. Even if we have a sniff of a play off place, you know we won’t but that is my stance. Next season is dangerous for the club regarding my financial input, if there is no significant change behind the playing staff and with the playing staff I shall stay away. Simple. It is not good enough.

Very poor standard match that improved slightly in the second half. Good tactics by GG to be fair their full backs were crap and they were exposed by a classy McGurk and a pacey and consistently inconsistent RHM. Promising that game management had significantly improved and hopefully a sign of better things to come.

Good point, at least yesterday. We didn't look like conceding at the 90 minute mark and beyond.

I only ever enjoy wins "in isolation" as I don't enjoy losses in the same way. Have never said otherwise. The fact is that many don't and that's up to them. It's a given that even the top teams are not great and I've also never said we are a good side, but anyone who doesn't see in improvement on Flynn's latter days is not really paying attention in my opinion.Don't think I've ever said I don't want Town to do better,so I too agree with the majority of Bamboo's post but as he was quoting my post, I don't think I was wrong in assuming the Clem comment was inferring that I was of that ilk. If I was,apologies.

Yesterday AFAIK.

I know a lot of people enjoy GAO, but it saps the life out of me and plus, you know XTC...Swindon...

I think we have to accept that Gunning will be given the job full time if results to continue to improve.

On here? Oh, you are joking.There would have to be a modicum of positivity hitherto not shown. Will a defeat similarly provoke talk of relegation? Probably

Certainly looks the case. Just can't get excited about it and feels like a very long pre-season for him, and supporters, from now until the next game of importance comes around in August.

A few players playing for contracts until then - alongside the launch of a pretty important Season Ticket campaign. It does though, as you say, seem like GG will have the reins going forward. If that's the case, hopefully a decent assistant can provide both experience and ideas.

I'd say given our remaining home fixtures, there is a chance we could actually win them all. I've absolutely written off play-offs and relegation now and starting to look at what he have next season. Really hopeful that McGurk and Glatzel are absolute diamonds to have, if we can get our act together recruitment wise in the summer, next season could be great.

Sorry for the overly positive nature of this post, I've had 2 espresso and an Americano which may be playing tricks with my brain!

I stayed away last night as promised. Good result and much needed but I still think we need to go on a decent run to prove that we are improving. Lose to Harrogate on Saturday and the gloom reappears. Still a shit season on and off the pitch.

I don't think it's a totally unreasonable prediction

Yeah you'd imagine we'd be narrow favourites for every home game here and would probably likely lose every away game (perhaps bar Grimsby). Never seems to work out that way though!

Harrogate H (12th)
Mansfield A (1st)
Accrington H (15th)
Doncaster H (20th)
Walsall A (7th)
Notts Co H (14th)
Sutton A (24th)
Barrow A (6th)
Wimbledon H (13th)
Grimsby A (22nd)
Morecambe H (11th)

Keep hearing Tranmere are poor. Yeah, they are. But so is everybody in this league. They stuck 4 past Stockport recently. Up until last week, I think they were going at automatic promotion form since Adkins took the job full time.

Honestly, if you got aliens to watch all our home games back, and asked them to accurately say where all our opponents would end up in the table, they'd really struggle. Who's actually visited us and looked a step above? they all look crap to me.

Well that was needed!

Two very poor sides slugging it out in the first half.

We were better in the second.

I thought all the goals were corkers. Tranmeres goal was unstoppable but i lament the piss poor challenge that allowed the forward to chest the ball down in the build up...sums up our defending.

Could and should of had a few more goals.

RHM maybe should of dinked the keeper when one on one as you can see from the highlights he had come out quickly and was way off his line.

Anyway....a win is a win and a shot in the arm for everybody!

Roll on Saturday....up the Football League we go!

This I agree with totally, Tranmere were shit but so have we been a lot this season and so have every side bar none, Stockport and Wrexham didnt look very good, we beat Mansfield.

Its a very low standard and as we have said often we only need to be a bit better than average to beat these sides.

Thats why this has been a massively frustrating season for me. A little consistancy and we would be in with a play off challenge still, as it stands mid table looks about our consistancy level.

I personally hope that Mansfield, Stockport & Wrexham go just to get rid of them.

Wouldn't mind being rid of MK either, although hoping they get promoted is a bit beyond me. The division should be a bit more free of big spenders next season, assuming Charlton don't come down from L1 - if it's the current four of Cheltenham, Fleetwood, Carlisle and Port Vale then there's little to particularly fear there. Reading a bit of an unknown based on the ownership.

Coming up from the NL will be Chesterfield plus one, who'll be strong but not too bad.

The fantasy of mine is to go on some winning run, get into the play offs and smash MK at Wembley...

 A dream...

No way do Wrexham look good enough to escape this league this season, they have been poor recently too.

I'd fancy us to get something at Walsall and Sutton to be fair

Sutton and Grimsby will have something to play for. Most of the others, not so much!

A bit of nous & game management including the ability to see out games in the last 10 and we’d probably be right up there…

Stockport at the CG were the only side that stood out to me this season.

Son was looking at the form table before last nights game and the majority of the teams we have left are in the bottom half

I think Bycroft is learning fast, loved the way he went to ground at Stockport every time he collected the ball to slow the game down when needed.

Anyone know if we have an extension on McGurk's contract which expires in the summer?

Think they said all the new signings have an option

No doubt it will be taken up and then sold at the first opportunity!

Keeps playing well and he wont be here long

Thank god! Defo! Has a Peterborough sale written all over it. Even more of a reason to just for for it next season and get out of this shitty league, but under Clem I can't see that happening

Enjoyed the match on I Follow, especially the second half. The long diagonal passes tactics, and maintaining possession much better in the second half, was encouraging for the future.

.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DObOH-yPBO4

So what is it... BBC Sport have McGurk down as 'on loan' after last nights game, whilst the club confirmed he was on a permanent when signed :hmmm:

I concur to a large degree, honest!

Gav's approach is the same as his last two stints, it's a basic for of football, focus on the forwards, get it to them more quickly.  L2 is indeed a League of not great teams, even the ones at the top, so you put your footballing talent near the other teams goal and get it to them.

Results and performances are much better than under Flynn - Flynn could point out he didn't have this many forward players to choose from I guess.

Overall though, which is what some may take from my comments, is that we still do not look like a promotion chasing squad.  I also worry with Gav for the longer term - he, and his approach, seem like it could gradually slide.  There is just something about his style that suggests that if gets bad it could be very bad.  That's an inkling mind.  The other issue, which remains unresolved, is the infrastructure of the club remains fucked.  So Gav getting a few better performances is not underpinned by actions being take on purpose and with the long term in mind.  For every McGurk we happen across, we will get a Devoy still, in fact, more Devoy's than McGurcks.  That is just one example.

Nah, can’t see all three of them getting relegated.

Grimsby in a six pointer with the vegans on Saturday

Permy until the end of the season.   Then we sell him back to Leeds for £1 :)

We'd be brain dead to announce permy if it wasn't. We were of course under embargo for loan fees, etc.
https://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/2024/february/town-sign-sean-mcgurk/

Grimsby are in terrible form too, more's the pity.

They can come back down next season whilst we pass them going the other way😁

Same for me but in the away game at the weekend they showed little quality which surprised me. Maybe 1 or 2 players like Hippolyte for instance looked decent quality, even Andy Parson up front was shit.

The league is so so poor this year for consostancy anyway.

Yes dont mind Grimsby, decent set of fans in the main and travel in numbers well in recent years too. I will shed no tear if FGR fall out of the league.

While RHM was electric last night and had the beating of his man, we know that next game he plays if he is against a defender that is not afraid to put his foot in and man handle him then he will disappear sadly, with that being said he should have had a hat trick last night and was playing in the the right position at time on the shoulder of his man.

Let's hope we can find our best starting XI rather than the constant shuffling.

I hope this can be positive moving forward after a decent win if it is the difference between us wining / drawing the rest of our games so Gav get's the job I would much rather we lose to ensure he does not get it -  I really don't see he is the right person to take us forward and mould us into a team that can actually challenge for promotion.  You just get the feeling Clem is looking for a reason to give him the job.

Thing is, you can’t argue with results. If we pick up another 5 or 6 wins this season it’d be churlish not let him have a go. He should have an assistant though.

Notice be batted away the question about players contracts in his pre match presser.

All irrelevant when Bergkamp takes over!

Yorkshire Evening Post

But the midfielder has now ended two and a half years with the Whites by joining Swindon who sit 14th in the League Two table, seven points off the play-offs.

A statement from Leeds United read: "Everyone at Leeds United would like to wish Sean the best of luck at Swindon Town and throughout the rest of his career."

He's one of our own etc

I'm looking forward to my comeback on Saturday.

Fickle fucker!

Pretty conclusive I'd say

The BBC report has now changed with no mention of 'on loan'

Maybe the reality is his agent has placed him here so he’s in the shop window for a bigger club next season. That’s my pessimistic self talking.

It's probably not too far from the reality.

We pro-actively sent messaging out to agents and clubs that we were very interested in taking over the contracts of players with 6 months or less left on their contracts that were due to be released in the summer.  The player would get the chance to play (vs. their current situation, which for those who would nibble on such bait would be in the reserves somewhere as things stood), the club would get to offload early and the agent would get 6 months to hawk a better deal with actual highlight reals being built.  In some cases we may be the team to take up the option, but it doesn't seem unrealistic that a few of them will be off in the summer, now back to fitness and having shown some worth.