Thetownend.com

Seeing as i worked late tonight and it is now early morning here goes.

I am going for a 3-1 win with Ritchie x 2 on the scoresheet with De Rizzer adding another.
I hope we score early to settle the nerves and feel if we do then we will go on to another good win.

I think 2-2. We'll play well but we won't win.

4.0 Swindon

Never any joy at that place but deserved pay back today.

3-1

2-1 Swindon win with Connell scoring in the last minute.

Morning, think a 3-1 win. Ritchie, Connell x 2. I'm setting off around 11am to soak up the atmosphere, or something !

1-2 to Swindon. Youuuuuuu Reeeeeeeeeeds. Mc and Connell

Nervy 2-1 win for us, this fixture is always a tight affair

1-1. Concede early but score before the break (De Vita). Complete stalemate in the 2nd half with neither team able to get the breakthrough.

2-0

Difficult one!

If we are as good as I think we may be then 3-0 is not out of the question however, as we are still in a case of the unknown I would go with 1-1

Struggling to make up my mind but its another win for us. Lets be optomistic and go for 0-3 ( although might change this to 0-2 for prediction league ). 5000 + crowd with lots of Red Army including me in the home end. Can`t wait....

Why can't we modify our own posts anymore?  I meant 2-0 to us!

I've gone for 2 - 0 to us in the prediction league.  I hope we get an early goal to settle the nerves then play like we did for the second half last week.

We always do shit up there. 2-0 defeat

2-1 defeat. We'll play great football and if it was a boxing contest would win on points.

Had a dream that we won 4-0 to stay top of the league, in reality I would go for a 1-1 draw.

You're always such a negative cunt nowadays arent you :D  Just chill, take a breather.
However in fairness we do tend to struggle there, but fuck it, its a totally new team. 3-1 town

25-0 Town. Minimum.

Would love a win, but everytime I have seen us against Chelters we have been devoid of ideas. If we play in the same way, we will struggle to score and lose 2-0.

However, if DiCanio has really worked some magic, then 1-3 win would be decent!

That's what we like, a bit of optimism!

I really think we're gonna rape Cheltenham. I'm not as convinced of that as Nemo, but last night I dreamt we were 5-0 up at half time.

Can't win 'em all and the poor record at Cheltenham lingers in the back of my mind (even though it should irrelevant).

1-1

I have only ever seen us win at Cheltenham, but saying that I have only ever been there once and that was a 1-0 friendly win in 1987 when Hockaday scored a cracker :)

2-1 to Cheltenham.

Bearing in mind I fancy Cheltenham to get relegated this season and time we had a decent performance there then 4-1 to us!

Same here. That was back in the days when we would play about 20 pre-season friendlies!

yeah we would always play Fairford, Chippenham, Cirencester, Witney etc etc and we would always have a tour in the South West or in chilly Jocko land.

1-2 to Town.

Off to a wedding in Billericay this afternoon (why do people continue to get married during football season?) but will be following our progress intently on here.

0-2 ritchie and connell, oxford to lose as well :D

    good morning to you all :D norfolk reds predticions are me     

      1 0 win  :nod:     lewis 2 1 win  ::) chris 2 0 win  : ian 1 1 draw  :wink: paul 2 1 win :eek: james 2 2 draw  :wink:     holly 2 0 win :hmmm: wills 3 3 draw :no: joe 1 0 win :eek: jacob 1 0 win :no: lilly 0 0 draw >:(  abbey 2 2 draw  :smugfu: alfe 2 1 win :clap:    o swindon we love you  :bye:                                                                     

my fucking head hurts trying to read that

Cheltenham 0-3 Swindon

2 Changes to line up

McCormack for J.Smith & Nathan Thomspon for Timlin

Bench: Bedwell, Comazzi, Esajas, Ferry, Connell

Caddis right mid Ritchie left then?

I guess that means that Ritchie will play on the left & Caddis on the right of midfield.

I guess, not really sure tbh. Maybe Di Canio will play thompson out wide he did in a friendly

I doubt Di Canio will change much tactically. Thompson like Timlin will act as the makeshift winger.

I thought Thompson looked good pre-season and also the last games of last season. With Caddis and Thompson that wing should be quite mobile.

He's certainly not scared of pitching the youngsters in - Bodin, Thompson and Kennedy with Bedwell on the bench

Pissed off that my lift let me down late, so can only listen in.

A bit surprised by Thompson coming in but hes not let us down when he has come in so far really, yes he had a shakey 10 mins on his debut but came back strongly.

Stil got draw written all over it for me.

Here we go again.

Afternoon folks.

Gone for a 2-0

I fancy Bodin to score one today.

COYB !!!

Cheltenham have started brightly.

Southend and Northampton score early.

Bodin has a 25 yard screamer, parried away by the keeper. Keep it up young zippy

Good chance by Risser from distance.

Risser hits a screamer, just over. Keep the pressure up boys

2 cracking shots on goal

Looks like Caddis rb and Thompson rm.

I'd prefer two cracking goals.

C'mon Swindon!

Stupid question but I don't normally listen on the radio...where do you listen online?! BBC Wiltshire doesn't seem to work?!

Oh and I predict 0-2

STFC world on the OS

STFC Player PocketScience, works out about £5 a month I think, can't remember how much I pay TBH.

Wovers losing 1-0 at home to Torquay, retribution for the stealing of the manager?

Make that 2-0 !!

Fuck me that was close from McCormack!

McCormack clips post.

Four goals conceded by Rovers already this season. That will concern their lot.

Take your chances Swindon, take your chances!

Rovers 2 down. Ha Ha

Torquay 2-0 up at Wovers!

was it STFC Bart who was impressed with all their signings?

Maybe a few more to? blah!

Couldn't find our fixture on the BBC because I was looking at League 1.

I remember those heady days.

I did that earlier. Shameful.

I did that on Sky earlier :(

McCormack on a yellow now, better watch that he likes a tackle.

I had a look in a couple of today's papers...and they still had our game OFF !!

Has a bit of a reputation of being a poorly timed tackler, first of many I feel.

Chance for Mohammed, close by them.

Even closer, saved by Smith.

Our fixture wasn't on Skybet this morning either... had to go to Betfair

I'm not liking the sound of this.

Oxford winning.

Scum winning

Jake Hyde is up at Dundee then, just scored against Ayr

I am here.

Strong enough at the back but the midfield cannot seem to hold onto the ball and thus the forward line are struggling.

Nice to see some battle with flint puffing out his chest....missing last year!!

Many swindon fans in the home ends?

Port Vale two up at Barnet. Dagenham losing to Wimbledon.

Yep 1st goal for them, thats not a bad level for him TBH, had lots of potential but never fulfilled it with us.

only will see if/when we notch!!

Sounds like Matt Ritchie should have done better with a recent effort.

It will be a when.

Smiffy saves us again.

You cannot say things like this.

great save from smiffy

There will be no curse, it's a full moon tonight.

Dozno9 is to blame for anything that goes against us :)

Corner to us...

...nowt.

HT

I am fairly happy with 0-0 so far, been fairly even, hopefully we can come out stronger 2nd half and sneak a win.

Not losing is more important than winning today.  That said, Di Canio's changes seem positive, as McCormack is more of an attacking midfielder.

My accumulators are doing shite...   :cry:

Where's Vic gone? Does he only commentate on the 1st half these days?

Fuck

gay gay gay

Fat boy Elliot's scored :(

balls

What the fuck happened there?

Bollocks  :no:

Di Canio out!

cock

time to get esajas and connell on...

Lets see what di canio is made of now...

esajas coming on

Esejas coming on for Thompson.

Esajas for Thompson

I haven't seen Esajas play but from what I've read on here I'm fully expecting him to play like Messi, dribble round 10 Cheltnum players and smash it in the top corner.  Am I hoping for too much?

Arggghhhh!!! C'mon Town let's end the Cheltenham jinx  :(

Yeah, but not too much though

I want a 50 yard free kick because on youtube thats all he seems to score.

Need goals from Scunthorpe, Leicester and Liverpool....

Good to see di Canio reactive to the goal, rather than waiting 20 minutes before bringing on a defender.

...for a striker a la Hart.

Mind you, we didn't kick on against Crewe until the latter stages....  Maybe our superior fitness will come into play?

Frustrated

Get connell for christ sake. ::)

connell coming on by the sound of it

I read that as colon  ;D

anyone will do ha ha

ohhh, come on FFS.

Difference being that Crewe were behind, and gave up a bit.

Chelt'num now have a lead to hang on to.

Obviously I'm not there so it's hard to have much of an opinion on subs, but based on last week I would bring Connell on, as of the strikers he was the one who looked most like scoring .

433 then?

mccormack off, connell on

Whats this? Changing the formation during a game, I'm not used to this

Ritchie off, Ferry on

Ccn't believe that when I wake up from my afternoon nap we're 1-0 down. C'mon Town

radio off - not happening today.

Red Card.

Cheltenham down to 10

How long's left?

Danny Ward's scored for Huddersfield (sorry).

Why the fuck isn't Newcastle vs. Arsenal on Sky?  Why the fuck do I pay that criminal money so he can not show me the best games of the season?!  Ouch QPR four down at home to Bolton.

Its all your fault  >:(

Come on                :badmood: :badmood:

This is a fair point

Cos it is on ESPN

ESP what?  Haven't they gone bust yet...  Fucking rediculous having two subscription sports packagaes.  Mind you, Sky have offered me ESPN free for 3 months..........

One is ok, two now I'm being picked on.

Well let that be a lesson to you, don't make promises you can't keep

Corner to the Town, cmon Flint, get your nut on it

 :banthem:

Cheltenham away. what a horrible jinx  :(

Switch it on then

It's on my telly and I don't mean ESPN. I shan't bother tho, 

Boooooooooooo

Is it over?

Hoodoo continues.

Meh early days.  Don't forget it's a learning curve for Di Canio as well.  I fucking despise cliches but "there is a still a long way to go".

Glad I didn't go. Although my blind positivity sat on my sofa has caused a backlash amongst the forum members.

I shall now attend all away games to prevent any positive feelings from surfacing again.

We got a reality check today all those who thought we would walk this league think again.

"one swallow dosen't make a summer"

Can be the perfect end to a wonderful evening though......

It'll all be ok if we win next week...

Bollocks to that, we're out of the top 7 now, it's a fucking disaster   ;)



We will just have to win Tuesday night, especially as I'm going :)

Although disappointed with the loss it's good that we got a our 1st defeat out of the way.  This will keep the players & fans grounded.  Anyone who thinks we will walk this league is in for a shock.  

We never beat Cheltenham but i remain confident that we will get better as the season goes on and will be challenging for a top 3 finish come the end of this season

I'm thinking of going but it's 3 hours back and I've got an early start the next day.

You can fuck right off with your positivity. Go to the game and don't darken this website with your glass half full comments. We're Town fans and our glasses are always half empty. Cunt.

650 posts and I get called a cunt in anger for the first time!  :beers: :ty:

I'm sure it won't be the last time you're called that today

I am also sure of that fact.

What we lost!!!! 

OMG!!

That's it Di Cannio out

 I'm not saying anything, other than thanks to the cunt who posted we'd sold out on here, even though not true, as I decided not to go in the hope I might have been the jinx. At least I didn't have to witness that shit.

Normal service is resumed :(

Just home from work - what a load of poo.

Told exactly the same thing by a season ticket holder at work. said "it's been announced that game sold out and no chance of tickets" also allegedley on the radio too.

The OS stated it was sold out. So I didn't even bother going, but if there was a chance of walking up tickets I would have gone.

Ah well get it out of the system early!

and you believe everything that is written on here ?

Up to a point..yes...if it at least seems feasible, which this did. 

Had I been madly enthusiastic about going it wouldn't have made a difference...but I get so pissed off about going to the likes of Cheltnum and no doubt in midweek D and R, and seeing half arsed performances.

Nice story.

Dont really want to get into it with you Reg, but if I wanted to know the ticket situation I would phone the ticket office and not take the word of someone on a forum.

As for the "half arsed" performance that you are expecting on Tuesday, I will hold my water.

I really hope you cheer the fuck up though

No Leon Clark signing due to wages but Gabilondo & Michael what's his face signing on Monday

Leon Clarke deal is off then. He wants too much £££

started brightly but slipped into too much hoofball. bit worried about our forwards.  not impressed with risser or di Vita. devera looks a liability but must be better than he's showing.  easyjet looked lively going forward and Connell deserves a start.

why are our players names not predictive text friendly.

same old swindon, rubbish at cheltenham.

Reg i respect your opinion but with all due respect how do you know it was a 1/2 arsed performance if you didn't go today?

To me it just sounded like we lacked a cutting edge up front which i'm sure Di Canio is aware of and will work on

Riser looked poor in the first game as did di Vita and was hoping this was just first game nerves, maybe they're just not that good.

early days to write players off.  just calling how I saw today.

Oh dear oh dear

From twitter:

'Wasent even at the game, and already my season ticket has been chucked on the fire. Not good enough #stfc'

I didnt realise Reg was on Twitter

I agree it's a long way to go yet and it's not as if our record against Cheltenham is great. Bring on the next game.

What a ridiculous statement, no one has a fire in August. Oh, unless they are in Croyden.

Is there any way we can convince the footballing authorities that today's game was still postponed?

Cheltnum had won 1 home game in 2011, up until today, and the general view is that if anything they've got weaker.  Now I know there might be a feeling that dark forces are at work when we turn up at Whaddon Road....but surely losing there just has to be half arsed.

Not going myself it's hard to judge so it'll be interesting to read what people thought of our performance that went today.  Listening to the radio it sounded like we lacked a cutting edge upfront and was highlighted in Di Canio's interview.

Whats this about abuse to risser after the game?

Pretty poor match all around today.  Started off the first 15 to 20 fairly brightly and on top but started to get a bit nervous when we weren't able to get anything from it.  Cheltenham are a pretty poor side and took about 35 mins to string 3 passes together but we didn't seem to be able to show any real threat.
I thought the defence was fairly solid throughout, with Flint standing out again and Kennedy making some good overlaps. Nathan Thompson at RM didn't seem to work and no surprise that he was first to be subbed.  Risser seems fairly anonymous in midfield where we really need a playmaker to make things happen.  McCormack seemed to fade as the game progressed but showed some good signs early on. Ritchie was clearly earmarked as the dangerman and was given very little space but did OK.  Esajas looked lively when he came on and showed promise for the future.
The biggest problem imo was up-front.  Neither DeVita or Bodin have the physical presence needed at this level and neither had any real chances to run against the defenders either.  We desperately need the big man PdC is seeking.  Connell again looked lively but had little in the way of real chances.
Overall very disappointing and we are going to need to improve a fair bit to challenge for promotion - but as its only the 2nd game for this team I'm not too despondent - just not great living in Cheltenham after this result!

Fair enough...it will be interesting to read, what those that went think.

Risser came over to thank fans behind the goal and 1 guy (maybe 2) decided that he needed to give him some verbals.  Risser walked away and it seemed that a good number of fans were giving that bloke some abuse afterwards.

Hope they gave the bloke that dished out the abuse to Risser a good shoeing too :D

Watched this from the Cheltenham terrace to the right of the goal. So had a great view of their goal, good corner, player unmarked, bang. Comments around me from home fans before game started were `hope we dont get stuffed` etc. After the game the comments were `the great escape`. Came awy thinking how did we lose that but last week I was thinking how did we win that. In conculsion I am glad I support Swindon and not Cheltenham. There are elements of our team that are going entertain us this season, which I dont think can be said of the Cheltenham team.

Bollocks.......

First 10-15 minutes we created a few half-chances, and then De Vita missed a sitter. After that we seemed to lose our way a bit. It was a narrow pitch so there wasn't much room for the wide players, and Ritchie wasn't having the best of games.

Second half we came out slowly and really lacked any penetration. De Vita just got worse, and Risser was pretty anonymous (which in no way warranted any abuse after the game - wasn't close enough to see what happened exactly though - fair play to Risser for just walking away). Esajas came on and looked lively, Connell finally gave us some presence up front, and Ferry linked the play much better than anybody else had done. All three could be in for a start on Tuesday.

I thought at first that the red card was harsh. He definitely caught Aden Flint with his elbow, but I wasn't convinced it was deliberate. if I see it again on TV I might change my mind though. Oh, and it was a blatant penalty. Bodin knocked it past his man and the lad's just bundled him to the floor. No idea how the ref could justify not giving it really.

Cheltenham were very poor, but we weren't really much better. No cutting edge. I'm not going to jump on anybody's back just yet though - it was one of those days where our gameplan didn't work, and hoepfully we'll be back on track by Tuesday night.

It wasn't good. Yes, it was a penalty. Perhaps even the second shout was a penalty, but that doesn't detract from the fact that we were pretty clueless today.

We seem to play hoof ball up to the front two (mainly De Vita) who are too small (and perhaps not good enough) to do anything with it. The midfield were again too deep and I do think that Risser is the problem. Smith can't keep his goal kicks in play but I'll give him that wonderful save in the first half. Flint was again man of the match, which is hardly surprising as we have no creative players.

It seems to me that we don't have a game plan. The players tackle well but don't know what to do with the ball when they win in. There's no movement going forward, no one finding space - just a clump over players battling to win the ball.

There are plenty of teams like Cheltenham in L2 and if we play like that against Daggenham, it'll be the same result.

Was sat right behind the goal,
Smiffy made a wonder save about a min before half time.
everyone around us though it was in. Outstanding.

However today his kicking was AWFUL.
9 times out of 10 they went out for a throw in.

Ritchie had possibly his worst game ever for us however as someone else said he was marked out of the game...
Di Vita was awful we thought too...
At the end Risser came to thank the fans and one bloke decided to have a go. What a dick.

Disappointing but not the end of the world.

Main problem is the lack of a big man up front, once this is solved then throw him up front with Connell and I think we will be a much better side. Not sure what to make of De Vita and Bodin, looked decent first 10/15 minutes then at times looked out of their depth, but weren't helped by countless long balls.

Ritchie was very poor I thought - did he even try and beat his man once? Silly booking then rightly subbed off. Not one of his better days but I think with him and Esajas on the wings we will have some exciting matches. Caddis behind him was solid defensively but wasted possesion a few times by running into their players. Kennedy was solid and put in some good crosses which weren't challeneged for - a decent forward will score a fair few in this side I think.

Risser, meh, doesn't really seem to influence matches much, passes him by. Decent effort at the end. I was impressed with McCormack and he should keep his place for tuesday, good in the tackle and can play a bit with a good shot on him as he showed in the first half.

Shame that our support couldnt roar on the lads in the second half, very flat atmosphere.

Totally agree about the penalty - was bang in front of me and no room for doubt at all - Bodin's legs taken away.  Only reason I could think for not giving it is that the ref's view was obstructed which isn't really an excuse.
The second penalty shout - Connell was definitely bundled down in the area but very often those aren't given so wasn't too surprised.

Sorry if mentioned earlier -

http://www.oufc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10342~2419155,00.html

STFC written on the pitch with oil.

That's a heinous and despicable crime and I hope the perpetrators are brought to justice.

Are there any pictures that might help us understand the true magnitude of these actions?

Those naughty Shrewsbury Town fans...

:Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

They should invest in some trellis for their fence, that's a bugger to climb over.

Smith had a good game and pulled off a great save to keep us in the game. But once again his kicking and distribution was woeful. Really pisses me off, he can do the hard part so why can't they keep working on the weaknesses in training?

Big problem was up front. I don't care how good Bodin is in training, he ain't a striker and simply doesn't have the physical presence nor will to survive against big defenders. Needs to be played out wide and allowed to run at defenders.

Didn't think De Vita was that bad, though Connell looked a lot better when he came in - got stuck in and created a few decent openings. Though Esajas looked good as well and again added some physical presence.

Kennedy and Flint looked good. There was one tackle from Flint after he'd given the ball away with a poor header that would have had Hansen knocking one off on Match of the Day. He even looked pretty good when he was pushing up more towards the end, think it was him that put in a pretty decent cross.

I wasn't sure about the first penalty. He put the ball past their man and went down sure enough, but I presume the ref thought he was just out muscled or went over on his own - I didn't see any trip. Second looked more obvious to me as their defender pulled him down by his head. You'd normally get at least one of them given.

My biggest concern was Di Canio. It was obvious our game plan wasn't working and he didn't change it soon enough.  I know it's early days but I wonder whether he's done enough homework on the style of play in League Two and what is needed to ground out results.

These vandals deserve to be dragged to the pub and bought enough beer to make them sick. That'll teach them.

That was pretty shite. Won't be happy if o se De Vita and Bodin starting on Tuesday, both poor.

Not worrying let though, still a lot of players to come in after injuries etc, still have no idea what to expect this year.

Oh, and the ref was a total cunt.

Flint on twitter saying there cheating strikers resorted to using their elbows and his face hurts

Well the bubble has burst and our dire record against Cheltenham continues.

Defensively we were okay, although the goal was a soft one to concede.  Thompson was a surprise inclusion and seemed to get caught out of position and struggled at times.  Was Timlin injured or just dropped, as not even on the bench?  If so, I would have though Amankwaah would have been a better shout and would have given us a stronger option going forward as well.  As highlighted, Smith's kicking at times was atrocious and if needs to improve on that if he wants to keep hold of the No 1 shirt.

The midfield didn't seem to be working particularly well and after two games, I'm not convinced by Risser in terms of his playing or leadership skills.  Early days though, so will give the benefit of the doubt.  

Bodin worked hard and Connell added some extra bite when he came on, but it doesn't take a genuis to see that we are too lightweight up front.  De Vita is another one I'm really not sure about at the moment, but either way a strong forward with some height is needed.  Definite penalty from where I was when Bodin went down, but the referee didn't give us much at all.

Too many long balls and poor passes today.  Very disappointing, especially against a Cheltenham side who were shite.  They did their job though of man marking and stopping us playing football.  As System said, the concern is that there are a lot of similar sides in League 2.  On that showing, we'll struggle against them all a definite plan B is needed (that sounds horribly familiar!)

Absolutely disgraced at what has happened to me today. Fuck the game.

Didn't really get to follow the game as I was playing Cricket.

Football managed to bring my mood down from a juicy 10-wicket win...Still, the big one is next week, as long as we win that one I can cope.

My thoughts on todays game are that we started brightly, creating a few decent openings. Chelt then got into it a bit more towards half time. Smith kept us in it with the save from the header just before the interval. I agree his kicking wasn't great. Flint looks good, Devera was quite but still went about his job well enough. Full backs attacked well.

Midfield, Risser was quiet and came into it as the game grew. Ritchie was ok but appeared to be marked heavily. I liked the look of McCormack and think he was only taken off as another mistimed tackle and he would have been off. Thompson worked hard but was anonymous.

Up top Da Vita is too lightweight and made little or no impact. Bodin dribbles well but is bundled off the ball too easily.

Subs: Esajas look ok in parts but kept drifting inside, Connell was lively, showed good touches and should start next game. Ferry too little too late.

All in all, reverse of last week. Good first half, not so much second. We need presence up top.

did you get spit roasted again

What happened?

1. I was in the Hog's Head after the game. I asked what their cheapest pint was (being a student and all that). He said Fosters £2.00. I said fair enough. Brings me the pint and then says £2.35. I say its £2 as advertised on the site. He calls the manager and says I insulted him. Manager calls the security, I get taken out by the bouncers in full view of everyone. I'm 18 and I was 40 this would not have happened.

Here's link to their prices, http://www.pub-explorer.com/gloucs/pub/hogsheadcheltenham.htm

DRINKS PROMOTIONS

ALL DAY EVERY DAY
   

Pint Fosters / John Smiths / Strongbow  £1.99.

Outrageous

Is that all?

Thought you might have got a kicking or something

Oh.dear.

Anyway it says 1.99

2. On the train back I have a valid staff travel pass that lets me sit in first class. Coppers come up moving everyone along. I show my pass and without even checking it they ask me to move along. I say that I will speak to the train manager, they say they will arrest me. Then I go speak to the woman at the buffet, she agrees with me. Said coppers walk up to me and challenge me again. "I'd suggest you leave it mate, I've handled guns before, you'te just a kid." Then when I say I'll be making a complaint they say how unfortunate it would be for my mum to lose my job. Absolutely out of order. If I wasn't in a football shirt it wouldn't have happened.

I'm amazed anyone has the gall to charge actual money for Fosters.

i disagree,the result was worse :pint:

http://twitpic.com/65fwnq

A Bratford fan posted it on Twitter earlier.

Quite rightly thrown out for drinking Fosters

And on to a proper player review. With the caveat that harsh scores mean I think they played badly, but do not mean I think the player is rubbish, Di Canio doesn't know what he's doing, etc, etc.

Scores:

Smith 7 - Handling and shot stopping bang on. Kicking woeful hence knocked down a mark. H'e obviously been told to hit the wings but hasn't the accuracy to do so.

Kennedy 7 - Reasonably good I thought. Tried to whip in an early cross or three, overlapped well.

Flint 7 - Mostly very very good. But player a lot of Matty Heywood style hoofs - which is unfortunate because he seems to have a reasonable touch and pass.

Devera - 5 - The bloke gives me no confidence. But he's played at this level enough and has stood out. So I guess he's still settling in.

Caddis 6 - Did OK, played a few good cross field balls. Didn't stand out though.

Thomson - 6 Not sure why he was starting (will check in a minute). Didn't do anything wrong, but didn't really stand out much either.

Risser - 5 Another disappointing and anonymous game. He's not yet imposing himself in the slightest.

McCormac - 7 - Looked the better central midfielder by a mile. Was more competitive physically and tried to play the ball around. Broke up attacks. Faded after half time.

Ritchie 5 - Didn't do much of note, though clearly tried. Just one of those games. Maybe 5 is harsh, but I have high expectations when it comes to Ritchie.

Bodin 6 -Good movement, should have had a penalty. But ultimately dominated by the Cheltenham defence.

Di Vita 6 - See Bodin.
-----------
Connell 6 - Looked lively but didn't get a clear chance
Esejas - 7 Looked full of running. And he ran straight at the tiring Cheltenham defenders.
Ferry 6 - Looked OK but limited game time
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Its a bit of a worry we look impotent up front. Its a shame we played hoofball as we looked better with the ball on the deck. There are flashes were moves seem to click, but they are a bit few and far between at the moment. That said there has to be an adjustment period needed where the players not only get used to each other, but the pace of the league, etc.

At least we are back to earth after the Crewe game. Its interesting that Crewe have lost all 3 games they have played this season too..

I'm normally up for a joke and a laugh but I'm not really in the mood for it atm. So don't be offended if I bite.

I dont get this bit

The thing that takes the fucking biscuit is that my dad rang me to say that the bar staff wanted to apologise afterwards but that I still COULDN'T drink in there. An apology implies that you acknowledge that you are at fault. So why not let me fucking drink in there?!?!

They know my mum through work. Complete dicks, when they put the uniform on they know they can say/do anything they want.

I've taken their police numbers anyway. Shall be making a complaint. Nothing will come of it but it gives them more to do, fuck me around, I fuck you around.

who was your MOTM batch

sorry, didnt realise

Sorry if I'm a little bit edgy. About the game, we have no cutting edge up front, what won it for them was aerial threat. Both with their defending and with their attacking.

Difficult one. But Flint again. Put some good work in defensively. It was just his distribution (and one header) that were a bit off at times.

Might have been McCormack if he hadn't faded/been taken off.

You should write to Esther Rantzen and Watch Dog.

He lost 36p according to some third part website. Its practically worse than the riots.

Hey ho. Never easy going to Whaddon Road. They seem to love raising it when we are in town. I'd imagine it's been a tricky week for the boys with the fixture palava etc. etc. so nothing to really read into this game other than we are clearly still work in progress. To be fair I felt the same after Crewe. Roll on the Daggers. Didn't catch PdC's post match interview. Was Jon Smith crocked?

 The yoof of today get a hard time from the Feds....I predict a riot.

haha

the last few pages are TEF classic material.

shame we lost but at least it will highlight some the weaknesses in the team before the window closes

You lot are dicks. Plain and simple. Ever heard of empathy? I don't care about the 35p, its more the fact that I was chucked out through no wrong doing. And the fact that I wasn't allowed to sit where I should be able to on a train, because I was wearing a football shirt. If you want to take the piss out of me, good for you. Next time any of you come on here with any particular gripe or problem I'll be the first to take the piss out of you.

Well it looked promising to start with but we quickly went downhill.  Should have been a penalty and that may have changed things.

i  think today will have been a wake up call for PDC i certainly hope so.

Bodin and de Vita just arent good enough at L2.  We need 2 big strikers in there and quickly.

It's not the end of the world though is it? And as for being treated shabbily as a football fan on a train it happens - a lot - get over it.

calm down CF - we do sympathise - but it's part of growing up - we will rip the piss out of you but we are on your side. The police will not change in their attitude so just get your own back; never OK credit for them or leave them last in A & E or just shag their wives.
I have
love
Ron

They're just messing with you fola, chill. Go and watch porn or summit. Take your mind off of it!

So is it 35p or 36p?

You'll get thrown off this forum for asking questions like that

4 shillings and 1 pence
or even 7 shillings one half farthpence

Well my first trip to Numb was a good one apart from the result of course.

We looked strong at the back but there was no real spark in midfield and we failed to hold the up and thus we never linked up with the forward nine.

We never seemed to learn and pumped hopeless long balls up front only for them to be gobbled up by the lunkers at the back in numbs defence.

Nice shot that hit the post but that was about it.

On the Pen shouts i thought that the Bodin one was a cert .. even if he played for it ...it was a pen...leg and arm across and no contact with the ball. The Connell one would of been soft.

The ref was Sunday league at best (for both sides)..

I hope Di Canio took a good hard look at Numb because that is what we have to compete with week in week out and not the likes of Crewe who try and play football....
Big bully boy lunkers who when under the cosh put a cynical tackle to break up the play.......welcome to the real world...

A big fucker up front and a new strategy for the midfield.

Connell has to start against the Pox. End of...

Roll on Daggers...i am away so back for the Pox!

funny how when little old Cheltenham win we are always a poor side  :clap:. I think you had two real chances one hit post and the other brown saved. Yates game plan worked not to play prity football but grind a result out. League two is a harder league than some think we have been back in this division two years now and it's not easy to get back out of.

I thought we were by far the better team today, just lacked anything up front. Bodin and De Vita are not good enough and far too lightweight.
Ref was a cunt and it was a stonewall penalty.

Still, had a good day out, a load of beer, and just polished off a kebab.

Anyone else a little concerned that we may get outmuscled too easily this season. Especially away from home. De Vita looks lightweight to me

rugby club kebab

Still doesn't make it right. Well its the first time this has happened to me, and twice in a day. Maybe I need to get used to it and get on with it, if its all part and parcel of being an adult.

Life in general isn't fair CF, you'll get used to it

No it doesn't and I have no wish to be unsympathetic but if you write stuff like "fuck the game 'cos I was charged an extra 35/6p on a pint of beer" then TEF is going to be pretty ruthless.

I'm coming by train next week from Didcot and I expect loads of hassle

Nah mate, Cavvy (Zeera). Fuck me, it was spicy!

Not because of the price. Because I was forcibly chucked out of a pub because of it.

Anyway lets leave it at that. Had enough arguments today.

Get some beer down you ( if anywhere will let you in and you don't get pissy about the price ) and come back in a couple of hours and have a good old fashioned TEF meltdown. we've not had one for a few days.

Yes you are a poor side, and today so were we.
I'm under no illusions that this division will be easy but there are a lot of poor sides.
I expect that Cheltenham will finish towards the bottom end of the table but will grind out enough ugly results to survive.
I expect us to finish in the top half but we will need to play very much better than today, which I expect we will as our players start to gel and we get some better strikers in.

A little bit off topic (well totally really) but....Chalkie's Shorts....just listening to 'Prairie Wind'.....loving it (not that it's the first time I've heard it)....What do you reckon to it?

A win next Sunday and today will be a far off memory,of course a point or better midweek will make it even more the sweeter.

Each to there own but I think when darl Duffy is fit we will score more goal I think mid table for us.

:Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

No it doesn't, but unfortunately you're likely to come across many more twats like this trying to be a jobsworth or exerting their powers.

They say things happen in threes, so with the result as well, hopefully that's your lot!

No, pretty unpleasant I'm sure but unfortunately there are some twats around who treat young adults with little respect; I agree with your belief that if it had been someone 20 to 30 years older you're less likely to have been treated that way.  As others have advised, part of growing up is to learn to deal with these incidents without going into meltdown.

You are not wrong there  :no:

I would take a point at Dagenham. Team still needs to gel. Di Canio needs to work out his strongest team.

aint interested in reading player ratings etc so i'm skipping this before posting. Cheltenham seem to be our bogey team. I'll see where we are 10 games in before making any conclusions.

Mid Oct before we show what we are all about....remember the record points season under Macari , i think we lost the first 6 or something!

It wasn't quite that bad but I remember going to Hereford and losing 4-1 and being quite close to the bottom. After that we went on one hell of a run. I remember one of their stewards getting right arsy when we sang "one woody allen" at him .

Prairie Wind is not bad at all - one of his better ones. There is a DVD Heart Of Gold directed  by Jonathan Demme that covers the CD quite well. Its one of his more mellow albums. I haven't listened to it for a while but will dig it out again now.
Neil Young is a bit like Monty Python - when its good its top drawer but when its bad its absolute shite. I like someone who is prepared to go against the flow and Neil Young is that man.

Just got back from town, without a doubt the highlight of the day was the bloke I went up with having fisticuffs with the mascot. Classic.

Absolutely hilarious when he knocked the head off if its the same bloke?  Legend! :clap:

You fantastic cretin.   :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Stop sleeping with your sister and learn to read.  Enjoy Conference football you mong.

Coca Fola - I feel your pain.  I've got numerous stories from when I was 18/19 with treatment like that (there's probably a few stories on here) but then mostly it was deserved.  In fairness, you can't go into a pub and ask for their cheapest drink.  When you're talking pence, what does it matter?

Hi Bart

seven shillings and twopence ha'penny to be precise.

Yeah that was harsh. I didn't get why you got arsey about 35/36p in the first place though.

And something you learn quickly is police treat football fans differently. They were out of order. Happens a lot.

I wouldn't say you deserved to win, as you weren't dominant. But I'm not complaining that you did as neither were we. Both teams were poor today.

I think getting promoted from league 2 is going to be a massively hard task.

0-0 probabaly would've been fair. But then I can't really complain about us losing because we let them have a free header from a corner.
As has been said by everyone from manager to fans - we need the big CF, De Vita and Bodin are decent players, but I can't see them forging a partnership, not down here anway.
Cheltenham were poor, bizarre how the Cheltenham fan can't see it.

 :nod:

He was just messing about, rubbing the mascots head, then the mascot slapped his arm down and he retaliated.. Fuck knows how he didn't get done for it.

Me and mates laughed our fucking tits off. Classic.

It was our first away trip as a team - so again a learning experience. Defensively we were pretty solid - Flint was immense - Caddis dangerous - Midfield didnt really get the ball enough as we tended to lump it - might have worked with a big centre forward but tactically not so well with 2 lightweight forwards.

Cheltenham were dangerous on set pieces - I think they will score against a lot of teams from these - and we got caught out from one of them -

In terms of sheer effort the players gave all they could and we lacked the big man up front because of the way we are trying to play - but we didnt deserve to lose and the ref gave all he could to Cheltenham - Bodin had a definate penalty not given for him

I wouldnt panic yet - its a long long season and I think defensively we are looking good - just need to sharpen that attack.

Also anyone criticizing Risser is stupid - he was immense - we are still settling down as a team and Di Canio learning as a manager - he is intelligent enough to learn from his mistakes yesterday and put it right.

I expect us to turn in a much improved showing at Dag & Red - hopefully we will get a better ref and a bit more luck

BTW Cheltenham is an AWFUL ground

I don't quite understand the complaints about Risser.

I just thought he was anonymous. 

I will take time for the players to bed in. I think the pre-season was fairly useless tbh with only the reading game a decent test and the first few games of this year will form part of that pre-season with Di Canio trying different players, different formations and different tactics trying to get the right blend.

At the moment the team is not even complete and there are several missing players due to injury or have not yet been contracted in. We have not got a settled team and although I didn't go to Cheltenham what I saw against Reading and Crewe leads me to think we have the makings of a cracking team led by a manager with all the passion and knowledge you would need to get us out of this division.

It's always been the same. We go there and lose or if we are lucky get a draw. So I wasn't surprised by the result. I didn't go this time and i'm glad I made the right choice in the end.

It sounded like we lacked upfront. I think now is the time to play Connell from the start. He is probably the most likely of our strikers to score and seems to have more about him than Bodin or De Vita. Start him please Paolo. I think we are still far from complete as a side. We lack the big striker which hopefully we'll have this week. We need them to play alongside Connell as our main front 2. Out wide we've struggled a bit as Ritchie can get marked out of the game and we haven't had a proper LM because Esajas hasn't been fully fit. When Esajas starts games with Ritchie we'll be looking stronger in that department as well.

Not sure what the stick for Risser was all about. He's bound to take some time to settle in as I think is Devera. We saw this last season from Caddis as an example where he started slow but around about November time he really began to put in some good performances. I just wish our fans would give players a chance sometimes. I think once we settle and find our starting 11 outright we will begin to come good. It was never going to be a quick process where we were going to win shed loads of games with a new team of players that has to gel.

Me neither, he goes about his job in a professional way in my opinion.  Still settling in - as are the rest of the squad - we haven't seen the best of Risser or a lot of the others yet.  PdC has obviously seen something in him to make him skipper.  Sadly there are some - not having a go at anybody here - who delight in singling a player out for stick and a few others follow like lemmings.  If in 10 games time certain players are not playing to their capabilities I am sure the manager will take action, until then we would do best to support all the team to the best of OUR abilities.

What is it about Whaddon Road that brings out the worst in us?

Your story has given me a good laugh. I feel your pain at being treated like shit, but sometimes thats the way it is being a football fan. If youve got any sense you wont make it personal with the rozzers.

Another Town fan today was arrested for kicking a beach ball in the ground. He said they charge officer could barely read the charge sheet out for laughing so hard. He was let off, but thats a lot worse than your story (missing the game being in custody for 3 hours for kicking a beach ball). But no harm done, and like a good lad he took it on the chin and we had a good laugh about it.

Oh sorry pretty  :headhurts:. Ha ha sour grapes I see(this is not aimed at all Swindon fans just ones like this) did you get abused as a boy? Wake up mate you lost and apart from you hitting the post we had the better chances andrew free kick saved by smith Bennett header just on half time good save by smith and after we went 1.0 up Spencer could have put the game to bed but Fired straight at smith. Conference  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:Dream on pal.d#ck head.

we a was both awful neithr team will go up. And to the other fan who say chelt are awful we won so give be 43 more of them. :pint:

I think it would be stupid to judge STFC on one game - against our Bogey team of all teams.

We'll go up no problem, yesterday was just a set back - this league is shit.

Please learn to write properly

I wrote something more properly about the game:
http://thewashbag.com/2011/08/14/cheltenham-town-1-swindon-town-0-same-old-swindon/

I don't think I disagree with too many people on here, except I feel De Vita will have something to offer but he really needs to calm down in the box. He could have set up or scored a couple with better decision making, or a strike partner that complements rather than mirror him.

Was anything mentioned about the absence of Smith and Timlin from the squad? Injury? Plain dropped?

The only thing I heard was that Timlin had a row with Di Canio - but that was some pissed bloke in the bogs at Cheltenham so I assume it was BS, unless something was said on the radio?

Heard that too, but again was just from some bloke in the crowd. So still probably BS..

They did have a disagreement

This is the first ive heard about Timlin? Maybe he's not happy about playing on the left?

Had an interesting time watching the game from the home side of the In 2 Print stand, me and my mate nearly gave ourselves away when McCormack hit the post!

Good away day with plenty of pubs just a shame we couldn't get the result but its all a learning curve for Paolo and our new players.
Am sure Tuesday will be better.

On another note risser has written a piece in the league paper today

anything interesting?

I think we can assume that Timlin might go out on loan then once these new dudes are signed up? We'll have 4 wingers and 4 central midfielders without him in the team. Reckon Amankwaah and possibly Bodin out on loan by the end of August as well.

I agree, I would also predict that if Timlin & Di canio have had a falling out would make Mr Ferrys place safer...

Just how hes settling etc

I'm not very big and I don't think I'd do a job up front.

.....and for being a student

First 20 I thought we were gonna win quite comfortably.De Vitta looked dangerous and unsettled their defenders,then he missed a simple chance and seemed to fade badly.Atremendous effort from McCormack that hit the post and that was pretty much it from an attacking point of view.Seen Bodin a few times now and just dont think he is going to cut it at first team level.McCormack was the pick of the midfield first half,couldnt understand the selection of Thompson and would have made the change half an hour earlier.Ritchie biggest disappointment for me,disappearing up blind alleys and not delivering the end product.Impressed with both full backs getting forward,Flint outstanding first half,not so good second.The way Comazzi was warming up felt sure he was going to come on second half.As people have commented Risser WAS anonymous after the first 20 and should not be exempt from criticism just cos he is new.IMO Flint would make a better captain.Ferry was busy coming on,Esejas promising but overall disappointed with the lack of creativity.Cheltenham were very poor and we were no better really-an overweight Ruddockalike scored the winner and that summed up the day.A very unenjoyable day after a 4 hour drive and having to stand among Cheltenham fans.Caddis best of a poor bunch for me.

....oh and Kaid Mohammed is still shite!

For we lacked in the wide areas Ritchie was wasted playing on the left as he has a good understanding with Caddis and is better crossing from the right his crosses when he playing on the left were just overhit Thompson pulled too much inside and at times left us exposed but he is young and not a natural wide player.

Up front I think Bodin has looked lively but he does not look like the answer to the goal scorer we needed, we need a first choice paring and to stick with them so they can develop on understanding.

Flint needs to work on his distrubution although he seems solid at the back and Smith the way he's played deserves to keep his place.

It was nice hearing the crowd chanting Phil Smith's name as if he has finally been accepted as 1st choice by most fans

Having just watched the extended highlights on the STFC website, I have changed my mind about the Bodin penalty decision. It was never a penalty, hardly touched him. But at the time, it looked like a stonewaller.

agree, I thought there was contact with legs during the game...but there wasnt.

Anyone see the sly cheeky slap Bodin got after that dive

Having seen that replay, I think I'm going to have to accept I was wrong in thinking it should have been a penalty. Looked absolutely stone wall from where I was stood on Saturday!