Thetownend.com

I know we are pissing the league, in my opinion without even playing particulalry well, but is it down to us or the fact that the rest of the teams are absolute shite.

The teams that are trying their best not to get promoted (or it seems so) look to me as if they would struggle greatly in League 1.

None of them have the financial clout to make much of an impression next season and our dear friends down the A420 seem positively scared to death of over-reaching themselves lest they are cast down (again  :clap:) into the Conference.

I think we are better than many realise.2-3 players short of pissing next season let alone this imo

All we need to mount a promotion challenge in league one for next season is a left back and a new striker and then I feel comfortable of having a team better than our 09/10 team

I know there are shades of Lou Macari's league pissers in the 80s who went on to get promotion again (and again) but I honestly can't remember the other sides in Div 4 being as bad as this current lot are.

There will be certain players that will need replacing,  I'm sure

Stevenage Borough got 69 points last season in this division. They are currently pushing for a League One play-off spot. Nothing comes easy in football, but they've shown it can be done.

As DRS says, there are 2-3 positions that need improving, but on the whole we're a very good team. With those right additions, we could well challenge next year. I'd expect the current squad to finish in the top half of League One.

I agree with both of those comments. 3 good players and we can storm the league above too, a midfielder, a left back and a striker, not squad players but good strong players, we have good squad players already.

I guess the comparison is with the side that played at Wembley. In all probability would we have a better side with Austin, Douglas & Greer in it? Most definately, in which case 3 players for the spine are required. Don't think that anybody else from that side (with possible exception of Paynter) would improve the current side.

I think we already have a better squad than 09/10. I also think this current squad could win league 1 as it is. With a few additions, over what will likely be an exciting summer, we'd be unplayable. *STFC_Gazza_enthusiasm_smiley*

I'm not so sure... we're stronger in certain areas, but a lot of our success that year was based on the Austin/Paynter partnership. I think the biggest question is whether we're strong enough up front.

We'll also have to keep hold of the likes of Caddis, Ritchie and Ferry if we want to push on next season. I do think we are pretty good for this level. I do however think the way in which we win with such ease at home is because teams just come here and sit back without really looking for more than a point. The only 2 teams who haven't done that here this season are Gillingham and Shrewsbury and both were unlucky to lose to us. So I think it's a bit of both really.

And in response to Dirk, only Austin out of the three you mention could improve us IMO. We missed Greer's leadership last season, but we now have many vocal leader types. We've already proven we can live without Dougie's leadership as well. :)

I have to agree there, I think Austin would turn us into a Championship side, the others....meh.

Forgetting us for a moment though - do you agree that the standard of the vast majority of sides in this league is piss poor?

I also noticed nobody as mentioned the importance of keeping hold of PdC - or is that a given?

Outstanding divvy 2 side and good divvy 1 im sure...

One step at a time...

A friend said to me the other day that Alan Mac is the Gordon Greer replacement we'd been searching for all along. It had never dawned on me before, but he is right.

Div 4 by definition is low standard...it's just how it is. We got down here by not being very good, the season previous to that we were very good.  Because power rests with the players, you can't really tell what you're going to get season to season, because what appears a decent outfit can be wrecked because players leave.

Best thing to do is just enjoy winning a few games and hope it continues til the end of the season...

un·der·state ( n d r-st t ). v. un·der·stat·ed, un·der·stat·ing, un·der·states. v.tr. 1. To state with less completeness or truth than seems warranted by the facts

I think our current team is good enough for at least top 10 in L1. At least.

Now, people (in L2) like to talk about our money, high wages (!!) massive transfer spending (!!) our huge backroom staff budget (!!) and our players. We hear things like i'd be able to get Swindon promoted with those resources.

You wouldnt - and I think for those reasons (some of which arent even particulary true) people outside of Swindon are actually underestimating the great job which Di Canio is doing.

We have a good team but do I think we'd be pissing all over this league without him, hell no.

Probably the most important part of the jigsaw.

These players wouldnt be as good as they are without Di Canio.

Cannot disagree with any of that TBH.

You lot are funny.

Better than being weird ;)

...or 15 points worse off :)

We lost against you yes.We have played numerous higher league teams this year and outplayed them.Not one off games either and no backs to wall job.I don't see why saying  with 2/3 additions we could be challenging is funny tbf

We are the ones who have been in League 1 10 seasons of the last 12, so we ought to know what the standard is.

But to be fair you have a point. 3 of our star players, Ritchie, Caddis and Ferry all have a point to prove in League 1, and if we do win the league, the summer will be a nightmare in terms of other clubs courting Di Canio.

So enjoy it while you can.

OF

Would you care to comment on my assumption that your club, understandably, seems to be scared of getting promotion - or at least what that would mean off the pitch, i.e. finances.

Can't see you being able, or even wanting, to push the boat out for players - seems a lack of ambition from those running the club. How long will the fans accept that?

Not lack of ambition, just no money.

Alan Mac is harder than Greer. I have never seen a man so ready to deck someone as he was in the away JPT leg at Barnet.  And he and Caddis are more than double the leadership value than Greer ever was.

 

Well, if they will blow their 12th Man Fund on Kerrouche . . .

 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Macca always looks ready for a fight. It'd be a brave man that picked one with him.

Alan Macs distribution of the ball is about 100 times better than Greers.

First back line we've had since Greer that Greer wouldnt walk into at the moment.

I think this is an excellent subject and someting that has crosed my mind in recent weeks.  I think we are a solid team going through, dare I say it, a little nervy patch.

I think where we have excelled - and sorry if I sound like Yoda - is in sheer fitness and hard work. That has lead to team spirit, leading to confidence, leading to a winning mentality. Winning is a habit but driven by those aforementioned things.

Whilst I think the strikers have done a great job we have created a lot of chances and had we had an Austin, White, Shearer to name a few we would already be up. 

I think we could do with a bit of cover at the back, another playmaker in midfield and a poacher up front and we'd have a team that could get us up next year should we be in league one.

One of the biggest myths in football is that there's 'not much difference' in standards between leagues one and two, there's as big of a gap as between the other divisions.

Having said that, we're a completely different team now to the one that started the league...imagine where we would be if we had started with Foderingham, Rooney, Benson and ironically a player we did have here at the start but loaned out in Bodin?

If we keep together our key players next year, then I believe we're one quality striker and one or two others away from being a League One play off team. Big if though obviously.

A new LB please

We're too reliant on Ferry so another one of those would do nicely.

Do J Smith or Cox have the minerals?

A striker?  I'm hoping Bodin will become a town ledge just like his dad. He's still very young at 19 (?)

You're an idiot. Greer is a million times better than Devera.

Are we as good as we think?

We have beaten Wigan, Colchester, Huddersfield, City and Exeter this season. We did OK at times against Leicester too.

I think we would be top half of league 1, we would need a left back, striker and another midfielder minimum to challenge.

Alan Mac can't half yell when he needs to. One stage in the Daggers games the crowd had gone a bit quiet, and Cibocci was having a funny five minutes and have just dived into, and completely missed a tackle. Then Alan Mac pipes up with a very loud "Cibo, Fucking Hell".

Made us laugh, but whatever Cibocci's shortcomings, he doesn't go into his shell after a mistake and a bollocking (the way someone like Rose would have), and he grafted and improved.

In answer to the thread question: Yes we are for this league!

Perhaps we should sign that Greek full back ?  (Hubris, I think his name is)

Is he the one who keeps falling over?

Interesting topic. I think if we were to keep Caddis, Ferry and Ritchie (Foderingham, Rooney very likely to stay) I think we would be good enough for at least top 10. I still think we would need another proven striker at league 1 level if we are to mount a serious promotion challenge. Saying all that this league has been absolutely dire, only Gills and Shrews have actually looked any good. We musn't forget that the players in this side are still very young and they will have improved next season.

You need centre backs who compliment each other. Not 2 who in effect play the same role.

I heard Devera say to McCormack in the last game, "Boy, you're looking tidy in them shorts" and McCormack replied "Thanks mate, you're pretty fit yourself, you handsome thing you"

 :gay:

:D

Where as Greer used to never say anything nice about anyone else.

Point proven!

as soon as i can a get a price i am lumping on us for next season.
The table doesn't lie and it shows how good we are. Momentum is massive in football and historically this has been shown with promoted clubs doing well the following year in a higher division.

What a load of bollocks.

No.

That's based on two televised matches and a load of radio commentary/hearsay isn't it ?

Alan Mac benefits from being a midfielder. His Kaiser like runs from deep are something Greer could only dream of.

Alan McCormack has been my player of the year. Phenomenal.

Yep.Which makes them completely different players. Think they would make a great partnership but a pointless arguement as it wont happen.

True enough arriba. Think they were equally responsible for transforming our defence into something much much better.

aint that the truth.

We are as good as we think because the table says so! :D its gonna be hard to hang on to our best players in the summer would be suprised if ritchie stays mainly as every championship club seems to be in for him and silly money being talked about but as long as not too many departures of starting 11 and additions particularly 20 goal striker really do think we will be top 6 as paolo took a while to get the squad to gel this season with so many new players next season will be just tinkering with the squad and the style of play is established and like somebody else said if stevenage are top 6 in league 1 we are already as good if not better than them, i will be putting some money on us probably play offs and another trip to wembley just hopefully not Millwall this time IN PDC WE TRUST ALWAYS! :clap:

Based on the 09/10 versions (not the 10/11 incarnations)

Foderingham v Lucas: Foderingham, just. Don't forget how solid Lucas was for us that year.

Caddis v Amankwaah: Caddis. Needs no explaination, but Amankwaah was one of our most effective players in 09/10 doing a similar job overlapping that Caddis does now, albeit without as good an end product.

Greer v Flint/Devera: Greer. Consistent, a good communicator and played the ball out of the back very well. Flint and Devera may well develop into players as good as Greer, but they're not there yet.

McCormack v Cuthbert: McCormack. Cuthbert had all the potential in the world - speed, strength, confidence and not bad with the ball at his feet. A real victim of playing in the 10/11 team and his reputation diminishing as a result - and missing his chance of a bigger move than Orient. McCormack - immense.

McGovern v Ritchie: Ritchie. JP was very nearly player of the year - sublime crossing, without any pace, great energy. Ritchie has that, but adds goals.  


Ferry 09/10 v Ferry 10/11: Level. I think he's added more to his game going forward, but he's hardy an attacking 'threat' (not that that is his primary role). It would be great if he could pop up with more goals - he has the chances - just cannot finish. His progression from last year is clear for all to see, but he's probably at the same level he was at for 09/10.

Douglas v Risser/Smith/Cox: Douglas. Was the fulcrum of that side. I am hopeful Cox, once he is imbedded properly in the squad, can fulfil that role - his debut suggests he can do so, but he has fallen away since.

Ward v Rooney: Ward. Rooney has made a great start and will hopefully turn into a top class bit of business for us, but Ward was something else that season. He's a physically stronger player than Rooney, has pace to burn and tracked back very well.  

Austin v Connell/Bodin/Murray: Austin. No contest. Hoping Connell can continue to play at his best and chip in with the goals. I hope Bodin really continues to progress and turn into a top class player - not just a solid lower league player. At 19, we have no idea how far he can go.

Benson v Paynter: Level. I know there is a lot on Benson love at the moment, and rightly so. I know there is a lot of anti-Paynter on here too. I don't understand the argument that he was all penalties etc - he scored a shed load of goals and assisted for probably the same amount again. He was a pain in the backside for centre backs. Benson doesn't have the same physical presence (that might come from Tehouhe) but god he's a clever player.

Final Score:

09/10 5.5
11/12 5.5

It's a draw, but if you look at the differences between the players, I'd say 09/10 shades it - Austin and Paynter were far and away better than what we have now. A lot of people have spoken about establishing a 09/10 style front line for next season, but that isn't Di canio's style. No matter how prolific someone is, I think Di canio will rotate and choose players based on the opposition. I'd shift out Murray and Magera (permanantly). If we can find a fast, physical player to add another option, that would round off a nice front 4 with Benson, Connell and Bodin. No idea how good Tehouhe is and I'm loathed to base his ability purely on his Orient record - let's see how he fits into out style. He may bag a hatful.

And to state the obvious, we need to do all we can to retain Ritchie. If he goes, we should be on the phone to Lee Holmes in a flash.  

Caddis and Ferry are both more important to the team than Ritchie, I reckon.

I'd like to comment that it's a big load of bollocks. Where have you got this assumptive idea from then, and how would promotion possibly be detrimental to our, or any clubs, finances?

With you on that one. Ridiculous question.

Mid table with current squad in my book-none of our strikers are top of league 1 calibre(Bodin may prove to be)also 1 central midfielder and 1 defender short.So 4 good players and we can emulate Lou's boys.

I agree but I seem to have also seen that coming from a few Oxford fans strangely enough...didn't understand it myself.

A small minority of our fans said it about going up to the Championship 2 years ago, and it is absolute bollocks. At any level.

Wigan H (premiership), Bristol City A (Championship), Colchester A (Div 1), Exeter A (Div 1), Huddersfield H (Div 1)

None of those teams wanted to be beaten by the town irrespective of the competition they were in, they're professionals ffs.

So the answer IMHO is yes. I stand by my prediction we'll go up again next season too, maybe not as champions but up never the less.

Just remember the start of this season. We were lucky, yes lucky to beat Crewe 3-0. The next games against Nam, Daggers & Shrew all away, Pox @ home showed Paolo the weaknesses, frailties and mistakes within the squad. He went to the board and the rest is history. That my friends was from a standing start or put it another way giving your 400m track event opponents how many meters start? one hundred, one fifty two hundred. We're in the home straight now so I reckon at least a hundred meters but no more than one fifty and a rookie manager at that. That's impressive and I defy anyone to argue against that IN ANY DIVISION.

So come to next season we'll have a massive march on the start of this one, won't we? His pre season will be more planned and thought out as will the squad. There will be plenty of comings and goings, that I have no doubt what so ever.

I'm in the camp that says Paolo will be here for at least another two-three seasons. As long as he sees that the board back him 100% then why would he go? Money I believe does not motivate this man so forget Chelsea type appointments. Stability, passion, loyalty, commitment and a myriad of other key words you'll hear in his post and pre match interviews.

He could at this rate take us to the premiership given the time, backing and ambition from the BOD, oh and us the supporters, silly me almost forgot. So who'd bet against that?

Here's a thought to leave you with. Paolo Di Canio Swindon's very own Brian Clough in the making, "Now then young man".............. 
   

What I meant by Oxford possibly, as a club, being scared of promotion is because of their spell in the wilderness and they do seem wary of stretching themselves financially (if they, indeed, can).

The fans seem to want a slow, steady approach which is fine, but ultimately, for ANY club, a substantial injection of cash is required to either go forward or even maintain the status quo.

If a club does get promoted on a small budget it will be because of the players assembled and if there is no financial backing those players will be targetted by other clubs and it will be difficult to turn down transfer fees - and before you know it you're back to square one.

Take today's opponents - Cheltenham - if they go up their best players will be off and be replaced by not-so-good players and they will get relegated.

Where would we be if the board were unable, or unwilling, to have put substantial money into the club? No PdC, for sure

Which?

We're aiming for the Championship through a sustainable approach to investment and development of the club as a whole, it's pretty easy to understand. This club was ripped apart by Firoz Kassam, from the ownership of the ground through to staff structure, scouting network, youth development, fans' connections, business links. The current owner, chairman, and manager are a godsend and the turnaround of every aspect of the club has been gradual and nothing short of brilliant. Here's what he said the other day:

http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/oxfordunited/9579784.Lenagan_targets_Championship_in_five_years_for_Oxford_United/

So frankly what you are saying is utter bollocks.

Clearly Lenegan knows fuck all, by his assertion that Oxford United have been around a long time...fuck sake I remember them coming into the world, and I'm not that old.

Almost as ludicrous as Steve Coppell claiming on taking the Shitty job, that they were a club with a tradition of top flight football...

Superb post. Agree 100%
This season I could see the town coming good at some point. The Rotherham home game was the turning point and that's when I stuck my money on the town to win the title at 18:1. I could not see us slipping back after that.
Next season I will be putting it on at the start of the season because we have a squad and manager with the mental and physical abilty to win things along with fantastic board backing.

My money was on the Town at the start of the season @ 8/1. I also put £10 e/w when we were at 18/1. 

Happy days (so far)

 :wotjump: :wotjump: :wotjump:

 :harshfunny: :harshfunny: :harshfunny: :harshfunny: :harshfunny: :harshfunny:

Have you got your bus pass yet?

Come on, what do you expect any chairman to say?

They aint going to say their ambition is to get to League 1 within 25 years.

My point is that you, or any other club of our 'type', cannot achieve let alone sustain Championship football without a large amount of wonga. So unless along the way Oxford obtain some kind of sugar daddy the model which may well be serving you well at League 2 level just aint going to work at a higher level.

And it is this 'fear' of investment (meaning debt, whether to the bank or an individual) is going to hold you back - and the fans seem to go along with this at the moment.

The time will come though, fans being fans, when the lack of investment will equate to lack of ambition.

Put that way your statement is reasonable.

We are in a similar, not the same, mind you, position. However, the financial clout of our backers, a willingness of our landlords (sbc), fans catchment area etc will cement the elements required to sustain growth as we move up. Oxford could do the same to be fair, though their biggest stumbling block is Kassam. I'm not in receipt of the knowledge of how Oxford could gain extra income from the Kassam stad without having to either gain permission from or handing over to huge amounts of money to Kassam for the privilege. The ST board have clearly identified multiple revenue streams to facilitate the drop off of money during the closed season among other ways to do so.

The stumbling block for Oxford is that even if a prospective new owner wanted to take over he/she/they are going to have to hand over £13m to Kassam just to get the stadium before thinking about investing in the playing side.

If, as a club, you have to shell out £500,000 pa in rent how on earth is there ever going to be enough money for players if you want to go up the leagues?

It is feasible (and is proven every season) for a club with little dosh to get promoted from League 2 but how many of these clubs get any further with no money.

Who says that we won't change our approach?

I would argue that I doubt we know much about their finances, in the same way they no jack shit about ours - despite their knowledge of us blowing our budget and paying Magera £2,00,00000,00,0000 a day.

I do tend to try not to comment on other teams finances.  Though I probably have done.

Lets face it I don't really know about our finances so I don't have time to study the finances of every other team in our division.  If I did, that'd be really quite sad.

Wrong wrong bazza.

Its 10 players on 6k a week. fact!

We must be gzillions in debt by now

It's ok. Big crowd to sell the coffers today in the biggest derby of the season. Don't see why we didn't put tickets on sale back in May 1997 for this one. Would have saved us all a lot of grief.

To be honest we are almost certainly losing money that the owners are covering. I'd imagine the amount of loss will reduce over time as they sort out more and more of the mess.

We are lucky at the moment. Long may it continue.

However the thought we are going bust is alive only in the fantasies of Oxford fans. Except Eric obviously, he's dreaming of taking the whole of Swindon, but only when nobody is watching.

 No, and I'm fully expecting the Right Honorable Member for Witney, to have removed that privilege from Her Majesty's  honest, hard working, loyal subjects of my generation, by the time I qualify for it.

We may lose money this year, but don't underestimate the combined value of getting to the JPT final (tickets, prize money, merchandise), playing those games against Wigan and Leicester, playing a few games on TV, having numerous shirt sponsors, and averaging 7-8k at home. All sources of income that most clubs in this division aren't receiving.

Ummmmm fuck yeah!