Thetownend.com

The opponent: Crewe Alexandra. 7.45pm Kick Off for the benefit of Nemo

The local newspaper, The Crewe Chronicle has the headline “Totally Wasted campaign: Cheshire police throw spotlight on young people’s drinking attitudes”, possibly a slow news day in the Cheshire town, populated by 67’000 people, one of those being former Coronation Street crooner, Adam Rickett, another is the slightly peculiar looking  would you/wouldn’t you London 2012 bronze medal winner Gymnast, Beth Tweddle.  Interestingly, nearby Nantwich plays host to the International Cheese Show.

Crewe last 6 games - LLWWLD

Our last journey to Crewe was not very productive so I am going with a 2-1 win, with a James Collins double sending the 388 Town fans, out of a 4’166 attendance, home with 3 points in the bag.

COYR

[url width=500 height=282]http://i.imgur.com/7JMMJ.gif[/url]

Although the initial signs are promising, I will be basing your performance on the result.

2-2 tonight. Roberts and Troy.

Collins on the mark again and a nervy 2-1 win.Good luck Shaw Rosso,hopefully the start of a decent run

I hope it's not all talk Rosso.

Good introduction to the game and I'm a sucker for pointless facts about local celebrities, very good.

A Swindon win 1-0 with Colllins scoring.

If Shaw Rosso walks the walk as well, we could be on to something here.  Excellent matchday thread starting potential.  If the results follow...   :)

I've always had a soft spot for Gresty Road after watching us win up there in 1998.  (I can pinpoint the year because of the girl I took to the game.)  I think it was 2-0.  More of the same, please.

You weren't watching the game, were you.  ;)

Another fucking draw in a shitty little northern town in foul weather, that is all.

I am not entirely confident about this one.

Hope this isn't style over substance.

We need to carry on picking up away points to make up for the recent home form but I feel another 1-1 draw could be on the cards.

I am sucker for anything that resembles pub trivia, so well done Shaw Rosso.

I will be at work and won't even be able to hear the commentary, which normally means we will win.

And as for Beth Tweddle, you don't look at the mantlepiece while you are stoking the fire.

I've got a good feeling about this.  2-1 Swindon COYR

Good start from Rosso, can't think past a draw tonight so going for 1-1 with Collins getting our goal.

Not feeling the love for tonight's game at all.

2-1 loss

2-1 to Crewe, Collins scoring for us

To much faffing around before you got into the nitty gritty shaw!

2-0 defeat.  PDC fuming.  Shaw chased off the town end forum in shame!

Beth Tweddle?

I can imagine them braces causing some serious trouble down below!

0-2

Think they're a good matchup for us. 2-1 Town, Ritchie and Miller.

Injuries taking their toll. Normally I'm confident anywhere of a result, but got a bad feeling about this one.  3-2 defeat.

2-0 defeat

It would be ungentlemanly of me to comment!  She was rather lovely, though.

With the number of injuries we have and our poor record at Crewe, this can only mean a 1-0 win (Collins).

Not confident at all.

3-0 Crewe.

This game kind of crept up on me.

Cant possibly put in worse performance than the last visit there, worse performance i saw in the brief David Bryne era.

0-0 bore draw tonight

 :D You took a bird to a Town away game. At Crewe. What the fuck were you thinking?

Question: Crewe is is Cheshire. Is that classed as in the Midlands, or is it (as PV so eloquently defined it) another gritty northern shit hole?

As for the game, I've predicted a 1-1 draw, but I really do think we're not going to be up for this. 3-1 defeat. Can I change my prediction?

I imagine Tweddle would be a great ride, flexablity and all that

1-1

Fair point...but she was living in Chester.  I was visiting for the weekend.


Has to be Midlands, really.  It's barely further north than Stoke (definitely Midlands) and south of Mansfield & Chesterfield, which I also can't think of as northern either.

just mind the overbite

[url width=512 height=288]http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/46569000/jpg/_46569030_tweddle_512.jpg[/url]

When will people learn, there is no Midlands. Its all up north.  ::)

Good start by Rosso.
Beth Tweddle? That's "T Northern" If I've ever heard one.
I hope Suggs isn't sulking. Pecker up lad.
I'll go for a 1 0 scrappy win

Chrissakes!!!

Mind you, I suppose it's coming up to Halloween

that brace isnt working very well is it?

She only needs a few ridges in her forehead and should be Worf's GF

Tweddle is definately one to do from behind. Think we'll draw tonight

That is one of the most random sentences ever on the TEF!

totally in keeping with the topics

We'll lose and you'll all come running back to me for the weekend and Villa game.


That or we'll win 2-0 like I actually think.

The word 'Official' does not appear in the thread title. 3 - 0 loss, Shaw Rosso OUT.

I thought that as well. Very disappointing.

Bastard.

Maybe you should have got that bit right instead of looking up facts about Crewe eh lad. Schoolboy error!

Now let's not run before we can walk, my powers may need more than 1 away game up in some northern/midlandish dump. 3 games minimum, plus the start of my thread is much more interesting than drunken nonsense from the Students Union in Plymouth, MBE or not

I opted to leave the word 'official' out of the title in the hope it may change our fortunes.

I know what a patient lot you are here, so I shall pack my cyber bags now  :(

Admit it, you're a fucking useless cunt, in way over your head. You're collapsing under the pressure already. Starting the Official Matchday Thread is not a duty to be taken lightly. Ship up, or ship out. Final warning.

Bet you didn't know Nick Tilsley came from Crewe though eh   :)

Quite right. I don't even know who the fuck he is, let alone where he comes from.

Just out of lectures so off to Crewe in a couple of hours. 1-1 draw I reckon.

This is a brill thread. Even before a ball is kicked (In anger) boreing facts abuse and ugly birds. Got it all

See, you put your faith in me and I have not disappointed, yet.

That's probably a good thing

I love the enthusiasm that went into this post.  :clap:

1-1 Draw. 482 Town fans.
 
Still not convinced by this change.

Well, I did have my doubts, but we're only up to page four and I think you're the bees bollocks.
I found Saturdays game very dissapointing and now I'm all fired up again.
I have total faith in you and I just know it's going to last.....
...... Well up to half time anyway.

Shaw Rosso is an idiot and this can only end badly. Bring back Suggs!

I shall be deleting one of these posts at 4:59 in order to tell you all that I told you so.

Why 4-59?

kick of is 7.45  ???

I am a combination of both Nemo, surely a recipe for sucess

Sure I put that in my opening post  :hmmm:

Embrace change and change will embrace you. (Rosso 2012)

Hmm, the perils of being in Tokyo, UK time has lost all relevance to me. 4:59 am Tokyo time the game will still be going, I can't even try that excuse.

I shall re-state that I shall delete one of those posts at a non-specific time after the match finishes.

What if its a draw? Will I just be a half useless turd?

It's 3 points or bust for you lad.

My probation is a minimum of 3 games. The players may be feeling a bit hungover from the post-Suggs era so give me a chance and keep the faith. i am now going to bake some lucky scones  :I'm a complete mofleakin Deak

I'm gonna head off for this one soonish. Maybe in an hour.

Not expecting much really - a draw will be alright but slightly frustrating. A win would be a good boost after a few shakey results of late. Hopefully oru lot will be in good voice and feeling positive after Paolo's statement!

Your post makes me think of this.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4c/Lost_in_Translation_poster.jpg/220px-Lost_in_Translation_poster.jpg

Great film.  But it would certainly have been improved if there was another scene with Bill Murray up all night checking the Swindon score.

Will be interesting to see the team picked tonight. I'd imagine the back line will be along the lines of Devera (RB), McCormack (CB), TAH (CB), McEvely (LB) ?

Be careful lad, scones may become part of your Saturday routine akin to Sugg's necessity to be drunk when posting.

I've also been to most of the places in Lost in Translation. So far, no Scarlett Johansson. I live in hope.

don't worry, it was 4 months after moving to Norway that I met my dream idol.

p.s. I do enjoy your blog, a friend of mine has just visited Tokyo and the combination of your blog and her photos make me jealous

I thought McCormack and Ritchie worked quite well together on Saturday. Thompson was a rock before he went off injured but doesn't offer much going forward IMO. Ritchie to me looks a little lost without a marauding rb to me.

I think it's more the fact than he gets three players on him as soon as he gets the ball. The RB may well help in these situations though.

Yeah we did notice that as soon as he got the ball he was surrounded
By scunny players. He is good, but he is not a magician!

Well I should be at this game as it's pretty local and easy to get to from Manchester. On the basis that I am not going when I should be we will win. By a lot.

^This

 :pint: 4-1 Swindon  :pint:  keep on the unbeaten league run to the end of the season.  :beers:

Fuck 3 games to ease you in.

I demand instant success.

I wouldn't (Tweddle).Nil all

With all the boardroom shenanigans, will Paolo stay or won't he, and the useless home form that SWS has produced, I need time. The lucky scones have came out well so that's a good start.

2-2

2-1 Swindon, Collin's brace after going behind, 352 Town fans

Let's just hope that the TEF doesn't end up in an employment tribunal when Shaw Rosso inevitably gets fired. Not sure this style of management will go down too well (even if it is exactly what is required).

2-2.

I'm fed up with having a bad feeling about this. 2-1 defeat.

I've got my lucky pants on.

3-1 town.

Foderingham; Devera, Archibald-Henville, McCormack, McEveley; De Vita, Miller, Ferry, Roberts; Collins, Rooney.
Substitutes: Bedwell, Bostock, Ward, Ritchie, Oakley, Thompson L, Storey

Interesting - 5 changes from Saturday.
Didn't see the Ritchie drop coming but not over surprised.
No Benson in the 18!
Still good enough to grab the 3 points COYR!

Slight dead leg says RS.

Well we've clearly been a little stale of late and those changes will hopfully freshen things up. Rooney starting should give him the chance to make ammends for the late miss on Saturday

Not surprised Ritchie is 'rested'. Been off form for a while. Thought Thompson was carrying a knock?

Ritchie was a bit toss against Cov and Scunny (they did both do a bit of double marking on him in fairness) so not totally surprised he is on the bench.  Reputation means nothing under Paolo, quite rightly

That's Louis, not Nathan.

Ward lost his man for the goal on Saturday, so that isn't a massive surprise. I forgot Devera existed (and would have tried McCormack at RB after his decent showing there on Saturday). Think Di Canio was referring to Ritchie in his interview in the Adver today, regarding a player not doing as well because they have no fear of being subbed/replaced.

Interesting.

Oakley's first inclusion non? Very young bench.

The Flash is down at Stevenage doing a scouting mission for Saturday, he sent me a picture of the away end to post for your eager anticipation!

[url width=900 height=674]http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g171/jjedmunds/WP_000076_zpsf4d86a0f.jpg[/url]

Thats Whaddon road

Too many team changes again, although I appreciate some of them are enforced due to injuries.

I'll be surprised if we get anything from tonight, not one of our happy hunting grounds.  I think we'll lose 2-0.  

Whos Oakley?

If Cheltenham's nickname was "boro" it could well be ;)

Young Welsh under-19 international central defender.

We are playing a lot of games at the moment. The players need to he rested, the same 11 can't keep playing Saturday-Tuesday.

I think Ritchie needed a break/kick up the arse, hopefully short term pain for long term gain.

Player is up to it's normal standard. Cut out about 5 times in the last 5 mins.

really? you didn't hear either of the goals?

Haven't even kicked off on mine yet!

Who are you again?

I've barely heard a full sentence without a cut out.

Yey Man U and Chelsea both losing, looking good for my both teams scoring accumulator!

Don't disagree, but 4 or 5 changes each game doesn't lend itself to any level of stability.  

I've been saying I think a Rooney and Collins start might work well so time will tell. Rooney gets some great flick ons so hopefully Collins can feed off him or even vice versa.

Are there any Swindon fans there tonight? Sounds very quiet.

"Player"-never has an audio device been so unaptly named!

Austin scores against Shitty...

Fixed it for you. They did say that it was sparsely attended.

He is a goal machine isn't he.

I think that is 17 already. In October.

Certainly better than Jordan Rhodes...and Blackburn paid £8m for him !!

I don't know, it seems to play you lot a treat.

"There's thousands out there listening who won't [believe the thing he just said]"

I bet there's not.

i won't bother tuning into STFCPlayer then?

Samaras scores opener against barca, and I put a quid on hooper to be first scorer, d'oh!

Blimey!

Oooh, sounds like a bit of a cafuffle at the back

Good game this  :zzz:

Pray tell.

Edgar Davids playing for Barnet tonight!

fods cleared into a crewe player before diving on the rebound.

Man Utd, Chelsea and Barca all losing.

He played for them on Friday, also !!

Rafa!!!

Raffffa Raffffa Rfffa!

YES!!!! De Vita!!!

Yay

1-0 Devita

Raaaaffffffffffaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!

Get In!!

Epic :clap:

yes raf raf rafafafafafa

He played the other night.

RAFFA!!(I HEARD THAT)

Huzaah!! (De Vita not the dead Player account)

GGGGGOOOOOAAAAALLLLLAAAAZZZZZOOOOO  !!!!!

Kachow!

It's a kerfuffle isn't it? Not cafuffle?

Isn't it kerfuffle?

Anyway, my score prediction of losing 2-0 has rather pleasingly already gone out of the window!

Sounding a little livlier now since the goal, I am pleased for Rafa hes been more consistant than most when he has played.

Damnit.

Cock

1-1 bollocks

Alan boo

1-1 McCormack error.

Cunt flaps :crash:

Has he been subbed yet?

Balls. McCormack mistake... he's not as good at this centre back lark as last season.

What happened to our impregnable defence from last season.  :(

Yes, of course it is, didn't think it looked right. Oh well. Dammnit!!!! (equaliser not cafuffle kerfuffle)

It has been impregnated.

It moved up a league, and we lost Caddis.

Who's the father?

attn: 4010, 273 town

That lead didn't last long.  What did McCormack do?  I'm not listening (convinced I'm a bad luck charm for away matches I listen to).

We've taken 4 million to Crewe? That's fantastic!

Lost possession in midfield

Crewe go close, fods save. corner to crewe. Fods saves again.

I think we're going to lose.

Hanging on here a bit.

Imagine what it would be like if it were a Saturday.

Sounds like we are under the cosh a bit.

Cheers.  He doesn't seem as composed as he did last season.

Internet connection shit...summarise for me...1-1?

nuts, 2-1.

Fuck sake.

2-1 Crewe. Bollocks. Moore again.

I blame Paolo's new coat  :(

It's been coming by the sounds of it. We sound rather shite.

Balls Balls Balls

Bollocks

We started this season so well...

Wank. Time to bring on Ritchie and Bostock.

oh dear.

You have to. Everyone else blames you  :badmood:

Fiddle sticks and cunt flaps

Bugger!

Whats the starting 11. (If I scroll back Im sure the connection will drop before I find it)

How many moore times?

Dont know what you mean  :)

The general pre-game lack of optimism about his game is proving accurate

Get out.

Sounds like we're hoofing again...

Anyone heard Gary Roberts mentioned yet?

Yes.  Just then.  Apparently he hasnt been in the game yet.

Paolo out.

Knew he'd be mentioned as soon as I typed that.

H/T.

Scones. Lucky fucking scones. I fucking ask you. Possibly the campest thing I've ever read on a football forum.

Its not very often in recent times that I think, thank god I ain't there. So far, tonight is one of them.

Thought "Rosso out" was coming before that  :)

I happen to like scones cunt flaps, that in itself is a lucky thing.

You must try one some time  :girlgiggle:

You should have bigger worries on your mind, big 45 for your match day thread starting career

45 minutes in to my administration, Malpas got longer

You'd be lynched.

The posters on Thisis have already tried head hunting me you impatient bastards

Rosso sacked in the first half

If Di Canio mentions squad strengthening snd the embargo after the game I will go spare. Paolo, you've signed more players for the period of time you have had in charge than any other manager I can remember. You've been given more cash. Management involves getting the best from what you have rather than simply replacing them if they have a patch of poor form. Sort it out, and bloody win the game. No more whinging and scapegoating please. Look closer to home.

 :bye:

 :girlgiggle:

So Shaw Rosso has 45 minutes to save his match day thread career

There is still hope for Shaw Rosso.  It's a long time since we lost after scoring first.  I'm sure somebody will be able to provide the exact amount of time etc  :)

I already am  :guns2:

How long did they give you eh? I'm calling the union in  :(

Is it time for a second half thread?

Shrewsbury last season according to The Washbag

Thats the spirit, anyway I deserve another 180 minutes after this, you would be amazed of what Stevenage has to offer  :)

Arse

Has there been a vote of confidence form the TEF board as yet?

Amen.

I like cakes and pies but that doesn't mean I start whipping out the apron. What do you think the Good Lord invented Greggs for? Man up!

Brilliant!

Not missed many matches this season, relying on player tonight, FFS it's really is poor!

Couldn't agree more!

If we sharpen up at the back we can still get something from tonight, having said that we haven't exactly been troubling their keeper a great deal.

Now that is the name for a band!

I am here, and drinking if this is required...

No need to alienate the fan base :no:

Talking of Greggs, I noticed there is now one by the Hilton Hotel off Junction 4 along wth a drive thru Costa Coffee and a Subway.  How long have they been there?

His pre-match team talks were more interesting too

:)

Rosso out! Useless cunt.

Not quite as long as it's been Junction 16 :)

They just dont taste the same  :)

I aint even in yet

Ritchie for Roberts I reckon.

Hit the Crossbar.

Paynter puts Doncaster above us in the table.

Dressing room romance? That's one hell of a rumour to be starting :)

Or possibly Sugg for Rosso?

Drive-thru Greggs!

Its early days, relax

It all started with a dropped bar of soap.

A second half like the first and I think a month out on loan to thisis could be in order.  But mind you don't pick up any bad habits from "London Red", his calculator and patronising exclamation marks!!!

Makes sense. That way you don't need to change out of the velour onesie and slippers to pie up.

Miles Story coming on.. for Rooney

Fair enough, don't think i've heard Rooney mentioned.

Ha ha.  I knew as I typed something didn't seem right.  I was thinking M4!

Quite honestly I'd rather have Caddis come January than Rooney.

Ritchie for DeVita

Ritchie for DV then  8)

Its coming

You wish.

Are you constipated?

I think we all would but it ain't gonna happen f paolo is in charge...

62 days and counting

Talking about the M4, it was closed today mid morning between J 14/13?

Does the radio commentary keep going quiet for anyone else?

BBC wilts rather than player.

If you have all lost faith in SWS but you still want a pissed student at Plymouth to do matchthreads........

Cmon Town fucking win.

Yes, every now and again.

Fucking hell its the classic football 'come and get me plea'

Surely not

Austin making it 2 - 1 against the Slave Traders...

good, my amp isn't on the way out then.

Austin second goal, maybe 3rd too?

:D

turn it all the way up to 11

Whats going on?

~its taken me 20 mins to get back on line!!!

Are we losing 2-1 ? Are we shit? Any surprises in the line up?

Caddis still cares a bit though, he's been at a few games recently. I'll be disappointed if we do a swap deal with Rooney I don't think he's that good.  Chance to shine tonight that he's failed to take and a number of missed chances that were easier to score.

You thread starters will be wanting agents next !

That'd be one louder than most amps.

Agents?!

Can I get back payments?!

Exactly!

I understand that PlymRed supported Swindon as a boy and it would be a dream to start a match day thread (in a Robbie Keane style...)

scored something like 19 in all comps this season...crazy record

OI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DICKHEADS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whats going on in the f&$%ing game?

I will tell mine to get in touch with you  ;)

we're losing 2-1. bit back and forth, not taking our chances.

Faggot  ;)

Good chance he'll be off in January, apparently Newcastle and Villa are interested amongst others. Though they were talking of a fee of £4m, don't see that myself and reckon you can double it with his scoring record.

He'd scored 16 in 13 games before tonight and 12 in the last 7.

We need to take one of these chances, so frustrating.

Fast becoming the norm unfortunately.  

I'm going to try my good luck method of removing myself from the thread for around 15 minutes.  On my return, I hope to see a different scoreline.

Missed so many chances over the last few games, losing quite a few points because of this.

Stick it in the bloody net!

We seem to be picking the pace up now. Come on Town

The radio commentators say this half is the best football we have played in a couple of weeks.

You know what, we have conceded too many silly goals. But we are also failing to convert the chances that can get us back into games or bury teams out of sight.

I think we'll get it right sooner rather than later though.

edit: dmanit, I could have just typed "I agree" to this:

I blame the bloody embargo :D

Reakon we can at least draw this sounds like they are going more defensive could be one way traffic

We will score a 2nd with the chances we are getting, plenty of time left.

The power of the thread starter  ;)

Wow, ROvers will need a new manager soon

AFC Wimbledon 3 Bristol Rovers 1 ( T Eaves 73 )

It's the result you need to be worrying about not how we are playing  ;)

While you're gone if you could whip up a selection of french fancies and macaroons. That ought to do it.

I rather we were missing loads of chances than not creating any at all.

Keep getting ourselves in positions to score and goals will come

FFS go in you fucking fucker.

Come on Swindon, " if you get one you'll get more........ "

we must have had 15 corners by now.

Ooo!  I do like a macaroon!

Pox losing

Just need someone who can put away better than 1/10!

Big pressure from us but nothing going in.

Nothing new there then !!!

Come on you Reds !!

You're supporting Crewe?

We're playing in blue, tonight !!!

Think Williams would have netted a couple by now, without him we are a bit toothless up front.

Creating chances yes, but no point if we dont have someone to stick the cunt in the net.

I mean blue n yellows tonight !!

Rights thats me away, if we don't get at least a draw I expect a change at the top tomorrow AM

I am eagerly waiting for di canios immanent explosive full time interview if the score line doesn’t change

FFS! See what you've done Shaw? You've turned hertha into Thora. Rosso out!

C'mon Town, 2minutes + injury time left. need that goal desperately now.

This must be the longest siege in modern history?

Be patient  :)

McEvely misses from 0 yards!

Shit, it ain't gonna happen.  >:(

Damn it nothing's changed and the best I could whip up in my absence was a tuna roll and pate sandwiches.  Not as exciting as your suggestions I'm afraid Paul  :)

He's been shit lately (although missing a chance isn't wholly his remit)

He has the most assists for us this season, 6.

note to commentator-substitutions do not "eat up seconds"-the time is added on.

Statement being prepared for 10.30pm

Well that was a painful night of radio ! Bollox.

Oh well.  At least we sounded better in the 2nd.

FFS

F/T

Shame, atleast were making the chances, just need to take them. Could do with Williams coming back soonish.

Promising 2nd half performance but if you don't score goals you don't get anything. I think we have enough up front when Williams is back, just need to work on the defence..

Conceding too many, and seem unable to take chances up front... not a winning combination! Have to stop this run of poor(ish) form.

Sounded like we played well in the 2nd but just couldnt put it away  :no:

Roll on Stevenage!

Balls, we just can't keep wasting these chances.

Oh and SR out!  :)

Bit a dodgy patch no need to panic, every team will go through a period of dodgy results like this.  Saturday will probably be more of the same.

Shaw Rosso has blown his opportunity though

if we had a striker/goalscorer we could run away with this division-paolo get your boots on fella if you want back to back promotions!

Sounds like a combination of poor defending and inability to take chances has undone us once again.  It's becoming a bit familiar.  I don't think I'll listen to Di Canio, it could be a rant!

Stevenage will be difficult on Saturday.  A point at best, particularly as minds might be wandering to the Villa game.

To be fair we are 7th, which is pretty good going considering our recent form. Stevenage will be a tough place to go, but its definitely winnable

We will win on Saturday,definitely.Im having a pound on it.

It points to the fact that League 1 isn't that strong.  Everyone is dropping points against each other.

I agree with all of this, that's why I was really hoping to win tonight.

Even my lucky pants didn't help. Never mind, Crewe is always a difficult one to call.

I don't know whether we should chuck SR out straight away. Give him till Villa to prove himself.

You have to win your first game. I won my first game last season and then lost the second and was out. It's dog eat dog on here.

Always have liked your posts  :)

F/T

Very rusty

17 shots and only one goal. Please can we just practice shooting this week Paolo!

i give paolo 15 seconds before he rants

F/T, bloody hell which part of the world do you live, must be a really bad link you've got.

We should sign this fella paolo keeps going on about embago!

Why didn't he sign him before using the budget on Rooney, Collins, Bostock, Williams etc?

i think he wants a squad of 60 players

How anyone can understand him I have no idea,

let alone understand him enough to translate for us NMH!

PDC on.

- He says McCormack good professional but made mistakes that cost goals.
Fed up with embargo...
- We are capable of winning 10 in row, but also lose 10 in a row.
- We don't have the academy Crewe have, Storey did well but had odd loose touch
embargo: We are missing striker and creative midfield..
- Today we gave Ritchie break, last two games he did very baaaaad. Needed rest.
- Second half they didn't get out their half (other than long ball), but we didn't score.
Missing players - crucial.
- We need to score more, strikers work very hard but don't have player who can score..Collins had 3 in 3 but Rooney not emulated Scottish league form
- No indication emabrgo lifted/its up to club to talk about it.
- Its human nature to be distracted by Villa game, chance doesn't come up often....buuuuuut....
- Players not getting the chance to rest. We have subs but not the same quality.
- The plan changed, the embargo started 40 days ago.
- The board were positive when they spoke on Saturday....
- Second half more than positive, we dominated game. ..

erm,, hope NMH is here to pick the bones out of that one, I'm no good at it.

This interviewer loves shit stirring, we all know Paolo's going to rant about the transfer embargo so why ask him about it 3 or 4 times.

 :clap:

Better than I managed to understand.

That's what I think he said. What he actually said may be different.

I was thinking the same thing. I thought Paolo was very measured and calm considering, even though i couldnt understand him.

Not too much of a rant then? I would rather hear from the people in he know regarding the embargo so why keep hounding Paolo for a reaction.  :no:

Well, i am in Stevenage and popped along to take in the game.

I parked in the official car park which is free but i left at full time with 5 ET on the clock to get out.

First thing.....they didnt have a ticket office but pay on the gate....i didnt have enough money so had to walk to Tescos a ten minute walk away....Non League and you know you are!!

A real game of two halves and i feel for Pompey who deserved a draw.

Stevenage are strong and quick and despite everything i have been told are not a team of lunking hoofball merchants but can play a bit too....but what worries me...they shut down fast...real fast and we dont like that do we?!

Pompey got stronger and blew a few gilt edged chances to get something from the game.

Both sets had a drum and both got on my tits......

Disappointed by the Crewe result but heyho.....lets see if we can get  something on Saturday...we need to be out the blocks on fire!

M'Bago, he's African. And we must have signed him already, all the trouble seems to be his fault. Hate it when he singles a player out like that

Does he drink Um Bongo?

Just back, in the first half their goals were pretty poor from our point of view. Got caught in behind for the first and their guy got a run on Devera at the back stick. Second came their throw on our left and two passes later Moore was past Devera and it was a quality finish. Wes made two brilliant saves in the first half too and, other than our goal which was a good header from a free kick and a Collins effort from the edge we didn't get going.

Second half we dominated and made a fair few chances, McEveley and Roberts in particular. A combination of good saves, defenders getting a block in in the six yard box. I doubt any Crewe fans would argue if we nicked a draw but we didn't. As infuriating as it was, we should've got set up at a throw in and took our chances.

Their keeper was MOTM. Says it all really.

Of our lot, I though Ferry put himself about as did Collins. Roberts tried but got marked out the game at times, Ritchie looked good when he came on and perhaps should've scored, Back four were ok but they cut through us twice too easily. Can't be bothered to carry on, but was nice to see Raffa take his chance.

All in all, the embargo isn't the reason why we lost tonight. Don't really buy it as an excuse but we'll move on to Stevenage on Saturday.

I did mention about Stevenage having a drum earlier in the week but to have two there tonight must of been worth the entrance fee alone  :no: you could of done us a favour Flash by putting your boot through both of them .

I did tell you so.

Does he have a sister, Winnie?

Sorry guys. On me jols with a shitty internet connection - Back for the next match thopugh!

We didn't play well at all and Crewe looked more up for it and looked better going forward. Despite our mistakes I can't fault the way they took their goals. We had little threat up front until Ritchie came on 2nd half and helped creat a few more chances for us. I do worry about our (lack of) goal threat.

The highlight for me was one of our younger fans (must have only been 5 or 6 year old) singing the first part of "We are Paolo's red & white army" and then everyone else joining singing the second part over and over again. That made the trip worthwhile for me !

Keep the faith

As much as you want to read about a defeat, my match report for the washbag is now online. Sorry for the appalling headline!

http://thewashbag.com/2012/10/24/crewe-2-swindon-1/

Favourite part of the night was my friend getting a smile from Jay McEveley after telling him to pull his shorts down a bit! They were of Chalkie White proportions.....