Thetownend.com

The Opponent:  Oldham Athletic

No doubt the next 500 odd words will end up being a complete waste of time after some local referee that would rather be in bed calls our game off. Of course I could be wrong and I won’t have to cover this one all over again. By the time most of you read this we should know one way or the other.  The overnight forecast doesn’t look fantastic it must be said, and our pitch, as well as most of the South West has seen nothing but rain for weeks and weeks on end which may suggest today’s match is somewhat in doubt. Personally I shall be working all morning,  if the game is called off I won’t lose any sleep over it, although at the same time a Saturday afternoon without football when you are expecting football can be somewhat dull.

I’m not entirely sure what to make of the last couple of games, 2 somewhat below par performance but a decent enough points return and I would think Mark Cooper will now have 1 eye on the JPT Area final first leg. For me, 3 points today is a must win if we have any ambitions of getting closer to securing 52 points for survival/keeping in touch with the top 6. With Alex Pritchard missing out today and Tuesday through suspension it will be interesting to see how we approach the game. Will Tijane step straight in? Seems a bit unlikely given his lack of match practice. Will we try starting with Ranger and Smith as 2 out and out strikers? I notice some TEF members think any potential strike partnership is doomed already and other saying they witnessed signs of a good understanding between them already, that’s all a bit BBC Wilts after match phone-in for my liking.

Oldham is certainly one of the more ethnically diverse areas of The UK,  some 27% of the town’s 110’000 population is made up of Asian folk compared to the UK average of 4.6%, interestingly, there are claims that Oldham was the birthplace of the first chip shop. The sometimes disputed claim of trade in deep-fried chipped potatoes is said to have been started in around 1858–60 from an outlet owned by a John Lees, on what is the present site of Oldham's Tommyfield Market. I have no doubt many of you have often wondered where the tubular bandage was invented, yes, you guessed it, Oldham. Notable Oldhamers include the fantastic Inspiral Carpets, Take That midget Mark Owen, ‘Comedy’ double act and double glazing selling Canon and Ball, comic Eric Sykes, former gopher molester Philip Schofield and Sunita from Coronation Street.

Weather or Not? –  After a night of heavy showers we can expect a slight chance of a couple of wintery flurries first thing followed by sunny spells and light cloud as the morning progreses. A mostly dry afternoon but a strong wind will be apparent for most of the day, with gusts up to 45-50mph. Maximum temperature of 6 degrees,

Where the opposition gather –  One of their fans is hoping the game goes ahead so they can get the beating out of the way!

http://www.owtb.co.uk/index.php/topic/44695-swindon-off-tomorrow/

Last 6 – LLWLWL (16th on 30 points)

They have served us both –  David Down, Wanker Aljofree, Adam Rooney, John Sheffield, Chris Ogden, Frank Large, Fede Bessone, Abe Rosenthal, Jimmy Thompson, Cristian Montano, Brian Kilcline, Tom Devlin, Paul Edwards, Don Heath.

The Odds -  Swindon 6/5   Draw 5/2   Oldham  5/2  Looks like Oldham have signed up Shitty rejects, Jon Stead and James Wilson. Smith and Ranger are generally 9/2 and 5/1 for 1st goalscorer with mist outlets.

The Son Says – I would think his first thought when he gets up will be to see whether the game is on or not. Regardless he has gone for a 3-1 home win.

The Prediction - As I said earlier on, this really is a game we should be winning, and we will. 3-0 with 2 goals from Ranger and a late Lounge header in front of 7’333, 188 travelling from Greater Manchester, that’s if it’s game on, of course.

And Finally –  Taken from Friday’s Oldham Chronicle - A man forced to give up work with heart problems had his benefits axed for failing to complete a capability assessment... after suffering a heart attack during the examination.  The man, who received employment support allowance, was required to attend a work-capability assessment to assess his suitability for work.

During the appointment he was told he was having a heart attack, forcing the nurse to stop the assessment.

Two weeks later he got a letter from Jobcentre Plus saying he had withdrawn from the assessment and was being sanctioned! That’s one way of getting the jobless numbers down.

COYR COYR COYR

My prediction: postponed.

On.

2-0

Not going as feel like shit and have done all week  :puke:

IF its on feel a 2 all draw coming.
Oldham are one of those annoying teams that can grind out a result when needed.

Hope its on or the fixture pileup will go against us - 7 games in Feb as is  :badmood: and same for March

Absolutely banging it down, can't see this being on.

Been fucking pelting here for 24 hours, and as we all know Swindon is a London suburb, therefore game off. If it does go ahead 2-0 to us. But it wont.

Sunny in Swindon at the moment. Local forecast says heavy showers later in the day.

Hopefully will know soon if the game is on or off. Otherwise fuck knows what I'm going to do in Swindon for 5 hours otherwise.

Are there any museums or anything?

I'm planning to go, and I was all up for it, but right now I'm thinking it being called off would be best. Slightly worried about whether I'll be able to get back afterwards thisevening if it is going to piss it down all afternoon...

If it does go ahead, then I reckon we'll win 3-1. So we'll probably lose.


STEAM

I was being slightly faecetious (sp) but that's not a bad shout!

Right! Just get the bloody game on now!!!

No rain forecast for the rest of the day surely it will be on

That's really crap spelling.

It's on

You should still go to Steam BO. It's well worth a visit.

Dammit, I was looking forward to shopping at the outlet village and going to the museum!

We'd better win now!

My prediction. 2-0. Oldham have brought in some players yesterday so won't have had time to gel yet.

Pretty much the only thing in Swindon that is.

Welp, looks like I'm going.  If I drown on my way home I'm blaming the ground staff as they've apparently magicked the pitch playable. Cracking job fellas, yet again.

Getting serious for a second, it makes it even more nonsensical that Swindon BC remain so lukewarm towards the club given how there's shag all else going on in Swindon.  After Steam, the Arts Centre in Old Town and the three sports clubs (football, speedway, ice hockey), there's so little else of cultural value in the town.  And the football dwarfs everything else on that list in terms of the numbers of people involved.

First time I've ever read one of these write ups.

What in the name of gods green earth does the opposition town's ethnic diversity have to do with football?

Everything and nothing

Move on.

Do they not do the open top bus tour of Manchester Road anymore :(

Nice one. Now let's get the 3 points.

COYR !!!!!!!!!!

Weather can`t be as bad as last week so with the new partnership now firmly in place this will be a definite improvement resulting in a no brainer home win 3-0 - who is playing instead of Pritchard - looking forward to it

After New Years Day & a wasted four hour drive I am a bit sceptical of the "No further inspection planned" statement so will be seriously pissed off if we get as far as Swindon only for the radio to announce game off.

Assuming it goes ahead as planned, I think we will win by the odd goal

It is absolutely glorious weather. You've got nothing to worry about.

It's rucking lovely if a bit chilly...but this is winter...game on ...no worries.

Big thumping win today...Smith x4

That's good then.

It is here, but having said that it was like this here last Saturday when we left

One day I will! Pretty sure I've been before as a young'un.

Didn't there used to be go karting somewhere near there as well?

Yeah, there used to be... moved up to Wroughton now

think we might actually play well and not win to buck the trend.One all

We'll win.  And in pathetic name dropping news, guitarist of Inspiral carpets Graham Lambert is a good friend and colleague of mine and a big Oldham fan.  As is Conan the guitarist of Courteeners.  He may be there today.

Not quite up to my levels of 'Ive met Kylie' name dropping.   

Is this how it feels to be lonely saxondale?

thThis sort of name-dropping is dragging me down

Hi all,

Moved down to Cheltenham recently and fancied watching a Swindon match, how easy is it to park near the ground? And can you pay on the gate?

Thanks

Easy if you want to pay, and yes

Parking not bad either in the car parks in town or a fiver to park in ST Joes school.
Cant pay on the gate but matchday ticket windows open at rear of town end

At least let it be a better game than the wankfest served up last week, regardless of the result.

No Kasim, anyone know if he is injured (or unwell)

Reis, A Smith and TAH on bench today,  coming back at last

2-1 town. Att: 7,165 (218 Oldham, wearing t-shirts shorts and flip flops due to the muggy weather)

Sam reckons being saved for jpt as on 9 bookings

Very poor game.  tricky conditions but not that tricky

Have i missed anything?

Nothing  whatsoever

God this is shit.

 :yawn:

25 mins in...not even a shot on target by either team...nothing positive to say at sll..its poor.

Goals seem to be at a premium in all divisions at the moment.

Jesus wept. Worst game I've seen in quite some time at the cg

Well, 35 minutes in, unbelievably it's worse.  Utterly dire.

Thank fuck stayed at home

Since last Saturday

much worse than last Saturday.

0-0 HT

Well stay at home then and stoping boring us all to death

But at least shitty are losing

Thank goodness Oldham are woeful. Dreadful!

Truly fucking awful sums up that first half.

We haven't got a single player who looks capable of creating anything good.

Second half has to be better, doesn't it?

yeah good one.  let's not put match day comment in the match day thread.  genius

Im even more boring commenting on radio commentary. Steve Davis boring

Can only echo the cries of awful coming from everyone. Terrible. And the ref doesn't help either. Duck knows why Smith got that yellow, likewise for free kick that should have been a penalty, what is wrong with his bloody e.yes.
Least shitty are losing

Like the performance is his fault. I hope you're also sitting in the cold at the CG rather than moralizing from the safety of your armchair.

I'm at home and have to say the match commentary is soporific to say the least (not their fault). Thus Batch's comment seems to be a fair reflection of the match...

Troy coming on .Bit of a blow. Ward played well first half all things considered.

Archibald Henville on for Ward!

Come on Troy

Boring :zzz:...Just go away Batch and don't come back until you can tell us that we're 4-3 up, it's end to end football, shots are hitting the bar and being cleared off the line and an off course parachutist has landed on the pitch ::)

The mesiah is on...Bsrker was poor

I'd love to hear ChrisS' take on this.   :D

Sounds like im missing a classic. Shame.

We are slowly improving.

Thanks Batch - I value your comments  ;D

(http://i.imgur.com/kZMBUmK.gif)

Foderingham has kept us in the game in the last 5 mins.

Cooper has just taken Luongo off, when Harley and Byrne have both been awful.  Ridiculous sub.

Then again
..

Dear dear fucking dear

chrisssake!

Cunty crumblecocks.

Would imagine the odd subs are with Wednesday in mind

Booo.

Gladwin will win it for us!

That's been coming and quite honestly nothing less that we deserve.  

Fucking rubbish would sum this up perfectly

Fell asleep...Just woke up....Shit!

Attendance today is 7,391 (198 from Oldham)

It's all your fault for being boring...

BATCH OUT!!! :crash:

we would be mugs to prioritise the JPT in my view

Dropping slowly week by week
More than I expected from Oldham

No shot on target..the whole match

the Beeb says we have had one!

hooray!

Still time for a comprehensive 3-1 win!

We did have one first half.  I was there until shortly after half time, couldn't handle the cold anymore whilst watching the shit being put on display from both teams.

One of the worst games I have ever seen at the CG.  Baseed on that I haven't missed much this season.

We just dont seem to get decent crosses in these days(apart from tuesday)

(http://i.imgur.com/2b9laa8.gif)

It gets better

TAH REALLY doesnt want to play for town does he

Troy A-H sent off! Brilliant!

ha

I just tweeted the same. He's doing a cracking job of endearing himself to the fans isn't he?

 :D

What did he get sent off for?

Really harsh second yellow.  He'd played quite well since coming on. Fuck knows who's going to play in defence next game.

At least he is having a go..I have just realised after 88 mins that Harley is playing...he is shocking

Poor...that is all.

Well, that sounded bloody awful! Can't be arsed to listen to Cooper's excuses.

Didnt go and glad,
Sounded flat,idealess and shit.

Home form deserted us and wasnt even a team above us.
Meh

I know it is just one half of football, but on that level anyone that thinks that we have a realistic chance of making the play offs is in cloud cookoo land.

Not sure it's fair to say our home form has deserted us. We've lost three at home all season, two of which were against sides far better than us

Worst thing is nobody else makes it that easy when we play away, fuck the JPT lets get our best side out there. Probably be off at Peterborough anyway.

 :doh:

Dont know what to say about that...stuned by such a piss poor show

When was the last time we actually played well?

Ok it deserted us today
3 previous home games were lucky to scrape results

Sounds like today was a perfect storm (no pun intended); a team who know there's no more competition coming in this season, with half an eye on the area final, on a crap pitch in crap conditions.

Not that they deserve the benefit of excuses after such a poor display.

It didn't get any better in the second half and last week was just the same.  We've been lucky to come away with wins in the last 3 home games, which as people have mentioned previously has papered over the cracks that we've been poor for a while.  Our luck ran out today and had a MOM been given, it would probably have gone to Foderingham again.

Stand out performers for utter shitness today were Harley and Byrne. Taking Luongo off instead of one of them was beyond belief.  Yet again the formation wasn't working, but Cooper didn't change it.  Two big men on the pitch in Ranger and Smith, no level of service or decent crosses into the box.  There really is nothing positive to take away from today.  Freezing cold and pissed off.

What a waste of an afternoon, no effort, no plan A yet alone a plan B and just a general shambolic performance. One bright spark was Troy who put in more effort than any of the others.

I know I'm in the minority but I've no real time for Cooper, if he genuinely rested Kasim for the JPT he needs shooting. His lack of a plan B is now more than worrying and what he saw to keep both Byrne and Harley on the pitch I don't think I'll ever know, to bring on Gladwin for Luongo is up there with the most bizarre substitutions going.  We haven't played well for a few months now and this myth of pretty football has long since faded.  I just don't see any urgency coming from him on the sidelines he just spends all game leaning on the side of the dugout, hardly inspiring stuff. It's starting to become apparent why he was at the likes of Telford. Fair plus to the guy though he was in the right place at the right time to get the gig here. He's had quite an easy ride upto now but you could feel the frustration around the ground today.....

Firstly. Oldham were like a circus side. Giving the ball away, falling over the ball, missing kicks etc. They were no great shakes (apart from Stead who had some good touches when he came on). That said, they deserved the win.

Us, where do I start? Why save kasim for the jpt? Ludicrous decision, he was badly missed today. The midfield, where was the desire, the urgency? They strolled though the game. It
Oldham pressed very well but our midfield badly let us down. Byrne probably the worst. Smith worked hard but doesn't have the touch of Ranger.

Troy I though was superb, a ball playing centre half. His first booking I thought was unlucky, I think he may have slipped and completely cleaned out their player. His second he was done by quick feet. Shame as he looked a better bet than ward as a ball playing centre back.

The only other positive was Gladwin who was busy, looked for the ball, looked to pass it, and passed it well. He's big as well. Also cooper needs to get over this Ranger thing, he's our best striker, end of! Barker was a waste of time today.

Oldham could have played with rush goalkeeper today, that's how dangerous we looked. Bad day at the office nearly all round

 Could have done with a point today, as this is a bit of a setback in our target of 52 points...still no need to panic just yet...Burslem in Feb though, is not a likely source of an away point.

No you really are not in the minority. Cooper is out of his depth. I hope Power is as ruthless with the clown as he was with Moosehead.

Just listened to Cooper who said we had no desire!!  Well Mr Cooper, I have no desire to pay out for a season ticket next year with dross like that served up.  Byrne a total cock, Harley just the same, yet they stay on.  No pace, no strength, no desire just about summed it up, not good enough Cooper.  Poor team selection, poor tactics.  Harley and Reckord showed very poor body language, if they don't want to be here GET OUT!!

Harley was fucking awful today. No-one was great, but he (and Byrne) was absolutely dire. I can't believe he wasn't taken off.

And putting Ranger on when the very obvious problem was keeping/moving the ball through midfield was fucking stupid. I don't know who was on the bench, though , so that might have been why.

My BHAFC season ticket holder mate warned me about Harley and his total lack of desire

Well he could have warned Cooper

Total fucking bollox. Oldham were very ordinary but well deserved their win for two reasons. First of all they grafted. Second of all they could find a blue shirt occasionally. We didn't do the first but certainly did the second. Troy was a total bellend getting sent off. Yes, the ref was useless but given the way he was reffing it was a second yellow and a sending off.
Fods kept us in it.
Byrne is fucking useless and I'd rather see one of our schoolkids given a game ahead of him. First of all, they'll be harder to knock off the ball. Secondly, they will probably show some effort and even if they are compete and utter shite, they wouldn't be any worse. Harley wasn't really better.
This was yet another Malpas type performance. nobody gave a fuck and this lot were honest they'd donate their weeks wages to Prospect.
If Kasim was held back for Pboro then its shameful.
More performances like that and our crowds will go right down the shitter as its one thing having a season ticket but £25 to watch that?  

Think you've summed it up well chalkies and others have mentioned a worrying lack of desire.

Think we badly missed Kasim today. Oldham's workrate was about 3 times ours.

I'll not get much support, but I'd sacrifice the Oldham game for a better shot at the JPT final. At the moment I don't feel we'll challenge for a playoff spot, and I may be wrong but I don't think we are bad enough to go down. So why not.

However, that was still piss poor. Barker was completely anonymous. He has to be better than that. But it makes Cooper's comments yesterday about Storey not fitting our system baffling because Barker (and Ajose and el Gabbas) were not 'hold the ball' type players either.

Byrne I will give credit for trying. He was fucking hopeless and clearly our of position. Can't cross. But at least he tried.

Harley may as well have put a blue shirt on, he passed to them so often. He's an experienced head, but he was as culpible as everyone.

Didn't think the back four were that bad individually to be honest. A few passed could have been better but Ward won a fair bit in the first half and TAH looked pretty lively (too lively) in the second. Good tip over from Wes too. However the shape didn't inspire confidence at times. Not convinced by Record yet, has the potential to be a Casal. Bit too early for that.

Smith was well marshalled. Ranger didn't get chance to influence the game. Louis Thompson was average. Luongo similar. But still miles better than Byrne and Harley.

All in all the Town effort was pretty pathetic. Oldham were worthy winners. Thought the challenge in the first half was a penalty, might be wrong, but one shot aside that was pretty much it in terms of an attacking force.

I'll bore off now.


Oh yeah, Gladwin did OK in his limited run out.

That's in the top 5 worst games I've seen in the last 20 years.

The three new signings looked non-league standard and that's being kind to them (yes I know Smith has scored but it was the first time I've seen him). Special mention to Harley who put in the worst display by a player in a red shirt since Jason Drysdale. Byrne should be shot for being so greedy and useless. The rest were just behind them in the shitness stakes.

The ref was the usual standard - utterly clueless.

That's not very fair, he was one of our few bright points. Second yellow was ridiculous. Ironically, contrary to your assumption he was one of the few who did show some effort and desire - and played some intelligent stuff too.

It didn't look any better. Absolutely terrible. Agree with everything others have said about Harley and Byrne, both a complete waste of space, 87 mins before Byrne managed to put a half-decent cross in. And while I don't normally join in the Cooper-bashing, today it didn't look like he knew how to lift them and the changes were puzzling at best. About the only person who had a worse game than us was the ref, but contrary to the 1-0 to the referee chants we didn't need any help from him, we lost that all by ourselves

What position was he playing?

Was I alone in thinking Gladwin might be half decent? I thought he did more than Luongo in his cameo personally. It looked like Luongo missed Kasim for sure.

That was an abysmal performance. If we intend to teach children to play professional football next season then the admission prices need to come down to suit.
I can't be arsed to watch us against Peterboro on TV, as that is going to be too embarrassing, may turn up for the Colchester game, simply not sure.

Sort of right midfield/wing.

He worked hard but was hopeless. One ridiculous shot from a tight angle that flew into the town end and one cross when there wasn't a soul in the box. Poor decision making all game from him, frustrating.

Nope, he did well when he came on.

Personally think Luongo has been blowing hot and cold for a while


Sort of wide right, advanced midfielder.

Fair enough.  I remain completely unconvinced by him as full back, however.  Not sure what his best position is.

You must be having a laugh. He and Fods were the only one trying.

I forgot that we did make their keeper work, a shot he palmed out after 10 minutes.

Second half the poor lad probably had hypothermia.

Making comments when not at the game can make you look silly. I was very impressed with Troy today, such a shame he got sent off.

Ward had his best game in a long time, and the thompsons did alright (louie needs to be more sensible playing balls forward though)

Everything else was shit. I'm not 100% sold on Smith if I'm honest - he's started well goalscoring, and if he can keep them up i'll forgive him, but his touch and hold up play was shite today, as it was last week.

Likewise.

Sub it is then.

He reminded me of a St Bernards puppy - big and enthusiastic and bounced around a lot but lacked direction. Don't see why we've brought him in, he clearly doesn't fit in with the rest of the team or the system(s) we try to play. That's not his fault, though, obviously.

Well the home fans got a taste today of what we have been seeing on the road all season. Garbage.

Worst of the bunch? Barker and Byrne. Totally ineffective. Harley was shite but provided our only decent shot of note.

I really felt sorry for Smith and Ranger, two huge centre forwards but we did not give them any crosses or service what so ever. Byrne simply must be dropped, an awful display with his end product today the worst I have seen here from a winger in years.

Gladwin's most promising cameo to date - I assume Luongo was injured?

Branco is a disaster waiting to happen. Comedy defender.

Troy was superb, and the second was never a yellow.

Wasn't sure what to make of Baldwin. He played a couple of really good passes out to Byrne, but at other times he looked completely lost and lightweight. And he looks a lot like Aden Flint, from the stands at least.

One of the few things that did make me smile today was noticing a poster in the bogs advertising 2014-15 season tickets on sale from 17th Feb. You'll be fucking lucky at the moment.

You can't hold that against him. But yes he does

All been said on here. Think that Cooper is treading on thin ice at the moment he is here by default really and not certain that Mr Power will be happy with the way it is currently going.

Be interested to see that and the reflected matchday ticket prices.

Where has the STFC from earlier in the season gone? We'd of smashed Oldham 4 nil not so long ago.

Going to be interesting what the prices are really and will give us an idication of what to expect going forwards. Even last season they were set by Watkins et al and Jedco kept them, if Power's first meaningful act is a price hike it won't go down well and people will expect a whole lot more!

Assume you mean a price hike? I'd be quite happy if they held them as they are. What worries me rather more is that the season tickets seem to go on sale earlier and earlier every year. Which means we're likely to be even more reliant on matchday revenue next season

Surely nobody is surprised by that shower of shite.

Its been like this for weeks now but the cracks have been papered over by great dollops of luck.

Those fuckers ain't getting £25 more of my money.

Useless cretins

Glad you said that...Smith was poor holding the ball and on the few chances when the ball was in the area was no where to be seen.
Where has all the passion gone....hang on a bit...better not go there cos i will get shot down in flames.

I did mean hike yeah.

Equally worrying is when the early bird period runs relative to the earlier date. Not sure the bank account can take a hit this soon after Christmas (well it may, but may not on principle). Actually last year I did it on interest free instalments, given it was crazy not to really. Don't think I finish that until May!?

We should have replaced Smith with Ranger. Smith won nearly every high ball in the 1st half but just flicked it on to their keeper. Ranger holds the ball up and brings others into play.

Haven't read back.

That was utter shit.

Only positive was Troys performance and he got sent off.

Barker......why? We have Storey and N'Guessan .....so why oh why are we persisting with him...

Byrne can't cross.....Reckord.....Won't.

Ranger and Smith...woeful with no support.

Midfield....like Walsall there wasn't one.

Defence.....panic stations mostly....don't dally, clear the fucking thing....

Lets all pray we don't collapse at Boro or we might end up with a West Ham 6 zip scenario.

As for resting Kasim for the JPT...it's the only thing we have a chance of winning so I'm with Cooper on this.

After getting lucky with the last few home games, we got found out today.

Oldham: shite but made us look worse. They deserve the three points (or six) on effort alone...quicker in all aspects.

Ref: another load of dogshit but cannot blame him for that.

Cooper: can only manage what's he got but by picking Barker etc, he's not making it easy for himself....I look at the table...he's done alright despite my dislike of him and he could pull the JPT out his arse.

Fans calling into Bbc wilts saying Coopers blown the play offs....fuck off you dreaming jokers, with quality at the top of this division some good teams won't go up and we aren't one of them...

Now...I read back through....

im going for a 100 quid increase.

as for the game, utter fucking shite, byrne my MOM. barker and reckord shite.

cant be fucked to write anymore, get me a beer

Just got back.

Pros
-the Thai Green Curry in Fjortoft's before the match was actually quite enjoyable, despite my reservations.
-The four/five lads in the DRS who sang the 'Thompson chant' (to the tune of no limit) for about ten minutes straight without a rest. Good work boys.
- TAH looks like he is actually pretty good, despite his constant moaning. Pleased to have him back in the squad for his playing ability. Was better than most of our midfielders going forward.
-Fods made a couple of great saves in the 2nd half

Cons- Everything fucking else.

I'm going to the pub.

No passion, no desire, no effort.

Remember when we didn't put up with shit like that? Extra training tomorrow anyone?

Where did i say he played  shit ?

Oh I didnt
Has 45 minutes for us in over 13 months and gets a red so banned hence my comment   ::)

Any ST increase would be financial suicide....

I'm going to have to think long and hard as I'm now more inclined to go on the piss once a month to an away game.

I don't normally write anything in here, but thought I would as I haven't been to watch us for a while.

It seems most of the team today couldn't be arsed. I lost count of the number of times anyone could be bothered to run or close down the opposition, it was mainly indifferent jogging, no urgency at all. The ref was an absolute cunt, loved handing out cards to us, but seemed to avoid anything Oldham did. I can't blame the ref though, the players simply didn't want to be there.

Harley's a real disappointment and reminds me a bit of Prutton; he offers little and seems to be a passenger who runs around a bit.

Troy was the highlight and seemed to be one of the only ones who cared. He was really composed and it was amusing that he was sent off. He seemed to actually have some desire and seemed far more composed than anyone else in the back line.

Gladwin was good, and the lad seems to have promise, but why he came on for Luongo, who finally woke up in the second period, I've no idea, he'd finally started to play some and we were left with Harley, who clearly had little interest or desire.

Oh well, I'm not annoyed at the result, just by the total lack of desire.

No, you said he didn't want to play for us. Whereas his play clearly demonstrated that he did. If anything, he was perhaps a bit over-enthusiastic, especially on the first yellow. Hence my reply. Fair enough?

When did we last play well and deserve to come away from a game with something? It has to be at least before Christmas. Cooper has been lucky we have managed to get over the line at home in the last few weeks. Our general performance has been poor for a while now. Personally I think Cooper is a poor tactician. Lately we seem to have lost the desire and motivation we had earlier in the season and its now showing. Good players have been carrying this team for the last few months and with most of then out today it proved that the rest of the squad is poor.

Why do we have to try and pass it sideways all the time instead of actually getting the ball in the box and having a shot? Harley is so bad. I didnt rate him much earlier in the season but today he took it to an even poorer level. What a waste of a wage.

Ive lost a lot of interest this season and if ST prices go over 400 then I certainly wont be renewing for mid to lower table L1 football next season.

Should have postponed that today. We need a leader on the pitch, the team had no desire apart from TAH and we need to shoot more. 1 shot all game is pathetic, not happy and don't want to watch a match like that again :cry:

And Cooper don't shake ur head when you send Ranger on. That man has got most the points for you this season....rant over

Cooper must have been seething the cheer ranger got when he went on.

Nathan Byrne was woeful on the wing today.
I know I should not single out any individual but not one decent cross into the box, out muscled every tackle, actually I felt sorry for him and should have come off.
Worse home game of the season and their keeper had nothing to do all game.
It was absolutely garbage.

Was involved in this - must say myself but this was the highlight of the game for me too.

But at least he tried Duke, that other fucker over the other side was woeful.....trap the ball, pass sideways/back......two big and decent headers of the ball send the ball in quick!

Byrne just hit it in to the first man or took nine touches too many and fell over.

I'll read back later...Byrne was fucking crap today, as for Luongo he gets worse every time I see him! Harley was bollocks and we were just pretty shit overall! Some positives, Wes made a few good stops, TAH good to see him back and at least he tried to enforce himself on the game! No passion from anyone else, and felt like a waste of a Saturday afternoon! We'll win Wednesday though - all on the JPT for me! Personally feel we've been lucky to win the last few home games, but we've got it done, however all 'runs' come to an end and for me a good job we've got so many points on the board as we have looking forward!

Anyways off for a curry and a few (more) beers!  :pint:

One thing for me that the team is lacking has to be ball winners. A lot of half-hearted players in our starting 11 today (Harley, Byrne, Barker and Rekord and Luongo to some extent) - most of them looked scared of making a challenge. Thompson brothers proper footballers, even if Nath didn't have the best of games today. TAH looked good to be fair, and showed a lot more desire than everyone else!

About Luongo - don't know what it is but he looks a shadow of what he was at the start of the season, maybe knackered, is his first full season and has played majority of minutes.

Tackling is largely going out of the game, which is why we haven't got any....as for Mass, Div 3 is a place of hard attritional football...you need some hard seasoned pros, to compete properly, rather than sporadically, we haven't got any besides Ward, and so are always going to be erratic. What we must hope is that these lads, can come back a bit more battle hardened and street wise next season.

Based upon what I've read here today I have the following comments:

1. I'm surprised that anyone has been considering playoffs with the 'youth' signings we have made this year and the culling of experienced and expensive players.
2. JPT is our only chance of any glory. Kasim was 'rested' because of a niggle and to save him for the JPT. I'm happy with that as Harley 'should' have been an able deputy. Kasim appears to make our side tick or at least more cohesive. If Harley couldn't do that then no wonder we struggled.
3. We were missing Mason and Pritchard who are our two most creative players. Any surprise that there was no spark? Couldn't bring Reis on because of other needs - Not sure whether he would have been the answer either as ?I dont think anyone has seen enough of him to judge.
4. Luongo went off with tight hamstrings according to Cooper. Barker for Ranger was an obvious change if he was ineffective. Smith probably stayed on the pitch as he had gelled with Ranger in the last 2 games.
5. TAH given 45 mins to get him game time and give Ward a rest. No problem with that. The comment about him not wanting to play for Town was a joke based upon the fact that he has not featured for 13 months due to constant injury.

Finally, this is what being a Town fan is all about. Following a team that in between brilliance and shockingly shitness which battles for a mid to lower half table finish. Defeats are hard to take, but need to be put in context.

I'm looking forward to seeing us on the box - I always do. However, the majority of the time (over the years) we never do ourselves justice or I just end up disappointed.

TBF I haven't been to a single game all season,  but we don't sound as good a side as we had up until November. Swindon historically go to shit during the winter,  I think our fans (me included)  assume we should at least be a mid table championship side and therefore should be in with a shout,  but then again we haven't been in the championship for a long time. More a case of nearly but not quite,  I suppose that is what makes it so frustrating.

Agree with that, Cooper is learning a lot throughout the season I expect too. What today also showed is how much we missed our 3 best players on the ball in the team - Pritch, Mason and Kasim. Can only hope that we replace the 2, and possibly 3, that are likely to not be here next season.

We've barely come close to being a Championship side in the time I've supported the club. Realistically, play-offs is the pinnacle for me.

I have doubts that we could sustain ourselves any higher than this.

'Today has taught me that one or two players can talk a good game but can’t back it up.'

Thought that was an interesting comment from Cooper. Presumably has to relate to players that haven't been starting lately?  Hartley? Reckord? Byrne?

My first match day post for quite a while.

What a fucking shitbag cunt of a performance that was today.

Pro's: Troy - fucking monster of a 2nd half cameo. Rusty? maybe.

He's obviously grown wayy bigger knackers than some of his contempories while he's been fucking around on the Playstation / Twitter account for the last 18 months though, and was the best centreback and midfielder we had on show all game.

Fods: Top drawer saves to keep the score respectable. Kept himself alert all game (a nailed-on 'must do' with the geriatric old cunt Ward playing in front of him.

Gladwin: Showed some bollocks going forward despite a shaky start to his town career. Got into the game and showed some good movement and passing going forward.

Cons: The most insipid, lifeless, gutless, cluless, gay fucking gordon performance I've seen out there for many a year.

Special mention: I fucking hate picking on players individually, but does anyone else see the uncanny resemblance that Harley has to Matt 'The Fairy' Hewlett??

Waltzing around the pitch, half-hearted tackles, posing touches to no one and generally looking like he's doing something, but actually contributing fuck all in reality.

Up yer game Harley, or we'll send Andy Gurney round to see your missus...

And if the rumours are true about Ranger arriving at the ground half an hour before the match, well, he fucking deserves to fail miserably in football, let alone life in general.

That said, somehow I think a decent manger would actually get his respect, so I think he probably considers Cooper to be a bit of a knob and therefore worthy of his disdain.

I know we had players out today but Coopers selections really baffle me sometimes. Barker is a small striker. Why on earth is he being played out wide? Should have played N'Guessan but then I guess he has pissed Power and Coops off and wont play for us again.

Yes...that is a bit of a concern, not sure what Mason's contract situation is , but he's a long way from the finished article and could probably do with following the Luongo road to the CG full time. Pritchard, reading between the lines we'd be unlikely to get. At the appointment stage, I was against Cooper getting it, but I think he's doing OK...as long as that continues, all well and good.

Question: When Ward was subbed for Troy, who was giving the Captains armband ???????? :pint: :pint: :pint: :pint:

That was fucking shite.  :suicide:

Ah well off to Peterborough and then Port Vale next  :headhurts:

Doesn't that sum Cooper up as a manager as well though, he spouts stuff about desire from the players but when he's a corpse leant against the dug-out it doesn't really inject any urgency or provide any direction to 'young players' (as he keeps telling us). I'm not sure the players have that much respect for him and the whole Ranger thing must have seriously undermined him especially when they decided they want Ranger back.
As for Ranger being late, he took part in the pre-match warm up so a complete load of bollocks I would say!

Nathan Nathan Nathan Nathan Nathan, Nathan Thompson

According to his Q&A yesterday it was Cooper's idea to ask the players if they wanted to give Ranger another chance.

Could be a fairly long process, but Walsall are a model that we should be looking at. Same model been in place for a while now, and starting to reap the rewards now, likely to get a play-off place and got a very good team, best I've seen at CG this season.

Even if he did take part, players are meant to be there at a designated time. normally about 2 hours before kick off. he could have got there at 2.20 made kick about and still been late for all we know.

Back from the pub.

Nathan Fucking Byrne deserves a full on defrocking and 400 penal laps of the pitch after his performance today. Appalling, appalling, appalling. How he stayed on for the entirety of the first half, then survived half time, then survived all of the second half, I do not fucking know.

Harley was shit. Anyone who taps the ball straight into the wall from 25 yards with a 50/60mph tailwind doesn't deserve to take free kicks. the worst of a bad bunch in midfield.

Doubtless other piss poor excuses for players will cross my mind later, but right now that's what sticks out.

I'd like to say that Branco wasn't as bad as some are making out. He's a good defender and in the lead up to the Oldham goal he made 2 goal-saving tackles.

Kept quiet all season so far but now just a couple of comments after today

Harley - Shit (agree with the Hewlett comparison only Hewlett was marginly better)
Rekord - shit
Byrne - shit today
Ref - Shit
Cooper - rightly given time but proving himself to be out of his depth......looking shit....Luongo substitution and fans mentioning Malpas today as a prompt tells a tale
JPT - Shit.......lets stay up please and not mimick Chesterfield

Shit game played by two shit teams in front of a shit ref. shit.

Overheard and not prompted on three seperate occasions today after the game, fans (who I do not know) likening our performance to the Malpas era, and I think todays performance only encourages those comments.............and after today Im not going to argue.

I remember previously we had passion fuelled highly animated manager on the touchline...

People complained about that, too....

Andy King?

I guess my main worry is we know we have a young team and if we lose a couple in a row you can see heads going down and things really falling apart. We've seen already that Cooper hasn't got a clue when it comes to sorting the away form, if the same happens to our home form what will he do then....

Have you not noticed that people tend to complain regardless of who is manager or how we're doing?

Which model is that? The "recruit a manager that knows what the fuck he's doing" model? Yes I would quite like us to give that one a try.

Funnily enough I recall their fans saying similar after we beat them at their place last season.

Its a snippet of information that's relevant to the opposition's home town/city. Keep up.

Walsall financially have lived within their means for a while. They survive with far more local football competition in their catchment area. There is a lot to be admired about that

But for most of that time have they really been building their squad slowly as some bigger plan, or have they just happened upon a good combination the last season or two. I'd suggest the latter.

2009-2010 10th
2010-2011 21st
2011-2012 19th
2012-2013 9th

Not bad, but not world beating. While there are no guarantees money talks, even at this level (see Brentford, Bournemouth). I guess we are trying a different way with the Spurs link coupled (ultimately) with a Walsall financial prudence.

But we are a much bigger club with more potential than Walsall. Town of 205k with a catchment of double that within a 20 minute drive. I know there are probably 40-50k,armchair prem fans in that area,  but we should and,always be a bigger club than Walsall. We should be at least on a par with Preston

No...we've always been pretty similar to Walsall, evidenced by fact we've a 1 win better record in 90 odd FL fixtures. That's not going to change anytime soon. As things stand...recent history has created the situation whereby a fella who tax avoids in Switzerland, owns the club and does what he wants....which leaves the fans with a simple choice...do I still continue to attend with this model or not bother.

ATM, relative to Walsall, who also operate under a similar model, whereby the owner Bonser runs a tight ship, turning a profit most seasons on the back of a car boot sale in the car park, but gets smaller crowds.

Judging by the comments of a few on here...losing to the Latics is the final straw...and we'll be heading for much reduced crowds...not sure a car bot sale on the CG car park will be a winner though.

Power is in charge you fool, Cooper's the face. Power makes all the decisions, if they go badly Cooper gets the flak. How anyone still doesn't know this by now baffles me, why do you think Cooper got the job in the first place? How many decent managers would agree to have no freedom whatsoever.

Me too.

Harley, Byrne and Barker today were up there with the worst individual performances I've ever seen. Harley doesn't really do anything at all, Byrne tried hard but every single thing went wrong for him, and let's hope Barker's performance was just him being overawed by the occasion... Smith was poor but can't blame him when he had no service whatsoever. How Luongo escapes criticism I don't know, he's been awful recently but doesn't get any stick. Reckord wasn't great but I think he'll improve after he gets a run of games, Ward and Archibald-Henville were good, would like to see them play together when both fit, Branco still looks very raw, makes mistakes but also makes some fantastic last ditch tackles/clearances, patience needed with him, I think he'll turn out to be a good signing for us. Both Thompsons were ok, not great, Foderingham played well. Gladwin looks promising, but not ready to be starting games yet.

Wrong formation today, also Ranger and N'Guessan should be walking into this side. Think if/when we see Ranger, N'Guessan, Pritchard, Kasim and McEveley all back the results will start to improve, today's 11 was the weakest town team on paper for some years, probably back to 05/06...

 

Mason's deal expires in the summer. Hall has one until 2015 for some reason.

Summed up pretty well. Harley is a pussy afraid to do anything and you're right about Luongo, he's been bad for quite some time now.

To me Luongo, a bit like mason at times, seems to go through the motions rather than with maximum effort. Fatigue? Confidence? Not got the right player beside him? Who knows.

He is a good player not playing his best. Hopefully form is temporary...

Reg's prophecies of doom are spreading judging by some of the comments on here.

Good summing up on yesterday - not sure what`s happened to Byrne - today confirmed that last week`s poor showing wasn`t just a one off - it was woeful. Presuming there must be more to Barker game as there wasn`t anything today so that shouldn`t be too difficult. Get Luongo out as he needs to find out he isn`t as good as he thinks he is...I am going away for 2 weeks in the middle of the month - I won`t miss the football....

It's becoming inherent.

We were woeful yesterday and it's obvious that performances need to improve. Despite our current poor form, however, we are a good team that is only 5 points adrift from the playoffs. Teams do improve/worsen as the season goes along and although some would have us think otherwise it is not beyond the realms of imagination that we can return to form. Something like Troy coming back could provide the catalyst for that. It's also possible, of course, that we could capitulate but without a crystal ball it is not yet possible to say which way it will go.

To write us off now is incredibly premature and myopic. For the sake of balance, I'd be equally critical of anybody claiming that we are certain to make the playoffs.

Cannot disagree with that. Mid table is the likely scenario I feel.

Correct. Most people on here have been following the game for long enough (although you wouldn't think so at times) to know that football is a gloriously illogical, inexact science. Teams who, up to a certain point have been playing abysmally badly can suddenly go on a long unbeaten run and there's no telling what the spark for that might be (could be a player coming back from long term injury - who knows?) In previous seasons, the squad has had too many players who just aren't good enough. This season, we've got good players who are just not playing well right now and there's a world of difference between the two.

Football fans in general (not just STFC) have the attention span of Goldfish. After we've had a decent win it will be...."Oooooh, hopefully this will shut up the 'I'll be happy with mid-table brigade' once and for all, this team is headed for the play offs, minimum"....then, after a few admittedly crappy displays it's..."Ooooooh, if anyone thinks we have the slightest chance of getting anywhere near the play offs, they're a complete fucking moron" ::)

Personally, I think we will finish somewhere around 8th-10th but I'm certainly not going to write off our play off chances - far stranger things have happened.

Edit: What JJ said but using a lot more words ;)

What is the point of Byrne?..managed to look the worst player in a really poor performance

Nothing came off for him yesterday, he was at least putting the effort in. He can certainly cross a lot better than he did yesterday. In fact when we got him on loan last season he was fizzing some superb crosses into the box.

This was Byrne yesterday.

(http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m9uqt4OI7b1r13ipfo1_400.gif)

Or this.

(http://25.media.tumblr.com/fc7add541bc98a476183973c06ab43d3/tumblr_mxizpiDcWN1t3ian7o1_250.gif)

etc. etc.

Good point. Byrne never once hid, never stopped trying - even if it wasn't coming off. First half he got a lot of the ball with his back to goal by coming off the line but suffered from a lack of midfield support, but he kept going, he kept troubling their defence. He is the complete opposite of N'Guessan, he has a footballing brain but not the physique, big Dany is very much the opposite.

I think a lot of our problems stem from so much chopping and changing of tactics and formations over the last couple of months which, though a necessary attempt to address our away form, has muddled the minds of the players as to what they're supposed to be doing, while not leading to any upturn in results.

Yesterday afternoon was like watching a troupe of circus misfits, with big bulldozers like Smith, Archibald-Henville and Gladwin cavorting enthusiastically around the pitch while limp-wristed ghost presences like Harley, Barker and Reckord stepped politely out the way to watch them pass by. There seemed to be no tactical attempt to join them up as a cohesive unit.

Where at the start of the season the players seemed to have an almost telepathic understanding of where their team-mates were and how to help them by moving into space they now look frozen to the spot, scouring the horizon for invisible companions, unaware or afraid of the space they were naturally drifting into before even when we play almost the same 11 that was so fluent at the beginning of the season.

What concerns me most is how we seem to have sacrificed the go-out-to-entertain-and-see-what-happens aspect of the side totally in an attempt to emphasise a grind-out-results-to-climb-the-table approach that, seeing as our transfer policy has largely been built around bringing in players that fit our early-season pass and move, total football model, is the tactical equivalent of a child trying to jam square pegs through round holes, with similarly unsuccessful and unattractive results.

I thought Ward, Branco and Henville were our best performers yesterday. When the centre of defence looks the most cohesive aspect of our team, something has gone seriously awry.

Harley was like this too, except without the actual running around bit.


As Benzel posted earlier in the thread that everything Byrne did today went wrong, and apart from one cross which ran along the six yard box in the most part it did.
But at least he was still trying to do something, unlike Harley (and Barker when he was on), who did absolutely fuck all.

When games are not going well, you find out who the real men in your team are. And they aren't the ones that hide away from the ball when it's going wrong & the crowd are on their back.

Have to say I've been a bit sceptical of TAH's commitment with some of his comments (albeit mostly on twitter), but he did look one of the few players to show some pride yesterday.

As for those that don't think Pritchard is any good, I think that yesterday showed that without him & Kasim in the team we aren't half as good a team.

For all is fucking about and losing the ball he is a bundle of energy that is always looking for the ball, and like Kasim seems to be available for a pass even with players around them.

I don't rate Pritchard very much but I do rate Kasim. I don't think Pritchard would have made much difference yesterday. He's not made much difference recently at all.

I agree. As long as we can ride the bad patch until the end of Feb and remain in touching distance of the play offs we will improve with the better conditions / pitches and storm up to the Championship through the play offs. ;D

Power's only allowed in the country 90 days a year. If he's in charge of the playing side as you suggest, how does he coach the players? Via Skype?

Given the last 2 home performances and the luck we had in the previous 3 allied to our away form recently and you could be correct

Touché

Excellent post.

In all of the last six games (that I've seen with my own boggle eyes) we need two touches before deciding were its going next....even Oldham and the Pikeys knew before the ball got to them.

It's all gone a bit shit recently.

Well, for once, we all seem to be agreed on yesterday!!  Shit performance, got what we deserved, lack of effort, no quality, players running around like headless chickens, no guile, no pace, in fact the only bright spot for me was the TAH performance, although Wes was blameless.  The players singled out for ridicule really do need to up their game - and very quickly.

Whilst TAH showed how to open up Oldham by running with it he was still a bellend for getting sent off given the ref made sure it was a non contact sport. Somehow, I cant see Exeter getting an extra 20k from us.

I think were agree a new deal with Exeter (if its allowed) Either that or release him for free and they get nowt.

I think our performance was totally summed up by the fact that it took us four attempts to take a free kick awarded for offside - the first three attempts we tried to take it from inside their half!!

Foul on Thompson in the 1st half. Just about a freekick?

It was just outside BUT...did the defender get booked?  Miles from the ball...cynical not nasty...auto yellow for me...Ref was a right cunt.

If we had got a pen we would of skyed it....

The bit in the second half where the Oldham player was caught offside and we tried to take it twice in their half and then twice again whilst the referee was playing silly buggers summed up the ineptitude of both our players and the referee.

Troy's first booking however was possibly the funniest thing I have ever seen, he totally cleaned the Oldham boy out!

Shit game, shit ref.

Nathan Byrne failed on end product but ran his socks off and at least made the effort.

Darren Ward still had the odd blip but made some very important touches- best game he has had for a while.

One of the things that wids me up at the moment is lack of effective distribution-

Thorw ins- no one looking to make effective space to recieve the ball. Mostof our throws seem to be to a player sandwiched between a couple of the opposition.

Wes- sometimes completely misses the run into space that the likes of Byrne or Jay make. On several occasions I have seen them stop a run looking back in exasperation at Ws still holding the ball or rolling it out for a long punt.

One of those games where I wished it had been rained off.

Enjoyed the drive home better then the football

It was utter shite

Reckord, Im sorry, but his distrbution was shocking, from throw ins, to just general passing a ball, either that or he is colour blind! And his positioning defensively was shit.

Barker, looked like another Ronan Murrey, but thats prob being unfair on the two of them as they havent been here 5 mins.

Smith, I like him, Bryne, cant cross wont cross, even with 2 6ft plus forwards in the box. There was no midfield, say a lot when the most creative bit from us was our CB with a little dink. Perhaps Branco could make a good DM if we signed a couple more CB.

Cooper maoning about the Ref, mate our problems are a lot closer to home!!

"Highlights" up. Powder-puff defending for their goal, very soft second card for Troy. But then you knew all that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzfmTbXyvC4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzfmTbXyvC4)

My observation is that in recent games the midfield 3 of Luongo, Harley, insert name here are practically sat on top of our back 4. When the ball heads up top, although the strikers try their hardest to hold it up, it comes back far too quickly. Add that to our powder puff tackling and it doesn't bode well.

Although I'm no budding tactician, I would suggest having a strong midfield enforcer type to protect the back 4 and have at least one of the 3 centre mids supporting the strikers a bit more. But what do I know....

I think the last bit is pertinent. The effort to offer support to the strikers was gash on Saturday. The worrying thing from away tweets from Sam is that opposition teams create chances with our players not tracking runners. It looked like the effort was only half-hearted on Saturday which is worrying. Players didn't seem to want to take responsibility on the ball or offer themselves up for a pass, apart from Byrne, whose decision making was pants unfortunately.

I've mentioned about throw ins before, so frustrating.

In my opinion Cooper keeps screwing around with the midfield. On sat Luongo was the one sat the deepest in the midfield, surely this guy is our best box to box player, why play him there? He may have been trying to preserve his energy for Posh as per Kasim being dropped for the game. He had L Thompson though who is surely made for that role.

Our midfield is at it's best when Kasim, Luongo and Mason are all on the pitch and in form at the same time, which is what we had at the beginning of the season. Since then, Kasim has had a little dip but is back to a decent standard, Luongo is in what can only be described as a slump and Mason is up and down from the treatment table and in terms of form.

All been said and more surprisingly a very large percentage saw the same problems regarding players/tactics etc..

Thought for a long while now that we needed a "old" pro in the middle of the park to help bring what are basically the untried players on, and they could be rotated as such. For my money, Hollands would have been a good acquisition but assume he is still at Gillingham?

There must be others around who would have fitted the bill but assume unless it is an emergency loan it is now too late and we have to run with what we have got.

A Douglas or McCormack, are beyond our means, a Gareth Whalley or Lilian Nalis might not be, I know what I prefer.

Harley is 29, shouldn't he be the 'old' (ish) pro that should be taking the game by the scruff of the neck?

That's what Harley is supposed to be though isn't it?

As Reg points out, difficult to tell beforehand if you're getting a McCormack or a Prutton - thought Harley looked decent at the start of the season but he was woeful on Saturday.

With respect to some of the other positional criticisms in this thread, Luongo has fairly regularly played a deeper role recently, admittedly alongside Kasim much of the time. Barker said himself he's an attacking midfielder not a striker so may be why he was deployed as such.

Sometimes a run of poor performances isn't due to tactical mistakes, much as that's a favourite stick to beat Cooper with, but the players just aren't performing to the right standard.

That's also to be laid at the door of the manager and coaching staff, but it's not made easy for them when key performers from earlier in the season are injured (Mason) suspended (Pritchard) or suffering a loss of form (Luongo).

Or a Navarro...I think the current policy is the right sort of way forward and inevitably will lead to some shit performances, as well as some good...the emphasis is very much on Cooper and Williams to be able to polish turds...not easy and needs patience from the fans..

Agree totally. This policy needs the few experienced heads to help the youngsters, Ward has done that for a year and a half, Harley it seems not so much.

Patience is key but unfortunately not something in great supply at the County Ground.

Hardly reasonable to expect youngsters (and castoffs like Kasim and Branco) to play at their maximum every week over a 50 game season. Maybe we were a bit spoilt by a few of them coming out of the blocks looking so good.

Don't want to sound all Chang like but Hollands has returned to Charlton and expects to get sent out on loan when the loan window opens. Possibly to Pompey.

And Powell to get the boot this week. Apparently they have a set up with Standard Liege similar to us with Spurs and Powell isn't liking it.

Was the absence of Kasim really because of the paint pot? Any quotes from Cooper? :unsure:

I do vaguely remember hearing him saying that in his post match.

More than Cooper?

He just said that he made changes with the JPT in mind, wasn't specific on what changes.

I believe Kasim is on 9 yellows, perhaps that was the reason!

He played Harley in front of Luongo which was a calamitous decision, Harley has about as much attacking ability as a legless tortoise.

I loved that, he decided to pull out of the challenge but his mind was too quick for his body and he just carried on running full pelt.