Thetownend.com

Looking forward to a Festive Friday football feast and there's also a game at Stadium mk. Localish game for me but don't usually enjoy games there and think this one will finish 1-1 with around 5,000 there and around 300 town fans.

Apparently we've already sold 700 tickets...

BUT OXFORD SOLD A BILLION MORE! SHADOW RELATED BANTZ

Town will lose.

Will lead 1-0 for a long period of the game, conceded 2 in the last 10 minutes for another defeat.  Williams wil bounce along on the radio and say we did lead for an hour but these young lads need to learn how to see a game out - morale is now at rock bottom!

we will get at least a point. at least. guaranteed.

Ignominious defeat at the team with the (before today) worst home record in the division. Sorry.

Roll on the transfer window to get new players in.

Sad to say I think we'll out-shit them (their home record v our away record). 2-1 defeat.

They don't win at home, we don't win away.

0-0.

Must win not least cause I put £20 on at 18/5. Now 19/5 and surely worth a flutter at those odds. Team - Vigs, Thompson, Jones, Branco, Furlong, Kasim, Doughty, Murray, Brophy, Obika, Hylton. Score 2-1 Obika and Hylton.

Agree with this. Worst 3rd division I can remember and after Beamish's lot this is the worst team in my 45 years of watching them.

I hope that no Town team ever again is as poor as the Beamish side.

Although this season is shit I am not sure its as crap as the side managed by Iffy in 05-06 who at this stage of the season we were rock bottom with less point and less wins and 8 less goals scored.

But time will tell on that one.

They didn't win at home until today.. Something to nil for them.

The Beamish side was infinitely better than the current shower. Just an average side tbf.  Consider we've already lost more CG games than they did over the whole season; they reached the 4th round of the FA Cup, and as up til then a noted cup fighting club, it gave the fans a bit of a lift. That included winning 7-0 at Kettering, 3-2 at The Den and beating second in then Div 2, Carlisle at the CG after a replay.

Alan Mayes scored 17 and Jimmy Quinn was starting to come through....Garry Nelson was a decent player. That side never conceded 4 in a game that season, something we've managed a record breaking 3 times before Christmas.

We're 2 points better off than Iffy's side, so not a lot between them. The sale of Fallon was a major nail in that season's coffin.

This side is as bad if not worse than Iffy's, without a goalscorer we will go down.

Haha this isn't even the worst team this decade

Any result would be a boost...but alas...I'm not going OR holding my breath...

I'm struggling to think of a worse one, whose yours?

2010-11

I respect your opinion, I don't agree with it but its all about opinions.

I agree that 2010-11 was worse because that squad *should* have done better.

Opinions and all that.

10/11 side was better than this one at the equivalent point in the season, but the window sales of Austin and Morrison, without adequate replacement, made the second half of the season side at least in the top 3 for the dubious accolade of worst ever.

This current lot could very easily head that list by May.

Now that is unarguable. Poor up front post Austin as Reg says. At least this time we have an opportunity to change that from day 1 of the window rather than a panic Benyon.

Yeah reg said it better. That side Feb onwards was worse than this is - the side up to January was on par with this one (but underachieving more as Rich said)

Say what you like about power, but he has shown time and again a willingness to get in the required quality (usually on loan) to dig us out of a hole. The rule change about mid season loans has fucked him over to an extent this season (not to excuse him - he should have still planned properly).

I've got every faith we'll get enough business done in Jan to strengthen the squad so that we won't go down, and finish in a similar position as last year

I still maintain we could be in for a decent season. it's a very tight league this year so far.

It all depends on how the squad is strengthened and, as Dave mentioned above, Power isn't afraid to put his hand in his pocket if needed. (Despite what some would have you believe). Make the right additions and this is the kind of league that will be easy to begin climbing.

the league is certainly worse/closer than it was in 2010/2011, so I can see where optimism  comes from.

can't see where the budget to by a good striker in January is coming from, but you never know

How's about from the same person that bought the other good players we had in the last 3 years or so?  ;) (Including Ajose)

On my way! Don't have a good feeling, 4-1 defeat unfortunately with Norris scoring our goal.

Gave up looking for places of historical interest in what appears to be one massive car park.

So pre match preparation in Wetherspoons.

Hopefully a decent turnout of travelling consumer units tonight.
Important game, anything but a defeat will do.

If they get relegated, wonder if the stadium would become a Darlington Arena type white elephant.

Darlo no longer play at the white elephant....it would be good to see them get back in the FL....in much the same way as it would be good to see Franchise crash and burn into the non league level they belong, and try and achieve FL status the right way.

Here's hoping your last sentence comes true

I have to disagree on this, that season we were a division lower, it was our lowest ever league position, 7 of Mayes 17 goals were penalties, yes Quinn coming through was a bonus but this season we do have Young, Henry and Smith coming through the ranks.

That season also heralded the lowest average attendance post war in the clubs history, with the lowest 4 league attendances ever at the County Ground with just 1,681 vs Darlington, 1,876 vs Posh, 1,941 vs Mansfield and 2,164 vs Torquay and only one match (6,493 vs Shitty) attracted a crowd of over 4,600 (including a home game with Reading).

The fans voted with their feet that season.

Yes it was a lower division....crowds were lower across all football, a combination of hooliganism and Thatcherite economic policy putting so many onto the dole as traditional industries closed. So what if some of Alan Mayes's goals were pens, are you trying to convince me that he wasn't better than Delf, Norris, Hylton or Obika.  Besides Quinn, we also had Colin Baillie and Charlie Henry coming through.

Back then it was quite common for sides in Div 4 to jack it in come March, as if you were mid table little to play for.  This was one of the reasons for the introduction of PO's in 86/87.....further with no relegation, we were never in any danger of being required to seek re-election.

I'm not claiming that was a great side, but compare someone like Leigh Barnard and Anton Rodgers, both very limited players, but Leigh would always work his nuts off for you, which is why Macari liked him as we rose through the Divs. Whereas Anton doesn't. That side despite its limitations would have too much for the current bunch....although playing on grass rather than mud might cause a problem or two.

Can't argue with that, LKB compared to Rodgers, both limited players but chalk and cheese with effort.

1-0 dons with branco sent off

we'll see, we've spent a fair wedge on vigs and donkey Norris. I'll be happy to be proven wrong, noises have been made Scott experience to so maybe you'll be proven right.

We still have to fulfill the wage as % turnover cap too don't we? would imagine we have wiggle room here mind.

think it'll have to be loans myself, without sales.

Think it's the lack of effort that pisses people off with the current lot....not something you could say about the likes of Andy Rowland, Dave Hockaday etc who were also in that 83/84 side.

Is there a spoons nearby? Just arrived at the retail park, it's fucking foggy out. Nasty drive up!

still think a sizable chunk of lack of effort is also down to lack of confidence - not in all mind.

that's for the coaches to put right

August comes....repeat...

Anyway.....I'm going for a fog off....

Is the correct answer.

 Fuck franchise yesterday, fuck franchise today and fuck franchise tomorrow.

I've always liked the highly scientific method for playing in fog. The ref stands on the centre spot, if he can see the goal posts, you can play.  Problem is the fans can't necessarily see much.

Brighton v cardiff just fallen foul of the fog. According to Franchise twitter, our game has passed a "fog inspection" at 5:15

Attacking lineup!

Vigouroux; Rossi-Branco, Thompson (C), Jones; Furlong, Thomas, Smith, Murray, Obika; Hylton, Norris.

TOWN SUBS | Henry, Barry, Rodgers, Brophy, Doughty, Goddard, Delfouneso.
---------------------------------
Looks good to me. KOD.

Obika, Hylton and Norris? I wonder if Hylton is playing more as an attacking midfielder/winger tonight?

I think/hope it'll be Norris bunged out wide if its not a front 3.

Some mad fucking cunt has walked into the away end wearing shorts.

 I assume the lack of Kasim, means he's out of the door....

McMahon's back? And I thought this season was bad enough already...

Definitely the most likely reason for injury prone Kasim.
----

They are suggesting n the radio Obika may be playing left wing back. Surely fucking not.

Surely Smith is playing there?

Why not? Chuck Vigs up front whilst at it, he cant be any worse.

Looking at how we are warming up, it's looks like 3-5-2. Branco, Thompson and Jones getting separate training to the rest. You'd think seeing who's starting that it would have to be on the 3 strikers playing LWB otherwise who will be playing CM?

Thomas rodgers and murray?together? Not confident

Seem to have mkd commentary on player.anyone else?

Yes I was just about to ask the same so that's two of us

Yep MK commentary on BBC Swindon through FM as well

Even the commentators can't be arsed to watch us any more

Obika playing lwb

oh good, 1-0

Here we go again  :badmood:

1-0 down

oh dear 1.0 down and having to listen to MK DONGS comms :suicide:

Oh well thats it then

I'll give it 10 more mins then it's going off if we haven't picked up by then

Swindon player having technical difficulties.oh the irony

Conceded.....it's over!

it's OK, our top scorer is playing left wing back, we'll be fine.

 Hopefully the fog comes down and puts us out of our misery...

Swindon comms back.we're saved!

fucking hell. fuck off. just fuck off. cunts.

2-0

That's it, I'm off.

Plumbing new depths of awful here.

Fuck this bunch of bottling shitcunts

Oh dear, I fear this will get nasty on Monday.

This is bad. Atmosphere sour already.

I'm at a loss with this current set-up.

Fucking hopeless....

Over as a contest.

If we get dicked I'm giving Southend a miss too...

Who in their right mind plays your main striker as left wing back?

Joke

Gutless cunts. The bigger the thrashing the better here imo. I wouldn't want us to come back & steal a point & give a false impression that they've turned the corner. The bigger the hiding, the more action will be taken in Jan!!

The best coach in 25 years, that's who..

Sherwood, Williams, Embleton, all seem fucking clueless.  Whichever twat thought playing Obika as lwb was a good idea should be tarred and feathered.

31 minutes in

POSSESSION
71%   
29%
CORNERS
4   
0
SHOTS ON TARGET
2   
0
SHOTS OFF TARGET
6   
0

so much for the Swindon way!!!

The thing is.... the bloke that hired them 3 and signed all the players needs to have a long hard look at himself.

Is this a piss take?!

Cunt deserves sacking on that decision alone....

I can't seem to grasp the concept of Obika playing LWB, please tell me it's some kind of joke?

And now our "inspirational" skipper limps off

He reminds me of Baldrick...His cunning plans never worked either !!

Don't bank on it !!!!!!  

Norris! Yay!

yipppppe, they've Swindon'd one in. 2-1

Fuck sake, here we go!!

Remember when Kingy got stick for shoving van der Linden up front...

Well playing your main striker as LWB is 100 times worse...

I look forward to a private Fraser quote at the end...

'I always knew we'd turn it round!'....

Oh we scored...

 :o

More like...We're doomed !!

True, but that was also a fucking shit decision.

Both shite decisions...but one is worse...

Sounds like the change of formation and Brophy's presence are making a difference.

Kings reasoning that he did it because Van deer Linden was Dutch will take some beating!

Since we've scored we've looked alright. Brophy looking threatening and Norris is playing very well imo, really think he will come good.

They on the other hand still look like scoring everytime they come forward

 Sounds like we're fortunate to still be in with a chance of an all important point. Losing to the side with the Div's worst home record, although not terminal, will be very damaging.

Well that was a let off if the radio comms are accurate.  But we are still in it, gift or no gift, we will still get at least a point.

Fucking stupid team setup to starts the match though.

Have we gone 4-4-2 then

Its now either 4-4-2 or 4-3-3, they weren't really clear on the radio other than to say Obika has shifted forward.

We should be 5-1 down. Letting them cross and shoot at will. Thompson  going off has forced a formation  change and we could get something out of it. Obika at lwb = wtf!!..

oh balls. game over.

3-1 Maynard

FFS

oh well. only cox and ranger up next

The Worthington's looking good.

And...that's yer lot...

Go fuck yourselves you bunch of feckless wankers! P45's for the whole fucking lot of you.

Branco is spoiling for a red now as well.

I dare say the niggly tackles will come in now and Town will see at least one player sent-off.

He'd probably get clapped off for showing some spirit, just to compound my mood

This is easily the worst STFC squad I have witnessed since starting to go regularly in 1987 a minimum of 7 players required just to stay up, I really don't know whether I can stomach another home defeat on Monday . Things could get really quite nasty if we go behind on Monday I think even the most apathetic supporters are starting to lose patience now.

Squad is shite, Williams & Embleton are out of their depth. Unless January sees wholesale changes to the squad, we are going down

1,000 Town fans there tonight

Hats off to everybody that went. Deserve so much better.

I literally can't remember a time within the whole of my 23 years following Swindon when I have actually become enraged a football team. Needless to say, at the end of the match we'll get the same old shite from Williams, he ran out of ways to say 'we are shit' a long time ago.

3-2, Branco, not over after all..

They are as good at defending as we are.

Branco! Yay!

Well fuck my tall hat !! 3-2

Just logged on and saw it was 3-1....now 3-2.

Very disappointed.

WTF are we listening to now?

Oh OK. And we are back in the room

Seconded.....

Im stuck with MK Dongs radio

Fair fucks, we may be shit, but at least we haven't folded. In fact we are on top.

We can still do this.

We all are. BBC Wilts is broken. We had 10 minutes or so with them, then it broke again.

Thanks. Thought I was special. :-(

In fairness, didn't know if you were in MK area, listening on player or listening to BBC Wilts. They are all the same anyway.

The good news is that you may not get a LW interview to type up. Mind you, cut and paste the last one and noone will notice.

the facebook group is full of suicidal people if anyone works for Samaritans

also if there are any teachers could get some 1-2-1 coaching lessons on spelling  :D

Every cloud eh? :-)

Goddard goes close - Save from keeper.

At least Shrews & Chesterfield are losing.

Jones & Norris commit fouls in order to waste the 5 mins of added time! :-(

Rubbish!

'Little harsh on Swindon after a good battling performance'

Lost a 6 pointer. Town came back into it when a poor MK side let them back in the game.

Could have been 3,4,5 nil at one point according to commentator.

We're actually getting worse, aren't we?

Good job there's a transfer window so close.

Jeeeesh!!

Nil pois......

Were going down down :suicide:

Are we in the shit now?  :no:

Ffs! This side are so fucking frustrating.  MK should have scored about 5 and yet I think we still feel like we could have drawn that as we looked good going forward.

Vigs was waving to the away fans at the end, looks like he's off.

Long drive back to Plymouth and I may be in the minority but I enjoyed that.

That is a fucking crap result, from a thus far fucking crap team, in a thus far fucking crap season.

We didn't collapse, somehow carried on. That is a positive of sorts. But MK are (were?) the shittest home team in the league - so its got to be put into that context.

I fear Rangers power (no pun) and movement will fuck us over on Monday. Maybe Branco do a special/he'll get injured tomorrow.

Probably the most critical and hopefully exciting January window for ages.

I bet it's a massive disappointment

It's the Swindon Town way!

 Very damaging....this is a mentally shattered group of players and staff.  This was a 6 pointer, we're probably going to have to beat Cov, Chesterfield, Shrews, Bury and Port Vale to have any chance of staying up....3 of them are away though  :(

:)

Sam Parkin:
- Bit of an improvoement
- Didnt come out of traps quick enough
- Vigs kept score down
- Rallied in 2nd half. Showed a bit of character that has been lacking
- Franchise comfortably seeing out game
- Goalkeeper at fault for Norris goal
- Branco missed out on a header just before. Headed the second chance down for a good goal.
- Kasim injured.
- Flat four when Thompson went off and Brophy came on. Looked more solid
- More attacking towards the end. Brophy for Thompson made us more attacking
- Thompson looked like a problem with his foot.
- Southend on Monday. Have to take something out of character shown today. Just defensively we need to be better. Huge gaps in the middle of the defence.
- Jan transfer window: Need everything except a keeper. Would be catastrophic if Vigs go. Deffo full back needed. Hylton and Norris showed that they would be good squad players. Need someone to partner Obika. More creativity and some pace required in wide areas.
- Sure that we have been monitoring young prem players. We have brought experience in before. Maybe a L1 or L2 CB might come in.

Williams coming up soon!

-  Started too slow, came back but left too much to do
   - not sure if oppo were good or if it was our mentality
 (belief or tactical)
- We look at everything. Tonight we looked like we tried to come back into it which we haven't always.
- Maybe the opposition took their foot off the gas....but we left it too late to come back at 2-0 down
(obika wing back)
- Those that know him well..started as a winger. Can put the ball in the box. Not a surprise for us...
- The team is never stronger without Nathan...(some drivel). Some problem with "authotic insert" (corrects gait) and caused pain - thinks we can sort it out.
(are you running out of ideas)
- no, sometimes the penny drops by saying things over and over. ....

damn, my battery ran out on radio..NMH?

Nathan off because his boot was injured.

I'd like to see Parkin given the job as manager cos he says good things and is a legend

Williams:
- Started too slow
- Came back into game. Left too much to do
- Not sure if opposition were good or we were poor
- Didnt weather storm well enough
- Looked like we might get back into game
- Going 2-0 down allowed us to have more of ball as they took foot off gas
- Smith shown he's not afraid to battle for a shirt
- Obika started career wide as left winger. Felt he could start there an improve team
- Thompson. Problem with his boot insert which caused him pain.
- Tried different systems, players. Are you running out of things to try? We'll keep trying. When penny drops and people take more responsibility then we may move forward
- Thought fans were fantastic tonight. Team were bouyed by it at half time.
- Pleased Brophy made impact when he came on.
- Kasim ankle injury
- It was a not lose game. Can we survive? Think we battle more than we have. Doesnt look like we over passed. Looked more direct. Thats what we are trying to do. Got ball forward quickly and caused problems
- Very clear lines of communication with Sherwood pulling strings. Players completely understand heirachy. At moment we are not getting as many victories as we want but its not because of commuincation problems or uncertanty between Williams and Sherwood instructions

Did my best but it was a little muffled.

Such a predictable, shit squad we've assembled.

Feel like we need 4 or 5 good signings before anyone leaves. Ridiculous to think we can't even try a basic 4-4-2 because we've got no wingers, for a start. That in itself is a joke. Loads of fans have become disillusioned during Powers reign and I'm currently well on my way.

Massive month ahead. Need incomings straight away but can see us waiting until Jan 31st when we've lost a few more games.

The movement in the transfer window is going to keep us up or send us down.  Really wouldn't give a damn if any of the players went with the exception of Vigs. Surely we wouldn't get enough for him at the moment to be worth selling him? If he goes, I honestly think I'm done.

Frustrating. Reasonable  performance undone by a baffling starting line up and the usual defensive frailties. Gotta wonder how long we'd  have persisted with it had Thompson  not broken down again. Instant improvement. (Shock). Bring on the window. Good vocal backing, they gave us something  to shout about for the most part. Hmph. Football hey? Ugh.

Sent from my SM-G930F

Oh do behave!

Thanks dude, much appreciated by us all.

Really thought we'd get something today, their home record is so bad, as is our away - something had to give. Obviously need serious reinforcements - I'd say 6. Hopefully have another go at getting Aaron Pierre. Fail to improve this squad and we will comfortably go down.

The only good thing about this side, is cashing in on their predictable shitness. Preshitable perhaps.

I'm glad somebody does!

Better than Millwall performance but only because we didn't give up. Why we persist in playing 3 at the back is beyond me. Looked much better when Brophy came on and we reverted to a 4. There is a lack of intensity in our play with and without the ball. We seem to coast through games only showing the necessary desire in occasional 10 minute spells. The number of crosses and shots they had because we didn't close them down was laughable. We need some strong characters in and quickly.

Home with a beer - having vowed enough times to never go back to that place - maybe it's more than I deserve.

Still, a night's out a night out and all that.  It might have been a trick of the glass, but Lee Power was looking pretty trim in reception before the game: maybe the 'premiership experience' needed was right before our eyes all along!?

So credit where it's due, it's a magnificent arena, with the top tier view being pretty handsome.  The excellent Town turnout slightly contradicts those amongst us who talk us down as a club in crisis and riven with apathy.  We just need something to believe in.

Sadly, the team don't look capable, or interested enough in delivering that just now.  The first eight minutes were utterly baffling, an incomprehensible formation ("well it looks like it's supposed to be 3-5-2, with Obika wide"), with players strolling around as if waiting to be given some indication that the game had actually started.  Unfortunately it was soon 2-0 before some whistle blew somewhere, the formation was changed and Brophy put more energy into one foray forward than the rest had managed between them.  And behold, somehow it was 2-1, and we entered the break on top, and somehow still in the game.

What a bummer then, that we didn't start the second half in the same way that we didn't start the first half.  Perhaps those clear lines of communication and hierarchy just need a fine polish? Whatever, in professional terms, it was criminal that we allowed a throw in to be played, completely uncontested into the box, and pow, 3-1.

Ah well, we were two behind again, and plenty in that fine Town turnout wanted Power out, their Swindon back, and other angry things.  Hey presto, we scored and just like the first half, those angsty strategic big picture things weren't quite so important, as we could possibly steal a point here.  By the time we'd lost, I think it became more of a resigned grumble all round, but I'm not sure as I was out into the fog before seeing any waving goodbye or the like.  As one who recognises that football club ownership, and assembling an aesthetically pleasing, competitive team with individual sellable assets on a limited budget is probably tricky and complex, I'm not really going to be at the front of the queue when it comes to demanding instant change now, in a loud voice.  However, make your minds up! Shouting about the whole club being rubbish and unfair and nasty and he hit me first - but only if we're two goals behind - strikes me as being very silly.

Some individual positives then: Vigs, Jones for his cameo runs forward in the second half, Norris, Goddard and Brophy were both bright and each made an impact.

Bring on 2017.  Please.

Always enjoy your reviews, Christy, but that's a brilliant post. HNY to you.

Yeah, very good objective review. Pity our players aren't so clear and concise.

Be careful what you wish for...

Only good if we can bring in what we need...
5 defenders, 5 midfielders and 3 strikes might do it.

I can't envisage us getting remotely close to what we need.

cheers Christy/Kirky for the fan views.

What I take from it - we were shit at the start, but at least we didn't give up, if only we didn't have a glass chin eh...

Brilliant summary, Christy.  Thanks for posting.  I would echo all of that.

A first away trip for my two little ones yesterday - and my first visit to a venue I'd previously sworn I would never visit.  My morals/principles held out for a decade or so.  Magnificent arena; but how Franchise keep it running on gates that are only slightly higher than ours is anyone's guess.  Difficult to see how it could be sustained in the longer term at this level.

Personal highlight yesterday was probably my eldest (aged eight) ripping the piss out of groups of Franchise fans for their goal celebration.  (I think it may be an ice hockey thing.  Extend both index fingers in an upwards direction and then alternately move elbows up & down.)  He thought it was hilarious.  He also completely got it during our conversation about plastic fans/having no history on the journey back down the M1.

Excellent post. A voice of reason after reading all the "special"  Facebook posts.

Good old Jordan. Shame Reda Johnson wasnt here

It was pretty obvious to many fans that the recruitment and pre-season were in no way good enough. We now have Luke lamenting that fact.  I envisage this side getting worse as the season unfolds, so any new incomers are going to have to be impressive individuals to raise spirits.

The minimum has to be a couple of proper footballers....it would be wrong to expect two or three kids to halt this slide to Div 4.  It should have been done in the summer...however this is now make or break for Power, the natives are getting restless.

Thanks for the report Christy, good and concise and few would disagree with pretty much all of that.

Yesterday was the first time since the advent of STFC Player back in the 00's that I actually chose not to listen to a Swindon game when I had nothing else to do.

I managed to get to half time without even bothering to check the score, then checked it for the 2nd time at FT and the worst part is I felt I didn't really care a lot about the result as I felt it was a foregone conclusion that we would lose, but glad they showed a little spirit to get back into the game without letting the franchise whip us which would have been embarressing.

Nothing will ever stop me supporting the club, and I fully appreciate what Power is trying to do, buy cheap or free, sell on for profit, try and play football along the way.....but....something is not right, the players seem to show little guts for a fight and genuinely don't appear to give 100% even half the time.

I still back LP as TBH there is NO alternative, never has been during his ownership, these fans that want him out....offer a viable alternative or shut the fuck up and follow Chelsea or Arsenal.

Teams outside of the Championship are never going to be an attractive proposition for new owners/investment unless they have a massive fan base or are based in a large city etc etc.

I think there are problems with training/mental attitude and those can be changed by the manager/DOF, or at least by a good one, I fear Williams and Embleton are not those people, whether Sherwood is that man we will see but so far it appears not. What I would like to see is a dedicated defensive coach employed as Paolo and Sturrock did in the past.

Get a few experienced players in during the next couple of weeks for a start, and Sherwood now needs to grab the team by the neck and shake them a bit and prove his worth, I still don't think we are that far from being a mid table side but it takes work from the management off the pitch as well as on the pitch.

We win one game and the players love the pat on the back, the adulation of fans, the positive feeling.....but we got a goal down and all that goes out of the window along with the self belief and any effort they have mustered up and their heads fall, thats down to lack of experience on the pitch IMO.

Heres to a better year ahead with STFC.

Excellent post from Christy from someone who was there as I had absolutely no intention of ever making that journey and fair play to those who did.

Listening to the "3 Counties" broadcast one of their final comments was that although it had five goals it was a poor game between two poor teams realistically. Earlier in the season I would not have said we were a poor team by any means, yes we probably played too much keep-ball in games at times but it was a lack of a proven goalscorer that was really missing to consolidate that possession. Now the style of play seems to have changed, I guess under the guidance of Sherwood, and we still cannot win more than we lose and we are looking decidedly third rate, so what is the answer? I have not got a clue.

Hopefully an influx of "better" players in the January window can galvanise the team who currently appear bereft of real fight and commitment and probably more important regarding the position we are currently in, experience.

Power's model is now failing, the noises suggest he understands mistakes have been made, and it's fair enough he has a chance to put that right. If, however, it continues to fail, I think it only honourable that he puts the club up for sale to see who is interested.

We might get another Jed we might not...but what is clear is that the present fiasco isn't tenable for very much longer. 

Getting to the point where long standing fans don't even bother looking out for the score as they know the result is a foregone conclusion can't be acceptable.

What the actual fuck, does he only have one pair of boots, or if the insert has been added to counter a previous problem did no one think to try in in training.... And take it out if causing pain?

Either total bollocks or very tin pot.

I don't think it really needs him to put signs up or an advert in the Advertiser (of Shanghai Evening News!)

If someone wanted to buy the club they would have made themselves known ages back (bar some rumours when Sherwood was announced), I understand there is a dynamic chap pulling up trees at Solihull Moors.

We've no idea of what goes on in the background, but atm Power seems more interested in club collection than club sale.

He has orthopaedic inserts to correct an issue with gait (perhaps he has one leg longer than other, over pronation, etc). The insert "failed" so stopped working correctly - therefore Thompson got pain in his leg somewhere. He changed boots, but the damage was done and he couldn't shake it off. 

Hopefully its one of those that you wonder what the hell happened two days later because you feel absolutely fine.

Have to say I empathise with Thompson. He's doubtlessly doing everything he is instructed to do on fitness, strengthening, flexibility, motion and the like. Yet he's still brittle. I'm exactly the same these days, though I'm 43 so have that excuse. None the less its incredibly frustrating.

Is that 3 away wins in the calendar year?

I now view our games on the road as a neutral would and just try and enjoy a game of football.

Thought they looked quite decent and would probably swap their front three for ours (despite the City connections).

Looking at the positives, Norris played well and I think will turn into a decent signing.
Also the return of Brophy made a big difference, so hope he can stay fit and just continue to run at the opposition.
Seemed to be a lot more crosses going in, from both flanks, than in recent games.
I would maybe start with the 11 on Monday who finished the game yesterday.

Good turnout yesterday, as Christy mentioned, very good backing when one behind but dissent when two behind.
Wonder if the people giving out the ironic ole's when we managed to string a few passes together, were the very same who also found games where we had periods of sustained possession boring to watch.

An impressive stadium, but in the middle of nowhere and difficult to get to without a car.

M K is a strange place, in an alternate history scenario, the plaza in front of the railway station could have been used by the victorious Hun to hold mass rally's.
The plethora of unlit underpasses must be a muggers paradise.

All in all not the best of away day destinations.

Much like JJ, I didn't listen to the match even though I was at home and only checked the score at half time and full time. My only surprise was that we only lost by one goal.

I hate feeling so indifferent, but sadly I do. I shall go on Monday purely because I have a season ticket, but I don't have the enthusiasm anymore. I really do take my hat off to those who are still  spending a fair amount of money and time  travelling around the country supporting the team.

Cov & Bury both winning.

:(  Currently 2 points above the dotted line ...

 :pope:

Bradfud equalise

 :notworthy:

Oldham losing

Posh equalise

Some massive goals for us there!!

I love it when a plan comes together...

Fuck me this league is shite