Thetownend.com

I actually look forward to games again now instead of the dread of last season - and a few seasons before that, too.

Got well and truly stuffed last time we met at the CG - a 3-0 Dele Ali inspired Franchise rout.

Franchise fans seem very proud that, according to them, they have the best defence in the league. Bollocks to that, a resounding 3-0 win today with goal machine Doughty, Crazy Legs Adebayo and Matt Taylor doing the business.

Draw 1-1 today. Goal from Rico

Need to start controlling both halves of the game and putting the chances away first rather than coming from behind. So i’m Optimistic that headway is being made so for me it’s a close 2-1 to town.

2-1 Swindon

MK Dongs currently sit 2nd in the table, unbeaten (in the league) with the least amount of goals scored against then (2) but have only scored 5 goals, Tisdale has got them off to a good start.

Thier form so far -

Oldham a W 2-1
Bury h W 1-0
Charlton h W(LC) 3-0
Crewe a D 0-0
Grimsby h D 1-1
Exeter h W 1-0
Boremuff a L(LC) 0-3

We have only suffered a defeat in 1 game so far away at Lincoln in our 5 league games.

I doubt the Woolfman will start today unless Lancashire is carrying an injury so I expect the same side as last week at FGR.

Overall vs MKD at the CG we have played 11 games, w3 d3 l4 f8 a11.

We have only had 1 win at home against them since 2006 covering 7 matches a 1-0 in 2012 the winner scored by Matt Ritchie.

Going to be a tough game today but at least Tisdale won't have them hoofing long and kicking us hard as Lincoln did so should be a better game of football.

I think MKD will be a little too strong for us, I would take a draw.

2-1 defeat with Doughty scoring in front of 6,895 with 455 Dongs fans there.

My memory of that 3-0 game is that everyone was waiting to be torn apart by Alli and we ended up getting torn apart by Daniel Powell instead. He's now at Northampton and got relegated last season. Funny the different directions careers take.

Want to beat MK more than anyone else in this league but I think it'll be a tough afternoon.

1-4  :(

Can`t go to this - bit concerned that this could be a home defeat 1-2 oh dear maybe a draw 1-1

Going for some second half Alzate magic to win it for us 2-1 in a tight game.

Can't really be arsed to see Dean Lewington again but it is what it is.

A good time to start changing an overall poor league record against this lot.

One win in the last 13 league games against them.
Dean Lewington has played in all 20 of our league encounters.
Our equivalent stalwart is Nathan Thompson who managed 6 appearances.

Should be an interesting game.
An early goal for us might induce a loosening of the cravat in the opposition technical area and a change in game plan.

I'd forgotten he'd be out there today, I don't really do hating opposition players anymore, that's a younger man's game, he is the exception that proves the rule.  Horrible sod, hopefully McGlashen can give him the run around and get him sent off.

It was 1-1 when we last played them at the County Ground, and I can see a similar outcome today.

I too have a totally rational hatred of that player Tom

2-1 to the Town. Doughty scoring the winner from a penalty . COYR

For PV's benefit the Wolfman is not eligible to play todayHope we don't get off to our usual slow, laborious start and concede early cos that fucking drum will be unbearable.  I'll go 2-2.

Mrs Audrey detests the Franchise - we sat close to their lot in that 3-0 drubbing. She wasn't happy.

The result today will dictate whether a weekend in Blackpool is in order next week as we take on Morecambe.

Haven't done that since the McMahon days when we won promotion up there in a 0-0 draw.

Oh right I assumed because he was technically signed before the dealine of 5pm that he could play, the FL is a bit confusing like that, surely if he was signed on loan AFTER 5pm then he is ineligable to play until January? confused!

I think players have to be registered by midday on the day before a game to be eligible. Summat like that, anyhoo

Transfers have to be done before midday the day before a game to be eligible the following day I believe?

Audrey is 12 seconds quicker than me.

Ah cheers, I thought it was 5pm the day before.

Slow coach :D

Draw 1-1

 Today is a good test.... if we are to do anything much this season, then we need to win games like this.  

On early season form, it looks highly unlikely, Franchise have the ability to defend, and can guarantee we'll give them a goal or 2.

So as a pointer this trend needs to stop pdq.  The last game v the pile of steaming turd which is Franchise, was a similar thing... a Town side just too easy to beat, by an organised outfit, we don't want to be repeating that.

I thought you’d take a repeat of our last result against franchise...a point early season against one of the favourites wouldn’t be a disaster.

My mistake... I was thinking the 3-0 game that was mentioned was the last game.

Indeed a tight defensive draw would be acceptable.... it's just atm it's very difficult to see it happening.

I’d be pretty happy with a turgid 0-0, although not if I was going today I suppose

I hate these lot almost as much as those yellow bastards down the road. They have a very good defence though. 0-2 defeat, unless Diagouraga is back.

No Adebayo at all. Bench looks very weak.

Vigouroux, Knoyle, Lancashire [C], Nelson, Taylor; McGlashan, Doughty, Smith, Alzate, Anderson; Richards.

Subs: McCormick [GK], Romanski, Young, McCourt, Iandolo, Twine, Adebayo.

I think he is otb

I think he's on the bench. The adver have him listed. The official site doesn't buy they have Romanski listed twice.

And now the official site has updated it with Adebayo added.

So exactly the same team and subs as last week barring Conroy who is replaced by Young.

And just for a bit of balance from the Dongs forum.


They have to be THE most hated or disliked side in the football league. (and rightly so).

Yeah coz MK is one of the most beautiful places in the world

:D

I see Moore is on the bench for them today, I hope he has to come on, one of the poorest keepers to ever play for Swindon.

Ryan Harley not even making the bench, probably injured knowing his hitory but possibly just not good enough.

"the most objectionable and distasteful set of oxygen thieves in the Football League"
Oh the irony

(https://media1.tenor.com/images/6f96820684173d38332bbf2588774681/tenor.gif)

Controversial but I'd rather start Adebayo as the lone striker than Richards as don't think Richards is able to play the lone striker role.

Updates today PV?

I agree

That reads a lot like Peter Beardsley calling Iain Dowie ugly.

I'm forking out again today. If we don't go off the boil soon, I'm going to have to decide whether to shell out for the season pass.

Yes mate.

It does indeed sound like that!

I too am debating the merits of a season pass but thats a fair amount if the VPN is blocked (for me not you) and with the wife smashing the bumper earlier today thats another expense I probably can't quite afford just yet.

I'd love to know what Marcus Cassidy's back lawn looks like.  Pitch looks incredible, as ever.

Pretty sparse looking crowd.

Doughty to kick off, Town attacking the Stratton Bank.

Anderson trips over his own feet just outside the box after Town had a 10 pass move.

Great move by Town, Richards heads to Doughty, to Anderson in the box who passes outside to Smith who hits over the bar from 25 yards.

MKD yet to kick the ball yet.

Nelson gets his head to MKDs first attack.

Both sides keeping the ball on the deck.

Corner to MK.

0-1 poor defending at the near post, scores from 1 yard.

"there's a gap, they're going to put the ball into it" - Alex, 14.

ball in gap from corner, 1-0. piss poor

Completely unmarked

Soft goal.  :cry:

Corner from Lewington whipped in to the near post, no defender stoppign it and the defender kicks in unchallenged from a yard or so out.

Normal

It’s frightening, it really is.

McGlashan good cross, Doughty hits the bar with a header, was offfisde though.

We can't keep on giving teams an early goal, we also have to stop soft goals from dead balls.

Town still looking the better side with some good passing but nothing in dangerous positions.

Probably not as good as you would like to think. All the time he spends keeping the Town in top notch condition and his other half is still getting on his back to strim the lawn...

Corner to Town.

Alzate long corner hits the top of Lancashires head and the ball goes back to Vigs from 70 yards.

Unfortunately I don't think it's going to change with our current defensive shambles.

Lancashire falls over and the ref gives us it, lucky with that as MK were clear through there.

Sadly true.

Just saw that, was bizarre! Come on Town. We are creating but again, a soft goal conceded.

Alzate great pass to McGlashan in their box but McG falls over the ball from a great crossing position.

Shambles at the back, between them we couldn't save a pound a week!

Norris scores for Colchester (pen)

Town corners lofted high and slow to the far post, MK corner whipped in with pace to the near post.

Our set pieces are not up to standard.

franchise in control

McGlashan and Knoyle have the beating of the slow Lewington, we should use them as our main outlet today.

Nelson, no nonsence defending into row Z from a cross into our box.

MK having the slightly better of the game now.

McGlashan brought down just outside the box, about time he had more of the ball.

Taylor free kick, far post defender gets a head to it but it isnt seen by the ref, goal kick.

Agard unmarked crosses the ball with nelson getting a block in, corner to them.

Nearly caught there at the back.

Knoyle heads it away.

mk controlling this. we have worried them in occasion but I really don't understand Richards up top on his own.

Another early goal  ::)

Nelson makes another good interception, gets a foot to a cross straight to Vigs.

There is no way Richards can play the lone striker role.

Doughty down the left but a poor cross into the box and we are hit on the break.

Anderson good skill to take the ball past the defnder from 20 yards, runs into the box from the angle but the defender just gets a touch and is easily saved.

Fairly even possession wise, MK look more of a threat at the moment than we do.

When we have the ball running at them we look good, in midfield we are not breaking down their attacks fast enough.

Nelson gives a free kick away for a clumsy challenge on Agard. Left corner of the box just outside.

Terrible free kick out for a goal kick.

Dangerous place for a fk, made worse by the ref misplacing it.

Edit: they wasted it.

Fuck me Norris scores 2...cue fb meltdown

Yet again we insist on playing long balls to Richards who doesn't win them.

We very badly need a defensive midfielder, exactly the role Toums plays. We look fairly good attcking but there is no protection for the defence in midfield.

Massive holes in midfield unfortunately as we attack in numbers, Smith, Alzate, Anderson and Doughty all much better going forward than defending and MK are exploiting that with their passes.

Vigs’ Kicking has been aimless so far. 

Lovely move by Town but taking too many passes rather than putting the cross in.

All of out passing from defence has been aimless today, Nelson, Lancashire and Vigs all poor passing long, Richards has barely won 1 long ball.

Another good passing move ended by a poor Taylor shot.

Doughty brought down on the edge of the box while shooting after good play by Anderson.

20 yards out near the penalty arc.

We always want to pass rather than shoot.

Doughty takes the free kick, a yard over the bar with the keeper not moving.

We have especially so today.

Smith’s passes towards the area have been very disappointing so far today.

I like Smith, hes a good box to box midfielder but he isnt a defensive midfielder and looks lost at times knowing what his role is. Richards also looks lost in his role.

Its difficult to play as a team when 2 players are not suited to play the way they have been asked, not to their strengths.

He hasn't played as well as he normally does.

Nelson gives them a throw in from a not dangerous position, now it is dangerous.

McGlashan brought down on the half way line when free, booking for their player.

McGlashan cross to Anderson who takes far too long but he gets a cross/shot in and Richards fire wide from 15 yards when he should have scored.

Lancashire fouls Agard near the box when under little pressure, poor challenge.

1 min added, dangerous position for a free kick.

I don't think MK look very good at the back.  Everytime we run at them, they get in a bit of a mess.  Final ball letting us down.

More like 8 yards. Gaping goal, unmarked but stretching.

Lewington fires high and wide.

Probably, there was a bad bounce but he should have done better.

HT 0-1

Been fairly even match really, bit cat and mouse.

Defence still a problem then. Always uneasy with Lancashire playing.

If someone does their bloody job at the corner that would be a not bad half.  We don't look too troubled in defence (that corner aside) and we look ok going forward against a tough team to break down.  Alzate looked good attacking, Anderson as frustrating as ever.  McGlashan has had a couple of good breaks down the right and Richards should probably have scored.

How frustrating, at 0-0, you'd have some confidence of taking the game to them looking for the winner, as it is they can sit in and make it twice as hard.

fair reflection, nearly but not quite opened them up except the one occasion when we missed a sitter.

mk fairly comfortable in my opinion, but it's not over yet.

the thing that gets me is playing 1 up v the leagues best defense. i know Anderson and mcGlashen are supposed to help out, but it's fairly comfortable for the mk defenders . surely we'll have to sacrifice a midfielder and go 2 up (Smith or Anderson would make way if it were up to me)

We are passing it too long and too hard too often.

When we run at them they look poor at the back, we looks poor in midfield when we defend but better when we attack.

Richards is not a target man so stop hitting it long to him.

Use McGlashan and Knoyle more and get the ball into the danger zone faster rather than pussy footing around, get it in there and it will hurt them.

A bit harsh to go in behind, but you can't defend like that. I'm inclined to think that's more down to the manager/training than personnel.

Watching on ifollow in LA. Much better product than last year.

Take the stupid goal out and it’s pretty cagey between two half decent teams. The goal was so shit though.

Anderson looks lively, Alzate so comfortable, McGlashan lively and direct. Rico missed a sitter and Doughty quiet. Nelson just kicks and heads everything (apart from the corner) but Lancs is so so dodgy.

If it was 0-0 it’d be a fair performance. It’s not though.

to be fair they didn't create much either, you lot are right

 i find it hard to believe that a professional team is not coached to have someone before the near post specifically to block those balls - it was under head height.  The fact that we had someone do that exact job from their next corner suggests to me that someone forgot to do their job.

Possibly Smiths poorest game so far for me, not won his tackles and been wayward up front.

Anderson has had a few chances but still wants too man touches all the time, Alzate can be frustrating at times, looks similr to Anderson in taking too many touches or too much time making his mind up.

Doughty has not been great either by his high standards.

McGlashan has the beating of Lewington every time he has the ball and looks up for it.

I would get Smith and Anderson off, sit McCourt further back and push Bayo up front and play 442.

Nelson and Knoyle grow stronger in every game, Lancashire can't defend and Taylor is a passenger so far.

Just looked at the goal again. Guess who lost the runner he was supposed to be marking?

Power?

Taylor has turned to Candy Floss.  He's not being put under any pressure defensively due to their formation and desire to defend, but he's offered nothing going the other way when he has a rare game of not having to worry about what is behind him. His touch has been poor and he isn't offering himself like Knoyle does.  Part of that issue is Anderson I think he goes AWOL, whereas McGlashan holds his position doubling up on the right.  I'd bring Adebayo on and have him linger out left, coming in when the ball is on the right to provide support to Richards.  He'd cause enough of a distraction to release Taylor wider.

It shouldn't even have reached the 6 yard box.

Taylor fluffs a cross from the deadball line after a nice move.

MK hit the bar from 30 yards out.

:D

It was actually quite a clever/risky corner. They only had one man in the six-yard box, and four more coming in from the edge of the 18-yard box. It was put in to the front post, and would have come to nothing if Lancashire hadn't been left for dead by his runner.

Doughty seems to have pushed up almost alongside Richards.

Anderson wastes a shot in a good positon.

MK good break after our attack, Smith brings down the runner.

So far the ref seems to be having a pretty good game.

Long shot from MK good save by Vigs. Out for a corner.

MK corner similr to Town corners, awful.

Good cross from Taylor, onto Richards head, saved by the keeper after the ball was knocked out to Smith.

Richards takes a knock.

Acres of space in the midfield for us, MK running at us all the time and not being tackled.

Agard falls over under a powderpuff challenge from Nelson.

Why don't we play to our strentghs????

Anderson, Alzate and McGlashan all have the beating of a fairly poor MK defence yet we hoof it to Richards instead. If we keep it down and pass and run we will score, I am sure of that.

poor at the minute

Anderson booked for being too close, 2 poor decisions by the ref after his good game so far.

Agard passes to Simpson who misses from less than a yard out, he should have scored.

Bayo and McCourt to come on.

Commentator's curse!

Corner to Town, won by Knoyle.

:D

McGlashan off for Bayo....don't agree with that.

McCourt on for Smith...better.

Surprised McGlashsn going off.

Better corner from Taylor, a few half chances but its cleared.

Alzate brought down on the edge of the box, looked inside to me.

Thought we'd scored then. Getting closer. Good impact from subs almost instantaneously!

Taylor hits it wide.

That was a pen. No question.

Just looked again. It was just inside. And their player who should have been booked is already on a yellow.  :badmood:

Alzate pulled down inside the box. Should be a pen and a second yellow. It’s neither.

Edit. Looks like I’m on a delay, but defo inside.

Poor defending by Alzate but the shot is easily saved by Vigs.

Taylor long cross but straight to the keeper.

The game could still go either way.

Anderson great run finds Bayo and his shot is defelcted wide.

Bayo finds Anderson and he hits a long shot just over.

Lancashire wins a header in defence.

Nelson, poor connection and can't clear the ball.

Bayo winning most of the long balls from Vigs.

Taylor 60 yard pass to Anderson nearly sets him up.

Handball FFS.

Great run by Bayo, sets up Doughty whos shot hits the arm of the defender.

Adebayo evidently should have started

Nelson knocked out making a block.

He is playing like a man possessed at the moment.

Free kick to MK just outside our box, Nelson getting treatment for his head damage.

Vigs makes a great save from the FK.

Steve Hale is very dismissive of Vigs "flamouyant" saves today.

Doughty wins a corner after a good pass from Bayo.

refs gone shit.

we've improved a lot since subs though. coyr

McCourt great long throw nearly sets up a chance, ball comes out to McCourt whos shot is saved but an MK player goes down in the box.

Don't think they got on when he was coach here.

Was that 6620? Not great with a decent away following.

the ref should not have stopped play there when we were attacking.

That makes sense.

Yep probably about 500 or so Dongs there?

Bayo wins a free kick.

We're certainly good value for a goal. Bayo is hungry, Taylor has realised he's in the game...feels like i could be one of those days and if we lose by a simple defensive marking error you have to feel for PB. That kind of stuff is eat and drink, you learn it at about 10years old.

Bayo and McCourt both made differences today and both probably should have stared in the more natural roles of target man and defensive midfielder.

The referee is dreadful.  I really feel we deserve something from the game, but can't see where a goal is coming from.

Great pass from Anderson after Bayo wins the ball, sets up Knoyle whos cross was poor but we didnt challenge.

6620 confirmed over tannoy

The ref dor the first 60 mins was really good, since then hes gone to pot.

No challenge again from the corner.

8 mins left.

This could easily end up 2-1, 1-1, or 0-2...I fear the latter on the counter.

Iandolo coming on.

Great block from McCourt in the box.

Our saviour...  :D Come on Town!

Iandolo coming on for Doughty.

Time to impress, Iandolo.

Terrible first pass from Iandolo.

Shit....what if we get a pen?!

2nd touch by Iandolo poor.

Sorry, I am unimpressed.

Strange sub to make.  Doughty is our most creative player.

Not sure if we had a single shot saved by the keeper (barring the one that was blown up as a free kick before he shot.

Never thought I'd say this but...Notts County getting taught a lesson, at home, by....Forest Green Rovers...1-3

Today we reminded me of Town under Williams, running with the ball, passing well, but wanting to run the ball into the net with no shots. Everyone wanting too much time and too many touches.

Another handball not given.

2 corners in a row from Town.

Should have done better.

4mins to find something...

4 mins added time.

Free kick to Town just outside the corner of the box.

Taylor free kick deflected out for a corner.

Knoyle shoots from 30 yards, goes 30 yards over.

Last chance saloon...1min of added to go. Come on you bastards!

yeeerreeeeeeeees

deserved draw tbh

I quite like Adebayo.

BAYO!!!!

Right on cue!! Get in. Ya little fuckers! Yeehaa, phew!

Best player on the pitch today.

Bayo!!!

Rock me Adebayo!

He reminds me of Shola Ameobi

Deserved.

That's the most positive comment I've seen you post ;) Things must be ok... haha

.

Time for another?

Bayo was my MoM even before he scored. Him and McCourt changed the game.

Bayo constantly troubled the best defence in the league. Has to start next game. McCourt probably deserves to start ahead of Smith on today’s showing too.

Fuck me, that felt good.  I have renewed my loathing for the filthy Franchise.  Their little stony faces make it all worthwhile.

We’ve definitely got ourselves a player in Adebayo.
Handful for defenders and scores goals.

Well, I thought we were more ragged in the 2nd half but could easily have been awarded about 3 penalties and a great finish by Adebayo.  Get rid of the corner and it's a toss-up of a game I think, and I'd say they were the 2nd best team we will play this season after Lincoln.  Nelson is all over the shop but he does tend to get something of his body on the ball, unlike Lancashire.  The left back slot worries me, but we should be in with a shout this season.  Very few teams will keep us down to a few shots on target and 3 or 4 possible penalties.

I'll take that

Was that literally the last kick of the game?

Much better than Richards in that role, Richards is pointless unless he has a partner as he's a poacher type.

But he still had the 2nd best chance of the game and could and should have probably scored.  he has that sniffers instinct.  I'd probably use him more as the sub, and use Adebayo to start the game.

I know I’m going over old ground but Adebayo & Mullin as a front two would have been pretty handy in my opinion.

Next game up, against the 2nd worst defence in the league I think, could be a fun one.

Why not 442, with McCourt/Diagouraga, Doughty, Alzate and Anderson/Smith?

Agree, start with Adebayo. We all can see that Alzate is more of an impact player so utilise him that way, bring Richards on to clean up the match/score a late headed corner when teams are tiring. Largely I think PB has been trying to find his best XI, without actually having it yet. Maybe Nelson and Wolfie could be a good pairing. One who gets his head in the way (Nelson) and one who plays more calmly (Wolf). It remains to be seen but when Conroy is fit too we could be alright at CB now?

LB is a slight concern as Taylor doesn't seem to be up to speed yet, although he grew into the game and had little threat. He would also be a good impact/see the game out type player, just wondering who could play at LB. I guess Woolery if we altered to a LWB role but that'd be detrimental to his more attacking style (he's a Winger really). I think...we're going to be alright. Cut out silly errors in defence (PB's got to be furious with that today) and we're in with a chance!

No, there was probably about 45 seconds played after the restart.

Well that was crap - the referee I mean!  Denied two clear penalties, one trip clearly inside the box and a guy makes a diving block and puts the ball round the post with an outstretched hand but he gives a corner!!  Draw probably a fair result, but we have got to improve and quickly if we are to be anywhere near the playoffs.  Slow start but no real shape to the team, headless chickens at times.  I think Brown set us up to contain rather than attack, 4-5-1 at home!!  Came alove when we put Elijah on, they couldn't handle him.  For me the standout performance was Vigs, kept us in the game at times.  Nelson too can take some credit for a decent performance/

Sloppy goal to give away, but mostly contained them during the first half. Though they equally mostly contained us.

Second half was started slowly, and it looked like MK would score again and kill the game. But we came back into it, especially after the subs who all made a positive impact. The game was a bit more stretched too. What a time to score. Again.

On the penalties, really hard to tell. I thought the first was dead on the line which should have been given. The 'handball' I'm not so sure.

It was a good performance against a decent team, maybe not as attacking as previous games but with good reason.
-----------------
Brown not ruling out free agent signings, not ruling them in either. Can't sign until Wednesday wither way (window re-opens then).

Very important game, if we assume that Franchise will be there or thereabouts, then a battling point isn't so bad.  However, Morecambe do look as if they'll struggle, so we can't afford a slip up.

Oh, and our set pieces aren't quite working yet this year. Bit of a contrast to last year.

Would have taken a point before kick off, with a decent ref we should have had all 3. Thought the first was deffo in the box and seeing the replays on twitter it was.
2nd was a handball too, fucking refs are crap this far down the pyramid , booking Anderson for running past and getting the ball booted at him from a free kick. Dire. Franchise will be thereabouts at seasons end, look a well drilled team.
We looked a different team with Bayo on, seems hungry and caused them alsorts of problems. Need him to start next game.

I thought Franchise were quite slack. A copy of shots aside they did not exploit Town’s obvious flaws at all.

Town deserved the point.

Definately this, defensively they were poor, as poor as us, even game with some good football at times from both sides.

Our corners and free kicks were rubbish, Taylor is a massive weak point in the side for me defensively and free kick wise.

2 things in this division particularly....defending free kicks and corners....attacking free kicks and corners, if you can perfect those, pretty much as Lincoln have done, you will win games.

Something that needs to change, do not try and pass the ball into the net, to score you need to shoot. It didn't work under Williams and it doesn't work now.

Do not pass long and hard to Richards for him to win, he won't, its not his strength and didn't work last season and didn't work with Norris, it is however Bayos strength and it worked when he came on like a dream.

Smith is not a defensive midfielder, he is not a tackler, his strengths are running with the ball from box to box. Again it is McCourts strength and he did it fairly well when he came on as well. His long throw is also an asset with Bayo on the pitch.

Iandolo, I am sorry hes just not good enough for me, too many wasted passes and losing possession, time for a loan move to the conference, or a league lower IMO.

Really pleased to get a point as we did deserve it today and the thought of those wank stains going home upset pleases me immensely.

I didn't like the first half when it was nearly all long ball and losing possession against a  good defence. Second half was better with a few good moves, but our passing was often inaccurate, which can be improved as the season goes on.
Our opponents generally passed it better than us, and missed several good chances with passing approach play.

Haven't read back..

So far we have given lesser sides (IMO) a head start, this match we have given a better side a head start.

Didn't think we would score and predicted a 1:0 outcome.

A few things stuck out.

A goal conceded from a shot on the deck from a set piece is unforgivable.

Two pull backs on the edge of the area resulting in free kicks with no yellows is shit refereeing.

Going to ground in the area and stopping a cross with your arm is a Pen....with a clear view, a pen and card.

A draw a fair result to a team with a defence that Power should admire

This was the major issue for me today. Smith is nowhere near disciplined enough in today's setup. Was caught wandering too often & gave the ball away too frequently. There were regularly massive holes in the middle of the park allowing MK to break with pace. Hopefully this will be eradicated when Toums returns from his ban as he holds his position well & generally offers the back four more protection (which they desperately need) than Smith will! 

Just had a few post match Guinesses in The Plough. Well, I thoroughly enjoyed that. More entertainment in the first 3 games than a shedload under Flitcroft.

Alzate is fucking class - he was the go to player all game and a well deserved MoM. Anderson played really well - 2nd half especially. I like Nelson - he knows his limitations and plays accordingly.

Could have won, could have lost.

I fucking love this club.

Really? I think he has skill but does the same as Anderson, runs into dead ends and wants too many touches with little end product. I think he could come good but thought he was probably our most wasteful player early on in the game and didn't come alive until Doughty had gone off.

Bayo was hands down MoM for me, won everything thrown at him and passed well and took the goal really well, didn't stop running.

Interesting how we all see different things in players.

Saying that I thought Alzate was probably the pick of the midfield quartet of Anderson, Alzate, Doughty and Smith. I also thought McGlashan was hard done by being taken off, he had the beating of the old fucker Lewington all game.

I love watching him play - he’s too good for L2.

Power needs to get his chequebook out for Adebayo. It’s so obvious where we are weak - Lancashire, Taylor. Get that sorted and we’re good to go.

Get Woolery into this team and he’ll cause havoc, too. If we play 2 up front - Adebayo and Richards - who drops out of midfield?

Go 3 at the back - Conroy, Nelson and Wolfie - and go for it.

I think Bayo could be a star this season given the right conditions, he won everything today in the air and has pace too.

I agree totally about Lanky and Taylor, easily the 2 weak links, unfortunate that they play on the same side of defence as almost all out goals conceded so far have come on that side.

I think a fit Woolery will be a big asset too.

Alzate is class.

I noticed today that Taylor does not look comfortable on the ball at times, surprising for somebody of his pedigree and experience.

Sky highlights

http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/competitions/league-two/11488241/swindon-1-1-mk-dons

Crap really as it's all franchise with none of our pen shouts

Hi All

I’ve just Had a DM from Steve concerning this. He wanted to set the record straight on a couple of points

1) he wasn’t being dismissive. He was just stating the saves that Vigs made you’d expect from a keeper of his caliber. He said he’s new to commentary and it probably didn’t word it the way he wanted.

2)there’s no fall out, he’s always got in with Vigs. They speak to this day and he’s delighted about his call up.

Ta muchly

ooooh, friend, coaching friend :)

thanks for the clarification, and hello incognito Steve

Only saw the last 20 minutes.  

Great spirit again.

Noticed Taylor receiving criticism.  I would say Taylor in particular was prominent in driving the sense of urgency to the very end.  I think his presence on the field to a degree "inspired".  Bayo's goal came from Taylor putting the ball exactly where it needed to be in the 94th minute.

Perhaps the earlier suggestion of Taylor as a sub hit the mark?

Another enjoyable game.
I'm liking the way that this team is trying to play.
Room for improvement, yes plenty, but still early days.
The spirit and desire shown so far can only bode well for the rest of the season.
Can't keep letting the opposition go in front at home though.

The team from Bletchley were nothing special.

So, central defence.
Goal aside plus some moments of lack of communication I thought that the central pair did ok.
Where is Wolfie going to fit in?
Can't see a pairing of a 19 & 22 year old with about 90 games at league level between them.
Add in Conroy, another 22 year old with around 40 appearances.
I suspect that PB will take the view that if Lancashire is fit he plays.
There should be scope now to go three at the back as an option if required.

Lastly, referee Kettle went off the boil badly and did not scale the heights in the second half.
Haven't we had problems with his erratic whistling before?

I was thinking the same about the CBs. As with most loans I presume Wolf is expecting to start the majority of games - apparently he is a ‘cultured’ CB. Nelson has to stay for the blood and guts attitude.

Then what about captain Lancashire and Conroy - who may or may not fully recover from his injury.

3 at the back with Taylor as a wing back would be a disaster - Knoyle would do it fine.

Big Dave has to be a starter along with Alzate and Doughty. Adebayo is our main threat up top.

That leaves 2 spots for McGlashan, Richards, Anderson, Woolery, Smith, McCourt - who played well when he came on yesterday.

For me Adebayo and Woolery as a front 2 would be best.

Three at the back with Iandolo replacing Taylor might work.

Would agree with CM of TD, Doughty and Alzate.

Then 3 from 4 out of Richards, EA, Woolery & Anderson.

That would be quite an attacking formation.
Not sure PB would go for it though.

While he didn't have his best game yesterday, I'd recommend anyone with a match programme to read the Doughty interview.  Positive stuff.  Hope he's able to develop his career with us - as he clearly wishes to.

I actually think McGlashan could could a job LWB.

I personally don't think Iandolo is anywhere near good enough to play first team yet, Taylor at WB would be ok but only because with 3 at the back he wouldn't have to get back as quickly having 3 CBs covering, still think we are a LB LWB light. I want Taylor to come back as good as he was last season, his set peices have been woeful this term so far and he doesn't take his man on and get crosses in as he did so well last year.

Toums, if he plays as he did in the first half at Crawley, would be exactly what we need, he would have to replace Smith in the team, I like Smith but thats not his best role.

I think Anderson is a guaranteed starter under PB, it would be stupid to drop Doughty and Alzate offers more going forward than Smith.

I can't see PB going with 3 at the back regularly but I think we need to start at the back and with 3 capable CB's I think we would be more solid at the back. Nelson is a blood and guts blocker who gets his body between the ball and the goal, Lancashire could still become a decent CB with the right players alongside of him and Woolf is apparently a cultured ball playing right sided CB/RB with a bit of pace and god in the air.

Still not totally convinced Lancashire can do the left sided CB job, unless he has a more solid LB alongside of him.

The only thing going against 3 at the back is that we would have to give up an attacker or a midfielder, probably McGlashan.

As it stands

                           Vigs
     Knoyle, Nelson, Woolf(Lanky), Taylor
McGlashan, Doughty, Toums, Alzate, Anderson
                           Bayo

                                Vigs
                Woolf      Nelson      Lancashire
Knoyle                    Toums                           Taylor
            Alzate     Anderson            Doughty         
                          Bayo (Richards)

I like McGlashan and thought he was unlucky to get subbed yesterday, he can track back and tackle but has bags of pace still for his age. I wouldn't mind him at RWB not sure hes as good on the left though.

Opposition teams are always likely to have chances if we are continually chasing games and inevitably leaving space in behind.

Whether this season turns out to be successful or not, I’m enjoying going to the CG again - so thanks to PB and the players for that.

Yes & no.  McGlashan was doing fine and, for me, certainly wasn't in the group of players (incl Taylor, Doughty, Smith) having a below par afternoon.  But you also have to recognise that Adebayo coming on changed the game...so, in that respect, I think Brown made the right call.

 :nod: You take it for granted, or at least I do. Last season was awful in terms of enjoyment, yet it doesn't even occur to me that I'm enjoying this season so far. It's a vast improvement on last season entertainment wise.  Let's hope it results in the points we want as well.

This season has been far more watchable than last year.  From what I have seen, I'd suggest we might have a more productive year as well.

Went to the match yesterday and thought we stole a point.  MKD controlled the game and had it not been for Vigs we would have lost that 2 or 3 nil.

Alzate by far the stand out player, and Adebayo when he came on, he should have started.  If we are going to play long ball (which we did) you can't start with a 5'8" striker up front on his own.

Vigs - Did well, a couple of saves for the cameras but distribution poor
Knoyle - Did ok but not one of his better games, didn't affect the game enough
Sid - Put a couple of decent challenges in but very irratic - Made me nervous numerous times
Lancs - Powderpuff - can't do the simple things needed to defend.
Taylor - lot's of effort but better going forward than defending
Smith - Worst game I have seen him play - lot's of effort and running but couldn't find a red shirt all afternoon
Alzate - Best player on the pitch - played the simple pass and controlled the game whenever he had the ball
Keshi - Made some decent runs but no end result
McGlashan - ineffective against a full back who was unfit and overweight - Should have done better
Doughty - poorest game for us so far, but apparently he picked up an early injury
Richards - did the best he could with the little service he got and the ball constantly being fired to him at head height.
Adabayo - changed the game when he came on - should have started - should start next week
McCourt - Did a better DMF job than Smith
Iandalo - Had little time to make an impact but had a role in the goal.

Happy to take the point, but we didn't deserve it IMO.  The ref was shocking, definate penalty on Alzate and could have had 1 or 2 handball shouts.

However, this is still much better than last year, but yesterday we were poor.  We can't be great every week, so although yesterday was frustrating, we are still in a much better place.  Get some of the missing players back, with the addition of the new lad and perhaps 1 or 2 additions and we should be looking up rather than down.

From the wank stains forum...


Nice to think we can still annoy them.

http://www.sitdownorwellstealyourclub.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2150&sid=bdb0f46e2aca0888a733ba11af8584b9

Berniman had said much, but I think Smith, Doughty and knoyle all had their worst games of the season yesterday. That I've seen anyway.

I think it's a positive we got a draw given that

I dont really care one way or the other about the twats think to be honest All I know is I'll never be in the 92 club whilst they are in the league.

ok Vigs made some saves, and I agree a goal when they were on top after the break would have killed us, but they weren't as good as they think they are.

That's just not true.

To be fair, most of the comments are quite reasonable. I don't do taking comments selectively and pretending they represent the whole group.

Yeah. That Adebayo goal didn’t threaten them at all. Or that open goal Richards missed. Or the pen we should have had.

They got their chances because we were pushing forward for an equaliser. They were bang average in the first half, at best.

so do we subscribe to the MKD fans view they tried to win it 1-0? Or do we think that they aren't that great going forwards (not rubbish but not great) ?

What the heck do they know about football; they have only been in existence for 14 years.
The day their fans customers are allowed a valid opinion on football will be cold day in hell.

A pretty reasonable review in my opinion.  I would add that there was a lot of indecision in attacking positions.  In addition, I don't think much of McCourt.

Just to clarify, I was referring to Berniman's review ...

The difficult nature of our start to the season is clear - Lincoln, MK and FGR are all still unbeaten, and Tranmere have only lost to us. We’ve dug in and done fine. Even if we’ve taken the circular route to some of our results, I think they’re a pretty fair reflection of performances.

But we do now need to notch some wins. It’s a cold hard fact that we’ve won 3 of our last 15 in the league (since the week Brown joined). The next couple of games are critical here. Morecambe have lost all bar one so far, having stayed up on a convenient 0-0 which suited both teams, and Bury have apparently won 1 of their last 31 away games.

Time to step up a gear and show that we’re for real.

I'm quite confident we will do well this season, a lot more positives than last year imo at this stage. The next two games are big, 6 points from them and there will be a lot optimism.

There is a definite improvement on last season. Football is better, more entertaining and results aren't too terrible either.
Next couple are winnable imo

Enjoying it so far  :pint:

Yeah ..them "Kingston cunts".Everyone hates them!😁...Wanker!

............sez the saddo from Milton Kuntz

Milton Keynes is an armpit.

Can't be bothered to get into a debate about opinions because there is no point, but just wanted to clarify, what do our chances have to do with them not threatening us all game?

On the flip side of your arguement, they scored one, hit the woodwork, and made Vigs pull out 3 saves of note that I can remember.  I don't think you can class that as literally not threatening us all game, not once..

I think the 94th minute equaliser has pulled out a few pairs of rose coloured spectacles..  Not a criticism as that is expected, but my review was based on what came before the equaliser rather than after., probably made easier by the fact I was walking down Shrivvy road when the equaliser went in..

The comment of not threatening them all game came from their fans commenting on us, not ours on them.

Ah gotcha, my bad.  Well that was a waste of a post then :D

First game of the season. impressed with Vigs and not a lot else really until Adebayo came on. Changed the whole game by being a focal point, Richards kept winning flick ons from goal kicks previously and no one around him to take advantage. Everyone else looked a lot better after. Including taylor and Alzate as we began to press.

Im worried about the defence but until Adebayo I was just as worried about where our goals would come from. Goals take the pressure off the defence and im hoping with woolery coming back we may have enough.