Thetownend.com

Now the league Cup game is over, can get this going.

After a very slow and late start to the transfer window, some encouraging signs both preseason vs Plymouth and in the cup vs Peterborough. I'm feeling better about the way we're heading under Flynn. Going to go to this.

2-0, 9,876 (320 fake railway men)

Swindon 3-1 Crewe.

Lets get this season going.

I’m still fucking annoyed with the absolute fuckery from Crewe at the CG last season.

I really hope we turn those cunts (most of whom probably weren’t even part of that game such is the turnover in L2 football) over

Uwakwe actually played for Crewe in that game.

But yeah, the time wasting was so bad from them, it was embarassing...

CreweAlex will mark a memorable victory at the Stadium of Light by refunding the cost of tickets for all supporters who made the long trip on Tuesday evening.

Your support was unbelievable ❤️

Love this from Crewe, but hope we dick them 5-0.

The single worst team performance I’ve ever seen in my life.

After the early positive signs I'm coming up for this one. Have a feeling we'll see a crowd of over 10k.

3-1 Town. Austin, Kemp x2

Getting my tickets for this one now, positively energised after last night.

The forecast is for rain on Saturday, it couldn't could it?   :badmood:  :hmmm:  :sherlock:

Hopefully Crewe will come and play properly.
If it's anything like season then we won't be getting away much before 5.30 if the new added time guidelines are applied as intended.

All this positivity, we are gonna get dicked aren't we.  ::)

Ha, I said this on a group chat earlier. Crewe's timewasting last season was insane. I was almost envious of how well they did it.

Feel like we should beat them, but I'm not basing that off much. It'll be good to keep the positive vibes that arose from our performance last night, especially with some very tough games straight after.

Got my Arkells ticket  :toocool:

You going to the glue pot before the game on Saturday?

I'd like to, just need to check the others will be there.

Round dodger!

But you aren't coming  :)

Swindon 2 Crewe 0 Att: 9,125 (410 Crewe)

Can’t make it on Saturday, but after last night I’m feeling a bit more positive about the game.

I think Town win, probably by the odd goal. (1-0 or 2-1)

I am really looking forward to this. Had a absolute wanker of a summer to be honest and the MH has taken a batterring and it came to a head recently but in the last 2 weeks had a bit of help and talking the the right people and i am looking forward to things again and not looked forward to a game in a few years now

Going for a 4-0 win. I won't name him but a player said this week that the players were gutted last week was off as they fancied 4 or 5 against Colchester :eek:

glad to hear they are confident!

I think that since the Plymouth game there has definitely been a strong sense that things are 'coming together.' Flynn comes across well, there is clearly a plan and we have recruited accordingly. Still short a CB and a big striker for sure, and maybe one midfielder but I'm definitely feeling the 'vibes'. Can't wait for Saturday.

Can't remember who said it, but after the downbeat nature of a lot of summer and pre-season it does feel that there are real signs of positivity finally dripping through the club. The recent signings and the good performance at Peterborough have really helped. You can see it on social media as well with the players, not just the UGM 'John Lennon' video, but the messages from them that they really enjoyed the game on Tuesday and are really excited to be playing at the CG etc etc.

The last time we had anything like that was when we got to the play-offs and McKirdy was the cheerleader on social media. There just appears to be a bit of a buzz forming.

I think a proper social medai manager has helped as well. The whole communication thing doesn't always have to be about Rob or Clem talking but the club in general

That's so true. (What seemed like) a lot of fans were whining that the club was not entertaining them during the summer and pre-season but the new guy seems to have come in and showed positivity and a willingness to engage with fans. Fair play to him/them.

He's a good lad Henry. Think he'll probably get poached after this season

Yeah quite possibly.

The key as with any business is that he and others set up the framework for what he does so any replacement has a standard to work towards. Unfortunately historically the club just leaves this and its entirely down to the individual.

The drop off after Ben Hooke left when we won the PPG league was massive.

He was excellent.

It’s a critical job in this day and age.

3 points please. Would be brilliant if this season we could get some momentum going at home and make it a hard place to come. For too many years now teams have come here and we've rolled over and let them take liberties.

Seems to be a bit of a buzz about Saturday now, if we can get going early it could snowball and keep the crowds/atmosphere up.

Classic STFC style we will probably go and lose 1nil in the last minute. :crash:

Looking forward to this, taking my 7 year old lad who’s got the football bug at the moment.

I'm taking my son to his first CG game. He's 15 and his first ever game was the play off game againdt Preston so I haven't let him go since then  :)

Honestly can't think of a worse first game!

So long as the result isn't the same, can't take watching a repeat of that game again 😭

We sat in the expensive seats so it cost me a fortune as well. Poor little bugger was scarfed up with one of those ridiculous red and white hats and I bought him a horn too. Fucking shambles.

I flew in from a stag do in Eastern Europe that morning. Felt like death. Absolutely horrible day. Zero redeeming features. Atmosphere like a morgue from minute one.

Yes, that was it. Horrendous, expensive, with all hope evaporating after about 3 minutes.

My stepson's first and last game, rounded off with town fans fighting each other behind us :doh:

I missed the first 15-20 minutes or so as I was in a pub on the Cork/Waterford border and arrived late and the barman took forever to find whatever channel it was on. So for me we only lost that game 2-0 .

Unless there was another fight, that one ended with my mate twisting up one of the guys trying to fight. It was a fight over people not sitting down, but it did sound like the standers we're being lairy cunts.

I had a power cut in 40C heat and had to ring home for the score, before trying to have a very sweaty night's sleep. Better than being at the game though  :soapy tit wank:

unless something like the sky falling in happens it's safe to say his day will be less shit

I'm quite keen for this forecasted storm to f*** off....

Can anyone assist me in getting a cheap ticket for the game? I love taking my boy, and he loves going, but the £30 is just too much. Throw in a hot chocolate and a bag of crisps, with bus as wl, it's well over £40. That is a lot of money that I cannot justify unfortunately. That is a few days food shopping.

Do you know anyone that works for Nationwide? I assume they’re still getting cheap tickets?

No I don't unfortunately.

And Nathan never pinged his hammy again either  ;)

It's unlikely but I wonder if any season ticket holders can't make the match...it is the summer hols so often it impacts things like footy attendances. Maybe someone can be a hero and allow use of it. You could then repay them back in kind {and no, I don't mean a blowjob} or offer your time to them.


I'm a big advocate of exchange skills/favours/etc. I think it makes us stronger as a collective rather than just exchanging cash all the time. Plus, it also can build new openings, friendships, networking and more. An exchange of cash only promises to pay the bearer but an exchange of time can bring so much more.

Hope someone can help you out Sippo. Maybe reach out to the club and explain your predicament - although I'm aware many people will say watching football is a privelege etc. However, at least you're definitely genuine...unlike definitely not Sport JOE  ::)

Have you looked at Townend tickets, usually a few pounds cheaper if that helps?

I actually think the Season Ticket exchange is a good idea.

Obviously this is bad business for the club as they potentially lose out on a number of £27 match day ticket purchases so I can't see them getting behind such a project.

In a lot of cases, there are always friends and families that people can give their ticket(s) to, but I'm sure there are also times where there just aren't any takers. I 'think' tickets can be shared electronically these days so does of course rely on an element of trust, (Imagine sharing your ST with a stranger for a one off game and he/she ends up using it for the rest of the season by entering the ground as soon as it opens :) ) but it's potentially a good idea Kev. 

I was looking on Rich Banyard's site this morning, (as I reckon Crewe might be the team I have seen Swindon play the most) and I noticed that the crowd for this game when we were both chasing promotion in the 2019/20 season was 7,601 which seems much lower than I recall.

Compare that to the Exeter game less than a month later which had an attendance of 13,095.

We did look at the Townend, but still very expensive.

Can I just say a huge thanks to everyone who has reached out. Genuinely hand on heart it means so much. One person even willing to pay for our tickets. There are some good souls in this world.

I think the club have made a huge mistake with regards to pricing this year. I can't afford a season ticket and feel priced out attending.

Hey Sippo, hope you get it sorted.
Genuine interest is how much more is it for you compared to last season?
There’s a campaign at the moment “£20 is plenty” I believe it’s called which I doubt will come to fruition but a good idea nonetheless less.

So genuinely interested, but don't feel like you have to answer at all if it's uncomfortable - would you be able to go no hesitation if the pricing was the same as last year, or is mostly an increased cost of living makes any outlay on tickets pretty difficult?

I don't know how we'd administer this exactly (perhaps the club would need to) but I think people would pay into a fund to cover kid's tickets or a proportion of any walk ups tickets. As you've seen, there are people who will pay outright but I imagine that might not be quite what people are looking for?

I do agree that the "do you know someone who works at Nationwide" lottery is a bit unfair though, although I'm sure the cost is at least partially recovered from sponsorship.

I bloody love Flynn. Straight the point.
Shade, Wakeling and Minturn are the three that comes to mind on wanting a move away, whether that’s loan or permanent.
ON DEPARTURES

I hope no one goes. There's nobody off the top of my head who I would let go. There might be a couple frustrated about game time, and those conversations might happen later on. But at the moment, no.

ON PETERBOROUGH

I thought we were brilliant. We had the best chances, but clearly we need to practice penalties.

9:15am
ON SQUAD AVAILABILITY

George is fine. Jake Cain is back training. Tyrese Shade could be back for Wrexham.

ON NEW PLAYERS

It'll be one or two more. Because of the new injuries, ideally, it could be three. But it's only likely to be one or two more.

Fair questions. We went to some games when could afford it. We just have to pick and choose. Don't get me wrong, I paid £150 for the boy to be mascot and bought the new away shirt for him, so didn't need to do that but I still don't agree with ticket prices. I guess all prices have gone up. Just a shame really.

Sorry to ask again but can someone enlighten me how much more it is for an adult and a kid to go this season compared to last?

Appreciate peoples financial situations are changing all the time.
I just asked the trust and the club if something could be set up to help subsidise families who are struggling financially.
With the club and the trust having been given the ground for free, I would hope there’s room for this kind of thing to be implement. Even if it helps a few families every season.

It's about £7 difference. Which doesn't sound a lot but times that by say 10 games.

Gotcha and as a father of two young children, I completely understand.

Sippo, I work at Nationwide and happy to get you cheap tickets. PM me if interested.

Missing Crewe and Sutton due to Holidays. Mate has the ST.

Sort of unwritten rule that he bungs me a tenner...thatll do. Cant make em all.

Fair play to youJayo👏👏

Thanks mate, appreciate the thought.

This is the thing. It's cumulative cost. Becoming a pensioner and living 180 miles away has virtually ruled out me attending home games now. Luckily there a a few fixtures in the south east that are within reasonable reach,but for instance Saturday cost me a small fortune. Reckon on about 8-10 games this season. Guess I'll have to move back to Wiltshire!

sorry to hear that Adje + sippo.

IMO there is also a mental line where even though an increase is small "only another £2" for example but suddenly you are at £30 and can see the opportunity cost v doing something else with the money.

Don't the club do some sort of reduced price tickets for a certain number of kids each game, likely via schools if I remember correctly.  May not help this time out for anyone, but mentioning more for future reference/to find out the details.

Decent crowd shaping up for Saturday. Good sales in both the side stands, fair way to go in the Town End but not looking bad. Would be excellent to have a big lively crowd for the opener

COYR

If weather prevents my family walk near Stroud tomorrow so I am permitted to catch the train, can I get a ticket okay on match day? Does it have to be by a certain time? Or can I rock up close to three?

You can buy tickets right up to half time I believe. Not sure if it's online only or if they abandoned that plan.

Fingers crossed that I can buy there in person on the day close to kick off.

Absolutely. I call it Swinflation.

Markus Fjortoft on Radio Swindon tomorrow.

Cue the sound of multiple Fjortoft fanboys furiously rummaging in their trousers and bombarding him with tweets saying how much they love him. Most odd.

Edit - Although he is clearly preferable to Phil Smith, Hockaday and that superfan chap!

good commentators in football are few and far between. most are painful to listen to and just state the obvious.

Here you go buddy:

Match tickets:

Tickets are still available to purchase online and in the Club Shop right up until kick-off, and online until half-time.

https://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/2023/august/fans-guide-swindon-town-vs-crewe-alexandra/

On that note i am looking forward to Peter Drury tonight

A reason to be cheerful ?

It is for me i think he is a good commentator

Piece of piss. 4-1.

10,236 with 321 Crewe

Fuck it... I'm riding the Audrey Train... YOU FUCKING REDS.....

The Reds Are Going Up!

4-1 maybe 4-0

Im working until 3:30, kick off 4pm our time, have to drive like the wind and hope no queues at gib/spain border. Normally takes 35 minutes commute.
we will win 3-1

Here we go!

I'm going for a 3-1 win...

Same starting XI as Peterborough, maybe with McEachran in for Khan...

I’m going for 2-0 to Town, McEachran in for Khan if he’s fit. Two goals for Austin

Going for an optimistic 4-1, with goals from Kemp, Austin, and RHM (X2). Crowd 10,012 with 329 making the journey down from Crewe

The Road to Redemption starts today.

2-1 town

Based on the performance at Peterborough, we will turn this lot over.

Home after a 9 hour drive from the Far East yesterday, knackered but looking forward to seeing the new lads line up today for the first time.

In the "Railway derby" the GWR were far and away superior steam train builders and its the same on the pitch I hope, last season they were sneaky, niggly, dirty time wasting fuckers, lets hope they have subsided that part of their game.

Apprehensive as always when it comes to Swindon, I am never overly confident but always think we could win.

Can we win? of course
Will we win? at the moment no idea

Decent result and perfromace (apparently) against Posh just a shame we couldnt have won as that would have given us even more confidence. I don't like when our fans are uber confident about a game as it so often comes back to bite our bums.

Crewe have got 2 draws so far, home to Mansfield 2-2 and away at Sunderland where they won on penalties, their confidence will be high, and rightly so, they were 2 down to Mansfield after 25 mins but came back strong for a draw in a hard fought game with some good football played by both teams apparently.

At Sunderland they were outplayed for most of the game but got lucky with their keeper playing a blinder, Sunderland having 18 shots (6 OT) to Crewes 5 (1 OT) and Sunderland playing their reserves with 10 changes from their previous league game.

All 3 of their goals so far have come from defenders scoring from set pieces.

Its going to be more difficult than many of our fans think.

Too early to call the score for me.

Att 9,111 (154 Fake Railwaymen).

I’ve largely avoided airing an opinion about the off-season, which based on the vibe was largely negative amongst the fan base. But I woke up, albeit very jet lagged having flown in from Nashville yesterday, unusually excited and optimistic about our prospects for the season ahead and todays game. Like PV mentioned in the post before me I get uneasy when the fan base seem to get ahead of themselves, but I’ve just got a feeling we are going to do well. I feel like we are well balanced, justifiably confident and I’ll be surprised if we don’t perform well today. Get the fuck in you red fuckers, do us proud today

This.

What time is the pitch inspection?

Is there a torrential rain forecast?

I would like to think so, didn't these lot turn Sunderland over

Not really "turn over", it was Sunderland reserves and it was 1-1 with Sunderland having 18 shots to their 5.

But they got the result

They did, all 3 goals they have scored so far have been from our nemisis, the set piece, and all by defenders.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F3VMXUBW0AE76n6?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)
No RHM.

Cue ten 'RHM off' comments... Injury prone player being injured seems the more likely scenario.

Bennnnnnn LWB?

1. RHM must be off then…

Bit of a surprise that Kinsella doesn’t start, midfield looked a lot weaker after he went off Tuesday, albeit Genesini was put in there.

Good to see decent strength on the bench

Obviously RHM has been sold with Walcott coming in.

Ha, I meant on Twitter where they already are mounting up!

2. Hepburn Murphy off

Assuming that RHM is ill. Bloody McEachran

I trust Flynn but must admit after Tuesdays performance I wasn’t expecting any changes let alone 3…

I hope we haven’t upset anyone by using white text on a red background for our graphic. Ironically the only difference between that and the one that was designed for us - is the lack of roundabout pattern in the background, you know the one we have on our shirt…

The official interview, Flynn stated he had a slight knock but nothing to worry about.
Obviously had to say that so Crewe didn’t guess the line up.
With Austin’s and RHM history we need another forward over a CB for me

I've heard Hepburn-Murphy is in a Rush to leave  ::)

What's wrong with McEach? He did ok in a pretty shit/unmotivated side last season.


At the end of the day, the club were still cheeky cunts. If you want work done - then pay for it, don't be sly fuckers. Glad it's all sorted anyway...some people need to move on; both of the key parties seemingly have so not sure why it's still causing you enough issue to continue highlighting it DV...come on mannn. It's game day you cunt  ;)

========================

Anyway,

STFC 2 - 0 JASTFN {Just A Small Team From Nantwich}
Two bookings
McEachran and Wakeling to score
Great Western Reds/Jaybox to produce a surprise tifo and/or that says 'Sign JS-W now'
A Crewe fan spotted with a drum
Balti pies at HT go down well, except for a small outbreak of the shits from one concourse due to some timing issues
Minturn spotted with a plunger at FT after not getting any game time
RH-M sold to MKDoodles
Hutton deadline day exit gains traction after he is spotted wearing an 'I <3 STFC' tee under his footy shirt. Twitter goes into meltdown due to seeing it was drawn on with blue marker pen - prompting theories of a move to Gay Meadow for £95k. Scandalous but meaning Town can then bring in Tomlinson from Peterborough on loan  :D

Oh and Austin to tweak a hammy. Henrik Ojamaa signs on an emergency loan with Etiënne Esajas completing Towns transfer business for the Summer.

Footballs back, great aint it  :D

Flynn said that McEachran missed Tuesdays game as he was sick. Flynn didn’t want to expose the team to him as he didn’t want the illness to run through the team

Oh, McEachran's shit now is he? I give up

Indeed. MacEachran had a couple of poor games but I would say 90% of the games he playes in he looks very promising. I like him.

Rumour & I use that loosely is that RHM has done his knee again, season ending injury.  

Probably highlights the need for another striker if RMH is still struggling with injury niggles.

I hope that’s not the case for his sake!

I said he was ‘sick’ not shit.

I think it was aimed at this comment.

How sick is he?

As do I!!!!

So sick. In the absolutely mustard sense  ;)

Think the reference was to giving RHM his illness, not a quality point.

I think he meant McEachran had passed his illness on  ;D

Well they need to stop bloody kissing then. There's being roommates and being 'roommates'  ::)

Ah sorry that wasnt very clear from the original post.

 looking forward to a good performance today . 1- 0 win

Who’s the dickhead on the PA this season then? Screaming to the point of distortion on the microphone doesn’t create an atmosphere!

That would have been our kitman, being encouraged by Vic Morgan.

Got my coffee with Irish cream so feeling victory today.   2-1 town.  

He was apparently ill, just assuming he passed whatever ailment he had onto Audrey-Hepburn Murphy 😁

I don’t mind it

Ah,mucho misunderstanding. Apologies

Crewe look a fairly big side physically in comparison to us.

Poor touch by Hutton with the ball getting mixed up between his legs and he walks it into touch.

 great weather today

Weather looks almost as bad as Colchester was last week, but we are better prepared pitch wise.

Who was it on here who hated Marseille when he visited last year? Well there’s no risk of him begging a place on my new sofa. After 36 years in Paris, this is my first matchday in my new home in the south. Watching the torrents of Wiltshire rain from a bright sunny 27C terrace, and all is well with the world. So far.

Dokes felled in their half, he has a bit of pace about him and decent control.

Enjoy Marseilles, my good man.

He goes forward like a Jerel Ifil who actually knows what he’s doing…

Wakeling down in the box after a dodgy looking tackle.

Build and style he is very similar yes. So far he seems more adept at a final ball than ever Jerel was as you say.

I like how town is looking for that early insertion ball to stokers and other runners.  More of a quick attacking mentality

They're not too keen on Parisians down your way.

Love Cassis and the Calanques.

This 30 second wait for a player to come back on is silly, 10 seconds would be enough.

Hutton wins a corner.

Harry Smith sent off for Sutton

It makes sense if you’re trying to stop players feigning injury on the pitch. Their team will be down to 10 men for 30 seconds.

Shit if your player has genuinely needed treatment for a genuine injury

Dokes shot saved by the keeper after a good corner routine by Town.

Making it very clear I’m not Parisian. They don’t seem to have any particular feelings about Wiltshire yet.

Kemp fouled on the edge of the box. Yellow for 2 Crewe players.

EDIT 25 or so yards out.

This is Kemp range.

Poor direct FK by Kemp at the wall.

First time watching iFollow.
It’s weird watching it but listening to radio commentary describing things as if you can’t see them.

Khan good pass to Ward his cross finds Austin at the far post but they scramble it away.

More Jake Cain range…

Weather seems to have eased up a bit.

Fuck sake Charlie.

Play on before screaming for handball.

Austin shot blocked after a lovely move by Town, looked like handball.

Another yellow for Crewe.

Kemp properly flattened there.

At least an Orange

 great goal

Thought Austin’s first touch was a bit loose there

A defender scoring  :pint:

1-0

The NEW Beast

1-0 Dokes!

Lovely move that, nice finish.

Good header back by Ward as well.

EIEIEIO

He’s started this game so well.

Town really has nice ball movement today

1-0 John Legend

Connor Thomas is so fucking shit

Great goal, if this is what we have got to look forward to for the season, I am cautiously optimistic

Another yellow for Crewe for a pull back on McEachran.

Definitely looks like we're trying to get the ball into the box from wide areas more, which is pleasing.

Oh ma life!

More Crewe shithousery!

Ya that!

Hutton wins another corner.

Brewitt header just wide.

Almost another header goal.  Am I watching Swindon?   :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Foul against McEachran, looked a good tackle to me. Yellow card.

Yellow for McE

Looked ok from the tv angle

Me too, wasn't a foul, let alone a yellow

Crewe sub drying the ball before the throw in, I thought that was outlawed this season.

It could get to a point that its 3 yellows for a red card coming as there seems to be so many yellows given out now.

Awful pass from Wakeling there on a good break.

Khan looking closer to the player we all hope he will be so far.

What a tackle by FBT there.

Got away with a terrible finish by Tracey in the 6 yard box, his shot hits his own face and goes wide.

Bloody hell, bit of luck there

Ward has struggled down the left, FBT is solid as usual

Things getting a bit sloppy

Not a very convincing punch by Mahoney but we clear the ball, Crewe coming back into it last 5 mins.

Agreed.   Ward looks slow. Not able to keep up with quick ball movement so far

Ward is looking a little off the pace so far.

Cheltenham 3-0 down at home in 33 mins

They lost a fair few good players in the Summer that havent been replaced.

Wakeling doing a good Jonny Williams impression this game.

Final ball just a little off. Austin too deep.

Another corner to Town from a Hutton cross.

TBF he is getting mashed every time the ball comes to him, Williams would have been broken by now

Ward really not impressing at LWB so far.

Ward is a liability, he can’t control a football currently. This time it was in our box and he got away with it. Definitely need to change it at half time.

Yeah, he’s getting bullied a bit. He has ended up on the deck almost every time like Williams.
Probably more legitimate reasoning

I do think Wakeling does need to stay on his feet a little more though, he did learna  lot off Jonnie Williams.

Getting the crap kicked out of him you mean?

Completely agree.  He is decimate weak link.  Rest of the team has played very well.  He is fucking it up

Agree. Ward looks way out of place here. They’ve started to target him now.

Decent cross from Hutton but we dont win the header int he 6 yard box.

Dokes is playing in a Beckenbaur style role (for the oldies) roaming defender bring the ball forward and often with a really good touch.

Set up our goal.

Hutton is getting in great position. Just like to see better purpose and quality of service from him.

kemp and then Khan with shots blocked.

Impressive defending from Crewe

Ward is coming across a bit Rob Hunty to me.

Almost like he’s not used to being that far forward and isn’t quite sure what to do

Ward is blatantly not a LWB he could be a decent CB but hes not got the pace or reading of the game to be a LWB on this evidence. He looks knackered too. Get his fitness up to scratch and he could do a job there.

That comes with wearing the number 3 shirt, just look at the last incumbent!

4 mins added time.

He still looks a far better player than Kadji did in his games!

Kemp wins a corner.

I think we will see Uwakwe in the 2nd half as Crewe seem to be targetting Ward now.

Dokes to Wakeling but its over the bar.

I was surprised he was dropped. I thought he did OK at Peterborough...

 decent half

HT 1-0

I have to say in my short viewing of Town.   This has been the best movement of the ball in the attack I think.  Mckirdy did a lot when here but as a team there seems to be real purpose in ball movement and a dedication to quicker insertion passes and crosses.  Hope it continues very exciting and could lead to good things

Overall a decent first half some good movement there from Town.

Decent first half.

Wakeling getting bullied.
Austin too deep.
Hutton’s cross not been too great.
Ward looks a bit lost that high up the pitch.

Passing has been good.
Dokes looks good coming forward.
Everyone else has been solid.

Feel the goal either made us a bit complacent or woke Crewe up a bit because we were a lot better before we scored. We haven’t really kicked on since.

Me too, especially at home as he’s a more attacking option

Great to see you back.

HT. Very much the better team. Look solid at the back. FBT outstanding. Making some nice triangles in the middle. Look a little short of ideas up front. Ward looks out of place at wing back and isn’t the quickest!

Don't mind the set up so far. Lots of forward impetus. Clearly looking to use the wide areas. Relatively tight at the back.

Doubt Crewe will trouble the top half but good to have a lead at HT. 

good half .

good build up play. just (being hyper critical) need to create the chance from the build up

68% possession without the tippy tappy shite!

 :D   I checked in during the summer but honestly if it isn’t football talk you guys are speaking another language.

Enjoyed that, pretty solid.

Ward looks like a centre back out of position, which he is. Wakeling the only other player that doesn’t seem quite up to speed.

Other than that, can’t complain at all.

FBT, Khan and Dokes all looking very good, Hutton is mostly good too, Brewitt doing well so far as well.

Need a little more movement in the box and Charlie to not play quite so deep, otherwise some excellent attacking moves by Town.

He got clattered on Tuesday & went off shortly afterwards, I assumed he was carrying a knock? Otherwise definate starter

Decent half. Dokes and Kemp are absolutely quality signings. Khan and GMac looking decent in the middle. Ward is not an LWB on this showing.

Uwakwe not out on the pitch with the other subs. Maybe he’s coming on?

Exactly this.

Lovely stuff, more of that please. Ward does look out of position but I'm going to want to see more than one bad half before passing too much judgement. Really like the overlapping CBs, this is how you play three at the back, not Morris style.

Wakeling and Ward coming off I think.

Yeah. Young and Uwakwe coming on. Hope Austin has 90 minutes in his legs!

If not we put Kinsella in midfield and go 1 up top.

Young and Uwakwe coming on for Wakeling and Ward.

No fucking around there from Flynn.

No and he also sees what we see too, which is bloody unusual. Perhaps he reads the TEF :D

I like he sees something he doesn’t like and changes it.  Doesn’t wait until 70th min or something

Brilliant goal

What a hit - welcome Mr Young

WOW.  THATS A BIG DICK GOAL!

Wow what a finish.

great finish from punty mcpuntface!

Thought we have looked nice and pretty but not threatening…..

Had to go out and feed the cows some windfalls…..

Came back in and saw Youngs goal.

Excellent!

Don't fuck around, don't get found out.

Fuck sake was still making me cuppa & missed the goal

Ya this is one of those American doesn’t understand comments.  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Great finish. Aligns with what fans of Bradford and FGR said - he has that in him.

Well if Young doesn't work out, that's his Royce Brownlie moment.

Awful miss by Crewe.

Absolutely!

A very British thing, based on pretty recent British history, I wouldn't worry about it :D

Got lucky.  Not sure who was in middle but needs to be looking for that runner

Uwakwe learnt his diving from Crewe themselves last season, nice.

Austin shot from the edge of the box but its weak and at the keeper for an easy save. Great chance.

Lovely passing leading to Austin’s Shot there!

Indeed and much like Bradford fans said his next touch he misses the ball totally with his right foot and the ball hits his left.

Needed his first touch to take the ball in front of him

trump out

Att: 9,022 (215 Crewe)

Be nice if it was his Eoin Doyle moment. And hilarious for Bradford fans. :girlgiggle:

Easy save for Mahoney from a 20 yard low shot.

No, Trump in (jail that is) 😂

Might sound daft but think Hutton is getting too far forward.

Think his diagonal crosses are better than his straight crosses.

Very respectable

Each time he has beaten his man down the line the ball has been blocked for a corner, he is getting a fair bit of the ball tho.

ffs

2-1, soft. maybe deflected?

On no. lucky sods

Not closed down and Keeper has to do better.

2-1 long shot Mahoney unsighted. Poor goal to concede though.

That’s what happens when you fanny around, lose possession and then don’t close down.

Bristol Rovers v Barnsley 😆

7,429

500 Tykes

I was just about to post we find out of managers and teams mentality up 2   Will they keep attacking and have killer mentality or take it easy and try to ride it out.   Guess ride it out?

It’s bounced over his hands hasn’t it?!

Crap goalkeeping.

Time to get Kinsella on imo

Agree, for Austin.

I see our friend Karl Robinson on the bench - funny how we haven't heard from him after all of his complimentary comments in the past :D

Him or Kemp

Corner to Town after a nice cross from Uwakwe.

Low corner to Khan whos shot is blocked from 15 yards.

Crewe came back from 2 down last week. Just saying

Another good corner routine - like it

Looking more dangerous from corners than we have for a few years.

Corner hits Brewitt on the back and is cleared.

Young close to setting up Kemp.

I would pick Austin as he seems a bit off the pace this half.

Superb challenge from Brewitt.

Good tackle by Brewitt to save us there.

Yeah I get that.
Just think going 1 up top might see the ball come back at us a lot

Getting a bit bitty, and the ref starting to make decisions based on totting up of appeals more than merit.

Crewe have the bit between their teeth now.

Also stacking up yellows, five players plus the manager

I dont like 1 up top but we dont have any other attacking options on the bench currently.

They havent been overly nasty or moany either, not like last season.

Anyone else have an uneasy feeling?

Austin really shouldnt be back defending.

McEachran gives away a FK just outside our box.

Since 1980.

It's Town!

Always watching Swindon!

Great save Mahoney, that was hit very hard, under the wall, through (?) the draft excluder.


Let us know when you don't, this is standard issue!

Great save by Mahoney.

Yep, clearly last season’s team would have lost this game so will be interesting to see how this team manages

One hell of a save that

Incredible save!

Corner to them.

C'mon. Have we got the balls?

Most keepers at this level wouldnt save that, he probably made up for his weak effort for their goal.

McEachran shot from 22 yards after a Hutton throw, easy save.

Hutton to FBT who hits a hard shot from 25 yards but its just wide.

How many was that. PA announcer eating marshmallows again in the DR.

'Uneasy' is my default setting with STFC😉

How many what mate?

Kinsella on for McEachran.

McE off
Kinsella on

Good move by Crewe but Mahoney makes a low east save.

Our high press is good to watch but it often leaves gaps in defence.

Uwakwe has made a couple of sloppy passes but at LWB he looks a much better option than Ward.

Attendance. Or was i imagining an announcement?

Chance for Crewe headed just over the bar.

Our final pass has been short.
Is it possible the pitch isn’t to its usual standard & having an effect?

Possibly, added to that its pretty wet out there slowing the ball.

Pitch is fine.

That was the chance to kill the game off

Kinsella great cross and Austin heads it to the deck and over the bar. Poor miss.

2-2

they've been better than us since 60 minutes

Kinsella looks really handy since he came on.

It was coming

That’s the best cross we’ve put in all game.

That one was on Brewitt I'm afraid.

2-2

Same old Swindon

2-2 FFS

Uneasy you say?

Bloody rubbish!

As soon as Charlie missed that chance just knew.

Not blaming him but that was Huttons man.

Why can we never hold onto a lead?

Do we have a match winner?

Cmon lads, let's win this.

Processed Beats incoming…

Yes but he didnt win it with his last header.

Charlie owes us one

Same old shit

possibly, but it was the kind of cross we've failed to put in.

sigh

should have scored but a collective failing since the hour mark

Not sure I agree with that mate, I thought they have been better but we were still on top, yes they missed a chance or 2 but so have we.

What is it with Swindon that they let down so much at about 60 min? They just look slower and less interested in attacking even when they are attacking   Look less interested in defending even when they are defending.  Really what is the reason?

Oh shit you’re back

Think Crewe has been more threatening since we scored the first.

Oh yes, I remember this. 60-70 mins looking comfortable and then stupid mistakes throw it away

Someone is winning this game, both teams look nervy.

Uwakwe needs more time gelling to not get in the way at times of Kemp and FBT.

On Austin for missing 60 seconds earlier

6 mins added.

Kemp shoots low but soft.

This, should have been 3-1

Is a suprise that a side put together without a pre season would struggle late on in a game?

Dokes with a good clearance in our box.

Poor shot from Hutton who cut inside and hits it with his standing foot high and wide.

Mahoney giving the ref an earful whilst on a yellow - that was nearly a boon for Lewis Ward's employment prospects.

No matter what, Uwekwa and Kinsella have to start the next game.

Not been impressed by either LB

Kinsella definitely.
Uwekwa hasn’t exactly cemented his place on that performance imo

Encouraging, but could have been better.

He has in comparison to Ward IMO.

Oh well. Kind of what we were all expecting an average L2 team. Should be enough for mid table but not enough at either end of the pitch to challenge currently. Any further incoming’s will be key.

Feels like 2 points lost from 2-0 up.
But think we would have lost that game last season

FT 2-2

5 games played by both teams so far, every one finished as a draw.

Some good stuff from Town a few bad things too, not too upset with that but we should have killed them off.

Dokes my MotM.

63% possession 20 shots. Do that every week and we'll be fine. Far cry from Lindseyball.

Fjortoft comment: That’s an adequate reminder of where Swindon are. There are a lot of player here from last year and a lot of the same problems especially in the difference between play in each half.

 feel a bit flat after that

Really pretty good.  Especially 1st half one of the best bits of football I have seen from this team. But owner needs to hire a psychologist to figure out where their minds go at the 60min mark every game.  

Brilliant first half, Morris style capitulation in the second. Austin must be absolutely kicking himself with the miss

Just felt the exact same to last season. Started well, ended horrendously and buckled under pressure from a Crewe side who looked defeated at 2-0 down. Young looked good, but too many passengers today. If Austin can’t score that chance, what’s the point of having him in the side? As much as I want him to do well here again, I thought he looked well off it. Defence was brilliant for the first 60 minutes, but the last 30 they looked very shoddy. Hutton wasteful down the right, and as per, piss poor defensively. Good signs there in the first half, but frustrating that some of those same mistakes from last season look to still be present.

Fucking hell, wish you weren't

And missing himself

That is a fair assessment I think.

We looked a bit more dangerous with the ball than last season, but we still look as limp as a rich tea biscuit after 30 seconds of dunking in the cup in defence and through the middle of midfield.

Malife looks good on the ball.

The midfield looks good when combining with each other.

Austin really should have scored - he'll bag a few if we get as many crosses in as we did today.

I presume Wakeling had a knock, he looked lively.

Both left back options were a bit meh, today at least.

Young looks raw as fuck.  Three really good bursting runs including the goal, but outside of that it was like watching someone playing their first game in football at times.  no connection with the other players, blind alleys etc.

Oh for a brute in defence and someone who can at least remain present in midfield when the pressure starts to build on us.  We are just to polite when on the back foot and Hutton does what Hutton does - looks a threat in their half and lazy weak link at the back (terrible marking on their second goal).

Overall we look better than last season, but that still doesn't look like a top three team to me.

As disapointing as the result is, I would still rather watch that than anything I saw last season.  We looked tired after 30, which is worrying, but I think it will take 4 or 5 games to really see where we are match fitness wise.

Dokes MOTM for me, looks a real player

I wanted to wait and see what we looked like before judging the pre-season, given I have no knowledge on most of the incoming players.

Based purely off of that, we still seem to be missing three core first team players for me.  If we don't recruit them, we'll be around mid table, higher end of it.

Really, really enjoyed that. Great to see loads of chances created and played some nice football at times. Shame Charlie missed his one decent chance as you'd fancy the win at 3 - 1. Fair play to Crewe, they were better than us for the last 40 mins.

We should have shut up shop, we didn't. From a side with zero shots on target Crewe came back into that far too easily. Could see that coming a mile off 2nd half.

First half was really positive but basically went down to nine men when Tariq Uwakwe came on.  He was shocking and did his best to help his old mates.  At full time first thing he did was went to hug them.  He should be nowhere near the football pitch.  He claims he can play in many positions I’d have him selling burgers.

Gutted with that because we were absolutely cruising for 60 minutes then they score a stupid goal where we didn’t close down and their tails are up. We stopped doing all the good work we were doing in the first half.

Young scored a cracker out of nothing but offered zilch afterwards. Austin way off it and how he missed that chance I’ll never know. I think we’re missing another option up front, still concerned about LWB as Uwakwe didn’t bring much and gave the ball away too often. Wouldn’t say no to a commanding centre half although I thought Brewitt was excellent. FBT very good too, as was GMac. Keep faded quite badly. Missed RHM.

Uwakwe, oh dear  :no:

Which is still something completely missing from our squad - the type of players with the nous between the ears to know when it's time to become disruptive, to calm it down or to get stuck in - knowing, based on having been there and done it, when to change the game essentially.  Right down the middle.

Obvious statement but Austin really has to be finishing chances like that at 2-1 if he’s going to be our main man up front

Flynn:
- Goals change games
- Austin scores. 3-1 up and its game over
- Unbelievable passages of play
- Conceeded 2 poor goals
- Only thing we didnt do in first 50 mins was score more
- Got too open after that
- Needed to slow the game down, but not by time wasting
- Played into their hands
- Lot to ask for midfielders and strikers to keep pressing.
- Need to have some nouse
- McEachran was still a bit ill
- Wont get too dispondent on the result
- They know Flynn's thoughts about the goals.
- More to work on
- Debut goals for Godwin and Young. Young could have had another
- There are things to learn
- Its frustrating but a lot of positives
- Coaches were shouting on to manage the game
- On the whole, the team were very good
- Their second goal was unacceptable. Mahoney just didnt see the first
- Reality is we have things to work on
- Ward to Uwekwe: Ben had back spasm. Uwekwe hasnt had a preseason
- Could only get 75 out of McEachran because of illness
- There was a lot not given by the referee
- Things Flynn can worry about is how to kill teams off and not concede goals
- RHM: Bit of swelling. Not far off. Didnt want to risk him
- Trying to do 1 or 2 more signings. See what happens in the next week or two.

I was trying to think of three players who we have had at this level before that would be the ones I am thinking of to add to this squad and give us what we still seem to be missing.  Struggling because we've had some pretty mediocre talent at the back!

I'm thinking something like Greer, Grant and Simpson down the spine.  Two gnarly been three and know how to win ugly types or marshal those around them, plus a physical beast up top to push defenders around a bit.  Add those three to this team and I think it performs at a much higher level.  I guess Greer is asking a bit much, but L2 version of him please.

It's peak Town to be two up and consolidate with a draw, rather than sealing the deal with a third

Could be a long frustrating season. There's some quality in several of the new recruits but it's a much of a muchness at present time of writing. You just don't squander a two goal lead - unless it's Town

Austin probably needs reminding that he's not just here to play the background and pick up coaching badges before he retires; he'll know that as well. A Charlie Austin at the top of his game [even now] galvanises a team and he will score. I'd still give the armband to either FBT or Kinsella though as I don't think Austin needs that official responsibility. Unless you make him Club Captain but someone else needs to be Team Captain

A lot of indiscipline in the latter stages. Yet again it's game management costing Town a certain three points. That will feel like a win for Crewe

There's some decent shoots of positivity and hopefully Town build on those, if they don't it could be yet another middling season in League Two  :no:

Oh well, time for a pint  :pint:

Maybe I wasnt paying attention but I don't remember Simpson ever pushing anyone around...

The threat of him doing so carries just as much weight.  None of our top four look like they will give you a fight.  They have their plus sides of course, just not that.  Presence is what I am talking about.

Fjortoft:
- There are ways to manage the game
- Play it to a forward to hold up for example
- Its about adaptability
- Great to see how they applied themselves in the first half, but when Crewe grew into the game the players need to adapt
- Need some different type signings in order to be able to adapt
- There are still tendencies from last season. There are the same type of players here. We need to give it time. If they could play like they did in the first half it would be great. But that takes a lot of energy and squad input

My thoughts:

Mahoney – One great save and looked comfortable on the ball
Hutton – Lots of crosses. None accurate
FBT – Same as last year
Brewitt – Played well but always has a mistake in him
Godwin – Great first half but tired in the second
Ward – Way off the pace
Khan – Very good first half, but tired and ran into trouble too much in the second
Kemp – Busy. No shooting boots
McEachran – Industrious.
Wakeling – Tried hard but seemed off the pace to me
Austin –Kept dropping deep. Tried too many clever things and didn’t hit the net when he got a shooting chance and a header

Subs:
Young – Great turn and shot. Bullied defenders without giving away freekicks, but didn’t do enough for me
Uwakwe – Thought he was off the pace but in a different way to Ward
Kinsella – Tidy.

I agree with your overall point 100%...Simpson's a bad example though in my opinion...

I am working, or was trying to, with the limitations of players we have had down here.  We've had a lot of Austin types, but they've had more around them.  With what we have, we really do just need a big unit, but one who can get around a bit.

We need a big nasty bastard up front to mix things up😆

Always nice to see the facial expression
 
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZchttdMpfk

was so impressed with us for about 60 minutes. So dominant with great build up play. only real criticism was we didn't create many clear cut chances other than the goals - a few scuffs and half chances.

Crewe definitely in the ascendancy from that point as they started to look dangerous. Very soft first goal, good cross for second

obviously Austin should bury that chance and we win. But in a way it would make what happened where we didn't adapt to Crewe.

still, it's a point and as I said before, this squad is effectively doing now what it should have done in the preseason. we will get better.

ps. you could certainly tell Uwekwe hasn't had a preseason. very poor

We still need 3 players

A lump up front
Tough tackling midfielder
Commanding CB

This is if we want a promotion

Yep, spot on.

Would also add another keeper who will challenge for a starting spot as still think it will prove to be a problem when teams latch on to how small Mahoney is and that he won’t come off his line for high balls. He will get targeted at some point.

Mahoney is very good with the ball at his feet.

poor first goal to concede. Good stop in second half though.

not sure how well do over the course of the season, but the issue is Ward seems to be plan b - and he's not good with the ball at his feet

Maybe try Ward in has favoured position otherwise seems a pointless loan signing when we could have kept Minturn.

Just back. Weirdly enjoyed most of that. Far more positives than negatives. Brewitt my MoM, followed by Khan.

Worst thing was taking notice of Batch re balti pie. Had one, feel sick.

Did Brewitt make a mistake today? He was my MOTM overall. UGM partially culpable for the mess at the back stick for their second just nudges him down the rankings.

Crewe drew 2-2 with Mansfield and beat Sunderland. Although a small budget and not fancied by many, clearly no mugs.

Blocked a lot of shots today and cleared their lines well.

Nevitt up front, we couldn't handle him and Long fed off that.

Once they figured out how to progress up the pitch, we looked stretched at times.

I think we'll play worse teams than Crewe.

Thoughts on today....Same old Swindon  really good first half should have killed Crewe off.

After the goal in the 2nd half we forgot all the good things we did in the 1st half.....

A case of throwing away 2pts rather than gaining 1.

Lots of positives though.

Looking comfortable at the back most of the game.
Passing game but more adventurous and positive.
Malife is a cracking signing
With a few more games Young and Uwakwe look will be more than useful


On the negative
Ward looks out of his depth
Austin wasn't on it looked tired

Thoughts:

I liked our back three, all of them look to play football but can get stuck in. I liked “Dokes” and FBT filling in at FB or CM if required

Mahoney made some good stops, not sure he had a chance with the goal as it was through bodies, right in the corner - will need to see it back

Hutton did nothing much except not follow his man for their second, like multiple times last season

Ward was unfit and not a LWB. Uwekwe was pretty poor when he came on though

Young looked handy, better than Wakeling

Austin just didn’t look up to it. Missed a sitter, caught in possession, poor first touch

McEachran was steady and kept things ticking over, while Khan was a bit more dynamic and available.

Kemp looks a player.

Thoughts overall:

The "style" was so much more enjoyable to watch than the recent years of tippy tappy shite. Purposeful, aggressive and, for the large part, well organised. Formation broadly worked well. Fitness looked a bit of an issue. Worrying with the quick turnaround. We need bodies in through the door ASAP.

Mahoney - Looks more than adequate. Possibly marginally at fault for the first goal but a brilliant save from a free kick later in the game.

UGM - Looked a great acquisition. Concerned that we have nothing like him on the bench for when he is injured/suspended.

Brewitt - Probably his best performance in a Swindon shirt. One brilliant last ditch tackle and loads of other good work. If he can keep it up his extension will have been great business. Will eventually score from a corner! MOTM.

FBT - Classic FBT. Does all the rough stuff but elegant going forward.

Hutton - Love that he always tries to beat the man but his crossing was a bit off today. As ever, got caught napping at the back post for their second. He really needs to learn to switch on. Major flaw in his make up.

Ward - Looked miles off it.

Khan - Much improved on last season. Good energetic performance and didn't get dragged into any bullshit.

McEachran - Broke up play well, tidy but I'm still not sure what sort of midfielder he is... Been given the #6 but is neither one thing nor the other for me, although he was still a solid 7/10 today.

Kemp - There's a player there but he struggled today I felt. A few good early moments but plenty of room for improvement. Got bullied a bit.

Austin - His worst game in a Swindon shirt? Absolutely miles off it. Consoling myself that the Rochdale away performance was only a few months ago and this was a rare blip... Saved from any stick from the crowd by past services rendered but this was Dossevi/Pericard level and I love the bloke.

Wakeling - Never really in it.

Subs:

Young - Thunderbolt but then nothing. Looks a bit overweight. Not sure quite what sort of forward he is... Didn't offer the running we needed.

Uwakwe - Let's hope he improves...

Kinsella - Tidy, fine.


Overall:

Loads of promising stuff but we faded. Felt Flynn should have turned to the bench earlier in the second half for midfield changes. We really missed the running of RHM up front. We need another one of those in the squad. Walcott please ( :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:). Definitely much better than I could have hoped 3 weeks ago. Plenty to build on.

Also nice to see everyone running to the bench for the second goal. Morale/togetherness looks good.

Good first half. Disappointed that we could not hold on to the win.

I thought he got caught out of position a couple of times. He got skinned for his yellow and I thought (but need to watch it again) that he could have done better for at least one of the goals.

Iandolo would have been vastly better than both Ward and Uwakwe. Finally playing a proper 352 and we've binned a good LWB... To be clear I don't want him in any other position, ever. But LWB he was good.

Funny, I felt he did a good job for his yellow as FBT and Uwakwe were nowhere to be seen. The foul was way out on that left hand side. Took one for the team in my eyes, but the beauty of football is we can both see it differently!

Players like Brewitt always look OK, sort of.  Nothing spectacular.  Today, you may be forgiven in thinking each individual defender had a good game - the problem here is we gave up 16 shots and 2 goals on < 40% possession for the opposition.  Those numbers do not tell a tale of a well drilled defensive machine with all the part purring in unison.  I think Hutton is the only one to have a proper individual fuck-up, but even then he could have been beaten if he was marking the player still.  We were letting way too many balls into the box and they were not working that hard for the chances they did create.  Something is still not right - personally, for me it's a problem through the spine still.  Nothing in front of the back four tearing the place up and nobody in the back five in charge.

Someone like Tomlinson would have made a massive difference today.

I think we still need that midfield destroyer, and I'm not sure Kinsella is that guy. We need 2019/20 Anthony Grant.
Don't disagree that we looked disjointed but I guess I was prepared to put that down to it being an all new defensive unit/GK which will take time to gel.

Hard to see where Cain gets a game this season if someone like vintage Grant does come in.

Quite how no one at the club can see you need physicality and height to get out of this division is beyond me.

Until we get these attributes we are remaining in league 2 sadly

I feel like once Crewe starting getting the ball wider our wingbacks offered nothing defensively. Particularly second half.

I agree but not really sure the expectation is for them to offer much defensively with the way we set up. The defensive unit looks like it's built around the three central defenders and two deeper lying mids.

Then that kinda eliminates the point of them being wing backs.
The whole point of the formation is it’s 352 when attacking and 532 when defending.

It’s L2 so we aren’t going to have WBs that are excellent at both and if we want them to be our main attacking threat then they won’t be great defenders but they still need to offer us something there. Even if it’s just to stand a man up and close the space

First half was really good. Was refreshing to see us be so aggressive in everything we was doing. Whether that be brewitt putting everything into tackles or charging out to poke ball away, mceachran in the middle was lively also. Godwin Malife MOM by a mile for me, talented player, has it all, will no doubt get dispossessed a few times this season bringing it out but I like how fearlessly he does it. Ward and Wakeling way off the pace, Wakeling looked like a player who’s had no preseason and Ward looked out of position.

Second half however was so so bad. Players looked fucked. Reverted back to last seasons type- weak and weasel like who just fold when the opposition stick it on them. Was annoying to see if I’m honest after how positive the first half was. Hutton poor, Khan was poor second half, Uwakwe absolutely dross when he came on. God forbid if it was Hepburn Murphy or Wakeling who missed that Austin sitter, game changer- literally, that goes in it’s done and dusted. Austin was so bad. Misplaced passes the entire game and was misplacing passes vs Posh on Tuesday also. We all know what he can do and if he’s on it he’s gonna score a load of goals, just hope he scores soon and goes a run.

A physical presence in midfield today and we see the game out, crying out for the “Anthony Grant” style player. Another defender needed also. Not ideal dropping 2 points at home to lesser opposition like Crewe but waaaaay too early to be saying we are mid table fodder how some have. 10-15 games in and we will see where we are.

An improvement on last season's result

Just seen the highlights. Poor from Kemp for the first, totally failing to close the strike down on the edge of the box. Brewitt might have got a block on it too. Hutton's man loses him so easily for the second. Rinse and repeat from last season. And how Austin misses that header...wow. Frustrating!

Don't think we're that far off and there will definitely be more to come from this team.

Brewitt ideally would be backup to UGM, FBT and another experienced CB. He's capable at this level but don't think he possesses enough quality to start every week. If we can get in that elusive experienced beastly CB, along with another experienced DM we'll really look solid.

Do need another number 9 for sure, and whilst Austin fluffed his chance today, I don't think he really had anything else presented to him, so I wouldn't write him off getting at least 15 in the league this season.

Highlights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjIOrwFSmUY

Young:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sYNCsLqBu0

I text my mate at half time. Whilst encouraged, I was already concerned about what was going to happen if Crewe figured out a way to beat our press, or if we had a physical drop off. Which we did.

Against better sides I fear we could ship quite a few goals on transition. Luckily though I think Crewe are actually a bit under rated and that we'll play worse sides. We *should* also get fitter. And still have more players (i hope!) to bring in.

Yes, our midfield was quite porous in transition. A symptom of not having a proper DM in the line up. Kinsella starting might help that.

Plenty of positives to take from that.
Playing out from the back has been much more purposeful and assured than last season when it was an accident waiting to happen.
Will be interesting to see what we do when teams just sit in and don't press.
Good to see some nice flowing football at times yesterday.
Also noticeable is the work that has gone into corner routines, much more of a threat now.

I don't now if there is any focus on game management in youth coaching.
Is it something that can even be coached and only comes through experience?
Might only have needed a couple of subtle changes when 2 up yesterday maybe involving a sub or two.
Hopefully the concession of late goals doesn't become a follow on habit from last season.
Flynn will look at their two goals I'm sure and we'll see if lessons are learnt.

The immediate dishing out of cards for dissent was also good to see and hopefully the stringent approach continues.
Mouthing off might even tail off once players find themselves serving a suspension in September.

Anyway, probably 2 points dropped in terms of ultimate goal this season but one point up in terms of comparing results with last season.

Am I the only one concerned about our keeper? Doesn’t look like he can command defence or area. Can’t remember him coming convincingly for crosses and seems to have to stretch for the simplest of shots due to his lack of height. He got nowhere near the first goal. Hope I’m wrong but think we’ll be permanently vulnerable of conceding with him between the sticks.

keeper was more of a sweeper keeper

I do think he should have the first one though. Not watched the replay but was behind it in the town end live. Seemed to react a fraction late so maybe unsighted.

didn't really feel nervous watching him, that's all I can say. Though my worry of defending set pieces carries over from last year

I’m not concerned at all. I think he’s bloody great. But I get your reservations
My opinion may change but Brynn was a lot taller and still struggled to command his area.

It’s human nature to look at the weak points and but I realise that the way we play, his strongest attributes benefit this team.

No I agree after watching yesterday. He hasn’t got the height to cut it in this league tbh with the sheer volume of crosses and set pieces in league 2.

In this league you have to have some players with height and physicality. We haven’t had this in the last 7 seasons (since 2017/18) the Wellens season apart and this is why we have spent the other 6 years stuck in this division and we will remain here until we address this properly

Keeper beaten by the bounce for the first one, but Kemp should have been out a lot quicker to try and block, even if it means taking one in the knackers don't turn away.

Only seen the first one once in real time but looked like it bounced a bit before the keeper and potentially up and over the out stretched arm…

I think the keeper thought brewitt was going to kick it but he actually moved out the way slightly which I don't think Mahoney was expecting

For the second goal the header was inside his six yard box and I would hope a GK would be dominating that area and claim any high balls. That could be an issue this season. However, I think he does vocally command his area well and directs the defence. I thought his ball playing skills were excellent and is really important with the build up play from the back. Shot stopping does seem good and he looked unsighted for the first goal. Overall, some cons but a lot of pros. I believe he will be interesting loan signing but there will be goals conceded from crosses.

Which is why Mahoney was berating him afterwards

(But yes, Kemp should have closed the striker down too - Collective fuck up!)

Thought Mahoney was outstanding. Really pleased with him as keeper.

Don't want to start writing players off after one performance but holy fucking shit is left wing back a concern at the moment.

I would play FBT there until we get someone in.

Ironically thought Uwakwe was alright on Tuesday night, especially when we were attacking.
His crossing from the left was very good.

It was after he (and Kinsella) had been substituted that we struggled a bit more.

So hopefully yesterday is the anomaly and not Tuesday night.

Really hope so or we've got a real bit problem to fill.

It’s alright. Shade will be fit soon….

Isn’t Genesini a wing back option?

Edit: his bio says a right back, but thought he was two footed and could play either side

By all accounts Uwakwe was fine vs Posh so let’s hope yesterday was an off day.

I am baffled by these Academy drop outs at times. Over 10 years at Chelsea and England honours up to u20, but played like a competition winner yesterday… Looked weak and lazy, when he should be champing at the bit in what is essentially the last chance saloon for a worthwhile career. Odd but you see it time and again.

As I say, delighted if he kicks on but it was a pretty rank first audition in front of the CG faithful.

I know we have all had a rough couple of seasons and some of us have had many years of disapointment following town, but I think a few could do with reminding yourselves why you follow the town and what you look to get out of it.  A good proportion of the posts since the end of the game yesterday are all about the negatives, picking out players that didn't have a great game and in some cases when they did alright.  I am not saying it's a meltdown scenario or anything, just mainly that it stands out to me that we are way more negative than we used to be, and that tends to be our default these days - maybe we are all worn down.

For me yesterday was a decent entertaining game, much better than anything since Wellens (maybe a few games with Garner).  Was it disapointing to drop 2 points?  Yes. Did every player play outstanding? No,  But this is league 2, we know where we are and we know where we want to get to, but we also know that players, referees and teams are at this level for a reason, and there are always going to be some negatives, otherwise they wouldn't be here - I just think we could all do with a little bit of a reality check and a dose of positivity.  We are all following this for enjoyment and therefore talking about it on here for enjoyment, so let's try think positively and try to enjoy the season - we can't always be negative.

After that yesterday I am looking forward to watching us this season.  Do I think that we have enough currently to be promotion candidates? No, not yet, but I do think it will be more enjoyable to watch than Morris, Lindsey, most of Garner and the dinosaur, so for that reason alone I am going to try to enjoy it and not be down that we might not achieve promotion, maybe a few should join me.  I am pretty sure that the club and players would appreciate it, and it can only help right?

got to give them a bit of time to see if they can gain consistency.

lack of preseason won't help some

Was checking the height of Murphy Mahoney and various online sources have him at 6ft 2in in comparison with Wes at 6ft 1in.
Not convinced about the accuracy of either of those statures.
However the benchmark for it's not the size that matters, but what you do with it would be Kovář at 6ft 5in.
Worth bearing in mind that there is more than one way of dominating the box as a keeper.
I reckon that we've got a very good young keeper on our hands.

The importance of a proper pre-season for players can't be emphasised enough* so it might take Uwakwe a few games to get up to speed.
*which makes the efforts of 2021–22 all the more impressive.

Yesterday was exactly the result I thought it would be, just disappointing to lose a 2 goal lead. Some great build up play in midfield and I thought first half kemp was good and busy.

I might enjoy the season more, but I'll still treat non promotion as failure.

That doesn't mean not getting behind the team though.

I think that this is my main take home. The dread of last year and pre-season has been replaced by a sense that at least it might be enjoyable even if it isn't perfect.

Agree with your sentiment too. Onwards and upwards.

On the flip side just because we’ve had a few years of utter dross shouldn’t just mean we accept that we are an average L2 club and just enjoy it. If we were in L1 I’d largely agree with you but I’m always going to struggle to be positive about anything other than a promotion challenge in this league as that should be the bare minimum expectation.

Agree anything but promotion in this league would be failure

…to add to the above about promotion.

I personally don’t give a fuck how we are playing if we are winning.

I’d have taken a dull, shit Lindseyball 1-0 win over that exciting Flynnball score draw yesterday.

Are posts like this really necessary?

We just threw away a two goal lead and the reaction has actually been pretty fair and balanced and we're still still getting posts about negativity? There has been no meltdown at all, people have just discussed where we went wrong and players that didn't meet the standard Saturday. Its already been fairly positive given the circumstances.

What is the expectation to avoid posts like this, nobody be arsed we threw away a two goal lead at all and just be constantly gleeful about not winning?

Do people still wonder where the term happy clapper comes from?

Agree Bernie. We did OK first half, then threw it away. Could see it coming too. My "same old shit" comment after the game was referring to our 80+ minute conceding that was all too common last season.

This pretty much sums up where I'm at as well.  Good points well made Chalky... I think the responses to a very disappointing result have been very fair and balanced and actually pretty positive, all things considered...

Ah, I wondered how long it would take before Happy clapper came out, how original.  The point of my post has been.completely missed, it’s not about whether promotion not being achieved is acceptable etc. I didn’t even state that.  It’s not about whether throwing away two points on Saturday was acceptable, I didn’t say that either, and it’s not about being a fucking Happy clapper, it’s just about getting some of you miserable cunts to try and take “some” enjoyment out of a performance and try to put a positive perspective on things - obviously that was a foolish thing to try to do these days.

I’ll leave you cunts to wallow in your own pits of despair, enjoy.

The irony of accusing others of missing the point is hilarious when my whole fucking point was that there is no fucking pit of despair and there are STILL posts telling people not to be negative. It doesn't exist. It's a figment of your imagination. It's just discussion of the game.

Like the response to throwing two points away has been incredibly unremarkably mild with very minimal actual negativity and it is STILL so unpalatable to you that you still decided it was too negative and needed to be corrected.

Like what in earth were you expecting, nobody to talk about the fact we were 2-0 up and didn't win? I genuinely cannot fathom a more 'positive' response to throwing away a 2 goal lead and this forum is incapable of telling people to not be negative.

It's fucking comical and weird.

So yeah, pretty much textbook happy clapping.

Extended highlights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j19fQg1ehVI

I enjoyed the match whilst also ending up extremely disappointed to drop 2 points from a 2 goal lead. I don’t think that’s an unreasonable view point.

Very early on but those are the points you rue dropping at the end of the season if you’re challenging to go up and the margins are tight. Look at Stockport last season, they were one of the best sides in the division for a lot of it but their poor start meant that were resigned to the play offs instead of automatics and ended up staying down.

That being said, I don’t think we’ll realistically be challenging for automatics this season so ignoring all of that, it was an enjoyable match with some decent foundations to build on, first half was great, second half they looked tired and dropped off (that will happen when a decent few haven’t had a proper pre season) and ended up giving away two poor goals from the same defensive mistakes we’d have made last season. Definitely feel a lot better than I did at this point last season.

Fwiw, I think Uwakwe will be really good here, he’s more a winger than a wingback and if we’re giving him the same brief that we give Hutton of staying high and getting good deliveries in then he will excel imo.

Still one big CB and big forward away.

As is 'traditional' for a Monday morning during the football season, I haven't yet read back on this thread yet.

Saturday's game was kind of strange. I thought for the first half we were terrific, crisp passing and movement and we actually looked dangerous. What a difference it makes actually looking to make space for shots from the edge of the box, or winning set pieces etc. And it looks like we've spent a lot of time on the training ground from corners, we were causing all kinds of issues with clever set plays. We were well on top when UGM nodded into the corner of the goal. We continued to basically dominate the first half and I thought Crewe were there for the taking. That's the bravest I've seen us at home for a long time. Very pleased at half time. The only real negatives for me were Wakeling and Benn Ward. Re Wakeling, he seemed to be way off the pace - I guess he picked up a bad knock when the keeper took man and ball. I actually think Wakeling could have been braver there and knocked the ball past the keeper and potentially give the ref a bit of a think as to wether a red card would be warranted. To be fair if he was injured then he did well to carry on. I though Ward didn't look right at LWB either, maybe it was nerves but whilst everyone else seemed to be cohesive, he looked a bit like a square peg in a round hole. That will of course improve when he's had more training time.

Second half clearly Flynn saw the same as I did and Uwakwe and Young came on to replace Ward and Wakeling. Young's first involvements were class. He skinned the defender before playing a ball into the box and then after taking a touch from FBT blasted past the keeper. Impressive start to his career in Swindon red! Given how on top we'd been since then I fancied us to go on and secure a stylish 3 points. Unfortunately I think a number of factors then came into play. Crewe changed their tactics and then the scoreboard stopped working. I'm not sure which of these had more of an impact but all of a sudden, Crewe who had looked very poor started to play like we had done in the first half. The previously impeccable Brewitt and FBT were beginning to get turned and suddenly they were getting possession and looking dangerous. A speculative shot from their defender absolutely flew in and all of a sudden it was game on. That should have really been put to bed when an off the boil Charlie Austin failed to get his header on target and with that I had a feeling the inevitable was going to happen. Mahoney made a tremendous save from a free kick, but was then beaten by a header that pretty much hit the same patch of net their first goal came from.

And so a pretty deflating point. It was definitely a far more enjoyable game at the CG than a lot of previous matches, but after dominating for the first 50 minutes or so and with a 2 goal cushion, to drop 2 points was a real shame. With Austin and Young on the field and with Crewe pushing us back, there didn't appear to be any real danger of us being able to break with pace, or play in behind their back line. I think you need someone like RHM or Wakeling there to be able to give their defensive line something to think about. Concerning that we seemed to fade at 2-0, especially when Flynn had spoken about how fit we were. Yes playing a high intensity press is going to pose a challenge for 90 minutes, but for Crewe to tweak their tactics and make us look so ordinary was a worry.

Still overall, I think I saw enough to suggest that the football will be more enjoyable this season, and I still haven't got a clue where in the league this group of players and the manager can lead us!

Off the field I thought the atmosphere was pretty quiet, I was sat in the Arkells near the away end and a couple of hundred Crewe fans were obviously quite excited to see their side playing in front of an actual crowd.
Their reaction to scraping a draw said a lot. Couldn't quite understand the fire drill song as not that many left early.
The acoustics are quite strange at the CG. Stood in the TE you can barely hear the away fans, sat up by them you could barely hear the TE. I have said it many times before but the side stands need to get involved rather than just moaning about a flat TE.

In typical Bob dumbass mode even though Mceachran took a number of corners in front of me, I was convinced Kinsella was number 6 and then when number 23 came on I couldn't for the life of me work out who it was, knowing it was too small to be Cain. The internet on my phone was broken for a lot of Saturday which meant I couldn't check until I got home to wifi world!

The difference is that us playing "Lindseyball" we would almost certainly have lost against Crewe like we did last season with his dull tactics. "Flynnball" got us a better result and better performance too.

@bob's

wakeling had an ankle issue. it wasn't so terrible he had to go off but was definitely feeling it every now and again. I guess if there was any doubt he had to be withdrawn for the greater good.

ward apparently had a back spasm, but as I said before - his replacement didn't do much better.

Yes but that wasn’t my point at all.
The point was winning > style of play.
Always.

Yeah I think he picked up that knock in the incident where the keeper came out and cleared the ball into touch when Wakeling potentially had a chance to knock it past him? He definitely didn't seem right after that and I suppose Flynn thought he could get to half time. I think I saw a picture of him walking away from the ground on crutches.

Unfortunately if both Wakeling and RHM are injured, there is a real lack of pace toward the top of the pitch.

on that note I thought wakeling did knock out past the keeper (TE view)

From the ifollow replay it looks dead 50/50

Do we have a youth option…? Abu Kanu?

I was bang in line with it Batch up in the DRS. It looked like Wakeling got the feintest of touches but not enough and the keeper was able to clear into touch - taking some of Wakeling's ankle. As I said I thought Wakeling wasn't brave enough in that situation but I could be totally wrong.

That's why you should always buy a programme! 🙂

We had planned to, as my dad often gives one to a housebound town fan as he loves reading them. But we arrived at 2:50 and there was none to be seen.

Too long in the glue pot  ;)

3 superb pints of entire stout were very much enjoyed!

Can never have too long in The Glue Pot

Personally I am in the Berniman camp. Disappointed to drop 2 points but positive that if we can build on the first half performance we will have a good season.

The one thing I found concerning is that FBT was pushing so far up the field leaving our defence a man short and exposed.

Nice to see Ginginho and Jacob there.

I'm pretty sure everyone's in that camp to be honest...

Positive start, even if we'd have preferred 3 points.

I know someone who went who hadn't been for a 3-4 years. Their first comment: "It's all pretty low key now isn't it. Very quiet". I had to watch on iFollow, but even form afar it seemed like a friendly atmosphere.

What can be done for the Town End to step up and play their part? They're mute. It should be bouncing at 2-0 up.

Both of our goals came from a defender going up into the opposition half.

I think so. Can't be disappointed with a point, can be with the circumstances. pretty simple.

Fine to point out where we were weak in the game - left side and up top late on

Sigh.

the atmosphere is poor but it is what itb is. sing up or shut up

the town end sounds loud when you are in it though.

I know for the last few seasons the atmosphere, or lack therof was often blamed on the laborious football we were playing. Now we have a new manager who likes to play more on the front foot, based on what I saw on Saturday and at Peterborough last week the football is more exciting. It's a real shame we couldn't have held out for the 3 points on Saturday, that could have really been a catalyst for the next league game, when Scott Lindsey is back in town.

Yep well aware of this. But is it necessary at 2-0 up ??

If you are playing 3 at the back, with two very forward minded wing backs, someone needs to have a bloody word with the CH's.....

I think this comes back to game management.

We don't have that out and out captain authority figure on the pitch to crack the whip when things are going awry. 

The system we are playing mean they all have to keep an eye where each other are when going forward.
When the 3 CB's push up, Hutton and George M (as you can see on Youngs goal) then drop back to cover them.

Essentially Flynn and Hatswell have been watching far too much Ted Lasso.
And to quote Rich Pullen. "And I'm here for it"

Footnote. Rich Pullen may or may not agree with the formation, I'm only borrowing a term he used often on the podcast.

Flynn did mention the fact they were getting instructions on, but that is the issue you have with a team lacking that nous.  You really want to have players on the pitch who know what to do and when, not have to be told when to do it (because by then it is too late).  It's only a visual thing, as I am not at games, but you don't see anyone really driving the team on the pitch.  Same as last season really, just we appear to have a slightly better quality of player in the first team now than vs. May.

It's still really telling to me that defenders top the MotM poll, nobody can really lay any fault at individuals and yet we let the opposition have 16 shots at goal with < 40% possession in the game.

Flynn knows this, he did raise the balance of youth and experience himself.  The recruitment, while improving the talent pool, has not yet done that though.

Which you just know in peak Town stylee, they'll bloody lose. The daft shirt tugging, and unconvincingly fist pumping tactician extraordinaire will be creaming his tracksuit no doubt at how much CTFC means to him  ::)

I really don't want to dislike Scott Lindsey as he's had a tough old time personally, so I prefer to see him as a figure of fun. He's pantomime, unlike Sheridan, who was a nasty c***.

Annoyingly Crawley have started well and have had two decent results against promotion favourites, let's hope they've peaked already!

I'm in this camp also to be fair. At us, he was just out of his depth more than anything particularly vulgar. I do hope he doesn't attempt to play up to the crowd though in his interviews, he should just let bygones be bygones and move on. The comment about fans expecting Alex Ferguson was just a bit silly really.

He absolutely will! He has a BTEC in Mind Games from the University of Life.

Agree with most of that. Overlapping, adventurous CB’s is a good route for the CB’s we have. FBT and UGM are well capable of doing those roles well and it’s up to the players/management to sus out when to reign it in game management wise. I think a wise head in the midfield/defence would solve that.

I love Austin as a player and can see he is a good leader but I’d love if we had enough leaders around the pitch that he could just be left to what he’s good at, putting the ball in the net, you won’t find anyone better in the league at that. Kinsella and FBT have that potential to lead from deeper and possibly Brewitt to an extent but I’d love a proper experienced, leader type CB to come in and play in the middle of the back 3 who knows when to reign in FBT and UGM and when to let them go on their marauding runs.

Like large chunks of our fan base have... some are more obsessed with Crawley than bloody Wrexham, and that is saying something!  :D :D

School of Hard Knocks in his FB profile with a Lest We Forget silhouette and an 'I heart Brexit' filter on his profile pic #Shudders

Tbh, as inept as Jurassic John was, there's nothing glamorous about seeing the decline of someone with alleged dependency issues regarding a certain liquid vice. It's a shame because he was far from a poor player. Definitely should have stuck to cone carrying and those circa 3k appearance fees at public speaking events

And some appear to have only just got over Stoke On Trent's second team :)

Not me,  I still ‘ate ‘em.

Pork Vile...as some like to call them. Brrrr  :no:

You mean Burslem's  :sherlock:

It certainly wasn't glamorous but he was still a c***. You can have those issues and not be in cahoots with a rogue owner on a two man mission to destroy a football club.

But then shirley we must put anyone who ever worked with Lausanne Lee in a senior role as equally culpable? Because then they were keeping him in football still? No?

Sheridan was/still is a cunt but it wouldn't surprise me if he was manipulated in some way. I mean he was that delulu Power probs could have paid him, then told him he needed to put it in another bank account; ya know, to circumvent something or other and the Jurassic one probs would have been unquestioning about it. Someone who knew the score and more aware of what was going on regards Power et al was Wellens. He did well so no one will talk about that too much or about how he timed his exit strategy so well too  :hmmm:

There are better goal scorers in the league than Austin. I would say he will get 15 this season.

I think it’s close to be honest, potentially was a slight exaggeration to say there are no better. Austin on form at this stage of his career is still a top League 2 goalscorer but when you look through the league and see McGoldrick, Mullin, Langstaff etc then there’s a lot of competition.

Either way, the point was more, let him focus on doing the goal scoring and less about having to organise things as the captain from up front. He’s a good leader but it’s hard to organise from up front and ideally we’d have an experienced CB/CM come in who can take on that organising role from deep and allow Austin to keep his focus on putting the ball in the net which we know he can do.

Pet hate of mine this and our fans do it too. Singing songs totally not applicable to the occasion because they might have been funny on occasion prior.

Lindsey is a cunt too though, but he is more of a clown cunt

Wasn't just that though was it? He's made quite a few comments. Makes him look like a total tool, but he brings on himself any abuse he gets.

Just missing a 'full time yummy mummy' ex wife.

Probably not the most appropriate joke given the circumstances.

can anyone remember who was official sponsors motm for this?

Dokes?

I was Kemp.

thanks

Tinpot Fail