Thetownend.com

I’m off to my first away game since Taylor scored that rocket at Wycombe!

At first glance it looks like an easy 3 points, but Donny apparently played very well v Franchise Saturday. The table is yet to settle down so nothing taken for granted here.

Maybe a benefit to us that they’ve got a Caribou cup game v Everton tomorrow - so not much recovery time before Saturday.

Anyway, piece of piss 1-4.

Doncaster 1 Swindon 2 Att: 7,250 (680 Town fans)

We're scoring goals for fun, they're shipping them at quite a rate and are bottom.

We're doomed.

Will be the first game of the season for me and a new ground to tick off. Off the back of some high scoring games we will probably lose this one. Head says 3-1 loss, heart says 4-0 win.

Its the Town way isnt it.

0-0

5 league games with 4 ending in defeats and 1 draw scoring just 4 and conceding 12 goals.

They made 12 new signings in the Summer. Their top scorer is george Miller on 2.

Results so far...

Doncaster 0-1 Harrogate
Hull 1-2 Doncaster *LC
Newport 4-0 Doncaster
Doncaster 2-2 Mansfield
Doncaster 1-3 Notts County
MKD 2-1 Doncaster

McCann favours a possession based style of football and a 442/433 formation, although on Saturday they went with a 532 at MKD.

They average 12 shots on goal every game so far but only 5 on average on target.
We average 16 shots per game and 7 on target.

Big game for them tomorrow at home to Everton in the LC hopefully being only 4 days from Saturday it will affect their early season fitness and they will still be fatigued going into the game on Saturday.

They have started poorly but according to their forum they played much better vs MKD at the weekend where they had more possession and had twice the shots of MKD with 6 being on target vs 5 for MKD who still beat them 2-1.

On paper it looks a foregone conclusion, we have scored 19 goals and conceded 12 in our 6 games, Donny have scored 6 and conceded 13. They havent won in the league and we havent lost so far. But football isnt like that, it will always come and bite yer bum when you least expect it.

We have only beaten Doncaster 6 times in our previous 28 meetings, losing 12 times and drawing 10, socring 27 and conceding 26 goals.

In games up on the South Yorkshire town we have won just twice and lost 7 drawing 5 times with Town scoring 10 and conceding 19.

That said we won there last season thanks for a Wakeling goal and have only 1 defeat in the last 4 games up there.

Still too early to guess a score for me.

Att: 6,550 (725 Swindon)

Will be watching from NZ...4-2 Town.
COYRs

Glad you arrived back home safely.
Harwell has changed, unrecognisable now. No more Orchards to scrump from.

Have to fancy us here with our respective starts. Hope they pick up a couple of stubbed toes/other non serious injuries tomorrow that rule them out until Sunday.

Doncaster 1-3 Swindon

Young
Kemp
Austin

Donny have played some good teams so far by the looks of it so I'm expecting a tough game despite their poor start.

xG for = donny on 1.13 v ours on 1.95
xG against = donny on 1.59 v ours on 1.68.

2-2 (Austin and Kemp) .

On Sky tonight v Everton. Might be worth a peep.

My God, Everton are dreadful.

Need to keep an eye on Molyneaux Saturday - looks tidy.

Lovely ground

A late, deflating Everton equaliser would be nice here, and then for them to win on penalties

or would Donny winning mean they are into after the lord mayor's show come Saturday.

Extra time surely the dream outcome here.

yeah I guess so

Is there any extra time as I thought it went straight to penalties

It does, no extra time played.

Cheers Quaggy

Oh boo. 30 minutes of added time then please!

And a few a couple of players sent off!

Nice!

I meant Everton winning, in a way that was terribly stated

2 late goals for Everton

That's enough to deflate the dressing room😆

Watched that last night....tough watch for Everton fans as the Toffees were awful first half, improved second and Beto looks a good signing.

But we aint playing Everton Saturday!....

Donny will come at us like a train from the off on Saturday and we will need to weather that and get into the game. They got into a few good positions last night and didnt engage. Lets hope that continues.

Perfect game for us last night, tired legs trying to hold on and confidence knocked further by losing late on. Promising for the weekend.

Is it drinks round by the lake tomorrow?

The Beefeater!? Nope.

There might be a fan zone & bar at the ground.

Driving to Donny is a recipe for staying sober.

But I have Mrs Audrey with me. Driving Mr Daisy.

In which case there are options.
Maybe not as good as city centre.

Well, not the start I was expecting weather wise - dank and misty. Still, on to Donny!

Pre match ultra low abstinence zone in The Red Lion.

Mick Lynch. Up yours.

What a glorious morning in Doncaster, the Gateway to Grimsby.
Just waiting for some apprentices to show up.
08:05 train out of Kings Cross? Not a bit of it.
Millennials eh, just can't get the staff.

The lack of incomings yesterday shouldn't detract from matters on the pitch today.
The table can tell porkies at this early stage of the season, so a bit wary of the law of averages, but then again we are short on league wins against the Oss Breeders.

Hopefully the eye catching start to the season can continue, have thoroughly enjoyed the first month.

Fourth visit here & first one on a Saturday.
Late Obika goals were good fun, the turgid display in 2013 less so.

For those arriving early, the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum not far from the ground might be worth a visit.
They have a Vulcan apparently.
As the great man once said "superior ability breeds superior ambition".
Hopefully our ambitions for the season are able to live long and prosper.

Love your write ups Bob and admire your stamina ;)

Donny airport has Vulcan  xh558, the last vulcan to fly (2015) -  but I don't think she is on permanent display. I think only accessible certain days. The VTTS Trust really fucked up. please check.

if you ever going towards Coventry  on a weekend I recommended a quick stop to see xm655. you can get a cockpit for for a small donation ,(arrange in advance to be sure)
https://xm655.com/ (https://xm655.com/)

sadly the only Vulcan even doing fast taxi these days is the one at Southend

0-2 Austin & Young

We’ll win by two goals to one. Young brace

I think that Doncaster Airport ceasing operations has shafted the Vulcan for now. Not the best spot for XH558 sadly.

Not sure about today. Feels like the first goal is important. If we are behind then I can see us getting caught repeatedly on the counter, could get messy. Take the lead, then I back us to be able to outscore them for the rest of the game on current form.

Also if we score more than 3 again, I am going to be convinced that Mad Gav is secretly running the first team.

COYR

indeed, though not yet clear what is going on as they are talking about keeping her there long term.

massive issue if that falls through. how the bloody hell do you move it without chopping it to

and yes, to the uninitiated getting an aeroplane out of an airport does sound an easy one....

It’s a nice sunny day to watch the Town win away.

2-1 with goals from Kemp & Young (please)

BTTS
6 yellows combined
Maybe a dodgy red...for FBT
7mins added first half
12mins added in the second half

Kemp will score one of those superior deflected type shots that loops into the top corner. Maybe a lucky winner too. Raptures


Feels like Flynn might also have been duped/hand tied behind his back. Will definitely have patience with him. It's the board that is somewhat the issue, not the squad/management - I feel, is all


Still papering over many many threadbare squad and off-field cracks

By the end of this season, we might all be addicted to crack to forget the pain of supporting STFC. A win - like a drug/vice will only give temporary relief. For all the talk of sustainability the words do not really match the actions.

Competitive budget? My follicly populated jacksy is it  :pint:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F5BbCwfXYAA4Gi9?format=jpg&name=medium)

Unchanged starting from last week but Genesini and Cain back in the squad.

Kinsella has a knock as per the presser. Otherwise full strength as expected.

That bench is so weak.
Hopefully we get a couple of players in before the window closes.

Is it? Options to cover every position.

:D

I was just going to say decent bench!

I don't think its a bad bench TBH but that doesnt take anything away from our lack of depth in squad if any of these players get injured.

When is international weekend? Next week? Am I right in thinking we will be without Khan?

Other than RHM, I wouldn’t want anyone on that bench to get serious minutes in a competitive L2 side.

Sat in a car park in Norwich and looking forward to updates on here on the game - COYRs!

Flynn had Cain operating as part of a reasonably effective L2 side.

I could see Cain doing well in the 10 spot. Not better than Kemp, but handy.

On the actual game, is Joe Ironside the first instance of a player who shares a name with a banned TEF poster coming up against us?

Well, what a cracking set up here! Well impressed

You would be shocked if you saw the list of banned names!

I wonder what has happened to PNE Thor, that man had mental health issues!

Tranny 0-1 Wrexham

final score.

Firestick users- any luck on a feed or is it just me?

Local derby for them!

Very close, disappointing crowd really at just 10,600ish. 5k under capacity that.

Come on Donny, focus the fucking camera FFS.

That's surprising as Wrexham sold out the away end.

It's fucking empty

Mine has only just kicked in

2009 240P streaming experience today

Clean the fucking lens or focus that camera you fuckwits.

Phil fucking Smith again🤣

Can only get Donny Comms atm

I only ever get away coms on a dodgy stick so can't complain

Just looking at our squad the starting XI and bench is basically it, other than Kinsella - we don't have a full bench if we get injuries (or when FBT gets suspended)

Is it all flat caps, whippets and pigeon fancying?

'appen it is

Kemp has a shot from 18 yards but its blocked.

Clayton and Dworzak the other contracted pros - and Devine but you know...

Well those are horrible uniforms.   Like a peppermint stick.

Our right hand side looks dangerous already

Cameraman prefer to try and focus on a bloke in the crowd than actually whats going on- on the pitch.

Nice run from Dokes down the right but his pass is too hard for Hutton.

Nice move down the right from Kemp, Young puts ina  nice cross but its beyond Charlie.

Corner to Town.

Not quite sure why that went against Young...

Great pass from Mahoney to Young but the ref gives them a free kick for nothing by the look of it.

How do you change it ? Looked in Settings, but think I only have the home commentary available

The fucking cameraman needs drug testing.

Hutton to Dokes but his cross is cleared.

It's a bit rogue at the moment, isn't it?

Brewitt to Kemp his long diagonal nearly finds Uwakwe unmarked but its just interepted.

A bit? :D

Usually get a home/away option but home one not working

zoom in
zoom out
zoom in
.
blimey

zoom in
zoom out
zoom in
lose the ball
still dont focus it
look in the crowd
watch the keeper without the ball

Fucking shit FK by them! laughable!

Young flattened on the half way line.

Just heard Austin's name mentioned!

Brewitt gets away with taking too many touches at the back.

Shot by them from distance, easy save by Mahoney.

Forgot he was playing TBH.

Great take by Young on the turn but his cross was low and weak.

 :D

Different views and all that but that Austin has put himself about pretty well as a target man so far. He's never going to be key to a fluid counter but he's doing his job.

Hes getting into good positions but hasnt had much of an effect on the match as yet for me.

Break by Donny but the shot is poor and at Mahoney, we looked lax there at the back.

Think I've seen enough to say Doncaster will not be finishing bottom.

They have controlled the last 5 mins and can pass a bit.

I'm listening on the radio so can't see his involvement but it's just as important that he his doing the dirty work

I was having issues but the Doncaster channel is on now. Got a message something about ifollow sites changing something they had to update.

FFS now they do a replay of their attack as we attack and we miss it.

We have lost our early grip on the game.

Donny look like a Lindsey side, lots of sideways passing.

They look like a *good* Lindsey side, the style is there but the tempo is higher and they have created a few chances.

Uwakwe flattened in that attack by them, ref ignored it though.

Their fans sound massively frustrated at their slower approach it seems.

Kemp went down to easy then in the box.

Every time Hawes mentions the Donny midfielder Molyneux I keep thinking of Wolves😆

Young nearly lobs the keeper from the edge of the box.

Ironside is quite mobile given his wheelchair too

Nice cross from Uwakwe to Austin, preceded from some actual good defending from Hutton.

Uwakwe cross to Austin but his header from 6 yards was wide.

 :D

Referee is not giving our attackers very much at all.

Good cross by Hutton to Austin there but we dont get a shot in that counts.

An innocuous yellow card for Ironside to even things up.

Hes not really giving any of our players much today.

Never a yellow.

That was a yellow though!

Ironside looks useful. hopefully that'll slow him up

This game is not finishing 11 v 11

Or 0-0 IMO.

Donny look ok in attack but poor at the back.

Some weird decision by the ref so far.

Big chance UGM, header inside the six yard box straight at the keeper.

Good corner by Kemp but it was a foot ahread of Austin in the 6 yard box.

Dokes header straight at their keeper.

Sounds from the radio that Hutton may not finish the 2nd half if he keeps giving fouls away

Hawes saying we put in a bid for the Hartlepool centre forward last night way under their asking price.

Sounds familiar.

Not sure there was much wrong with that one, but the referee is an unfortunate combination of picky and erratic. He's not favouring any one side particularly, but I think there'll be reds today.

Its not just Hutton, he could easily send off any of the 22 players, hes random with his card waving.

Ought to have money on that!

Red for Donny player Rowe.

I know I say it every time but Phil Smith is heavy going. Y'know

You was spot on  - will he even it up in the 2nd half by red carding one of our players

And there's the red card that was always coming. High foot on McEachran, it did catch him and those are given as reds, but it wasn't nasty.

Kicked McEachran in the face.

I've made longer odds predictions!

Absolutely it wasnt nasty but under the word of the law...red.

How the fuck can Donny fans boo McEachran when he was kicked in the face!

Key half time instruction has to be to give the ref absolutely no excuse to even this up.

100%

Hutton needs to be careful

Wasn’t that Allison Willetts our physio on the pitch? I thought she was leaving?

Back on trial, Lewis Ward style...

HT 0-0

 :D

Moany wankers these Donny fans!

Well, Doncaster look pretty good, they'll not be troubling the bottom of the table. We've looked dangerous on the counter, Uwakwe has put in a couple of crosses so for a change we're dangerous down both wings.

The referee is the story though. Not sure there was much wrong with the red - feel for Rowe but those are reds more often that not - but he's looked very erratic and booked players for so little that the game was always going to go this way.

I note the Donny forum has a rate the ref thread which I'd imagine may get a little fruity.

pretty much even, a bit of a  nothing half, but an opportunity now

I’d get Wakeling on for the second half…

My stream is shit.

However first outing for my flag in the corner

Pretty dull game, much like here last season, hopefully we can nick it 1-0 again, albeit it won’t be a Wakeling goal.

Ref is a typical first year ref. Think he got a bit bored so just started booking people to liven things up a bit.

Sub Kahn and Hutton. One will get sent off otherwise

Sent from my XQ-AD51

Northerners.

Donny have taken off their left back who was roasted all the 1st half.

Cant beat a good moan!

Lovely ball from Uwakwe to kemp but he wont put his foot in to get to it in the box.

So many of our passes have been a bit short today so far, if even one comes off it will be a goal.

Not a bad cross from Uwakwe to Austin but his header back doesnt find a Town player.

Uwakwe's crossing is decent

Another good cross from Uwakwe creates a chance, a lovely dummy by Austin to put Kemp into a good position too there.

2nd week running hes put more good crosses in than Hutton.

Better cross by Hutton to Young but we dont make the most of it.

We've been threatening down both wings in this game which is a really helpful development

Its good we can spread the play down both sides not just relying on Hutton.

Att: 6,108 (709 Town)

Kemp shot deflected over the bar for another corner.

Austin with a long shot, low and a bit too close to the keeper.

Donny FK 30 yards out.

Brewitt lucky to not get a booking there.

Corner to them, deflected FK wide.

Dive by the Donny player in the box, never a pen.

Good defensive header from Austin

Uwakwe is covering some ground today on both sides of the pitch.

Mahoney makes a good shot as Brewitt is turned in the box.

These fucking replays mean us missing lots of Town play.

Stop going to replays while the ball is in play FFS

Interesting sub...

Uwakwe off for RHM.

Attacking one that.

4-3-3?

Hard challenge on RHM there.

It is entirely unclear who the referee is booking at any time

RHM held back in the box.

Brewitt poor challenge.

Khan has noticeably pulled out of a few 50:50s which I think is a sign of maturity he definitely didn't have last year.

Brewitt was good 1st half but hes looking poor this half.

Agreed *incoming horror challenge*

Brewitt booked.

Brewitt is being spread thinly on toast by the striker this half.

Not Brewitt’s best 5 minutes

Worst free kick ever by them!

We are letting Donny back into this instead of twisting the knife.

Austin flattened in the box from the corner, not a pen though.

Donny keeper booked for timewasting.

There are some really fucking random decisions by this ref.

Ref has ruined this game.

Think Phil Smith made a good point regarding the way we set up. Very tough for us to break down 10, and instead, we’ve slightly allowed them to grow into this

Good interplay by Town, corner to Town.

I think Flynn made a mistake taking off Uwakwe who was putting in a lot of very good crosses.

Young creating a chance, 1st time hes done much this half TBH, need to focus play through him.

This ref is absolutely baffling

Austin booked.

We are playing a bit too close and short and focussing down the right when we need to spread the play wider and get balls into the box.

Is it 4-3-3? Who's playing left back?

Baffling is a good word but not quite the right word! terrible is closer.

Looks more like 343 to me.

Ref is all over the shop

Wakeling…

Who was booked in the first half? Hawes & Smith said Khan was booked then changed it to Austin🤔

Great chance by Town.

RHM misses an absolute sitter, but is offside.

Khan 100%

We need to play down the left for a change its too predictable down the right.

Who's playing left mid? Hard to tell from comms

Cheers :clap:

Khan/McEachran.

That said its pretty flexible accross midfield.

Hutton just over (the ground)

I'd have said Kemp was left wing. Fluid.

That looked more like a foul on Young than many of the other fouls given.

Better move by Town, Hutton cross headed over his own bar by the defender.

McEachran frustrated with Hutton for not releasing him and putting in a soft floated cross straight at the keeper.

I’d like to see Austin actually attack some of these crosses…

Adeloye scores for Partick

Good defending UGM, that could easily have been the sucker punch

Dokes did well there under pressure.

Good lord!

Hes playing too deep currently.

Austin offside but missed an absolute sitter.

Austin joins the "missing a sitter whilst offside" club

Shade on for Khan.

Bring him home

Reminiscint of last season today. Especially if we concede from an injury time corner.

Hutton tries a shot from 80 yards, or so it seems.

Not happening today I don't think.

Just keep pressing them and creating chances, there is a goal in us.

Not created anywhere near enough to win this, fair fucks to Donny who have dug in well

what's the point of Cain if he can't get on in a game like this

Nasty foot left on FBT.

Cain coming on. You have your wish.

He who shouts loudest😀

Cain shot deflected over the bar.

Time for an FBT special.

Worst corner ever

4 mins added.

Come on Town calm down and play your game.

Dokes saves us again at the back.

They are going to score in the 5th min of four added mins aren't they...Donny I mean  :doh:

Said there would be a Red card in this

Erratic

Two shots on target from Town

Squibbishly damp match though  ::)

At least the fourth time this half he’s had to

Granted I’ve not seen a huge amount of us this season and he’s not the main issue but is todays Brewitt performance the same type that everyone’s been raving about this year? Or is the bar just that low for our CB’s

For all the good we had in front of goal last week we have been almost the opposite today, poor finishing cost us 2 points.

FT 0-0

Still unbeaten.

Take the clean sheet and point away from home. We really should be beating 10 men though.

Disappointing but not disastrous result. Donny will do much better than their current league position.

Main plus from today is that nobody got sent off.

We often don't to be fair

The game seemed to finish early for a change.

Luke Williams Notts County top this evening

Back to back clean sheets and unbeaten start continues

Sums up how diabolical we usually are against ten men, that I’m just glad we didn’t lose. There has to be a different plan when we play against ten, as that was similar to Lindsey’s plans against ten men. Unbeaten is a positive, but can’t help feeling we should have more than the 9 points

Refereeing performance took all the edge out of that second half, ruined it.

Not a good viewing experience.

Only us, Mansfield and Wimbledon unbeaten so far in our league.

Disappointing

We didn't fold late.

Needed not to lose for morale's sake after a crap late transfer window.

League positions aside, an away draw at Donny is a solid result.

We move on.

Did they announce the crowd🤔

6200ish from memory.

Cheers Nemo

I decided not to venture up to Donny this weekend, from reading this thread it sounds like a good decision. Well done to the hardy souls that made, you, sirs, madams and everyone in between are nothing short of heroic

It's not a bed of roses down at the bridge then😆

lackluster in chances created under the circumstances

but a pointv is a point

Plus Leeds were at home :D

Looking at todays scored Gills losing at Grimsby, MKD losing at Crewe and Crawley getting a draw at highly fancied Stockport anyone can beat anyone else this season it seems. Really open league.

Indeed.

It think comes back to how much players at this level struggle to be consistent. Some good quality but rarely over a full season.

Absolutely agree, so often we have players that look world beaters 1 week and then cant kick a ball straight for the next 2 games.

If they had consostancy though they would be playing at a much higher level I guess.

And Luke Williams sitting pretty at the top

Flynn saying we received a very generous bid for Wakeling and looking to get 2 players in next week

That's the thing with League Two - very rarely do you have a team that just outclasses everyone with pure talent.  You tend to find some squads with a real depth of similar talent who can just keep grinding through with results on a consistent basis as a result.  IT's what makes our inability to add those three or four we are missing all the more irritating - if we had 14 to 15 that could easily rotate without any change in the first XI's ability, then we'd be right up there all season.

Confirmed we bid for Umerah

Apparently we missed out on someone from a league 1 club.

Confirmed we put bid in for Hartlepool striker, but was 'priced out'

Looking at free players market. Wants to go from 21 to 23. Wants to get it done (or not) quickly

December then

I couldn't be happier that we missed out on this fella. Never looked like a footballer when I've seen him. Absolute carthorse.

then sold in January

A bit of confusion on the radio Hodgetts thought we turned down a six figure sum for a Town player Phil Smith saying we had a six figure bid turned down for a player......

Nobody sent off is the main positive.

Flynn somewhat bumbled his way through the transfer chat there.

A game where we probably needed more attacking options to change and they game.

I’d have been happy with no activity yesterday. One out though, well my thoughts are known.
Being a selling club is one thing being a club that sells players as soon as they are bid for is another thing altogether

it makes no sense we bid 6 figures for someone

I thought he meant we turned 6 figures down for wakeling but then got made an offer we couldn't refuse

Agree with this. Wakeling would have won the game for Town today  ;)

Yeah, I'd say Town probably offered like 75k for Ooh Meera  :D

It all needs clarifying

Please stop using an O as a 0, it’s bugging me.
Thanks

0k

oh bugger. khan isn't here next week

Mahoney talks well

N0, I w0n't. Y0u're welc0me  :D

It was us that made the 6 figure bud, now on clubs Twitter.

We definitely bid six figures for a player - Flynn confirmed post match in the interview posted on YouTube

A million?????🙂

That’s 7 figures  :D

I know right, he’s done it literally 1O,OOO times…

Yeah,we turned down 6 then got a better offer!🙂

…or 6 figures and 1 letter

£1,000,0O0.

No, JQ was talking about some butter

Cheers Changy all crystal clear now! Flynn not happy with the performance and seems a little edgy.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GJnw_1-FoJ8

 :D :girlgiggle:

Looking at their red, I don't think the bloke had any idea that McEachran was there. Dangerous yes, but didn't look like any intent.

It's quite nice to say you've got international players in your team but you don't really want it at this level. We've seen over the years that it's extremely disruptive and detrimental to the team ultimately...

oh, ok, that's shocked me. must have been a very good wakeling deal then to get that back to spend

That said I'm glad we missed out on that one.

I don't think intent has any relevance to the law though..

probably for that very reason, you can't see whose around you

That's one way of fudging the accounts...

✺Reporting accounts in 2025, filed under AoB at the ABM✺
''It has come to our attention that Owner Clem Morfuni would like to apologise for an accounting error regarding the sale of Jacob Wakeling in September 2023. Wakeling was in fact sold for £25k and not £250k as previously thought, due to an extra zero being input and recorded. This also means that Wakeling's subsequent £20m move from Peterborough to Spurs will no longer land Town a £4m windfall but just £400k. A genuine mistake obviously which we hope fans will understand...''

''...in other great news for STFC, the club can confirm that Chris Kylie has now been paid in full for his generous loan of £4m to STFC. We thank Chris for his generosity as Town look forward to building a squad with a competitive budget, hopefully ensuring a PO push is maintained in order to have a chance of gaining promotion from National League South. A reminder to all fans and local business that corporate day hospitality is available at Webbs Wood for just £400 - Up next...Maldon and Tiptree.

We've got out club back - C.O.Y.R''

 :cry:

Yeah, and the chap just walked. Minimal protest.

Holy Crystal Ball-sack Batman...

“We would also like to announce the STFC lotto is now a rollover of £32,250”

Nice to be home by 6:30, weather was good, had lunch & a few drinks in the Beefeater, a clean sheet.

That’s the positives out of the way.

Not very often that you leave a game & both sets of fans can agree that the ref was shite.

Have been there three times now, a win, a draw & a defeat in three pretty terrible games

Sat next to who I think is Uwakwe on train. Hood up and zipped up above face but recognise the training gear below the hoody.

Clean sheet & a point away from home. Good, unlike the ref.

Not overly keen on grounds where the away end is always in the sun.
700 beetroots after 90mins.

Impressive turnout. Attendance was 6,108

I’d forgotten how tedious it is returning from a long-ish away game - even worse after witnessing that game. Don’t think their keeper had a shot to save and the less said about the ref the better - where do they drag them up from.

Austin is right out of form, Kemp poor today, RHM lively when he came on - should have been sooner. Another good game from Brewitt - a non nonsense defensive display.

Still remain unbeaten.

I had that in Wrexham. it's in Wales ffs. it's supposed to rain.

Do you think still Austin contributes to the team though? I do as he's got a bit more physical  presence, talks and brings in others but making space. But I can see how you might not agree.

I often have different views watching on ifollow than at the match, and vice versa. Today was an ifollow day and for me:

- RHM was hopeless. Couldn't do anything right other than run. Thought shade was better. RHM is coming back from injury so to be expected.

- there was a 15 minute spell in the second half where Brewett inexplicably turned into Taylor Curran. Then he regained composure thankfully.

But I accept you only have limited vision on ifollow.

oh, and I think we had 12 corners and only 2 shots on target, they had 3. Tells the story!

Today was my first game since Crawley at home last game of last season. A quick google search said that was something in the region of 120 days which is enough for me to get an inexplicable Swindon withdrawal. Initially was going to go up with Wobbly Bob and had to agree to an early train with him only for him to change his plans when rail strikes were announced. Fair enough. I got in at a respectable time and we had a few in the Draughtsman before going to the stadium. Good to go to a new ground. As for the match I think it was poor. Some credit has to go to Doncaster who limited us to what I assume is our lowest number of shots in a game this season. You wouldn’t have known we had a man advantage in the second half. Austin looked knackered and we joked that my friend with dyed blonde hair looked like a hungover Austin but he may have been better than Chaz today. I feel that FBT should be captain so Chaz can concentrate on scoring. Charlie looked very tired today but the heat almost certainly contributed. A mate of mine was burning in front of my eyes.

Well if the 'highlights' are anything to go by, anyone who went to that deserves a cold beer.  :pint:

Thought he summed up the game excellently. A combination of Doncaster playing well with 10, us playing into their hands and the ref giving us nothing 2nd half meant a frustrating afternoon. Still, unbeaten, a clean sheet away from home and no new injuries - it’s not a bad an afternoon as some have made out (mostly on Twitter)

I like Flynns honesty no bullshit just says it how us fans see things.

Yes, it's nice to see someone being straight and not trying to dress it up with 'box entries' chat!

Obviously I’m wrong, but I’m convinced Austin was booked in the 1st half as well as the 2nd.

Wouldn’t surprise me with that ref.

First half one was Khan, but it did look like Austin. Ref had a habit of flourishing his yellow in the direction of a group of players and it not being at all clear who was being booked - sometimes from which team!

Amazing FBT managed to avoid one

Was the austin miss (right foot slotted wide) and RHM miss (austin header across goal and RHM couldn’t get any contact) both offside btw? I presumed they were but couldn’t tell watching on IPTV

The 2nd one was, can't remember the first one but may well have been as Austin was involved.
By that I mean Charlie does seem to get caught offside a lot in the box these days.
It's something that does need to be worked on & an experienced striker should be able to sort himself out in those situations.

Yep - both off

Having slept on it its definately 2 points dropped.

We were playing the bottom team without a win and only 1 draw so far and they were down to 10 men for an entire half yet we couldnt break them down.

Last week everything we hit basically went in, yesterday not sure if we actually made their keeper make one proper save all game.

No idea why Flynn took off Uwakwe who was our only player at the time getting consistant crosses into the box, we starting pressing down their left with him on and spreading the play more, when RHM came on we put everything down the right again yet there was acres of space on the left where Young was ploughing a lone furrow.

Brewitt started well but 2nd half was a liability at times, its likely he will be the last player back most of the time buthe was exposed a lot yesterday and against a better team we could easily have lost that.

Austin for me was very poor all game, didnt dictate play or bring others into the game and missed a couple of decent chances too.

Doncaster were a mid table side who passed well at times if very sideways in their passing, they reminded me of us last season under Lindsey, pass, pass, pass but without one pass being into the danger zone taking any risks.

RHM looked lively when he came on but he should have come on for Austin for me not Uwakwe, and Shade came on ran around and I dont think kicked the ball more than once.

Still unbeaten in 90 mins in our first 7 games is something to build upon.

On to a home game with Sutton next week who have not had a good start to the season with 1 win and 5 defeats so far....interesting prospect.

Oh and a special mention to the ref, cant say hes the worst I have seen but fucking hell he was shit.

‘ On to a home game with Sutton next week who have not had a good start to the season with 1 win and 5 defeats so far....interesting prospect.’

I bet Ward is looking forward to that one.

Perfectly summarised and agree.

Amazing how we can go from peppering shots in for 5/6 games in a row to hardly having any at all against a team with 10 men. God knows what changed.

Doncaster defended significantly better than Crawley

It was Gillingham away last season all over again.

We become overly patient and whilst going wide is utilised to tire the opposition the lack of quality threaded through balls was woeful.

My next away game will be Franchise I reckon.

I'm still pretty sure this is a 'fitness'  thing.

"Tariq [Uwakwe] is not up to full fitness and neither is Jake Young." (mid August).

I was very surprised he didn't try Cain earlier for that very reason.

Presume Khan’s spot next game will go to Cain if Kinsella is still injured.

difficult one as they are so different players. but in terms of available options I guess so .

It reminded me of that game too. Gills were shit and we were playing against 10 men for a long time yet created little.

Or Kinsella if he is over his fitness issue.

If Sutton are like last season they will bypass midfield totally anyway!

Harsh. I thought we were much worse at Gillingham personally

Talking of which.

Sutton - 1 win (and that was against 10 men) in their last 17 league games and only 4 draws.
No clean sheets in the last 14 league games for them.

From their forum.

.

We all know what happens here

Hopefully Flynn is a bit more of a manager than we have had previously. But yes, we all know!