Thetownend.com

Salford 2 Swindon 2 att: 2,850 (630 Town)

Salford 1-3 Swindon att: 2,788 (547 of us)

For some reason Salford feel like a bogey team even though the stats tell a different story.

Salford 2-4 Swindon.

Piece of piss, 1-4

I fancy a draw.

Att: 2,854 (615 Swindon).

A massive 428 tickets available for Harrogate.

Hopefully the pitch is better than the sandpit of last season... 2-1 Town

Hoping Matty Lund gets put in a heap!

Is this in jeopardy with the rain?

I think it would be a pretty embarrasing outcome if it were, we have had a fair bit of rain up here, but nowhere near as much as much of the country has had.

See Colchester, first day of the season

It rained pretty heavily last night here in Cheshire but it's not been too bad since. Plenty of light rain forecast overnight but tomorrow's meant to have some drier spells and no downpours so hopefully ok.

Maybe Salford won't take the rain covers off the pitch overnight ;)

Has there been a presser for this? Haven’t seen it on the official site or adver site but wonder if that is where the Uwakwe update came from?

Should have been at 9.30. Sure I saw the usual bollocks about the journo not getting to Beversbrook, or no broadband, or a giant butterfly knocked him out and he missed it.

Yeah, that schtick is getting dull. He really doesn't have many key timings to hit in the week... And has he heard of a hotspot?

Cain back

Apparently this is Mansfields ground today, well outside of it anyway.

(https://i.postimg.cc/Qt2NhKc5/394629965-10230608238457434-8545736607579643983-n.jpg)

https://www.facebook.com/nicole.redford.1422/videos/247799541242976

I expect our game (and most of the FL program) to be cancelled due to health and safety both in and outside the ground(s).

It'll be alright, its not like Salford/Manchester is known for rain at the best of times or anything.

https://twitter.com/SalfordCityFC/status/1715400936384757888

Salford City FC
@SalfordCityFC
·
16m
We would like to provide some reassurance to supporters ahead of our
@SkyBetLeagueTwo
 fixture against
@Official_STFC
 ⚽️

Despite the rainfall that has come with Storm Babet, as of Friday afternoon the pitch is perfectly playable with no concerns or plans for an inspection

Salford have tweeted that 'as of Friday afternoon the pitch is perfectly playable with no concerns or plans for an inspection'

edit - fuck you Venkman, you big galah! :)

That's a call off at 2:45 tomorrow guaranteed then :D

:D

Can we get them to at least delay kick off, as I've got to go to the dentist!

Give Dragons Den Gary Neville a call😁

Early train tomorrow and meeting a few in Manchester.
Better not call it off. Plenty of time to manage the pitch.

.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMn4IQZcdjI

My son and I just played this match on FC24, we drew 2-2.

Few have given up as train cancelled.
Just leaving New Street - Can only hope we get home.


You reds…… looking like game on which is a decent start.
⚽️

Pre match I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour in The Paramount.
But heaven knows I'm pretty cheerful now.
On a tight hydration schedule due to train shenanigans.
Will have to give posing in front of Salford Lads Club a miss.

Dry & chilly here. Game on.

This is a pretty crap away day if being honest.
The soul destroying walk through a desolate pub free wasteland from Crumpsall metro stop awaits.
Good for the step count though, then jump on a bus after the game.

Very good record against the over funded Ammies, even Morris managed to engineer a win here.

Brewitt has the challenge of squeezing Matt Smith into his pocket this afternoon.
Although the big man has yet to score against us in 5 previous appearances.
Get the impression that Salford can pack their team full of grandads when compared to our relatively fresh faced cherubs.
Never a guarantee that exerience will always win out over youthful exuberance.

Hopefully more reasons to be cheerful at 5pm.

Cracking Smiths references WB. Enjoy the day - although I think we lose today.

If Brewitt can nullify Smith today then I’m all in on the Brewitt fan club train

Big Mouth Strikes again

I have a feeling we will lose today, they have been on a great run recently until last weeks last minute defeat to Wrexham they had won the previous 3 games in the league and Matt Smith is on 9 goals like Young (although from 2 more games) so will be a handful as he always is especially from set pieces.

At home they have won 2, drawn 1 and lost 3 so far scoring 9 goals and conceding 10.

In away games we have won 1, drawn 3 and lost 2 scoring 10 and conceding 12 goals.

They play some decent football do Salford, they like to keep possession and pass it around a fair bit, but still utilise the huge Matt Smith up front as a target man and is a big threat from free kicks and corners due to his 6 foot 6 frame.

In defence they have Adrian Mariappa who so nearly joined us instead of Salford when he left Burton but is now captain at Salford.

We have only lost 1 of the 5 matches played against this lot, with all 3 games played in Salford so far ending with a single goal Town win. 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2.

 :D

Heaven knows hes miserable now, that joke isnt funny any more.

Mansfield v FGR off.

Isn’t postponed a strange word

Opportunity to overtake them :D

Its from the Latin "postponere".

For years I always thought it was postboned

who is this charming man?

Thats your missus that is.... :D

To be postboned you first have to be preboned, though!

Stags v Vegans and the  only other one is Rotherham v Ipswich

Chesterfield and Altrincham in the Conference too, Altrincham being only 5 miles from Salford too but probably didnt have any good pitch drainage or covers.

Considering the weather, that’s a good result overall.

The weather is looking pretty calm and moderately sunny there at the moment.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F89sghcXoAEl86J?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)

Hawes saying the pitch is superb

It looks very good.

That's a damn fine bench. Best for a while I think

Good looking bench, too

Waiting to hear who’s on comms hope it isn’t Smith🤣

🙏

The Smiths and ‘local lads’ Joy Division played over the tannoy so far.
The fear for us is that ‘Lund will tear us apart’?

Hope it's not a Phil Smith omen

:D

And the Buzzcoks ever fallen in love….now Blue Monday New Order :D

Aah, the New Order is with us. Hope we get some Fall. Fancy a "kicker conspiracy"

It’ll be a blue Monday next week if we’re reflecting on a loss. We’ll be full of ‘regret’.

They should come out to Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs :D

It is a Smith….Johnathan😁

🙂Happy with that. One of the best at it

Swindons adopted Northerner Jonathan Smith on comms today.

He is a very good analyser of on pitch stuff.

He certainly knows his stuff

Jonathan Smiths voice always reminds me of this.

https://youtu.be/Ko0U7UjP_6g

Ecky Thump.

😄

Got a feeling Jake Young will score today, hasn’t gone for him in recent weeks, but seems only a matter of time before he starts scoring again.

I think all the teams lately have cottoned on and marked Young out of games, at the start of the season he was a wildcard and teams werent as tuned into his ability and strengths and he surprised many teams, hopefully he and Austin start scoing again soon, starting today.

Win 2-1

No commentary at all

Bloody rubbish ! I have Colchester vs Harrogate!!!!

So do i

Minutes silence might be the reason!

Lost commentary for a few seconds on the radio but now back.

The pitch looks tiny.

Try the other channel. I have it now.

Soaking up the atmosphere!

Like the stands😁

Not a good pass from FBT to Mahoney there.

Great chance for them but he fires wide.

Not a bad cross from Hutton to Austin but the keeper claims it high.

Brewitts block luckily goes to Mahoney it could easily have gone in.

0-1

Brewitt and Shade done for pace and the fullback scores low and hard.

Far too easy

Shit

Damn blue kit curse.

playing walking football. wake the fuck up

Keeper should be saving that I think on first viewing
(I should add his been fantastic all season)

So close to being 0-2 there, just wide.

Wake the fuck up Town. Could be 3-0 down

Commentator is a dick, "it's the least they deserve" it's 7 minutes in?

so over the shop

Why are we such slow starters

yeah. you truly get crap commentators that make you appreciate BBC wilts

They're impressive to be fair.

FBT seems to be losing his early season edge.

1-1 Hutton.

Fuck get in!!!!

A corner goal? A Hutton goal? Am I dreaming? Fucking get in

Set piece goal!

Shade low corner to Hutton 25 yards out low hard shot deflected into the net, the keeper well beaten.

good corner

soft finish but well worked

Beauty.  Hutton!

Git in jah

Yellow for Brewitt, suspension Tuesday.

What a stupid yellow to pick up

is that Brewitt out Tuesday. balls

Was that an OG?
Missed it grabbing my coffee downstairs

Took a deflection, but will go down as Hutton’s

Another chance from 15 yards by them straight at Mahoney.

Yep, see above.

Well, had Hutton to score first. Still, get in there! Now wake up Town

Gonna happen some time. Problem there’s another 3 players on 4 yellows

Clayton back Tuesday then. Thank god he's fit at last, we'll miss Brewitt

Khan losing the ball cheaply but then wins a free kick by going to ground so easily.

I dunno some of the away comms have been decent tbf.
I can’t imagine any away fans tuning into our commentary speak highly of Phil Smith.

Was it a genuine yellow or shit officialing?

Not sure I would risk Clayton so soon, I would put Minto in.

Definite yellow

Our yellow or theirs?

Brewitts yellow could have been a red if it was closer to the goal, he went over the ball, their yellow was weak officiating.

Hutton 20 yard left foot shot just over the bar after a lovely run by Kemp.

Defensively we have not settled at all, the amount of space they have when going forward is concerning. In saying that, as per we look dangerous going forward.

Still a lot of time to go before then - They might both be in!

That is true!

Yes we have some large holes at the back, getting little defensive help so far from Khan and McEachran.

Yeah was gonna say - FBT has to make it through the rest of the game first

We also have Genesini who can fill in anywhere accross the back 4/5.

Another chance for them just wide, Mahoney down injured.

Massive loss is Mahoney cant continue, Ward is awful with the ball at his feet.

Mahoney back up and moving freely, but limping a bit.

Minor panic attack seeing Brewitt flying in again

Matt Smith is exactly the type of big striker we could do with as a different option off the bench.

Austin finds Hutton and his cross to Young is headed wide from 6 yards.

Both sides looking likely to score with almost every attack.

Kemp wins a corner.

Shade tries a high kick but he fires over the bar from 15 yards.

shade. soapy tit wank

Smith header straight at Mahoney, should have been a goal.

That can’t happen again. Smith getting a header that close

Town giving as good as they get but defensively we look very poor today.

Shade cuts inside and has a low shot from 20 yards, saved for a corner.

FBT left the ball looking for a corner but the ref gives a goal kick.

Town winning far more 1st balls in midfield in the last 10 mins.

Shade tries a shot but its blocked.

Our best spell of the half this

Dokes pressing on much more in the last 20 mins, almost in a midfield position and doing it well.

Yellow for Smith for a poor tackle on McEachran.

Matt Smith with a challenge not too dissimilar to Brewitt’s

Could do with Smith being sent off hes giving Brewitt quite a torrid time often this half.

Corner to Town.

Too deep by Kemp, we have got to grips with the game a bit the last 15 mins, Dokes, Khan, Shade and McEachran all growing into the game, Young and Kemp fairly quiet so far.

I missed the first 25 minutes, but from what I've seen we look comfortably the better side.

Need to get Kemp into this more. Salford looking sloppy, Kemp is the one player we have who can really unlock them

We could really do with a second to confirm our dominance.

2nd half will likely be different gravy.

1st 20 was almost all them, you chose well.

Thsi game is easily withing our grasp to win.

Kemp and Young both off the pace a bit today so far. Both can make things happen if you give them the ball.

Shade wins another corner.

Our wingbacks seem to be featuring more in our play than they generally have this season. Shade in particular looks to be giving them a few things to think about.

FBT has a shot from 25 yards, deflected wide, close, another corner to Town.

Better corner by Kemp but its defended well.

1st 20 mins he looked awkward and very poor but hes come to life since then and giving their fullback a tough game.

3 mins added.

Young really does not look himself today, give him 15 mins in the 2nd half and if he doesnt pick up then get RHM on to liven things up.

HT 1-1

First 15 we looked all over the shop, but since then, we’ve had the better of the half. Look much more composed than Salford, and have *started* to look more settled at the back. Hoping we can continue this into the second half.

Salford started better for the first 15 to 20 mins, been mostly Town since then, we are definately looking the better side now.

Well, the bit I saw was good. I'll watch the whole of the second for you all...

really didn't enjoy the first 25. But I thought we did ok after that.

Shaky start. A measure of control thereafter.
Need to make it count in 2nd half.

the Salford commentator would bring down a funeral. zzzzz

Khan, Dokes, FBT, and GM all had some good moments. Shade skinned his man twice as well.

They seemed to get more wary of our threat as the half went on. Their press is fairly non-existent so we are dominating the ball. TBH, we should be making more of this.

COYR

First 10, we were bad, 2nd 10 woke up and bit and the next 25 mins was all us. This is winnable.

Goodnight Bobby Charlton!

63% possession

7-0 on corners!😮

Chance for them but Mahoney is equal to it, corner to them.

Brewitt down holding his head.

Watching with one eye in the chateau… first 10 was arse clenching. They really targeted our left side. But then we got it together and looked dangerous without creating the killer chances. No one person particularly shining or poor for me. I’d take FBT off as we get towards the end. We can cope without Brewitt but not both if he picks up a booking.

Sod all to do with this game. However, Sir Bobby Charlton has passed away today.

Brewitt looks bad.

Brewitt not looking all that good. He's out of Tuesday anyway which might be good timing really.

yeah. Clayton time?

Doubt Brewitt would have been playing Tuesday regardless then

Minturn. If he's playing centrally I think that makes sense.

Minturn on for Brewitt. Big ask for the lad marking that fucking lump up front.

Nice from Shade and Young there.

Shade breaks to Young down the left and he cuts inside and beats his man but cant shoot or cross.

Pretty sure Brewitt will also miss next Saturday now due to concussion rules.

"Forward" shout the Salford fans. A familiar cry

Audible 'forwards' from the Salford Arkells there.

where was the midfield. just over

Brewitt looked very green around the gills…

What an absolutely gorgeous ball from Kemp to Austin

Austin could have done a bit better there.

Excellent from Kemp but too hesitant from Austin

frustrated Salford cries of "Forwaaaard!" a little while back :D

Chaz needed to pull the trigger there.

why didn't Austin shoot

😄.Very good. He won't be on Tuesday!

Not seeing more than a point at best here 😢

I think it's there for us nmh. Get super sub on in 5

This, RHM will chase everything and create chances on his own, Salford look beatable.

Can't be long off! Just wondering who for?

How has the lino missed two hands in Kemps back a foot from him.

Young who has been below par again today.

Their fans sound more angry than many of ours

Kemp getting battered by them. Couple fouls in there which the ref has missed

Another corner to Town.

He is looking for fouls tho ala Jonny Williams. The more he goes to ground the less likely the ref will give the real fouls.

RHM for Young.

I’d have taken Austin off, but he does link up well with RHM tbf

Good half hour for Murph. Come on son!

Stop! HRM time

Austin show low from a Kemp pass, but its weak and saved.

RHM wins another corner.

Shade low shot saved but its offside.

Crikey Shade hit that hard.

RHM, poor shot but corner

Has to be a goal there ffs

who was off? obstructing keepers view?

Crikey! Looked more threatening straight away

This is ours for the taking.

As it stands with other scores a win here would be superb

Come on Town turn the screw.

Lund does a Luke Norris and falls over on the ball with the keeper to beat.

RHM another great chance.

Another chance!

So many chances in the last ten minutes.

good save but I think RHM could have done better. still, asked the question

Kemp is growing into the game, need to get the ball to him more.

Good save but once again, has to be a goal. These are here for the taking

it's starting to get stretched

Other than the first 15 mins Shade has been excellent today.

I fancy Shade to score the winner

That final bit of quality is missing

Great defending by Dokes there.

RHM for me.

Att: 2,523 (518 Swindon)

FBT gets away with a shit clearance.

Wtf

RHM to McEachran and is floored in the box but the ref says no penalty.

20% of entire attendance. Great effort

Either'll do!🙂

How was that not a penalty?

Khan held back, free kick to Town 40 yards out, Lund yellow.

It's not always indicative of the final result, but we look a million times better in possession than this supposed possession team.

Maybe I’m just more biased than I thought I was, but surely that’s a penalty? He’s not won the ball and gone straight through McEachran

Kemp shot from 25 yards too close to the keeper, easy save.

It was weird how little anyone appealed, it looked absolutely stone dead on the ifollow angle but can only assume it wasn't

Yes even the Town fans didnt complain much abotu it right in front of them.

Smith header saved by Mahoney, Smith was all over FBT how is that not a foul?

Really hard to tell from the low camera angle. Might have got some ball. The team appeal wasn’t convincing.

Referee feet away with a clear view...

Clear push in the back by Smith on FBT.  Nothing given.  Again.

Oh Lord its hard to be Humbles....

If this was last season I'd be absolutely convinced we were about to be sucker punched. This season... maybe not.

Unforgivably shit corner from Shade

Absolutely, last season this has a late goal conceded written all over it, hopefully we can hit them late and win. Its definately winnable.

When you’re perfect in McEacheran’s way!

Great challenge by Minto there.

Penalty to Town, foul on RHM. Red card for the defender.

Come on !!!!!

Definate push on the back of RHM.

Soft pen but a dumb as rocks shoulder charge gives the ref a decision to make

Bloody hell! That wasn’t a penalty or a red!

2-1 Austin!

1-2

Definate pen for me, push on RHMs back.

CHAZZER!!!! Spot on!

Charlie looks happy!

Rule is a red if you're not making a genuine attempt to play the ball, so if that's a foul at all it's a red, not a yellow. Messing up a tackle is a yellow.

wow. big call. not sure but don't care!

nice one Charlie

Brilliant penalty. Come on!

At last!  Push in the back and given.  Quite generously!

Charlies 50th for Town.

Looked harsh but I’ll not lose sleep over it!

What was the celebration all about?

Fuckin' hell, never a pen nor red card, but take that :)

The push was in the middle of RHM's back not even an attempt at getting the ball, clever by RHM and had to be a red under those circumstances.

It's just dumb from the defender, he's shoulder charged him from behind. Could he have stayed up? Probably, but the defender gives him the opportunity.

DO NOT SIT BACK

Also this!

Missed Huttons goal grabbing a drinks
My stream froze with Murphy with the ball at his feet. Unfreezes and our players are celebrating

rule is that it's not double jeopardy if you are making a genuine attempt, normal card related to offence if not.

So he's interpreted it as denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity with no attempt to play ball.

thought it was soft. need to see it again. zero fucks given

We are the masters of getting teams down to 10 men this season.

Clumsy for sure, surprised it was given though. Wow I am a long way behind some of you!

Do not fuck this up.

RHM fucking shoot.

+1

Kinsella on for Khan who has been excellent today for me.

+2

8 mins added.

Not watching but sounds like we were denied a stonewall just before, so will take the justice of the one given is soft.

Just the 8 mins of extra time

Minturn has been fucking brilliant since he’s come on

+8

Kinsella 1st 2 touches and he gives the ball away with each!

Yeah, looked really comfortable so far.

I think McEachran was anticipating the challenge and was going down before their player got there.

Minto gets away with a foul.

1st 3 touches.

Normally a great trait!

He flies in a bit for me when he doesn't need to. Judged them all well today, but you can see him getting cards for needless tackles when he mistimes one. Will go down well with the fans who love a tackle though!

Dylan Kadji Mk 2

So glad that Flynn had faith in him before risking Clayton

Brillant one man press from RHM

2-2

Fuck sake

Sigh. Stonking effort to be fair.

WTF?

Every f... ing time.  10 men.

FFS!

Inevitably,  we do.

We're giving lots of opportunities to youngsters this season. Unfortunately most of them seem to be wearing opposition colours.

Shite header by FBT straight into danger

Corner to Town.

Flynn really needs to sort this. Difference between  getting out of this league.

FFS
Can we hang on now?
Decent finish. Not sure FBT needs to head that in the first place

Another abortion of a corner. WAKE THE FUCK UP

stupid cunting game

But not for us I'm afraid

Drawing 2-2 against 10 men - conceding an injury time goal.
…you know what that means…

Meltdown on here😁

FT 2-2

Not a bad point, but should have been all three on the balance of the game but we've failed to see it out. At least the third away game of the season where all of those things have been true. We're having a decent season but it could be so much more.

Why is Charlie austin the man in the left back space trying to stop the shot

2-2. Kinsella is dogshit. FBT at fault for the goal. But I’d have taken that before kick off. Hope Brewitt makes a quick recovery.

That’s the improvement on last season, we would have lost then ;)

At the moment he seems a questionable signing.

Top 3 inching away now.

Crewe have sneaked up there

We have a game in hand, win that and we are still in contention

Incoming no doubt

Enjoyed J Smith on co-comms.

In the context of being ahead, that was piss poor, two points thrown away.

I'll help you out, because Shade is SHIT.  He danced around ahead of the ball then stood still and watched them while Austin tried to drop in and cover.

Unfortunately, I fear our season may come up a little short because we simply haven't brought in the three or so players we knew we were missing.  We still have nobody who grabs the rest of the defence by the balls and drags them to battle.  It means, for all the good stuff, we look likely to concede at any moment.  We have enough about us going forwards to remain in the hunt, but I just don't see that missing bit, that has been missing since the summer (actually, since last summer).

Overall we were the better team today, in terms of possession, creating a few chances.

Doncaster, Morecambe and now Salford where we’ve either failed to break down or have conceded to ten men to throw away games. Obviously the game doesn’t become a walkover when a team goes down to ten, but that’s fucking shocking. Time after time on the road we are throwing away games.

In absolutely no way is that a good point. 2-1 up against ten men with 10 minutes left to hold on. Fair enough if it happens once a season, but that’s already 3 times where we’ve thrown away games against ten men.

Don’t forget Wrexham even tho it was 11 v 11

This is the main point. We can all, including Flynn, see what we need. We aren't talking breaking the bank here. 3 steady L2 players would do it. Is Clem serious or not? (Don't answer that)

That’s why we won’t get promoted.

Can’t see a game out against 10 men again and no real leader on there when Brewitt went off

Much better team but Another 2 points dropped against 10 men/from a winning position. Hope Brewitt isn’t injured too bad- Minturn looked good when he was on and not phased at all. First goal for them so easy. Well worked set piece for us. Worst decision I’ve seen all season to give them a red card and us a pen. Not sure what FBT/Austin doing for the goal but hey Ho, Austin found something funny at the end of the game god knows what everyone else looked raging. I know there’s a few on here that get off on us losing/dropping points and seeing reactions  but gotta feel for the ones that travelled today, another loss and poor finish on the road.

Hilarious to see someone go after Shade already, was my MOM today thought he was very good. Khan decent also.

I knew as soon as we starting sitting back we were in trouble.

Why not push 20 yards up the pitch and press their centre backs like we had been doing all game?

We invited them onto us and were punished. Could see it a mile off.

Shit management that. Or leadership if it was a subconscious thing.

Appreciate your opinion but in my opinion an "in my opinion" from yourself wouldn't go amiss sometimes. It's not a "fact". He was pretty decent today in my opinion

Shade was one of our better players today IMO.

Flynn:
- It hurts and Flynn cares
- As comprehensive an away performance as you will get in L2 apart from the first 10 mins
- We could have been 3-0 down. They are a good team
- Flynn's not a happy bunny
- We weren't following runners
- Could have lost us the game in first 10 mins
- Certain players weren't doing what they were told
- Worked hard on set plays. But they improvised with the corner for the goal
- That was one of the times they were thinking on their feet
- Definite penalty. End of
- Should have seen the game out
- Should have scored a 3rd. But made a pass: Flynn doesn't know why
- Flynn doesnt think its a pattern, but Flynn was angry and players have had some home truths
- Poor decision making. But won't dig out individuals
- Brewitt alright. But Flynn didn't know if he was concussed.
- Minturn was absolutely superb against Matt Smith. He's put a marker down for Tuesday

January will be huge, if we lose young and kemp we are fucked, but if clem decides to actually pull his finger out and we manage to keep them and pick up a few extra bodies, we could actually kick on!

Flynn on the money there.

Based on current form I reckon we could replace Young but agree that if we lose Kemp it will be a big loss and he will be hard to replace.

I wouldn't be surprised if the replacement is Cain/Kinsella

Wish we'd brought Clayton on for injury time and gone back 4.

Kinsella🤣

Kinsella is Bobby Howe bad.

As always cut and paste of the same issues week after week.
If you are aware of the issues use training to sort it out...

Next season will be another in L2 if we keep throwing away points from winning positions...

Then Lee Poweresque the quality of incomings will go down

Points dropped again against a shite side.
Nothing in this league so far apart from Notts County that have deserved to beat us.
Game management will cost us this season.

So so disappointed to not come away with 3 points.
Ffs just close the game out.

Shithousery needed😁

kemp quality at this level.
His thinking way above this standard. Have to keep him.

Boring question... can Brewitt serve his suspension if he is out due to concussion protocols...?

Spot on Duke :clap:

.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tzBYxcl-4s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHmZeZLLgfM

How do you reckon we keep him?

I support the club over to the owner.
Wants to stay.

Let’s see if he wants to stay when league 1 clubs come calling in January.

The owner still has to supply the cash to make it happen.

Would be surprised if Kemp doesn’t go to L1 in Jan tbh unfortunately

Let’s see if his undisclosed bid matches the ambition.

Or our fans realistic expectations.  We aren't Wrexham.
Kemp is far better than league 2, we all can see that, but his future is not in our control.

Really hope we can keep him in Jan, but if mk see the error of their ways, or he gets offered championship wages, there's fuck all we can do about it.  

That's why these dropped points hurt so much. We need to fill our boots while he's here.

It is clearly an opinion.

He is playing as a LWB, his primary responsibility is to defend well.  He does not.

He can carry the ball between the thirds, I think that makes people think he is better than he is.  He does not produce anywhere near the level Hutton does in terms of creating a threat.  He is just as bad as Hutton at defending.  He does not put anywhere near enough effort into games, he allows them to pass him by for long periods.  I will happily eat humble pie, but I bet his next move is backwards after us, or to another L2 team thinking they can get something out of a physical specimen.

I would love for FBT to be playing LWB - I do not think he is a good enough centre back, and would love us to have recruited one so FBT can move out wide.  He looks quite good going forward, is a natural left footer and is a competent enough defender.  I know we have Clayton coming back, so maybe we make it work with his return.  I still think that back five is just not good enough at defending though, not for automatic promotion.  It would be my number one priority for January, followed closely by something different in midfield.

.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M68JSCXPGVo

In this formation, a LWB's primary responsibility isn't defending.

Perhaps the issue is that a LWB's primary responsibility in the last 5 mins when leading against 10 men is to defend?

The issue for the first goal was that noone was tracking their right winger and the defence was caught flat footed.

For the second, a poor headed clearance from FBT went to the right wing who was being covered by Austin who was on the wrong side of him. Austin couldn't do anything. But he was in that position because Shade had run upfield to try and tackle someone and was just ambling back.

Now, whether Austin was as fault for slotting into Shade's position or Shade should have stayed deeper in the first place is another matter.

For me, Shade is an attacking LWB who had a pretty good game going forward. But he, like Hutton seems to be learning, needs to think about what to do when the other team have the ball.

Didn’t watch in the end, how did he get on?

Just watching that last goal back. A multiple catalogue of errors. 2 minutes remaining on the clock, 10 men and Salford not threaded once second half.
No wonder why we all felt pissed off yesterday.

Got caught a bit flat whilst filling in for an absent FBT and Shade in the LB position for the first goal but was his usual combative self. Did a good job against Smith but taken off early in the second half after a nasty clash of heads with him that left him looking very groggy. Booked early.

Who’s going to play instead of Kemp next week. Cain?

So we are without Kemp next week, and probably Brewitt if it is a concussion.
Also got 3 players on 4 bookings going into Tuesday, so we could potentially have 3 or 4 missing next week if they get booked.

I’m not sure if there is a minimum game rule for concussion injuries. Handy he’s suspended anyway Tuesday. I’d imagine he’d be OK for Saturday. If not I’ve no worries about Minturn after yesterday’s display. If he can reproduce that on a regular basis he should be starting.

Thought Clayton would have had a few minutes yesterday. Sitting on the bench isn’t doing him much good.

I thought the concussion protocol was 7: days. I'll have to look look out up now

As others have noted, going to a back 4 might make sense when trying to close out a game. A bit baffled Clayton didn't get on yesterday.

Shambles first 10 minutes, clever equaliser came at a good time and thought we bossed the game after that, especially second half. RHM' pace seemed to unsettle Salford even though he was mainly a headless chicken. The penalty decision was very generous. Sadly a red card as well which ultimately our downfall as we couldn't see out the 90 to take all the points.

A bit concerned about the next couple of months with injuries and suspensions and the thin squad, but if we can get through to January in the top 6 we could be in for a good season. Interesting we now have RWB and LWB that are better attacking than defending, so at least there is balance.

Really pleased Charlie got his goal, his earlier chance he had was approached with such a low level of confidence so hopefully he'll go on a bit of a run now, especially as Young's goal scoring touch has begun to allude him.

A few players who had been underperforming a bit lately seemed to get back to their best yesterday. UGM for one. Hutton had a good game, FBT - apart from that final header.

Now, it’s all well and good bemoaning the defensive attributes of Shade/Hutton but it’s their attacking attributes that makes us what we are and I’d say 2 defeats in 13 is a price worth paying for all the heart stopping defensive frailties.

It’s interesting how much Flynn needs Austin on the pitch as a leader. In what other world don’t you take off your 34 year old striker with a game on Tuesday?

Shade has enough quality that a manager will always take a punt on him because they think they can coach his negatives out of it, but players like that managers rarely manage to. His frustrating traits are fucking infuriating because he has got skill.

Would like to see Clayton and Minturn in for Shade and inevitably now Brewitt and have FBT at LWB. FBT can attack well enough as we've seen although not sure how good his crossing is.

Surely Brewitt doesn't have to wait for concussion protocol to be done to serve a suspension, its just lucky (if you can use that word) that they run concurrently. 

Depends on what the manager wants. Does he want more attacking than defending? You cannot expect a player to keep running up and down all game. Another player, such as Khan, should move across to cover.

Its a tough one with Shade, he looks to me like there is definately a player in there, somewhere, even Flynn says the same, not sure its LWB though, far more like a LW/wide striker role, mind you the same could be said about Uwakwe, and probably Iandolo before him.

He was a threat going forward from about 15 mins in and gave their fullback a really tough game, but he is not a defender and thats not his strength, so maybe with 10 mins left Flynn should have sacrificed him and brought on Clayton to shore it up for the last 10 mins?

We always seem prone to leaking goals late on from winning positions this season and that needs addressing, but to put the blame on Shade specifically is unfair as there were blunders all over defence leading up to both goals, Brewitt was equally at fault for the first and FBT for the 2nd yet neither are mentioned.

We all know that LWB seems to be an Achilles Heel at Swindon and has been for many years, the last decent one we had really was FBT last season when he first arrived before reverting to CB and before him Dion Donohue, all the rest were just average players who could either defend or attack not both, I include Hunt in that too who was solid but not exciting.

Of course we need to strengthen that position but it seems that funding is not there to allow us to.

I thought that it was a clear pen live and not changed mind after viewing highlights.
Defender is wrong side, isn't competing for the ball and shoves RHM in the back.
Would have been different if the defender was level with RHM and just easing him out of the way.
Looked as if RHM would have got to the ball before the keeper.
Red card is more arguable but thems the rules if there is no attempt to play the ball.
Not sure if the other defender possibly being in a position to cover should have been mitigation.

Ok, there are more glamorous football watching opportunities not far from Salford, but with a bigger population than Swindon the owners must be disappointed that a few more locals can't be enticed through the gates.
There could be more figures in a Lowry crowd scene painting than there were home fans yesterday.

Looking back, I think G McE could have done a lot more to get out and close down the initial cross for their second. Just wanders up and turns his back.

Agree totally.

Even if it was a dodgy pen RHM deserves one after all the ones he's not been given I reckon

If the defender had gone shoulder to shoulder it wouldn't have been a penalty, but he put his shoulder into the back.  Penalty all day long, even if it wasn't a tough challenge.

I did mention that I think FBT isn't a good enough CB, especially when we only have three defenders on the pitch.  He has all the traits of someone who plays LB - he is thinking about what to do with the ball, how to start an attack, not get the fucking thing clear and then reset and worry about that.  Him at LWB would work I think - he is still pretty hood at getting forward.  Shade looks good with time and space, but his production in the final third is not even close to Hutton.  So even if you want your LWB to be an attacking source, he's just not good enough.  All that is with the expectation of us being a top 3 contender.

People really do take things a bit defensively on here (pun untended).  Just because I point out some areas of improvement does not mean that I thought we played badly.  I think Flynn has extracted maximum gain from the budget he seems to have been handed.  Our squad is not big enough and has nowhere near the level of talent in depth that it needs to be a top 3 contender, but he has us close.  Yesterday we were the better team, and a couple of those improvements would have seen us take all three points.

Good job its half term and we wont need to ask the headteacher if we can stick a 15 year old on the bench!

Maybe rest one of the 3 players and play safe😁

Not sure if it’s mentioned but had to chuckle seeing Austin wearing a Jody Morris jacket in his interview.

That has to be a little dig.

Who’s doing the interviews when Hawes isn’t around🤔

Hawes did the interview yesterday for Wiltshire Radio. Its the club's media fella for the ones that are posted on here. That's why they are 'slightly' different to what I transcribe - Not because I get it wrong (but there is that too!).

Do you ever consider abusing the absolute trust people have in you and just making up some mad shit?

Haha, yes, you are basically STFC Interview Verified. Say anything and it'll be gobbled up.

Shade's delivery into the box isn't as good as Hutton's, but he does at least have a decent shot on him and does look like he can cut back onto his right for a shot or go onto his left to make for the byline so does keep the defender guessing. Whilst Hutton can also deliver good crosses on either his left or right, he just doesn't have the danger of the shot (although he did score from outside the box yesterday)

My general view on Shade can be distilled down to: (a) is he a LWB? No, and I doubt he or Flynn think he is either but he’s filling in and not disgracing himself. (b) has his general contribution and on pitch demeanour and attitude improved? Yes, clearly.

All in all things are moving in the right direction in the Shade dept. I still think his long term home is as a different type of 10. Not a playmaker but an almost second striker rather like Woolery was when he was effective.

He reminds me of a younger version of Joel Grant.

still think shade is an improvement in what we've seen from uwakwe so far.

not impressed with Kinsella but he's hardly had a run.

Both could be good signings in time though. Not writing them off

For me,Shade is a bottom tier player with potential to be a third tier player.

I though Uwakwe started to look okay, was putting in some decent crosses, got a couple of assists (I think), but then turned in back-to-back horror show appearances.

His delivery is decent, but Shade has some legitimate goal threat, and is starting to beat his man on occasion as well.  Neither defend well.

You must have missed it when I went all Tansmedia after one game last year! 😂😂😂

I haven't seen enough of Uwakwe as I've missed a few recent games, but what I did see was bad.  Overall, I am not impressed by anyone played at LWB, hence the desire for FBT to be moved there because I think he is the best option.

Shade in L2 Team of the week

Thats a pretty good sign that he didnt play as badly as some are suggesting.

Similar to the Brewitt Syndrome!

Haha - I am still not sold on him either.

To be fair to myself - this is always with context, that my expectation for STFC in the fourth tier is to be top three.  Anything below that is failure and not good enough, therefore, a team of players who miss that objective are not good enough.  Even someone like FBT, who I think is a better player than the other two, is questionable if we got promoted.  No time for sentimental thoughts - I just want our  team to be the best it can be, and right now it is NOT (stats support me - this is our third season in a row down here, so the team cannot be good if I expect them to be top 3).

Just out of interest, who would you consider to be definitely good enough if we got promoted in our side? For the first time in quite a long time, this side feels like it's playing above the sum of its parts in my view.

I do believe that Flynn is over delivering right now - without knowing for sure, the squad size and struggle to recruit would suggest a budget not really supportive of a top three finish.

For L1 it depends a bit on what we were going for.  I think Godwin-Malife can probably develop at a higher level and I'd sign Kemp, who should be good enough for L1 (although I'd wager he has the same issue as Payne when up against better players, finding it more difficult to impact games).  Clayton has shown some talent.

I'm not including Austin, because I am not sure if he continues.

There are a group below that who you would likely keep in the squad, but based on what we see week in and week out, they would be struggling if they were the core.  Like Hutton, Mcheachran, FBT, Khan. , Hpeburn-Murphy.  I am just not sure if they a top half L1 calibre player - they may be, so you'd give them a chance.

Right now, I don't see anywhere near enough from players like Brewitt, Cain, Minturn (give him time maybe), Shade, Uwakwe, Kinsella, Adeloye, Aguiar etc.  They are playing at this level for a reason, in most cases they've been down here for a while as well.

Fucking hell you are hard to please, this is League 2 not the fucking Premier League FFS.

Let's not fall out here...

Read the context - I am assessing them against an expectation of L2 top three right now, and then the question was who would you keep in L1.  Not how do I feel about them in a top half finish in League Two.  Most of the names I'd be less sure about in L1 are good enough for a play off chasing team in L2 - I am not knocking them, but it's all about what you are assessing them against.  Player for player, our team under Wellens was better than this squad, and it did not do that well in L1, did it?

I don't particularly disagree with your assessments of where most of those players are, but we've bid up from "top 3 League Two" to "good enough to L1" to "top half of L1" over the last few posts - and however competitive our budget is or isn't in L2, I don't think even Clem would claim it would be anything like enough to be top half in L1 these days! If even a few members of our squad were top part of L1 standard then I think we'd be fairly well set for the games we're currently playing.

Just looking back at how many recent STFC players have gone on to play Championship or higher - it's really not that many is it (particularly if you don't include loan players we had very young). McKirdy has really struggled stepping up and he was great for us, Jonny Williams didn't move up a level when he left, ones we've sold like DJ also didn't make an impact. It feels like a much bigger gap than it was when we got relegated.

Has he shown enough to be L1 mainstay, thus far?  I don't think so.  I think you replace him if mid table or above is your aim in a division higher than where we are right now.  You need to compare him to players we'd have had in the past in L1 that were good enough, like Greer, like Stephens on loan.  Sorry, they are lights out ahead of him.

Our stated aim is promotion, which I'd assume is then followed by NOT getting relegated.  That's the target on Clems back, he put it there and so he should have, because less than that is fucking dire for our club.

I'd say you've chosen "L1 exceptional" rather than "L1 good enough" in those two.

Lets think of this a different way.

If you were targeting top three this season, and you had some spare budget available and we were still within a transfer window right now.  Would you just leave it as is?  I wouldn't, the squad does not look like a top three squad, yet.

I'd want a new centre back who was better than anyone on the squad.  I wouldn't be getting rid of anyone (although maybe I'd send Ward back), because you need a squad, not just a first XI.  It's an obvious area to upgrade if we were really serious and could support the move.

Next, I'd want a midfield enforcer who can play a bit - tough, but I'm not putting together a squad to meandre, i want A Grant in 2019/20.  I don't know who that is at this level, but that is the type of player we are crying out for, that gets us three points against Salford.  I mean, in 2020 we had Doughty as well - would anyone in the current team displace him?

I'd also be getting in another striker and making Young and Kemp permanent signings.

I think those moves, with Flynn as Manager, and we'd be pushing for top three without worrying about suspensions or injuries.  Right now, we are in the hunt, but we look like a first XI that could very quickly fall away if too many suspensions or injuries hit us.

Neither two were part of promotion winning teams.

Exceptional would be Culverhouse.

Lets do some more comparisons.

This is what we need to look like:

http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/MatchCentre.asp?MatchID=20120145

Risser didn't look good enough to me, but Smith was on the bench.

The other 10, for that time, are as good or better than what we have now.  And yes, we paid for it!  Like I think Flynn is doing, Di Canio extracted more than the sum of the parts as well.

I don't think anyone else would argue that Greer and Stephens, who has gone on to play regular PL football, weren't exceptional at L1 level.

Obviously we don't really know, but I'd be surprised if the budget for that season was less than triple what our budget is now. I'd love to be in that position, don't get me wrong, but it doesn't feel like that realistic an ask without the sudden arrival of a sugar daddy.

I think our biggest problem is that Brewitt is our only out and out defender. Both Dokes and FBT have drawn more plaudits for going forward than any defensive work. I'd be very curious what we look like with a proper 'back 3'.

I have thought you could easily get away with pushing Dokes and FBT to wing back roles and going with three out and out defenders to help our defensive issues.

OK, then this one:

http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/MatchCentre.asp?MatchID=20200136

That would rip our defence apart.  Bench isn't bad either.  All put together with a budget from Power.

Fryers is a disaster in this current squad. Made of Wotsits. Broadbent the defensive option on the bench...

My main take away from this is the quality of the loans and their importance to the team.

My guess would be blunt going forward. Dokes and FBT start a lot of our successful attacks.

You'd hope with Hutton, Kemp and maybe FBT at LWB we'd still be capable.