Thetownend.com

Well, I've read lots of people's opinions and it seems we're guaranteed a win against Swindon. After all, they've just lost the scorers of the vast majority of their goals, haven't they? However, people need to remember how tired and dilapidated the Alex are at the moment.

Consensus seems to suggest that Leigh won't be starting and so it will be the same people who struggled valiantly to win in the last two games. Now, a fantastic team spirit is one thing but the body can only take so much and pretty soon some of those bodies are going to start breaking down, perhaps into longer-term injuries.

At least, for this match, there will be 2 'new' bodies on the bench - both midfielders, in Leigh and Colkett so, perhaps, someone can have a rest after 60 or 70 minutes.

What formation will we play? It has been suggested we revert to 4-3-3 with Offord continuing to push into the midfield. If that was the case, who would the front 3 be? Obviously, if fit, Long is an automatic starter. But then we have two either/ors, Tracey or Rowe and CBR or Nev.

In terms of the former pair, it has to be said that Tracey has been a deadweight recently. He's lost either inclination or confidence, possibly both to beat his man. However, the only way to get those things back is by putting him into the team with a firm instruction to beat the fullback. Rowe, on the other hand, rarely does the job of an outright winger and sometimes 'disappears' further back. Yet Rowe, when he tries it, has got a shot on him and could score.

As for the other pair, CBR has been brilliant recently, but at the other end of the pitch. He has been carrying out his defensive duties like a natural. Unfortunately the same can't be said up front. He must be having a few restless nights about his striking performance against Mansfield having wasted 3 good chances including one sitter.
Nev, in contrast, is a workhorse all over the pitch, who, while technically not outstanding, always puts in a shift.

So, for Swindon, against my gut feeling, I would start with Tracey with instructions to pressure their (obviously weak) defence from the off. As I don't expect the pressures of the Bradford and Mansfield games on our defence, I would start with Nev.

Score? Well, I don't expect to get back to our scoring rhythm of earlier in the season but I do hope we can manage a couple. I don't expect a clean sheet though.

So a 2-1 win.

I’m going tomorrow. Fully expect a loss but should be a good day out with Wobbly Bob et al.  :pint:

See you there for another Chapter of relentless misery.
🍺⚽️

It's come to my attention (I read the club Tweet) that Gresty Road is now called the 'Mornflake Stadium' which is one of the best-worst stadium names I've seen. I'm now imagining a stadium entirely filled with organic cornflakes.

It's come to my attention (I read the club Tweet) that Gresty Road is now called the 'Mornflake Stadium' which is one of the best-worst stadium names I've seen. I'm now imagining a stadium entirely filled with organic cornflakes.

2-0 Crewe. Could be more, but I think they’ll be so comfortable that they take it easy.

Or take pity on us?

Anyone else have a memory of Andrew Fitton stood on the pitch pre match once claiming Swindon would never sell naming rights to the stadium 😂

Yes see you there pal!I agree this is a shocker. “Flake” is one of those words that’s just got unpleasant connotations a bit like “crust” and similar words. Wouldn’t be overly happy to have those words as an addendum to the County Ground name.

The Flaky Defence County Ground?

No Hutton is interesting....

Bench looks the best it's been for ages which is saying something.

No Hutton in squad Hawes saying we will know the reason after todays game.

Bench actually has options in attack, defence and midfield which is the main thing after being basically all centre mids for a while!

Hutton must be on the way out

Wonder if that’s because he knows something or he’s just going to ask after the game.

First league game he’s missed this season

Hutton must be on the way out

Or… he could he injured.

Every time a player doesn’t play, why does it always mean he’s leaving? People have been saying for weeks RHM is refusing to play, or won’t make another appearance for us again, and yet he’s on the bench today.

Or… he could be injured.

Every time a player doesn’t play, why does it always mean he’s leaving? People have been saying for weeks RHM is refusing to play, or won’t make another appearance for us again, and yet he’s on the bench today.

He may well be off, but that isn’t the only reason he may not be playing.

TBH I hope he is off, I’ll happily drive him.

To be fair, we're normally told if it's injury or illness

Really?😯 Can I ask why?

Of course, I think he’s terrible. His main function is a defender which he’s dreadful at. I also don’t think he’s that great going forward. If I attempted as many crosses as he does than I would also expect to create a goal or two every 2 games or so.

..............or had a difference of opinion with Flynn, suspect he's joining another League Two club - Walsall?

We’ve been told for weeks RHM is injured but that hasn’t stopped fans saying he’s refusing to play with Kokolo, or there is a clause in his contract when he gets to 40 appearances.

Of course, I think he’s terrible. His main function is a defender which he’s dreadful at. I also don’t think he’s that great going forward. If I attempted as many crosses as he does than I would also expect to create a goal or two every 2 games or so.

Kemp starts for MKD.

Of course, I think he’s terrible. His main function is a defender which he’s dreadful at. I also don’t think he’s that great going forward. If I attempted as many crosses as he does than I would also expect to create a goal or two every 2 games or so.

Is anyone surprised that Ward is dropped. I was, mildly

Is anyone surprised that Ward is dropped. I was, mildly

TBH I hope he is off, I’ll happily drive him.

You will not find a much better right wing back in this league. He will be a massive lost.

You can find a better rb, that can defend more. But we play with a back 5.

Give me Hutton over Shade at RWB every time.

Same. Not sure this new guy has much of a pedigree.

Is anyone surprised that Ward is dropped. I was, mildly

Hutton is part of a team that has us on course for our worst ever finish in the football league.
IF he is off, I won’t lose any sleep, the same way if any other members of our squad left in all honesty.

Hutton is part of a team that has us on course for our worst ever finish in the football league.
IF he is off, I won’t lose any sleep, the same way if any other members of our squad left in all honesty.

It’s a no brainer selling him. We can’t afford to have him leave in the summer for nowt.

He’s 26 and won’t get any better.

But the reality is we ARE a shit show. Obviously doesn’t want to extend so let him go.

Ditto Khan. But I doubt he’s on many other club’s radar.

Not really. We’re a trading club.

So assuming Hutton is off. The question is… are yesterdays signings funded by him leaving or will they fund the experience that the team needs and we all crave?

Not really. We’re a trading club.

Not surprised based on what Flynn has said in his pressers. But it's pretty tough on Ward - but if we're committed to playing it around the back, picking Ward is just asking for trouble. I know plenty would rather see us stop the playing from the back, but there you go...

Of course.. but do you think we will trade up or down in player quality ?

Yesterdays signings were both frees, there was nothing to fund other than a very low wage.

Bycroft looks a decent size

Bycroft with an unconvincing punch when he should have caught the ball, but its cleared.

We look all over the place at the moment.

Poor pass from Bycroft but Crewe get the ball forwards fast and the ball is deflced round the post for a corner to them.

I like that they have an advertising hoarding which just says "Ice Cream Vans"

I like that they have an advertising hoarding which just says "Ice Cream Vans"

Doesnt look that good with the ball at his feet.

I see we’ve almost written off the keeper already…

I see we’ve almost written off the keeper already…

I see we’ve almost written off the keeper already…

I see we’ve almost written off the keeper already…

10 minutes has to be close to a record?

Lloyd Macklin has entered the chat.
Fans gave him all of about 30 seconds.

I see we’ve almost written off the keeper already…

Beautiful finish, not blaming the keeper for that.

Should be saving those…

Another loss coming they are all over the place .flynn out :crash: :suicide:

That's erm... a tough tackle from Kinsella. Yellow card.

What the fucked has changed since last week nothing in my eyes and still this bafoone is in charge. ::)

Is Austin on the pitch😁

He just gave the ball away!

Unpopular opinion, but Harrison Minturn really isn’t very good, is he?

Unpopular opinion, but Harrison Minturn really isn’t very good, is he?

First time he’s been mentioned😁

Unpopular opinion, but Harrison Minturn really isn’t very good, is he?

not on away comms it isn't

614367

614367

Thats a good turn out, doesnt look that many in the crowd TBF.

Oops 😂. Got cut off by ifollow, all sorted now for better or worse.

Crewe finding acres of space all accross our defence.

Austin a long way off the first decent cross we have put in.

I’ve mostly stopped watching now.

Were you expecting much more from us😁

I’ve mostly stopped watching now.

Were you expecting much more from us😁

Complete fluke. That Austin’ll never score goals…

Austin booked for hoying a player into the advertising hoardings, which are very close to the touchline. Must have collisions with those pretty often.

Buffoon, it’s Buffoon!

I think it was the blatant push by Charlie that did it, the collision was unavoidable but the push...not so good from Chas.

you understood  though  :clap:

Oh yeah it was absolutely deliberate, just didn't have to fly that far to collide with the hoardings

This game is not going to finish 11 v 11.

The ref is giving them literally everything.

This game is not going to finish 11 v 11.

He is, but I'm not sure any of them are actually wrong. They just look a split second faster than us to every ball.

Crewes long diagonal passing tearing us apart.

It’s definitely getting better results than ‘playing out from the back’

Crewe comms saying that Charlie Austin if 6ft 4, if he is 6ft 4 then Shade must be on a par with Peter Crouch

TBF it usually does at all levels.

I concur. Makes our obsession with it even more bizarre

Crewe comms saying that Charlie Austin if 6ft 4, if he is 6ft 4 then Shade must be on a par with Peter Crouch

I’ve found one half of the Crewe comms insufferable…

I’m finding them both to be massive bellends. Crying about everything.

….aka the same as every other bloody week.

We’ve had the same glaring holes for 2 and a half seasons now in the squad.

Fitness depending I’d be getting FBT on at HT

I was discussing this with Batch about 5 mins ago, Minturn, a natural right footer, looks a bit lost on the left side of the 3 CB's, we need a natural left footer there.

good effort that

RHM time?

Devoy looks a bit lightweight.

I’m still expect the inevitable collapse but I think we’ve actually got better this half…

I’m still expect the inevitable collapse but I think we’ve actually got better this half…

We have, but it's two pretty average teams. Crewe don't seem to have a lot about them considering they're up there.

I’m still expect the inevitable collapse but I think we’ve actually got better this half…

To be honest,who has in this division?

Absolutely, Wrexham looked average at best, Stockport probably looked the best we have played.

To be honest,who has in this division?

....and we beat Mansfield!

Wish we were average

RHM 70 mins for Glatzel I recon.

Saidou Khan't continue

Saidou Khan't continue

RHM only keeper to beat and he saves it with his feet, good chance.

Away comms said ‘He’s got to pass there surely? Charlie Austin waiting in the middle’

No way was RHM going to pass from that position!

No way was RHM going to pass from that position!

Not sure I’ve EVER seen him pass!

I've missed RHM's particular brand of very nearly being an excellent footballer, it's certainly entertaining.

Obviously opinions differ on Minturn.
I think there is a decent player there but he’s playing in an awful defence and he’s played central and left sided on a back 3. He’s definitely uncomfortable on that side.

Again, nothing that hasn’t been said plenty on here but either last season or this season he should have been out on a season long loan to the NL.

FBTs hair is umm bright

I've missed RHM's particular brand of very nearly being an excellent footballer, it's certainly entertaining.

Yep. Thought he may have something after last season. However he does not have that killer instinct, either to shoot at the right time or pass. No end product sadly.

I was worried we were going to get something from this game, STFC have restored normality.

We are so lucky Sutton and Forest Green are absolutely fucking awful.

We are so lucky Sutton and Forest Green are absolutely fucking awful.

There are, apparently, eight teams worse than us as things stand. They should all be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.

Even Salford are winning!

New manager bounce.

Is it that horrible scouse fucker😁

Crewe sitting back in a way we would absolutely fuck up.

Scouse James Corden.

Another game another loss how much longer are we going to have to put up with this.

Another game another loss how much longer are we going to have to put up with this.

Let's play the Flynn copy and paste post match interview

Just how does he kemp his job

Flynn really needs to be shown the door, we’re as shit on the pitch as off it.

We concede at least 2 goals every game! Do we do anything about it?

Sign an experienced defender? No
Sign a combative midfielder? No

We sign a couple of young punts who may or may not come good in a few years.

There’s as much incompetence from the manager as those running the club.

We’ve played worse.
Bit more quality in the final third and we win that. We got into a lot of decent positions out wide but never capitalised.

Same old issues that no one wants to address.

Crewe’s back line absolutely everything ours should be

Green shoots in attacking play but it counts for nothing when we are so porous

I’m all for optimism, but how many saves did their keeper make? How many good chances did we actually create?

No Hutton,no chances

Bob Marley didn't fancy that one

No Hutton,no chances

I’m all for optimism, but how many saves did their keeper make? How many good chances did we actually create?

I’m all for optimism, but how many saves did their keeper make? How many good chances did we actually create?

We’ve played worse.
Bit more quality in the final third and we win that. We got into a lot of decent positions out wide but never capitalised.

Same old issues that no one wants to address.

Crewe’s back line absolutely everything ours should be

No Hutton,no chances

None bar the goal. Not waxing lyrical. There was a slight improvement but doesn't mean it was good.

TBF I thought Shade created almost as many chances today as Hutton does (he did set up the goal so got an assist) but most were blocked.

Shade takes his man on to try and get past him and Hutton crosses at his first chance, both as successful ultimately as the other in this current line up, which is not very.

The real joke comes when we sell him and then sign a target man who can get onto crosses just afterwards

TBF I thought Shade created almost as many chances today as Hutton does (he did set up the goal so got an assist) but most were blocked.

Shade takes his man on to try and get past him and Hutton crosses at his first chance, both as successful ultimately as the other in this current line up, which is not very.

Flynn won’t help himself we’ve been crying out for a couple of brick house centre half’s a combative midfielder and a target man up front all season but he sees things differently.

Flynn won’t help himself we’ve been crying out for a couple of brick house centre half’s a combative midfielder and a target man up front all season but he sees things differently.

does he?

I though he wanted to improve the spine of the team and add experiencen there.

Hutton not in right frame of mind to play

Hutton not in right frame of mind to play

What we don't know is if he sees it differently, or has not been able to bring in the players he wants.

The lad that went to India in the summer for example, and the one from Barnsley now that we are linked with, fit the brick shit house defender role.

Hutton not in right frame of mind to play

Hawes asked whether he was subject to a bid

Flynn says ‘its your job to report on it’

What a fucking bellend

He’s getting spikey, feeling the pressure no doubt.

Maybe that explains the contract extension, a sweetener to not criticise the owner for not backing him properly?

Maybe that explains the contract extension, a sweetener to not criticise the owner for not backing him properly?

Good. Shouldnt even have the bloody job now

This. Out of his depth. Should have gone after Aldershot.

Hawes asked whether he was subject to a bid

Flynn says ‘its your job to report on it’

What a fucking bellend

I don't disagree, but i can't remember hearing any anti Flynn chants or sentiment at any game. We the fans need to get on it at match days and express our displeasure.

Yes that was a fucking ridiculous response. And the players in the right frame of mind" comment was equally nonsense. It's up to the manager to get them in the right frame of mind in my opinion. Flynn does absolutely nothing that I would expect a manager to do. These fuckers are pros- make them fucking play!

I don't disagree, but i can't remember hearing any anti Flynn chants or sentiment at any game. We the fans need to get on it at match days and express our displeasure.

This. Out of his depth. Should have gone after Aldershot.

He’s just a fucking idiot. Saying the other day we’ve had a bad patch and bad luck just shows complete denial. This 22 match run is half of the season FFS and we aren’t even 2 thirds through it yet.

Yes that was a fucking ridiculous response. And the players in "the right frame of mind" comment was equally nonsense. It's up to the manager to get them in the right frame of mind in my opinion. Flynn does absolutely nothing that I would expect a manager to do. These fuckers are pros- make them fucking play!

In fairness, he made it plain before the question by saying he could only select players who were in the right frame of mind.

No manager is going to say 'Stockport are in for him and he wants to go' or 'He won't agree to the contract extension so the club are looking to move him on' or anything else that might be the specific truth.

Hutton may well have more than one team to choose from and needs a clear head to decide.

Yes, I get that but he's a fucking pro. If I was the manager I'd say "you're playing,do your fucking job". He's our player til he goes. Weak management for me. Just my take

Yes, I get that but he's a fucking pro. If I was the manager I'd say "you're playing,do your fucking job". He's our player til he goes. Weak management for me. Just my take

Perhaps but it’s also not outside the realms of possibility the man above Flynn don’t want their saleable asset to play just in case he gets injured.
…

Perhaps but it’s also not outside the realms of possibility the man above Flynn don’t want their saleable asset to play just in case he gets injured.

Flynn himself might not want Hutton to get injured either if he’s been promised some of the incoming transfer fee to spend…

You have to take your hat off to Crewe .  i  do not know a lot about them but it looks like they have developed some form of sustainable  model which brings a moderate level of success at league one / two level .

 Meanwhile, we seem to be heading down under .

Which they’ve done for many years.

…and have achieved nothing.

Financially maybe there are what we should aspire to but on the pitch their club is as boring & successful as ours.

Enough is enough now. It hasn't been good enough for months. Flynn out.

Easy tiger 🐅 let’s wait until the squad is settled and how the season ends. Changing managers every 6 months is part of the problem at STFC. Need to build.

If Remeao wants to go then he can fuck off, take the money. I'm old school me, I would have kicked his  cock off for being such a cunt. Bollocks to that wanky behaviour he should grow up, we need a wife beating, face burning ,arse rimming shit sucker for a manager, is Mr Barton available?

is Mr Barton available?

Has he gone yet?

there's a rumour going round he has.

I don't believe it myself, but I do believe the person who posted it has been told it rather than making it up themselves

But surely not done over the phone on the bus back from Crewe

But surely not done over the phone on the bus back from Crewe

I bet there is plenty of #flynnout #stfc on twitter though.