Thetownend.com

I hadn't noticed this non-league lot had beat 4th and 5th in their last two. I'll go with 2-2 with a Mckirdy equaliser in the last 10.

Mckirdy boosted crowd of 8,825.

Never beaten Salford at the CG - think that’ll change tomorrow. Interesting to see how we handle Matt Smith who’s bullied a few teams in the past. Seems as if we’re going to stand off him outside the box and go for the knock downs. What happens inside the box is what bothers me.

Anyway, piece of piss 4-1.

Could really do with a win in this one with our next three games against 1st, 6th and 10th-but-upwardly-mobile Gills.

Yes 4-1 to wipe out our negative goal difference. Followed hopefully by turning it into a plus on Tuesday against my second most hated rivals!

Gills are proper shit despite their 10th position.

Not sure their own fans would describe them as "upwardly mobile". They are definitely not happy! 😁 which is always nice to see

In the away game Salford were no great shakes, we should have won barring the usual 95th minute calamity goal. A game we could so easily have won but conceded a soft goal with the last kick of the ball by yet again not clearing our lines.

Salford are on a 5 game unbeaten run, DWDWW, beating Wrexham, Crewe and Crawley and drawing with FGR and Bradford on that run.

In the 6 meetings between the teams Swindon have won 3, drawn 2 and lost once.

In the 2 meetings between the teams at the CG we have lost 1 (with McKirdy scoring our goal) and drawn 1.

No game has so far had a winning margin of more than a single goal.

So far this season we are averaging 8,398 home fans at each game but Wxm skewed that figure a bit (8,195 without the Wxm game) and we have only had more home fans at a game for the FGR and Wxm games in the last 8 home games with the last 2 both being under 7,500 so hopefully the McKirdy effect will come into play tomorrow and boost the home crowd somewhat.

Swindon 1-2 Salford with Austin scoring in front of 8,195 (93 fake Mancs).

As for the team, from what I saw last week I would be inclined to play.

                     Bycroft
Dokes     McCarthy    FBT     Kokolo
             Khan             Cain
                       Devoy
Elboozy                                 Glatzel
                     Austin

Like that team.
Not sure about Devoy might be tempted to play McGurk in there. Depends whether you want to go 433 or 4231

Three wins against top teams & 2 draws against struggling teams.

It may be because they are better playing counter attacking football.

I guess that could be a problem if that’s the case as we will surely play on the front foot

Luckily Gunning’s mate is a Plasterer and he’s been turning to him for advice, so tomorrow shouldn’t be anything other than 3 points.

 :crash:

His mate is right, though. A lot of it is down to man management - and that applies to all businesses.

Looks like a good team to me. On paper too good to be sitting in the bottom half of the league now. Excited to see Elbouzedi in the flesh.

Going tomorrow and the Pikeys on Tuesday with the son in law.

The season has gone to me.

I want to see green shoots and promise. I saw that Saturday in a game where i thought we deserved a draw.

Be good to see the new fellas in the flesh.

Elbouzedi looked tidy at Newport, good turn of pace.

I like that team too. Options from the bench being:

Johnson to come on for Koloko if we are shoring up the back
McGurk for Cain if he can't last
McKirdy for Boozy if/when he tires
Drinnan for Austin when he tires or if we are looking for hold up play
RHM in reserve to link with Kokolo on the left for mahem and confusing everyone on the pitch

Swindon 3 Salford 2 att: 8,059 (125 Neville’s chums)

After last weekend it would be harsh if Brewitt is in the squad over Johnson.

Notts County 1 Gills 3

Told ya!

Any lottery numbers to avoid Aud?

7 11 18 29 47 48

Shit! Those are my numbers!!

First prize a season ticket, second prize two season tickets.

Fuck in panicking as I've got third prize !

Swindon 3 Salford 1.

Today we start our push up the table towards the play offs

That's a place on the Trust board, good luck!

County havent had a win this year yet, proper shit since Williams left too with 2 defeats and 1 draw since Maynard took over.

3-3, who needs defence

And just one win for Williams at Swansea I think.
Hope that they stick with him but might have been better advised to stick with County & leave a legacy, although he probably has to be fair.

Everyone is in a rush these days & not just in football.

Absolutely WB.

Ticket sales online look very low, if they thought bringing McKirdy back was suddenly going to put bums on seats it looks like they will have a bit of a wake up call.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GF-TW6PXYAAaBLt?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)

Wow thats a couple of changes I wasnt expecting.

Hockaday on co-comms hope all the Garner haters are happy :D

Giggs seen in the Directors box :eek:

Hockaday on co-comms, it's going to be a long afternoon.

That is one very mobile front line. Pure football chaos coming up.

Glad to see McEachran out of the cold - he's been poor this season but has a high ceiling. More balanced bench this way too.

One thing on that bench - we're supposed to have a club produced player in the 18 but haven't picked Dworzak or Minturn... does Brann count?

Surprised theres no room for McGurk on the bench at least.

Either that or will fall asleep and miss most of the game!

Could be worse,could be Phil Smith

I’m wondering if he’s being saved for Gillingham as Gunning said he will probably use two teams for the next couple of games.

Saving him for Gillingham😁

Looking ahead to Tuesday, shouldn't have missed that sitter last Saturday.

Ditto!

Saving Austin for Tuesday? If so, surprised he wasn't replaced by Drinnan for Boozy to pop crosses onto his head.

No McGurk is a surprise too.

Didn't think Cain deserved to be benched - Unless he's not fit enough for 90 mins.

Not sure that I like that line up. Let's see what happens!

Good to have options to have conversations about at least.

Personally if Austin was dropping out I’d have gone a front three of Elbouzedi, Drinan, Glatzel but no idea if Glatzel would be the same off the left.

Not stirring or owt,but I get the impression Gav doesn't like Minturn. Remembering the sideline shenanigans at Wimbledon

I would think we will line up this way today it would seem.

                     Bycroft
Dokes     McCarthy    FBT     Kokolo
             Khan      McEachran
                       Devoy
Elboozy                                 RHM
                     Glatzel

Team selection next Tuesday will be telling.

No , I thought he was easily our best midfielder last week

Personally I would put Cain ahead of McEachran this season, last season McEachran looked way better than he has this season but hes not kicked on.

Shade given the number 10 shirt at Solihull and starts his first game today in the Isuzu FA Trophy at Chorley.

Interesting choice.

Can’t say I’m against it though.

If we can get last seasons McEachran rather than this seasons version then it could be decent, and there is no doubt that that front 3 is way more mobile without Charlie in there, it will be interesting.

McEachran & Cain are quite interchangeable for me.

Neither have put in above average performances this season & neither really threaten the goal.
Prefer Cain for set pieces though.

McEachran must have trained well this week.  Caine faded on Saturday, expect to see him subbed on in the second half after an hour.    

I rate Minturn but he doesn’t get in this squad imo.
National League loan would be the best move for all parties.

100% this.

It must be that Brann counts, but we have to have a club developed player in the 18 under league rules. Can't say I've read the rules in depth but surprised not seeing one of Minturn or Dworzak.

Loan out for Minturn to the NL would.be good.

UEFA defines locally-trained or 'homegrown' players as those who, regardless of their nationality, have been trained by their club for at least three years between the ages of 15 and 21.

Not sure Brann would count as hes only been with us 2 seasons now.

With 10 mins to KO it looks fuller than it has done for a few home games at the moment, I think we will get over 8k today.

Shaun Hodgetts recons there are less than 100 Salfordonians there.

iFollow putting us up as a 352 formation.

Smith being an arse pain already winning a header in our box.

looking 433 to me so far as expected.

Khan with a tackle so late it hit a Gillingham player.

Khan nasty challenge in a needless position when we were attacking, calm your fucking brain.

Shot comes off FBT for a corner to them.

Bycroft gets a punch to the ball but it doesnt clear the box but the ref gives us a foul.

Scrappy so far, too much long high passes from us which does not suit our small forward line, need to put it just behind the defenders so our pace can be used properly.

Great pass from RHM to Kokolo and he puts in a lovely low cross but we dont attack the ball in the box.

Its very league 2 in quality so far from both teams.

FBT blocks a cross for another corner to them.

McEachran jumps into the Salford player a foot from the ref. It feels like we've been told to try and fight fire with fire physically and are trying to do so in odd ways at the moment.

By turning his back to the ball too, awful challenge.

RHM wins a corner for Town running past his man.

Dokes get a foot in to block a shot, out for a corner to them.

15 mins in and fairly poor quality, our long passes are too high or too hard and Salford only tactic is hoof the ball to Matt Smith and hope to win the loose ball.

turd stuff so far

Another corner to them.

Awful finish by them sums the game up.

Salford have already had two of the worst shots of the season

Oooooh

Fuck that was close.

RHM falls over his own feet in the box then Elboozy crosses it to Devoy his header is weak but finds Glatzel and his finish is poor from 5 yards.

Khan gets a  yellow, hes a bit of a liability today.

How have we missed that?

Swindon kick the ball long...ball won by the CB they hoof it long to Matt Smith who wins the header then the ball gets cleared. Story of the game so far.

We look good running at then with the ball and bad at everything else.

Elboozy beats his man and gets a shot in but its blocked. Good chance.

RHM FFS just stay on your feet and stop looking for a fucking penalty.

This is more like it

Elboozy beats his man and gets a shot on target, saved.

Good corner put in but McCarthy gets too much head on the ball and its wide.

FFS RHM. His touch is awful.

At times worse than Shade. His first thought is look for a penalty then 2nd thought is have a shot.

Bycroft’s kicking is terrible.

It always amazes me when a goalkeeper is shite at kicking the ball. What do they do in training plus the easiest thing from a young age to master.

Dear Santa. Please could we have a midfield?

The pinball player in me enjoys a player called Tilt losing the run of himself

sort of waking up

Nice passing movement by Town in their box.

Our front three is causing them a lot of worries. I'm not sure they all know what they're doing, but Salford definitely don't

Neither team has a midfield, tactically the game is a mess.

Headless chickens maybe :D

Last 10 mins has been better.

Very Wardesque ironically

Salford dont need a midfield to play hoofball to Smith.

As a game, this really is turgid shite and typical League 2 fodder.  Maybe all of the Gunningball has been knocked out of Gunning because for the first time there is actually something riding on this stint.

Honeymoon period over!

Our football is a bit schoolboy going forward, it's just get it to Glatzel or Elbouz and see what they do. They do look sharp though!

Far sharper than RHM TBF who has pace but no final touch.

RHM touch is absolutely abysmal!

Glatzel for yellow.

I am sorry but Devoy should be nowhere near this team, i don't see anything that he brings except for the odd flash of quality, i would probably say the same about RHM.  Elbouz and Glatzel look very promising, but looking forward to next season, we need more of that type of quality than the former

That was a comedy of errors in our box between FBT, Kokolo and Kahn, corner to them.

I agree, not seen anything from Devoy yet to show me he should be playing.

seen them given.

hands.. think Smith's were up too and that saved FBT

That looked a blatant handball. Lucky.

Salford players going to ground under the weakest of challenges.

We look clueless

We sound it :D

Obviously the ref can't look at things off the ball but the linos need to be some help here.

Just a  poor game all round.

Devoy looks particularly allergic to 50:50s which will never endear.

Almost every pass he has made has fallen way short of its intended target too.

RHM needs to be hooked at half time. Worst of a bad bunch.

Shite all round

that was mostly shit, mostly

I would take off RHM and Devoy on that showing.

RHM and Devoy IMO - both a waste of a place in the team

High energy shit.

HT 0-0

Mostly dull.

See above post ;)

Devoy certainly doesn’t have enough extra quality that I’d be getting minutes into him head of players that we actually own and/or players who are likely to be here next season

(watch us sign Devoy in the summer)

That's 45 mins of my life i won't get back..  absolute garbage all around

Other than a bit of pace this team still has very little. Certainly no quality. Not convinced that we have any actual tactics, it’s basically kick and run.

Not even mid Feb and sounding like an end of season stalemate!

I was going to ask, what is the fucking point in Devoy?  An absolute passenger in all the games I have seen him thus far, one goal aside.  Honestly, he doesn't appear to offer anything that Aguiar can't, and that's not much either.

The midfield may as well not be playing today.  It's been an obvious issue all season and this game is highlighting it - Salford avoiding playing through it and our midfield useless at being in the right place and reacting to all the knock downs.  It's basically three people stood watching the ball bounce around them.

RHM has zero quality, it's all about raw pace.  The winger is a bit better, but worries me that he may be on the same page.

That said, we really should be creating more chances - they've gone 1v1 against us.

McCarthy is a bright spot - showing the other defenders how to do the job.  17th v 19th and it shows.

Devoy is marginally better deeper than in the 10, it allows him to play longer balls which he’s good at, his bottling of 50/50’s won’t earn him any fans though.

Can see Gunning went for pace in the frontline against Salfords defence but it’s not worked. Get RHM off and one of Austin/Drinan on to give something centrally.

Think McCarthy has mostly done well against Smith, obviously a few still connecting but he’s doing okay.

Thought we have dealt with Smith quite well. McCarthy again very good.

Galdzel has been busy without threatening.

We have no midfield. Khan has fouled, McEachran is just too small and weak. Devoy is devoid of ability to influence the game.

RHM has no touch or vision. He reminds me of Animal from the Muppets. Bring him on with 15 mins to go to cause confusion, but, please don’t start him.

An absolutely dreadful half of football. Lucky not to concede the penalty, seen them given plenty of times. Ref must of been bored of it too as there should of been a lot more injury time with the time wasting that Salford were doing.

Can only hope the second half is better.

Shocking first half...

No midfield, Devoy or McEachran don't have a tackle in them..

RHM reminds me of a bad Sunday League Player, no touch no ability no vision..

I was laughing at Newport last week for their 53% passing accuracy. In this game both teams are on 56 and 57 percent. Bobbins.

No changes, so more of the same.

Watch Devoy and RHM score in the first 5 mins of this half :D

Nice break by Devoy who finds RHM and his pass back to Devoy is way too strong in the box.

Att: 8,272 (80 Salfords)

Phenomenal support for a team in this position. Deserve a win.

Khan with a deep cross to FBT but his solid header is blocked.

You almost know we are imminently going to lose possession when RHM has the ball.

League 2 Leeds United.

Bloody hope so

True that.

Nearly Devoy!

Devoy with a 20 yarder just wide, decent effort.

The game is calling out for a bit of Harry McKirdy class when he come son for RHM soon.

Ouch! Great shot from Devoy

Devoy with another long shot blocked for a corner.

So close to a goal there.

If only Elboozy was a bit more awake he would have scored that.

Crikey! Is it a different Devoy this half?

Yellow for Dokes.

Devoy misses a good chance from 16 yards.

Much the better team so far this half

Devoy must have got his arse kicked at HT by Gunning.

Perhaps he's not as shit as some make out.

Devoy with a 3rd shot which he’s put in exactly the same place!

Devoy-d of quality in the box.
Doing well to get there mind.

Not so sure, he didnt score in the 3 good chances he had.

Brilliant from Glatzel.

Glatzel with 2 chances, good efforts and 1 great save by them.

We're all over em. Don't know if that's good or bad!

Khan wins a corner.

OMG! Glatzel twice!!!

Great saves from their keeper!

All Town at the moment, making some good chances.

Their keeper is keeping them in the game. Probably the best keeper we have faced this season.

Maybe Gav is more effective than Flynn at HT!

This has to be the worst Swindon squad I’ve ever seen… from tactical set up and tactical understanding to first touch, passing, decision making and so much more! Painful despite this positive spell.

P.S the pitch is in a sorry state…

3 subs by Salford.

Looking at the stands, that is definitely a number on paper rather than in reality

Pitch is a bit shite innit.

Kokolo wins another corner.

We're giving it a go. In our position I can't really ask for more

Town about to make some subs.

McKirdy, Austin and Drinnan on.
RHM, Elboozy and Glatzel off.

Complete change of the front 3. A bit odd starting all the pacey players together. Got to play completely differently now.

Perfect platform for Harrys return.

Yep. New signings are re creating a bit of interest maybe

Quite like the full front line change, bit like the SA rugby bomb squad

Plan B😁

2nd half performance >>>>>1st half performance.

Would have liked to have seen Glatzel stay on.

Probably a bit too early to hook Elboulz too.
Definitely the right time to swap RHM with McKirdy

In our position yes but should never have been in this state in the first place. Fans deserve better

Oh for a Hutton with that front 3

Suspect that the all three change on 65 may have been decided pre game and lines up with Gunning saying McKirdy would only do 25 mins.

Austin inches wide from 4 yards.

Agree on that.

Harry finds Kokolo but the bobble puts the ball out, shit pitch.

Shoild have scored!

Almost memories of Austin and Wembley there!

Of course, but I'm enjoying this 2nd half perfomance

Salford keeper playing for time already.

It was going to be difficult to get worse than the 1st half performance TBH mate.

It's a shame that everything about this club at the moment is bargain basement, including the pitch.  Fans deserve way better for the support that they give

Nice break by Harry and the ball finds its way to Kokolo but the cross by McEachran is terrible.

Got to get what enjoyment you can these days mate

Devoy shot saved.

Their keeper having a good game, sadly

You arent wrong!

Best keeper we have faced in a long time TBF to him.

Austin has contributed more in 5 mins than RHM did in 60.

Pitch is really poor. Watching them try to dribble on it and the ball is bouncing all over the place.

McKirdy has a shot from an angle but its gone well wide.

I dont think Drinnans natural position is as a wide striker, he doesnt look like he fully knows his role out wide so far.

I have a feeling we're going to get shithoused here. This may just be natural pessimism.

Drinnan puts the shot just wide from 12 yards.

I think we all think that!

Understandably so.

I like the look of Drinan, not scared to get a bit physical, which is rare for our team and something very much needed.  Him and Glatzel could be a good pairing for next season assuming they are ours for next season.

Big chance. No composure finishing today.

McKirdy just over the bar from 15 yards, not a great shot.

Really nice run from Khan.

Bycroft saves with his shoulder, he’s worryingly shaky at times.

Hes been way better this half.

Its ok he was showboating :)

People can be as negative as they like( understandably maybe)but anyone who's not enjoying this half have obviously already forgotten the latter days of Flynn

Be good to see between Boozy and McKirdy

Takes our midfielder to score

Its exciting and frustrating in equal measures! I’m on the edge of my seat

1st half was utter shit but this half has been very good.

1-0

Fucking yes!

McEachran.

Get in there COYR

Now DO NOT FUCK THIS UP

Fuck sake,does it matter?

Deserved that goal 100%.

Superb break and lovely low finish by George.

Austin has made the difference.

 
 'AVE THAT YOU fuckers!!!!!!!

Well, after all the chances second half - I’d still have had McEachran scoring well down the list.
Good finish.

George deserves that after the last few weeks, hopefully that will give him a much needed shot in the arm

Nice! (Now please don’t bring Brewitt on!)

TBH I would probably have taken him off at HT too! great low finish against a very good keeper.

Great tackle McCarthy

Big challenge by mccarthy I think. What are we thinking going 2 on 2 at the back.

Good goal. We deserve that.

Kokolo was definately fouled there.

Salford getting very kicky now

Well done McCarthy!

And very hoooooooooooof again too.

Austin lovely pass to Drinnan but his shot is high and wide, great chance again.

This is how Austin should have been used all season. Thank god we brought Glatzel and McKirdy in

Austin has been the difference today since he came on.

Absolutely it is, impact sub when he can give everything from the off.

Austin has been excellent since coming on

Austin jumps and we win a corner.

5 mins added.

1-1

Fuck sake

Oh fuck the fucking fuck off to fuckington

FFS

Same shit different games, now one of our dickheads have knocked the Lino out.

Been hit by something it looks like, but the stewards don't seem to be bothered about it and there's no concern about the crowd, so maybe he just slipped or something? Very odd.

Why on Earth have we not kept the ball in the corner?

Utter shite!

Drinnans error cost us that goal.

Board goes up and literally all our composure disappears. It’s just weird.

looked like a foul in build up to me. need a second look

What hit the lino? A ball?

That’s the only bloody time Salford have been in our box this half

As a Swindon fan I am happy that we are much better than the first half but as a football fan it has still not been great. If you brought somebody along to watch a live football match for the first time, you would be apologising.

It's great that you can be so positive given what we have seen, where we are and the direction that we seem to be heading towards, but for some of us, events on and off the pitch have somewhat broken things for some, whether that is temporary or not is yet to be seen.

There is no wrong or right way to view it, depends on individuals, but it does highlight well the divide that exists even though we all want the same thing.

that's what we think, but not sure

And just like that it's "can we get a point"

Hanging on now.

Very nearly a goal for them!

As soon as we concede it just goes to shit all the time. Full time.

Look,like everybody else,Im not at all positive about what is going on off the pitch,but today I've seen a team give their all to get a win and that for me is a positive considering it looked like our window would be an unmitigating disaster. It is League 2 and my expectations are relative

FT 1-1

Probably deserved a win but alas another 90+ min concede.

Another game thrown, fucking useless.

2 poor league two teams.

McCarthy looks really good

A good side plays poorly and wins.

We play well and don't. Two weeks in a row.

So we agree then.  Positive that we have improved, but bigger picture hasn't really changed that much.

Agreed. I just get a bit peeved at those who refuse to see any positives at all. I mean "so and so is shit" after a poor 45 minutes or " the wrong person scored",that sort of shit

Was out so earlier so only watched the second half.

It was like 98% Swindon and we were looked very tidy. Finishing could have been better but their keeper pulled off some great saves.

As per usual we scored too early but you know what - even after we scored Salford didn’t look like a threat, didn’t pin us back, didn’t go all out attack. Couple of bad decisions on our part and they’ve scored. They’ve not even played their way back into it. Then for the remaining 5 minutes it was all them. They spent more time in our half in stoppage time then they did the rest of the entire second half.

Eleven goals conceded in the 89th minute or later this season.

Has any team ever conceded as many goals after 90 mins as us in the last 2 years?

As for this recent window and the signings we made, I think there's an element of "don't go down this year, have a proper go next year once teams like Wrexham and Stockport are out of the division."

…and whilst the subs certainly didn’t upset the flow of the game like they did last week. I’m not sure we needed to change all 3 of our attacking players at the same time.

I would have much rather seen Glatzel or Elbouzy stay on wide right of the 3 than Drinan

Just got called a faggot walking out of the ground, some of our fans ffs

It still does not look like a team that would compete for the top three or four spaces in the league to me.  That remains, regardless of whether we played OK in that second, well below the expectations we should have for the club.  It's League Two, Division Four.

We avoid getting a win today because of the very obvious thing we have been missing all season - defenders who like to defend (I do believe we have improved by getting McCarthy), a midfield that has no desire to defend and a complete lack of game management experience.  The chart Russell showed gave a very visual description of why that may be - we have signed an entire team of youngsters/novices.  It means we can play sort of well but still fuck it up.

Of the newbies, McKirdy is a lite version of his previous self - hopefully he gets back up to speed.

Drinnan looks average to poor, assumed he'd be a rotation player with Austin so no idea why we had both on together.

Devoy is not the answer, regardless of the question.

Glatzel seems OK - nice touches, but gets beaten off the ball a fair bit.

Elbouzedi - seems a threat, not sure why he was taken off if being replaced unless you bring someone on like him to add fresh legs.  Quality not great, but pace can be a threat at this level (wouldn't have him and RHM on together though).

Overall, second half was better, we should have won, but that's what you get with what we have.

We were 17th in Div 4 - very few of our players are likely to be described as much more than shit to be honest.  I thought McEachran showed Devoy how to play the 10 role for his goal.  He's not a great player by any stretch, but Devoy wasted so much in comparison and stands and watches when defending.  We are better than we were a few weeks ago, but we are still not good enough.

We could and should have beat them, we turned it on and it was a matter of when we scored. Just didn't have belief,  fannyed about too much and drew against a shit side. Well done town.

To be honest, I don't disagree with the sentiments that Devoy and McEachran were poor in the first half. We really had no midfield. The second half was different (until after we scored).

It was an exciting game, but I would have hoped that we would have done a bit better against a struggling team like Salford.

It's better on the pitch since Flynn left in my opinion.That's it. Off the pitch,the problems remain. Never argued with that point

Wrexham beaten at home by Bradford today.

Never argued that we're good enough to go up and the fact that you say McEachran "showed Devoy how to play" proves my point. Many people have described McEachran as shit this season but when people allude to the fact that the wrong person scored that's the height of negativity to me. Rightly or wrongly

We have gone from fighting against relegation performances to mid table obscurity. This team and/or crop of players no where near challenges the top 7

It won’t be long before Parkinson is gone :D

I agree and have never said different

We just have to stay above the Ken Beamish line for history’s sake😁

Fantastic, that's cheered me up

I still think they'll go up.

Either way, it looks like the plan is to write this season off, avoid relegation and have a proper go next year.

Forest Green lost, so that's a point nearer safety.

As Meatloaf said, two outta three ain't bad.

As Metallica said, Sad but True.

I still don't get why the manager had to change mid-season. I'm pretty sure Flynn would have also managed 1win, 1 draw and 1 defeat with the new signing - probably more.

Definitely better since before Christmas. We know this season is gone realistically and the best we can hope for is to build momentum for next year.

The good components of this team look fine but as a unit they will get up to speed just in time for that late run at the end of the season where they can put themselves into the shop window for the summer.

This “mini pre season” is only beneficial to us if we keep the good components and momentum into next season. Very early days on the new players but McKirdy, Elbouzedi and Devoy will go back to their parent clubs, McCarthy is the big one to try to keep but with a year left on his contract at Barnsley it’ll be a tough ask to sort that permanently, if he keeps up form then he’s easily good enough for a club with better finances than us.

No chance with McCarthy staying beyond this season

thought that was very Flynn like but in reverse. first half was shit bar 10 minutes, second half was better but ... injury time again.

sigh

I struggle to believe that we have any plan whatsoever...

Agreed

as a matter of interest, what makes you think we will have a go next season rather than repeat this one?

First 20 mins we looked a mess, Salford were the better team although didn't create anything of note. After the first 20 we then stepped it up and had a few decent moves up until half time.

Personally, I quite enjoyed that second half. We played much better and should have won the game. The intensity in the attack was good, we played some good stuff and had some great chances. Two great saves by their keeper and one off the line before McEachran scored. We could (should) have been a few goals up.

Also thought the atmosphere second half was one of the best it's been for a while.

Then we shoot ourselves in the foot. The short corner routine that led to us going all the way back to Bycroft and him having to smash it into the stands gave them all the momentum - stupid decision.

Of course there is lot's of shit off the pitch but I thought there were some half-decent performances out there from quite a few of the new players and I've left that game having actually enjoyed it, which hasn't happened in a while.

well the post match interview is taking a while . gunning must be throwing the Guinness glasses

I was thinking exactly the same, nothing that we have seen indicates that we intend to "go for it" next season

Gav's Hair Dryer is set on high.  

1) The permanent signings during the January window.

2) The same stupid and unrealistic sense of optimism that I've had since 1994.

Getting called out on FB to be more supportive,  dozy cunts. Probably one of the thousands of silent fuckwits who don't support at all. Cunt, say that to my face.

Gunning:
- Have you seen a performance like that this year?
- We obviously conceded at the end
- Their keeper had a great tgame
- A Salford team in good form
- Anyone who watched that knows we battered them
- We were decent in the first half. Should have scored a couple
- They didnt know how to deal with our game plan
- Its frustrating. Its been doom and gloom for too long here
- We've started to play well again.
- Its been a mad game. Robinson was very complimentary after the game. But they know they have stolen a point
- Maybe we should have put that corner into the box
- Its all learning.
- Had to be careful and manipulate minutes
- Boys have done unbelievably today
- We have not managed the situation well enough
- We have given the players the freedom to express themselves
- McEachran is a good player. He fell out of form. Maybe it was fatigue.
- Standard in training has been fantastic
- We need to get fitter to play the style Gunning wants to play
- There can be a bounce factor in this game. You can get lulled into a false sense of security
- Apart from 20 mins, the performances have been great since Gunning came in
- Would like to play the same team on Tuesday, but have to manage players minutes

Just back. I enjoyed that second half - played some good stuff. Like the look of Austin/Drinnan as a pair or maybe Drinnan/Glatzel. It’s so obvious we lack physicality in midfield it beggars belief it hasn’t been addressed.

I know Devoy got some pelters at half time but he was much improved second half. If we had had McCarthy from the get go this season we’d be well up the table. That one off the line looked over to me but may be wrong.

Don’t think I remember Bycroft having to make a save all game. Shame we couldn’t stuff one up that fat scouser’s arse.

Walking to the CG from The Merlin there was some oaf driving a van, window down, elbow resting, quaffing a bottle of Heineken. Fucking plum.

Not sure I’m ever going to take to Gunning to be honest, some of the statements in there are a bit bizarre to say the least.

hahaha, fair enough on 2!

gunning is a mixed bag. sometimes he talks sense, sometimes he says things like the first half was good, and sometimes he is being utterly sarcastic which is hard to pick up

We are 17th in league 2- and on course for our worst league finish in our history.

Yes performances are better but the table doesn’t lie.

Don’t renew season tickets 🎟️ we have to starve him out

We won’t go down this season but I’m pretty convinced within a couple of years we will be non-league if Clem stays

Sad thing is though 17th in league 2 is acceptable to a large portion of our fanbase

Last 3 teams we have played are in decent form.

Bradford - 1 defeat in 5 (against us) including a win away at Wrexham.
Newport - unbeaten in 7 league games (form team in the league)
Salford - 6 unbeaten including wins away at Crewe and home to Wrexham (6th in league on form)

It's absolutely not good enough for us to be 17th, however there has been some positive changes on the pitch considering the dross we were playing before.

Gills, MK and Stockport as the next three doesn't fill me with much hope.

92nd minute possibly??

Watched the game earlier. What the hell has happened to the pitch? Its the shittest ive ever seen it

100%. That Salford side were there for the taking, we turned it up a bit and they seemed to panic. We did that for about 10 seconds then went back to Flynn/Lindsey ball. Gunning did nothing about it for far too long.

Not acceptable to me but will keep supporting the team

Wasn't there some suggestions/rumours at the start of the season of us fucking the pitch up?

It's great that we looked better second half but lets face we are just really shit. We have half a squad not match fit and no real coaching experience.

Why the fuck are we bombing forward at 1 nil up late in the game and yet again subs are an issue for me. Why has he not bought anyone on after the goal to tighten things up and slow the game down. 2 centre halves sat on the bench while we cling on to a lead

17TH in league 2 for fuck sake

Well it definitely seems Clem has got some rest bite and sneaked back to Oz unscathed, even the orange hat murmurs and protest have died down!

respite... it's respite... 😉

Spellchecker

Nail on the head

I had my first big sausage rolls in the town town end.

and my last.

other dog food "sausage"

We had the ‘pleasure’ of Ryan Giggs in the Corporate suite and Boardroom today.

Well, I say pleasure, he swept into the lounge with his latest tart accompanied by a local heavy. Not a word to anyone, totally ignored the kids who wanted to see him.

Whilst the MoM was being interviewed, he decided to leave. Once again a heavy waited on the landing. He came through the lounge once again ignoring everyone. He pushed his way past parents taking their kids photos. In fact, he was so fast, the blonde couldn’t keep up.

If any kids had been in his way, he wound have floored them.

A totally odious twat!

I'd say the pitch has cost us 2 points today. Makes it so difficult to run at defenders with pace, and there were at least 2 bobbles before taking a shot.

Another afternoon of prime fourth division football .  I should have stayed at home and done the housework instead.

I can recommend the vegan one, half the size and a decent proxy (but I've not eaten meat for 5 years so could be miles off, who really knows?)

The love of hopeless causes. My Orange hat was very lonely yesterday. It would appear that McKirdy turning up has given just enough of a crumb to satisfy the masses. I don't understand the returning hero reception he got yesterday. He did alright last time but he's no legend. Smiles/laughs when he misses penalties if I remember rightly? It would appear that I am out of kilter with the mainstream support on many things.
I enjoyed the pre match pints in the glue pot and spoons and the game was ok. But oh how far we have fallen and how accepting we have become of mediocrity. The last time I felt quite so aghast at the quality on offer was Quinn's season and we were two divisions above where we lie now. Oh well, keep on keepin on.
I bumped into Giggs at Old Trafford when we played them in the premiership year. He was playing with the lifts. Thought he was a turd. Nothings changed by the sound of it.

I’m taking it as a game on its own, not looking forward to see if a little run could get us near the POs or if a slump could see the trapdoor. I enjoyed yesterday’s game - well the 2nd half anyway. That’s as far as I go with it now.

Not much to look forward to, not really likely we’ll go down. You just gave to think/hope that we’ll rise again - and we will.

That's points dropped from winning or drawing positions in 11 games.
I make it a potential net loss of 18pts across the season.
It's infuriating.

The positives were that performance levels picked up in the 2nd half which we dominated.
It's a pleasure to watch a defender who can actually defend, no frills and keeps it simple with the ball.
Up to Gunning to perm three from 6 to get the right combination & blend up front.

To my mind the progression of the squad in to the empty columns on the right of the magic spreadsheet would involve offering the likes of Khan new deals & being serious about it.
Failing that recruit new bodies in the required age range with the requisite amount of league experience under their belts.
Confidence levels are low on either of the above happening in a strategically planned manner, but we'll see.

And FFS sort out the state of the players workplace in the summer as well.

So you're Harry McKirdy?.....That don't impress me much.  I realise mavericks like Harry are not everyone's cup of tea.

You bought the ticket and you're entitled to your opinion which is doubtless shared by others (including by me in other parts).

But to help you understand why I joined in giving him a "hero's reception":

22 goals
EFL Team of the season
STFC player of the season
signed a contract extension in the January window that later earned us a fee
Wound up oppo players and fans*

But the reason fans gave him what you call a "hero's reception" is not in the mind but in the heart.

A somewhat immature, young showman makes his return after an ego-battering spell at Hibs and 6 months out of the game after cardiac surgery.  We're simply vocal in wanting to encourage him to rediscover his form and respond to adversity. Nothing measured or qualified required.  We're fans wherever we shitting are in the Pyramid.

Wouldn't it be great if supporting STFC gave us the comfort of the Glue Pot?

*and our own setup and fans, tbf ;)

Think it's worse, we've dropped 26 points in those games where we've been in front (7 draws & 4 defeats)


We were discussing this yesterday, is it that the new groundsman isn't as good as Marcus, or is it that the budget has been cut back to the barest minimum.

We think it may be a bit of both, but probably much more the latter

Yeah that's right, I was also taking into account the points gained from drawing or losing positions which was from a paltry 3 games I think.

I think it’s a case that at City he was working on a desso pitch, with undersoil heating and all the equipment he could possibly need whereas here it’s the complete opposite. Probably a steep learning curve and struggling to adapt. Also Cassidy knew the pitch inside out so knew exactly where any problems might occur.

definitely the worst the pitch has been for ages. Not got the expertise to make a view on why.

it's been very wet, the pitch has had a few more games on it then normal, it's not unreasonable to the untrained eye to think it's been a difficult season. Gawd knows what prep the pitch had in preseason.

lots of rain on a clay subsoil, my allotment is like a swimming pool

He recorded it all on his Twitter account - @CassidyMarcus

It looked pretty thorough. The weather hasn't been kind to say the least.

From what I understand the previous incumbent wasn’t doing what they should have been doing. Maybe that’s why they’re no longer at the club.

What was that goal kick ‘routine’ of ours in the first half all about? Recipe for disaster that.

One interesting point, about halfway through the first half one of the kitmen had a quick word with Bycroft, after which we seemed to get a bit more into the game.

Then we battered them in the second half, until we scored.

Have to say I’d have preferred one of Austin/Drinan on from the start, as Salford were trying to force us to play it long, and the front three couldn’t do anything with that type of ball.

Mildly sent the kit man down to the keeper with new instructions after a discussion with Gav

Not digging you out, this is aimed at the club- but if you were looking to have a go next year youd be recruiting a manager now and giving him a few games to have a look at the squad and then the full transfer window.

These cunts couldnt have a go on a brass in Amsterdam, let alone a go at a promotion charge.

aside: where did the "digging you out" phrase come from. First heard it when Flynn had an unjustified go at Joe A for the Austin article.

or rather how long has it been around..

guess I'm just not down with the kids.

Ummm that’s exactly what Gav is doing…

It’s one positive with Gav that he will make adjustments when things aren’t working (although he won’t admit it).
Unfortunately that will lead to the situation at Newport where he split up the CB pairing to move FBT to full back and it just didn’t work. Hopefully he learns from those situations

.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oS1BuCmzWaw

Um, he's caretaker. We can all see the appointment coming if it's not a disaster, but "suck it and see" is hardly an endorsement of proper planning.

Unless of course coaching badges restrict us appointing him

As stated on the mom thread - didn't see the whole game. Missed the first 15 or so minutes from both halves. So only basing on what I saw.

For me, Saturday can be summed up in one hyphenated word; "Decision-making" I thought in the first half our pacey forwards were giving Salford huge problems, but more often than not, the decision-making was often awry, most guilty of this was poor RHM who has pace to burn and clearly has the ability to bamboozle defenders who don't have a clue what he is going to do, but sadly 95% of the time, neither does Rush and he ends up falling over/ having a shot blocked / combination of the previous 2 things. I actually was concerned about Glatzel being in the middle of the 2 pace merchants but he actually battled pretty well against physical opponents and did quite well.

Another interesting decision was made by Gav to completely change the front 3 so we went from 2 speed merchants to just 1 and 2 more physical bodies. For me Harry and Charlie were excellent. I've been quite critical of Austin before but I thought he was intelligent with the ball and had a hand in our goal. Harry's direct running and play with Kokolo was really exciting to see and he was unlucky not to have scored, bending a shot narrowly over the bar.

The third piece of decision-making which ultimately was crucial in us getting only a point instead of 3 was the absolute tragedy corner approaching injury time. Why on earth we decided not to to anything apart from what actually happened I can't understand. Harry gives it to Drinan who instead of holding it up in the corner, playing for another corner or throw, decides to run back towards his own goal pressured by a defender. Then when it's clear he has no options left, attempts a backpass to Byfield which forces him out to clear into touch for a thrown in to Salford. From then, well you know how it ends.

In a game where we should have been out of sight, we end up conceding another equaliser in injury time. Getting to the play-offs was always a long shot, but 3 points on Saturday followed by another 3 in a six-pointer (another hyphenated football word there) tomorrow night would have seen us with a real chance. Saturday feels a little terminal for this season now. With everything said, it was a really enjoyable watch, we just have to sort out how to see out matches as it's killed us this season.

Don't want to berate Drinan too much for that back pass, (which was bloody awful) as I thought up until that point he had done well as a physical presence. He brought something very useful to the team. He bullied the defenders and nodded one back that Austin put wide. I didn't think it was a good idea to put him and Austin on at the same time, but, it actually worked. 

I'm glad there is another game coming quickly, as I want to get rid of the disappointment of the weekend quickly. But, it would be good to rejig the 2 x 3 forwards. Switch Glatzel with Drinnan/Austin perhaps and I think there are 2 very good options.

My gut is that they already have the new manager employed at the club, just not ready to take over yet.

Don't mind the "two full forward lines that swap out" thing but think you want Drinan in one and Austin in the other, with any two of the wider forwards with either.


It's Jonah, isn't it?

Yeah he is trying to have a spoons breakfast clause added to the contract :D

Austin is going to be the new manager, i am convinced of it..

Zav has zero experience of managing a league team though....

But he has the new kit sorted which includes neon pink underwear, isn't that enough?  Plus he has a load of transfers already in place, good deals for the club and the players get something to do with a visa card or something along those lines as part of their deal...

But if Gav does well in his stint surely they won’t just bin him off for Austin.

Don't neccessarily need to bin him off if he is part of the backroom team

But still be a demotion. I’d be well pissed off if I were him.

That is if he actually wants the job, I havent heard him come out and say he would like it full time just that he is managing us until the end of the season.

If he has said he wants the job then I have missed it and he may have said that.

Is interim manager to permanent assistant manager a demotion? given the fact that he was loan player liason 3 weeks ago..

Austin/Gunning/Gladwin coaching setup I reckon. (based on nothing at all)

I don’t think we have to worry about Gunning doing a good job tbh.

If we did appoint Gunning full time, who would do the crucial loans manager role?

I do wonder if Gav has had these made up roles to keep him around until he got his badges sorted.

If he was to be the full time manager would that be a good move?

I guess it won’t make any difference if the manager (whoever it is) doesn’t get the right backing to sign the right players

This line is cruicial.

Flynn wasn't allowed to get in the experienced players he wanted. Clem said we will get in experienced players in the window, we didnt, in face we brought in/loaned 9 players with an average age of 22.8 yet sold/returned 8 players with an average age of 23.6.

Yes, getting in 4 players aged 25 is decent enough but we also brought in 5 players under the age of 22.

We sold 5 players over 22 and 3 players under 22.

Basically we ended with a younger squad average age than we had before the window.

Of course as a squad we look stronger but thats because now we arent relying on kids to pad the bench thanks to injuries healing quicker with Gav in charge than under Flynn.

I would be absolutely amazed if Charlie Austin wanted the managers job here. I can imagine he is as disillusioned with it all as much as we are and wouldn't tolerate being a yes man

Understand your comment. I’d say that as a starting point to his fledgling managerial career, assuming of course that’s his direction of travel, we would be an ideal club to cut his teeth. While it may appear on many levels we are a basket case at least he is in on the inside of the basket case unlike Morris for example. Furthermore if it goes to ratshit he has ready made reasons as to why. If he is anointed as the messiah and is successful he can hold his head high with excellent CV credentials and fuck off somewhere better, which shouldn’t be too difficult.

Some nice words from the fat scouser

‘ However, Robinson did say that he was impressed by the early work of the current incumbent Gavin Gunning and feels that Swindon will be a very different challenge for the rest of the season.

He said: “But you have got to give credit to the opposition, I am not going to come to you and tell you a lie and say ‘We were brilliant and we should have got more than we got’, we got more than we probably deserve today.

“That is the best a team has played against us, and they have got some wonderful players, who have played at a much higher level.

“That is not the same Swindon team that teams would have played through the course of the season.

“There are multiple players that they have brought in and they have a really good squad now.

“I have known Gavin since he was 16 or 17 at Blackburn [Rovers] and I have known Mildy [Steve Mildenhall] since he was 16 or 17, so it is nice to see people who are running the club from a coaching perspective, working with some good young players.”

When Karl Robinson is going in to bat for you...

Robinson has always been weirdly nice when talking about us.

Never realised he started off as a youth with us.

Under Muckmoan I believe.

https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/11060032.robinson-set-for-family-reunion/

signed when he was 15 (in 1995) but sounds like injuries scuppered any playing career.

Most expected goals created in League Two this weekend:

🥇 3.13 - Swindon
🥈 2.19 - Colchester
🥉 1.93 - Harrogate