Thetownend.com

Who knew this competition had a second round? Not me for sure. And a mid-season sponsorship change, how odd.

Could be a tricky selection for this game - the Youth Cup game is also this week so we probably want to give Ameen and co. back to the youths. First year pros McGregor and Brown definitely with the firsts though, wonder if Abu Kanu might get a look in as he's not eligible for the youth cup?

Probably all change with Bradford on Sunday, might see some very rarely seen faces. Something like:


Barden

Freckleton (injury permitting)
Minturn
Hall/Delaney a half each

Sobowale
Longelo

Ofoborh
Cotterill
Butterworth (assuming the suspension doesn't count for this competition)

Tshimanga
Glatzel


Then Cain on the bench. Maybe a lesser spotted Tariq Uwakwe even?

Rather see Brown/McGurk than Tshimanga to be honest

I honestly forgot Sean McGurk exists. He probably gets a game here for sure.

Literally couldn't care less for this one. Hopefully we go out and don't get any injuries.

What a time to be alive! The mighty STFC 10/1 underdogs against Wycombe fucking Wanderers.

They are top of L1 with 12 wins so far and only 3 years ago were in the Championship.

Times change mate and we get left behind.

I also see Clarke is injured for this game anyway...again, and Ollie says Butterworth will definately start.

When is it? Tomorrow? 7:30pm?

Early start, 7pm kick off.

Anyone who needs a rest can't play more than half here. its a distraction we could do without.

Im quite happy to tank this one. Our players clearly can't do Saturday Tuesday atm

Billy Kirkman has returned from Weston. Not sure if that's because he's going out on loan elsewhere or because he's playing tomorrow.

I have a vague feeling this competition might not count towards the two club rule?

Holloway saying he has having back for 4 weeks to have a look at him or something.

Weston arent full time, so surely he has been training with us anyway?

it's not actually a sponsorship change, just Bristol Street Motors rebranding itself...

He doesn’t do short interviews
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIGneZ9uSg8

Pretty much this, but expect Mcgurk to start over Glatzel, with Saturday in mind.

Expecting Ameen to start.

On Sky Sports+

Think Ameen will play for the youths on Thursday Duke

Ameen will play against QPR on Thursday instead. Honestly, i cant help but have zero interest in this match. 

Ameen might do a bench appearance in one game and a start in the other maybe. But the QPR game is the more important one in my view

I will be there... mainly because it's 6 miles from my front door

Its a very fine line, we need Ameen in the FA youth cup team but he also needs to play against men to improve.

This is also very likely to be out last game of the season in this cup so he wont get another chance to start I doubt.

Paddy Power offering 9/1 for a Swindon win tonight! I'll have a tenner on that

As tempting as that is, you’ll be throwing that tenner away  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

it's the taking part that counts

16/1 on both teams to score and Swindon to win

10/1 with BetVictor. Got us doubled up with Sunderland to beat Shitty.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GedC5SNXwAAUgZq?format=jpg&name=large)

Strong team, disappointed McGurk isnt starting.

McGurk cant even get a start in this shitty cup.  Something not right there is there

Wheres Jake Cain? Injured? Not been seen for weeks either has he

 Cain starts

9 changes for Wycombe from their league game on Saturday. However still a strong side including Leahy, McLeary and Udoh.

Ignore me

Noticed I didn’t quote giving you time to delete😁

And disappointed Tshimanga is.
(prob score the winner now!)

Well this is his chance to shine...if he has it in him.

Probably win tonight and lose at Bradford!

1-0 Kirkman on his debut

Go Kirkman!

1-0

Fucking easy, this cup malarkey

Now 90 mins of defending!

Emanating from Tshimanga not falling over for once.

I'm not really sure what the formation is but fairly sure it's not four at the back or the front so that's nice. 4-2-3-1 with Longelo right mid I think.

Formation Schmorebacon...pah...we play where we want!

Its an unusual line up for sure, Longelo in front of McGregor, Sobo at CB and Butterworth back winning headers in our own box.

vibes-vibes-vibes formation

Tshimanga has possibly the worst 1st touch of any professional football I have seen.

Only just tuned in. Any video of the goal going around?

There will be at 1/2 time probably.

Havent seen one, Longelo crossed it from the byline after beating his man on the right, the ball went over Tshimangas head and Kirkman ghosted in from just outside the box to catch a half volley from 15 yards at the angle which went under the keeper in the centre of the goal. IIRC.

Is this Kirkmans debut? Can't say I've even heard his name before.

Yes he was recalled yesterday from his loan at Weston.

Good tidying up at the back by Sobo there with Delaney well beaten for pace.

I guess this shows what can happen if you play extra bodies in midfield!

Not playing three at the back, not playing three up front and winning. I couldn't be happier...

Old school 442 which works😁

Tshimanga cant be counted, hes as much use as a soup sandwich.

Maybe it’s best he gets sent off🤣

Nah suspensions dont carry over to the league.

I’m hoping Ofoborh has a tactical injury.

Be lovely if Kirkman turns out to be a big player for us this season. Don't want to heap too much pressure on the lad though.

Not much point TBH he wont start on Saturday anyway.

I was just hoping he’d be on the pitch for the rest of this game.

He got some good reports and writeups while at Weston this season and hes still only 20.

Longelo red card

Longelo red card.

What the fuck was that :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Doomed

Not convinced that was a red card tackle.

Awful awful refereeing.

I think that red was maybe a bit harsh? I think it should have been a yellow.

HT 1-0 being doing quite well, Cotterill playing well so far.

Is it just me, or is the game completely gone?

Is that really a red? just fucking book him and get on with the game.

Honestly does my head in.

Very Harsh.

Killed the game too

Always a good sign when the Wycombe players are surprised by the red too.

Really impressed with that first half. Shame about the red, cant see us holding on now. Probably more of a yellow but a silly tackle to make. Sums up his time here so far!

Embarrassing from the Ref. It's a contact sport. Late tackles happen. Get on with it.

Especially when you consider it's a reserve / youth competition as well. Just use a bit of common sense.

2nd Half will be 1 way traffic now. Game ruined.

Pretty solid against the top (currently) team in L1, yes they have made many changes, but so have we.

Midfield looking far better with more bodies in there, Cotterill and Butterworth doing well, Ofoborh covering some ground. Not sure about the sending off but it is what it is.

Decent first half that.

Tshimanga though is woeful.

Red was on the harsh side. Didn’t jump in, slid and woefully late yes, but not all that dangerous.

Looked worse as both running in opposite directions prior to contact.

Swap their shirts over and I’m fairly sure I would still have the same opinion.

Looked like a yellow to me, challenge was low and he went for the ball.

Whycum definately had their arses kicked at half time they have come out fighting so far this half. We have been under the cosh so far in the 1st 5 mins of the half.

Mcgregor is seriously lively down the right. Putting in good tackles, taking men on.

And winning tackles in our own box as he did then. He is absolute quality for an 18 year old.

Unsurprisingly, a couple of our players look tired

Good block by Barden with the striker clean through and Delaney done for pace.

Bloody hell! Delaney is slower than me! And I’m glacial!!

Wright coming on for Cain.
Kilkenny on for Ofoborh.

Offy put in a good shift but some of his passes were a bit short today, solid though overall.

Kilkenny and Wright for Cain and Ofoborh

Not the subs I would have made!

I think it's farewell to Cain in January.

I think you are probably right, he looked ok today, not a bad perfromance from him, but hes not impressed any manager enough for a run in the team since he arrived.

2-0 Tshimanga

What a run by McGregor to set it up.

Did anyone get on the 9/1?

No. I got 10/1

2-0 Kabongo!

What a break by McGregor!!

Cmon you bastards, hold on to this!

I am in a parallel universe, for a few minutes at least.

All the lolzy lolz  :D

Top of league 2...you're having a laugh!

Bottom of league 2...you're having a laugh!

 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

I hate to turn such a positive into a negative, but it's going to be absolutely gut wrenching when we flog McGregor for peanuts in January.

He is going to play at a very high level one day. He is just absolutely relentless.

Betfair odds were much higher tbf

There is no way he wont have suitors from much higher in the leagues than us.

He is absolute quality and the best player on the pitch today by miles.

It’s not over yet, but i take back what I said  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Delaney easily beaten  again.

It is what it is - it shouldn’t be about individuals (if it was McGurk would play every week) it’s about the team.

It's not just his technical ability (which he has in abundance) but his work rate, desire and just general willingness to do the ugly side of the game. He runs all day, heads everything and just doesn't seem phased by the step up at all.

McGurk and Cox for Cotterill and McGregor

Even if we monumentally fuck up and lose this (which could still happen) they have done way better so far than I ever though I would, so I have to give them some credit for that.

Fuck me sideways, a lesser-spotted ginger McGurk.

McGurk on for Cotterill.
Cox on for Mcgregor.

My worry is that neither of the subs can defend!

Attack is the best form of defence!

Glatzel on for Tshimanga.

Glatzel’s for Tshimanga

I think Cox can but he's more forward thinking. In any case, it's directly on the manager in making that decision - he couldn't blame anyone else {but he definitely would}.

Tshimanga << Off
Glatzel >> On

Ten mins to put my Glatzel and McGurk theory to test. However, I did say them on the pitch at the same time ''with'' someone like Smith

Wycombe are getting closer.

Our shape is all over the shop.

With all the subs its not a surpise that our shape has gone a bit TBF.

Also I had genuinely forgotten we were playing with just 10 men.

Yes, but we looked solid still until the last few minutes

Cmon! 6 mins

6 mins added time.

Ref is a homer

6 min my arse

And there it is! 😢

The commentator has spent 76% of the game talking about statistics...

2-1

Good interception by Cox there.

Blow the whistle!!

Finished!

We only went and did another fucking win :)

FT 2-1

Wycombe were pretty shit TBH, McGregor MotM, Cotterill not far behind him.

It might be the shitty cup but a win is a win. Nobody have us a chance pre game to do that, myself included.

Well that was much more fun than it had any right to be.

The main thing is continuation from Saturday, winning against 12.

Wow! What a performance.

Pick a MotM from that! (OK, it was obviously McGregor)

Att:611

Another solid game from McGregor.  I thought Kirkman looked a tidy player if a bit raw

Was very nervous in those last few minutes. I don't give a shit about this competition, but the players deserved the win for the shift they put in. 2-2 would've been really un fair on them.

Sobowale and McGregor absolutely superb. Barden did well. Kirkman could be very handy.

An unexpected result but have to say that everyone put a real shift in and that often is enough. Just keep working and winning second balls and tackles and it more often than not gives you the edge needed. Whether we are fitter under Holloway is difficult to judge but it looks like it.

Winning is a habit, keep at it.

I’m not a fan at all but have to give Holloway some praise for the way we have gone about the last 2 games.

Who was that team playing in red ?.

YOU REDSSS

Fair fucks, can I suggest you don't bet the winnings on Town...

Good advice!

Well done sir :clap:

Any other time a win in this stain of a cup would be unwelcome, in our situation, habits need to be formed.

Holloway:
- Lads have kept momentum from Saturday
- Minturn injured yesterday
- Believed we would win
- Had to put Sobowale in in a back 4
- Delighted for the lads
- They caused us all sorts of issues but they stood up to a man
- Dressing room feels like Holloway wants it too
- It was a strong tackle but there was no malace
- Some of those players have given Holloway a headache for Saturday
- Changed shape yesterday and talked through it with the team. They are now thinking like a group
- Its a privildge to play for this club. Players have to earn it
- Bycroft has been fantastic in training. Its been the whole backline that folds in.
- Kirkman: Wow! Thats what freshness of mind does
- Can't wait to go and watch the youth on Thursday. Gave Ameen back to them for the game
- We have to do what we did tonight. We made things happen. We didnt let things happen
- The feeling is wonderful
- 7 days is a long time in football
- Not sure what Minturn has done. Sounded like groin
- Wycombe congratulated Holloway on the team's performance
- Tonight, we look like a team that never gives in
- Kirkman: Life is about energy. We can do with the energy he's got
- We have some really good players. Look at that tonight
- Our pressing and closing was outstanding. We need to make sure we do that at the right time
- We still need togetherness.
- If the fans can see that again rather than what has gone before then they will say 'Hang on!'

Didn’t watch or listen & wouldn’t know the difference between Wycombe’s first team & U14s

…but…a wins a win. Seeing the game out after playing with 10 men for halve of it. Can’t grumble.

How many games away from Wembley?

Not fit enough to last 90 minutes, though - at least according to Holloway who continues to make subs that makes us weaker.

We are very good with 10. Not so good against 10

Round of 16/area quarter final next.

First half in complete control against a team in a higher division.
Chasing, tackling, closing down - where has that come from.
So well deserved. Just need to get the concrete off Delaney’s boots.

An excellent performance all round and result.

Winning the FOOTBALL LEAGUE trophy whilst also getting relegated from the FOOTBALL LEAGUE would be such a Swindon thing to do…

I really wish more than one of Holloways wins was for 3 points but if he keeps up anywhere near this kind of ratio then we'll pull away nicely.

I can still see us being in danger with a few games to go at least though.

Didn’t that befall Chesterfield?

Nope, they won the EFL Trophy but got relegated from Div Three to Div Four, during the season STFC won the Div title under PdC.

No prizes for guessing who took Chesterfield down but somehow managed to simultaneously win some silverware for them...  ;)

Luton did but that was after points deduction! Gnapka scored the winner!

I went with a Luton mate.




This cup could be seen as a distraction BUT a win is a win and they put in a right performance.

Roll it on to Saturday!!

Holloway:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNvNfm9_NlA

Highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD8R_RxpslQ

Love that interview. Music to my ears...

I don’t want to get carried away but the direction of travel seems good. I’d like to see Holloway and this squad with a few tweaks have a go next season - time for some stability. If the club rip things up change players and manager again we’ll be back to square 1.

Just watched the highlights.

Obviously all of this is pre-fixed by one of the commentators opening statements that Wycombe had made 9 changes from the weekends game…but…

Wycombe are top of L1.
Haven’t lost a competitive game since September (to Villa in the LC) that would indicate certainly in the group stages they took this competition with a degree of seriousness. Got to the final last year so obviously thought it a competition they can win.
Scored 55 goals in 26 games this season (we’ve conceded 49(or 47) in that time) so know where the goal is.

Of course it’s possible Wycombe made 9 changes & put their reserves out because they want to focus on the league but on paper it looks like we’ve done really well to get a positive result there.


Never a red card imo.
The fact that Tshimanga fell over whilst tapping the ball in was the most Tshimanga thing ever.
Barden looks quite Bycrofty

To be fair, most of his interviews have been good since he walked through the door. It's the sprinklings of nonsense that have ruined a few. When there's no talk about ghosts and shit he comes across well.

Brave decision to bring in some of the young players. Have to give him credit for that.

Watching the section after the final whistle- looks like Oboborh tweaked his knee. Watch him as he shakes hands with someone then turns to look for someone else.

Wycombe did make 9 changes, but to be fair we made 8 from the starting XI from Saturday.
It does go to show that we do have decent depth to the squad, even if the top level quality may be lacking.

Yeah...in the upcoming transfer window I think broadly speaking it's all about keeping the squad intact i.e. hold on to Will Wright (I'm convinced Lyndsey wants him at Franchise) and holding on to the young lads and seeing where that takes us...

"Why are you protesting? Alright, we got relegated, but we just won the League Cup for the second time! You should be building a statue..."

(https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/resources/images/18082297.jpg?type=mds-article-620)

Funny. We've gone from having a useless squad to worrying about losing it in the space of 4 weeks. Down to Holloway?

I think my view has always been similar to yours adje in that I've never thought that, player for player, our squad was as bad as results and league position suggested. All it needed was proper motivation / organisation aka coaching. So I would say that yes, that probably does have to be down to Holloway....

Not just the higher division, they are 46 places above us in the 92 league pyramid!

I am not getting carried away but that was again a very good performance against a poor Wycombe side, yes they made 8 changes from Saturday but we made 9 changes.

I just hope we can keep this performance level and momentum going for Saturday.

Not done the maths but that seems unlikely when there are 24 teams in each division!

1st in League 1 to 22nd in League 2 would be 45 places not 66.

My bad adding up I am barely awake :)

And not much talk about the fact that we played half the game with ten men.

Yep,fair enough. I just hope he knows what our best X1 is now

Well in the last 3 games we've been down to 10 we've been very very good

Maybe we should just start with ten men.

"Rush goalie"!

That finish gets better every time I watch it. Very difficult technique that

Agree, I'm cautiously optimistic listening to Holloway.

Just wish more of his positive results so far were for league points.

Well, that’s another 20k in the kitty.  Not sure we’ll see any new signings with that sort of reward.  Still, think it’s 40k if we win the next round.

Covers Adam Harts strength and conditioning company for a week.

I had forgotten the joys of Bragging Rights until this morning.

I work with a Wycombe fan who spent some time on Tuesday trying to wind me up about how we were going to get slaughtered.

Ho hum :pint:

Birmingham at home in the next round.

Such as in the ineptness of this board imagine if they hiked prices up and opened the other stands :D

Wonder if those ticket/hotel packages will be on sale soon, a la Wrexham.

Interesting.
They will bring loads.
Best part of 25 years since we last met I think.

It's still the nonsense trophy. They took 700 to Exeter, a lot for this competition but we're still not going to be looking at league like attendances I shouldn't think.

Im sure some of the fanbase will actually believe Tom Brady will be at the CG on a cold tuesday night, much like they expected Ryan Reynolds to be at the CG last boxing day :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Birmingham have sold out and asked for more tickets

Not surprised, didn’t they take 1600 to Exeter in this competition.

We'll win 6-4

Yep, we'll be 4-1 down then Will Wright will step out from the back and give a midfield masterclass

Refused them more tickets

https://x.com/bcfctickets/status/1876635323473809899?s=46&t=sUQ-fFgelrF5oqTmo-D8tA

Probably was going to give them the SB but realised it had been condemned. Only the Arkells is open for this isn't it? Surely there was no room to accommodate them?

They’re getting their knickers in a twist for sure. ‘We’ll have to go in the home end’.

Pity there’s no home end open. They’re getting the maximum tickets that can be accommodated in the only stand open.

Talking of Brum, I see they completed the signing of defender Phil Neumann from Hannover 96 for £3.3m yesterday!

Big game for their fans, must be giddy with the prospect of playing us.

Give them another 800 tickets which is £12,000

Don't want funding  :doh:

Shit on the Villa song would be even louder😁

Club won't admit the status of the Stratton Bank. Should be pushed.

Just open the DRS and give them that.

Even though it was discussed during AB meetings, however never minuted. Allegedly.

#transparency

This.

Then you need extra staff etc. I'm sure the reason we're only opening the Arkells is so they can do this skeletal.

Has the boycott not reached the West Midlands?

Difficult to hold back when you get a glamour tie in Wiltshire.

Isnt this their first time in this tournament ever? so its all new to them.

They won it as the Auto Windscreens in the 90s when Lou was their manager.

Then surely they can either give them another block in Arkells & shift the 7 home fans across or open the TE for then which is smaller & would require less staff.

Plus from the TE then can still get / walk across to the Arkells at half time for drinks & food (assuming we have any in stock)

Yeah, the TE was opened for a Trophy tie against Oxford if I recall. The only time more than one stand has been open in the Boycott Trophy era I think.

Club are missing out here, but they don't care.

I’m surprised we never gave them the Townend and 800-1000 in the blue seats to take advantage of the extra income.

Lets be honest they'll fill up the rest of the arkells and nobody else will give a fuck. May as well be a reserve game as far as 99% of our fans care.

2500-3000 Swindon may get a crowd of 4500

Why did I read this like Roger from American Dad! when he says 'Ricky Spanish'  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: