Thetownend.com

Plenty of pre-match entertainment on offer which could easily reminisce the 1980’s STFC & Bristol Rovers joint Roger Malone’s a wanker chant which echoed around the county ground if things don’t go well on the pitch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW0ZxnebDEY

https://forum.thefishy.co.uk/?m-1729857045/

I think they might dislike him more than we dislike Sheridan.

As long as this doesn't become all about him. As it will

I see Holloway's had his "induction" into the League Manager's Association 1000 club. The citation does not linger on his later career, understandably.

Trivia time, whose the other ex-Town manager in the 38 members?

Going to be a very strange atmosphere. I'm going with 1-3 Grimsby. Their away record is strong and we're just dire.

Gonna be my first game since the Newport win. Crazy to think we've only won two league games since then.

Danny Wilson?

Danny Wilson

Agree with your statement, Grimsby, whilst very patchy at home are tremendous away. Coupled with us generally being rotten at home and with the option of giving Holloway some real stick, I can only see an away win on Saturday.

Wilson is correct. Bit surprised he's the only one. According to Wiki, Sturrock is in the 900s

Holloways' meltdown if we lose should be a hell of a sight

Just wondering if managers who reach 1000 games get presented with anything pitch side🤔

Can only see a home loss 1-2 with a hostile atmosphere.

Wilson and Sturrock were the 2 that immediately sprung to mind.

Cant say I am overly bothered again by this game, if we set up like we did at Bradford we will lose. We are capable of beating anyone in the league on our day but conversely anybody, even a crap team, can whip us (I am looking at you Colchester).

I hope the protest gets some backing and some national media coverage, I wish I could be there too. Good luck to all you orange hats.

Ollie shot himself in the foot with a massive 12 bore last week and I won't be able to back him until he apologises to the fans he insulted, they paid their money and chose to watch that shit last last week, shit he served up by his innefectual and negative tactics.

The fans will be at this club much longer than Ollie, the players and Clem and are the lifeblood of our once great club. Accept criticism when its due, as it was last week, he fucked up and should take the blame not dish out shit to loyal fans who spent a lot of money going to a cold wet northern outpost when he got paid for going there.

I thought Holloway would be a decent appointment, experience, spoke a good game, complimented the fans and the club then he does this.

Not cool Mr Holloway, truly not cool. You had better make amends on the pitch tomorrow or things will get nasty from both sets of fans.

It needs to be more Fleetwood than Bradford (although outside of one mistake I think we draw that game 0-0)

We are in must win territory now…

Before our time but I did wonder about Bert Head but couldn’t find any info on games managed.

All out there if you can use Google :)

Bert Head 465 at Swindon 747 in total.
Sam Allen 1,192 at Swindon alone.
Lou Macari only managed 765 which surprised me.
Danny Williams 766 in total.

https://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/2024/december/20/lma-inducts-ian-holloway-into-lma-1000-club/

List at the bottom of this article. I suspect Sam Allen may be too early, but there are some early names on there, so who knows how they work it out. Perhaps he never paid LMA subs!

Unai Emery surprised me, he's older than he looks!

Listing Dario Gradi still with the MBE that got stripped from him is a bit of an admin error.

Cheers PV

I will put the Holloway off pitch stuff to one side . I listened to his pre match yesterday it reminded me of old times - he talks the talk albeit in a ramble old  bloke down the pub type of way . But what stood out to me is he still persists with 'my run' as the benchmark as to picking /signing players it's like going back to the 80's and 90's in terms of management style and really can't see it going well in the transfer window if he's got open book in terms of recruitment ; he will get rid of quite a few and bring loads of random players in, he won't be able to resist reshaping 'his cake ' as he calls it .

Hopefully he loses it and quits in a huff after tomorrow

Part of me agrees, except that will likely leave us with Gunning for the rest of the season, which will probably be even worse

ATTENTION GRIMSBY FANS.

If you are reading this it would be great if your fans can bring some/wear some orange clobber. Spread the word.Be great to see in the away end also  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

I'm still not convinced Holloway knows the best nucleus of the squad, I suspect this weekend will be another mixed bag leaving us scratching our head at selections

My first visit to the County Ground of the season for me tomorrow, orange hat all packed and ready to go.

I couldn't care less about Ian Holloway and his 1000th game.  I just want Town to win and have another little step closer to EFL safety.

I'll go for a 2-1 win in-front of 6,480 and we can all go and have a slightly happier Christmas Day.

Rich Banyard would be very disappointed to hear this Jim.

It’s the season for forgiveness😁

To be honest is anyone?

Ollie’s onto it😁

https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/24807728.swindon-town-transfer-plans-strong-place-ahead-january/

12:45pm meet for the march tomorrow I believe. If you can make it and are not happy with how things are going please turn up. The more that attend the better it will be and less chance of the hierarchy dismissing it as just a small annoyance.

COYR COYR

"We made huge bids for some top quality players, but because the fans are so negative, we couldn't get the deals over the line.
P.S - Please buy a half season ticket"

Im sure this will be pulled out their arse!

If Holloway has a go at Clem like he does the fans we should get a few signings😁

Nods head

All to play for!

Come on THE Town!

Its interesting to see the negativity on this forum. I think some of it is very misplaced.

Don't get me wrong, I hate the dogdiness and unprofessionalism of the current ownership. But I'm trying to distance that to the football itself.

The squad that has been assembled is poor. I believe the players that are here, are here because we are a basket case. Some are here because they couldn't get offers elsewhere. Others because there was an opportunity to make a mark and progress 'into' the game. I think some didn't have offers elsewhere because of a combination of lack of fitness and attitude.

So, who can get this lot to play a tune? Certainly not Kennedy. With him we were sleepwalking into the abyss. Holloway has a lot of faults, but, to me, (as someone who knows nothing about football management but has watched the club since the early 80s) he seems to know what he's doing. There are signs that he is pulling certain players into line. You can see some players doing different things on the pitch. I think he's frightened some too - by not being afraid to bring in Brown, McGregor and Kirkman.

With this group of players, I think we are going to lose more than we win. But, I agree with Holloway, that with a couple of changes, the squad could look much better. We could then get mid-table mediocracy!

His outburst on the side of the pitch last week was unprofessional. His waffle is sometimes cringeworthy, but at others, its entertaining, it breeds enthusiasm and is smattered with interesting stuff e.g. Hall going to start tomorrow, McGurk not doing what he's told (which many of us had suspected), Kirkman likely starting and Clarke back.

We have made so many managerial appointments in the last feew years. We need a bit of stability. Holloway might just be the man for the time and crisis we are in. As for criticising his methods as being antiquated, I think people are way off.

Positivity and praise is craved by the younger generation - He gives lots of that.  His runs seem to fall under what would nowdays be labelled Aerobic training and HIIT, which are both envogue. He's talked about having a data team and following their guidance.  He's talked about training programs too. So, I don't think there are grounds there for criticism.

As for stopping us from fannying around with the ball at the back when we aren't good enough to do it and keep giving away soft goals that we can't recover from - HOORAY! That doesn't mean we need to have neck ache watching it being hoofed every minute! Don't take chances at the back, run at people, take them on and create goalscoring opportunities - Yes please. Have we done that? Not consistently, no. Imho, that's something to do with having a pretty shit team made up of has beens, sick notes, problem children and young kids!

So:

- Clem, its time to go! Please take all of the dodgy people with you! But please don't sell to someone even worse!
- Holloway: Tone it down a bit on the touchline please and use your footballing nous to get us out of this mess please!
- Towneders: Please stop posting the same negative shit everywhere and daubing it on everything. Focus it where its appropriate and needed.

"The bids for McGregor, Kirkman and Wright came at the last minute and were too good to turn down. We didn't have time to replace them. We'll look at free agents."

Admirable. But. Until there is something positive from Holloway I'm afraid personally I cannot find much positive to say about him. I would argue that he actually doesn't seem to know what he's doing so far. I however.  accept that could well change. As for stopping us giving away soft goals,haven't really seen any of that, yet. I still maintain that a good number of this squad are good players but they've been horribly managed this season. Again,so far. The positives for me are the return of Kirkman ( don't know if that was down to Holloway,but fair play to him if so) and his final realisation that McGregor and Minturn are good enough to start). Sorry to be negative but I have been accused this season of owning "rose tinted specs!

My rant wasn’t aimed at anyone in particular. But my irritation started straight after the Bradford game. There’s a certain group of posters who seem to come to the fore straight after a defeat. They twist things to the negative narrative they want to peddle.

I think we have a below average (for this division) squad and Manager, there, said it.  I'm not that angry at them though - what else could be expected when the CEO is barely qualified to open the post.

We do have a ‘only singing when we’re losing’ contingent on here…very tiresome
We all know who they are…

Oh yeah, totally agree

I want to like Holloway, he'll speak well and we'll get an ok result (or good result but in the cup so fucking meaningless) and then we'll perform like shit and he'll do or say something stupid.

Its a bit all over the place at the moment.

Agreed 👍

Very araldite post.

. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEWZitETQIM&t=924s

46 minutes.

He’s won one league game for us.

Crock of shite.

Good to see they are keeping their priorities though.

Expect an MBE for his services to football😁

Think this sums it up well…

It’s all very inconsistent currently - which really isn’t something we can afford to be right now…

You would imagine, given the opposition and the occasion that we should see a more determined Town today. Of course, the very least we should see is a hard working side giving it 100% effort, but today there should be that extra 'edge'. Hopefully we don't give Grimsby any time on the ball and 'press them to death'. Artell I imagine likes to play out from the back and if it's as windy as the forecast was suggesting, a repeat of Fleetwood would be lovely.

Not there today as down with Novirus bug so will have to wear my orange hat sat in front of the T.V.. For all the thousands of words put onto the various sites regarding ownership, manager and players, my fervent wish firstly is for three points. The demonstration hopefully will eventually make a difference, but staying in this Division is the priority. Fair play to all of you on the march.

+1

Fuck off, Holloway.

In a surprising change of plans, looks like I'll be making my annual pilgrimage to the county ground today. Good thing I packed my orange jumper.

Do the mods have to make it a sticky?
I agree with NMH btw

Forgot Artell was their manager. Imagine them stuffing us could be a case of "lets have a look at what you could have won!" today. Although I don't think Sir Alex could be a success under this mob.

I'm wondering if Bycroft gets a recall today

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GfU009JXMAAaNJy?format=jpg&name=large)

Scattergun team selection again.

McGregor?

Probably didnt run fast enough

Sold.

Looks like a 352 to me.

Hall (groans) Delaney & Wright (should bin him off if he’s legit going in two weeks time)
Sobowale & Cox as wing backs.
Cotterill, Clarke, Kilkenny as the middle three.
Smith & Tshimanga up front.

No McGregor (because he’s good) no Drinan (for his industry if nothing else) & no Ofoborh (because he’s our only defensive minded midfielder) seem odd omissions to me.

It’s not what I would have picked & don’t think it’s remotely close to being outer best 11 & I still think 352 is an awful formation…

…all that a side I just hope it mother fucking works because it’s desperate times.

shite line up

Sadly, probably the truth!

Is Drinan injured?

Yeah as far as strikers go he’s not exactly a massive goal threat but you’ll at least get an honest shift out of him…

If it's between him and Tshimanga that's a weird decision

Just listened to the manager on Radio Wilts. Fucking hell!!!

I mean we do have Saturday, Thursday, Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday coming up - so maybe he’s resting a few?!?!

What waffle has he said now

What did he say?

Theres an illness going round the club apparently.

Mostly ooo arr dont blame me blah blah blah.

Was it the bit about:
- Hall gets injured if he doesnt start games
- Wright was taken out to give a mental and physical break
- Wants vocal leaders on the pitch

Nothing. And it took him 10 minutes!

Yep.

Well in the last 3 games we've won 3 halves,drawn 1 and lost 2 or something like that and if we win both halves we win the game. He's ecstatic that Hall is back in and said Kirkman has been outstanding( but he's left him out), babbling on about Manchester Ufuckingnited and other such nonsensical ramblings. Oh and also "we're in a better place than we were last week"apparently.
And, he admits his sprint bollocks isn't perhaps best for the players. And, he's talking about himself in the third person!

I wondered whether araldite for erudite would be noticed, yes it was deliberate.

Stuck in the Glue pot?

Still, I'm going to forget about him and hope the players can pull it off today

Radio Wiltshire mentioned that there might be a bug running around the camp, might explain some absences. Alternatively, maybe the "bug" wears an Albert Steptoe hat.

(https://media2.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExazBkOWEycmJuankzang2NnV5eTNyM3dkcmsxb2s4MWFlNDV4YXJuayZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/26DNj68b970AaTZSg/giphy.webp)

Good turn out by Grimsby today.

Holloway IS David Brent.

I got fed up listening to him so turned him off and went back to youtube.

He's "such a character" though

1-0

See it’s windy like the other week - Need a 2-0 or so lead.

Jesus! 1-0 Clarke

Clarke.

That is great work from Tshimanga before it fell for Clarke.

"Rodri" GET IN!!!

90+ minutes at Bradford.  No shot.
3 minutes against Grimsby 1-0.

The infamous wind tunnel in full effect.

There's only one "Olly"!

Smith hits the bar with an open goal almost.

Smith off the crossbar!

Fuck me I thought that was in just as much as Harry did, hence why he was so unprepared for it coming back at him.

Well Clarkes pressing was definately missed last week.

I wish he realised he had more time for the rebound than he thought rather than snatching at it.

That was a very theatrical dive by the Grims player in the box! ref ignores it.

Tshimanga...FFS stay on your feet you are not going to con the ref at all with those dives.

Tahimanga has made more of a contribution in this game than in his last few (if not all) appearances

Just stay on your feet!

Tshimanga has worse balance than Eric Sabin.

At least he was going bloody quick when he fell over!

…in fact worse balance than any footballer I’ve ever seen. Including the still pissed up ones on a Sunday morning on an uneven council pitch.

Tshimanga gets a shoit in on the turn 6 yards out but its too weak and easily saved.

I think I agree.

The wind is playing a huge part in the game so far, we are coping better with the wind behind out backs.

McEachran gives Town a corner, after Smith dived in to a cross.

McEachran with one of his better shots for Swindon

Tshimanga has pressed and won the ball several times

And still fallen over more times than he has touched the ball ;)

Barden has a shot that bounces once and is saved.

Barden with a shot on target (technically)

Kabongo having his best 15 mins of football so far since he has been here

Of course!

Nice break by Wright who nearly finds Sobo but Wright then wins the ball back and finds Smith in the box and his shot is poor.

 :D

Morecambe 1-0 down, Carisle still 0-0

Oxford losing joint bottom😁

Cox's passing and crossing has been a bit heavy so far today.

i'll hold off on trying to laugh at Oxford in the championship with their billionaire owner, if its all the same.

:nod:

Hopefully one season wonder.

Great chance for Grims. Wasted luckily as the Grims player gets a nosebleed in our box.

We're fucking about at the back winning questionable freekicks way too much for me. Thankfully the ref is buying what we're selling today but that is a couple of times now.

Are we playing towards the Bank🤔

Re shimanha was on his own by the corner flag and nearly fell over! 😂

Clarke beats his man and tries a shot from 20 yards out but its goes wide.

Tshimanga with a touch like Jay-Z (allegedly) letting it go out for a goal kick.

Yes

Cheers :D

Tshimanga rolls the ball off to Clarke in the box but his shot is blocked for a corner.

Both times could have been a penalty for Grimbsy. First one was handled before the ref blew for us, second was classic six of one, half a dozen of the other and it goes the defenders way.

Wright header cleared off the line.

Nice one. Hopefully the wind won’t be as strong second half as it has died down where I am a few miles away.

Cotterill has a total airshot from 20 yards but gets a 2nd chance and that goes wide.

Newport 4-0 MKD :D

We need another goal or two

What did I say pre game? I dont think we have more than 1 goal in us!

They need a new defender😁

2-0

Tshimanga.

TSHIMANGA DIDNT FALL OVER

2-0 Messi

….oh yeah & he scored

I see its Carlisle vs Morecambe on boxing day.

Good news if we get a good result vs Wimbledon as they can't both win, bad news if we lose as they can't both lose.

Tshimanga!!! 😲

Tshimanga did his best to miss it! but luckily it went in.

Tshimanga has done about three quality bits of work today and about 3 or 4 of the most hilariously comical things I have ever seen a pro footballer do.

Its quite something how erratic his performance is.

Lovely bit of play by Town there.

1 min added.

Is that the lowest we have had for any half this season?

HT 2-0

Pretty solid TBh with the wind behind us.

Decent performance that, 2-0 flatters us but you take your chances and they don't. Will be tough second half with the wind.

Clarke makes a big difference to our team, Smith has lead the line well, Kabongo has had his best half for us since he arrived, Sobo has been a great outlet on the right and Cox is causing problems down the left.  Still too open at the back which Ollie will have to address, but on the whole, lovely stuff, especially considering our best player and hardest working player are not in the squad.

Need to do a professional job now second half and snatch a third.

Good basis for a trouble free second half hopefully (potential subs notwithstanding !)

Yeah, its hard to feel like we won't need one more. Winds against us and our sheets are about as clean as a porn sets.

Disagree. Hit the bar and post whilst they’ve created very little. Think 2-0 is very fair

Nice to see plenty of orange. I'm bellowing from the TE

This.

Plus, Wright has played well too and linking up well with the speedy Sobowale.

Messi hits the post!

We hit the metalwork!

Tshimanga hits the post from 20 yards.

Really unlucky twice against the woodwork now.

Att: 7,453 (661 Grims)

3 times I think as on reviewing Wrights header looked like it hit the post.

Wright wins a corner.

Shortish corner from Cox, another corner to Town.

Pen

Cotterill shot and hit hits the arm of the player in the box.

Wright to take it.

Missed

Garbage penalty

Cursed, absolutely cursed

FFS when will we score a fucking penalty.

We're fucking good at them!

Absolutely terrible penalty.

Well, I’ve seen us take some crap penalties, but that’s up there!

Kirkman on for Cox.

I'd let Barden take the next one

Poor free kick by Wright straight to the keeper.

Dive by the Grims player after a tackle by Kirkman.

Barden decent tip over the bar.

Another save by Barden.

Seemed to see it and go down on it late

Newport 5-1 MKD!

We could be 4-0 up! Hope we don’t rue that

Barden in 2 minds coming out but we get away with it.

About 10 orange hats in the away end. Thanks Grimsby

He'd have been better trying to take his penalty that way.

Are you sure they arent just natural "strawberry blondes?" :)

:D

5. Hit the woodwork twice and missed a pen.

3-0

That was a fucking finish

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Tshimanga again!

3-0 Messi!

Fucking come on

If we’d gone at Bradford like this we’d have probably beaten them

Never set up to go for a 0-0 draw, we set our stall out last week pre game to not concede, just throw caution to the wind (literally) and try just attacking.

He CAN do it! Get in the new Fjortoft!

We're not very good at defending, but we can attack a bit. Makes playing for 0-0 next level stupid really.

Its genuinely hilarious how decent Tshimanga can look one minute and not at all like even a semi pro footballer the next.

Yakubu syndrome. "sometimes its Thierry Henry, sometimes its Lenny Henry"

Playing for 0-0 away from home I get to an extent.
Continuing to play for 0-0 when you’re 1-0 down is inexcusable.

Only one person predicted a home win in the prediction league😁

Fair play to him, Cotterill has played well today too.

Yes, set up to not concede but to not attack all game is just plain stupid.

Is it me? I think I predicted a clean sheet too!

1-0 :D

Cotterill fires wide.

What a cross from Clarke

Great cross by Clarke which makes the keeper shit his pants and the ball comes to Cotterill 15 yards out and his fires wide with the keeper beaten.

Grimsby have a very poor keeper.

Pen to them.

All our own fault that

Stupid by Hall and Kilkenny.

Pressure back on Town, needlessly.

Ah well

Fannying around at the back again

3-1

Needless.

Thats how to take a fucking penalty too.

Town having a wobble.

Barden great point blank save.

More luck than judgement save there from Barden. Fuck me don't throw this away Town.

Fuck me! Lucky save by Barden

Good job Grimsby are a bit shit!

Hit his chest I think. Luckily.

A bit shit has been enough to beat us plenty often over the last few years. That is the problem.

Definately hit his chest but he spread his body wide and seen plenty of those go in TBF to him.

Blimey,we seem to go to pieces when we concede,whatever the score

Not just this season...see Wrexham 2-5 Swindon ;)

Smith down injured in the middle unchallenged.

Attendance 7,453

Smith back on the pitch.

;)

They are.
They are also 8th & only out the play offs on goal difference !!!

 ;)

ifollow commentated maybe a mix of better away support and few stay aways around the protest purposes.

Ofoborh on for Clarke.

Good game by Clarke again today.

Glatzel on for Smith.

Smith really led the line well today.

If we can get to 90 mins without conceding we might take a point (sorry scars of Wrexham away talking).

Smith seems to have had an attitude adjust in recent weeks.
Not in the goals but a proper team performance from him today.

Assume you mean again…..


I can’t see it!

His hold up play was excellent today again. Bringing players into the game, it seems to have been since his argument with Bycroft that its changed.

Any danger of two mins added on or something as well and not 6 to 9?

Realistically probably got 10 mins left of this including what they keep adding on.

Prefer the old days when games finished at 4.45😁

Why cant Tshimanga play like that every week? he took that ball so well and found his target with the pass too.

Get the ball in the corner!

You have to credit Hollaway for that, good man management.  One of the reasons that he is by far the better option than Kennedy

Confidence?

Wright FK to Ofoborh who pokes it over the bar from 6 yards.

Tish manga 😂(Bodin)

Easy save by Barden from a long shot.

Just grab a fourth and it moves up a place in the table

Been a really good performance outside of a few hilarious falling over or just generally shitting the bed moments.

6 mins added.

Typical 6 mins.

6 it is

Totally agree

Morecambe 2-0 down, Carlisle still 0-0

Longelo on for Hall.

For the first time, subs have been spot on

Agree.

Cotteril does superb there to win a freekick.

Absolutely.

Concur.
Smith’s attitude has definitely changed for the better.
Any option would have been better than Kennedy.

Corner to Swindon.

Accrington have done ot for us by conceding a second

TBF I expected nothing from today especially after seeing the line up.

I will admit I was wrong.

Not only 3 points on top of Morecambe today and 2 on Carlisle, but now level on points with Accrington and ahead on GD, although Accrington have a game in hand.

Really positive.

A Port fail winner would be even better but might be asking a bit much.

It’s worked but some odd omissions (unless they are ill)

3 points will do though…

FT 3-1

Fairly solid and very happy with that.

Good team performance that. We were even good at time wasting!

Same I expected thew worst.

Morecambe finishes 2-0 to Bromley.

Wow! Didn’t expect that. But it feels good!

Absolutely fucking outrageous (and very telling) that Grimsby are a play off chasing team in this division.

On that admittedly one game with very strong weather conditions they were absolutely toilet.

I might be looking too far ahead but Harrogate losing to Walsall 2-0 is also positive.

Also Harrogate & Tranmere losing helps.

Carlisle FT 0-0. Can't have it all our own way but fuck me that is pretty close.

Well done lads. We have good players and they showed it today. Tshimanga has been poor til today,hope that kicks him on now.

Credit to Holloway on his 1000th game.

Needed that. Also need to build on it though.

Dizzy heights of 21st although others have games in hand.

Let’s hope it’s a kick start to a Fjortoft like run rather than a Dossevi one off !!!

Crucially now we're actually out of the bottom two even if Carlisle win their game in hand, which wasn't the case previously.

And 5 points above Morecambe on the same number of games.

Was it his 1000th game then? First I've heard of it...

Just one game but two up front big man medium sized man looks so much better than three.

Just a shame it took so long to realise it. Still, hope he sticks with it.

He’s taken enough stick recently so credit where it’s due.

Great turn out and atmosphere at the protest and really enjoyed the first half (we left at half time as my lad wasn't feeling very well).
A much needed win and a well delivered message today, well done Rich, Dan and Terry and the others who organised.

Some Grimsby forum comments.

That is my slight concern, he doesn't seem to stick with much! Still, a win is a win.

Not read back. Dirk H get much stick from the Mariners?

Holloway:
- Score at the end was most pleasing
- Horrendous day. Blustery. It changes things
- Stepped forward. Boys know what we are trying to do.
- We are trying to play in their half.
- We didn't make mistakes at the back
- Overplaying on a day like this. It causes all sorts of trouble.
- Have to start practicing penalties! Not sure why Tshimanga didn't take it
- Last week, the fella who said 'You didn't have a shot at goal mate!' I told him Bradford only had 1 last week. We had 17 this week. TalkSport wanted to know what he was arguing with supporter about.
- People need support. Our fans were with them from the start today.
- Major step forward in the changing room. They are learning.
- What we have done this week is amazing (Senior and junior Christmas parties). Carol concert that the players are going to tomorrow. Swindon is all about the community. Its great everyone is a bit happier today. We have to unite
- Changes today?: Down to injuries. Drinan hamstring. Smith hamstring. McGregor has the same injury as Minturn. Clarke and Hall off to protect them.
- First time we have seen the 3 CBs play together, the 2 main midfielders and the 2 main strikers all playing together.
- We are starting to deal with set backs a bit better
- Need senior players look after younger ones. They've done it today. Lets see more against Wimbledon
- Penalties: Wright is the main taker. Need to practice them or Holloway will have to tell the ref to just give the opposition a goal kick instead
- 1000 feels great now. Will have a mince pie and cream to celebrate.

McGregor having a potentially serious injury would be a blow... but may also be the only way he's still a Swindon player on Feb 1st.

I could get behind a silver lining with that. Lets hope its just a 6 to 8 week serious.

Proper looking forward to Boxing Day now

It’s amazing that the crowd would get behind a team that plays like they give a shit.
From minute 1 the players looked up for it, even Cotterill was putting his foot in when needed (which is clearly not his game).

Was surprised that the Grimsby fans didn’t give Holloway more abuse, especially as they didn’t play at all well.

We probably should have been out of sight before they got their penalty, but at least we managed to handle them pretty well after they scored.

If it’s going to have this sort of an effect, maybe we should protest every week 😂

they had a bed sheet that said he was a cunt, at least.

Its so much this. At any level this is the bare minimum required.

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

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXMt9K9vIAs

Thought Clarke set the tone well today and is showing why we signed him, him and Smith seem to drive standards and communicate well throughout the game. Wright, Hall, Delaney back 3 looked relatively comfortable too but I imagine we won’t see much of it due to injury/if Wright departs in January.

Tshimanga better today as well. Overall a good day but need to sort those penalties out, been fortunate today and against Doncaster that it’s not resulted in more of a momentum swing resulting in dropped points.

Not sure who I prefer at LWB out of Cox, Longelo and Kirkman. Equally happy with any of them and not minding if any were to depart in January (perhaps harsh on Kirkman).

Holloway unnecessary comments about the hats in the post match sours the feeling.

Artell's post match:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60nZqjHrdNw

Highlights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXMt9K9vIAs

Smith hamstring??

He went to ground late on holding his hamstring and had to be subbed. has to be a worry as he doesnt go to ground injured often unless he really is injured.

At the time I thought it was just an experienced player killing some time in a game we were ahead in. If it's more than that it'd be a shame. He looked fine giving it the big one to the DRS after mind.

He looked mildly ginger coming off..

Clearly not a high grade issue, but boxing day might be a bit soon

.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DCTPHNF81w

I didn’t think Tshimanga had that type of performance in him! So fair play to the bloke. Be some turnaround if he kicks on from here as he has resembled a sort of Dossevi-Pericard hybrid for the rest of his spell.

A while before he was subbed he seemed to gesture to the bench that he didn't need to be subbed so hopefully he is fit to play, he will be a big miss if he isn't - who thought we would be saying this about him 10 games ago ?!

ALL he needed to do was STAY ON HIS FUCKING FEET!

Hardly fell over at all on Saturday and it made a big difference.