Thetownend.com

I hope we have a good turnout for this, will be an early start. Hopefully some payback.

Town 3-1 Vale att: 7,311 (685 away)

Be my first game since Colchester in the FA Cup.

Glad you pointed this out, I had completely missed it being a 12:30

I will be in Blackpool for the weekend watching the delights of Vengaboys and Black Lace so will be watching on mobile.

A win would be massive but I would be happy with a draw.

Have a feeling this'll be the end of the run. 2-1 them.

And here's hoping I maintain my record of being wrong 99.9% of the time with predictions.

I hope you are wrong (dont we all) but we are all wary this run will come to an end at some point.

But, Vale have a pretty poor record at the County Ground with 2x 6-0 defeats, a 5-0 and a 5-2 win for Town as well.

Vale have only won here just once in the last 11 meetings with Town winning 8 of them WLWDWWDWWWW.

They are unbeaten in 5 (the same as us) but we have an extra win in that run to them.

Port Vale are 2nd in the away form table with 7 wins, 4 draws and 4 defeats scoring 17 and conceding 16.

Swindon are 14th in the home form table with 6 wins 3 draws and 5 defeats scoring 23 and conceding 19 goals.

Keep on Running, Spencer Davis ???

A month ago I'd have said another defeat at home, however based on recent results I think we could win, but a draw is probably likely.

We’ve only beaten Grimsby out of the top ten clubs this season.

True. But we've also picked up a bit of momentum and recent home form is exceptional

It's doing to be a very interesting test indeed.

What may do us is Clarke and maybe Delaney bring missing. We have better options this year, but we still rely on a few

Or to put it another way, we have only beaten Grimsby, Colchester and Cheltenham out of all the teams above us currently.

Nows the time to change that!

Vale got dicked by Grimsby 3-0 just over a month ago  ;)
In fact, just 8 days after we beat them 3-1.

I would fucking love to get one over on these.

Please Swindon.

We'll win. I'm sure of it! In fact, I boldy predict we'll only lose 3 more games

True, but we only won 2 away games in the entirety of 2024 and have already won 2 in 2025.

Thought we were good for a win away at Dons and home v Crewe. This league is dreadful and I'm pretty confident any team could beat any other on their day.

Got a feeling this will be a draw.

I see Port Vale suffered a heavy 4-1 home defeat to Wrexham yesterday in the Mickey Mouse Cup.

They seemed to play a very changed line up compared to Saturday though.

In my head Port Vale were 2nd in the league and a very good side.
Turns out they're 6th and I was getting them mixed up with Notts County.

A 2-0 win to continue our great run.

Think they were third last week, it's close from 7th to 2nd.

Only 3 points between 16th and 10th too TBF.

Looks like they're bringing around 600, should add to the atmosphere nicely  :)

Tin potteries.

Hopefully find somewhere in the Hout Bay/Cape Town area to watch this one.

I do have a feeling the wheels may come off our waggon and thus I’ll take a draw.

Vale have only sold around 500 tickets for this game so far.

Considering the early kick off and the distance that's not bad at all really.

Enjoy.  I love it down there.

Plus all our nawty boi fans on SM being all over sorting the PV fans out next time they come down after the PO game has probably put the casual/family fans off attending a bit.....

If it is still there, try the Firemans Arms- sports bar and good food.

We stayed in a hotel next door during the rugby world cup some years ago. Not a lot of sleep when SA were playing.

Its OK, the ultras are going to be busy beating up us Orange hatters behind the north stand

What all four of them ;)

lets hope the curse of MOM award doesn't strike us  :(

Hopefully we'll prove it to be the urban myth we know that it really is...

Ripley isn't playing - Gentlemen's agreement made by Holloway upon signing him, assume with Darren Moore - fuck that, start him!

If its not written down, start him.

If Bycroft makes a blunder it'll look dumb. We don't owe Vale anything. Gonna be a tough enough game as it is with Clarke and Kilkenny out

Yeah i'm in that camp! Start him, get in their heads  :D

Clarke and Kilkenny both out tomorrow, central midfield could be a bit... weak. Good luck Nnamdi.

Give Bycroft a chance!

I predict one handed catches from crosses throughout!

https://x.com/skysportspl/status/1351666639025172482?s=46&t=JFJ6WuyoqR937j03pvTFhQ

Remember this from a few years ago, unsure if either club did get in trouble for it.

I imagine Bycroft might get injured early on?

Straight talking Ollie…..enjoyed that
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igwH-L2ApD0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQ6CAy9BaQk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwIzWDtL8Go

Jimmy

Totally agreed also enjoyed Ian Holloway's interview. But surely Connor Ripley's interview showed a very mature and realistic young man who should good for the future of STFC.    

Just had a parcel for Connor Ripley…
So, I hope he gets it tomorrow!!

I like the way Holloway tells it how he sees it with no sugar coating. Yes agree Ripley is showing a lot of maturity which can only help the players around him.

With tickets still to be purchased at the ground, looks like today might be a half decent crowd? (By this seasons standards)

Just thinking back to the way their supporters acted after that play off game I have a renewed sense of anger. Hope we batter these today

Gentlemans agreement so the new keeper cant play

What load of old shite

The ire has pretty much faded after the game at their place earlier in the season.

Now indifferent to Port Vale, just another obstacle in the way of a potential 3 points.

Should be a good test.
We should be much more competitive this time round hopefully.

The Port Vale manager in his press conference said that was nonsense and he expected to see Ripley play. Personally as Vale will know his faults, I'd be tempted to play Bycroft or Barden anyway.

Think the midfield and left side is more of a problem. Ofoborh will have his work cut out with Cain, Cotterill, Butterworth and Nicholls for company in some set up

 looking forward to a comfortable win today. could be 6-0 . we will continue to rise up as we march towards the play offs . 

MC Gregor back. That's good

(https://scontent-cdg4-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/476792866_1062533035915118_6465736481717479169_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=aG_F6pZotPUQ7kNvgHIOAV5&_nc_oc=AdgWlHxE1MIfMk6kcELAeR8VtabwEGwNpGyUlVS8FVc6rP7_kFY80govtP_b7IFXufU&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-cdg4-2.xx&_nc_gid=Am7hqhl8_GkKEvYZ6TPYaTi&oh=00_AYA4gjQmA3W362JbTIzBR5kJ7SXOpGXo0qARibM_AEASzQ&oe=67AD13EE)

If we beat Vale with that midfield then I really might believe.

Is this a sky + thingy

Yep

Wouldn't take a genius to know what Bycroft and Barden's faults are mind, there are plenty!

Yup, for the last 6/7 games, every corner every single opposition corner has been whipped in under the crossbar.

Wrong audio on I follow!

Absolutely. Any ball into the box is going to be a challenge. Hopefully our centre halves continue to be dominant.

Sky + commentator thus far (as in pre kick off) has been awful

‘Port Vale in the race for automatic play off places’ not the NFL mate!

Swindon commentary on port vale feed

Not sure that was ‘great’ goal keeping either Mr Sky + commentator

Nice of Wright to lay their striker off for a shot there.

Oxymoron, automatic play off

I've got port Vale on swindons so may switch.

Big let off there.

Port Vale are clearly a different animal to the teams we've beaten who are struggling, but on the positive side we still look like creating something.

To be fair we’re missing 2 or 3 first teamers who would make a significant difference today.

Port Vale definitely identified Smith to try and frustrate in order to get him booked and/or sent off

https://x.com/BBCSport/status/1888205795931680797?s=19

In other news.....

Ofoborh-ray - makes him sound more exotic though…so there is that…

Great pass from Nichols to Drinan but no one there for the drag back. Perhaps he should have had a shot from the angle

Plus they’re going down the side that Cain is on more often than not. Not really a surprise.

Commentary has switched back to Swindon feed

Yeah mines switched as well.

Smith needs to be careful

That was very silly. Pen town.

Very casual pen, 1-0

Sky commentator has no idea that we've missed an absolute shedload of penalties this season, suggesting this was our third penalty of the season and Wright the third penalty taker

NICE!!!   Finally able to watch some of a match.   But on my mobile so can’t be on here and watch.  But wanted to say hello from KC! 

Does anyone have any idea if the Sky commentary is done remotely as he seems to react to the pictures?

Liked how we worked a bit of space for what should have been a shot before the pen. They really did panic in defence, more of that please!

 just keep on winning. dunno what Holloway has done to revive his flagging career.

Hello from the U.S.,also!  Smith must have called the ref something.  Going to the SuperBowl?

Why do commentators always apologise for bad language heard in the background? Football fans have heard plenty of that and as he said it’s out of their hands. Just ignore it!

Fucking right!

Has the ref seen a 50/50 before??

1-1 really good move to be fair.

Bycroft should have done better.

Fucking gentleman's agreement.

Another one through Bycroft

He’s not the worst keeper I’ve ever seen play for Town but is starting to feel like the one who has the most shots go through him.

Maybe he’s a ghost

Because some people are very very very very sensitive and complain.

Felt a bit soft. As was the pen though. Very L2

The pen was about as nailed on as penalties get?!

Big let off as Garrity gets one impressively far wide from the edge of the six yard box.

Yeah that's as stone wall as a wall made of stone. Nothing soft about it.

I think he means soft as in stupid to concede, rather than wrong. if you're a defender being done by a dribbling Nnamdi Ofoborh you probably have some questions to answer.

Another let off thankfully dreadful finishing

Great dive by Bycroft, though.

I mean soft, as in piss weak tackle attempt. The defending, not the decision.

Oh dear.

Tolaj of Aldershot

He loves a pantomime dive doesn’t he

Been coming

Fuck me Bycroft. Hands made of weetabix.

Not sure what the XG was for the Vale goals but a good keeper might have saved one or both.

This lot are much better than us.

And Bycroft is still total shit. At least Ripley will be in goal next week.

2-2

Wow great response

Absolute gift

Drinan you fucking warrior!!!!

That was through sheer determination and willpower, great goal.

I know it’s difficult for Sky+ commentators when they have to do it solo but this one is poor.

Goes without saying but Holloway has improved this teams mentality like 900%.

From as far back as Garner we’d concede & then look like lost 7 years olds playing afterwards.

Funny half. Vale look a better side but we're determined and trying hard and so far that's evening out.

All sorts going on off the ball which could boil over at some point.

No yellows is amazing.

If Ripley started, is that 2-0 at halftime? Not saying that would be deserved but…

I don’t think we concede either, if not at least one of those goals with Clarke playing. He sits in and around that gap between Wright and Sobowale enough to mostly cover defensive inefficiencies between them

Enjoyed that first half. Vale clearly possess a bit more quality than us but we are competing well. That midfield and Cain at left back tho...

I believe so. Solid performances all over the pitch bar bycroft who made one good save and two soft as fuck in.

I don't like banging on about Bycroft as he's young and a toen fan but fuck me, both absolutely soft as shite.

Yeah head straight down after conceding under a multitude of managers.

1st goal was shite and the second was quite close to him but the defending was terrible all round

Can't believe Bycroft is getting grief for that second goal to be honest

Interesting “clear cut chances” stat at half-time. 0-1 apparently, wonder has that one is worked out. I’m thinking maybe if a goal scored they don’t count it?

Agrred, unlucky with the first, beaten but close.

First Half

After c15mins of some turgid Radio Stoke comms {sorry Radio Stoke}, who seemed to ignore Town's recent uplift of 4 wins on the spin and only concentrated on league position. It was the kind of observation you might expect from the ignorance or leaning bias of a fan - not from a BBC commentator. Still, it seems like even the uninformed ''are-we-from-cheshire-or-are-we-from-brum'' commentators were somewhat better than Sky+ who appear to have invented a new format for league promotion.

Thankfully, order was restored with Radio Wilts filtering back into my hearing funnels and the soft tones of Hawes. Pleasantly followed by the gentle lingering Welsh noted of Paul Bodin. Praise be for a commentary at home without ''dour'' Deeeve 'Ockadeee.

Moments later, Town get clobbered in the Port Vale box and Ofoborh shows Tshimanga just how to win a legitimate penalty. January Transferee elect, Will Wright, steps up {as both temporary captain and penalty taker} to slot home a cool and somewhat casual penalty. For a moment there were shades of the ball, slowly heading the wrong side of the post but like my fears, the ball crept in on the correct side of the goal line and all fears of penalties versus Port Vale were put to the sword. 1 - 0 {Wright, pen 20mins}

It wasn't long before Vale hit back with a pretty well worked goal. A goal that if we are honest, was coming and surprised that their early efforts hadn't proved fruits. A minute or two proving this as Garrity shanked a golden chance to level. Stockley continued a move which led to Headley who completed a very well worked goal. Some suspect keeping though from Bycroft though. 1 - 1 {Headley, 31mins}

The threat of Stockley was soon reduced for Town as he went off injured but it was Vale who took the lead, with arguably an even better worked goal than their equaliser. A good passing exchange ended with Croasdale providing for Tolaj. You could see the relative quality coming through and some good pressing as a unit from Vale. Clearly showing why they are probably nearer the top, yet like many teams in League Two - not without their faults. Would we see a better goal in this game? 1 - 2 {Tolaj, 40mins}

To answer the last question, indeed we did, and it was to come from Town. A sublime move which involved the tireless Aaron Drinan, who set up the in form Butterworth, scoring a beautiful equaliser. 2 - 2 {Buttersby, 45mins}

More of the same second half but hopefully a result in Town's favour. I'm now feeling Town can even come away from this with 3pts but a single one would be just as welcome. A great half and nice to see two teams trying to play football. I'll add, it is a much better display than that of Mansfield v Northampton in the League above. Plenty of orange hats in attendance and reports so far seem good natured from all areas concerned. C.O.Y.R

Some are wearing Australian hats today then and have posted a hilarious message of reasons why they support clem. The paper is posted on one of the FB groups including a new pitch as a reason 😂.

Any ideas on numbers of these oz hats?

Harry Smith sprinting across the pitch to slide tackle someone is both great to see and terrifying.

Ref's just fucking guessing there. No foul there by us

This ref has turned to shite

Needs to go to go to Specsavers.

He's being given a lot of decisions to make, it's a very niggly game now. He is not excelling.

What a Fucking hit that is

Joel Cotterill, take several bows. Worldie. 3-2

Absolute belter

Goal of the fucking season!!!!

It's live broadcasting conditions regarding foul and abusive language. Apologies are given generally because lots of sports matches include many viewers/listeners that are young children/not an adult. Given that it is a broadcast before the watershed, then OfCom would likely have something to say about the BBC or Sky, not acknowledging a moment somewhat beyond their control. Since it's a ''live'' feed/stream, there's limited opportunities for censoring and unpredictable moment. It's much easier from any legal standpoints to make a quick apology. It doesn't matter that you've heard every eff and jeff in the land at a match, on TV/Radio, it's pretty common and accepted that swearing isn't rally something anyone desires to hear on.

Your comment almost sounds like you've never heard of the watershed? Even then, there are conditions for live broadcast, when sports continues after 9pm. Ergo, the same conditions pre watershed still apply, due to the potential audience still tuning in. Surely it's much easier for you to just ignore the very short and understandable apology?

Back to the match, a largely uneventful second half. Maybe time to make some changes if going for a win? Game of chess for both managers seemingly. Who will make the first move....

Edit: No fucking need...Cotterill...Cotterill? Fuck me, the goals in this match just keep getting better. A rocket ship of a goal. 3 - 2  :pint:

Wowzers! What a hit!

Feel like we've had a few stonking long range goals this season. Will be a good competition eos.

....but Bycroft would've saved it!😜

Yellow for Vale's Smith for slapping the ball

You say that but they apologise on sky at 11 at night when the corners swear at their fighter in boxing.

Drinners.... at both ends!

Smith is winning every header up front, guy is a unit

Come on town...

Same thing {as mad as that sounds}, and it's probably to do with what time the broadcast starts. Undercards tend to start before the watershed. Broadcasters just can't risk it, it's much easier and accepted to just give a quick apology. I understand how that can be frustrating or even somewhat amusing and I'd agree myself in certain scenarios. I don't think a broadcaster, if they never apologised would want to risk losing broadcasting rights to an event due to simply note apologising.

One thing that may work in future is that a simple disclaimer before an event starts, with the occasional reminder during a break. Similar to what happens for TV Shows and movie broadcasts for quite some time now, giving parental guidance or mentioning that ''the following programme is a live broadcast and may contain some moments of strong language, normally suitable for mature and adult audiences. Parental/Guardian discretion is advised when watching with young children''. problem somewhat solved with no need for it to be mentioned ''in game''.

Also, football/sports match or not. Some people just don't really like swearing, even if it is commonplace {esp. in football}. They've every right to enjoy the match as anyone else  :)

3 changes

Attendance 7,606

3-3.

Fuck sake. He's made that worse there getting in the way.

Even bycroft would have saved that surely.

Lucky goal that,though I'm not sure why Ofo dropped back

Buggar. Ofoborh trying to do the right thing, ultimately does the wrong thing  :crash:

All about holding on for a point now I think. Vale have the momentum

Huge save from Bycroft saves a point.

Well now that is a good save.

Great save.

Shame we couldn't hold on. Still a great result though.

Fun game

Will take a point, could have won or lost. Pitch is killer though, looks really poor at the moment and a real energy sapper.

Great game, fair result, shame we couldn't hold out but chalk and cheese to first half of the season

Good game and shows how much we have improved

But we have a new pitch given to us by our lord and saviour Clem Morfini

Hindsight everything but I’d have been tempted to bring Hall on instead of one of the McGregor/Glatzel/Westley 3 when Drinan went off

Well,we were "clearly" the better side in that half so I guess a fair result. Personally didn't think we needed 3 changes but it's a good performance. Hard to pick any one out as nobody had a bad game but shout out to Jake Cain and the whole midfield who lessened the impact of no Clarke or Kilkenny.

Good entertainment value. Lots of hard work. Even ignoring his goal I thought Cotterill caught the eye, kept the ball well, looked to play forward. Plenty of 6.5/10s or above. They are making the early season mess look ridiculous.

 Predicted 6 goals, albeit I didn't think they would be divided equally between the 2 sides . 2 points dropped.

Oops wrong thread.

Good game that was

Before the 3pm kick’s we’re 12th exactly half way in the league.

Given the Infinite Improbability Drive of the ref, happy with a point, don't forget that there were key absentees.

A bit disappointed that we could not hold on, and when Bycroft pulled off that tremendous save I thought that we had done enough. The shot that led to their equaliser was going wide until it hit our defender but that is the type of luck teams get when at the top end. With the recent games the subs made all the difference but it did not quite work out as well today mores the pity. From where we were to where we are and playing like we are now I will happily take.

Second Half

Not a lot to really add here. The ref appeared to deteriorate and whilst having more decisions to make, seemed like a totally different official.

Really this half was defined by the two goals. Yet again, the progression of goals becoming absolute worldies was affirmed by Cotterill...effing Cotterill hits an absolute beast from outside the box, right before a game of chess was about to ensure for both managers. Town seemed to be in control for this period with not a lot happening. 3pts suddenly seemed like it could be a very distinct reality.  3 - 2 {Cotterill,  63mins}

It wasn't to be and possibly fatigue with a stretched side. A somewhat tired Ofoborh, trying to do the right thing {could possibly argue in that moment he knows that Bycroft is limited, so made his decision based on trying to protect his keeper} - did the wrong thing and allowed the ever present Tolaj to pounce. He made sure there was no doubt and rifled the ball high into the roof of the net pretty much at the death. 3 -  3 {Tolaj, 87mins}

A late save from Bycroft, but it was a very dramatic save, which likely didn't need the theatrics but it ultimately prevented Port Vale obtaining a very late winner. That would likely have been somewhat undeserved as both teams matched one another. A point probably in all fairness, and later on reflection a very good result. To take from this, gives a measure of the bar for the league and an indicator of where Town's true position at this moment should be. It certainly feels more like the level in this division that Town should always be at - at a bare minimum. Ergo, having promotion form and competing in the Top 7. Let us not be swayed, this should always be the minimum demanded in League Two.

Good to see, a somewhat great game for the neutral. A much better advert for lower league footy than the Mansfield v Northampton match last night {which was supposedly a league above, watching it felt like a league below and it was only slightly better than the ''glamour'' FA Cup tie involving Man Utd and Leicester}. Initial disappointment not to come away with a win should soon come to good reflection that this was a good draw and Town genuinely now start looking up the table rather than down, as they enter the final third of the season

FT 3 - 3 {Wright, Butterworth, Cotterill; Headley, Tolaj x2}

Att: 7,606 {549 Valiant Pork Pies}

My PotM: Drinan {despite going off injured}. He didn't score today but pretty much everything he did today was that unabashed hard work and teamwork, whilst also leading towards a key moment of play for a goal or an assist. Butterworth a very close second.

It was, but it was also laden with some heavy GK amateur dramatics too. Still, good save in the moment and kept the match rightfully level  :)

Totally agree. Today gave the indicator can compete at the bare minimum level that they should be in this division. Good to see, especially against one of the early season contenders. Port Vale should be good for finishing in a PO spot I think.

Their "shit Jimmy Bullard" went down like a wet lettuce every opportunity. It was obvious they were gonna equalise

League Two Half Time Scores {including results from today's early KOs}

Bradford City 1 - Harrogate Town 0 - Full Time

Swindon Town 3 - Port Vale 3 - Full Time

==============================

Accrington Stanley 0 - 0 AFC Wimbledon 

Barrow 0 - 0 Gillingham

Colchester United 0 - 0 Walsall

Crewe Alexandra 0 - 2 Newport County

Fleetwood Town  1 - 0 Cheltenham Town

Grimsby Town 0 - 1 Carlisle United

Franchise 0 - 0 Bromley

Notts County 0 - 0 Morecambe

Salford City 0 - 0 Tranmere Rovers

Fleetwood currently winning and the MK and  Col Utd draws, push them above Town as it stands. HT score of note is Carlisle. Will be a good win for them if they do so. They deserve to stay in the football league, even if only based on both of their performances versus Town. Another team that actually tries and wants to play some football. I definitely see Harrogate and poss Barrow getting drawn into a relegation battle. Hopefully Gills too  :girlgiggle:

.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEnzeV7JZug

Just back. Great game. Great atmosphere. Fair result.

Impressed with Vale, tbh.

First time The Merlin wasn’t open for away fans. Bit churlish.

Just thinking about the game and came to realise that it's such a long time since I've seen us involved in such an entertaining 90 minutes. The final 10 minutes of the Tranmere game was wonderful but when did we last see an engrossing match with two sides playing well?

Draw was a fair result to be honest.

Notts Co are gonna win this League. With 45 points to play for, we have a decent chance of getting in the top 7. Gillingham EAT DIRT!

Hutton only on the bench no sign of Williams must be injured again.

We'd need to make to 11 or 12 points in 16 games.

Minimal chance.

What a strange league with Newport winning 3-0 at Crewe.

Decent point, keeps the momentum going as Vale are decent side.
Win next week would be huge

Really enjoyable match.  Ref was a joke.  Amazing goal from Cotterill.

1 Turnstile open in the townend again.  Massive queues.  Joke club.

Love the football hate the regime.

5 minutes before kick off and the town end queue was practically up to the club shop. Complete joke.

There’s hundreds of small examples like this that show massive incompetence.

They. Do. Not. Care.

WTF are the stewards scanning for with those wands at the turnstiles? Sort of thing you see at Gatwick.

Port Vale on obvious upgrade on what we’ve played recently but we were competitive through out & closing to winning.

One of those you’d take a draw before the game but don’t feel satisfied with that draw when you’ve conceded in the last 5 minutes.

…as I said around half time - the mental resilience we now see from Holloway’s Swindon has been lacking for years now.

Again, if everyone was on the same amount of games I’d feel that maybe a late play off run was on but with being 2-3 games ahead probably not.

Still - could be worse on the field, that’s for sure.

Given where we were in just happy not to be Carlisle, Morecambe or Tranmere

Couldn’t get anywhere to watch live in Cape Town. Shopping 🙄 with our friends, minor concession. So followed on my phone. Good point. Keep up the orange protests.

Oh, you're in Cape Town? You never mentioned it.

My picture was perfect in Northamptonshire.

Where in Northamptonshire do you live Bobs Orange?

Technically Daventry, but the neighbours insist we're Drayton, which is basically a village enclave in Dav. Found a fellow town fan in Southam, which is about 10 miles away. Unfortunately seen more Oxford fans here than the reds. Plenty of Villa and Birmingham and Northampton Saints also. (egg chasing)

We live in Chipping Norton quite a few Swindon fans here, but also a lot of Oxford round here and Banbury.

.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7igpRodGdU

Blimey did I watch a different game? Port Vale fans on their forum saying they should have won easily and Amos was at fault for Cotterill's exocet, they reckon he should have saved it.

Cotterill's goal would have been better stopped by any sort of closing down whatsoever from the Vale players. He had enough time to make his dinner before shooting.

Couldn't make it up.

Fair comments below from the PV Forum

Disappointed that we fell into the trap of tit for tat niggly stuff and falling out with their players, who clearly set out to get under our skin.  Just play the game.  We were more than good enough to beat these today but the individual errors at both ends of the pitch cost us.


I agree GR, but as a spectacle on TV, watching Smith vs Smith was a heck of a bit of entertainment 🤣🤣🤣
I acknowledge he is a complete knob, but we have had some blimming good ding dongs with Harry Smith over the last couple of seasons - not sure id want him playing for us, but theres something "pantomime villain" about him that I quite like

Nice to see Ian Holloway kept to the agreement about Ripley - I know he gets a lot of stick, but iv always been quite fond of IH - he is a character fer sure, and lord knows in this modern day, they are in short supply

I cant remember watching a match as enjoyable as yesterday for a long long time - thought it was a magnificent advert for division 4 - sorry, league 2  😜 - can imagine any floating premier league fan watching on the off chance would have thought "what the fook is going on here"😍😍😍

EDIT - soz GR, iv tagged you in on this post, but re-reading, mines more of an observational post rather than a reply to your post which I liked 👍have a great Sunday 💜💜💜 (purple hearts for the purple prince 😍😍)

I’ve seen enough of Wright and Delaney now to think there’s a good enough CB partnership there for next season if they have a strong goalkeeper behind them, hopefully the trio of them and Ripley can build something between now and May to take into next season.

I’m undecided on the full backs. Sobowale floats between good and not good enough a bit too much in my opinion, I think with a properly creative right winger ahead of him or him in the right side of a back 3, I’d lean more towards wanting to keep him around. Too much change on the left hand side to nail one down, Kirkman shown promise, Cox a bit here and there but consistently dangerous crosses.

Easy to be a manager from the stands though  :D

Any chance Kirkman and McGregor are both good enough to fill the full back/wing back roles as first choice in a successful side next season?

Both products of our youth system so might be biased but I think they could be.

Did you mean to say Chard rather than Cox?

Kirkman sorry, not Cox.

My bold in the quote. What the actual fuck? Talk about wearing Pork Vile Goggles- the PV duo of Smith and Hall were all over St Harry of Smith in a failed bid to wind him up into a sending off.

Yeah some of those comments are actually mental.

I thought Port Vale were a typically good lower league team.
They were dirty, niggly & physical but could play a bit when they needed too.
It’s pretty much what we have become under Holloway and led to a pretty decent game.

Thought we were a bit fortunate to be level at HT, but that for most of the second half we were the better team.

Ref appeared a bit clueless, had no idea what to do about the tussles between Smith & their defence, so appeared to give them based on who’s turn it was (they got one then we got one) rather than actually work out who was at fault, but he did give us the penalty (which was pretty stonewall).

I thought the second comment was fair giving Holloway a little praise and saying that it was an entertaining game and it wasn’t too long ago Smith was getting stick from home fans.

Looking back, I think the single most impressive and important thing about the Holloway period is how much our average-to-middling players have improved. Under Kennedy, Smith, Wright and Kilkenny (and McGregor) were all decent performers just regularly let down by those around them.

Now we're getting genuinely good performances reasonably consistently out of the likes of Drinan, Butterworth, Cotterill, Delaney (I'll allow that he may always have been good, just wasn't fit yet under Kennedy), Tshimanga and so on.

The good thing is that this feels much more sustainable as there's not one stand out star who can be sold easily.

I do have some lingering concerns about whether Holloway really "does" flair players or whether it's going to be graft and graft again, but he's certainly earned the opportunity to show us either way. Mea culpa, I got the mad old bastard wrong.

Nemo
Your comments about Ian Holloway are right in my opinion.
He was always a player and then manager who stood out. Generally for the right reasons.
Could never understand why Swindon never appeared to be interested when he openedly requested an interview at the club many years back and reportedly the club were not interested.
Suppose a bit like the now manager of Grimsby who wanted to come here. Seems to be doing some really good things there  and was not appointed when Morris and Kennedy were employed. What balls up they were.
I am enjoying the improvements and the interviews from Ian Holloway. Makes I laff !!!
Long may it continue. COYRs

I suppose if we had scored the worldy third in ET to draw , we would of been bouncing....as it was...

I was quite satisfied myself. They are a team in the mix  and we more than held our own against them. I just felt the equaliser was coming.

Ref was rabbit in the headlights but i thought equally bad for both sides.

The wonder strike was impressive and i will never forget the keeper almost horizontal as the net bulged from the TE. One of the best ive seen at the Town.

We now unbeaten in 6 and that is something that i just couldnt predict as i trudged out after losing to Morecambe and firmly believing we were doomed. Such a turnaround.

Lets see where we end up but the relief at seeing us avoid the abyss (less a disaster that even we couldnt deliver) is a great comfort to me.

NB - Another joke getting in, one turnstile open in the TE....queue to TE exit when i joined and it was back to the shop before they opened another.

Has this happened before? Specifically the TE.

I wondered if the PV coach parking where it did somehow had an effect. But if you can get to 1 turnstyle you can get to all of them so probably not.

PV's coaches moved into place after the match had started.  There was no reason to not open more than one turnstile.  Other than shit management.

I was stood in a long queue at 12.32, the 2nd turnstile was opened after kick off as far as I could tell.

So they’ve opened an extra set of turnstiles in the DRS, but presumably at the cost of the TE.
It’s Titanic management, (just moving deck chairs around as it sinks)

Some of it really is night and day. I would say Butterworth is the most improved, but few contenders.

Wasn't he in the frame when we got Wilson? I seem to remember laughing at people saying they wanted the guy who was a supporter, player and manager of a Bristol club but didn't want the guy who just managed one.

Can't remember if he was actually a candidate or people were just saying they'd like him.

Think it was around then he just turned up in the Town End for a game.

Not sure if he was genuinely interested in the job or whether it was just a bit of a stunt to get his name in circulation again.

I enjoyed the game, a draw was a fair result, we battled very well and almost got the win, not convinced by Bycroft again as I thought th eone that went under his body was very weak.

Ofoborhs error was unfortunate too, in so much that it fell kindly for the striker, but 1 point is still decent against a pretty good team.

Not really any MotM for me it was a team effort, Cotterils goal was excellent and Wrights penalty was one of the clamest I have ever seen.

If my memory is correct...

Ian Holloway had been released from managing one of the London clubs he was involved with. Seem to think it was QPR. Yes, he tried promoting himself by going to see a a game or two at the County Ground and claimed that he wanted to get a feel of the club by going into the Town End. Perhaps it was a point of difference by the man. But as we are seeing Ian Holloway is different.

It was October 2008, home to Huddersfield. Someone should ask him….

https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/holloway-sighting-talk-town

And from page 8 here: http://thetownend.com/index.php?topic=31264.120

The thread obviously refers to Fitton throughout. Funny how that went quiet, eh.

The question is then...
Was Ian Holloway actually in the Town end watching Swindon and Huddesfield or not ?
In reality, I don;t really care.

Yes he was.

Yes he was but left early....

I've been sat on this evidence for years, looks like I never posted it.

So, 16 years later, here's the proof.

(https://i.imgur.com/JUHPZGm.png)

Is that just one turnstile open?

Indeed. One would imagine he saw the light!

Bloody hell he has aged, but then again I refuse to believe that 2008 was 17 years ago!

I can’t believe how small he is maybe he’s shrunk with age😳

Time flies when you are having fun...!!!
Looking back through those posts in 2008, Maplas had a similar track record as our latest Celt friend Kennedy.
Macari was a successful one and Wilson would be classed as successful as well.
McMahon was debatable?

No, McMahon was an asshole, always somebody else’s fault, usually the fans.

We had financial issues then!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ3rA1Nci5c

I remember being at this match  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

https://youtu.be/9cTadL6UaHs?si=R3i01VbsgTVjV8_A

Get that scouser out, get that scouser out!

I was too young to take it in when the fans went in the centre circle demanding Ricki Hunt out after getting pumped by Watford.

I actually lived on Shrivenham Road and left just before the full time whistle, walked 30 seconds out of the south stand, through the door to see the scenes on Sky Sports.

I wonder what the feelings was towards 'protesters' since then? Some people are offended by orange hats so bad, even had someone say orange hats are disruptive just like in game protests. They'd have an aneurysm if pitch invasions were happening.

Anyone remember?

McMahon was not a celt, he was a scouser with England caps, I don't disagree with anything else you said.

When we had the protests in 2007 against Mr Whippy et all, anyone know what the figures for the protests back then were out of interest?

Particulary behind the Arkells

3/400

Remember. ?. Finished up with a ban for sitting in the centre circle, still got the banning order here somewhere.

Do you remember the response from other fans? No social media back then so at least didn't have to read some of the tripe you get now online.

Think the majority of fans wanted him out anyway.  Never encountered any animosity.   Yes, he Got us promoted but every thing that went wrong was someone else’s fault.

Cheers

McMahon had gone on too long by the start of that 98/99 season. Arguably he should have gone or quit after the Stevenage FA Cup game in the January but Rikki Hunt kept backing him.

Releasing Fraser Digby in that summer was another nail in the coffin after Digger had won player of the season and kept us alive in those dodgy 2nd half of the season collapses.

I was only kid / pre teen when McMahon was here, so didn’t pay much attention to anything other than the football on the pitch…but…we haven’t finished any higher than he had us since he left right?

People will always remember that division 2 (league one) win fondly, but we shouldn't have been there in the first place.

If you couldn't get promoted with that team then I'm not sure you've ever seen football before.