Thetownend.com

Ripley ill
Clarke, Kirkman, Delaney, Butterworth all out.

Most of the Swindon team....

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Defo a loss

And Hall will most likely retire - from the presser

Also a slight dig at Ameens work rate and trying to influence him staying with us rather than moving on too early.

My money would be on Ameen leaving then

Looking forward to this, my first away game for a couple of years!

2-0 loss, but a nothing game and a weekend on the piss 👍🏻

Ripley will be pissed off, almost a home game for him, didn't Hall basically retire at the start of the season anyway?

Can a mod move this thread to its rightful Reg home, please? He will be immortally offended.

Thanks from us both :)

Did see Redman Evans got recalled yesterday, imagine he will back on the bench tomorrow.

Good opportunity for some fringe players and / or some youth players. Absolutely nothing game for us.

Maybe Fleetwood too?
Their extra 5 points puts them 6 points off the play offs though

Guessing the lineup will be something like this (4-2-3-1)

Bycroft
Sobowale
Freckleton
Wright
Cain
Ofoborh
Kilkenny
Nichols
Tshimanga
Glatzel
Smith

Bench: Evans, Hart, Coterill, Ameen, Westley, ? , ?

Fleetwood are 3rd in the form table. They've drawn their last 4 home games, which included Tranmere, Vale, Notts Co and Wimbledon. Not an easy run in fairness. They'll be looking at this as a must-win with an outside chance of reaching the play-offs. Can see them nicking it 2-1.

I'd love us to give Redman the game. He's under contract next season, Bycroft isn't.

Don't think we will though.

Same here. A few times Holloway has mentioned how well Bycroft has been training since Ripley came in so would be a big call to chose Evans instead.

Doomed!

It’ll be interesting to see if some time out of the firing line + training alongside Ripley has had any benefit to Bycroft.

Probably not the right thread, but on today's presser and injuries, any idea when Mino is due back? Last I heard was 6-8 weeks back in February?

I thought he already had!

Just the 2 Halls at STFC who've been absolutely chocolate teapot useful then!

Availability might be the most underrated skill for footballers. Will Wright has played 3516 minutes this season, 700 more than anyone else in the squad (Kilkenny 2858, Smith 2685, Sobowale 2400, Cotterill 2207, nobody else over 1850).

Wright has literally played more than double the minutes of Delaney and Clarke and five times Hall.

Considering myself and a lot of fans see Cotterill as a rotation/spare player at times. It’s interesting he’s played the 5th most minutes for us this season - I do feel there is a player in there and he only turned 20 in January this year.

Just arrived in Blackpool, anyone here already?

Pre match not looking forward to the Trumpet Hornpipe goal music in The Layton Rakes.
Five times in Nov 2015 was trauma enough.

Disappointed to learn that Master Bates, Seaman Staines & Roger the Cabin Boy were all urban myth and not actual characters from the series.
Quite upsetting for the creator by all accounts.
A pugwash on the other hand does exist as a noun and possibly a verb as well. :eek:

Not sure what will come sooner, our promotion out of this league or the former Fleetwood owner emerging from prison.
Wouldn't want to bet on it.

Very much in only here for the beer mode as this dreadful season draws to a close.
The third one in a row. Nice.

Expecting the bogs in the main stand to be as pristine as the facility next to terrace was, should the need arise, which I’m sure that it will.

Hopefully no menthol OD’s on extra strong Fisherman’s Friend in the away section today. Might shop around for so some blackcurrant ones.

The display today needs to be much better than it was last Saturday.
Past caring really, but definitely wouldn’t want to see the team get pugwashed.

We’re here, in the strawberry garden pub

Used to be good when owned by Syd Little, we went there regularly, hes moved pubs now though to The Steamer just round the corner. Lovely bloke.

I thought that Syd Little had kicked the bucket, but no, still going strong at 82.

The ability to make people laugh or smile doesn't dim with age I guess regardless of being in front of an audience or not.
It's a gift.

Saw him about 4 months ago and he looked very well and still running the kitchens in the pub.

He heard me and the wife talking with our broad west country accents and came and chatted to us for a good 10 mins, a really nice bloke.

Pleasure meeting Ginginho in the Strawberry Gardens just now.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GnxXrzUWkAAixwm?format=jpg&name=900x900)

Thought Kirkman was injured. Foye?

Not much strength on the bench, the injuries really starting to show now.

Fortunately the win in midweek makes this an even less important game so it shouldn’t have much impact on the season as a whole.

Owen Foye, teenage defensive midfielder, came on as sub vs Tottingham Hotspuds in the Mickey Mouse cup.

We've seen stronger benches.

Like in midweek where a number of the players who had played on the Saturday were on the bench & then came on in the second half.

Glad to see Kirkman starting

Don’t like Glatzel’s boots!

Some fans moan about Ripleys kicking but its way better than Bycrofts.

Good Break by Cotterill but he should have had a shot.

Wright throw to Freckleton and his flick on is picked up by the keeper.

Not sure why but it seems like every pitch we play on this season lately has been of terrible quality...ours included. No exception today too.

Sonny Hart looks like hes bulked up a bit this season sat on the bench.

Town win a corner from Wrights cross.

Smith wins the header from the corner by Kirkman but the header goes wide.

Thier keepers kicking has been awful so far, that kick nearly went out for a corner to Town.

I'm sure his Dad is an expert on that. Bloke is as wide as he is tall.

Sonny seems to be getting that way too.

Glatzel fouled near the corner flag.

Decent delivery by Wright but no Town player can get a touch to it and its cleared.

Shot by them just over the bar from 20 yards.

Think Bycroft was beaten

Kirkman with a great interception and is fouled in their half while breaking away.

Definately.

Long free kick into the box but Freckleton isnt quite quick enough to get a shot in.

Our crosses from open play cant seem to beat the 1st man every time.

Is it just me or do the pitch lines look really wide

Bycroft makes a save with his wrong hand, still keeps it out though, all starting from a mistake by Sobowale.

Its 5 yards narrower than the County Ground pitch. 65 vs 70.

I really meant the width of the pitch markings

Kilkenny nearly leaves Bycroft short with a backpass but Bycroft just gets to it in front of the striker.

Penalty to Town.

Oh right I thought they were a standard width of between 4 and 5 inches.

1-0 Tshimanga

Great penalty again.

Right, he’s got his penalty, can we take him off now? 😂

6 out of 6 pens for him.

That traffic cone outfit is genius :D

https://x.com/BinnyPiper/status/1908448134000165116?t=pBtCCns0rx1tRUcCg0F3dw&s=08

I know what 5 inches looks like

I think Smith was looking for the penalty but it was given for a foul on Glatzel in the end, Fleetwood defender booked for it.

You fucking wish!

Most blokes claim that....

Corner to Town from a  punch by the dodgy keeper.

Tshimanga not a happy bunny after a foul by their defender, had him round the neck.

Yellow for them both.

That was a nasty tackle on Tshimanga took his ankle after he passed the ball.

Town have pretty much had most of the play this half and much of the game has been played in their half not ours.

1 min added time.

HT 1-0

We definately had the better of the 1st half but Fleetwood have had their chances.

Bycroft made two good saves so far.

Not bad at all.

Kirkwood continues to impress.

Not a great game, as Hawes says it feels a bit like a typical end of season game with two teams that don’t have a lot to play for.

Happy to be in front though.

Nice that the man dressed as a traffic cone got a mention 😂

There was one move where Kirkman picked Smith out beautifully, but Smith had needlessly strayed offside. Would have been a good chance if he’d timed the run better.

Start delayed as they are looking for a replacement official.

"Clem Out" as emblazoned on the cone was obvious on-screen after the penalty as the Town fans celebrated.

A qualified referee being asked to make themselves known over the tannoy.

Just pick a random out of the crowd.

Brilliant.

Only need them as fourth official don't they? Not the end of the world if it is someone unqualified. The fourth official steps in to either ref or run the line usually.

You have to know how to work the board as we saw on Tuesday.

Don't know if its the ref or a linesman that not able to continue but apparently this is only the 3rd game for the ref in the EFL I think Hawes said.

Gunning comes out shaking his head at proceedings.

He'll be alright in a min, he just wanted to watch the national.

Here we go then.

As long it's not Brakspear.

Much the same reaction I have to the fact that he is still at the club

Get in!!!

2-0

2-0

Freckleton

Just for record, Freckleton scored.

Very good cross by Glatzel and a nice finish from 6 yards by Freckleton.

Strangely big numbers from Town fans

Sat on the remote right before we scored. Who put the cross in? On a plate.

Glatzel

Kirkman shot low and wide from 15 yards, great chance for Town.

Flying towards only our fourth lowest finish if we keep this up.

Might get a nose bleed.

Soft foul by Sobo 35 yards out in the middle of the pitch.

Tshimanga and especially Glatzel seem to have a real spring in their step today.

Just watching Tshimanga: He looks very slow. I wondered 2 things:
1. Is it because he has lost pace following a significant injury
2. Is he too muscle bound?

This never ever affected Akinfenwa!

Looks like Glatzel wants a contract.

Ffs

Goal for them ruled out for offside.

Carry on

Bit premature? ;)

Offside (Cone is happy)

That’s 5 inches for you

Tshimanga inches away from getting oin the end of a good low cross.

Two in the centre of the box unmarked. Lucky!

Kirkman turns his man, cuts outside and gets a shot in just wide.

I quite like the look of their right back Shaun Rooney today.

Ref gives them a foul just outside the box and central.

Poor miss by them, unmarked header 5 yards out over the bar.

By the RB you were praising!

Save by Bycroft, easy save.

And then he puts in a great cross for the next chance!

The ref are giving them a fair few more fouls in the last 10 mins most of which seem to be 50/50 challenges.

Kirkman gives them a corner.

Would like to see Ameen come on for Tshimanga or Glatzel to add a bit of pace up front.

Fleetwood having all the play in the last 15 mins or so.

Bycroft with another save.

Bycroft down.

Commeth the hour, Commeth the (Red)man

Come on you Red(man)s.

Bycroft back up but not looking too comfortable.

He’s been a bit Flappy McFlapface today

Definately agree with Jonny Smith, I think its been Nichols best game for us today sat in the middle breaking in midfield creating things.

3-0

You mean normal?

3-0 OG

The camera panned the celebrating Swindon fans, but this time avoided the cone.

The low cross by Kilkenny made that, the defender had no chance to stop himself scoring with any contact.

Shame :)

Oforborh on for Cotterill
Cain on for Tshimanga
Westley on for Kirkman.

And this lot put 4 past MKD at Dongs on Tuesday.

Kennedy's imaginary daughter will be getting laid tonight....

4-0

4-0 Offy

Well,this is impressive with a depleted squad

That was a deflection off Bennett again, he had a tough day - Gave away penalty, scored an own goal and deflected another goal :D

Hart on for Sobowale
Foye on for Nichols.

Keeper would have saved it if he didnt get a foot in for sure.

Easy save by Bycroft.

Is Sonny Hart any relation to our SIM card connoisseur?

Son. Sonny the son.

We have matched the Morfuni Mark.

Corner to them.

Wasted chance, they have been powderpuff in front of goal today.

FT 4-0

Solid, pretty easy in the end but Fleetwood werent a bad side we were just better in front of goal. Nichols and Kilkenny my MotM's.

Do we read much into Ameen not featuring?

I was wondering

3 shots on goal, win 4-0. Lovely stuff.

Yes - you don’t need him off the bench when you’re winning.

Well, I’d argue giving your best young prospect minutes in a guarantee win with no pressure is a fantastic opportunity.

Along with the dig in the presser, there is something going on here, even if you cant see it Bob.

I think I'd want to see him ignored for more than one game before firing up too many conspiracies.

I so much want us to smash Bradford next week

Anything of note from Hart or Foye in their brief cameos?

Holloway:
- Professionalism from a young squad
- Learned from Morecombe game. We were able to change shape when needed
- Every man out there won their battles
- Out run and out tackled them
- Do your job til the end and do it well
- Theyve had 2 good results.
- Had to move Smith back as they were taking risks and peppering us
- Smith won 2-3 headers in a row and then we forced the 3rd goal
- Pass for the 4th goal was a great ball
- Able to give 2 lads their first minutes
- Would have took that on Thursday when he found out about injuries/players out
- Travelled without training yesterday because of travel problems we had a couple of weeks ago
- Not having any one with stomach bug anywhere near the squad
- If you lose your place because of it that's life
- Freckleton: Delighted for him. He was quick, brave and strong today. Won his headers. Good finish
- Mathematically safe: 40 points off of 22 games since Holloway arrived. That's the sort of points total he expects. Its about where we are going in the future. We need to learn how to organise themselves as a team
- So much better this week. We had spaces and worked at it
- The division is tough. You have to play a different type of game each week
- Away from home our season has been disasterous. That has cost us. To improved next year that is what we have to do better at
- Trying to put a marker down today. This is what he expects from the team.

It is possible to overthink sometimes...

We are now mathematically safe from relegation but also can’t finish in the automatic promotion places.

That’s top 7 form at a minimum, such a remarkable turnaround from the first few months of the season.

Possibly, but we have just offered him a contract so it would seem odd for him not to feature. I hope im overthinking but hey...

He showed a lot of strength and condition

He did the SIMple things. Wasn’t POWDERpuff. He was the one who MOST WANTED the ball but never got the SUPPLY.

Does he play between the lines? What’s he like in possession? Maybe worth a deal?

I think its blatantly obvious to the powers that be that he wont be staying and Holloway has got a right strop on about it

Where did you get that info from?vI hope he stays but  I'm not too fussed myself - either way we would get a fee.

I took it (rightly or wrongly) as a piss take of iParadise's original post...

My personal point of view is that if anyone does make a bid for Ameen, it would be a purely speculative punt. Unless I've missed something, other than a 10 minute cameo at Doncaster when he showed us exactly what the fuss is all about, he's done bugger all. There's clearly massive potential there but he could go either way at this stage...hopefully Holloway gets a chance to develop him and we can get a good couple of seasons out of him before someone comes in with silly money for him...

Could be one of many scenarios. People looking for tinder where there is none, perhaps he wants to keep him under the limelight till the contract is signed!

Agreed, but if you don't blood him further to see in these dead rubbers, when do you?

I have been looking at it from simply the players point of view. He has not played anymore than 300 minutes of league football and still can't really get on in a  game you are cruising but all the loanees ahead of him can.

I really can't see what benefit he would have staying here that he can't get elsewhere. Get a move to a champ club for example and likely get loaned out on twice as much money to play at the same level he is likely to be sat on the bench in next season?

Theres no doubt that financially short term he will be much better off going to a team like say Peterborough, Bristol City, even Wycombe as they will probably easily double or even triple his wages.

But going to a bigger club the competition will be stronger to break into the 1st team but the coaching probably better. He could be sent out on loan after his first 6 months at the new club and then they will farm him out on loan to test him, this could happen over the space of a couple of years without him getting close to a start at his new club in the 1st team.

If he stays and progresses the way Holloway thinks he will then get game time with us at 1st team level and the exposure to the mans game will make him a better player hopefully rather than sitting in an U23 side at a bigger club.

The are pros and cons to both arguments.

But money talks and a career can be a short term thing so make money while the sun shines as they say. Agents can make young players think they are the new Ronaldo when they are no more than a Carlton Palmer.

The higher you go, the larger your safety net to drop is.

Pro’s and cons of course, the argument will be to stay here, have better chance of getting into the team and then moving up the leagues as a first team player but there’s no guarantee on that, you’re only one poor season/bad injury away from losing it.

Go to a higher division on more money, get better coaching, have some loans out and hopefully develop enough to break into the first team, if not and things don’t work out then you’ve got a couple more levels to drop down through before you’re into the abyss.

Game time is obviously the key for younger players to develop but I can see more pros for leaving us than staying.

Likewise mate, was a cracking away day in the sunshine

Anyone see what the attendance was & how many Town fans?

They didnt announce it yesterday but according to Hawes there were a little more than 500 Town fans there and their average is about 3,400 so I guess it was around that figure.

The Cone and friends.

Brilliant

He's proper boiled some piss with that one. At a time when some fans aren't wearing hats because of abuse they've gotten, he's quadrupled down or more  :D

The actual game has been covered plenty already so I won't chip in on that. So onto other topics - was it just me being pissed off with the ball boys and how lazy they were? What was the point of them being there? It was for both teams too. You had both sets of players calling for the ball and they wouldn't move an inch. That can't have been the instructions surely?

Just trying to work out if it's just me being a cunt about lazy ball boys, or if it's indicative of being a grumpy cunt in general?

Indeed, they cannot use their monotonous "if you don't worship Clemente you are not a real fan and don't support the team"

Att: 2,749 (505 Swindon)