Thetownend.com

Did we all forget there’s a game tomorrow :D
Home win att: 7,920 (82 away)

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

You’ll upset Holloway, expecting us to rock up at home & win against Harrogate.
He’ll probably call you out after the game ;)

PS. I think we will win too

The weather isn’t the best good job the bank isn’t open!

Feels like an absolute hone banker.

Do not doubt 1-1

We’ve won and they’ve lost the last 3 games🤣

It is usually is 1:1 at home versus the Sulphurites, hoping for 2:1 with a clearance hitting Glatzel on the backside, glancing the inside of the post with a defender trying to clear nudging it across the line.

I did read a Gas fan saying we haven’t played anybody of note yet :eek:

Didn't know that the Treorchy Male Choir had a football team (anybody of note).

 :D

I'm breaking my boycot tomorrow. Day on the piss and the everyone I'm with is going to the game so not going to sit on my own in the county ground hotel on my own.

Hope the wives and co enjoy my first money since Wrexham boxing day few years ago.

On the football side we should win if we perform anywhere near potential but you always get the feeling a random Barnet at home performance could rear its head again.

Hopefully not.

Barrow last weekend was a lovely warm up.  Sitting in Glasgow Airport this morning, looking fwd to a first home game since New Year's Day vs Colchester.  If we set up correctly, we'll be in for a treat later.

Piece of piss - 4-1

Not sure if I’m making this up or it’s real.

Years ago wasn’t there someone in the TE with a trumpet?

Am I going senile?

All signs point to a home win.

Won the last 3 v lost the last 3

Score lots vs score few

Should be winning this, and comfortably so.

Yet, that Barnet game was so bad, (and maybe that ends up being by far the worst of the season), just knowing we are capable of one of those is a slightly scary thought.

Palmer to score his first league goal today. Would love another clean sheet as well.

I don't recall one, so must have been pre 89

There was someone who used to make parrot noises.

Thought that was a peacock

Hopefully no banana skins today. Fully think if we play well we will win. That said i expect them to setup all 11 in their box and hit on the break. 3-1 (again)

Win. Clean Sheet. No injuries.

I don't ask for much.

I had a dream that we won 4-0, Drinan hat trick and I got the fourth.

So I’ll stick with 4-0, Drinan hat trick but Glatzel getting the fourth.

It was (supposed to be)

This, even a scrappy 1-0 would do me.

8 games vs these and only 2 wins with 4 draws and 2 defeats.

We havent beaten them in the last 4 meetings.

5 wins in the last 6 league games for Towon vs 1 win in the last 6 league games for them, got home defeat written all over it!

Keep the ball on the deck and play flowing passing football and we will stuff them, no doubts, if we resort to longer balls pumped forwards for Drinan/Palmer then I fear we wont do as well.

They always play a pressing game with long fast balls hitting teams on the break so I assume they play the same way this season too.

They are a team with no standout stars who play for each other and are hard to break down and only Grimsby have scored more than twice against them since April.

Guyana international Winger Stephen Duke-McKenna is their top scorer on 3 goals with all others on just a single goal this season.

Think this one will be harder than some are expecting. Still think we're good enough for the win though. Think we'll see something similar to the Shrewsbury game with a strong period resulting in a goal and then the subs upsetting the flow. So going 2-1 again and similarly a late winner.

Indeed, we have enough in the locker to beat every team in this league with ease, but conversely every team has an off day at times and mistakes happen, just like Barnet.

No game is a foregone conclusion and I expect a very tough game.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G0uMTGgWIAAzbbG?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)

Nichols out of the squad replaced by Clarke, the 2 loanees on the bench for Kirkman and MacGregor.

Don’t mind any three from Nichols, Oldaker, Clarke and Kilkenny in the middle.

Hopefully they can boss things today.

We have the quality to boss the game all over the pitch, Clarke adds a bit more tackling than Nichols for me.

Is K Lebel as defender?

While you're undoubtedly right, I've been impressed with Nichols' unexpected tenaciousness, he does like to get stuck in.

Canadian international centre back.

Hes a versatile defender, prefers CB but can fill in at FB and DMC too.

Nichols has done well in midfield, the last player I remember starting as a striker and moving back to midfield was Lee Peacock who did well in the DMC position too.

Nichols is learning a new trade though and it could take a while but hes played quite well so far definately.

anywhere to listen to this online?

I hope this is rotation & Holloways choice opposed to ‘loans have to be in the match day squad’


Was only discussing at work the other night that currently Nichols place in the XI was probably the only one up for grabs.

I’m not convinced the plan was for him to sit deeper with Oldaker more advanced but it’s naturally progressed that way & I think Oldaker has a better final ball than Nichols.

Not saying he’s done badly at CM but sometimes he give me Matt Hewlett vibes - runs around a bit with his arms out pushing people over, giving away silly fouls & getting booked.

I've not been impressed by Nichols in midfield this season. Did very well there in the few games last season but a nonentity except when giving away stupid fouls so far this.

However as Holloway said he had a player who ill or injured yesterday who was trying to convince him he was fine I suspect his been out of the squad is down to that rather than being dropped out entirely just to make space for the loans. If space was specifically needed to get the loans in then it would have been one of the players already on the bench.

My fire stick appears to have the Shrewsbury stream on for our game today…

Walsall channel has STFC home comms for me

about 45-50 Harrogate fans there in attendance so far.

Having gone through Swindon, Shrewsbury, Salford & Tranmere - I’ve found us on Walsall…

They’ve got Zico playing! And not up top!!

Hawes said they think Nichols is injured

Snowdon turned and a great cross to the striker who heads back and Mabete heads over the bar on the line.

Direct corner and an unmarked header goes just wide.

Lovely break and cross by Snowdon but nobody can get on the end of it.

Kilkeny with a good whipped cross in the box but its cleared.

4 Town players have a go in the box but it goes wide, a good passing move by Town.

Town getting more of the ball now after Gate started the better side.

Snowdon and Glatzel link up well in the box and Wrights cross just evades everyone at the far post.

We could have gone 2-0 down & come back to 3-2 already

Loose pass by Ripley to Wright straight into touch.

Harrogate pressing Town and Ripley makes 2 mistakes with his kicking in succession.

Ripley getting treatment.

Harrogate player gone off injured, Ripley up again.

Glatzel cynically fouled, yellow card for their left back.

Oldaker has gone back to the more defensive position with Clarke moving into the attacking midfield role and so far its not working as well as when the roles were reversed.

Harrogate hit the post on the break, they are pressing us very well. Corner to them.

Thought that was in then. Not quite getting it right yet.

TBH Harrogate are one of the better sides we have played this season on this showing. They are pressing us and creating chances.

Not much going right for Drinan so far, his touch is off a bit.

Yellow for Snowdon for a late tackle.

Fucking dire. For a team at top of the table we are showing fuck all at home.

Jammy cunt.

0-1

0-1 probably deserved.

Only one team has looked like opening the scoring.

No answer to their pressing in our own half and outnumbered further up in midfield.

Dropped off to sleep and woke to them scoring!

Got really lucky with the deflection, but they have had some chances. Too much of the ball in our half so far.

They have been better that I thought.

Mabete went walkabout

Deflection was lucky but the run in behind & the pass through was pretty damn good tbf

Head DOWN, Drinan!

Bad miss for Drinan from 7 yards.

This lot always seem to have our number. Crap so far.

Just not working for Drinan today at all, shame as hes been in a good run of form.

They are pressing us and crowding out midfield, too simple.

Don’t think I’ve heard Clark’s names mentioned once.

Kilkenny only a handful of times.

Sunday league Swindon, fucking shite.

We seem to be missing the link up play of Nichols.

Good shot by Clarke saved and Glatzel has a shot saved for a corner.

Mabete header not quite on target and goes out for another corner.

Holloway will be fuming with fans after, showing their discontent of passing it back to the keeper - what do they know?

Glatz breaks and passes to Drinan but his shoit is blocked easily.

1-1 Clarke

Thought Clarke had been poor up until that point.

Lovely cross by Snowdon onto Ollies head from 6 yards.

Been coming, midfield beginning to tick

Agree.

Corner to them.

You’re up next Gav… !!!

Another corner to them.

4 mins added.

Wow that was awful by them giving us a free corner.

Another corner to Town.

Surprised Harrogate switched to the low block after going ahead. Swindon the better side since their goal.

Probably done enough to deserve to be level.

HT 1-1

Is that Mabete’s dad walking up and down the front of the Arkells?

Started bad, conceded and then got right back in it and finished the half very strong. Let's go get another pls Swindon

Not exactly a classic, but it's there for the taking if we click.

Oldaker having a quiet one after a few good performances, I would be tempted to make him the first sub.

I think we're in for a crap home side and decent away. No reason for it, the fans aren't getting arsey.

Why do we set up so negative at home, its a worry.

Oldaker is sat far deeper than he has been recently and that doesnt suit his game, hes been pushed back by Clarke playing in the more advanced position.

Might be nice to see the new bloke Murphy come on for him unless he pushed Oldaker more forwards and Clarke sits further back 2nd half which looks more effective.

Drinan is ineffective so far and maybe Palmer can batter them with the crosses we are putting in.

Probably read your positive posts!

Do we though?

The opposition aren’t going to just sit in away from home. So it is easier for us to break sides down. Harrogate pressed high consistently well for the first 30. We made mistakes when having to play longer. Hence we got nowhere most of the time.

Not the sure the set up as such has looked any different? Though agree Oldaker in the 10 has looked more effective than Clarke had, for most of the half anyway!

Looks to be an 8k attendance to me, the TE looks fuller than usual. Almost all Town fans in attendance too.

Drinan breaks into the box and half hits a shot thats easily stopped.

Riplay makes an easy save from a long shot.

Drinan holds up the ball and brings Snowdon into play and his cross is fairly easily saved.

Munroe is all over the pitch so far.

Fucking keeper timewasting already!

Yellow for the Harrogate defender.

Palmer on for Oldaker.

Town win a corner.-

Header from Glatzel at the near post his flick goes just wide.

Deep cross to Palmer headed to Drinan and he cant get a touch.

Palmer inches from setting up Glatzel, hes come on like a man possessed!

Att: 7,955 (126 Harrogate)

Palmer seems up for it, looking to get a start no doubt

Great long pass by Mabete to Palmer but Glatz cant get on the end of it.

Munroe low cross but its cleared, they cant cope with Palmer in the air.

Perfectly fair tackle on the Harrogate player.

I think Butterworth would relish running at this lot.

Munroe and Snowdon have been our standout players today, Snowdon probably just shading it for me because of more creativity

Agree but I think Munroe edged it for me.

Would certainly be better than hoofing it into the wind!

2-1 Drinan

Told you hoofing it into the wind wouldn’t work! 🤦‍♂️

DRINNERS!!!!! 4 on the bounce!

Not been his best game but hes in the right place at the right time, very happy for him.

Palmer. What an introduction!

That Munroe fake shot has literally killed the bloke.

Two wonderful touches in the build up. Glatzel and Munroe brilliant there.

How does that slight, academy kid from the Villa keep winning these flick ons and headers?  All heart.  Finley Munroe.

The Munroe touch was brilliant.

Ok then, anyone?

What’s the Town record for scoring in consecutive league games?

Glatzel almost accidentally scores! their keeper is all over the place.

Murphy on for Glatzel
Knight-Lebel on for Mabete.

11 isn't it?  Ginger Pele

Wow, good one.🤔

Harry Morris with 11 apparently in the 1920s
Doyle more recent with 9
(according to ChatGPT)

Decent game for both the players subbed really.

Is today the first time we’ve conceded with Mabete on the pitch?

Odd subs. Poor Mabete

Ripley nearly makes a costly mistake, FK to them.

Well i got the number right :) I was convinced that Doyle equalled it, but maybe they weren't all league goals

FK high and wide.

Chance for Palmer but he cant control the ball.

Murphy reminds me a lot of Lee Collins, scurrying around in midfield chasing the ball.

Munroe heads over from 2 yards from a Clarke cross, he never fully got behind it.

Snowdon and Drinan both look almost dead on their feet now.

I like the early signs of Murphy

Hes eager and likes to chase the ball.

8 mins added.

3-1 Drinan

Wow! What a finish by Drinan!

What a finish.

Absolute bag man!

Your defence is terrified
Aaron Drinan’s on fire

1 more goal and we go top of the table on GD on our own merit.

Bodin on for Clarke.

so so happy for Drinan

Currently top of the league on goals scored from the Pikeys.

So close to a 4th, great move.

That was sexy football…till that last shot

Drinan is so much better without Smith. In fact, we are so much better without Smith.

Palmer will have nightmares about that finish!

Palmer with another shot from 18 yards just wide.

If Palmer could shoot !!

It could easily have been 5 or 6-1.

Could have been 3-3 at HT!

A corner to them in the last minute.

FT 3-1

Top of the table.

Job done.

Even game first half.
We were a bit below par but Harrogate were decent (better than Barrow, Crewe & Shrews)

Second half we went up a gear & could have scored about 6.
Don’t think any team in this division would have stopped us that second half.

One team soon will get us playing a good 1st half and a good 2nd half and God help them when that happens.

It should be a good test against Salford next week.

Lots to like again.

Harrogate better than I thought they’d be.

We really grew into it, and looked much the better side second half. Culminating in Drinan’s quality finish for the 3rd. Mad attack stats for us in general, could have definitely got more.

I will probably start to get a bit prematurely excited if we win again next week!

COYR

Holloway:
- Knew they would cause us problems.
- Weaver is a good manager and analysed what we do
- We were a bit slow
- There is a time to play football
- They played well and blocked us
- Bench helped hurt them
- They did a right good job on us
- We scored a fantastic goal just on half time
- The changes at his disposal aren't easy, but helped us win the game
- Two new lads have got on
- Nicholls was injured.
- To roll Oli Palmer on: Felt sorry for them
- Felt sorry for Oldaker. Tactical sub
- The other subs made a difference too
- Really pleased with how we are dealing with things and solving problems
- We coach it every week. Movements we are going to make. Its down to other's being able to stop us
- Should have seen Bodin in training, nutmegging everyone. He is getting back to his best
- Nothing wrong with McGregor. Just needed the others today
- Butterworth was outstanding against Reading and didnt get a go. Prince didn't get any minutes
- But noone moaned!
- Thats what I call learning.
- Its going alright at the moment. Its all about the goals you can get
- Good to be able to rest people
- Need to keep working hard and never stop
- Drinan deserves every bit of credit. Can play him anywhere. Hes in the form of his life. As fit as a fiddle. He moaned last year about playing RWB. But created a goal from there last week! Wanted his personality at the club. He is a wonderful fellow and deserves this
- Tabor: He's fully committed. He has to enjoy himself online. He is completely focussed on being a footballer. Didnt want to go anywhere far away so he could come back and learn from Holloway. He is learning. He's a great kid. He can be called back in 29 days with 1 day notice. He needs minutes. Holloway knows Darren Way. Great fellow.
- Holloway will always tell players the truth. Some of them don't like it, but they know where they stand. Trying to create clarity. He pays players whether they play or not. They have nothing to moan about. But they dont moan when he's about.
-

Always appreciate the write ups NMH👏👍

Seconded

Just waved the Harrogate coach off  :pint:

.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU3pKd5rEwI

.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTmdEjXpcx8&pp=0gcJCckJAYcqIYzv

Really enjoyable second half. Thought we were slow to get going but after the equaliser, controlled the rest of the first half. Second half we were all over Harrogate, who to their credit, did look a threat on the counter. Drinan’s second goal just showcased a striker absolutely full of confidence. Munroe was brilliant both going forwards and defensively which is rare of a full back at his age. Good to get a bit of an early season run going

Sadly missed today, how did the Bristol city lads get on?

Depth in the squad is good to see, been a while since we had that.

Thanks both. I enjoy doing them.

But, won’t be able to do it next week as I’ll not be around. (So will miss the game too! 😢)

I would say that they didn’t do anything wrong, but I couldn’t say that they did anything particularly spectacular that would result in them starting next time.

Totally agree with this.

As you say, at least Harrogate tried to win rather than pack the defence.

A very good win indeed. We've drawn and lost games starting like that before.

I thought Murphy would be a bit bigger.

Not that it means anything. And you can't judge them for a while anyway.

My slight worry is our own prospects will be left out because we have them, as happened today

But Ollie says it's a meritocracy with no obligations to play loans. So what will be will be.

Anyone know how long it took us to get 18 points last season?

21 games, on the 21st December we beat Grimsby to reach 19 points

Our 6th league win was after 27 games… 18th January. 19 games quicker this year!

Crikey!

That's incredible really isn't it.

Very hopeful this will be a memorable season. Can't argue with the squad or points on the board so far. Salford should be a test next week.

So impressed with the teams movement in the final third of the pitch. Cut Harrogate open time and time again in the second half. Glatz and Drinnan link up so well together. Our bench looks so strong.

.https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg-YcxOdwyw

One thing I noticed and not for the first time.

Palmer doesn’t join in goal celebrations and at the end of the game did the ‘lap of honour’ way ahead of the rest and on his own.

Clarke assist for Drinan's 2nd was so fucking sexy

He claps and does join the celebration, just off camera. Might be reading too much into things here.

So much to enjoy about yesterday. Let’s get carried away…. (!) Keep this going for the season and we might even be in a position to retain loanees in January, and maybe even retain them in the summer as a League One club (when the new owners want to impress the fans….). Clearly a long, long way to go but it’s the squad depth that’s the most reassuring thing here. 

If Morfuni and co really want to redevelop, they’d be dusting off the plans and putting them back out for a vote asap to ride this wave…

Drinaldo?

Yes or No?