Thetownend.com

...coached by John Beck, of Cambridge fame.  Long ball merchants extraordinaire.  Very well organised on set plays etc, probably make Stoke look cultured.

 Anyone remember when Cambridge beat us about 91/92...never seen anything like it, before or since, they had Dublin who was of course very good. The defenders pumped the ball up vertically as high as they could get it, so they could press up the space behind, occasionally a long punt found its way  in the space behind teh full backs, allowing them to squeeze up for a long throw etc.

 They did play two wingers, one Lee Philpott, we were to meet again in our last fixture v Leicester, another Heaney, they had on loan from Arsenal, he scored as did Dublin, but didn't seem to do much in his career.

 Hoddle seemed to take it as an insult to the game, when we played them in the cup at the Shabby Stadium a few weeks later, we beat them 3-0...it seemed to mean a lot to the players.

 I wonder if MM has any real knowledge what we're in for....I note he mentioned the pitch not being too great...typical old Cambridge way.

 I'm just pleased it's not on the box, if the TV people had any knowledge of teh game, they'd know that Histon start clear favourites to win this one.

I went away to Cambridge in 92 (?)  When Micky Hazard missed a pen and we lost one nil.  Cambridge Utd (at that time) played the worst football I have ever seen.  I'm so glad that they fell short of reaching the top flight as they were a disgrace to football.

They are the reason I take issue with the win at all costs mentality, football has to be about entertainment too, I hope we don't come a cropper on Saturday to that brand of football.

  Stoke beating Arsenal showed though that it can work, especially if you're not too hot on defending set plays...watching Stoke atm must be Ok because it's a bit of a novelty, but it must wear thin after a while.  WBA who try and play, look to me almost certrain to go down.

i was there. i think it was a debatle penalty as well

I was at the home game and the football was dreadful but effective. If I remember correctly ( and I haven't been of late ) then our old boy Colin Baillie played for them and actually gave up the game because he couldn't stand their football. They used to put the ball out for a throw much like rugby players do.

Clear favourites Reg????

Hadn't realised Beck was there, oh god they will be awful to watch and hard to play against, but saying that i really cant see them beating us.

I remember rambling around Histon back in the 60's. It was a bright rainy day, and I accidentally discovered a buried medieval village. I remember it vividly. I awoke that very morning with a sense of anticipation that made me tingle and I leapt from my bed like a cobra on a pogo stick. I had some sausages for my breakfast that I had purchased from the Lincolnshire village of Mareham-Le-Fen, which I had visited the week previously, when I discovered a perfectly preserved diplodocus............


How the fuck are they favourites?! If they win it'll be a right show up. All this 'state of the pitch' 'long ball' stuff can stab itself in the face!

 Because I said so....I had a dream about a stegasaurus the other night, although it wasn't really a steg, but a broken Mulberry harbour from D Day, which looked a bit like
a steg.

Prediction league will be interesting this week then.

To see a dinosaur in your dream, symbolizes an outdated attitude. You may need to discard your old ways of thinking and habits.

To dream that you are being chased by a dinosaur, indicates your fears of no longer being needed or useful. Alternatively, being chased by a dinosaur, may reflect old issues that are still coming back to haunt you.

To see a harbour in your dream, signifies shelter from a stormy relationship or chaotic situation. You may be seeking refuge until you can recollect your thoughts and prepare for the challenges ahead.

Histon played Ebbsfleet on Setanta this season and won 1-0 thanks to the usual Beck combination of hard work - long balls and top notch set pieces.

We better work hard at defending the set pieces this week - Histon have almost got to the top of their league with a part time side and little or no fans ... im pinning my hopes on Coxy :)

Where is Histon ?

Uzbekistan.

I'm not too sure what difference a week makes when it's been "a problem to work on" for 2 or 3 seasons (and managers)


Near the carburettor?

  Come on now...your  :technobabble: is all very well, but you can't tell me that's not a steg hiding on the right in the Mulberry Harbour, down at Langstone.

 [url width=350 height=300]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Reg__Smeeton/steg2.jpg[/url]

 Is that meant to be Jordi la Forge in teh emoticon?

You may not be alone in that, Fatters.  I think my parting words to Hertha on Saturday were that I'd take 3-3 next week.

3-3 against a non-league side? Blimey your expectations are high arent they

want us to lose Barty boy?

No we should win and win comfortably

and if we dont?

are you going to burn effigys of malpas? whilst running round old town knocking one out?

Histon is a small village just off the A45 North of Cambridge - and when I say small I mean small.  It makes Wootten Bassett look like a metropolis. I'm with you Reg - this is a difficult fixture.  Last season the United football team from Headington went there & were their usual arrogant selves in expecting a win merely because they'd bothered to turn up.  They got turned over quite easily.

I was chatting today to a Mansfield supporter who'd seen the Stags play Histon in their first Blue Square Premier fixture. He said it was frightening!  It's exactly as Reg says, hard working, hard running & long balls to chase aplenty.  This is going to be one tough game and if it takes a reply for us to go through then I'll be happy.  Not one for the purists I think.

I'm realistic, that's all.  We're slowly rebuilding our confidence.  A defeat would be awful and may undo all the work we've put in to rebuild it.  A defeat is also quite possible as Histon are near the top of the conference and play in a style that is just what we don't need.  Of course, I want us to win but am always concerned by these non-league ties ever since Stevenage...before that I thought we'd win against every non-league team because we were a league club.  Stevenage taught me a painful lesson.  One I have not forgotten.

So, to avoid the embarrassment of a defeat, yeah I'd take a draw.

Agreed...not easy,Barnet at home was easy...but we didnt get through.

No-one's saying it's going to be easy. But them as favourites! Pffffff! That's like trying to justify defeat before a balls been kicked.

Seems like they are semi confident, although seem to be more concerned about how many we'll bring    http://histonfootball.proboards104.com/index.cgi?board=chat&action=display&thread=309

I really fancy going to this now

I'll be too busy partying to the max.

Is it all-ticket?

I've been to Histon before, to watch them play Chippenham on the last day of the season a couple of years back.

From what I remember parking was an absolute nightmare that day

Pay on the day according to OS

Quality, They think we are an attractive tie as we are an ex premier league team!

Good, might pay them another visit then, just hope the result is better than last time.

I am actually looking forward to this game. their fans seem to be too!

I got a feeling we will fill the away end. Most Town supporters I know are going.

Likewise, i had better make sure i'm not in the pub until 2.55 for this one, be a long journey for a few beers!

I really can't understand why they made this pay on the day.

HERE FOR THE SWINDON, YOU'RE ONLY HERE FOR THE SWINDON!

Fuck me, we are massive...................

Anybody going on the train?

I know some of the london lot are going by train, would you have to go there first from Swindon?

inevitable chant! :)

Yes, London Euston (I think) to Cambridge

WE'LL ROCK THE ROBINS...

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_sport_histon/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=363825

looks like they are up for it!

Taken from that article:

"We weren't used to playing against big clubs like Shrewsbury and Yeovil back then, but now we are as we play the likes of Cambridge United, Torquay and York every week."

Glad to see they don't think of poxford as a large club.

Feels wierd reading that, Swindon Town being thought of as a big club by another team!
Awwww, we're their cup final  8)

We'll be their semi final if we aren't careful.

 It's just a weak effort to try and get our lot thinking they're somehow better than Histon.

 If we don't go into this thinking they'll need to play at the top of their game, and perfroming so, we'll get turned over.
 
 They may be part timers, but we've a good few in our squad, who may will perhaps be playing at that level sooner rather than later. So the reality is, the difference is marginal. Last season v FGR showed that, we just sneaked it, the general consensus, being we were lucky to avoid a replay.

I'm sure the players know they'll need to perform to their best, MM will no doubt be drumming it into their heads all the time.

FGR last season was whilst we still had Sturrock, who never struck me as someone who cared about the Cup. Whereas Malpas will treat this like any other game. If we play a full-strength side (Which I'm expecting will be the case) I'm confident we'll win this comfortably. The only thing that worries me is the physicality of the Histon players, and our lads could get outmuscled. Thus them becoming frightened to go after the second balls, etc etc.

Plus, we have our secret weapon...The Hypnotherapist  :D

 I hope you're right, on teh one hand. Although in my time we've lost to 4 non league teams, the culpable managers Bert Head (1st ever promotion to 2nd tier), Danny Williams (won LC), Lou Macari (2 promotions including a first championship since the Southern League)  Steve McMahon (only manager to win third tier title).

 For some reason, you'd expect teh list to be the likes of Les Allen, Ken Beamish, Iffy Onuora, and Andy King.

So, if we lose, Malpas will lead us to glory...cool.

something tells me this is gonna be fun... :P :D

 That's how I interpret the runes.....

"And if we can get a big crowd cheering us on at the Glass World Stadium then I'm sure Swindon won't fancy it."

What an idiot

We just aren't used to playing infront of huge crowds of 2000!

And reg give it a rest mate, "somehow" better than Histon? We ARE better than Histon and win or lose on Saturday we will still be better than Histon. I'm not confident of a win by any means as they'll be playing out of their skins and we'll probably underestimate them.

Same with Forest Green last season, we sneaked past them because we weren't up for it and it was the best performance they've ever put in as a team. We still had enough quality to beat them even when playing shite!

Since I was a small child, I've lived in fear of a cheering crowd-ette at the Glass World Stadium. Even now, I tremble at the thought.

We're going to dick them.

Malpas said he's resting a player. I hope it isn't Cox.

I hoping for Morrisson to be rested, as I think we need Ifil strength in the team.

Although if they are quite a big side and like playing it in the air, wouldn't we need the height of Morrison.

I read that as being Peacock (played a lot of games, carrying an injury) or morrrison as he is young

I hopr its not either to be honest

 Take no notice of me, I'm just old fashioned....in my day when you lost to a team it meant they were better than you.

 I shall rest easy on Saturday night in the knowledge that come what may, we are in fact better than Histon. 

Thinking about it, it could be almost anyone from Smith, Morrison, Peacock, Cox or Paynter.

So when Southend beat Manchester United in the league cup, that meant they were better? Um, no. Don't think it's old fashioned, think it's not being realistic mate.

Dont worry, we will win 6-2. It came to me in a dream. Panic over

Will probably be resting Cox/Peacock. Cox may not want to be cup tied

You sir are a clown, Cox said yesterday he wants to stay and also he wants play on Saturday. Change the record you miserable fool!

Maurice just releases a statement saying how surprised he is with the english attitude to the cup and you think he's going to rest Coxy? 

He's just said how much of a fan of cup competitions he is and that he loves the way it can get the whole club excited and you think he'll rest key players?

I think it may be Paynter being rested. Would also give Corr some much needed match time.

That'd put paid to Corr's season then (if you believe all the 'physicality' hype in the adver)

I don't know if its hype, John Beck is their assistant boss/coach. Remember his Cambridge sides?

They definelty play like that aswell, According to my mate who works for Cambridge News. (he's a Swindon fan)

His comments when i asked were as follows:
They're exactly what you'd expect from a John Beck team - long ball and get as many set pieces as they can - but they're very effective at it which is why they're still doing well this season when I thought they'd have been found out by other Conference teams.
 
It's fucking awful to watch

They do have two or three decent players though like Jack Midson and Antonio Murray up front and their defence is pretty strong.

I'm not holding my breath about Swindon's chances to be honest although I'd love to see them stuff Histon.

Could be in for a bit of a ride against these chaps at the back.  Should stuff them on paper but I'm always wary of conference sides sniffing at the Football league’s grubby bottom.  A lot are run a more professionally on and off the pitch than their league two compatriots and if results in recent seasons are anything to go by the gap in standards is shrinking like an old woman.

That actually makes me feel better about not going. So long as they play nice and narrow - that seems to suit us, or it did against Northampton and Oldham too seemed to forget about using their wingers.

I think Pook will be "rested" for Easton

I think Cox will be rested. Call me stupid but he is not in any of the pics on the O.S either which may throw some weight behind this suggestion? It would be daft to rest him mind given the fact he will score goals but...

Can someone text me updates from this pretty please?

I wish I could go but I can't.

PM me your number.

If I had to take a guess I would have thought Sean Morrison will be rested with Ifil coming into the side.

Wouldnt surprise me to see Paynter rested so Corr can get some game time also if we're a few goals to the good by half time can see Cox being taken off then

2-1 win followed up next round with an away match at Forest Green

I'd have said Peacs rested for Easton.

For one reason or another I cant get to much footy this month.So a 1-1 draw and a replay please!

Peacs or Morrison will be rested in reckon.

He's resting Phil Smith

he's resting himslef. byrne will take control, and malpas will be taking the place of rockin robin

I think pook or peacock will be out for easton.

 Well there's a surprise...

Indeed ::)

I didn't listen to much of the commentary but it sounds like we went up there to scrap out a 0-0 draw which is a contemptable way of playing at any time but at a side two divisions lower is inforgiveable.

I can't even remember who was commentating now (I know it wasn't Ed Hadwin) but it just made me want to piss when he came out with ".....oooh, it's just been a bad day at the office". That is so lame.


Pathetic and yet so so very predictable.

This bloke on the radio now is a numpty.

 Not really...we could easily be playing Histon next season, so the gap isn't huge.  When you're as porous as we are, no clean sheet away all season,  than you're always going to try and keep it tight and sneak something on the break.

 I'm taking on board Tails advice...which is better than alcohol and drugs.

 Although we lost we're still better than them, so it doesn't really count  :) ace.

SO if we were in the playoffs would Tottenham be shitting it at the possibility of playing at the County Ground?

 :nerner:

 We beat Tottenham at the CG the last time we played them, so probably yes.

You should just play to win IMO. Playing for a draw might be ok if you are Man U or Liverpool playing away in the Champions League but not for STFC. I would have thought the fact that we have a 'porous' defence is a compelling argument for going for all out attack and imposing your game on the opposition.

 However you play, if you can't defend from set pieces, then there's always the likelihood of conceding. For whatever reason, we fail to deal with these usually once, sometimes twice a game.

That's probably being a tad conservative

A couple of weeks ago, probably. They seemed to shit it against everyone else

I am right though, so no need for all the sarcasm really is there?

Everyone knows that the players read the forum, so they can read about how great everyone thinks they are. By starting this thread, Reg has sown seeds of doubt in their minds and provided a reason for defeat. I hold Reg solely responsible for yesterdays result and think that he should do the decent thing and resign from the forum immediately.

  :doh: I should have concealed the info....however I've no intention of resigning, but will accept a sizeable compensation package.

Nah, they get JCP to read it for them and he'll still tell them how great they are anyway and that it's all the nasty manager's fault they played with all the backbone of a girl guides outing so no worries there