Thetownend.com

So today is the day we seal promotion at last!

and in my opinion, by 10pm tonight, we'll also be champions.
It's lovely being this confident, I don't think I ever have been before.

4-0 Win to show everyone why we're champions.

COYR!

Should be a great night, hopefully capped off with promotion and the Championship. 2-0 victory for me.

Not quite so confident but a cold and blustery 1-1 draw to seal promotion.

Hoping tonight's the night as Champions at Gillingham would suck (mostly cos I'm not going). Really hope the rain holds off.

Aldershot are a decent team so would be very happy with a draw but think the players will turn it on for Paolo and go up in style with a 3-1 win

i think we'll go 1 down in the first five, then have all the play, scraping a 2-1 win

1-1 (Risser w, Risser O) or 0-1 but only promotion tonight. Then we will go to the Pikies and win 27-0 to win the title.

2-0 win.

If the players are as up for this as much as I am, we're going to be fine!  Really looking forward to a (hopefully) memorable night.

I wouldn't worry too much about the rain. The 'uncovered' terrace is apparently the same as the covered one, just that they're not allowed to sell more than a certain number in each area. If it is lashing it down, just get in early and you'll get a dry spot.

I had forgotten it is a matchday.

Another clean sheet coming our way - scrappy 1-0 win.

I can see it getting quite cosy in the covered terrace then having just checked tonight's forecast again!

They're going all out for a win: http://www.gethampshire.co.uk/news/s/2111873_aldershot_to_welcome_the_dalai_lama_

good job its in June, Buddah would get more fat stick than chubby Evans.

2-1 defeat

Good man.

3-1 to Swindon for me.

We always do well in the black kit.

We didnt verses cheltenham or daggenham!

Ok but Rotherham, Crawley, Morecambe, Bristol City, Exeter, Accrington, Northampton....

Tonight could be one of the greats... 2-0 win.

Tricky game but think we will pull through and win 2-0.

Not sure about the title tonight though...

If we don't lose we might draw or win

2-0 win. Benson, Ritchie. Looking forward to this and in covered terrace so a bonus.

2-0, Holmes and Devera, 1458 Town Fans, 2-300 in the home end, Shrewsbury get stuffed, and we are rightly proclaimed champions of the universe  :pint: :beers:

Thank god for covered terrace tickets  :)

I cant go, so hope you all get fucking soaked

Are you on comm's Juddie or with us in the away end ?

Another tight 1-0 to the mighty Swindon.

Tonight, we'll be doing it for Paolo. 2-1 win, fucking soaked but who cares!

We are Swindon, we're champs of the league.

Going to go for a 2-0 victory for Town followed by emotional scenes with PDC and the team in front of the travelling support.

I am really pleased we managed to get tickets for the uncovered terrace.

Looks like they'll be heavy, fast moving showers, so at least we'll only get soaked in short bursts!

2-0 win Swindon.

Despite various requests for tickets I still haven't been able to get one.  Hope you all get soaked and have colds for the rest of the week  :smugfu:

So songs for tonight"

"WE'RE GETTING WET, BUT WE'RE GOING UP"

"WE'RE GETTING SOAKED AS FUCKIN CHAMPIONS"

Really looking forward to tonight. Pretty sure it will be dry while the match is on, although it wouldn't be the first time the forecast was wrong.

Hopefully we will get it done tonight.

 :badmood: :badmood: :badmood: :badmood:


 :smugfu: :smugfu: :smugfu: :smugfu: :smugfu: :smugfu: :smugfu: :smugfu: :smugfu: :smugfu: :smugfu: :smugfu: :smugfu:

Love the songs!
If i remember correctly, theres no barrier between two terraces, so could be some uncovered terrace people dry and covered terrace people wet!

Few of my mates are bringing black tape for arm bands to honour paolo's parents

A minutes silence before tonights game!

are you saying there definately is?

Yep.  The official club twitter said!

Gotta be done, long may my run of being wrong continue!

Why not pop down in your Fire Engine just to make sure?

565 minutes since we last conceded in the league in the game away at Crewe.

And only 2 goals conceded in the league in 882 minutes of play and both of those were to Crewe since we conceded at the Pox.

It is the defence that has won us the league title (which we will obviously win).

Ill just tell the old bill there is a riot and theyll come down with a water cannon ;)

Gutted to be missing this one. On a slightly selfish note, hoping for Town and Shrews wins tonight so you lot who are going tonight can enjoy the promotion, and I get to celebrate the title at Gills.

I want the title tonight so that those pikey cunts have to give us a guard of honour.

Sun has been out for most of the day so far in my area of north Hants.

Wont be going to the Pikeys so selfishly hoping the Shrews drop points and we can have a double celebration tonight.  This has the potential to be one the most memorable nights for a quite a few years, cannot bloody wait.

1-0 Town and epic post match celebrations all round.

Thought there was a hose pipe ban down there

Aldershot 1-2 Swindon promotion secured but I also predict Shrews 2-0 Vale, delaying the title so my own prediction of Gills away for the title will come true!

Can't wait for tonight  :D C.O.Y.R!!!

IDEAL! For me too :D

+1

Still in mixed minds about whether I should go and sit in the home stand for this or not.

I really hope all the loyal town fans that have followed home and away through the bad times have an amazing night tonight. COYR

Do it

Will I be able to join in after the home fans start to leave?

don't know, but fuck it do it join in with the celebrations :D

Going for this prediction AGAIN however unlikely...

2-1 Swindon Bostock & Benson to score!  :nod:

I'll go for a 3-0 win to town, with caddis, benson and rooney to score

Ha, i don't think Bostock will ever get on the pitch for us again... i have no gossip or anything, but if PdC opted to have Rooney AND Gabilondo on the bench last week but no Bostock, it isn't looking good!

Dont care either way as I will be at both :D : :beers:

Haha youre not wrong

Then why on earth is he here!!??

Because he wanted to have a butchers at him maybe?

Town just mentioned on Radio 5 with a quick Don Rogers interview. Respect to PDC.

Would be great to win, and pick up the league tonight too. I can't make either shots or pikeys so don't care! Would not like to lose but still get promoted with Crawley not winning...

Swindon to win 4-0, Ferry (4).

Shrewsbury will lose and we'll celebrate the title.

They had the supporters coach on sky sports news apparently

Is Paolo back?

Yes

Fingers crossed that we can get the job done today.

YOU REDS!

Starting XI Town: Foderingham; Caddis (capt), McCormack, Devera, Kennedy; De Vita, Risser, Smith, Rooney; Benson, Murray
subs: McEveley, Ferry, Connell, Holmes, Flint

He's ringing in the changes it seems.

What a strong bench!

Very weird selection. Been proved wrong by Paolo near enough every time so far though so!

What a strange team?  Considering Kennedy hasn't featured for weeks, I can only assume McEveley has a knock?  Ferry on the bench -
odd.  Risser and Murray can count themselves lucky to start based on their last couple of performances.  

Presume this is squad rotation, disappointed Connell isn't starting ss Murray does nothing to inspire me.

Our bench looks fucking awesome.

Hope the starting 11 can justify Paolo's selection

Have faith in Mr Di Canio.

I am sure some of the players rested are probably carrying injuries etc, our squad is strong enough.

Shame Ritchie hasn't recovered in time. I wonder if he'll play again this season?

He might be having a look at Kennedy to decide what to do with him.

Might as well, it's all just a big promotion party from now anyway.

Yeah although it looked a bit like a Barnes trip to Paignton though!!

Is there an element of appearances for championship medals?

I'd hope we'd at least wait until we secure promotion before doing stuff like that

Nope, the club get 18 medals for players and can distribute them how they see fit.
On top of that, they can also buy more if they want.

That said it is a strange selection, but no more than it was at Barnet.

Medals aren't based on appearances any more(we've been over this elsewhere).

All well and good doing a bit of rotation at this stage (maybe he wants to win the league against Port Vale at home!), still can't understand why Murray is getting so much game time though, he's shite.

Nice gesture by Aldershot with the minutes silence before the game.

Thank you Aldershot.

Thompson really needs his balls to drop

Cabbing my way there..

He does sound a little......ahem....effeminate.

Spellcheck!  :D

soapy tit wank doh!

Perfectly respected minutes silence.

Shit sorry if you saw my last post. Turned the radio on at the wrong time.

Impeccable silence.......coyr

Really nice touch from the Shots.

A silence is so much more dignified than that 'minutes applause' bollocks.

Haha, I can imagine what it said!

And that Chelsea is how you respect a minutes silence

it was only brought in to drown out any possible boos from mongs like the Chelsea fans at Wembley at the weekend.

Is BBC Wiltshire working for you now? :-)

 :doh:

...

oops

Oh dear

Fuck sake

Bollocks

ho-hum

Doh.

That's bolloxed Wes' clean sheet record bid. At least he's matched it.

Ooops

Crawley 1 up

Fucking creepies

Right, enough messing... Murray and Risser off and try and win this!

Southampton 2 nil up already :-(

Munich 1 up over Madrid

Daylight Ribery?

I've got a bad feeling about this. 2-1 defeat.

Sorry chaps. Just got home and couldn't get on earlier.

Crawley 2 up

I want to win it at the gills, but losing tonight i didnt expect!

Weird team. Is he given Kennedy one last chance before releasing him in the summer? Hard working midfield with only really Rooney for quality. Strongest bench in recent memory (in comparison to starting team). The team always needs Ferry to tick over.

Um... we haven't lost yet ;)

Apparently vale are well on top at Shrews according to a Vale fan on another forum

Devera (knock) replaced by Flint

We're going up even if we lose all our remaining games.

We just need to sew up the title.

West Ham 1 nil up over Shitty

Vale hit the post

Not any more.

And Shrews hit the bar in reply.

Crawley 3 up

Half time subs please PDC. Ferry at least.

Eating up the goal difference between us!

Even if we did lose and Crawley gain some goals on us it would still take a miracle for Torquay to catch us. Relax people. We will come back and get a point anyway.

The Devera injury limits attacking sub options. Ferry would be a definite for me (bye Risser), but holmes for de vita or Connell for Murray? probably the connell one

Or Holmes for Murray with De Vita moving upfront.

Garbage half, no shape, its killing the atmospher

e, and its Fucking freezing :badmood:

We've been poor first half.  Too many players not performing and the wrong starting 11 imo.  Looks like Holmes will be on, as he's warming up on the pitch now.  Only leaves us with 1 other sub to make.  Ferry or Connell - difficult one. 

We will win this

Di Canio will do an emotional team talk, and the boys wll do the rest

3-1

Ferry for Risser, Holmes for De Vita. Then just take Murray off, it'd still be more attacking...

Not a good half, not much shape. Risser and smith don't work, Alan mc looks "uncomfortable". Aldershot are strong and direct, need to play our own game.

That would be good, depends if Holmes is well enough to come on, hes been unwell today which is why hes not started.

On a positive note for me, might see promotion and the title at Gills :D

We have been poor, don't think there was a single player that has done themselves justice.

Although you would think its just Murray, Risser & De Gita that aren't playing well based in some if the comments from OUR fans

Right, jobs done for the night and now in front of the PC and next to the radio.

Holmes on for De Vita

"The PA has just asked a level four referee to make himself known to stewards"

Eh?

Shrews 1 up

Penalty

Penalty !

Penno

Who takes?

come on score

Penalty

Caddis

 :beers:

One of the officials must be struggling with an injury!

Come on!!!  Get in!

Yesssssssss

Get in there Cad!

You fucking beauty!

Get the fuck in!  COYR

get in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well done Caddis

coyr

Yessssssssssss

Bang!

Yesssssssssssssss get in.

Travelling Town fans sound amazing!

SSN reckon 2500 there from Town

Yeeeeeesssssssssssssssssss

Get in there!

We sound awesome! Some great noise

Game on.

Don't they ever  :D  :beers:  :clap:

As always this season.

coyr !!!!!!!

That would be some achievement considering we only had 1400 tickets.

cunt

Fuck sake.

For fuck SAKe. Fucking fuckers.

Balls

Fucksticks.

Fuck. Sake.

Bastard! Who wanted Flint on?

the fuck????

fuck  :gay:

Big hairy bollocks  :crash:

oh FUCK

Fuckety fuck fuck

Madrid equalise

Car!

[url width=400 height=261]http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lhtcyjvCiS1qccxp1o1_400.jpg[/url]

Oh dear.

Fuck it can't cope with this going for a smoke

C'mon Swindon, this is a must-win game FFS!!!

Why are we losing?

Time for some of our players to grow some bollocks.

we'll will win 3-2

Rather they just scored 2 goals!

Because they've scored more goals than us

Because Aldershot have scored two goals, whilst we have only scored one.

Just got in. Why oh why is Ferry not playing? And why did Devera go off?

Reminds me of Wembley, why fuck around with the team in big matches?

Thanks.

Dont know and injured i think

We'll do it all at the pikeys: win promotion and The Title.

Ferry for Risser

And on he comes.

Devera was injured... no idea why Ferry isn't playing but the lineup has all the hallmarks of giving fringe players a game. Alongside Risser. And Murray. Who aren't very good.

was suggs pissed when he started this thread?

Thats if its on!

If results stay as they are, we can't win the title on Saturday unless Shrewsbury get beat. Wouldn't count on that happening.

we never do it easily

Not playing like Champions at the moment...

Do we want to fucking go up? we sound shit.

We are up.

as long as shrews dont win and we do we'd win the league

Being a pessimist I still think it'll go down to last day (Championship) ...... Fat lady ain't singing yet

floodlight failure.

go back and play tomorrow

Nnnggghhh... just realised Murray will have to play the entire 90 minutes. Although hopefully he'll go and shin one in...

You don't like Murray.

We get it.

As things stand, Shrews are 5 behind us. So if we won on Saturday and they drew, they'd be 6 behind with 2 games to go. Mathematically speaking, we wouldn't be champions.

^^ Ignore this. It's quite clearly wrong.

As long as it's clear...

If we win and they draw we go 7 clear.

Crystal.

We still sound shit?

You're right. Forgive me. Shocking maths skills there.

3562 the attendance tonight.

Coe on for fucks sake

We have no subs left.

Dodgy I-pad keyboard!

Ref bottled it.

"That was an absolute stonewall penalty" says the unbiased Radio Swindon commentary...

Pretty sure poor old Callum ain't gonna be playing League 1 football next season.

Yep, it looked a penalty from here too. (Sat on my sofa, listening to the commentary).

Shrews have won

Aunty climax

Definate penalty! fucking refs! (Sat here in Plymouth listening to the Reading game on 5 live)  :D

What, that virtual one!  User error..  ;D

4 MINS TO GO

Kennedy is no loss. Mcevely has shown the sort of standard we should be looking for next year

Bayern 2-1 up

We're not going to score are we?

God damn frustrating night tonight. Makes the Gills very tricky :(

Can somebody set fire to the drum please?

Ta

We'll do it in Kent !!

Can't win them all...

Feck!

Last minute corner to Town. Taken short, of course.

And there's full time.

Game over..... maybe Saturday.

BOLLOCKS

Hope we play the first team there then

What a surprise that we make it difficult for ourselves

Oh well, at least the mongs should provide some amusement.

Ffs

must win game

I really dont like short corners, pisses me off when we do it!

Fair play to Aldershot, sounds like they deserved it.

Bring on the Gills.

:D

Reading score - promoted as it stands

READING HAVE DONE IT !!!!!!

Bring on the Pikeys

Reading can fuck off.

Why so happy, are you a plastic?

Would you expect anything else ?

Forgot I had caps lock on

I'm confused, are you a Sunderland fan, Reading fan or a Swindon fan?

leeds

Ah well... full strength XI on Saturday (assuming it goes ahead) and we'll be back to winning ways. Would be kind of good if results transpire we win the league (and receive the trophy) at home to Port Vale.

Swindon and Sunderland.Now live in Swindon but red & white for 46 years

Saturday's game itself isn't in doubt. And I agree, it needs to be a full side.

Edit: according to NW it is, as it can't go ahead behind closed doors!

Agree. Mainly because I am flying over for it!

Reading are promoted.

Shame we couldnt do it tonight

yeah the mongs that actually watch them  :-

Ooh, get you

PDC

- Lucky last 3 games
- Fair enough to lose. Could have been a bigger margin
- You should ask why did players did not start (why), ???? something about what happened a few days ago, only McCormack has 'excuse' but there was a group of players that did something silly....but I know what happened......some players already go on holiday....some go out for drink...but there is one who will not play until we celebrate promotion..
 (off field missdemeaners?) absolutely.
- Few days ago found something out.....if I have to bring whole youth team to Gillingham if I have to....Unfortunately didn't find anyone in the youth team that were professional enough to step up..
(having a pop at bodin???)
---------------------------
oh dear, players found on piss Saturday night by sounds of it..

Anyway

Sounds as though a few players have been out on the razz

Fuck me, Paolo is not happy with some of the field shannanigans.

Threatening to play the yoofs against the pikeys!

Di canio is not happy with off the field activity! I did actually see most of the team out in mckenzies on Saturday!

Having a go at Flint.

Um, he said bollocks :)

Not happy with Flint at all is he

Sounds like he was having a major pop at Flint there.  Accusing him of being a big time C by the sound of it.

His performance or his off field behaviour? I'm away from a radio now!

Ha ha, "they play like the shit" .....funniest interview I've heard in ages. He is a legend!

And SHEET!

They were hungover today then?

Seems as though that's what he is saying

Off field (on piss by sounds of it)

PDC getting very emotional over his mum

While the cats away (in italy) the mice will play

Well that was nothing short of dogshite. Two awful goals to give away and we never really looked like scoring penalty aside.  I don't think their keeper had a save to make.  Very disappointing, but fair play to Aldershot, they worked very hard and looked more like the team who are top of the league.  Totally wrong team selection tonight, daft to mess around with it like that.  My opinion of Murray lessens each game, might as well not have been on the pitch for most of the game.

Ferry as well now then.  Makes a bit more sense why they were all on the bench then

A summary...

- Last 3 games we were very lucky, deserved to lose by more today
- Only Alan McCormack can be excused for what happened the other day, but others don't have an excuse. Some think everything is done, going out more often, drinking more, already on their holidays
- I will not give people holiday until we've won promotion, and people under contract here need to watch how they behave
- If I have to play the youth team at Gillingham I will. The problem is the youths don't have the professionalism and the desire either. The players need to respect me, the club and the fans.
- If we keep going this way
- It's not a coincidence that the two centre halves made mistakes today. Players were "shit" today.
- Ask him (Flint?) why he fell down like a little rabbit. Ask him why, and see if he has the bollocks to admit it's because he was out the other night.
- You can't change a game if 8 or 9 players are blurry
- The fans are angry to travel this far and watch a rubbish show. I am angry as a manager. The players have to say sorry to the fans and feel it.
- You saw Aden Flint and Simon Ferry. What have they done before I was here? They will become good players if they behave. Fortunately they only switched off two weeks ago.

Clearly emotion getting the better of Paolo here. Wouldnt like to be in that dressing room right now as a player thats for sure.

stating the obvious but I bloody love our manager, explains
the decisions made.

Fuck, Ferry and Flint in the shit. Really needed Ferry for the Championship. Fact he came on maybe he has chance still?

Bloody hell, all go here isn't it?

Slightly off topic to Paolos interview but i think its clear how much we miss Ritchie. People thought we could live without him back in January but he is such a key player for us.

Long and short of it, after saturday they went out to wet Alan Mac's babies head.  Macca is the only one that he felt could get away with that, for obvious reasons, so the worst culprits were dumped to the bench.

Flint, Ferry, JMac I would think were the main culprits.  Holmes ill, Maybe Connell?

no he wasn't.

Wow. cheers for the interview write-ups. Stupid of Ferry, Flint et al really, they'll have plenty of time to celebrate if they continue to do their jobs properly.

Don't think it was that, they had some fancy dress party planned before that.

He kept mentioning about them being 'blurry' today though. I'm guessing he's referring to a hangover.

I'm guessing they've been out on a bender which only ended last night

That's what I thought, they were discussing it on Twitter

I'm not saying it happenend on Saturday.  If they had a fancy dress party planned now then they deserve everything they get, just wait a bloody week.

This fiasco could cost us the title.

Good job we've got a superior goal difference.  I honestly don't think we'll get anything at Gillingham.

If I was out on the piss on Saturday, I'd be fit for Monday.

It would take a monster sesh on a Saturday for me not to be fit for Tuesday

Not panicking regarding the title just yet.

House needs to be kept in order and we'll need to get right behind them if we have to do it at home.

Ronan Murrays bird has a pic of him and her on her twitter page of them both in fancy dress.  Which could be from the offending party.

Maybe it was Sunday

Nick Watkins on...

- Credit to Aldershot who played well. Any team playing us now will see it as a cup tie
- The players seemed to feel the job is done, but true glory will only come when it's fully complete
- Let's hope we can put tonight behind us and put it right on Saturday
- Gills is a work in progress. Still speaking to Gills and the FL. I have to believe that common sense will prevail and that the situation will be resolved.
- If the game doesn't go ahead as planned, there is no precedent and the FL will have a conundrum. The game cannot go ahead behind closed doors, nor can it just be played in front of home fans.

I'm guessing you don't work as a professional sportsman.

They'll have to forfeit the game from the sound of it. Hope it goes ahead and we get 3 points properly.

Agree completely. Would be a terrible way to secure promotion.

Which is exactly what I am getting at.

Either a monster sesh, or perhaps a sesh the night before. PDC kept on saying how they were 'blurry'.

I reckon they were still out on the lash last night

With PDC in Italy they may have thought they could let their hair down for a few days. Clearly not.

As for the Gills game it all sounds very interesting. If there is no resolution the FL may have no choice but to award us 3 points. How strange would it be to win the league without even kicking a ball.

Connell and De Vera were both out as well from the accounts of girls I know.

I vaguely remember about 10-11 of them out on Saturday! None of them looked particularly pissed but ferry was wearing some shocking peach trousers and for that reason he should be dropped :) it looked to me like they were wetting the head of maccas baby

That's Connell fucked then. Great. You can understand a few drink to wet the head and celebrate (virtual) promotion. But PDC demands 100% commitment 100% professionalism. And nobody fucks with PDC. If they were out agan on Sunday and heaving in training on Monday he might have more of a point mind. Who knows.

Reminds me a bit of the Macari days with spotters dobbing in some players. Even at the Rock in Ciren.

Its good to get clarification from Watkins that the Gills game goes ahead with home and away fans, or not at all. I think that ensures it will go ahead 100%. No way can Scally can go through with it and risk a FL and home fans backlash. And the council and plod will know this.

PDC on sky sports news now

Where's this notion of a forfeiture by Gills come from? Are you making shit up again Si?

Well just on the train back. Thought our lineup was weird, only just found out why going on here.

Thought we played like we have since Wembley. Pretty crap. The defence was noticeably shit though, we wouldn't have conceded those 2 goals normally I don't think.

And as much as I like Roman Murray as a person (he looks like a nice bloke) he's not very effective. At all.

Think its all getting blown out of proportion. I doubt the players did anything terrible just got pissed on saturday.
Think everyone needs to calm down in particular the manager whose emotions must be all over the place at the moment.

on tonights display this would be a result, that was shite and in front of 50% of the attendance, play like that away at the pikeys and forget a party

Great guess, got it in one.

If you are a professional sportsman yourself, I'm sure the TEF would love for you to tell us all how hangovers affect sports people differently from non-sports people.

If memory serves me right, PDC has done the exact same thing.

On the radio Watkins just said it would leave the FL with a dilemma as their is no precedent. Wonder if Pie heard a different interview somewhere??

Still gutted.

Roar

Watkins said the game can't go ahead without fans, and either he or the interviewer made an off-the-cuff comment about a forfeit. Certainly wasn't mentioned as a likely outcome or anything.

Watkins said a league match is not allowed to go ahead behind closed doors (FL rules)
He also said a league match is not allowed to go ahead if away fans are not allowed (FL rules)

Either it will be on with fans, or it will be off completely.

Sorry, no link. But that's definitely what Watkins said on the wireless

At amateur level, it is standard to award a 3-0 win, but I have never heard of anything remotely like this at semi-pro or pro level.

It also makes me wonder, when is the point of no return (the last possible moment to call the game on or off)?

As for tonight, im pissed off if it is true that they were on the lash. Sounds like they have got it into their heads that it is all done and dusted.

I reckon Friday morning due to team travel. Doubt there is a rule to cover postponement due to these circumstances.

I was merely making reference to the FL having a dilemma. They can't exactly postpone a game and I think they'd need to make a point to other teams for the future.

So I assume if the game can't go ahead it will be forfeited. It would be very unfair if it was any other way.

If Paolo was that angry, why did he put Flint and Ferry on?

Agree with Si there. There is no other course of action other than forfeiting.

Chance of redemption?

If a game is postponed at late notice the home club has to pay travel/accomodation costs for the visitors. Don't know how it would work in other circumstances though. As Watkins said, this would be totally unprecedented.

to try and win the game ::)

Other than the normal panzy fines and replay it option. A point deduction and replay it. Etc.

Never underestimate the jellyfish like qualities of the FL when it comes to making a decision.

...... or why were they on the bench in the first place.

He already said why they were on the bench.

I must have missed that bit

He didn't really have a choice when Devera got injured. 

Mentioned the youths are just as bad.

 :beers:Paolo is  a legend his mum died but he carried on.As a fan of 38 years i really admire the man its a real fuckin shame that SOME of our players dont feel the same.We have a decent squad with some excellent and some average players that pdc has moulded into a solid unit.Some of them will never play at wembley again or win a title medal.I hope that paolo and team di canio stay to further both our and their progress.After tonight the players have a lot to prove to us and paolo

No tweet from mr ferry as yet.

Nights out to one side, tonight highlighted our inability to break sides down with little pace up front and the stalling effect the Holmes and Rooney have on our build up play when played on the wrong side.

Generally we were off-colour and off the pace. Neither Smith nor Risser got a grip on the game and far too many passes went astray. Even Alan Mc's distribution was below par.

We've said it a thousand times, but we need something alongside Benson...anticipation for knock downs? Nope. Pace?, a bit. Able to use that pace too good effect? No, our Ronan has the strength of a 6 year old girl. Trickery? No. Movement? Difficult to tell without service. Murray took a bashing tonight, but simply isn't up to the job. Bring back Billy.

Credit to Aldershot. Good fans, decent footballing side with the right amount of physicality. Thoroughly deserved their win.

Foderingham #RAGE tweet. Paolo hopefully tearing the team a new arsehole!

Fiasco? Cost us the title?

It's a few lads having a beer and we are still miles clear, get a fucking grip

Doing it whilst Paolo clearly grieving and back at home to mourn a tragic family loss. Its all about timing and manner of which they must have handled themselves.

It's a huge over reaction. We got beat by a decent side on a horrid Tuesday night at a tough place to go. Bollocks to what all the negative cunts are saying and I include PDC in that- look at the league table, of course the job is bloody done. We'll win the league. End of.

What an anticlimax, it wouldn't be Swindon Town without some stress though would it?! The first half was shocking and we just couldn't seem to string anything together. Foderingham made a good initial save but wasn't quick enough to save the first goal. Had we not won the penalty i don't think we'd have scored. Murray was weak and ineffective up front. Aldershot played decent football and were simply just better than us tonight.

On the up side the atmosphere in Yates before the game was great and it was good to watch from terraces (and it didn't rain!)

I'm selfishly hoping we wait until the Port Vale game now to take the title  :D

Just got back, blah blah.

Best thing I can say about tonight was the pitch looked good.

Which just about sums things up. Will give my four bits worth in the morning after I have read the other reports.

Agree with DMR on this one. As much as they've clearly been unprofessional this week, saying it's cost us the title is ridiculous. We're 5 points clear with 3 to play. It's not impossible for us to lose the next 3 games and still finish top.

If the players have got any sense, they'll go out desperate to seal it at Gills. Then they can have their party.

As much as I hate agreeing with you, you have a point.

Fucking Judas. No offence intended.

Fuck Aldershot and it's lack of signs (I got lost twice)
Fuck plastic Reading fans celebrating on the roundabouts
Fuck the Highways Agency for closing most of the M4 and A419

Shit game, too many changes to the side (too many good players on the bench). And don't get me started on Murray  :badmood:

I haven't actually got any issue with them going out, but the fact that they were dropped tonight because of it and the whole team rejigged cost us the game.

I'm highly pissed off at spending £17 to watch that shite performance.  I'm cold, tired and have a splitting headache and don't want to get a fucking grip!

I was stood in the East Terrace with the Shots fans and I must say the minute's silence with the trad red 'n white scarves aloft was a somewhat haunting and certainly memorable image, a very creditable mark of respect that was enhanced by Aldershot's  staging of it and the respect shown by their fans too.

Perhaps when things are less raw for PDC it is an intimate image that he will be able to recall with both sadness and affection.  Well done alll who brought their scarves.

Or maybe i meant Jonah?

Still no offence intended.

I'm home now. Pissed off. They just didn't show up tonight. Going to bed.

Well, same old Swindon with a total let down at the big occasion.

Aldershot are effective and did us fair and square, big, physical and relentless.

We pissed about with team (for whatever reason......I don't care) and we paid a high price for it.

Every player to the man was shit....and poor old Murray was the scape goat....didnt or couldn't read the game and the strength of a kitten, I honestly think we would of been better off with him off and to play with ten.

Ref was poor in respect if trying to keep cards to a minimum...boh sides should of had a few more yellows.....ferry being kicked four times before he went down late on was a cert....however the ref did not blow it...we did!

Roll on the pikeys

Anti climax of the season.

We were shit. I couldn't pick a MOM. Particularly shite were Murray and Rooney. Macca fucked up for the 1st and Flint for the 2nd. We were 2nd to every ball and Aldershot thoroughly deserved their win. We just weren't at the races today.
Credt to Aldershot for the minutes silence.
What a fucking trek to the away end - didn't fuck around like that back in the 70's and 80's.
 

This is all your fault. I expect you thought you could go out on the piss all weekend and start another match winning thread like magic eh? You've got to be professional. It goes without saying that you've let the TEF, Team and everyone who travelled to Aldershot down.

This.

And I was standing in the fucking home stands. Even fucking worse. Got back 40 mins ago. Still cold.

It's true, I went out Thursday but PDC's bollocking was aimed at me!


That was infuriating.
So annoyed as that probably the last game i'll get to see this year. unless I shell out £30 for the train to Vale.

Still the minutes silence was amazingly upheld by all and the atmosphere in general was again superb.

We are Swindon, We don't need a drum was a highlight.

Just got back. what a pile of shit.

If the stories about our players on the piss are true, then I must say that I have more respect for the Shots fans than our players....until Saturday.

Fair play to Aldershot for that gesture before the game.

PDC was very subdued which is understandable due to his loss, but how much have certain players let him down?

As for Murray, well don't play high balls to him! Simples! I think he should be given a second chance if we can keep the ball on the ground.....in League 1!?!!!!

See you at Pikeyville.

Been back a few mins, a couple of thoughts....

-We were shite tonight.
-Away support was excellent (and fair play to Aldershot for the minutes silence they created a good atmosphere also and were a decent side)
-Play like that on Saturday and we'll get beat again
-Players that were culprits of going out have served their penalty, now time to work hard for Saturday and get the result we need
-Shrews away at Accrington Saturday, I expect them to win that so again we'll pressure is on us to get the result in what will be an intimidating place to go (especially with this build up we're having and the no fans in the ground rule right now)
-Can only assume Murray played as Connell was 1 of those who was on the piss Saturday....I won't start on Murray as I'll be here all night but to sum up he was weak, ineffective and couldn't score in a brothel (that said if he plays Saturday he'll most likely score 3)
-There is more but I'm shattered and have work tomorrow, passing thought though some lovely birds got on the train on the way home to cheer us up a bit  :D

I think since Oxford our problems have been exposed more and more. It's been a fantastic season and we must remember that. Expectation levels got so high on the winning run and I think we all thought we were better than we are. That said, we have a class team for league 2 and recent games I hope will help Paolo on where we need to change things in the summer.

Tonight's line up had a lot of players not good enough for the cut. We had nothing in CM, our threat on the wings has dried up and we have a very poor strike force that has been saved by the other players chopping in with goals. We have a solid defence and we missed Mcleverley tonight. But keeping so many clean sheets is one of the main factors to our success. Ferry is awesome but I think for an attacking CM he should contribute in goals. I would also like to see McCormack play a couple of games in CM because he showed again tonight how dangerous he is when he pushes up.

Tonight we were well beaten and another factor was they had a big strong side and we lost too many headers and were muscled off the ball easily. So maybe we need a couple more units in there. The strike force is the main thing though, but with a couple more tweaks this is a very good side that will compete in league one. Once the dissspointment of tonight is over and hopefully the usual faces return and Murray is dropped we will end a fantastic season on a high.

Yes they were nice, but did you see the geezer get on at the stop before? Worse Bobby Charlton comb over I have EVER seen! For you oldies, remember the Hamlet commercials with Rab C Nesbit??  :clap:

What a load of horse shit that was last night.

Fair play to Aldershot, they were a big, strong team and looked very dangerous on the break. I still don't know why he picks Murray over Connell ???

We need to get Ritchie back ASAP and put Holmes on the left wing cos he'd be far more effective. Rooney was shit last night.

Again, why drop Jay McClevely ????

Very little to say that hasn't been said already.  We were definitely second best...so fair play to Aldershot for their win.  I can see why Risser was picked; Aldershot are a big, physical side so the thinking was probably that Risser would counter some of that threat - but it just didn't work.  We barely had a centre midfield for most of the game.  Such an anti-climax.

On a more positive note, was a pleasure to meet Pumbaa last night.  Hope you got back OK - and survived the experience of having to watch that from the home end!

I've slept on it and I really really hope PDC takes a deep breath, reads them the riot act if he feels it necessary and draws a line under this one. Lets play our best players and win the league, not play the fringe to prove a point.

If you beat them with a stick too much they will eventually break, like a giant pinata.

i'd agree with both points, and add- murray was either too close to benson and when the ball got to him moved it 8 yards to someone else, or he was miles away from benson not expecting another flicked on ball (as we became more desperate it was evident the hoof was the only way we'd get close to their goal). he and de vita don't anticipate anything and it's really really frustrating.

aldershot are a physical team and as partisan as i may be their number 10 should have gone for two yellows (diving then fouling ferry multiple times just outside the box). but the ref, just like the feller against plymouth didn't take anyone to one side and have a chat and give any warnings. a suitably poor display from the ref to match our attempts

World's worst agent Darren is suggesting on twitter that PDC may be losing the dressing room... I assume he isn't working for us anymore then.

Wondering if PDC would have put that side out if we were where Crawley/
Turkey are in the league, maybe next time he should fine them to make his point and not put a crap side out in an important match for the club and fans?

Just a thought.

A good point was raised that most managers would have resolved this in-house rather than declare it live on the radio. Agree or disagree I'd imagine a few will be pissed off at being outed in public.

Personally I don't know whether it was the right thing to do or not. If they got totally wrecked then maybe it was right, if they were out wetting the baby's head and had Sunday off then maybe not.

Just hope he doesn't persist with what in my opinion is a weakened team to prove the point. Play the best players, win the league, then decide what to do.

But to go out on the lash on a saturday night, when you have a tuesday night game which is important is irresponsible in my opinion.

But that's the argument of players social lives again...

They have all fucking summer to get lashed.

Should make it clear if they got lashed it is clearly wrong, but what if it was 3 or 4 pints (which I have doubts).

My main point was I hope that PDC can see past it and play players because they are the best in their position, not put them on the bench because they have been dicks. The players can help themselves by getting on it rather than sulk.

On Twitter, a lad I follow said he served Devera jager bombs on Saturday night in Cirencester.

He has no reason to lie.

Wilson let them all get away with it last year and look where that got us.
I can't see him not playing them for the rest of the season, he's made his point and I think that will be that.
I always thought the players trained on a Sunday if they had a mid week game, so I can see why he is pissed off.

well I saw him in old town around 11 so I'm not sure how likely that is. Anyway like I have said before, they didn't look like they were getting shit faced, just celebrating maccas baby. Then again who knows what went on later in the night. All I know, is that most of the first teamers were out on Saturday. We will still win this league...no need to panic

Probably the same for me.

I feel slightly different about it all since last night. agreed paolo should maybe
have not got down this route but can understand why.
when Fraser digby questions it on twitter I do wonder and hope
the players and staff stick together and talk it through.

Tbf to the bloke he has had a shit few days. He hadn't seen them until yesterday so couldnt do anything about it until then. These players know how he works and what he is about and let's face it even we know he doesn't allow players to get steaming. It us up to the players in question to apologise and show him in training that they mean it.As for saying it in public well that's just him isn't it?

The thing is though alot of these players have previous drinking history and you thought they'd learnt there lesson.  Can understand having a couple to wet the babys head for Alan Mac but obviously it was far more than that otherwise Paolo would not respond the way he has.  They are supposed to be professionals so lets see the job through before hitting the town and getting hammered.  Ferry and Flint were regular drinkers last year and I have seen them out a few times this year (not nearly as many as last year) but at some point they have to decide whether they want to stay at a club that is going places or whether they want to go to a club that is far more relaxed on letting them drink.  Plenty of time in the summer to celebrate and get on the beers both players and management, firstly get the job done!

I think that's what caused the problem in the first place ;)

I wonder who the next youth team boss will be?

Fuck knows but let's be honest you only have to look at a few of the youth teamers tweets to know they are jumped up little cunts who think they have made it already.

Miles Storey seems a decent lad.

Hang on, what's happened with Bodin? I had a quick skim on this thread but couldn't see anything amongst the anarchy.

Isnt that just most youth teamers everywhere?

Yes they are.
Some are not nice lads to be honest. Not all of them though and Bodin is good at his job. I expect them to struggle next year regardless of who is the boss.

On a positive note, it was good to have a drink with Mexico Seagull last night. He's looking well.

Mexico seagull?

Brighton Mex.

Yes :)

Been a steward at the Amex apparently.

In his interview on BBC radio Paolo made it clear that he didn't see the professionalism in the youth team player that enabled him to bring them in for the Aldershot game. I am paraphrasing but he made noises about changes to address it for next year, which didn't sound good for Zippy.

I haven't been to Aldershut for years, it's a shame they can only muster about 2000 home fans, I guess they lost a lot of fans to Reading when they started picking up?

Can't be fun watching football at that ground though.

Hes deleted whatever he put as there is nothing on there now.

When we got the Shrivvy stand from the Aldershot Tattoo, did they get a similar stand from the same event? (Reg?)

I agree with everything you day. BUT I want to win this league, and to do that we can't afford to drop these players. The point had been made by PDC (IMHO), lets see what PDC does for the Gills.

Over reaction from the fans, everyone was texting the radio about Di Canio team selection last night, they didn't understand why he changed it and he only pritty much said why after. He can't win with some people.
Chill and just enjoy the good times while it lasts.

Can't be fun?  Those Aldershot fans looked like they were having more 'fun' than any home fans i've seen this season.  Absolutely fantastic away end / terrace, what I’d do to watch my team under that roof every week.  If only all grounds were like it.  Or we could all get a plastic identikit.

Each to their own. Whilst terracing is great, the ground is a dump.

Wish people would stop comparing PDC with other managers.

So what if other managers would have dealt with discipline more discreetly. PDC is PDC, not one of those other managers. PDC's way has seen us promoted and likely champions and people want to start changing ways of his management ethos? Really?

I agree with this - don't want to hark on about 'bout the good old days but he needs to be more in the Mcloughlin/Hazard role.

It would seem that was what he was hoping from Bostock

Whi has since disappeared off the face of the earth!

Haven't been a Jonah or Judas in the other 30+ matchday threads that I predicted EXACTLY the same score! :D

No offence taken :)

Problem is he's unlikely to be able to change. It's an instinct he doesn't pocess. If he was in their mould, he wouldn't have left Celtic or playing for us.

Well that ended up being a rather frustrating night. Not much else to add in the analysis department.

Personally I'm not bothered that PDC has named and shamed a couple of players, they should feel embarrassed about their behaviour and if they know what's good for them they will give the correct response in training and work themselves back into the starting line up.

The highlight of last night was hijacking their Shots chant (same as Spurs yids chant). The funniest thing was that the drummer kept going, even though you could only hear Shits reverberating around the ground.

The players were wrong if they disobeyed orders and went drinking,but i doubt it would have had an effect on their ability to pay last night.
I think Di canio was wrong to drop players but he is the boss. A line needs drawing and winning the title needs to be nailed.

The youth thing is a seperate issue, is old news and will probably change in the pre season.

Everybody has had their say, I will just say disappointing in so many respects, from the players on the piss to PDC washing his dirty linen in public, not forgetting a crap performance.  Can somebody enlighten me on something, what has happened to Bostock and Ritchie?  I heard an interview with Ritchie over two weeks ago when he said he was just a couple of days away from a return.  Murray has been so disappointing that I simply do not understand the Connell situation.  We limited our options by sending Billy B. on loan and his replacement apparently out of the equation altogether.

That and when the drummer stopped after we chanted that they couldn't sing without the drummer   ;D

Ritchie is still injured, he hasn't healed as quickly as expected.

As for Bostock....the same thing happened with Cox......not heard anything of them recently at all, I guess PdC doesn't rate them highly or they are also injured.

That drum did my head in right from the off - and I hope we never have anyone try bringing one to the County Ground.  But as the game wore on (perhaps because I was able to start zoning the drum out), you had to give credit to those fans for the noise they made and the support they offered their team.  Admittedly, I've not been to many games this year - but it's been a while since I've heard a home crowd like that.


Certainly the first time I've ever seen a ground with trees inside the stands.


I've had a theory recently that, when Torquay go up, they could well come back in for Bodin Jnr in order to strengthen their front line for League 1.  Really sad to hear things not working out for Zippy who, frankly, will always be a hero.  If he does go - and I know this is just rumour/speculation - I suppose Billy might be less inclined to stay as well if other offers came in.

Should make it clear that was just my reading of what Paolo was saying regarding youth team. He could have meant something all together different.

Couldnt really blame Bodin for going.  He did pretty well when he has come in post his Torquay spell.  The sight of Ronan Murray up front would make me dispair if I was him!

Is he out of contract at the end of the year?  If so I am guessing he could go for nothing?  Or would his age mean we would get something through tribunal?

PDC's interview last night smacked of a man that has had a long hard season, needs a break from being vilified (from opposing fans), needs to spend time away from the limelight with his family so that he can properly mourn and some time away from the players that he obviously feels totally responsible for.

Win promotion and the title and then let him fuck off to Italy for 6 weeks to get his head right.  Then he can come back, shake hands, brush all of this years shit away and start afresh.  Some new players, new league and another promotion!

It's been one hell of a first year in management for him, you could write a book about this season alone.

Just keep it together for 3 more weeks Paolo, then go off and have some well deserved rest.

He did sound like a very (emotionally) tired man

I was surprised at the crowd numbers announced.
They reported 1260 odd Swindon fans, where I thought we had sold out over 1,500 tickets.
I guess there is always a case that some don't turn up, but would be surprised if it was as many as 250.

As for the game, you would have been hard pushed to find a single Town player that did themselves justice last night, they were all poor. But the players that have got us to this point don't turn shit overnight, so I'm guessing it was just an off day and fully expect them to get the points needed in the next couple of games.

As for the discipline, I too hope that PDC has made his point, and picks the strongest team available.

A Risser/Smith midfield doesn't work for me, they are both grafters but we lose a creative spark without Ferry.
We definitely miss Ritchie, and will be good to see the Ritchie/Caddis partnership restored.

I can't believe that. To me it looked as though they'd oversold tickets as many fans couldn't find anywhere to stand.

For what it's worth I liked the ground, yes it was a dump but it had character. And yes I know usual view of drums is tin pot but I think it really worked last night for the Aldershot fans.

PDC sounds physically and emotionally shattered - and who can blame him - its been a long and stressfull season with a steep learning curve, a few mistakes and the loss of both parents involving numerous trips back home.

On the TV interview he just looked destroyed, even the scarf salute at the end of the game seemed tired.

He's had a hard season and an awful last month all round and the players would do themselves a huge favour if they just knuckled down for 2 weeks and get this club up and champions. At the moment it seems we are limping to the finish line.

In a nutshell Bodin wasn't brought in by di canio who likes to do things his way.

Well put, couldn't agree more.

Couldnt agree more, i'd quite happily travel to traditional grounds like the Rec every other week.

Anyway a few thoughts:

The minutes silence with all of us holding our scarf’s up must have looked brilliant from a distance away, I actually found it quite a spine tingling moment.

Rooney, seems to have gone right off the boil in the last few weeks.  Still capable of doing the odd good thing but his all round game and general attacking threat seems to be less effective recently.  In saying that Aldershot got there tactics spot on with our wingers, constantly double-marking them and it worked a treat from their perspective.

Murray, he probably was the scapegoat last night but he was fucking woeful.  Offered no threat what so ever and quite honestly looked out of depth at league 2 level.

All the drinking business is an overreaction.  So they went out 72 hours before a game, big deal thats enough of time for the body to recover.  I played some of my best Sunday league when hanging from the night before!  Don’t buy the “disrespectful’ to PDC” stuff either.  If one of my mates had a kid the day after my boss’ mum died (who probably I hadn’t ever met) it wouldn’t stop me going out.

But by going out they leave themselves open when they play shit and to be honest if you have a games Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday you've no business going out and having a skin full, especially when the games are so big.

How do we know it was just the Saturday night?

We don't, though Paolo only mentions 'Saturday night into the morning'..

You often seem them coming back from Burger King just before home games. None of them will make it with that sort of attitude.

If we are playing on a Tuesday, PDC has very often had them in on a Sunday to train. Perhaps the problem was they all turned up to training pissed still?!

To be fair, he was a good drummer

I just think that its 1 night, well I'm assuming all that is, and it shouldnt effect performance.  I don't blame him for punishing them if he had laid down ground rules though, probably rather it had of been a fine in hindsight.

Di canio demands the dedication he puts in himself from his palyers,which to some could be seen as extreme.
The players not having a day off for 7 weeks after his arrival,The minimal time he has taken off for his parents deaths,the running he does alone around the training ground for hours,player bust ups etc etc tell us how dedicated he is to fitness and application to the job.

That is coupled with how he shoots from the hip and wears his heart on his sleeve,but that is what makes the man he is.

According to the shots forum we were very quiet last night and barely sang? Sounded loud on the radio i thought.

People that went last night......

Sounds certain as though this is not a one off either. Several times he mentions '2-3 weeks'

Could explain why we haven't been doing so well of late. Thank fuck we've got a manager that will nip it in the bud.

Are they were wearing the Burger king crowns that you get? :D

I think the story of him running the Swindon half marathon by mistake sums his attitude up and where players do not have the natural ability to suceed they have to do it through hard work and effort.

I don't blame him at all for having a pop in the press about the players, they were awful last night and as a paying fan if they've been on the piss and thats the reason why they were shit I want to know. I pay their fucking wages! (albeit a teeny tiny bit)

Thought it went a bit flat after they scored the first goal, but was great before  that. Singing at half time and through the second half. Thought it was a great effort on our part to get something more out of the team.

"we're going up, we're going up.........." repeat for 10 minutes to fade

:D Sadly not.

When we release them they will be spending the next 30 years of their lifes making those burgers!

Poor team proformance all round and beat by a better team on the night. Conceded very few goal recently but gave them both goals last night. On the up side its still very much in our hands and the park of death wasn't scary at all  :)Think we will draw at Gillingham and win the title at home to Vale.

That's because it was full of coppers!

And this is exactly what the club needed after the debacle last season.

I thought we were pretty loud last night, there were times when we were subdued i.e. after we conceded but on the whole we were making plenty of noise!

Listened to the second half on the radio and you could pretty much only hear Town fans.

I videoed some of it on my phone for my lad - we were loud - no doubt about that. Quiet at 1-0, 2-1 down.

Well in that case, there were some selectively directed microphones being used!  Their fans in the East Stand didn't make a lot of noise in the first half, but really picked up after the break.

youths doing themselves no favours on twitter at the mo

in what way? I can't see Twatter at work

Storey and Grant ?

Stuff like this


Thing is, PDC said nowt about their ability.

Comments like that will ensure they get released in the next few weeks although I would be surprised if many of the youths got retained either way.

PDC threatened to have a clear out at the end of the season of those with bad attitudes due to the mbeing able to get us promoted and then relegated...passionate man you've got to love it, if only a few other managers were the same maybe there wouldn't be so many players with issues

I went and was in the Aldershot end. Their singing was way way louder than Town and I was well impressed with the singing. There fans were laughing at us due to the lack of noise from the away fans. If Swindon could get behind their team as Aldershot did then I am sure the last few games would have been more enjoyable to watch and more goals to boot.

As for all the Town fans who said they were going in the Aldershot end where the fuck were you? I was a bit worried when we equalised and realised I was the only person jumping for joy and punching the air!  :suicide:

All in all, a shit night, but they wanted to win and their fans helped them achieve it for them, a very big win.

My view.

Oh dear

Aaron Oakley ‏ @aaronoakley1994

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“@estevens19: Don't understand how you can comment on a team you've never watched?” cuz he does what he wants, he does what he wantttssssss

They are not happy bunnies

Maybe each of you thought it was louder where you were because that's where you were, so it was louder than the people who were further away, kind of sort of thing?

A day or so before contract decisions are made apparently. Meeting the stereotype of footballers not being all that bright.

...or maybe the writing is already on the wall, they know what is coming and feel they have nothing to lose?

They probably don't understand that PDC must get regular reports on how they're doing and behaving, he said nothing about their ability to play football so the fact that he hasn't watched them play doesn't matter.

Why am i torturing myself reading the adver comments??

'Could the Drunks please tell us if or when they go on the lash aagain,then we won't waste our time or hard earned,travelling to watch our hungover team,what respect they have for Paolo and us the fans.none.'

'ferry is known for his betting and drinking, how do i know? i will tell you when he moved to town he rented a place from ESA with caddis, who my ex worked for, they were friends of facebook last season (not sure about this season) he had pics on there smoking, drinking and betting with the lads! so it doesnt surprise me ferry was involved.'

Jesus christ

All I can say is that I did not hear one Aldershot song on the radio, but obviously I wasn't there but if the radio was anything to go by we totally outsung Aldershot all game.

Recorded this last night,
For the covered terrace we definitely sounded louder!

Apologies for the shakeyness of camera and if you can hear my horrible singing voice...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvEkym49QGE

No tweets from Ferry recently, which is unheard of. I guess most of the players are watching their step.

Or

They have already been told who is staying and who is leaving hence the sour grapes, or at least have an inkling about who are being offered contracts.

On another note Leyton Orient are being sponsored by samsung and fifa next season

They haven't been told yet JJ

If I was in their shoes, I'd be keeping very, very quiet.

If they have not been told or have an inkling then what they are doing is suicide in terms of being offered a contract.

Thats us being sponsored by some shit scaffolding company then.

with a very Arsenal-esque kit

Or Sony & Call Of Duty

optimism!

Wait till the Port Vale game, all will be revealed ;)

Whats the chances at the start of next year there will be no Bodin's at our club?

for those who havn't seen the SSN news reports from last night here's a link

http://bcove.me/33t0kang (http://bcove.me/33t0kang)

I don't understand how anyone could say last night that we weren't singing. In the first half we were comically hijacking every one of their songs when they were started and singing them louder than them (shots became shits, we're Aldershot became we're going up)

I honestly think for a lot of clubs they know the chances of beating us our pretty slim and use outsinging us is a sense of pride. Heard a lot of Plymouth saying about the atmosphere Saturday and our 'two songs' fact is i'll take a loud as fuck 'We are Paolo's Red and White Army' and 'We are Swindon, we're top of the league' over some constant incoherent bollocks the other teams fans can't even make out any day of the week.

I think the quote from Ardiles sums it up, if you were in the Away section then Town fans were loud and in the home end then Aldershot fans were loud. The microphones must have been pointing towards the Swindon fans because the noise I was hearing from the Aldershot fans was not just my imagination.

Lets all just go down to Gillingham and sing together as Champions.

Amen.

Can't really blame Di Canio in all honesty. Lets just hope the players responsible can repay Di Canio and us as fans with a good performance against the Pikey lot, and thus secure promotion.

As for the little shits in the youth team, I hope someone who has a Twitter account has given those cunts a fucking mouthful.

The sales of bright white trainers and hair gel would plummet in Swindon if they were disbanded.

Samsung sponsorship director has just confirmed to me they are still sponsoring us. Just expanding their portfolio

Qoute from a Shots fan from another forum about noise levels last night...

but again I wont take that away from what was easily the biggest and most vocal support for a good couple of seasons (even ahead of the infamous red army of man united, congratulations)

Might not have seemed it from what you were watching but a couple on our forum have stated that although it wasn't your night at times you could really see little pockets of class coming from Swindon, so I'm really glad we managed to get the three points, if only we picked up 6-7 points from Port Vale, Plymouth and Dagenham (which could have been easily achievable) we'd be right in with a shout now.

Oh well, have fun in League One and role on next season for us, have really high hopes after last night.

Don't think it will be Sony after their recent financial reports

It was loud until they scored. Then we picked it up again and were loud in the second half when we scored. Until they scored. Then it was all them.

Can't believe there would be any criticism of Di Canio, isn't it nice to have a manager who is so open and honest?  He has not just criticised the players this season but also himself when he's made errors in judgement.

We are top of the league, three games to play, one point away from promotion.  Di Canio is completely right, we haven't done anything yet, we still have games to play, promotion and championship to play for and so the players should not be out celebrating yet.  Over the years wouldn't we have loved a manager to kick players in the backside when they weren't performing to the expectations of the fans, or taking the piss by being out on the lash at every given opportunity.

I really hope Di Canio stays here for years to come and continues doing what he has done this season.

I was there and completely agree with you. Felt a bit silly in the home stand, they were much louder than us while they were scoring. At 0-0 though, they were a miserable lot.

First half I was in that standing stand in the far corner by the goal we were attacking.
Second half I was behind the goal. Looked a bit stupid when we were awarded a pen, but otherwise I had little to celebrate.

Well I was in the home stands. Thought 1st half the away support was fabulous. Home support couldn't be heard. (Although the 'We're going up' got a tad repetitive)

Second half it was all them I thought. I guess I was near the drums in the second half cos I switched seats, but the whole stadium was pretty loud to be fair, not just behind to goal. I thought we were silenced completely.

That was quality. I thought he was really angry by comments on here, but he was really composed and spoke the complete truth. Managerial legend in the making. Definitely.

IF hard done by (I don't know) I think the youth team have a right to be pissed off, but not to post tripe on twitter about it.

He only questioned their attitude (not their ability), and did not mention a single one by name. Their reaction indicates he was bang on.

This.

Pericarp is fast becoming one of my favourite posters ...... No idea why .....  :hmmm:

It does seem like he has undergone a complete transformation.

Regeneration like Dr Who maybe?  :hmmm:

Well if you want the bit of 'old pericarp' back..

Yesterday, I went to the wrong train station. Bought the tickets at the wrong station, realised it was wrong. Thankfully got a refund. Next train would have arrived at Aldershot at 8.25.

Took a cab there for 40 pounds.

 :D

Thank fuck he's back!  I dont think I could waited until the next SAS away trip posting.

Which train station did you go to?

Have to agree. He's just great

He was angry on BBC wilts.

Said they played a the bollocks and they were a sheet

Birmingham New Street?

I haven't heard the angry version

No as in there are 2 stations where I am.. about 10 minutes walk from each other. Went to the wrong one.

He did the SSN interview straight after the BBC Wilts interview apparently. He does seem to have calmed down a bit on SSN, just wonder if he regretted naming names during the BBC one?

Exactly.

have you lived there long?  :)

Whats the chances of the BBC putting up the full version of Paolo's interview? Swear words bleeped?

Dorchester?

I had a Pericarp moment on the way home last night and ended up in Farnham!

In the cold light of day I felt last nights defeat more than some of the others we have had this season due mainly to the fact that it was going to be the defining moment and we were promoted in the eyes of all the media, opposition supporters and general slaggers off over De Canio and the team, and it did not happen. Saying that I would have taken finishing third on goal difference back in August and yes, I would love us to finish Champions but as often happens when a team is at the top for a while as we have been then they are there to be shot down occasionally so non-entity teams can have short lived bragging rights. So one more point and even finishing 2nd or 3rd and automatically promoted out of this crap Division is far more important, and there are over twenty other sides who would love to be in our position.

Pericarp, please can you change your name to "Trigger"?
Thanks.

Cracking idea ...... Who would be his Dave?

You see, I just have no idea what this means.
Did a bit of googling, and it's about Only Fools and Horses.

Never watched that show. *Cue for abuse*

We're up anyway, Torquay would have to win the last 3 games  4-0 and we have to lose the next 3 games 4-0 just to be equal on goal difference.

For the championship we have to better one Shrewsbury result in the next 3 games to go up as champions.

I would have liked to steam roller the last few games but it ain't gonna happen but we'll go up so don't panic and let PDC have the sort out in the summer after a good break.

A taxi from Dorchester to Aldershot?  :eek:

I've watched it, and didn't find it funny. Cue more abuse.

There is days of TV viewing just waiting for you UK Gold!

We have to win and Shrewsbury have to draw.

If we get a draw and Shrewsbury lose, they can still beat us on goal difference (mathematically).

weirdo

DV of course :)

It's actually on right now!

Yep, but highly unlikely like the Turkey goal difference.

With Shrews they have to recover 14 goals over 3 games and in one of those we have to better their result to win the championship (therefore score more than them in 1 game) so they have to recover 15 goals at least just to be equal on goal difference over only 2 games so the same as Turkey, we have to lose 2 games 4-0 and they have to win 4-0 over 2 games.

It's in the bag  ???

You can tell him!

Yup yup. But still no 'champions' next to our name, unless we win and they drop 2 or 3 points!

If we lose on Saturday and Shrews beat Stanley, both quite possible, I'll be getting very nervous.

Accrington (A)
Daggers (H)
Wimbledon (A)

I can see them dropping a couple of points away from home

Given that Shrews' away record this season is worse than ours, I have every confidence that they could drop 2 points somewhere. Let's not panic just yet!

Well, last night was shit.

We just didn't turn up. Can't remember their keeper having to make a save. I thought Rooney was awful, and Holmes/ De Vita not much better. We lacked any creativity in midfield.

I thought the atmosphere was very good, we were stood in the uncovered terrace, right next to covered and it sounded very loud.

Oh well, hopefully we can get it done on Saturday. Wasn't going to bother going, but having to consider it now.

I was looking at the table the other day, didnt realise how many games we had lost away from home! We dont seem able to draw a game away from home if we dont play very well

I'm fully expecting Shrews to get full points from their last three games which is making me a tad nervous. I can see the trohpy being lifted in Bradford at this rate, even if it's basically wrapped up at Vale but goal difference means it can't be presented there.

It's always on

I don't want to even think about having to get points at Bradford on the last day to win the title.

 In some ways last night may work out for the best in the long run....we've been staggering for a while now, results have come, but we don't look terribly convincing...we're up, which is the important thing, but could very easliy miss out the title.
 
A decent side would have powered on from the position we're in...like Macari's 85/86, which then powered on through Div 3.

This side, unless there is some major restructuring, will be back to struggling next season...

Thankfully I reckon Paolo will provide major restructuring, so hopefully struggling won't be an option.

Dont think you could say that any player had a good game last night and some(Caddis,McCormack,Benson)gave the worst performances Ive seen personally.Rooney is one of those "luxury players" that people used to talk of.Flint was a fucking chihuahua(?)on their second goal,Murray totally inept and Risser/Smith completely overrun in the middle of the park.
The passing was abysmal,deliveries from wide areas poor and the ball spent more time in the air than any other game I've seen.
Hopefully Saturday cannot be as bad.Best feeling I had all night was finally getting to the piss house at half time.

Replace 'struggling' with 'underachieving' and I'd agree with you entirely

Chesterfield kind of spluttered over the line last season, lost their top scorer and have struggled throughout their season (JPT aside).

You cannot write off the notion of Swindon having a season of struggle if Town are not careful in their player assessment over the summer.

I think it is without doubt that, unlike chesterfield, we will strengthen in the summer.

I think what Reg is referring to more is getting rid of the 'cancer' rather than the actual quality within the squad. We will certainly invest for another promotion and if attitudes aren't right, we could well not achieve what will already be quite a challenge regardless of what investments are made.

I think Flint is a goner.

I thought we had gotten rid of all this unprofessional shit last year, that's what I'm most disappointed with. I know footballers drink ect but its a bit disrespectful that they cant return the professionalism Di Canio has shown them. Whilst he was grieving he still took to the bench, but they couldn't resist & wait till the summer for a party. Ah well, winning promotion at gills could be sweet.

Oh yeh, the yoofs seem like wankers.

Didn't Paolo say yesterday there was one player that would never play for him again?

We were trying to work out who that was, Ferry came to mind, but he came on yesterday nullifying that?

Ditto

I wouldn't take this as a given...we've a lot of deadwood on lengthy contracts that need to be cleared out, who wil either have to be paid up or kept on the payroll which isn't cheap.  I suspect the Board wont be able to indulge di Canio quite so much next season, if he's still here.

If I was Paolo I would be in Flints ear at every opportunity, this wannabe big time Charlie needs to be put in his place and remember he was nothing until Wilson took a punt on him.

Jesus christ, all doom and gloom on here I see!
A few weeks ago people were singing the players' praises and how we'll be 'up there or thereabouts' next season.....

There's no doubt we have some quality players in our squad. Wes, Flint, McCormack, Caddis, Ritchie, Ferry, Benson etc make up a team easily capable (presuming they're not out on their ear!)

Relax...Take a deep breath.....And enjoy!

I think it's more positive than negative.

Would seem a potential problem has been identified and is being fixed ahead of next season. That's a good thing

I wrote a much longer reply than this saying something similar, in a much less eloquent way. Thank you for saving everybody from having to read it.

must be Cox but then it could be Cibocchi,or maybe Bostock.Then again Connell,or possibly McEvely,perhaps Gabilondo.Hopefully Murray.

 Been listening and watching PDCs post match interviews again. Interesting what he says about him expecting the players to apologise to the Board and fans and what he does about that. If it really was that bad and if it really did affect the performances.......I'll be expecting one.

Also been reading the youths on Twatter....poor all round really.

But let's not lose sight of what's been achieved and more importantly what can still be achieved. Reckon they'll be up for it on Saturday to prove a point or two.

I expect Paolo's rant was probably a bit OTT. Whilst it's great to here them sort of things said I do feel it was done to finally give the players a final kick up the arse they need to get over the line. If it results in a good reaction on Saturday I won't be complaining.

After every Paolo mad rant there has been a reaction, so i'll be expecting one on saturday. Still been a great season would be dissapointing not to clinch the title from our position now though...

Haha no problem! :D

But come on people, let's just enjoy ourselves - We're going up, most likely as champions - Lovely jubbly!

 ???[quote author=PHIL!!!! link=topic=47802.msg1069798#msg1069798 date=1334770347]
Haha no problem! :D

But come on people, let's just enjoy ourselves - We're going up, most likely as champions - Lovely jubbly!
[/quote]
This. Lets just move on now, league one here we come only for one season tho.  8)

Interesting times ahead!
tbh we've not being playing well since start of March (except the Turkey match) and have been winning mainly because the opposition has been shit.
I was saying after the game last night, I hope Paolo recognises the step-up in quality he will need to get if we are to thrive next season and it seems like he does.
Unfortunately it seems that some of the players who could do a job at that level may not survive to see.

Am I getting paranoid by PdC's use of the term "If I decide to stay here.." or is that just the way he talks always?

On the youths twitter behaviour that is just crazy and disrespectful - if they weren't out anyway I would expect some of them will be now.  L Thompson who was one of those quoted is only a 1st year I thought so mad behaviour if wanting to stay for a 2nd year!

I don't think there is too much to worry about, but when you add these comments to the ones about the crowd moaning, it does seem a long way from "I'd like to take Swindon to the Champions League"!

I'm with you on this - but then he is Italian and emotional and very up and down. Wigan/Plaque, Champ League/10 Years, will resign if we don't buy. Remember when he wanted Redknapp to take him off at West Ham when things didn't go his way ?

Like most fans I adore him but I do wonder just how long he will be here for. I think a large part of that will be down to Wray - not the players.

Sure most things have been covered about the match. Just wanted to say well done to aldershot, firstly for putting a rocket up our arses playing wise, secondly for the superb minutes silence for paolo's Mum, thirdly for the support of their team. Like most of us i'm not a fan of drums, but they did it with some panache, and kept up the singing for probably 80 of the 90 minutes, which was impressive. Finally for keeping the smoking area cough cough. For those excellent bits i'll overlook the toilets and that feckin hill and path which took 20 minutes to exit...

Pretty sure it was Conor Thompson, Louis Thompson is a decent lad who's been in & around the first team. Whereas most of them are moaning about not being used...

yes - just checked back - correct was C not L.  Apologies to him - as you say Louis's been on bench and even came on once I believe so hopefully he can keep improving and make his way to the first team.

Was thinking last night it might be Bostock - As he didnt feature on the bench.

maybe refering to tehoe?

Conor Thompson is a keeper right?

Surely he's not expecting to play ahead of Wes?

Not sure the youths that are tweeting are expecting to play. Just making sarcastic tweets about being given a chance ect noticed one from Aaron (?) Oakley the other week suggesting that he hopes Paolo goes to West Ham so he gets a chance. Not good.

The fact is that this is why most of them won't make it, which is what PDC is probably alluding to about attitudes through the club. Makes me laugh half of them have 'play for Swindon Town' in their profile. After the last 24 hours most of them have absoluely no hope of doing that, ever.

I've only seen Storey play and he looked useful.

He's not been on the bench for a couple. Very very odd loan signing that, makess n undeserved début at Wembley then vanishes without trace.

xpect 'arry said he woz pwoppa good and all that

It's all gone a bit Milan Misun.

Flint has got a serious chip on his shoulder so wouldn't be surprised to see him leave.  Didn't Paolo say the "player" wouldn't play again this season?

Has he? 'Bout what?

Has to be McEvely surely?

What a load of shite being spouted on here about the youth players. Put yourselves in their shoes and think a bit.

Those lads are trying to make pro's but the boss has never watched them play. He has also shunned paul bodin from day 1.
They are frustrated at hearing they are not profesional enough when they are doing their best.Di canio's comments came in the week when half of them will learn their professional futures at the club is bound to upset them.

If you don't want to like their tweets then why follow them? Its their personal opinions after all which they are entitled to.

Got to agree,the first team are there to be shot at especially after a performance like last nights.

But was very suprised Paolo had a pop at the young ones,its obvious he has major doubts about how the English game is run...especially fitness but that is not the fault of the young players.

Missed you mate -where were you?Saw your mate with becoming red and white wig!

Kennedy's selection and his absence was certainly odd. Shame if so, he looked to be improving every game and had a touch of class.

No possibility he was injured?

We also mentioned him, but if Paolo had no intention of ever playing him again, why stick him on the bench last night?

Because we're fans of STFC and everything to do with the club, whether we like what we hear or not.

They need to learn not to spout their opinions in public. Perhaps they will have learned that lesson from their actions today?

More to the point....... It's not what we think of their tweets that they should really be concerned about

he was on the bench tho

OK, a little bit injured but OK in an emergency.

Mmmm, straws.

OK but put it another way.........if you were on probation or under review at work and didnt know if you were going to be kept on and you went on to the Internet to diss your boss or whoever had your future in their hands, that would not be the most sensible thing to do would it? What PDC said was not constructive and the timing wasn't great, but at the end of the day being a footballer is a job and you have to perform to keep your job....publicly expressing their opinions was not the most sensible thing to do.

I remember one absolutely dismal corner in the first half by Kennedy. Eugh. Shin height first defender.

Lack of match practice  ;)

Is Cibbo injured?

If the youths are being neglected/forgotten and not being given a chance.......

How does that explain players like Storey and Thompson being given games?

I can sympathise with them regarding Di Canio not watching them play ect, but it's not very clever making comments on a public forum that could be seen as unproffesional. Especially during a week where they will find out their futures as a pro footballer & have been labelled as unproffesional by somebody above them in the club's hierarchy.

Sorry arriba but have to disagree about the youths. We have seen him involve a few this season.He didnt single any out he said the whole club still has a unproffessional element including the youths.The ones now kicking off have just proved that imo.He didnt single them out he said what we already knew

To be fair it's not very professional of Di Canio to publicly slate them either.

He did indicate the person in question was with us last year, so it could be Flint ?????

But then he is in charge so can do what he likes tbf, the yoofs should be grovelling at the managers feet really if they want to earn a contract.

Cant see many of them actually getting one mind, dont think they are good enough.

And they did ok...so did Bodin.
So seems strange he seemed it right to have a bit of a go....but it was only a verbal kick up the ass to be honest.

Maybe what they did was worse that what we're thinking..  ???

Di Canio does have the tendency to have a rant where he starts on one thing and drifts elsewhere and it all gets confusing for fans who choose to dissect and question what has been said.

Heat of the moment stuff me thinks.

Ched Evans stylee?

You suggesting that one of them had disposed of Bostock?

Would explain why hes disappeared  :hmmm:

Although i know the youths tweets doesn't do them any favours,their frustrations i completely understand.
Their tweets explain the problems they have at the moment. Them being good enough or not is not the issue they have,its the fact that the boss hasn't even watched them play a match to conclude anything.

I was thinking more like someone punching Di Canio in the face while they were pissed :D

Maybe Ferry took out both Cox and Bostock...

Thats just how he is though si isn't it.Let's not kid ourselves,it is no accident that the players who have bought into his philosophy our also our most consistent players.For every time he has had a go at them he has also over praised them at times.If our players and even youth players can't accept that then frankly fuck em . Caddis,ritchie,mccormack,wes,benson,and even ferry and flint have shown the level of performance they can achieve if they just basically do as they are fucking told.

Arriba....

If the boss hasn't watched them, how did he conclude the likes of Thompson and Storey should get games?

Hanging Piccaretta & Donatelli by their undies to the coatpegs?  

If Paolo really hasn't ever watched a youth game as claimed, that's pretty poor - you can't just rely on Bodin's reports.

I agree, it would be disappointing.

I would expect much more from somebody that appears to be so meticulous. Doesn't quite ring true to me.

Yeah the yoofs don't know shit. Paolo has eyes everywhere.

Training.
And that has been with them asked to join the first team whilst the other youths are doing something else. They are thinking how can i impress if the boss aint looking at me?

Where the fuck is Cox? completely off the radar after 1, maybe 2 sub appearances?

How would the youth players know he hasnt seen them? Surely they arent all looking at whos watching

So he watches them in training then?.....

The youth players using social networks to slate the club that could offer them professional terms strikes me as a little dumb, certainly naive. At least keep your grievances internal until you've been released.

Off to Cirencester and Supermarine they will go...

Indeed. I wonder who (if any) will get pro contracts tomorrow?

from what i've been told no he doesn't and has never watched a single youth game

I'm hoping PDC will put their petulance down to their youth, and give contracts to those that could make it........ Then wallop them for acting like tits

re the first teamer who won't play again (or similar).

He said he didn't want to play one of the offenders but had to beacuse he only had 3 centre backs.
As Flint was only on the bench he must be prime suspect.

Be honest though.His job this year is to get us up simple as that.He wasn't going to turn to youth for that was he? I would rather he spent saturday mornings preparing our games than watching the youths.

Flint has previous....

The 'rumours' of him getting pissed up, fighting (getting knocked out) and stuff.

Centre backs need to be a little feisty.

Our beloved John Terry is a prime example.  :D

Do other teams managers watch them play then? I was under the impression youth team coaches & managers sorted that shit out.

I think we do try and bring youth through, but most of the time they don't live up to potential or sign for a bigger team.

I'm not trying to be belligerent

Just wondering how they can complain about not getting noticed/watched when two (four if you include Kennedy and Bodin) have been given games.

Beloved? blokes a cunt.  :D

Kennedy and Bodin are pros.
The first issue i have already covered.

The boss can do what he likes and i think he has been brilliant for us. i just can see where the youth lads are coming from

But I can't see where they are coming from considering Thompson and Storey have been given games

Yeah. And Paolo's not going to be ignorant and turn a blind eye on potential first-team players. He obviously knows the standard isn't good enough and hasn't even bothered to assess it properly or whatnot.

Paolo's never wrong.

You can't see it i can. Best to agree to disagree i think

Reading the back of Adver it seems he was talking about McCormack, but he had more of an excuse?

In relation to the player who won't play until we're promoted or whatever, his name hasn't cropped up on here as a possible candidate, but a colleague at work reckons it's Ritchie.  I have no idea, but he does seem to have been out for longer than anticipated?  I hope it's not, he's a class above Holmes and Rooney.

Now that really would be a worry. Shirley not.

I heard that Ritchie has been faking injury or making things seem a lot worse than they were and Di Canio is fuming, just a rumour and one that hopefully isn't true but seems odd that he carried on playing against Rovers yet he hasn't featured since.

I think he was referring to Flint as on BBC Wilts he basically said that Flint had achieved nothing in his career so far yet behaves like a big time Charlie or words to that effect. Then he went on about him thinking he is tough but falling over "like a little rabbit" for their goal. To be honest I was pissing myself laughing at this point having heard him say we were sheeet and had no bollocks, but that was the gist of it.

Much rather that sort of interview than what we had to put up listening to from Hart just 12 sorry months ago.

Jeez can't believe some of the conjecture and half arsed opinions on the last 2 pages being alluded to as facts, some of you should know better.

Oh god please no.

No idea about the Ritchie rumours. Sounds like bollocks to me though.

Regarding the yoofs, from what my sauces have said, I believe that PDC isn't a fan of the whole internal youth policy/setup.

The department is, allegedly, very cliquey and does not react well to changes or constructive critique from PDC and his team.

A lot of rumours are currently flying around about young players getting places at STFC if their parents are favoured by coaches at various age levels, and also one or two slightly more risque rumours persist about the off-pitch activities of certain individuals that obviously can not be mentioned on a public forum.

I think the fact that some very useful younsters are repeatedly being lost to other pro clubs in the region - when they actually live in Swindon - is causing major concerns at the club.

Would not surprise me to see a mass clearout of yoof players and coaching staff during the summer.

If you watch the highlights, you can see Caddis push someone away after he scores the penalty - is that Flint or Rooney? Whoever it is, cap'n didn't seem to want to celebrate with him.

It's Rooney, but it looks as if Caddis is just in a rush to get the game back started again - nothing more sinister than that

I was sat in the North Stand about as far away from the Town fans as I could get (not on purpose you understand) and when you sung, you were awesome, much louder than the Aldershot fans in the terrace behind the goal. The scarves during the minute's silence looked spectacular, well done all.

Quote of the night for me was "Their keeper looks nervous, can't be their first choice wearing #35". Clueless twonk....

I'm glad you went there.  If you ended up next to that drum (talented drummer though he was) it would have awful.

Hope you got home in good time...and apologies again for our last minute change of plan re: the taxi.

Yeah I was there first half then moved behind the goal closer to the Town fans at half time.
I much preferred sitting in the North Stand to be honest.

Talented drummer indeed. Drove me insane though. And the support was much louder there, so I couldn't really hear the Town fans and it was all a bit shitty. Better view though.

Ah but without the conjecture and half arsed opinions, this place would not be a fraction of what it is!

John Terry is a cunt!

Yes I was a joking

Ah you trickster you

A bit of truth in there and a lot of bullshit too from your sauces.

Seen hundreds of trialists over the years up there and the ones that get contracts are the ones that deserve them. Seen the odd one that raises eyebrows but they eventually get found out and released.

It is only as cliquey as anywhere else and to be honest there are coaches that dislike each other in there. Di canio and his coaches have nothing to do with the youth set up.

Alot of rumours will come from bitter parents who cannot see that their kid isn't good enough when told they are to be released or their trial was unsuccesfull.

The local scouting network is shit,but all the better local lads except those taken by Readin-Southampton etc get a trial eventually and the fact is they aint as good as they think they are in 99% of cases.

There are things wrong with the set up but its better than most centres of excellence.
obviously are a bit behind academy set ups due to money.

Don't you mean Trigster

Was it not on twitter tuesday that Ritchie had travelled with the squad, tis strange with Bostock though as I would have expected him to be played instead of Ferry

I'm hoping the players have got their heads down the last few days in training to show they want to be here 

I think that definately shows that Bostock will not be with us next season. The fact he cant even get on the bench in front of Ferry/Smith and Risser when Di Canio was pissed at Ferry says it all for him and Cox for that matter

Lee Cox is injured

You'd imagine Bostock's attitude isn't good enough or he doesn't work hard enough in training. I was wondering what happened with Cox as he hasn't been too bad when he has played. Would be great to have Ritchie back for Saturday. We've missed him badly.

re : Flint

I too have heard on the jungle drums that he is a big time charlie and has a "don't you know who I am" attitude. Hence the alledged fight.

mmmm lets see - non league to successful regular first teamer and too big for his boots - sounds familiar ?  :sherlock:

Nope. who?

Let's be honest, he was a lot better than Flint.

He's obviously referencing Austin. I don't think Austin was necessarily 'too big for his boots', just poorly advised

And to be fair proving his ability.

I must have missed summat....Where's all this shit about Flint fighting come from? Did this supposidly happen at the weekend or earlier in the season?

Ta very much

Yeah Flint punched Di Canio in the face when he was drunk.

I was surprised to see Austin had scored so many goals, to be honest.

Fuck me, you're on the ball today!............................................ ::)

Yep, for sure

Hasnt he scored 7 in his last 7 games or something?

Fair play

Yeah he scored a hatrick a few games back.

He's a good footballer no doubt. Hope he makes it to the top.

54 goals in 113 games at professional level

Impressive

http://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10341~2741035,00.html

Don't know if it's been posted. An apology from Alan Connell, Raffaele De Vita, Simon Ferry, Alan McCormack and Jay McEveley.

No mention of Mr Flint?

YES YES YES. This is exactly what we wanted.

Hopefully Paolo now forgives, and that's the end of that.

Why no apology from Flint? Devera?  ???

Flint is being the big man and refusing to wilt to Paolo's wish!

That's why Kennedy played then... i hope Di Canio can get over it, i rate McEveley.

If that's the case, what a stupid manoeuvre that would be.

Fair play to the drinking 5 for coming out and apologising to us the fans! Let's hope PdC allows them to make amends this weekend...all aboard the promotion train (next stop Pikey central)!

Maybe Flint wasn't involved? Maybe Paolo was just upset with him because he made the mistake for the second goal.

I'd go to the game this Saturday if I could bloody afford it or get there in time.
Lessons finish at 12.00.

Lessons on a Saturday?!

Urgh Lessons? Cant you get someone to get some notes for you?  You go to a Private school dont you?

Aden seems to have taken a lot of flack on this thread. Does anyone actually know if he was involved?

Um.. No..? ::)

Yeah Trig said he punched Paolo so must be true  ;)

This whole thing has been blown out of all proportion.. they wern't even pissed on Saturday night

In Trigger We Trust!  :D

They have apologised, its in the past, move on.

Hopefully Paolo will accept this and use them on Saturday!

Ritchie might play on Saturday. Yay!

Will be delighted if Ritchie does play - we've really missed him.

Never doubted his ability

"Just to clear things up. I didn't go out Saturday night. It was a misunderstanding and things have now been resolved."


Says Mr Flint on Twitter...

If that is true I wonder how he feels being made the 'scapegoat'? Not exactly enamoured I would have thought.

Haha, now the TEF should issue an apology to billy Big Bollocks. :)

Has faith in him all along  ;D

I reckon he may well punch Paolo in the face now  ;D

What a bunch of cunts...caused all this trouble and didn't at least get pissed and indulge in some proper fiootballers behaviour...a poor show.

I bet the chip is still there though, I heard it at the start of the season, and somebody obviously heard it in Old Town.

I hope this brings him down to earth somewhat, he has got the potential to have a great future in the game, and there is no need for an attitude.

I'm shocked that Connell and De Vita were involved, they seem like dedicated, professional types.

De vita played like he was pissed, but as you say I'm surprised also. So now we know who, still doesnt explain why holmes wasnt  in the team and de vita was, Holmes for me was the only decent performer Tuesday.

Holmes was ill that is why didnt start

Pleased to see they have apoligised, draw a line under it now and react on saturday. Two Connell goals would be enough to make us all forget about this debacle I think!  :nod:

Holmes would be awesome if he played on the left wing. We need Ritchie back ASAP.

People make mistakes...it's how you react to them, and not repeating them, that matters.  Personally, I'm happy with the apology and we need to move on.  However, if anyone went out and didn't put their name to the apology then we should see that as their resignation and accept it.

Absolutely. Our creativity has been stifled without Ritchie and Caddis. Ritchie back allows Holmes back on his correct side.

It would be fantastic if we can put together a midfield of Ritchie - Ferry - Pack - Holmes next year.

Holmes is really reluctant to cross with his right foot, so the defender always knows what Holmes is going to do. We need him on the left ASAP.

As Di Canio says: "The best manager, as in life with the best man, is not a man who doesn't make a mistake, but how he learns from it, and learns how to recover from this mistake.”
Quote from TheWashbag - http://wp.me/pLVeZ-30Y

I hear the players have been having long and hard training sessions since Aldershot...

Incidentally we are clearly bigger than Liverpool, who will only take 25,074 to Wembley for the cup final!

I don't like the way BBC writes the title as "Swindon Town players forced to apologise for night out"

Surely they did it out of their own will. >:(

They've been manipulating headlines all season. Somebody there seems to have it in for him

Seriously?

That's all they got allocate. If Chelsea go the same that's 40,000 Club Wembley and Corporate seats. Disgusting.

Boozergate.

Paolo was not convinced about SF at the beginning of the season and would not play him, probably based on last season's on/off field antics it would seem and with good reason. To his credit, Ferry has pulled himself around, however I wonder what his future holds at STFC now?

The Boozergate incident has shown how unprofessional some of the players can be and what is particularly galling is it was done at a time of intense pressure to secure the prize for the years hard work and behind the boss's back while he was away with his family mourning his late mother.

The line between being a model professional and a piss soaked has been is very thin, certainly in Poalo's eyes. It could be that the end of season pruning could in fact be a bit of a blood bath.

Time will tell.

All this talk about players on the lash is a smoke screen. Surely the truth of the matter is, we havn't played all that well since getting top spot.
On the other hand I suppose we havn't had to.

Didn't Alan McCormack's missus give birth on Saturday? Just sounds like him and a few of his mates at the club went out and wet the baby's head, may've been ill advised, but nothing to throw a strop about (Well, not for us anyway. PdC has standards I would think most people would have difficulty in maintaining).

As for Flint's 'attitude', who gives a fuck? I mean seriously? I don't much care if he's a cunt or a really nice bloke, as long as he does the business on the pitch and doesn't do anything too dodgy off it.

Lots of precious people around at the moment.....

Some of the stuff on twitter written about flint is harsh. Someone has a vendetta against him by the sound of it

Looking at the beeb highlights of Tuesday's game, flint looked at fault for both goals IMO.

Ummm Sippo maybe Tans?