Thetownend.com

The Opponent: Scunthorpe United

Here we go again. For those that read this bit, welcome back. For those that have the power and choose not to read it, go wash your hair. I have been looking forward to the familiar trudge to the County Ground I must admit, it feels like its been far too long, Court cases aside, its been a summer of very little activity so far, if Twitter is to be believed we will be down by Christmas.

Scunthorpe in Lincolnshire, is a fairly small town, with just under 75’000 inhabitants but is the highest steel processing town in the UK.  Evidence of its existence can be dated back to the Doomsday Book. Scunthorpe was close to the epicentre (this was centred at Ludford, near Louth) of one of the largest earthquakes experienced in the British Isles on 27 February 2008, with a magnitude of 5.2. Significant shocks were felt in Scunthorpe and the surrounding North Lincolnshire area. The main 10-second quake, which struck at 00:56 GMT at a depth of 9.6 mi (15.4 km), was the biggest recorded example since one with a magnitude of 5.4 struck north Wales in 1984.

In 1996 there was controversy when AOL's obscenity filter (among others) refused to accept the name of the town due to its inclusion of the substring cunt, which the filter rejected as obscene. Some online forums display the name as S****horpe, while Fark.com would display it as Scoonthorpe. This situation is known in the computing world as the Scunthorpe Problem. Other places that were part of this problem included Lightwater and Clitheroe.

They have served us both –  Curtis Weston, Nicky Ajose, Tony Warner, Bobby Smith, Danny Wilson, Michael Timlin, Easyjet Esajas, Syd Brookes, Michael Rose, David Prutton, Nagy Nick, Keith O’Halloran, Mike Grella, David Lucas, Ian Miller, Norman Oakley, Les Roberts, Francis Alford, Dany N’Guessan, Keith Horlock, Deon Burton, Callum Kennedy, Frank Burrows, Steve Mildenhall, Bobby Barnes

The Odds –   Swindon 23/20  Draw 11/5  Scunthorpe 5/2   Paddy Madden is 7/1 with Hills to score first for The Iron, our best bets are Smith and Williams both at 11/2.

The Son Says – A few days after the season ended he decided to break his arm in 2 places leading to the next 3 months in plaster with plenty of GWH visits in between, but now the cast is off and his positive frame of mind has returned. 2-1 opening day victory.

The Prediction – Despite not signing Messi, Sanchez and Suarez I still think we have enough to win this and win we will, 3-0. 2 from Michael Smith and a late Luongo thunderbolt to send the majority of 8’122 home happy, the 323 from Lincolnshire will face the long journey home with nothing to show apart from an overpriced Burger King on the M1.

And Finally – As a few may remember, back in August 1963, Scunthorpe and Lindsey United became our first ever opponents in the 2nd tier of English Football, following our first ever promotion the season before.  We went on to win 3-0 that day with the legendary Ernie Hunt amongst the scorers. Scunthorpe were sadly relegated the same season.

COYR COYR COYR

Ha, I was expecting jayo to have started this,  the gobshite  :)

I remember the first game v Scunny....heady times.

I think you mean Miklos Nagy...our only ever Hungarian...a refugee from the Soviet attempt to bring back Hungary to the civilised world;  Hungary had been a German ally in 39-45.

It's back!

Helluva good game, that.

Really looking forward to the game today. Not a clue how we will play or to what level but here goes.

5-0 Smith 3, Williams and Turnbull.

Smith B, MOM 6805 in attendance with 295 Scunners

Mornin' all, and cheers SR for your efforts.

This is how it will pan out:

0 mins - Town due to run out to '2-4-6-8 Motorway' by Tom Robinson Band, but it is rejected at the last minute as management think it will subliminally confuse the already addled brain of formation-meister Kasim.

0 mins+ - Town run out to Motorhead's 'Orgasmatron' (Cooper's Mrs' favourite tune, allegedly).

5 mins - 0-1. Scunny score at the back post from the first corner of the game (Scunny pre-season scout pats himself on the back).

21 mins - Wes sent off for scything down (and taking the ball) onrushing Scunny forward. It is clearly just outside the box but the ref gives a pen. Both Thompsons are booked for arguing with the liner.

21 mins+ - 0-2. Penalty scored.

43 mins - 1-2. Town, seething at the injustice lay siege to the Scunny goal and deservedly get one back. Willo from a perfect knock-down from strike-partner Smith.

89 mins - 1-3. Despite brave attempts to draw level, Scunny look reasonably calm and in control, and after Town hit the post, they break away and seal the game.

Overall, an entertaining game, with lots of effort and skill. Town are beaten by a well-drilled, confident Scunny, and a bit of bad luck, in front of 7,111 with 292 Iron.

Scunthorpe will be difficult to break down but they're not the fastest of teams so if we can pass it around like last season, can see us winning 2-0 Williams and Gladwin with the goals in front of 6874 fans with 148 from Scunny

2 0 to Scunny, n front of 5988 fans, 200 from Lincs.

we're relegated by February.

sorry about the doom and gloom but you did ask.

I'll put my cards on the table.  I have no idea how we are going to shape up this afternoon.  Not a clue.  And even less idea than that about Scunthorpe.  I'm just going to cling to the hope that Cooper surprises us all pleasantly, just like he did at the start of last season.

No, we didn't.

Good work SR!

I'm going 1-1 today.

My first ever game as a ST holder, hopefully it's memorable!

Must win game this!

Very good!  :D

I bet you £20 we have more than 6000 fans today.

I wish I could favourite this.

A few days ago I predicted a 2-0 defeat but it's game day and I'm drunk on excitement. 2-1 Town Sexy Football FC.

1-1 draw with Smith scoring and Wes giving away a penalty scored by Madden and getting lucky in not being sent off in the process.

6,231 with 385 from sunny scunny.

6-pointer today, must win, "Cooper Out" being chanted from the 14th minute, "get it forward" from a bunch of old gits in the Arkells, trouble in the Town End as three fans and a dog vent their anger on the oppo goalie, last minute winner from Nathan T.!!  Must wake up soon, got a footy match to go to!!

I had no idea what to expect last season and was very pleasantly surprised. I have even less idea about this season. I don't think I can even make a prediction...

Oh alright then...2-1 to the good guys. Smith with both goals to shut the moaning cunts up.

I'm with Ardiles. Literally no idea how it's gonna pan out.

But I'm going to predict 2-1 for positivity' sake. Williams brace, because I've got faith in him to go on a ridiculous scoring run this season. He'll jump into the Town End and get torn apart like something out of Shaun of the Dead to celebrate scoring the winner.

Of course I hope we win, unfortunately I can't be at the ground (man flu).
Last time I watched Scunthorpe was way back in 1970ish FA Cup, we won 3-1 and came from behind that day.
Scunthorpe had a certain Kevin Keegan in their line-up.
I remember the game being exciting played on a mud-heep.

Anyway Swindon win today and 3-1 again would do nicely.

Got a wedding to go to today which is a classic early season problem so missing this one and will start my season at Luton.

I have no idea how we'll do this season but I think confidence will be key and a few early wins will boost the young players and stop the fans getting too restless. 1-0 Town, nervy.

One all for me today
Smith with towns goal in front of 7900
288 from scunny

I'm on a short haul domestic flight this afternoon.  Taking off at half time and not landing until well after the final whistle.  Irritating as hell.

Just ask if the pilot can get Radio Swindon on his radio and leave the intercom on next to his headphones. They don't need to talk to the tower or anything.

:D

I was Kerry Red before I made a similar claim - beware!

I'd settle for that again.

Brilliant day, brilliant season, shit pitch.

Syd Brookes!Not enough Syds in football today
1 nil win today with Williams on target

Can`t make it today - Robert Plant at Glastonbury was booked sometime ago - does the season start earlier every year? Have to start the season feeling optimistic otherwise what`s the point..... 2-1 at least.

Prediction for the game 1-1

Prediction for post game, Reg uses the word relegation

4-2 Williams hat trick and 7,499.
Cant make it today, fixing a ship in Norway :badmood:

bloody hell.

We,ve lost 1,400 season ticket holders, the rest of you have flu, going on a flight, watching Robert Plant, going to a

wedding, fixing boats and with the holiday season in full swing, I will revise my attendance figure to 4,999.

Shant take your £20 although I was tempted.

1 1 Smith M 7025. 347 from Scunny

I'll bet you £1,000 we'll get over 5,000.

Actually. The more you post, the more I think you're an Oxford fan on a wind-up.

At Silverstone. Will hopefully make it back in time. May not. The tension..

Can you not go today please?

I'm not Pox but a real Town fan, yes I'm on a piss take but haven't missed many games and really hope for a Town win, however I am very pessimistic about this season.

I'm in France. The season starts too bloody early.

I got married on the first day of last season which started too bloody earlier. Also, I forgot that it was a World Cup year not to mention that it fell on a Ashes Test as well.

There was a lot of hatred thrown my way from guests that day and rightly so.

what a marked change from last season

Going today....will be going with low expectations and hope to be pleasantly suprised.

Remember 1st game last season vs Posh with no idea what to expect, played some really attractive stuff, which was a nice surprise......... lost 1-0.

No different this time around, no idea, reckon we could sneak a 1-0

Yay, leefer's back.
Looking forward to today. Haven't got a clue what this season brings but I'm pretty much behind what Power is trying to do. Give the young uns a go and see where we end up. I'd have liked to have seen an experienced centre half but hey ho.
Can see some smallish gates to start with but a few wins and they'll come back.
We've not signed much but we haven't sold the crown jewels either. We've got the best keeper in this division. We've got a captain who will give blood for this club. The midfield aint too shabby and Smith will get 20+. The defence is the worry for me but lets see if they gel.  

Coward. At least 7000 today.

Have a good day Chalkies

0-2 defeat

Weren't you the one who was so disgusted after last season that you were jacking it all in?

Sadly I am sat on a beach in sunny Spain back home tomorrow I reckon we shock a few of the doom mongers and pinch a 2 1 win luongo and smith in front of 7,483

indeed but he's feeling so pessimistic about this season that he couldn't miss the opportunity to gloat in our impending failure

are scunthorpe good then?

We'll soon find out. Stay tuned.

They went on a great run last season in L2 and they've got a few 'names' - Deon Burton, Matt Sparrow, Paddy Madden, Gary McSheffrey, Miguel Llera et al.

Yep. As I explained  on another thread, I spent a week with a gloating Brentford fan, came back to Swindon and rushed out and spent my £415

I wont moan when we make pointless sideway passes when we are 2 0 down with 30 minutes to go but I will come on here and bitch. Until I'm barred.

Foderingham; Lelan, N Thompson, Turnbull; Byrne, Luongo, Kasim, L Thompson, B Smith; Gladwin, M Smith

Subs: Belford, Barthram, Branco, Rodgers, Barker, Williams, Waldon

Cracking test match and good racing on today.

Very little enthusiasm for Swindon/football, especially after the pathetic English effort in the WC. I reckon this could be the season where I actually don't attend a single game.

Accordingly, a 3-0 loss to kill off any lingering interest would do nicely :toocool:

Still at Silverstone. Oh well!

Anton Rodgers not on the bench after "doing his knee in" in the warm up according to Power.

How the fuck did he manage to do that??*

*just a rhetorical question but really??

I believe you have the guy wrong.
He's Swindon alright.
Us old supporters always look on the bad side, so many downs and not many ups.
And of course it is offically Dull and Boring Day!!!! ;D

So if we're playing 3 cb's, does that mean Lelan, Thompson and Turnbull are the 3?

N.Thompson one of a back 3?

Yeah Byrne is at RWB.

So 1 up front
Very surprised Branco not starting.

Gladwin preferred to Williams up front mmmmm

Back 3 could very well get destroyed....

1-0 Luongo.

Yessssssssssss

Haha!! Get in!! Luongo!

We don't seem to be playing it out from the back as much as last season

Get in!

Good passing in the lead up to a well taken goal.

Get in.....

2-0 Smith.

Well, this is lovely.

WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE!

Wow.

Shitsmith!

Shocked.com

Ware top o the leeeeeeague..we are Swindon. ..ware top of the league.

Brilliant save by Wes

Couldn't have wished for a more promising start than that. Let's hope they don't ease up.

James Collins has scored for Shrews. Didn't realise he'd gone back there.

Oh hum that didn't last long 2-1

Yeah he signed for them almost after the last game of last season first few days in June, I think it was a free.

Here we go...

Quick. Declare a war on somewhere - Russia, Syria, Israel, doesn't matter - and get the season abandoned as of now, all league positions to be final for this season. Then see y'all in 2015 in the Championship.

who's on commentary?

oh its super

It is, hes been very complimentary about Swindon so far too.

STFC World excelling itself again - It's the first minute of the game on there ::)

Try using the old player rather than the DVR player - much more stable.

Mine has suffered from regular break ups as well all game....normal service has been resumed....

Thanks - I've just refreshed and it's caught up.

I only ever use "old" and that also has problems.

livin' dangerously

We look good on the ball & decent going forward but we do look very suspect at the back.

We do need Stephens.

Bring some of the sand home with you. Got any lottery numbers?

Pox losing hehe.

Smith 3-1

Boom!

Really hope Smith goes on to score goals all season, not only because it'll be good for the team but it'll also shut up the cretins who give him grief.

Lee Power talking about some Swedish striker that we made an offer for....involving a transfer fee, but he has chose a Premier League team instead of us, he did mention a name but I didn't catch it, something like Modu Barry (my hearing is shit!).

Did I hear Jeff Stelling correctly? Smith scored in the 7th minute of injury time???

We look vulnerable at times and Lelan is poor in the air. Scunthorpe dirty and niggly but we've played them off the park really

I know we were at least 5 mins into injury time so it could well be.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/transfernews/article-2695117/Modou-Barrow-watched-Hull-QPR-Swansea-Everton-Celtic-lead-race-services.html

?

Modou Barrow of Östersunds FK?

Not a bad game. Thought we have played well. We don't look very tight at the back so here is hoping that we score more than them. Byrne has been my player so far. Ripping their left back apart.

Sums it up, we do look decent going forward.

Yep, Scunny player and Nathan Thompson went down in the first couple of minutes and scunny weds very slow getting him off the pitch. He rejoined only to get subbed couple of minutes later.

Swindon Sexy Football Town are back, Byrne Gladwin and Smiths are playing brilliantly. Back line a bit suspect but that's what we expected really.

Madden and McShreffrey are cunts, as is that Bishop who was Notts last season I think(?)

Yeah thats him.

It hasn't shut the couple up who sit by me who have an intense dislike for Smith.

He's got a good suntan for a Swede.....

21 ? That's far too old anyway

7,060 with 454 Scunny fans.

Burton off.

Well this is a pleasant surprise to log onto after the ceremony.

Off topic, church weddings don't half go on.

good shout,that

Subbed - Marcus Williams sent off.

Bloody commentator :) (no not SSP)

Twitter made the same mistake also but corrected it, only way I knew!

Great result first game of the season with so little optimism from so many Town fans pre game.

not all that then

Great start - sounded pretty good on the commentary.

No doubt the result will prompt a few "Oooooh, it's only the first game of the season, let's not get carried away" comments.....

This got me to thinking - What does 'getting carried away' actually mean??

I'm really happy we won - am I 'getting carried away'?
I'm thinking that maybe, just maybe we can be competitive this season - is that 'getting carried away'?

I suppose what I'm asking is what does 'getting carried away' actually involve? Do I have to do anything? I think I'd like to give it a try :hmmm:

3 makeable away games now-in the mood!

Cooper has already done that!

Fantastic result. Nice one Town. Look forward to the fan assessments..

Yep... but they had 'names' compared to our ragtag bunch of misfits.

We looked incredible going forward but worrisome at the back. It should be a fun season.

Had we played poorly and list there'd be plenty saying we're going down.

So fuck it..... WE'RE TOP OF THE LEAGUE, WE'RE TOP OF THE LEAGUE (almost)

Well that was enjoyable!!  We looked absolutely awesome at times - at other times naivety at the back almost cost us but overall we did well.  Wes pulled off some incredible saves to save us, but in the second half we almost totally controlled the game and only bad luck - or good luck on their parts - prevented more goals.  I thought M. Smith had his best game I have seen him play for us, Kasim was excellent and Nathan Byrne was a constant threat down the right.  However, I think there may be a bit of trouble ahead; the stewards are protesting because their wage slip had two extra deductions apart from tax!!  An admin charge of £1-50 per game and a £1 charge to go towards public liability!!  In addition the club is going to be reported to the Council because there is no tannoy working in the DRS, apparently they were warned after the Soton and Leeds games and have done nothing about it!!  Oh, where was the scoreboard today?  In its usual place but not working!!

Bunch of kids beat a team of seasoned pro, comfortably in the end.

When we got the ball down and played we were absolutely superb. The midfield, governed in turns by Kasim and Luongo, were top notch and looked a constant threat.

Smith did a cracking job on his own, two proper strikers goals and linked the play nicely. Williams was lively when he came on too but the win was all about the midfield.

Defence.. shaky. To be expected from a bunch of kids, but they still made some cracking blocks and tackles (particularly N Thompson). The wing backs were lively, big shout to Byrne who I normally criticise but he was brilliant today.

Wes does what he always does.

Plenty of promise. Plenty to work on. Cracking start regardless!

tin pot

our man got MOM-go TEF!

Well that allayed a few concerns, I think, although plenty still remain.

We looked incisive going forward, kept plenty of the ball and always looked comfortable when we had it, Yasser pulled the strings in midfield and looked at his sublime best at times.

Brad Smith looks the part defensively and going forward, and Byrne looked a far better player than the one we saw most of last season.

The main weakness is obvious. We need Stephens in asap or someone to steady the ship at the back. They killed our momentum after the second goal with a bit of pissing about timewasting, but it seemed to work, and after that they popped with a few chances from nothing that they really should have made more of than they did.

But still, overall we controlled it and actually it should have been a lot more than 3 in the end.

Disappointing attendance I thought for the first game of the season although a few more displays like that and they'll all flock back i'm sure.

In summary, I think we dominated the possession and had great joy down the wings. Brad Smith needs to learn to have a controlled cross as he has potential for a lot of assists this season but a lot of wild Hollywood first time crosses which evaded everyone. Give him time it will come.

My major concern as highlighted by their goal is that we're not dominant enough at the back. If we come up against a more physical team we'll be in trouble. Their goal came from a flick on and the other 2 centre halves were too wide and too deep to deal with the the flick on.

Wes saved us a few times and their woeful finishing meant it wasn't as convincing as the score line suggests.

Encouraging but still room for improvement.

I haven't attended for three years for several reasons, but I was very impressed with the midfield and the approach play on the deck, best I've seen for many years. I think I will be tempted back again especially if the centreback positions are sorted out.

It's the whole point of being a fan :nod: :pint:

Did anybody catch the winning ticket number for 50/50 draw?

Couldn't hear anything on tannoy in DRS.

Promising start to the season. Don't mess with the Thompsons!

There was a tannoy in the TE and before game something was mentioned about service contract on the scoreboard and it being looked at now
Similar thing with the tannoy in the DRS

Only town could leave everything till after the close season is over

Some things we already knew:

Kasim and Luongo are fucking class

Wes is now, IMO, the best keeper we've ever had

Now for the rest

Strange that although the 2nd half was 0-0 we were so much better than the first half.

Scintillating going forward and much tighter at the back - which wouldn't be difficult as the first half could/should have been
3-3

Surprising plus points: Byrne had his best game ever in a Town shirt, really good.

Brad Smith, whilst not doing that much, looks like he takes a c racking corner which is a change from last year.

Get the defence sorted and we've got a cracking side.

I can see us struggling away when the pressure is on.

Oh, please Coops, no more of Nathan Thompson at CB

Cracking game. End to end stuff in the first half. We took them apart for the first 15 and as well as 2 goals should have had a stonewall penalty. They then came in to the game and a mixture of wayward finishing, Wes and a bit of luck off Turnbulls back kept us in front. then a 3rd before HT. In the 2nd half I felt we bossed the show..
Its difficult to pick a MOM as there were no passengers today. Byrne ( who I don't rate ) tore their left back a new one today. Gladwin showed some superb touches and played a good part in 2 of the goals. Kasim is just pure quality -a lovely bit in the 2nd half where their player kept kicking him as he took the piss until he got the free kick. Smith somehow managed to trap the ball into the net twice, which he will do at least another 18 times this season. Luongo was kicked and pulled all over the place but kept charging on. Wes made some good saves.
The back 3, however, looked pretty crap but given their inexperience and they were up against Madden, McSheffrey and Burton, this game will represent a good learning curve.
The quality of the football at times was stunning mainly with Kasim at the heart of it although Gladwin's range of passing, timing and weight of ball will worry a few teams - he's also shed some timber this summer.
The back line is a worry but its early days. If the football is going to be like this then I'd ask any wavering fans to come back.
Last of all, hats off to the ref who has probably got clueless cunt of the season in the bag already. as well as the failure to see the stonewall penalty, the leaving of feet in by their players ( and then books Smith for fuck all ), the pulling of shirts, the decision not to play on when Kasim was through was a decision as shit as you'll see all season.    

BTW, Branco looked a proper stopper of a CB when he came on.

Only one game, but hope it gets the naysayers on board

I thought Thompson looked good at CB. Better than Lelan

Talking to one of the firemen there, it is going to cost £28,000 to do the tannoy, which they say is beyond them - tight asses!! 

Thoroughly entertaining game, thought we were brilliant going forward, special mention goes to Bryne who took their left back apart time after time.

We did look shaky at the back, but if we could throw Stephens (or another decent CB) in there, along with another striker then we could be in for a good season.

Was a pleasant surprise to see we are still playing good football. Looking forward to Luton now./

isnt the tannoy a prerequisite for a safety cert ?

Scunny targeted him with the hoof ball and he had no chance with,headers.

I thought Lelan looked more composed than Turnbull but am not apportioning any blame here.

They are all new to it and as the 2nd half showed they all improved.

Enjoyed it all thoroughly

Summed up well and agree.

This was another positive, we have got Atwell out of the way & managed to win the game & not have anyone sent off.

He really is a useless tosser


Well pleased with a winning start, and Wes was really good today. In fact it would be hard to pick out anyone who had a really bad game, although there were plenty of mistakes and areas for us to improve.

Of course it is, I do have a working knowledge of H&S and asked the fireman how they got it - and apparently the club had told them that the emergency signal works on a separate system, which they tried today and that totally failed!!  Trouble ahead!!

Back 3 were a worry but let's remember that was their first game as a unit against lets face it a pretty decent strikeforce. That said i would love a no nonsence bruiser back there

Oh dear
Power will have to splash some cash

Very enjoyable game.
Defense looked dodgy in the first half, but with three debutantes in defence you can forgive that.
3-1 at half time, but could've been 4-4 what with our stonewall penalty that wasn't given and the amount of chances they missed!

Going forward we looked quick and decisive, the first two goals were great, quick first time balls into the box left the Scunny defence off guard.

2nd half we bossed it, looked much better at the back and took control in midfield and how we didn't get a couple more goals I don't  know.

Luongo and Kasim were great in the middle, Byrne was my MOM and a mention to Brad Smith who, considering his lack of training, looks like he could be a good addition. Quick, good on the ball and strong. If we can get Jack Stephens in this week i'll be a lot happier.

Great start to the new campaign.

Accurate write up
Very enjoyable start to season

FRASER DIGBY ??????

I'm in shock...totally different to a predicted draw...

Rode our luck at stages but overall I reckon we deserved it.

Monkey off our back and Chuckles Cooper with no real signings close season gets a credit from me!

Smith is fantastic at this level...if we can get another 'holding' forward alongside him.....he will improve.

Picky cunt!  :)

Everything Gingho said. Plus I have Egg on my Face. Brilliant first game of the season.

We were fuckingb ace. Defence us going to leave us with our hearts in our mouths at times but they have a combined age of 51 between the 3 of them so they get a pass from me. Lelan and Turnbull look like competent CBs. Shame Willo couldn't get a goal.

I don't know much about contract electrician work, but sounds like a lot of money for 10 speakers and a couple of hundred yards of electrical cable! Maybe I am in the wrong job  :hmmm:

We looked fresh and up for it yesterday. We played well too. Great passing and movent at times. Liked seeing the wing backs come forward. Byrne had a good game as did Kasim and Mass was very good in the 2nd half. Defence is still a conern though. Tougher tests lie ahead no doubt but that was a decent start.

Said before the game that, win lose or draw, I'd not put too much stock in the result as a gauge on how our season will pan out. We've all seen some weird results on opening day. Difficult not to get carried away though as some of the football we played yesterday was sublime. The defence looked the weak link but we need to remember that as a unit they hadn't played together before (Not even in friendlies).

The addition of Stephens will get expectations soaring again.

Thought Michael Smith had a decent game. Strikers are paid to score goals and he bagged 2. If he keeps scoring then why concentrate on his limitations? Some of the people behind me yesterday were moaning about him all game! Gladwin looked promising and our midfield were great.

Shame I'll now miss a few games, roll on Coventry!

Kasim is starting to remind me of Ray McHale and if he is half the player he was we are on are way boys!

Having a read of the Scunny forums there were a few good comments from their fans...

Having slept on it, couple more thoughts.

- The team saw that Byrne was doing well down the right and so started to give him the ball regularly. Whilst this was good, there were periods of the second half where Brad Smith had miles of space on the left and the ball was central and could have been sent to him, but there was no service.
- Linked to this, Kasim and Luongo are still learning. This is patently obvious when they decide when to shoot or pass. 50% of their decisions are against where they should be. It's easy enough to forget how young they are, as they are the spine of the midfield.

Liked a comment on the Scunny forum describing our No. 2 as 'a Gladstone Small lookalike'

Ridiculous. He's got a fucking neck for a start.

Kasim's magnificent performance yesterday was clearly spurred on by his new shirt sponsors. I think we can all take a little bit of credit for the victory yesterday.

They seem complementary of our play on the whole. While our third may have been fortunate (in that it could have gone anywhere off the post yet fell to Smith) I think describing it as a fluke is pushing it.

Exact same chance in the 2nd half, too. This time it fell kindly for them off the post.

TBF they had a glut of chances in the 1st half, but we mullered them in the 2nd.

Impressive.

Highlights are up

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8XYviFDgmM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcVI58B9vzE#t=101

Scunthorpe (longer) one sided highlights are up too.

Good goal from mass. On a separate not did anyone clock Oldhams kit on the FLS? What the hell are they wearing hi vis vests?

Still not as bad as the slave traders third kit.

No but I did see that Bristol Shitty are wearing a tribute kit for Barney.

(http://www.epsomplayhouse.co.uk/image.php?id=1682)

I like that the Scunny guy (Williams) managed to commit three red card offences in five seconds there, impressive efficiency.

They had that as an away kit in the 92/93 season. I can't believe some one saw fit to bring it back ???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=PQ0saMvXiXE

That City kit is horrendous.

Good win yesterday as much the same as last season in that when were on our game very good going forwards.

Main worry is the defence as it did seem very easy for them to just run through the middle. Didn't think much of Lelan, didn't win a single header when challenged and as someone said after the Villa game he has the look of another Grant Hall. Him being unavailable mid-week could be a blessing in disguise as we need the airial ability of someone like Branco who looked good when he came on.

Other worry is as others have mentioned the PA system and scoreboard, if cash is really that tight that we can't afford to fix them then our financial position must be slightly precarious.

He was a wonderful comedy player, despite a bald head he failed to head straight once in the entire game.

He was getting done time and time again yesterday, not surprised he gave up and got himself sent off

We did comment that ordinarily going down to 10 men would leave you with a hole to fill but in his case, there was already a gaping void anyway.

I thought it was Curtis Flemming for the first hour, then remembered that would make him about 45

City wore that kit went they won at Liverpool in the FA Cup in 93/94. That's why it is so loved by there fans. They didn't show the same love for Brian Tinnion when he became manager with City fans abusing him in the street

OS highlights are up. Bit more build up play included.

Judging by Scunthorpe fans comments on the way out, they don't rate him at all and were quite happy he was sent off!

I wrote something on the train back but it got deleted somehow so my thoughts on Saturday.

First up this season we have a potential heart attack victim sat 3 seats away. For the first 3 minutes of the game he was getting so angry and kept bellowing 'Forward, get it forward'. If he's going to continue in that vein this season it's going to be very annoying.

Anyway we scored and he pretty much shut up. Great work from Byrne and Gladwin in all of our goals. As has been mentioned before our defence didn't look very tight and JMW for Scunny was putting in some brilliant deliveries which was causing us lots of problems. Somehow we were 3-1 up at half time and not 4-2 down! Second half we were excellent and kept the ball brilliantly. It was a shame we couldn't have got a 4th which some of our play deserved.

Of the players, its a shame Nathan Thompson isn't taller as he was brilliant in bringing the ball out from the back. Lelan didn't impress me at all, barely won a header and glad when Branco replaced him. Turnbull looked goodish, better than Lelan anyway. First half Gladwin was excellent, he seems to know when to time the pass well, I think him playing just behind the striker is where he might excel this season. He faded in the second half though. Luongo and Kasim were brilliant, ran the midfield. Byrne was my MOM, he had their left back on toast, probably why he got sent off when he lost the rag. Brad Smith is rapid and is going to be an asset this season, I'm sure. I would have liked to have seen him used a bit more, it seemed we were looking to go right at every opportunity.

Up front, Smith did what he does and scored 2 poachers goals. Williams looked eager and sharp when he came on and once he gets a goal will be good for 10 this season I reckon.

Overall, pleasing game and with such a young side, and possibly Stephens and a striker or 2 to come in, we should have enough to be nearer the top than the bottom of the table I reckon.

Anyone else think we got Lelan in to cover while we tie up Stephens?

Touching on Williams actually, he very nearly scored with what must have been his second, if not first, touch. Ball came into the area and he'd beaten the keeper only to have it blocked on the line by one of the Scunny players. Very unlucky. His issue is that he needs to stop putting his head in his hands and glaring into the sky when he doesn't get the ball or doesn't score. He always does that and it gets on my tits, keep your eyes on the deck Willo. As is typical with our nearly out-of-contract players, he'll probably play brilliantly this season and get 10/15. If Smith goes through a run of injury, he could even hit the 20 mark.

Best thing was he didn't loiter around offside or drop his shoulder and run off the Scunthorpe defence looking for a through ball that never came like he used to. Hallelujah.

I hadn't thought of that, but now you mention it, that could well be quite a good shout.

That's my theory too Jayo. Well I'm hoping that's the case anyway.

Yep

I was talking the other day to another Town fan and we both said that was the likely reason for his signing on loan.

Spot on. When I spoke to Cooper before the Feltham game he said they had brought in Lelan 'to have a look at him'. I think more likely is for cover until Stephens is brought in. If we can also get Seabourne as well, I think that would be good to have an 'experienced' head in the squad.

Where did Seabourne crop up

Seaborne is a new one on me, where you hear that one mate?

Dan Seaborne? He just signed for Patrick Thistle today.

http://ptfc.co.uk/news/2014-2015/august_2014/thistle_sign_defender

I once had him in a picture round of a quiz, decked out in Soton strip....slightly more obscure than Johnny Howson who'd been in the week before, and I'd got.

Needless to say, I had no idea...

I was just going to post that.

http://www.wearethistle.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/9920-danny-seaborne/

Ah, well that puts paid to that rumour. I read it on a League 1 forum.

The Football League team of the week and the TEF's very own player is in it.

http://www.football-league.co.uk/features/20140811/sky-bet-football-league-team-of-the-week-090814_2293307_4066684 (http://www.football-league.co.uk/features/20140811/sky-bet-football-league-team-of-the-week-090814_2293307_4066684)

I would ignore those completely, they have more nobbers per page than here and thisis put together.