Thetownend.com

last minute winner for the Town...get in..

:)

Seeing as we did this last season, I thought "why not?".
Difficult one to predict, but I'll go for 1-1. Att: 4,867 (856).
Wobbly Bob, got any boozers in mind?

Starting a matchday thread on a Thursday?

A bold move. It might just work.

1-4 Woolery hat trick, Anderson!

4531 with 632

I actually dreamt that score last night. Only problem was a semi naked Marilyn Monroe got the opener, so I'm not sure I can trust it.

The 'spoons is closed for a refurb apparently.
A shame, as it's one of the better ones.
Found one that should be open to take in the lost souls who enjoy an early pint.  :)

We always get spanked at Scunny. Think this team will take a while to settle and we'll have to deal with a bit of negativity before we kick on. A loss for me

I think if we can avoid a tonking and at least score a goal, that will be something.... not much but something.

we'll have to deal with a bit of negativity before we kick on.

In the very next post in fact :)

In the very next post in fact :)

After the Carlisle game, the team under Wellens only lost by two goals twice for the remainder of the season.  How come people think we'll get a drubbing?

It’s hard to see where the goals are going to come from unless Woolery finally matures with the aid of some expert attaching coaching. Everyone seems to be convinced that we will get spanked and if the iron are as complacent as we are negative then that could work in our favour. I think that Wellens has done okay so far and I am cautiously optimistic that he will do well with the resources he has. I’m not sure how competitive our budget is though so it may well be a struggle to make the playoffs.

Who thinks we will get spanked? I haven't seen that anywhere.

After the Carlisle game, the team under Wellens only lost by two goals twice for the remainder of the season.  How come people think we'll get a drubbing?

Did Wellens say he wouldn't use Anderson then? He's transfer-listed but I don't recall reading that he wouldn't be used, if required.

1. Did Wellens say he wouldn't use Anderson then? He's transfer-listed but I don't recall reading that he wouldn't be used, if required. Same goes for the other transfer-listed players.

2. So, getting Isgrove, Lyden and the Norwich lad in the last few days equates to it going pear shaped on the recruitment front.....😁

3. As for the "trialists of dubious provenance" is that not the same as every other team and every other season? Who are you referring to anyway?

First game of the  season. You always get freak results somewhere, making predictions a bit tricky.

Brum aside, we haven't looked too porous. I think it'll be a narrow loss, but will be happy with a draw.

1. Publically putting a player on the list isn't a ringing endorsement and I'll use them as a last resort isn't likely to get the best out of someone... it very much suggests he'll use others before any of the transfer listed 3.

2. Given their lack of games in recent times, it does suggest, getting in bodies because we have to, rather than them being clearly identified targets, likely to drive an auto push.

3. I don't know what others do, but I can't really think of anybody who we've got in trial and then signed who has been successful.   Perhaps you can. 

Watching Afcon recently, I was minded that winners Algeria had Rais M'Bholi in goal who we had on trial under Sturrock as a 20 year old, still only 33 and very decent keeper. We didn't sign him.

1. It's pretty bleeding obvious that he'll players others first but they are still available if necessary. But you claimed they won't be used. Facts....remember.

2. I've got no idea who you are talking about or what point you are responding to.

3. Why are you asking that? I was querying your statement that we had a load of trialists of dubious provenance not how succesful previous trialists have been. My point is that we have done nothing different to any other year or any other club.

3. I don't know what others do, but I can't really think of anybody who we've got in trial and then signed who has been successful. 

Charlie Austin

“I trained with Bournemouth for six weeks and did all my pre-season and then I went to Swindon for a week’s trial and scored against Swansea,” explained Austin.

Not a preseason trial, but a trial none the less.

https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/14021874.in-depth-withcharlie-austin/

Interesting to note he also had a trial with us before he went to Hungerford, but was injured.

Yasser Kasim. Now watch reg move the goalposts.

I fucking hate this moronic discussion, it takes place every year. There must be a way to stop seeing the comments of people on ignore when other people quote them?

I can't really think of anybody who we've got in trial and then signed who has been successful.

I was talking about these pre season trials....

Come on Reg, we've had trialists from far-flung places every season, be it promotion seasons or not, as has every club.

Miguel Comminges turned out OK.  LJF too.

Well perhaps you should've been more specific. Charlie Austin had a successful trial.

Here’s an idea.

Why dont we wait 10 games or so and then discuss whether the recruitment has been a success or not.

Here’s an idea.

Why dont we wait 10 games or so and then discuss whether the recruitment has been a success or not.

The continual knocking and pissing on everyone’s chips is tedious in the extreme.

Pretty sure Sam Parkin came in on trial during a preseason, that turned out alright!

Yep

The only position we seem to have struggled in recruitment is a striker.  If we were using that as a basis for the season ahead and specifically the first game, I'd hardly be bleating about the fact we were due to get a pasting at Scunthorpe.  More likely we'd in a tight game without too many goals?

Reg - the last three signings - zero evidence of any state of panic in them, I don't see why you think that.  Isgrove we wanted but were not sure on fitness - he was told a deal was his to lose.  Lyden filled a spot Wellens decided he needed once Rose & McGlip were both injured but wasn't originally a priority.  The lad from Norwich - we have no idea, we got not clue he was on our radar but Wellens did make some mention about a few players not signing until later in the summer.  Maybe Norwich told us to wait until they had decided what they were doing with him??

The last 3 signings made 17 league starts between them in 18/19.... maybe not panic, but there has to be a big ? whether they're robust enough for an attritional Div 4 campaign.

Add in Rose and it is just isn't convincing.  OK injuries can happen to anyone, but I fail to see how you're convinced these are the men identified to get us upwardly mobile.  However the last 2 seasons you've said we should get into the PO's easily, but haven't.

He was a Chelsea player who we paid 50K for...

I’d suggest the line of thinking with regards to getting us upwardly mobile is because people happens to think they are better players than those they are replacing?

... who'd had a very indifferent season on loan to Northampton the season before, Cobblers fans were only too happy to tell us what a poor signing he was. Exactly the kind of player you'd be describing as "not convincing". Maybe wait and see before you sound the death knell? Matt Heywood is instructive on this, saw him on Twitter the other day saying you can't tell anything about what kind of season you're going to have until you're 6 or so games in. Certainly not in pre-season.

This isn't about predicting how the season might pan out.... 6 games is way too few, anyway. 

Mostly a different XI..... after a good start to pre-season on the recruitment front it went a bit pear shaped, with missed targets, and a raft of trialists of dubious provenance.  This has seemingly lead to a squad not looking fit for auto, which should be the aim, with a massive hole still up front ( we still hope for that to be rectified, but going into tomorrow it hasn't)

You should apply for a job with the groundstaff, you shift the goalposts that often.

It might take Yates one game to convince town fans :shrug:

If he scores a hat trick on debut, like SSP and before him Alan Mayes, incidentally mid week at Rotherham, they'll be convinced.

I have a free Saturday tomorrow.  Trying to convince myself that an 8 hr round trip to Scuntingthorpe will be worth the effort & expense.  Seen us humped up there recently on two separate occasions as well.  Why is this still tempting me?

Will 2 do or is that jut not good enough?

I think you'll find my approach has been consistent all summer.

Frank Large famously got a brace on debut in 64, but never quite convinced the faithful and was soon gone.

CA took 3 mins on full debut to score.... again the sort of thing to make people say "hello" especially as it got us the win at Brunton Park.

I'd just get it on ifollow and get a few in, works for any result. Though i'm only saying that because I've got a wedding after, otherwise I'd be making the long round trip.

I just don’t understand why any fan of any club can’t have even a little bit of optimism before the start of a new season.

You're not even consistent from one page to the next. On the broad sweep you are, you consistently predict either mediocrity or relegation. But when you attempt to back that up with "facts", you quickly get found out (e.g. SSP etc) and shift your arguments to suit. You're entitled to your opinions, we all are. But sometimes it wouldn't hurt to admit that you're taking a punt on a hunch like the rest of us rather than present yourself as having a unique perspective based on "facts"

Norris scored in the first game at Carlisle. Not many said ‘hello’ to him!

I just don’t understand why any fan of any club can’t have even a little bit of optimism before the start of a new season.

Previous mediocrity is no indicator of future splendiferousness

People pointing out you might be wrong isn't bullying. Come on, you're better than that.

Is it on ifollow? I had a serious think about driving up Saturday for this. My wife then reminded me we're driving to France Sunday Morning, so i'd best not.

Is it on ifollow? I had a serious think about driving up Saturday for this. My wife then reminded me we're driving to France Sunday Morning, so i'd best not.

Anyway, who is actually going tomorrow?  I'm heading up with the old man.

Aye, as per past seasons, via a Vpn.

That would be great if they hadn’t managed to block all the VPN’s I tried. My technical skills not up to scratch to get around it. Even stopped me watching whilst in Poland!

Commitment Sutton Red commitment. Stop making excuses!

You wouldn't need a vpn in Poland.
It's for overseas viewers

I was trying to watch through standard 4G on my phone but it still gave me the same message as when watching through VPN failed in the UK.

Aye, as per past seasons, via a Vpn.

I have a free Saturday tomorrow.  Trying to convince myself that an 8 hr round trip to Scuntingthorpe will be worth the effort & expense.  Seen us humped up there recently on two separate occasions as well.  Why is this still tempting me?

Well, David and I will be there.  Not sure if that convinces you to go or not...

You wouldn't need a vpn in Poland.
It's for overseas viewers...

Just strap an iphone to JJ's cock and stream it. Or something along those lines

Well, David and I will be there.  Not sure if that convinces you to go or not...

Who's David?

The Mauler.

It’s the perfect nickname. Describes him to a tee.

I would love if his name was Richard then we would be talking about Donkeys Dick :)

You’re getting very warm...

Well, David and I will be there.  Not sure if that convinces you to go or not...

You’re getting very warm...

Saw this too late.  I've wimped out already.  Have fun, chaps.

 :)

WTF does that Stevenage away kit look.like😣

Salford 1-0 up

Cant wait for another sky sports approved fairy tale.

Anderson starting...theres a shock.

Perhaps he's seen the light and decided to knuckle down and prove himself.

Is that a 442?

Wtf is happening with Broadbent? Curran on the bench ahead of him.

Wtf is happening with Broadbent? Curran on the bench ahead of him.

4-4-2 or could be a 4-2-3-1 with Keshi behind Yates.

Either way it's an attacking line up.
Good.

All VPN's that are the most common are now blocked by iFollow.

Anyone else on iFollow with sound issues?

Definately video too.

Fix the fucking sound you cunts

Anyone else on iFollow with sound issues?

Thank fuck got it back....after 8 mins, still no comms!

Thank fuck got it back....after 8 mins, still no comms!

Anyone else listening on Ifollow? As I am getting nothing!!!!

I've never signed up.  TEF match day thread all the way for me.

I too favour the ‘PV’ reporting!

Complained about the sound to the iFollow chat. Do you think I’ll get a reply?

I have done the same 20mins ago. Still waiting.

I have done the same 20mins ago. Still waiting.

Same, so far the only thing my 'support' agent has said is "hi"

A reply of sorts... "We are aware of the issue and are implementing a fix, please bare with us". Chat disconnected.

Useless bunch of cunts

Inside of the post too. That’s was bloody close.

Some half-time ska:

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

Now we have commentary but still Daleky

Should have hit the target then.

Any changes you would make? Anyone crying out to come on/off?

Doughty in the box finds Yates who is pulled to the ground but the ref doesn't give it.

Worse, gives it against him, incredibly.

Looks like somebody bought their sex doll to the match

So..... keep Keshi now...?

Is that Reg bottom right with arms folded?  :)

Is that Reg bottom right with arms folded?  :)

Isgrove has given us a different attacking option that we had on the wings last season, hes been excellent.

So..... keep Keshi now...?

MotM? Or maybe Anderson from the sounds of the radio? Baudry as well has had a good game?

Rohan Ince sent off in his debut for Chelt for Foul and Abusive language

Anyone know the attendance?

Four seasons in, and our comms still can’t tell Woolery from Anderson.  ::)

Fryers working so well with Woolery and Anderson down the left today. Impressed with his out balls.

I thought over all Anderson has done quite well TBH. Linking up with Woolery and Fryers quite well.

1-2 apparently

Ha, 0-2. My footy app got it wrong  :)
Attendance 4,135  :(

How long left?

Boo

....and thanks to PV especially for working faster and more interestingly than either the Adver or the BBC

For all of the positivity on the social media side of things, Im not keen on the clubs gif when we scored.

But then again.  Im a grumpy old fart.  I suspect da yute have decided its 'sick'

Superb win.

We don't half look dangerous on the break.

Won't somebody pleeeeeeease think of Reg!?!? He's going to be devastated 😯😆

Fuck sake, making us enjoy the first game, making us want Keshi to stay, what the hell has happened to this club! Why are we so optamistic now Mr Wellins! What have you done to us!

Won't somebody pleeeeeeease think of Reg!?!? He's going to be devastated 😯😆

What'll happen if the trialist we signed turns out to be good?  :(

Who is Sidy? Sorry if I'm being ignorant. Must've escaped me!

Young French midfielder trialist, played in a couple of pre season friendlies.

Young French midfielder trialist, played in a couple of pre season friendlies.

Watching this in a Thai bar in Chiang Mai, on holiday 😁
Never watched this iplayer thingy before, but really enjoying it ! From what I've seen between the distractions - we're looking really good ! 👍

Thought everyone played well today bar Lyden but no fault of his own, he just didn't actually need to be called upon too many times. When I say didn't play well, I kind of mean in such a team performance he was fairly vacant but that's largely due to other actually doing their job. That's testament to the team as a whole, only one game but if they gel this quick we could be in for a very good season indeed.

Cheers PV. Obviously must be worth a bash.

Thought everyone played well today bar Lyden but no fault of his own, he just didn't actually need to be called upon too many times. When I say didn't play well, I kind of mean in such a team performance he was fairly vacant but that's largely due to other actually doing their job. That's testament to the team as a whole, only one game but if they gel this quick we could be in for a very good season indeed.

Another note, although Scunny were one of the favourites people must remember they are now on a 10 game winless streak, continuing from last season. Seems their fans forgot this stat too. Sometimes a rot can continue and we know there isn't masses of difference in quality between bottom half L1 & RoL2.

Impressive stuff.... we know opening  day wins on the road, are rare, and usually show a decent season, however for us recently it's been the home form that's the problem, so we need to back that up before getting too carried away.

Impressive stuff.... we know opening  day wins on the road, are rare, and usually show a decent season, however for us recently it's been the home form that's the problem, so we need to back that up before getting too carried away.

What'll happen if the trialist we signed turns out to be good?  :(

Fuck that, I'm getting carried away...we are going up🍻😊

Anyone heard Wellens comments after the game ?.

Got some pace in this side.

https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/11776952/scunthorpe-0-2-swindon

The ability to score from breaks like that is going to give the opposition some tactical headaches this season.

will it work at home where teams defend a bit more? we'll see.

it's going to be very handy away from home.

will it work at home where teams defend a bit more? we'll see.

The block by Lyden in the first half. Outstanding.

That was the kind of thing that turns players into legends.

Sky highlights blocked from abroad.  Anyone know of any other links to watch match highlights?

Those goals are an utter joy to watch. And watch them I will.... again and again and again 😊...on another geeky/obsessive note....I don't think I've ever seen us play in red shirts/white shorts/white socks🤔

Very good goals. Isgroves touch to control it & take it away from defender was excellent. Same with Fryers.

Based on the whole 5 seconds of Yates in on goal in that clip I think he has a bit of Parkin about him.

On closer inspection, they're the grey away socks.

Sent from my CLT-L09

Think you’ll be tempted to come back this season mate?

That's a bit weird. Kitman brain fart?

I wonder if there is a case for iFollow eventually being rolled out (legitimately) for UK based fans?

It might only be a matter of time before all of the VPN's are blocked anyway?
They would probably have to up the price for domestic users but that wouldn't prevent the Accrington chairman from keeling over at the prospect.

The clubs might go for it if the share of the takings was enough to compensate for potential loss of income from the floaters.
A die hard away traveller would be unlikely to be persuaded anyway.
Same for a home ST holder or committed regular.

An essential service provided by the likes of PV should of course be exempt.  :)

I wonder if there is a case for iFollow eventually being rolled out (legitimately) for UK based fans?

So keep up the good work!

Barring the next 2 games as I am away I intend to carry on!

No Excuse,  iplayer will be available to you !!!. Please feel free to carry on as normal.

I'll be watching on my French phone at a wedding in the midlands next weekend.

Talking of watching, has anyone got any recommendations for a vpn to watch?

Next week will be a test v Carlisle. Not a great deal of attacking threat but two solid halves and like it to sit in.

Talking of watching, has anyone got any recommendations for a vpn to watch?

Peach or pear? and are they sitting in syrup or cream?  :soapy tit wank:

Its good see but it worries me a little that we can only see to really create chances when we're counter attacking. We seemed to have the better of the game yesterday without creating much and teams will figure out that we'll smash them on the counter quickly.

Notice iFollow now offer full game replays.

Notice iFollow now offer full game replays.

They always have done

This has to be the key development from last year: how to break teams down on open play when they sit back. Quality service from out wide has to help, so Isgrove, DJ and Fryers all contribute to that.

Not during the match they haven't

Can you watch match highlights on iFollow for free?

Huh. The extended highlights play just fine... bizarre

Nice find Bob - always interesting to get the oppo's perspective :nod:

Just looked at the Swindon squad. I see no reason why we can’t beat them and i’d say we’d be clear favourites on the day. Their pre season began with a game against a side you could be forgiven for thinking was a branch of solicitors.

They have Kaiyne Woolery up front who on his day always to me looks a cut above but those days are few and far between. His scoring record throughout his career is really poor. Let’s hope he starts.

They have signed Mathieu Baudry the ex Donny defender and he’s a decent player. They’ve also signed Zeki Fryers who was available on a free from Barnsley. They also have multiple killer goalkeeper Luke McCormick between the sticks which are both facts. Both the killing of innocent people and he’s Swindon goalkeeper. I make no apologies for merely pointing out factual information although no doubt i’m sure some people will be offended. Even at facts.

Overall looking at our squad and theirs, ours IMO is much better and i think we have had a far more rounded pre season so i actually am expecting us to beat them to be honest. Given we are at home too. It’s opening day though and anything could happen.

They have been a bit of basket case club in recent years have Swindon. Especially since the appointment of Paolo Di Canio as boss about 6 or 7 years back. They’ve had about a thousand managers since although they did give ex Torquay and Cambridge manager Martin Ling another chance in management despite him having had openly admitted to suffering from mental health issues.

This is why i have a soft spot for Swindon, despite paying a killer to play football. I thought that giving Ling a job was amazing and full credit to them. It didn’t work out for Martin sadly but they didn’t judge him and they gave him that opportunity. Not sure many others would have.

Ex Donny stalwart Richie Wellens has taken on the job as manager now and has a lot to prove. He took over at Oldham the other year and started like a house on fire but then struggled and ended up getting the sack with Oldham going down.

Just be great to get the season underway. It seems to have been a long old summer this time around.

I anticipate Swindon finishing around mid table as do the bookies and hopefully they’ll put in a mid table performance on saturday. I’m sure the Swindon fans will travel in their numbers for this, always great support and they’ll make it a good atmosphere.

We often pump Swindon so no reason to suspect we won’t do it again . 4-0

If we are only 1-0 up with 10 minutes to go then Swindle Town will be so ecstatic that they will sit back and take it.

I suspect it’s going to be a little tense to start with however, I expect we’re going to actually win this one, and more importantly, keep a clean sheet. I’m opting for a 2-0 win to Scunthorpe…

This is an absolute home banker…we always beat swindon by at least 3 goals and i see something similar on saturday. Im going for a 3-1 home win and id start the team that started vs lincoln i think we need slater playing next to lund with songo sweeping up infront of the defence.

Swindon sign ex Barnsley winger Lloyd Isgrove on a one year deal. Another player who i think L2 is his level.

Nothing is a home banker with us,we have had a good run with Swindon at home but did with Gillingham and they have outplayed us last two seasons so they might think they are due a win,so don’t get overconfident especially with our recent home record.

Poor from the defence to get caught out by the counter twice, but credit to Swindon for executing it well.

There is no enjoyment in watching such drivel.

That was gash! They looked like they had played a match this morning…Swindon came and did a job and lets face it we didnt make it to difficult at all they didnt let us play and were just overall quicker/sharper than we were

We need someone like swindons number 11 kaiyne woolery who had the pace and power we simply couldnt deal with. I was feeling very optimistic after last weeks performance vs lincoln but today was the complete opposite which i were surprised about but credit to swindon who also surprised me they were worthy of the win and looked very organised and did what they had to do

Not the best of starts today against Swindon, I think that it is fair to think that we were all tipping an home win, but as we proved last season, we cannot win games if we don’t score any goals.

For all those people thinking it was going to be a home banker they have come down to earth with a bang.

Poor performance all round and two terrible or unlucky pieces of defending for their goals.

Whe never looked as if we would score apart from the shot that hit the post and though their goals were breakaways they looked the more threatening.

Referee, gave them some very dubious freekicks but gave little our way unless it was nailed on, including a corner which clearly came off their player.

Swindon are not a top of this table team and they did us over deservedly. Go figure. Very, very disappointed.

Swindon were terrible. With Kaiyne Woolery who made a few runs on the break later on, they had 10 men. He did little else. Jerry Yates was the difference today for Swindon. Work rate phenomenal, doing the work and runs for both himself and on behalf of the bone idle Woolery and showing up for throws and everything and just ran his heart out up there and deserved his goal IMO.

Across the park though Swindon were quite ordinary. Predictable, zero goal threat until we started leaving gaps at the back and there for the taking.

How were Swindon terrible,if we played like they did away from home we would have been over the moon, Woolery and Anderson played very well with the young striker Yates and their defence was excellent and I can only remember their keeper making one save of note plus Lund hit the post, so terrible no.

Swindon came for a point. To keep it tight and hit on the break. Up front, as well as i said Yates did they were pretty workmanlike. Nothing special. They did what they needed to do but barely caused us many scares.

If Swindon are deemed to be a good side then we really do have problems. I take your point though Mick. Perhaps terrible is harsh. Maybe replace that word with ‘organised’ ‘ordinary’ ‘functional’ to be a bit fairer and reflective of their performance but they were a side that didn’t look too difficult to brush aside given a dominant home performance. Which i expected but didn’t get. Fair play to them though. I’ve said they deserved the win.

Yates (who i found out before the game is the son of a girl who used to be in my class at school which was a bit weird soapy tit wank) was superb. Anderson also played well. Not sure how Woolery gets votes for also playing really well. Other than falling over a bit he didn’t do much.

Swindon were a decent, well-organised side. Unfair to criticise them.
We lost either because they have better players than us or they were a particularly tight unit. Maybe a bit of both. Isgrove and Anderson were pretty good.

We had done little to unlock them first half when honours were even and so we took risks and left ourselves open to counter attacks. In many ways, this was a classic away win – nicely taken. We were suckered. Credit to Swindon.

Have you ever read so much drivel in all your life?

Have you ever read so much drivel in all your life?

Sent from my CLT-L09

Scunny fans post match thoughts...

So some of their fans thought we were poor or even terrible? hmmm what does that make you then? :D

Terrible in League Two is good enough to win it. Look at Lincoln, they were shite and won the league comfortably. Newport equally awful and got to a PO final.

I get and agree to a point about being terrible and winning promotion but I still cannot fathom how we have not managed to storm L2 the last two seasons. After all when it comes to being shite and terrible we ought to be up there with the best?

Too many teams better at being shite than we are.

Look at Lincoln.

Bully teams all over the pitch, outmuscle them, be much fitter than them, play to your strengths...which ironically is the strength of the side.

Put high balls into the box at every chance so that your two 6 foot 4 strikers can win headers, also have your three 6 foot 2 midfielders go in and win headers, bully teams, foul them at every chance.

They don't play attacking football, they dont play passing football, they just hoof it and chase the balls down and get it into the box first chance they get...but they have a system that works for them and the players to play that style, pretty much like Becks Cambridge did in the 80s.

It wins them games but not friends, they are consistant, more than almost any other team in the whole league.

They made their own ground a fortress with their seige mentality, playing a WW2 siren when theres a corner to whip up the crowd and the players.

Its not good to watch but it wins them games.

Some teams, us included, didn't enjoy them bullying us/them and give in too easily, a lot of refs at their home games feel bullied by the crowd trying to intimidate them too and that wins them more penalties than they actually should get.

Personally I dont like the way they play football, its messy and dull but it works for them and wins them games but its never pretty. Their manager is also a complete arse as is his brother the assistant.

Lincoln fans love it, they feel its a them and us scenario and it makes them insular with their Winston Churchill "we will repel all invaders" and make the whole club have a fortress "them and us" mentality.

Fair fucks to them, they wont win any friends along the way, I think they could emulate Luton and go straight up again this year.

Look at Lincoln.

Bully teams all over the pitch, outmuscle them, be much fitter than them, play to your strengths...which ironically is the strength of the side.

Put high balls into the box at every chance so that your two 6 foot 4 strikers can win headers, also have your three 6 foot 2 midfielders go in and win headers, bully teams, foul them at every chance.

They don't play attacking football, they dont play passing football, they just hoof it and chase the balls down and get it into the box first chance they get...but they have a system that works for them and the players to play that style, pretty much like Becks Cambridge did in the 80s.

It wins them games but not friends, they are consistant, more than almost any other team in the whole league.

They made their own ground a fortress with their seige mentality, playing a WW2 siren when theres a corner to whip up the crowd and the players.

Its not good to watch but it wins them games.

Some teams, us included, didn't enjoy them bullying us/them and give in too easily, a lot of refs at their home games feel bullied by the crowd trying to intimidate them too and that wins them more penalties than they actually should get.

Personally I dont like the way they play football, its messy and dull but it works for them and wins them games but its never pretty. Their manager is also a complete arse as is his brother the assistant.

Lincoln fans love it, they feel its a them and us scenario and it makes them insular with their Winston Churchill "we will repel all invaders" and make the whole club have a fortress "them and us" mentality.

Fair fucks to them, they wont win any friends along the way, I think they could emulate Luton and go straight up again this year.

Not pretty but consistant and consistantly gets results against pampered weaker teams.

Thats "all" you need to get out of this league!

Oooo, you throwing down a gauntlet per chance?

Then straight back down. I cannot imagine that succeeding in the championship.

No, I would hate to watch games like that!

That would be like Div 4 back in the 1970s all over again, I am happy we don't have to watch that sort of poor quality any more. The closest we got was under Macari who built his side of fitness and strong defence, saying that we never bullied teams but could mix it if needed, we still played some amazing football under him, something you cannot ever say about Lincoln, or that Beck team.
I agree, but I feel it will get them there this season.

God that was dire, John Trollope, Ken Beamish, shudder at the thought. Lou Mac and his fitness regime won us many matches in the last 15 minutes, cue a statto to reveal otherwise. So I shall caveat that by suggesting it did seem like it. Though I suspect he knew at our level he had to toil with players from the bottom of the barrel and make a silk purse from a sows ear.

Lincoln, in a strange way, benefitted from years of being dreadful. Suddenly when they started winning, it invigorated the whole city. Their crowds quadrupled. They won't accept its shit football, but then when you've spent 5 years in non league you probably don't care.

I too remember us winning lots of games with late goals but yes it was probably our poor memory rather than being a fact!

I doubt Lincoln's model provides a template for success much beyond L1, and both they and Luton will struggle to maintain the good times (like us) because they don;t really have the infrastructure behind them to sustain it at that the Championship level these days.  Not impossible, but highly improbable.

Luton are moving to new ground, next year 17,500 capacity, could be enough for Div 2.

Boscombe utd are holding their own in the prem with a sub 12.000 capacity.

More accurately Boscombe Athletic..... Bormuff fans have never been the most vocal, but always quite liked how they'd chant Boscombe, years after ditching the name.  As a kid used to do "trip" in Boscombe, getting the chuffer from Old Town down to Andover onto Southern Region metals.

Being adequate is usually enough for promotion.  I saw a team that will get promoted if they play like that every week.

What kind of idiot quotes himself?

The Sage of Leicester?