Thetownend.com

Games are coming thick and fast. Away to Salford, big crowd of 1,700 awaits  :)
Anyone going?

I'll go for 1-0 to us, att: 1,705 (554 away)

Man U are playing Sunday, it might top 2000.

not going this time

Going for sure.  Great fun last time.  No GP this time though...

I reckon the Hurdy Gurdy will score  8)

1-0 home win.

Attendance: 2,619

Salford 2-3 Swindon

2-1 Swindon
Att 3050 800 Town fans.

Tight 0-1 Swindon.

One goal in it :eek:

Correct Mr. Quinn. After watching A @ Cambridge and H v Carlisle & Tranny, then being away where you’d expect the home team to be pressing their advantage, coupled with our ‘lack’ of seemingly direct firepower I’m happy with that. TBF I would not complain at a 0-0. So seeing as we played much better on Tuesday 0-1 to us is not a flight of fancy.

I'd take 1-0 away win!

A returning KKH and to score in a 1 - 1 draw. 2,102 in attendance with 771 Town fans making the journey.

1 goal scored in our last 3 games shows where the problem lies - especially as over the first 3 league games we are 4th in the number of chances created in L2.

Garner seems blind to the need for an out and out goalscorer- seemingly preferring attacking players to an out and out striker.

Fancy ass football is fine but impotent fancy ass football is not.

I sometimes wonder if people just ignore everything that is being said around them

Yet, here he is saying quite the opposite: (about Simpson)


https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/19517221.ben-garner-says-swindon-town-sign-forward-week/?fbclid=IwAR1fm-YfFCFD_pZzmS-5ghPsK-AlCufwAjXem9DtJOgqKWTxNat4w75eSJ4

Signing players in one position does not mean you can't also sign players in others. That, and good strikers tend not to be signed until later in the season. Doyle didn't even come until after the window had closed.

That sounds as if he sees Simpson as our main striker and is just looking for another young tyro to back him up.

I reckon those waiting for an experienced striker will be disappointed.

Do you at least now acknowledge that we are after another striker?

I just don’t like his terminology. Just say ‘striker’ and not forwards or attackers.

I’m probably being pernickity.

I prefer manager to head coach!

I don't like the term forward either. It's too vague, but it seems to be the way nowadays.

And I think you are being a tad pernickety. Although forward does not necessarily mean 'striker' - it still can mean exactly that.

Yeah not like centre forward has been a well used term for decades.

Sent from my CLT-L09

We still need more height in the team as we're not much of a threat from corners & set pieces

Yes, but there's centre forward, which means a striker of sorts. And 'forward', which nowadays seems to mean any attacking player, including centre forwards.

The last goal we scored came from a set piece.

Fair point, but overall we're a very small team

Anyone know how many we’ve sold for tomorrow?

I've got one!  :)

From their forum:

"Post by tangerinedream on about an hour ago
Swindon Town provide the opposition at Moor Lane as we go in search of our first league victory of the season. The Wiltshire side experienced a fairly torrid 2020/21 campaign having been relegated after winning the league the season before under the charge of ex Salford manager Richie Wellens.  Their opening three league games has seen a return of one win, one draw and one loss and they'll be looking to replicate their last visit to Moor Lane when they emerged as 3-2 winners.  They'll certainly not be lacking in support as of yesterday morning they'd sold an impressive 750 tickets which should make for a lively atmosphere. I'm hoping that we can finally put in a 90 minute performance and improve on our finishing after having let off the opposition in our previous three league fixtures."

You know what. It’s been stifling here for weeks on end and I’m getting crankier and grumpier by the day. Chuck in our new neighbours having the strangest sleeping habits and I’m dangling on a string atm!

Cue Jimmy Ruffin

Interesting stat

Most chances created (League Two: 2021/22) 🪄👇

21 - Bradford
21 - Mansfield
21 - Rochdale
18 - Swindon
16 - Port Vale
15 - Forest Green
15 - Tranmere
14 - Oldham
14 - Salford
13 - Bristol Rovers

Paul Caddis co commentator on iFollow tomorrow.

Hadaway an shite!

Not forgetting that the piss stains are at Bolton tomorrow!

It's defending them that's harder with a tiny team. 

Bump  :)

Very quiet on here today, hopefully due to people travelling north.  2-1 win, Gladwin and A N Other, Jonny Williams to shine.  COYR

I think they’ve got a 9’ ft CF - or attacker in modern parlance!

On our way by train today.
Come on you Reds……
Would take a point but we can win this 👍🍺

Too much shite being talked about flags I suspect.

Oxon Reds Flag is making the journey;)

Keep an eye out for those horrible piss stains who are also playing in the suburbs of Manchester😡

Unable to make the match today as I am volunteering. No banners or flags involved.

Good.

Pre match trying to work out what the gruff, moaney, whiny background noise* in the imaginatively named Wetherspoons is.

The novelty of coming up here to visit Salford has worn off.
Won't have to make the trip next season after they get promoted.  ;)
The rugby ground looks like a fun place to get to if they end up moving.

Interesting to hear Neville G admit the other week that getting rid of Graham Alexander was a mistake....
Bah, what am I saying. Ancient history now.

Not too concerned about where the goals will come from.
Payne, Gladwin & McKirdy should all be looking at getting near double figures. KKH may chip in with a few as well and we look much more inventive at set pieces as well, free kicks aside.

Anyway, a couple of swift ones in here then move to the Piccadilly Tap & no plastic glasses hopefully. Tram to Crumpsall and then try and survive the walk through a pub free zone to the ground.

*Finally worked out that it's just the locals chattering.
And stop coughing on me you cunts.

Was also going to say if their last home attendance of about 1,400 is anything to go by then we could make up over 40% of the crowd today.

A shame the wealthy owners didn't support Bury and keep a real club in business!

Loss. 2-1

Hope they have better weather up there it's pissing down here

Will be watching, hopefully, in a hotel in Birmingham.

Salford, the early season favourites thanks to moneybags owners have started slowly with 3 draws and a defeat to Crawley, thier efl cup draw at Derby was a penalty defeat. In the leage they have score 2 goals and conceded 3.

Swindon to suffer a single goal defeat in front of 2,345 fans with 915 Town fans there.

Very light pennine drizzle. Expect intermittent showers.

There was a theory that the tower blocks in Salford were the reason behind the belief that "it always rains in Manchester".

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/sep/13/rebeccaallison

I suspect that Grauniad links still work on here unlike some other media outlets.

It is raining here by the way.

Perefect for topping up the ship canal😀

The new ground is akin to Colchester - soulless and in the middle of nowhere, with shit parking. Only positive is it’s three miles from home.

Walking distance then😀

Indeed

We stopped at Trafford Park on the way up to the lakes on Sunday, we drove through Salford Lowrey smokey tops and past the "ahem" stadium, Chard Town has a better ground with bigger stands, their multi millionaire owners will get fed up when they find they cant buy promotion and will fall back down the leagues soon enough.

Can't predict this one at all. I'll be watching with a few beers and hoping for the win. Got the football bug back again this year after the euros and town takeover.

See you on the 28th then Arriba  ;)

Will definitely be back at the cg this year. If it's dry I'll be golfing next week though.

2-0 Town....Payne, Simpson

I would go with the following line up...

Wollacott

Kesler Hayden
Conroy
Crichlow
Iandolo

Grant
Payne
Reed
Parsons
Williams

Simpson

Subs: Ward, Hunt, Odimayo, Gladwin, East, Dabre, McKirdy

Would like to see McKirdy given a run out behind the front two at some point (when we actually have a front two)...all his best moments have been when he gets into central positions whereas out wide he's kind of run around in circles without too much end result...

2-2 simpson and payne for us.

Looks close to our best team mate, i would put in Gladwin for Parsons though.

I was trying to save you the hassle of parking!

Many thanks

Anytime

I like Gladwin, he's a real difference maker but I just think he's still not up to speed in terms of match fitness...team sheet will be up soon....

No idea what to expect in terms of scoreline today, but I hope to see Garniola ball progressing. I thought that towards the end of the last game they were starting to click a little more.

Agreed, people who I’ve spoken to about the Carlisle and Tranny games say the same.

TOWN STARTING XI 👥 | Here's how the Reds line-up against @SalfordCityFC

1. Wollacott
2. Odimayo
3. Iandolo
4. Conroy (C)
5. Crichlow
7. Gladwin
9. Simpson
10. Payne
22. Kesler-Hayden
25. Reed
42. Grant

SUBS | Ward, McKirdy, Williams, Hunt, East, Aguiar, Parsons

#STFC  🔴⚪️ https://t.co/ym5gHd98pO

Back three and wing backs? Like the look of that on paper.

not sure, I assume you mean iandolo and K-H as wing backs with odimayo, Conroy and crichlow CB?

seems most likely.

but could be iandolo and odimayo as orthodox fully backs and K-H taking mckirdy spot like for like?

Yeah true, both possible.

No Turnbull for them.

4-0 win for us today and the start of a new chant "Simpson the goal beast"after he gets a hattrick.

I’ve read it as 4-2-3-1

Odimayo - Conroy - Critchlow - Iandolo
Grant - Reed
KKH - Gladwin - Payne
Simpson

Could be a 3-4-2-1

Odimayo - Conroy - Critchlow -
KKH - Grant - Reed  - Iandolo
        Gladwin - Payne
              Simpson

Trams to Bury not working, so emergency taxi to the ground.
Small brolly allowed in, big ones not allowed ooh  err.
Altogether now "non league and you know you are."

0-4. Simpson, Payne, Gladwin & McKirdy.

There was a time pre Bradford, when I might have favoured Bowyer rolling up.
Not now, possibly the dourest man in the universe and now grasping after his managerial mojo.

You should have met his dad!!!

4-2-3-1
3-4-2-1

good to have flexibility and a squad that has enough depth to rest a couple after a midweek game.

Sudoku Batch?

No commentary on here today?  :sherlock:

Frenetic. No chances yet. Monopolising possession at the mo.

JJ is on holiday I believe.

Iandolo shot from corner over the bar ( not as far over as shot from Grant from open play a few mins before)

Gash, one down  :D

Salford chance down our left.

Long ball down our left. Cross to man free in area. Headed wide. ( Mix up between Payne and Iandolo)

Gas two down

Wow! Bad pass from Conroy. Ball through to CF. Wollacott charges out with slide tackle outside the area. Grant battles for rebound with Salford player who goes down in area under shoulder challenge. Iandolo then taken down!

Couple of minutes more pressure down our left including scramble which Wollacott claims.

Lovely flowing play forward between KKH and Odimayo ended by Gladwin lurking offside.

Getting slammed down the left atm

KKH has learned the Grant technique for drawing a foul.

Shot form outside the area on our right. Wollacott down safely.

Gas 3 nil down

Free kick from the left claimed confidently by Wollacott under pressure

Make that 4...

Chance for Simpson,,over

Simpson bustles past last man to left of goal. Keeper comes out. He chips him and it just drifts wide of the post

Iandolo booked for rugby tackle.

Gas chat is entertaining.

second best and iandolo struggling imo

Thought they were going to “piss the league”?  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Hunt warming up.

Down to the Conference...

They are.Pissing it away

Simpson offside

Iandolo only seems to have 20 minutes in the tank after that he seems fucked, same even when he’s on as a sub.

Iandolo beaten by Wright. Conroy saving tackle. Simpson trys to run it out of defence.

Iandolo is getting absolutely roasted by Wright

Payne gives Salford player pain by accidentally kicking him in the grunters!

Simpson Gladwin Payne to Simpson (who it hits) and pops up into goalie's hands

it's not happening for us at the moment

Exposed from pass from left through middle. Messy save from Wollacott

Very even except they're creating more than we are. Two decent sides out there. Woolacot is some keeper!

Great save from Wollacott

Jojo keeping us in it

Think we’re 2 players short of really challenging, a striker obviously and a proper left sided full back/wingback. Iandolo is struggling and has always been suspect defensively and it’s obviously not Hunt’s preferred side so we lack a bit on the left.

We keep giving the ball up as Salford are pressing Payne who keeps losing the ball

Grant loses ball and puts us under pressure. Conroy saving tackle. We try to break out but Gladwin too slow

Ball comes back into box. Critchlow heads away

l think we are watching two different games :)

Another save by jojo

We’re pretty woeful. Absolutely nothing up front - again.

Thank God for JoJo

Critchlow mistimes header and puts CF through clear on goal. Smart save from Wollacott

Sounds like we are lining up for a second half smash and grab away victory then 😁

that first half has been hard to watch

Think Hunt for Iandolo is a given, we need more in the middle so I’d probably take off Gladwin and put East on. That said Simpson isn’t really providing much of an outlet so can see us trying a false 9 or putting Parsons up there.

poor half. regroup and reorganise

Fine display from Wollacott so far.

Need to change something, Salford are well on top here.

Can't argue with that based on the first half showing. Only caveat is we haven't seen too much of Simpson as he is so isolated. Not sure whether he's not very good or the system needs tweaking a bit to get him more involved. He doesn't seem to have much composure.

Jojo Wollacott our best player so far.

HT 0-0

Wollacott has been superb.

Conroy with a couple of saving tackles.

I thought Critchlow was doing quite well until the last 5 mins when he was all over the shop!

The rest have been incredibly inconsistent.

Iandolo looking good going forward but no final ball because noone showing. Struggled defensively.

Payne awful back to goal as midfielders pressing him into mistakes. But looks bright going forward.

Gladwin still looks off the pace and knackered to me

Simpson isn't ready for this role.

Wollacott on his way to man of the match again (he was on Tuesday, too).

Hardly anything in possession between the teams. They've just created more. We lack punch upfront. 1 up top does not do us any favours.

That’s 1 goal now in 3.5 games. If Garner doesn’t address it this coming week he’s off my Xmas card list.

The honeymoon is coming to an end.

With Simpson his touch just isn’t up to it currently, it seems to always bounce off him. He had a good chance from Payne pass but it bounced off him into the keepers arms. Can’t help but feel the other players aren’t sure about sending the ball up to him as they think it’ll just come straight back and that’s why we are getting caught in possession a lot.

The good - it's 0-0 still and they look a bit soft at the back.

The bad - the rest.

Iandolo and Payne have been woeful in defending that half.  Payne has offered zero support to Iandolo and he has shown he is not a left back for a game with pacey or nippy wide players.  Iandolo gets beat for position and also simply beat.  On a booking now as well.

Reed, Grant and Gladwin don't have a pair of functioning legs between them it seems.  Not just a lack of pace but all three are a bit slow over a couple of yards as well.  As a result we have no drive going forward and runners are left free when defending.  I know we should expect them to get fitter, but I still think that three won't work especially away from home.

Simpson - he may be a good player in time, we need something different right now.

KKH/Odimayo - not terrible, but I think we need to shake up the left side and bring KKH back.

Central defenders - getting pulled out of position too many times.

I think this second half could be a good litmus test as to whether Garner is the sort of person who can make a good Head Coach or whether he is a Luke Williams type.  Right now it's a tactical mess and nothing changed over the 45 minutes.  We are wide open down our left, slow in the middle and don't seem to have much of plan for breaking their press beyond tapping it about and seeing what happens.

Personally I'd take Iandolo off, move Critchlow to left back and slot Odimayo in alongside Conroy with KKH at right back and bring someone like Williams on.

If anyone on the bench has some dynamism in central midfield, bring them on for Gladwin or Reed.  Given how the first half went, Parsons may be too risky, so it is probably East, or McKirdy and moving Payne or him into the middle with Gladwin going off.

I would just like to express my appreciation for Bristol Rovers.  Losing 4 nil at half time.  However badly we're doing, we're not doing that.

Fuck me. Anyone would think we are losing by the comments. Keeper has made great saves but we've had plenty of the ball and don't look that bad to me. Just need more goal threat as the build up play is there.

Stats say they have had 8 chances with 5 on target. We have had 3 off target shots.

Yeah I've seen the stats.

I'll shut up then!

I'll go with the bits I agree with. not in mood to disagree:

1 up top does do us no favours, and Simpson is showing he's a young lad with not much experience yet

Boom!

Well well well

Great move!

1-0 Payne

Great move

Great interaction between Gladwin Simpson and Payne.

Ignore my half time musings, I know nothing.

Salford commentary moaning about flares 🤣🤣🤣

Restart held up by red flare

soapy tit wank. that's better!

 :D

Grant yellow

Smash and Grab. Would definitely make the changes now to tighten things up now there’s something to protect.

it's quite unnecessary

Conroy holding his neck

Whose neck?

Twine scores at Ipswich again!

Dreading a red

His own.

Swindon Town FC
@Official_STFC
·
6m
Today's Official Attendance is 2,229 (761 Away Fans)

We don't know about 761, but it sure sounds like thousands of Town fans in that away end today!

Thank you for your superb support and backing on the road, as always Red heart

#STFC Red circleWhite circle

Doyle's just scored against Pox

Is the cameraman knocking one out. Jerky as fuck.

Gash 4 nil down  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Salford score but offside

They were 4 down after 24 mins...

Legend  8)

Apparently against the run of play....

What a pity !!  :)

Even better, room for more

Joey got other things on his mind!

Conroy with a goal saving sliding clearance

Smash and grab so far here.

Only half listening on the radio but I swear they’ve only mentioned Reed about three times

Nice one GP! If you're  Not doing it for us,do the next best thing

Simpson with a great run down the left. Cleared.

Salford with great run down our right. Conroy beaten for first time today.

Gladwin off. Williams on

Williams on for Gladwin

Come on Johnny boy

Conroy with an awesome clearance on the 6 yard line. Then somehow gets a yellow.

Was that Hunt for Iandolo?

KKH for McKirdy

Changed to East for Reed...but not yet!

McKirdy coming on

Now East for Reed

Vegans winning 6-2

6-3 now

Bowyer, Williams and Garner yellows

How long left?

About one Desperado on a hot day.

Another minute. Loads of shithousing

7th of 6 mins afded

FT 1-0

GTFI from ASDA W. Swindon!!

Great result!

More than happy with that.

Had their commentary on and they were absolutely losing it. Talking about cheap antics and nothing was even up. Oh and they were absolutely raging when the flare came on.

Chin up lads.

9 mins of added time.

Before Garner and Bowyer got carded, it was fouls cvommitted even but 4 yellows for Town and 0 for Salford

Was the referee as big a c unt as the stats suggest?

Get in. Two clean sheets on the trot too. Foundations to build from and great to see Jack Payne putting one away. Looking forward to the highlights….

Simpson loads better in the second half. Gladwin did well. Williams showed loads of experience when he came on. Absolute smash and grab. A welcome 3 points but not sure we really deserved to win.

Superb win. Those lads worked their socks off there.

Into the autos

Great stuff, should guarantee another bumper gate next week!

yes! great win.

did we deserve it? no.
so I care? no.

quite a bit more competitive in the second half and a well worked goal from our only (?) real chance.

Williams cameo was good, plus he is a shithousing king. marvelous.

you fucking reds

If a manager puts his hands on an opposing player, he should know better and he should be sent to the stands.  What sort of example is that to a player.  Thats just totally wrong.  Why does a referee allow him to come out of his area and push an opposing player.

Just cuntish.

Rob Hunt looked much more assured in defence than Iandolo when he came on.

Lucky listeners

Delightful.

Bloody lovely  :pint:

0-1 away win under the cosh is one of the best feelings in football.

Proud of the lads for grinding it out.

Fuck off Bowyer.

that's because iandolo isn't a left/wing back ;)

Daylight robbery - love it. A valuable 3 points in our scrap for survival.

Salford were the better team but our resilience and spirit meant that those 3 points are deserved.

Wollacott MOM by a country mile.

Bowyer or Garner?  :eek:

Good result

The ability to smash and grab is not a bad trait to have when we wondered whether this team may have a soft underbelly…..

For me that was the perfect away win. Didn't play well 1st half and jojo made one extremely good save but all of the other saves were pretty standard and not good shots. We really struggled to get the ball and make consecutive passes

2nd half got the job done. Nice team goal and then thought we controlled everything really well. Without seeing the stats im thinking 1st half was one sided and the 2nd half was more even/us.

Loved simpson today, held the ball up so much better than the last home game. Still doesn't look a threat in terms of scoring (although nearly scored a fantastic lob 1st half) but held the ball up really well and allowed us to move up the pitch.

Thought some of the passing 2nd half was really good and you can see what happens when williams comes on. much more purpose and pace etc- gladwin may be a bit of an issue when he is still isn't fit- i hope thats still the reason.

dont over think this- thats a good win and we fought really well.

last thought- gary bowyer is still a twat- should have got a red

Don't share all your enthusiasm for the desperate antics in the last 15 minutes. It was embarrassing that a team with the footballing ability those players have should have to resort to that to beat a team in this league. Let's put it down to early season stutters, but we were uniformly awful after the first twenty minutes. Couldn't string passes together, could hold up balls, slowed down every opportunity of a break. Odimayo, Iandolo and Grant were especially wayward. KKH and Reed were anonymous, Simpson mainly clumsy. Only Payne's running, Conroy's cool head and especially Jojo's flawless performance got us anything from that. completely undeserved result.

Less encouraged by that than by both the previous league games we failed to win.

Spot on.

OK, I was agreeing with you in the another thread, but now you're acting as though there was nothing positive about today's game. And I don't only mean the 3 points.

Effectively no preseason, what do you expect?

Garner:
- Pleasing because we have played well with the ball in several games and not had this result
- Resilient in the second half
- Better organised in second half
- Wollacott outstanding again in first half
- Pressed and were more solid in 2nd
- Good skill for the first
- Simpson had touch of class and composure to slide in Payne
- Simpson link up play was superb
- Outstanding today
- Williams was pushed and Garner was unhappy. Didn't think it was right. Didn't expect the melee after it
- We have a good group ethic considering the time that players have been together
- Celebrated in front of fantastic away support
- Wanted to keep Odimayo at the back with KKH in front due to their threat
- We could have been better with the ball in the second half. Think this was down to fatigue
- Mentally fatigues in first and physically so in the second
- Two days off this week then a week working into Mansfield game. We have worked them hard so far.
- It is a fair reflection (points wise now) of what we have done in the opening weeks
- Reed: Think it was just fatigue and cramp. His work ethic was outstanding. Not just a great footballer, but can do the defensive side.

Maybe. I just thought that after a bright start, we just kept giving them the ball back, constantly inviting pressure. Without Jojo, they'd have been out of sight, and it wouldn't have been undeserved. I'm delighted we got away with one, but that wasn't really digging in, it was getting lucky.

one last thing i did particularly enjoy (may have been highlighted previously) was the club social media photo in the away dressing room today where they have put up posters of the players from the 1st away win goal celebrations.

its the small things, just makes us seem like we have professionals in charge again and the psychology of reminding them of what it feels like to win and enjoy it

No. We were the biggest shithousers in the world. Bowyer should have had a red not a yellow though. A manager should never push an opposing player over.

We dug in.

You're doing our defenders an injustice here. They kept the ball out by skill and determination, luck just helped a bit.

Any one of our defenders could have been MOM today as they all put in good performances. Salford were the better team, but let's give credit to the players who got us the points today.

Isn't that assault :badmood:

Difficult to watch, backs to the wall defending and keeping at times, got niggly near the end.

Payne took his goal well, Wollacott almost faultless for the 2nd game in a row and another clean sheet too, some great defending.

Did we deserve it? Maybe not on chances but we won and thats all that matters at the end of the day.

Another great turnout by Town fans too.

Just started reading - who did he push over ?

Williams

Payne:
- Talked about Simpson.
- Way we play is that we have a lot of the ball and ust be frustrating for him as he does lots of running but doesnt always get the ball. He worked really hard today
- Talked about fans outsinging everyone all year so far
- Havent had long to gel, but picking up 7 points is good.
- Getting some rest and training sessions in.
- Every game has been a challenge and learning experience. Lots of positives, including Cambridge where Payne thought we did well
- Good feel factor at the club this year from top to bottom. Last year there wasn't
- Night and day from last year. Those that have come in this year have been brilliant. The staff all want us to do well.
- Always hard to tell where you are going to be after so few games. We have definitely got something to build upon.

Surely the way you saw the game serves as an explanation as to why those 'antics' were employed?

Sent from my CLT-L09

Funny how differently people see games of football. I'm actually staggered by some of the comments I've read on here today. I for one enjoyed that and think the lads deserve nothing but praise for a hard fought victory. Enjoy your evening folks.

Garner apologised for his part in the melee, but wanted the authorities to look at the incident. He said he isn't a fiery character, but thought that was totally inappropriate.

(For those not watching: Williams ran the ball out of play in front of the Swindon dugout. He carried on running in front of the Salford dugout and tried to dribble the ball away to delay a throw in. As he was trying to get round the defender trying to get the ball for a throw in, Bowyer stepped forward and pushed Williams over (to stop him taking the ball away). He then picked the ball up and gave it to the defender. Garner ran from the Swindon dugout to confront Bowyer, as did other Swindon coaches. Most of the rest of the 22 players ran in front of the dugout and there were hand bags for a few mins. Ref then yellowed Williams, Bowyer and Garner.

Swindon went there with a plan. They were going to be tight at the back and hoped to nick a goal. Once we scored, which we hadn't really looked like doing (much like last week) then we parked the bus very, very successfully.

It was a push. He should not have done it and probably deserves some sort of reprimand.

But assault?

Come on!

You have to be able to scrap out ugly wins, we did that today. Seen far too many games over the years where we've played lovely football and lost. Absolutely love it...

Tongue in cheek  :pint:

it would be boring if we were all the same.

have a good one and we can at least all enjoy 3 points and 7/12!

A solid performance particularly as we are still work in progress.
Back line held firm, joJo immense and proving an exceptional keeper.
Still in the pack and a few positions to fill and another week to improve the fitness levels.

3 outstanding moments.
That save first half
The superb finish.
A Conroy’s clearance.

Wow

Well it seems a fair few have forgot this squad haven’t even been together a month, are 3 weeks behind every other side in this league and have just been asked to play 3 games in a week without being fully fit. 

Very amusing reading.

7 points from 12, would have snapped your hands off for that a month ago.

This spot on.

Great result, we’ll done Town !
Exceeding expectations at the moment all things considered. Really looking forward to seeing how the season progresses as I feel we will only improve on what we have now.

Really chuffed with that win 👍 Thought Simpson did a great job with his tireless running on his own.

Sent from my XQ-AD51

100%. Even in a “normal” season, you take those wins, knowing that any successful side wins when they’re not flying. It’s a skill, and if anything, justifies slowing the game down. Classic Pulis tactics.

Exactly.
Makes you wonder what we'll see once they reach full fitness.

I think a lot of the comments stem from the growing realisation that we are probably only 2 players short of having a team that can challenge at the top end and expectation is increasing. Realistically add a goal scorer and a proper left sided defensive player and suddenly we have a team that can go toe to toe with anyone in this league.

Great win. A 3pt grinder is always very pleasing.
Tremendous team effort.

Should hopefully see the benefit of a full week of work, rest & play on Saturday.

Gary Bowyer, what a cockwomble. Probably won't be long before the Salford fan starts calling for him to be sacked

Today's attendances for those Interested.

https://www.espn.co.uk/football/fixtures/_/date/20210821

Looking at the table after four games and I’m trying to decide wether there are any early teams raising eyebrows either at the top or the bottom. It will be interesting to see how Harrowgate get on against Lorient A on Tuesday. A win for the Yorkshire outfit would give the 3/3. A not to shabby start to the season considering their Covid issues.

Bristol Rovers were second favourites so a disastrous start for them and although it's early days it's surprising to see Stevenage & Hartlepool near the top and Salford near the bottom.

And, who’d want to be an Oldham fan tonight?

Definitely a club in freefall and in need of Sheriden to help them out again😀

Refs fault Salford lost, two penalties not given and the goal was offside!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ObzV24XvKk8

Oh fuck, you can see Curran, Power and their cronies circling around like vultures.

If they play their cards right they could end up with both Oldham and Rochdale due to their proximity!

Boo fucking hoo Gary....you boring, boring twat...

 :clap: :clap:

https://www.skysports.com/football/salford-city-vs-swindon-town/video/448486

Not that it matters now but...I don't think it was Bowyer who pushed Williams over. He did put his arms out and I can see why Garner thought it was him but it was actually a Salford player who pushed him...as I say, doesn't matter now and let's face it a touchline melee is always quite entertaining, especially when you are a goal up and trying to run the clock down...

I missed Simpsons attempted lob. Not a bad effort at all.

crap highlights from sky though

What a tosser Bowyer looks

https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/competitions/league-two/12387330/salford-manager-pushes-player

I was going as far as saying any points in the first six games is a bonus. Hell of a bonus so far!

I'm sure we can all think of Town sides in the past that would have lost that game.  A key reason we didn't was Wollacott.  He did his own job brilliantly, and gave the defence confidence.  A great signing and credit to Mildenhall for his work with him.

Bowyer - I'm no statistician, but that surname must be punching well above it's weight for cunts

Who the hell is Gary Bowyer? Never heard of him before.

did JoJo make any saves in that last 20 minutes of the game? we were under pressure for sure but what away team 1 nil up wouldn't be.

your probably fishing...
but weren't we heavily linked with him in recent years as well? can't remember if it was before wellens or before Sheridan though

Just saw the highlights. Great goal.

Bowyer was completely at fault for the melee and absolutely should have got a red. I thought Garner acted completely within his rights, he comes out of this smelling of roses as far as I’m concerned. Defended his guy without going over the top

100% this

Nope, genuinely never heard of him

Williams dribbling off with the ball like it was still in play after it had gone about 6 yards off the pitch was quite a dickish move to begin with.

He's been linked here a couple of times during Powers reign let's hope there's not a third time.

His dad was more famous

I thought it was a bit odd how Williams dribbled with the ball after it was miles out, but it wasn’t the end of the world shithousery. Still think Bowyer overreacted

I never knew Ian was his dad

A long trip up to Salford today, traffic was horrendous around Birmingham but we got there with around an hour to spare. First half we struggled to get going, I really like him but felt Iandolo really struggled first half, their attacker had the better of him every time. Jojo made some excellent saves and is super quick off his line. It’s lovely to have a keeper again that I have full confidence in. 2nd half we looked better, things were linking up a lot better and Simpson had his best half in a town shirt. Fantastic to get the win and always shows the character of a good team when you’re not at you’re best but come away with the result.
Big shout out to the town support as well today, fantastic numbers once again and fantastic atmosphere throughout, things are feeling good again. Also have to mention the encounters with the Pox fans at the service station on the way home, they were politely reminded that Eoin Doyle is a red and he does indeed hate Oxford.

Fantastic day out, bring on Saturday COYR

He was indeed and a bigger bustard you won't find. I knew him when he managed Hereford. He destroyed the spirit of more than a few at that club. Gary went to play there as well....not a good idea.

Having now seen the replay - the goal looks offside to me.

But you won't find me complaining about it.

(https://i.imgur.com/C15F0P2.png)

Are you DV's love affair of celeb man u players? There's no way that's off side. Fuck off.

Can anyone, in layman’s terms, tell me what this means

Highest open play xG from @OptaAnalyst (LG2: 2021/22) 👇

3.7 - Swindon
3.7 - Rochdale
3.3 - Salford
3.0 - Mansfield
2.8 - Carlisle
2.7 - Bradford
2.5 - Forest Green
2.5 - Tranmere
2.5 - Scunthorpe
2.5 - Stevenage

I’m guessing it’s the average amount of clear cut chances that are created in open play. Not from free kicks, throw ins etc.

V their goals scored?

So, not a great stat for us then. Creating loads but taking very few?

Says we should be scoring 3.7 goals from open play, we’ve scored 3. Not horrendous IMO

Good to see us produce a win in a different style yesterday (gritty and undeserved). Saw the last 20 minutes out so well, we’re so savvy at taking time when fouled and I never really felt like we were threatened. JJ fills me with every hope in goal, hes quick off his line, claims the ball well from crosses and is an excellent shot stopper. Still really need a striker, Simpson did better 2nd half but we’re still asking too much of him. Get a striker and we’ve got a good chance at a good finish this season. Good to see Garner sticking up for his players as well! Fans were excellent as always

Depends wether your glass is half full or half empty. If I have this right we create 3.7 clear chances in open play and score one. We will score from free kicks now and then. On one hand that is a comfort we are creating chances at the very least. On another you’d like to create one chance and score, which TBH is a tall order at PL level & at our level not too shabby surely? So, get the ‘striker/s’ we desire and we ‘should’ improve not only our strike rate but the chances created. After all, four games in and we’re in the top three. As I said before, yes I am aware we are only four games in and it is marathon not a sprint, play off’s a minimum, autos a very good chance. League two survival? My arse.

E&OE, subject to terms and conditions, your home is at risk if you do not keep up repayments or loans secured against it etc, etc.

Sorry, being thick here. Is 3.7 chances per game or 3.7 over the games we’ve already played?

Why aren’t FGR top. They’ve scored shitloads

Ah fuck knows, maybe we’ve all got it wrong? 🤣🤣

Looking forward to Mansfield now.

Not sure where Bowyer got off side for the goal from, didn’t look like it and the lino never flagged so all good in the hood on that one.

Our xG wouldn’t be 3.7 yesterday. Would probably be around 0.4 I’d imagine. Ask for why FGR aren’t top, I can only presume they’re scoring goals from far out / very clinical. Worth mentioning a penalty is about 0.8 I think, so increases your total xG massively

FGR have 2 goals from set plays, which won't account in to the above, and have also scored a few out of the boxers, so would register a low XG for those shots.

So, all in all, it’s a pretty useless stat that proves the square root of fuck all.

Why do they bother with them?

xG is a measure of the quality of chances a side makes.

Good explanation here: https://theanalyst.com/na/2021/06/what-are-expected-goals-xg/

Na it's not completely useless, it's just more of an accompanying stat rather than one to love and breathe by. You'll often find those with the highest XG and lowest XG against will be up at the top of the league, and vice versa for the other way round, but there will always be those teams who over or under perform on their number. Sometimes can be used as a precursor for teams currently overperforming and due a dip in form, which happened to FGR funnily enough a few seasons ago.

For the same reason Councils and central government have more staff than a composite commercial enterprise, gives someone something to do who would otherwise spend their days doing nothing.

Question for anyone that went / watched in iThingy: How did KKH play? After a couple a MoM performances he doesnt seem to have been mentioned much yesterday. Was he pushed up (like a lot of us have been asking for); the formation on the BBC site suggests a back 3 with KKH on right of midfield?

Was a back 4, AK RB, KKH RW.  I much prefer him at RB as I've said before, looks much more dangerous attacking from deeper but I suppose away at a fancied team it's strong from a defensive point of view, I definitely wouldn't entertain playing him further forward in a home game.

Those damn jobsworth computers collecting data  :crash:

Garner said he was pushed up to stop their left wing back attacking the space

I suppose the fact that the 4 teams we’ve played so far are all near the top means we’re maybe not as tight at the back as we might hope to be after all? Certainly relied on an excellent goalkeeping display to help us to victory yesterday.

Tim Cahill was at the game yesterday and posted on instagram video saying it was a big win for STFC.

Wonder if he will get involved at some point?

Keeping the Aussie theme running through the team when Clem has to go back home!

With Jojo’s superb start to the season am I wrong in thinking he’s only on a 1 year contract? If this is the case let’s get the man tied down.

We can only sign people on year deals at the moment cant we?

It’s not 1970 anymore, they’ve had about 60% of their budget cut over the last decade. Do catch up.

Then why has my council tax not been cut by 60% ??.

Councillors wages have gone up 60% :)

:D :D,  probably correct though !!.

They won't be missing out that's for sure!

Actually I am caught up. Budget has little to do with wankers who do fuck all.

Teams been together for 4 weeks, little to no pre season and sat, tues, sat football means they are knackered. We’ve dominated play in our previous games. Yesterday they’ve won ugly. That’s a skill. I never Moab when teams use the dark arts against us, because we do to them. Every single team does it. I’m unsure why you think it’s BG thing?

Extended highlights:

https://youtu.be/ddH8vaUyc78

Other than that we played like a premiership side !!,  Fuck off bad loser.

Isn't Bowyer best remembered for being so shit that he couldn't fit Doyle into his team at Bradford, recalled him from us to try and fuck up our season still couldn't fit him in and got promptly sacked.

Woukd also perhaps explain why he may have a problem with us....

Yes. Bradford fans could not stand him. There was obviously more than just the Doyle saga, but that probably sums up his tenure there.

Looking forward to welcoming him at the return fixture  :)

Yes he tried his best to fuc us up. Horrible manager

Here’s a stat I understand!

Most chance creating carries (LG2: 2021/22) 👇

9 - Harry McKirdy
7 - Jack Payne
7 - Charles Vernam
7 - Devante Rodney
6 - Ollie Clarke
6 - Kaine Kesler
6 - Alfie Beestin
6 - Conor McAleny
6 - Brennan Dickenson

Those stats are crying out for a Eoin Doyle type!

Best post of the day yesterday

Made me soapy tit wank when I read it too.

Havent read back.

Ended up going when a ticket came up for grabs and rain predicted all in day in sunny Calne.

To me it was a smash and grab match.

They created the chances and the keeper kept us in it.

We insisted in playing everything out from the keeper short and most times losing the ball for a counter attack and we didnt seem to catch on that it wasnt working.

Better in the second without being impressive BUT they really battled the last 6 minutes or so of injury time.

Keeper excellent (what we could of done with him at the start of last season).

Gladwin, wants too much time and stalled a couple of times when a strike (which we know he has) would of been a better option.

Simpson is a machine who never stops running, didnt win many headers i noticed, held the ball up well but found himself isolated at times. Massive tackle in injury time as he chased the defenders down.

Welsh lad was very good when he came on.

Deserved a draw last week and probably again on Saturday....we end up with three points from two in my book....

When you look at Salfords & FGR's attendances, it makes you realise that money cannot buy you fans....

Seen on twitter that Gloucester City had a higher attendance.

But if they got in the prem you'd see FGR shirts in various towns and cities in and down the country  :)

Wasn't it their first game back at the ground for donkeys years which would explain why it was high, no excuse for FGR though.

Yep but the FGR local pop consists of a couple of thousand people, some sheep, and a horse called Ned.

and a bunch of people that already support Swindon.

That too

Nah, this is their second season and although not officially had a few matches with fans last season when non league were exempt from restrictions. Despite having been nomads since 2007 they just still have a bigger fanbase than the likes of Ecotricity FC and probably would have won the league last season had it not been curtailed.

Not sure what I'd do if Gloucester City got into the league - Always believe you should support your local team.

Move to Swindon? :)

You cant support your local team if they become a league club just because they have entered the league, you support the team you have always supported.

I lived in Yeovil when they entered the league and yes fair play to them but I would and could never support them, I couldn't even support Chard or Axminster if they rose up the leagues, I may go along for the odd neutral game but never ever change or add an allegiance.

A couple of views from the couple of Salford fans on a forum with few posters.

As for the comment about GB putting 2 arms out in front of Williams, I think you are very wrong judging by the evidence.
(https://i.postimg.cc/jSpBjTTC/240148623-355037809589556-2430407049314994504-n.jpg)

Not sure what they'd do to be honest. The whole ground is designed with non-league in mind including the 4G pitch. The way they've built the sub-base due the raising of the ground to prevent flooding would make it really difficult to put a grass pitch in, which would obviously be a massive obstacle to league football.

It's a bit weird to try and deny that was a push.

I don't think we played well, but we're not in 3rd because of 1 game only.

Also, teams not playing well against a Bowyer team is something that Bowyer does well. I remember it being the same with Bradford when he was there. Other teams, including us, we're struggling to get going against them but still getting the points. Bowyer seems effective at stopping other teams from playing but not much else.

Wollacott named in the team of the week 2nd time in a row. Deservedly.

Some sour grapes there  :D
You have to laugh that some tool judges us on the one game they've seen us play. Probably our worst performance this season, yet Salford still lost  ;) Should worry more about their own side.

I don't think being 3rd means that much after 4 games tbh. Let's see where we are after 10 - 12 games.

That's not very nice of them calling our Welsh International a garden gnome😀

I'd much rather read reactions like that after a scrappy 1-0 away win than comments praising our free flowing football after a 4-3 defeat. I've had quite enough of that over the years thanks very much.

No team can possibly play well in all 46 games so if you can grab 3 points when you're not playing terribly well...happy fucking days...

At normal speed it did actually look like it was a Salford player who physically pushed Williams to the ground although the picture on the previous page tells a different story...but I can see where they're coming from. Water under the bridge now though. Wasn't aware of anyone getting their underwear in a tangle over it.

I'm pleased to see our shithousery is getting some recognition as this is a key component of any successful promotion push. Williams has certainly raised the bar in that respect.

He's one of our gnomes
He's one of our gnomes
Jonny Williams
He's one of our gnomes
😃

Exceptions to every rule.........Please :)

Surely changing your allegiance to a team due to a level of (relative!) success would be glory supporting? You fucking plastic.

I bet Norman has a prem team too  ;)

Look at the excitement on those Salford fans faces. Passion.

“Expected Goals” from the stats collated from the games.
Modern football and data.

I liked the bit when both Williams and Grant were shithousing at the same time! Bit wasteful, mind.

That’ll be those crisp sandwich fans in the corporate area then 🤣🤣

For me, the table after the first game was more meaningful.  ;)

FWIW, do the class of ‘92 owners still go to games and spend as much time at the club as the recent documentary suggested?

Now they have become just another northern team to occupy the lower leagues, the love fest over the ‘92 boys does seem to have wilted somewhat since the harsh reality of rising through the leagues each season has ground to a rather sharp holt and smacked them on the arse.

Lost over £3m, too, which was one third if the total losses in L2.

One thing I was disappointed about for this game was the lack of a proper ticket stub - having to print a QR code to attend. Would any town fans have the IT skills to generate a decent ticket stub? I collect ones of games I’ve been to and would be a shame to not be able to do that anymore…

Catching up...


Someone could say perhaps the class of '92 boys invested in the club as a wheeze to write off some money somewhere so they could get a lower personal tax bill at the end of the year, just like a lot of owners do (our own included no doubt). Not a dig at Salford in particular, but something to bear in mind when you're thinking about the future of your club as a glorified tax write off for some real estate people who used to kick a ball about together.  :wink:

I'm always suspicious of teams spending beyond their limits, whether that be FL sides, conference, Prem, whatever. It doesn't take much for that to come bite you in the arse when your average attendance can't pay the bills. Still, I'd rather anyone support a lower league team than some hollow Premiership farce of a football club, so well done to the 20 people and the dog who support Salford week in week out. (that was a dig at Salford for the Salford lot coming here to find things to be salty about)

I've never seen a manager push over an opposing player before, so that was a new thing to add to the football memory banks, and having an iffy performance where we take home 3 points is a nice change.

Having seen the extended highlights I think it's fair to say Salford had the best of the game (which I don't think anyone really argued against at any point?), but all successful promotion sides are seperated from those that don't succeed by getting 3 points in games they really shouldn't win, which bodes well for the rest of the season - I am not stating we will be promoted, MUCH too early to get excited about the possibility of that. Wait till Christmas before we can make any judgements about that.

'Weak refereeing' allowing our shithousery helped them, as otherwise surely Bowyer would be sat sulking in the stands at the next game on a Red instead of a yellow?

Nice to see him magnaminous in defeat.  ::)

Both clubs now charged with failing to ensure staff/players conduct themselves in an orderly fashion.

https://twitter.com/FAspokesperson/status/1430500221088407552?s=20

I get that there was a bit of a melee but I wouldn't even describe it as handbags really. Seems like a mountain out of a molehill to me. Yellow cards were shown, just move on.

It was nothing.

Would have thought it was aimed at the staff rather than players.  Bowyer's push and Garners response, both should have been far more controlled.

Players just gathered together into a small crowd

Got to say, when I saw the headline about the club being charged I thought it would be about the flares.

I know I am biased, but not really sure what we have been charged for?

Bowyer and their player both physically contacted with Williams (Bowyer being outside his tech area when he did), Garner marched over and remonstrated a bit, but never laid a finger on Bowyer (who was playing bobby big bollocks in return), loads of players got involved but as far as I can see no hands were raised....

Its all a nonsense really. The ref got it under control PDQ, and dished out punishment.

But it is what it is

That fellas crayon design MU coat  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

I still don't get how one manager shoving a player over and the other manager coming into the area to give him a talking to along the lines of "Don't push my lads over old chap" is the same offence and gets the same reaction from Ref and FA.

I don't think you need to be partisan to accept that physically shoving a player and exchanging words are not the same thing.

Also having just read the club responose it lists FA Rule E20.1, which is;


Which implies the charge is for discrimination, not for shoving a player over or the touchline argy-bargy?

Perhaps Bowyer called Williams a sheep-bothering taffy leek smuggler?

Town fans at 4.55  :D

https://youtu.be/zyb04EJd5gw

https://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/2021/september/club-statement-swindon-town-fined/

Wanker Bowyer starts it yet they get fined just £250 more than us for what is almost a physical assault on Williams.

Its bollocks, but hey ho. Cannot see Bowyer lasting there too long.

It was basically handbags between the 2 sides, regardless of who started it. Surely a slap on the wrist and a warning would have been sufficient - unless both clubs have been guilty of this sort of behaviour before?

It WAS a physical assault on Williams.  If a rival coach pushed a runner on an athletics track, or you pushed a jogger in the park, it would be an assault.    

The rest was the usual handbag remonstrations that never usually receive punishment in the professional game.

We're obviously calculating that the NEW regime being compliant is the better course of action should STFC have to face more significant punishment for the more serious breaches that look likely to emerge follwoing Pee Lower and Standing's court hearing.

Hopefully long enough for the home game!

I cannot imagine that -if say Mourinho or any other EPL coach, had pushed a timewasting oppo player like that - that the remaining 21 players would have just stood there passively,respectfully awaiting the referee's verdict.

Not entirely the same but Pardew got a 7 match ban for kicking off with Meyler...

I don't think Pearson got anything for this

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pj7xB-woEbA

Pee Lower vs Standing sounds like a quandary in the gents toilet.

Hahaha. Assault, come off it

he could literally have ruffled his shirt in an ungainly matter

Thing is no matter how hard the contact is, surely if a player raises his hand thats not good.  If a manager comes out of his area and raises his hand at a player then that really not right and getting away with it is just weak on the part of the authorities.

But its over.  And should be forgotten.  Until Salford and their legion of fan visit us.  Especially if Bowyer is still in charge which Im not convinced he will be.

Come in a taxi, they're gonna come in in a taxi....

A push is classed as common assault, look it up.

Of course its a fucking assault, if a fan did that he would be arrested for it.

It *might* be an assault in legal terms.

Other than than that - don't be silly.


Bowyer did none of those things.

TBF Bowyer did try to physically push him over and hurt him but his push was as far off the mark as a Kovar punch, I have no doubt he did TRY to hit Williams but he wasn't fast or accurate enough!

When he went towards the Swindon dugout he looked like he was up for a fight

I don't see how he tried to hurt him at all. It was just an impetus shove.

Is anyone not surprised the FA didn’t relegate 2 divisions? That’s there normal punishment for us.

Salford fans think its unfair.

It’s a wonder people aren’t being arrested at corners 😮

Williams acted like a dick dribbling the ball miles out of play through the Salford technical area, frustrated Salford manager pushed him. Handbags, not assault

People need to put their pearls away.

Yes, that

This.

If roles were reversed we’d be saying the player got everything he deserved and it was only a push.

I meant to modify my comment above, not quote it, and now I can't find the delete button.

Nevermind. I still agree with myself.

*Edit. It's because the fucking modify button's gone missing as well and now I can't fix my shit spelling.

That. It would be refreshing if people were a bit less one-eyed about this stuff.

Modify is a mod function

I was sure I was able to modify my own posts before.

*Edit: I can. Maybe it now has to be the latest comment in the thread, but I swear I was previously able to modify it at any time even when I wasn't a mod.

It's haunted, I tell thee.

(https://i.imgur.com/ceyICeu.png)

Definitely...

Already mentioned......and answered by Bazza.

http://thetownend.com/index.php?topic=58962.0

Most sensible forums allow you to edit or delete a post  :)

Was he bollocks, it was no better than those knob heads at football matches shouting 'come on then' at rivals whilst being protected by a row of police. Pathetic willy waving at best.

I was there.

Storm in a Tea Cup.

Lot of fuss about nothing.

The modern game i suppose...

Spot on.  Pathetic it even got a second look, but you knew it would.

Just like a player rolling around in agony then 60 seconds later after a quick chat with the physio and a rub with the Magic sponge he's up and about like nothing has happened

Nope, I'd have been very annoyed if one of our staff did that, only going to invite the FL to send us a fine.  It's all handbags but it's very unprofessional.  It would feel similar to when one of our players gets a needless red card to me, I'd probably shout something like "you silly sod"