Thetownend.com

The road to Wembley  :)

We're going to batter them.

Crewe 0-3 att: 4,277 (653 of us)

lets have a good enough run to get an epic away day piss up at a big club...please!

Would be great to get through to a money spinner in the 3rd round toward the start of the January window.

Arsenal away would be nice😀

Need to score a quick goal against a team like this...they have been piss poor and will quit quickly if they go down...don't put them down early and they may get confidence...Need to crush their spirits!!!

Got a feeling we will absolutely trounce them. Based on nothing, really.

4-0 win.

(awaiting a crushing 5-0 loss now!)

We scored 2 quick goals against them last year and got walloped. 8)

Always loved kirk for Crewe and always seemed to play brilliant against us as did perry ng. Now with charlton and cardiff i believe.

Lets not dream about the 3rd round. we need to dream big and just get to the 2nd round and end this terrible run of cup games

Rob Hulse, Rodney Jack & Dean Ashton were class forwards

Do you think we will sell out our allocation of c.750? Anyone know how ticket sales are progressing?

Kirk is getting pelters from Charlton fans. Reckon he’s next to useless.

Would be surprised if we didn’t sell out.
I know a few who were looking at tickets today.

Went to Crewe absolute years ago when their floodlights were stuck atop wooden telegraph poles.

Crewe is a decent away trip. Good connection routes via train, station close to the ground, few pubs between station and ground, relatively friendly locals, Fairly traditional stadium. What's not to like?

McKirdy isn’t suspended for this, the ban is for a league game.

Could be a good thing then, give Simpson a rest

i have been to Crewe the last 3 times. I could find quite a few things but mainly the results. I am not going Saturday which helps but I do genuinely believe we will win this one

all these years and I didn't realise it was an EFL specific suspension...

ffs

edit, ah, changed in 2019.. must have dozed off

Be interesting to see if Grant plays on Saturday as there's a good chance he will be called up the following week for Jamaica. Really starting to think we are better of rid in January :no:

I think he still has a lot to offer, but if Garner has thrown him under the bus (rightly, wrongly, who knows) it's better for everyone for him to go.

hope it frees up the wage for a second striker (everyone, let's not do the Simpson thing again).

That said, the same is currently true of lyden.

I think they are both players that can offer us an alternative to how we play, be sad too see them go

Imagine him going to a rival L2 club and having to play against him later in the season - no thanks.

If we go up then let him go at the end of the season. We’re light on CBs so he’s always good cover there, too.

Lyden is such a good player, but . . .

It was quite annoying reading comments from Port Vale and Bradford fans recently saying how confident they were of beating us at home. And even more annoying when they were proved right!

Having said that, I really am confident of going to Crewe and getting a win. We really could do with getting through to the 3rd round and getting drawn against a PL Club. Would obviously be a huge financial boost and a fitting reward to Clem for the huge commitment he's shown to the Club.

I suggested a while ago that the Grant situation was frankly a bit of a joke. I don't know about letting him go in January but if I was in 'The Bens' situation I certainly wouldn't extend him beyond this season (assuming his contract is up at the end of the season).

Same with Lyden who gets injured too often for a 25 year old

I feel for the club a bit with Grant as where he is a bit of a gero to most i think sometimes our thoughts are a bit clouded on him. I don't think the management think its tight to play him maybe once or twice then him piss off for 2 weeks. No one fault really just a situation that is probably running its course the best way it can

According to Rob Angus he is suspended

Hodgetts said the same on Saturday and can't imagine he's ever wrong😀

According to Harry McKirdy he isn’t.

Do yellow and red cards affect players across all competitions?

New rules have been brought in this season which mean changes across many areas including the yellow and red card system.

In the past, yellow cards picked up in the Premier League, football leagues, FA Cup or Carabao Cup would be added up together.

This meant that five yellow cards across all competitions would result in a player missing one match - in whichever competition they should have been playing in next.

However, the changes this season will see yellow cards only counting in the competition they are received.

Red cards will continue to count across all competitions.

off topic but he was discussed. I like grant, he is a good servant to the club. but i can't see a place for him in this side at the moment so i don't understand the huge clamour for it to happen.

I dont think he should start and i have agreed with the subs in recent games. There will always be a debate for him in home games when results are not in our favour but having grant playing wont effect those games imo

Calling out for Grant in home games, especially if we play attacking wing backs.

East looked decent enough in his cameo on Saturday. Not sure what his defensive/tackling attributed are like mind you. Is Lyden crocked again?

I thought Lyden was injury free.
===
I assume that this isn't on BBC red button/ifollow..

The railway works derby....

Would be tempted on Saturday but have been away a lot at weekends recently (and again later this month) so its family time for me.

East looked OK when he played vs Plymouth a couple of weeks back and Arsenal before then, not outstanding but certainly could do a job, I would still like to see Grant being given game time but I fear he will be off in January.

Pretty sure last week Garner said Lydens fitness was being "monitored" and wasn't considered fit enough just yet to play 90 mins in game.

Swindon to suffer a single goal defeat in front of 3,341 fans with 815 Town fans there.

I guess Lyden needs a proper pre-season to really get going again. He'll probably only be in and out of sides briefly this season.

Absolutely, there is no doubt in his talent just that he seems to be made of balsa wood, he looked pretty good at Plymouth for the first 65 mins but we havent seen him since.

I would imagine if he wasn't made of balsa wood he would be playing at a higher level?

Indeed he would, as he was until they discovered his achilles heel and released him from Villa.

I remember when we signed him an Oldham supporter mate of mine said he was absolute class, but couldn't play more than 10 games or so a season.

Said he was the only player he'd ever seen injure himself having a shot with no one challenging him.

Re Mckirdy's suspension.  I undertood that the ban did not follow on to the FA cup because it is an FA comp not EFL comp (league cup) but surely it would apply to the JPT cup then as that is an EFL competition is it not?

I think the Pizza cup descipline only applies to the pizza cup games. You can get sent off in one and are only suspended in that competition.

The FAs suspension website is a mess too

https://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/discipline/suspensions/clubdiscipline

Only working on miobile for me, says McKird is suspended 30-10-2021 to 13-11-2021. Suspension type "FA First Team"

"This list excludes Competition Specific Suspensions and Cautions"

Clear as mud

My reading of the table in the link under "Useful Resources" here is that he will be available for Saturday:

https://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/discipline/player-essentials

that's very useful, and read it as you and most other people - ok for Saturday, ban only applies to League game

They had to keep it simple so that players might understand it.  :D

Not like the FA/EFL/Any other football sporting body to not have it's shit together..

That is before I became a supporter!  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

right now they are on a 4 game losing streak, bottom of the table...they have to be frustrated and tired of the season already....so hopefully they don't have a fighter spirit and just lay over

In light of the Crawley game likely to be cancelled, i would be playing our strongest team possible this week now. They'll get a couple of weeks rest now

why would this be cancelled?

It’s another World Cup qualifying/other international fixture weekend. We’re waiting to see how many players get called up.

No chance of a stream, I suppose.

Not If it's called off😀

They also have a relegation 6 pointer v Donny tonight. In Wellens we trust.!!

Why would the Crewe game be called off?

Apologies as the thread is flipping between two games!

Another dreadful Crewe performance last night by all accounts, drawing 1-1 with equally dreadful Donny.

If we don’t kick their ass Saturday . . .

From their forum.

No better time to play them.

Also watched by a massive league one crowd of 3300

I fully expect us to put 4 or 5 past Crewe - followed by defeat at home to Crawley (if its played).

If only it was the other way round!

Club have been promoting the Crawley game and have put tickets on sale, so perhaps are expecting the game to go ahead?

Our home form must change soon surely.

If Garner is as thorough about watching matches back as he claims he will surely know where we are going wrong and will act accordingly.

Judging by the general tone of Danny Lee's comments on Monday on the Vic Morgan FB thing, I think they fully intend to go ahead with the Crawley game. And seeing how they got on last time with 5 first teamers out, I would say that makes total sense...

You'd hope so, it's getting depressing!

Someone tell me how many clubs - not in L2 but in the whole EFL - have chosen to go ahead with games with five international call-ups.

I reckon it will be called off by us if we confirm 5 out.

Madness and expect we won’t risk this again.
Bearing in mind injuries and a great excuse to rest a few young players.

Probably should have said..."can see why they might be considering that", rather than "makes total sense"...

Anyone know how many we have sold?

For anyone interested, we are 1000/1 to win the Cup!

Seems a bit skinny to me.

Crawley won't be cancelled.   We're dogshit at home so it's not exactly a risk.

FOOTBALL : Crichlow injured, all other loanees eligible for @Official_STFC at Crewe in F A Cup - Head Coach Ben Garner says League Two visit from Crawley going ahead, despite international call-ups #stfc

BBC Wilts

BIB - unless finances are that tight, I don't really get it myself. it's not that we can't win of course.

Yay, I need football (beer).

Silly decision to play the Crawley game

Garner is Mr positive and isn't concerned with our home form so will be expecting us to win whatever team he picks😀

I like it and think it's the right decision. We have a great squad, and I think it sends the wrong message out to the fringe players if we were to postpone this. If i'm Ward, Hunt, JML or anybody else who may benefit from this, i'm itching to get out there and repay the managers faith. That's what it should be about.

it's a fair alternative viewpoint Mr P.

as always, win and it's the greatest decision ever, lose and he clearly should have called it off!

Awaits incoming of posts littered with 'shambles', 'farce' etc etc.

We need to do something about our home form, it's terrible.

Shambles and farce this decision :)

It will only be a shambles and farce if we lose ;)

Plus we could have two long Cup runs and games called due to a frozen pitches as winter sets in!

Thats optimism for you!

What the frozen pitches😀

Is farcical but I think it’s become clear that we can’t afford to postpone games that bring in money so things are obviously too tight from a cash flow perspective. Is what it is I guess.

If we can beat FGR with players out we can beat Crawley.

I personally think we have a decent enough squad to manage without the international players, clearly Garner thinks that as well and that's the main thing. That said given the current home form, Crawley at home has banana skin written all over it!

Still think it’s a financial decision and nothing to do with Garner’s input.

Sorry I was actually going to agree with your point about the finances. I think given the current positive wave, getting the punters in for the Crawley game is important to keep above the 8k home break even number so I think you might be right.

Agreed. The performances that we've put on at home haven't been good enough with our best XI. I think players playing to their max and Garner getting his tactics right will make more of an impact than the personnel on the day

That's just reminded me of something. I was listening to the excellent Loathed Strangers Podcast recently and heard that Garner had setup his side to counter how Bradford had tactically setup this season, only for Bradford to change it for our game. I didn't see the Bradford game but it sounded like it was a bit of a mess and from 1-90 were second best. A slight worry here that other sides may see how easy it is to get one over tactically on Garner and just turn up at the CG playing completely differently to how they have done previously. Obviously Garner needs time to put together more than one way of playing and so we aren't going to be undone so easily in the future and he will have the nous to be able to counteract the opposition fluently.

Just set us up how we play away games, it's obviously working. Adjusting to your opposition puts us straight on the back foot.

I think it was more a combination of things. The set up wasn’t ideal but it didn’t cause the problem.  What did was that Bradford scored early after a lazy hoof into touch gave them a throw in. The goal wasn’t caused by the formation or personnel. Without that goal, Bradford wouldn’t have been able to ‘bank in’ and Garner’s changes would probably have gradually worked but then Town were chasing. And it got worse from there.

Sometimes the word "system" in modern football makes the game out to be over complicated and is an easy word to use when a team gets beat. Both sides have 10 outfield players each and one ball to chase so if a player/s plays in a slightly different position to what was planned for react to it.

Thank you Ron Manager for your genius insights into the beautiful game. Marvellous, isn't it? 

Thank you for your sarcasm

I will jump in with 'jumpers for goalposts'.

Sorry - I'm absolutely twatted - nothing personal. I'm just being a gobshite. I'll get off the internet!

No you carry on it's a free for all forum and everyone can share their opinion

It was strange to change a winning formula, when at home and 3rd in the league to an out of form team, and perfectly predictable for the same reason that Bradford may do something to counter us.   Then to play with no width was suicide.

Garner's done well and knows far more about football than me but thoroughly out thought himself that game.

If anyone is interested it's pay on the day tomorrow and tickets can be collected from the away ticket office after 12pm

Is there likely to be a dodgy stream for this game?

Extended highlights on iFollow Sunday.

Will we be on Match of the Day?

Hot Mary Manchester Road.
Always up for a dodgy stream for a couple of quid.

Unfortunately will be travelling home and was looking forward to watching the mighty Banbury United v Barrow on TV.
Over 2,000 I understand.
Big pay for them and good luck as know the Chairman.

Im going to this as local and go a few times a season. Looking forward to it.

50k TV money for them which is great.

2.5k sell out

Banbury are 19 games unbeaten and playing some decent stuff this season, had James Constable up front last season as he was assistant manager.

Mark Cooper is managing Barrow aswell, whilst McCrorys Stratford are on tv on sunday

Any away tickets on the day?

See my post on previous page

Thanks Jimmy and No Surrender

👍👍

random thoughts.

colchester playing in the fa Cup. always reminds me of cureton. Bit like the Bradford and Doyle scenario tbh

Nope - it doesn't look like it has been picked-up for any foreign coverage.  Portsmouth vs Harrow and King's Lynn vs Walsall are  on.

Arent all games shown on ESPN plus?

Tried to get my lad to go with me tomorrow seeing as you can pay on the gate but he has other plans which is a bummer. Don’t fancy driving up on my own.

Treat the Mrs 😀

Oh bugger! Not on iFollow live today?

Nope

If I thought it had legs, I’d surprise her, however, I value my life, after my recent scare more so.

Pre match equipped with a tin foil FA Cup (or should that be a hat) in The Briar Rose.
Fuelling in the second city.
Just noticed a Christmas Market here, bit too early for the gluhwein though.
No doubt our glorious council will ensure that there is one in Swindon this year.

Spending more time in Crewe than is absolutely necessary would suck the life out of me.
Nevertheless this will be the 9th visit and the first to the Snowflake Stadium. At least I think that's what it's called now.
Are residents of Crewe known as Crewtons?

Anyway, I remember the first visit in the L1 championship season and a goal by the late David Preece.
Also the Tom Smith strike a few years back.
A star is born we thought. Incorrectly as it turned out.
Some good finishes that day.

Strongest available side today please.
The fringe players can run around on Tuesday night.
We do better on Saturday's in Crewe, but it's the cup so zero expectations for this one.

Just landed in The Wellington, one of the best if not the best real ale pub in the country if anyone ever has an hour or two to spare in Brum.

Seemed to be a mass exodus from Reading onwards heading up to Manchester for some reason this morning.
Very surprised that Crosscountry laid on an 8 carriage train.
It's  normally 3 or 4 carriages or 5 at a push.

No particular axe to grind with glory hunter fans, some might be exiles.
I know a Manure ST holder who lives in Telford. Originally from Mancunia and has followed them in Europe.

Tremendous admiration for any fan of any club for whom every home game is an away game.
Not forgetting those who watch from afar at all sorts of strange hours.
I raise a glass to you all.

Superb pub.

can't find it anywhere. looks like we are stuffed

No idea if this will work

https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgpFKmhQer2v-wX-PbLkK8h_Z0okjO4tg

Just negotiated the mass of humanity clambering onto the 12:15 to Edinburgh.
The bish bash bosh of large items of luggage. Ouch.
Don't these people realise that some of us have an FA Cup 1st round tie to get to.

Hopefully there is an obscure stream somewhere for this one otherwise  it's going to be quiet on here.

Looking for Iandolo to maintain the standard of last week & Baudry for another steady display.

seems the radio comms are at least available online today for our of towners

Have a big crew coming to watch the match in KC.   French toast casserole on the menu

Looks like the torture set from Reservoir Dogs!

Don't mean to spoil the party, but are you sure it'll be screened? It won't be available on iFollow.

As Mr Frog says, you may not be able to watch as iFollow doesn't show FA cup ties.

didnt realize that...guess we will watch something else then

why is it not on ifollow..that seems like bullshit

espn 3 has a bunch of games but not swindon....has forrest green , walsall, barrow, salford city....

Because the TV rights to the FA Cup are sold by the English FA to ITV (which is an independent commercial TV Company) and not syndicated by the FA to others like SKY. It would be up to ITV to sub sell any coverage if they wished or were allowed to by the FA. Equally there maybe and I could be mistaken government legislation to make sure there is not a monopoly by any TV company on sporting events in the Uk. Of course if I’m mistaken it will be smugly pointed out. 🙄

Having correctly forecast the last game let’s see if I can get two for two as Godd002 would say. Town win 1-2.

NOPE ....since many of us can't see the fucking game it will be a blow out....Town 4-1....sloppy end of game goal let down

As I have no intention of putting any bunce on the outcome I’d take that with open arms. Second round, shit or bust, take no prisoners.

Watch this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8pPtH70LTI

gladwin on bench, Payne back in

9 subs and still no Grant

Hmm, are we ever going to see grant in a town shirt again!? Garner really doesn’t favour him. I think he could do a good job for us when playing at home!

Wollacott, Odimayo, Iandolo, Conroy (c), Baudry, Simpson, Payne, McKirdy, Williams, Kesler-Hayden, Reed.

SUBS: Ward, Gladwin, Lyden, Mitchell-Lawson, Gilbert, Hunt, East, Parsons, Dabre.

We'll win this 5-0, with the Crewe manager resigning on Monday.

Grants gone I think, and personally I doubt it is solely football reasons

ESPN have the rights to the FA Cup in the USA and show a few games in each round.  Nobody else is allowed to broadcast as a result.  Ifollow can show all the league games because the TV rights for them are not sold as part of the ESPN deal with the the EFL.  ESPN is only sold a limited number of games for that, whereas the FA sell the entire rights to get more money, because it includes the bigger teams later in the competition.

Clearly Grant is gone which is a shame as we will need a strong combative defensive midfielder in games and he still has a lot to offer. Either way Garner should just come out and say rather all this nonsense like he trained well but was unlucky not to make the squad blah blah blah.

Might be Grants choice?

it may be linked to his first international call up as he's been out of the loop ever since.

9 subs in the FA Cup ffs. This is getting ridiculous. Several non-league clubs will have been to B&Q to buy extra benches this week.

Maybe Grant has found another club in January and Garner is doing him a favour to make sure he doesn’t get injured in the interim.

I don’t know.

No one does Audrey just seems harsh to be calling out the manager when none of us know. Not sure we would want our manager coming out throwing players under the bus

But jumping to conclusions is the Swindon way!

I just don’t see what the downside could be by being honest about Grant. With Critchlow out, you’d a thought Grant on the bench as cover for CB would be a shoe-in.

Anyhoo. I’ve done STFC, Ipswich and Mansfield for a 20/1 treble today.

Maybe he is being honest, no point changing a whole system for a bloke who will play once a month

He’s managing Gladwin very well, I reckon.

East has impressed me a lot in his few appearances, rather have him coming off the bench than Grant if things need shoring up

I've just found this 

https://live-footballstreaming.co.uk/watch-crewe-alexandra-swindon-town-live-streaming-free/18436976

I wouldn't

Enjoy the malware

Anyone else having ifollow comms issues? Having to listen to the Crewe comms

Aaaaand.... away comms aren't working on iFollow. In other news, the sun rose this morning.  :crash:

Wiltshire Sound

Wiltshire sound via sounds app

Which unusually works outside the UK today. Cheers.

Ta. It normally switches off at 3 pm but working today

baudry injured again?

BBC have rights to fa cup

At least they can bring Grant on as and emergency CB...oh! 😢

Does make you wonder why we didn't have someone who's played CH on the bench.

We won't be able to put 11 players on the pitch for Creepy at this rate. Madness playing this game.

Bye bye Baudry

also ups the concern for next week

edit: what Gnasher said

Who replaced Baudry then?

Hunt

goooooooooooooal

lou Reed from 25 yards

Goal Louis Reed! "Will take something on MotD tonight to find a better goal than that."

Bammmm!

Screamer from Reed (apparently)

Oh, what a perfect day!

25 yard screamer from Reed...allegedly 1-0

We're ahead in the FA Cup. I'm going to get a nosebleed.  :blowup:

Shut up shop, game management time 😁

So are we still playing 3 at the back or have we gone to a 4 with the introduction of Hunt?  Anyone know?

Hunt right side of a back 3

Stags 0-1 up at the Stadium of fading light. Only notable score so far, other than ours.

Hunt's never played CB for us before has he?

Sounded a cracker, disappointed we cant watch the game thanks to the BBC.

Late on parade!

Cheers - right on queue he just mentioned it on the Radio as well

Dont think so, isnt he about 5 foot 6 or 7?

Nah, i am listening but wont comment much without actually having watched the game, unlike some on here regularly do.

They have mentioned MOTD a few times for tonight, but am I wrong in thinking that the FA cup highlights are not on untll tomorrow evening on BBC 2?

Extended highlights on I Follow I think

Oh nice, Do we have any idea when they will be available, tonight or tomorrow?

Remind me why we hate Trevor Kettle?

Tomorrow

Ta

"Crewe with a definite head of steam". Nice.  ;)

He gets steamed up very quickly?

Made for this match then.

Keep on track, guys

Sorry, didn't mean to derail the MDT.

I’m trying to gauge how we’re doing

Should be chuffed to be 1 up

Time to shunt that into the sidings.

Away comms up

McKirdy hit the post.

Payne wasnt it?

so far so good

Happy with that so far, from what i have heard anyway.

It was, sorry.

Live the game, love the game!

Apparantly 56% of play, 5 shots, 2 on target,  Crewe 4 shots, 1 on target.

We have one more goal than Crewe.

We are winning 1-0.

😁

Any cash out yet ??

Faint heart never fucked a pig!

just asking for a friend !!!.

2-0

Might this Simpson be a footballer?

2-0 Simpson

Curler off the far post.

Get in Simpson.

Good lad.

Simo, Simo.....

sounds like another good goal from Simpson

nice one

Well in Fitzroy

cheers Shaun

:D :D.

Great conversion from the Rugby player

He tries

:D

How are we playing?  Quiet on here today.

nearly 3-0. offside

Sounds like we are managing the game well - Just scored a 3rd but disallowed for offside - Iandolo

Iandolo scores but offside

not on TV, radio comms sounds like we are on top though.

Simpson shot saved from one on one. Third goal coming.

Simpson in with a chance for his second, saved by the GK

gladders on for Williams

On a yellow so sensible.

Any away tie v a non league team and we’re likely to be on the box 🤞

I don't see how we can claim to have our club back if we do silly things like winning in the FA cup first round.

gooooooooolle Reed

get in. reeeeeed

3-0

Reed again 3/0 !!.

3-0 Reed with another cracker apparently

Boom 3-0

Scott who?

Payne according to Jeff!

Well, it was a free kick. Reed normally takes them

Watch this and weep Sheridactyl.

Come on Ipswich, ffs!

I hope Clem has a live feed to this.

I imagine he's furiously hitting F5 on the Town End Forum match thread.

I think it was Payne

Got to love Shitty getting beaten by 10 man Coventry

And shitty fucked it up again in added time against 10 men 🤣🤣🤣

When will we get highlights?

That will be 4 defeats in 5 all is not well down at the gate!

 :toocool:

https://twitter.com/Cliveeck9/status/1457027363968012293?t=sXwfz2yc4BscyGzZTKjHlg&s=19

Arse you feeling smug ;D

Swindon in the second round of the FAC. ??,  Surely not!!.

"when am I going to do my Christmas shopping this year now we are in round 2"

well said

Maybe the 2nd was Reed then according to the radio.  One of those 2 needs to dye their hair or something :D

Apparently there's something called "second round draw"....and we're in it

. ITV 4   now showing  Banbury v Barrow live.

The video definately is Reed scoring as Payne is stood with hands on hips next to him.

Come on Barrow  :D

For the first time in years Im looking forward to the second round draw.
Live on ITV Monday night after the Dagenham v Salford game,  think we'd probably do better with an away draw. 😀😀

Garner:
- Never expect that against a league 1 team
- Could have a had a couple more
- Defensively looked good
- Pleased with second half
- Counter attacking ood. Created opportunities
- Reed has fantastic quality
- Hopefully a few more to come. Works on free kicks every day
- Simpson: Great movement and great finish/. Unlucky not to get another
- Has looked good all year
- He will get better and better
- Wanted to progress in the competition
- Other players get opportunities on Tuesday
- Step forward from Bradford with adapting to change
- Baudry will have a hip flexor scan
- Hunt did well to cover. Thought he was excellent
- We can adjust to a back 4 if necessary
- Tuesday: We are already through so we will give others including youth a go
- 5 or 6 youths in the squad. Two or 3 will play
- We would have done this even if we had lost today
- Will have the conversation about Crawley. Changes things with Baudry out too. But it gives others an opportunity

Ball number 31, with 34k going to the winners of the tie,  now that would come in handy.

Not sure if it's mentioned elsewhere but today's attendance was.......2303
Nice to see Bradford city's 13000+ season ticket holders turn out in force today😀

https://www.espn.co.uk/football/fixtures/_/date/202101106

I said to my dad it barely looks like 2000 were there before they announced the crowd.

Probably all went to the Manchester derby😀

Hands up, apart from Audrey, who was suppressing their inner STFC psyche that was shouting banker away win when the draw was made.
I was, but caution is a good thing when following this club.

It was one of those games where was it a case of them just being hopeless or we were just too good.
Crewe offered nothing and we have played better than that away at times. A case of just moving on and focusing on the run of home games coming up.
Crewe look to be heading for a return to their spiritual home in L2.

Simpson should forget about the "haters" and just revel in the display of some proper man love from the away support throughout the game.

Ended up tangled up in the segregation netting under a pile of bodies when the first one went in after being caught in the surge down the aisle. No damage done.

Sort the home form out, keep the away run going then it's only injuries that could stop this being a special season.

The more I think about Simpson's 'haters' comment, the more I think it's just his generation's way of saying 'people who doubted I could do this'.  'Haters' makes no sense at all.  Fair play to him for continuing the run today.  Positive stuff.

Would be happy for us to work our way through the bottom of League 1 so Doncaster home or away next would be good.

Yeah probably and tbf if it motivates him then great!

Sent from my CLT-L09

Very comfortable win that was today.
One of the poorest sides we have come up against away from home which should also give us a crumb of hope that clubs above can be put to the sword.
Crewe stewards excellent, performance very good.
Great when the Swindon subs were made to come off at the Swindon end and each player getting rapturous and deserved applause.

A special call out to Trevor Kettle - still as shite as he has always been.
Inconsistent and incompetent throughout.

Haters or critics doesn’t matter, the lad has shown again today the perfect response to any level of criticism. I agree 100% with Garner, he has got better, the whole team has. We’re getting into our stride now and as been mentioned a lot, sort out the home form and we will be promoted at a canter.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/fa-cup/video

Excellent thanks for sharing

Were one the of the headline video clips on the BBC football site :D

Simpson's finish was so composed. Happy with that.

2 assists in 2 for Ellis...

Really growing into a role, always been a footballer, always needed to find a position.  Becoming an important player in our system now.

Couple of points about some of our fans again.. . 

Couple of flares thrown on the pitch after our first, just stop it, it really isn't clever and we're already a target as far as away allocation goes following Stevenage.

Few fans smuggling pints bought from the away stand bar into the seating, you know it's illegal, just drink the beer where you're allowed to, again, we're inviting scrutiny, if you really need that beer then at least respect that there are restrictions on where it can be drunk instead of forcing stewards into reminding you and probably facing abuse for doing their job.

Killjoy….

Innocuous revelry presumably?

Like I say, it draws unnecessary attention to us, being a football fan doesn't mean you have to be a twat.

Watched the goals. Obviously the 2 crackers from Reed gets the attention but the McKirdy pass, Simpson first touch and finish were sublime.

Seems like out 'pre season ' is now over and we're definitely starting to click as a team.  Looking like a solid team with good back ups on the bench. Been a few seasons since we looked this good. Long may it continue.

McKirdy first half and Simpson second half both had one on ones with the keeper and will be disappointed with their respective finishing.
McKirdy playing the pantomime villain again baiting the Crewe fans behind the goal.

Most pleasing we looked another level up from Crewe.

Big risk going ahead with Crawley with the call ups and injuries.

Played for hem, didn’t he?

Couldn’t be goading that many. We had 30% of the attendance!

From his post match interview it sounded like Garner was having second thoughts about the Crawley game going ahead. Especially after the Baudry injury.

Just watched the goals...3 absolute crackers there. To be fair, I was totally confident we'd win. I agree with the Simpson 'haters' comments. It's just a 'young persons' expression and 'doubters' would perhaps be a more accurate term. He's had absolutely superb support from the fans, certainly at all the away games I've been to.

Our home form is the one rather obvious question mark over the team at the moment but the players we have are just too good not to rectify that. It will come, I'm 100% certain of that.

The smuggling beer in was pretty special as it was halftime.  Had at least 10 mins to drink it before needing to take a seat

Not heard the Starman chant before, but apparently it's been around for a while at other clubs.
Hope KKH appreciates the sentiment.
Can't beat a bit of Bowie.

Just enjoying some hair of the dog before heading home.

There's a star man, playing on the right
His name is KKH....
...and he's flipping dynamite

I assume its that?

 :nod:

So who has actually been called up next week?

Jojo, Williams, Grant and KKH?

Crichlow and Baudry potentially injured

McKirdy suspended.

We would be daft not to call it off.

I enjoyed the McKirdy and Simpson songs too. KKH seemed to like the praise and thrive on it.

Perhaps he could have this by Donovan - Hurdy McKirdy Man

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VXdQatUV8kQ

Agree, though Simpsons goal was just as good. Strength, composure and pinpoint accuracy.

goals link which is probably already posted! https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/59083036

McKirdys pass for Simpsons goal was beautiful.He gas been making those runs all season and it looks like we are starting to release him quicker now which is great.

Great to see McKirdy getting involved in linking up with him tpoo which really does bode well for games at home

Fantastic little chip over the defender  :pint:

Anyone know how many we took in the end? Was difficult for me to judge from the far side - I would guess about 600 or 700. Great vocal support throughout in any case.

653.

I see McKirdy is carrying on winding up Crewe fans on Twitter!

I didn’t get to hear 100% of the commentary yesterday but from what I Garnered we were in control of the game mostly and although we had 69% of possession we never looked in danger of losing to a team in a higher division and by a clear three goals with none conceded. If that does not speak volumes about where we are, what we have and what we can achieve then I don’t know what will.

Simpson looked like a fuel injected, turbo charged steam roller scoring his goal. That boy has huge potential going forward. What is more that will NOT go unnoticed by other higher division clubs looking to place up and coming players with us going forward, his parent club must be chuffed shitless with his progress. If he doesn’t go back in January and is contracted to them next season it could be doubtful he’ll come back, unless there is a monumental shift in our financial state to buy him, Ipswiches desire to let him go and Tyreeces desire to move from Ipswich to us. Oh how we have moved on from the Dark days of late summer.

WRT the FA Cup, we have a golden opportunity to make a killing financially if the next round draw falls favourably and think of the things we could do with say £250k + in the till instead of the habitual £50k ish inc attendance money.

Bollocks, I should have done the lottery  :(

 Apart from the 4,277 bit. Only just over 2000. Pathetic number that.

Bradford only had 3300ish which was pathetic

Maybe it is because the tight wad Yorkshire folk couldn’t stomach paying a tenner.

P**s poor when they get 16000+ for home games

3 minutes of highlights up on iFollow. I’m sure they said there would be extended highlights, too.

The magic of the FA Cup; 'supporters' of clubs stream out of the woodwork when a big game comes along and the media wank themselves silly over how well supported it is, without mentioning the pathetic attendances in the early rounds

Spot on :clap:

Not sure why Iandalo's goal was disallowed ,on the radio they said he was off the pitch and came back
and was offside I have frozen the video and he was was not completely  off the pitch ,he had his foot on the line and  Crewe had players on the goal line

Sounds like another goal robbed just like at oldham when payne had kept the ball in

Our 3rd FA cup 1st round victory in the last 5 years not as bad as some think. 2nd round victory is the key..hope we get our 1st 2nd round victory in 100000 years...

Vegans gone from 1-0 up to 2-1 down at St Albans ,  Don’t you just love the FAC.

Hope we get a non league club in tomorrow nights draw.

But not at home !!.

Maybe not😀

Big draw for us, this. A good cup run could work wonders

Come on St Albans hold on now!

Forest Gump now 3-2 down with ten minutes to go.

What a nice little team St Albans are and fair play to them. I thought FGR were very lack lustre second half.
Yeovil away would be a good draw plus they would give us a lot of tickets.

What a refreshing result.

Please, lets get through the next round and a big away day on the piss at some Premier League giant.

Haven't read back yet so will provide my thoughts from Saturday.

Good drive up to Crewe with China Red and his daughter. Parked up at the Mornflake Oats stadium and arrived in time for the team coach to arrive. Having an 8 year old girl allowed an excuse to go and see the players off the coach and a picture of her with Dion and Frenchie. (after his early injury we were thinking that could have been a bad omen!) We enjoyed a nice pint before the game in the Railwayman club by the away end which because of the poor home attendance was a doddle to get a drink!

As for the game, I thought we were excellent for the first 30 minutes and had total control over Crewe, even bearing in mind Baudry went off injured and we had to play Rob Hunt at CB. Our goal was a sizzler of a strike from Reed after intelligent play by Williams and Ellis. The last 15 minutes of the half I thought we got sloppy, but Crewe never really looked that dangerous. Second half Crewe started better but we scored just at the right time, brilliant interplay between McKirdy and Simpson and a pearler of a finish for his 7th of the season, in off the post. After that it was really a case of how many we would score. Crewe for all their nice passing and the busy Lowery in midfield trying to get things moving just never looked dangerous. We looked fitter and faster and would win the ball back time after time. The energetic and enigmatic Mckirdy nipping back into defence to pinch the ball and then sprinting forwards to join in a counter attack. This side has a hard work ethic in abundance. Reed then got another free kick opportunity, an earlier one was arrowing into the goal only to clip the top of the wall. This one nestled into the net, dipping wildly giving the static keeper no chance.

3-0 probably flattered Crewe, they were neat and tidy at times but lacked anything in the final third, not even sure Jojo had a save to make. We were excellent to a man, you wouldn't know Rob Hunt was playing out of position at CB. The busy midfield of Williams, Reeds and Payne ran the show and McKirdy and Simpson looked dangerous up front. Ellis and KKH immense at Wing back again. My only real negative was Jojo's distribution at times was sloppy. He gave Crewe the ball in dangerous positions a few times, luckily we were not punished. The way we play is always going to give teams chances so hopefully he can cut out gifting the ball to the opponents as much!

Anyway, we are into round 2. Happy days!

Great day out and for once I was optimistic prior to a cup game. Really good vocal away support throughout. I’m nursing the odd bruise from the pandemonium when the first went in. Wobbly Bob and I were among the many who ended up on the deck. Really hope we can put a run together in the cup this year as it’s well overdue. Garner is putting together a side who are well organised and dangerous. I fully expect the home form to click soon. Hopefully everyone at home can get behind the team as they do away from home and boost them rather than heap on the pressure.

I know Crewe are pretty shit at the moment but to have barely 1,300 home supporters through the gates for the great FA cup let alone even the Mickey Mouse cup is an absolute embarressment for them. Well done to the 650+ Town fans that made the trip, could hear you all loud and proud on the radio.

Does anyone know what exactly is going wrong at Crewe? Is there anything quite as obvious as our Lee Power debacle? Or is it just a case of things not working, wrong signings, poor management etc?

Brentford away?  :)

Well Fulham was a great day!  Brentford would have to do...

Fulham was a great day, can't believe I drove to it  :no:

I knew something was bothering me about Scott Kashket on Saturday, just realised we were linked with him briefly at the start of the season, probably already mentioned at some point during the match.

They are the archetypal cyclical club. They have a good crop of youngsters, get promoted, sell them, get relegated, fanny around for a few seasons until another decent crop come along. Rinse and repeat.

Nowt wrong with that if all concerned accept how things are and will be.

Spurs away would be nice.

See their new ground and test out the breweries inside...

good decision, Train cancelled at Reading on the way back.

As Audrey stated, they pretty much rely as a business on their academy system. They often have a crop of players that will take them up from league 1 to league 2 and then get sold on for decent money. This crop they have lost 5 or 6 players. Kirk, Wintle, Dale, Pg, Pickering spring to mind. They are then replaced by freebies who aren't up to much cop. They then get relegated back to league 2 and tread water until the next batch of talented players come from the academy. League 1 is pretty much their ceiling really.

Courtesy of Twitter

21/22 away form here:

3-1 W - 850
0-0p D - 270
1-0 W - 761
1-1 D - 1,005
1-1 D - 962*
3-1 W - 705*
2-0 W - 1,202*
3-1 W - 116
2-1 W - 576*
3-1 W - 635
3-0 W - 735

Oh yeah  :D

Well, that's what he told his missus.   :pint: :pint: :pint:

Excellent and some superb away attendances there. Oldham 635 and Crewe 735 in the FA Cup is a strong effort all round!

It’s actually a little bit better than that as we also won our last away game last season - 3-4 at Wigan.

apologies if this has been posted already.
Vote for Louis Reed - goal of the round
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59219610

Get voting, currently in 3rd place.

Voted 3 times.
First on my phone 17% joint with Bennett
Secondly wife's phone up to 18% in second
Thirdly on the laptop down to 17% joint 3rd.

I'll do the tablet and the kids phones when they get in.
#competitivedad

I think Wiles will take it but Reed should get close.

If you see the Shrews free kick from another angle its clear its a keeper fuck up.

I liked Simpsons off the post, you cant hit em better than that!

Just voted and now in first place.

26% after my vote

Extra vote with VPN!

FWIW I voted this morning and its just let me vote again from the same PC.....

Reed still has a 5% win margin and voting stops at 17.00

Close run thing but a victory by 4%

And he's won!

Yay! Just voted in time. Deserved winner, although worth noting the strong correlation between the number of votes and the average attendances of the teams for which each goal was scored ;-)

 :pint: :pint:

Another one to vote on https://twitter.com/EmiratesFACup/status/1461741368519315463

Except this time we're outgunned by a bigger club. The actual best goal by the other STFC has the fewest votes.  ::)

I thought the leading goal by Idris El Mizouni of IpswichTown was an absolute cracker but as you say the Shrews goal was a beauty too, that poll is just a poll of who has the most followers on Twitter though.