Thetownend.com

The first of the H teams at home this week, think I'll pop along to this. Win or draw and we move third. The poolies have lost 3 league games on the bounce.
Turn up people and get your mates along, we need to keep the home attendance up and hopefully the tide will turn on our home form.

Swindon 2-1 Hartlepool att: 8,163 (185 away)

Don’t want to piss on your chips, but if we draw and either Orient or Cobblers win (both more than likely) we’ll drop a place or 2 not move into 3rd.

Saying that, if we don’t win this we’ll never win a home game.

Nice little Monday morning headfuck this thread. Everyone is playing and no one above us are playing each other, so we could win and not move up.

Oh, I thought it was our catchup game  :-[

FGR also have one

Just keep winning and when not winning avoid losing, simples. Everything will fall into place. BC or A N Other will be watching Harrogate like a hawk, they’ll be watching us too. We will also be looking for the next batch of signings too. Grass doesn’t grow on a busy street. Furthermore once the freehold has been secured, watch the investment roll in.

I think those Exeter tickets will sell like hot cakes

Swindon to suffer a single goal defeat in front of 8,261 fans with 130 Monkey Hanger fans there.

Got to say, your 1-0 defeat ethos is paying dividends.

:D in away games anyway!

Mark Devlin and Mike Sullivan in attendance tomorrow night.
Ironically it was against Hartlepool where they endured that horrific plane crash on way back from Hartlepool.
At least they are driving tomorrow.

Was Dennis Wise also in the plane?

What has happened to Bill Power? do you know mate? has he made a full recovery?

No

Was it Hartlepool away? I thought it was against a North West side like Wigan or Oldham?

bottom of home table v 3rd from bottom of away table

0-0 :)

nah. we are surely due a home win.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/soccer-boss-escapes-plane-crash-636843

Ta.

Didn't the plane crash newr where Dennis Wise lived

Is it just because they probably get a bit more publicity, but more football/sports related people seem to be involved in plane crashes than your average Joe.

actually excited for this one. My first home game of the season using my season ticket!

watched 90% on ifollow.

Let's get that early goal so they can't sit in and have a nice comfortable win. garner may well say there is no issue with the home factor but the longer this goes on for it is a definite issue.

players socials also refer how much the team likes away days. these attendances deserve some wins

I have a dilemma. Been offered a free ticket but don't think it's in the Town End. Do I accept and sit alone?  :(

Who cares? Just another fan.  ;)

Possibly confusing with Matthew Harding who was on way back from a game at Bolton. (which was, bloody hell, 25 years ago!!)

I think that's the one I'm thinking about where it crashed on a gold course near where Dennis Wise lived

Mmmmmm. Gold course!

iPad again😀

No he wasn’t mate.

All made a recovery including Mark D’s Son who ironically is now a paramedic.
No idea what happened to Bill Power, I guess No longer involved in football.

4-0

What about the pilot?

For some reason my memory seems to think he passed?

Indeed I am.

The Power one was definitely on a Golf Course in Bucks, I can neither confirm nor deny if Wise lived nearby.

JJ will get to the bottom of it😀

Didn't he get involved with QPR (Who he supported) He was a nice bloke.

He was going to sue the pilot, who was a well-off wine merchant, over the accident. Can't find anything after that.

https://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/1755246.ex-town-chief-to-sue-over-plane-crash/

I start work at 2:40am Wednesday... sleepy me and the dickhead depot manager I go to this week is a bad mix :D

He did indeed. Both are cracking blokes and friends.
Mark D at Huddersfield now and Mike S Brentford.

I believe unfortunately he did Mate.

For those that know Ifollow better than me, If I can't watch it live, how soon after the game finishes can you rewatch the match?  I am away for work tomorrow, but it would be good to watch the game late tomorrow night once I get to my hotel..

Wednesday morning. Extended highlights and match replay would be up from about 6am I think.

Thanks - Damn it, really wanted to watch back later in the night. 

I imagine we'll see Williams in for Gladwin and McKirdy for Gilbert tomorrow. Otherwise unchanged.

We missed Mckirdy a bit on Saturday. Him and Simpson seem to be developing a bit of a partnership too.

Surely we are due a comfortable, no nonsense home win?

2-0.

A home win of any description would be most welcome, straightforward or otherwise. There's too much quality in the side for it to not happen soon. i.e. tonight...

2-0 McKirdy, Simpson

I think he went to QPR and then came back. Was he involved at Brentford later?

Piece of piss. 4-1

2-0 to the Town, gotta break this home voodo if we're aiming for league one.

I'm going to amend my gate guess, I think it'll be the lowest so far this season which is a shame.

Att: 7,331 (185 away)

Thinking I might make the 2hr  trip up for this. The upturn in home form starts tonight. Williams in for Gladwin (for the first 70 mins) and McKirdy in for Gilbert. Coyr.

Am I right in thinking there are still no pay on the gate games and it's all done online now? I've got a ticket already and find online easier but surely we must be losing out on some walk ups?

Another home defeat. 1-2

We've got one of the worst home records in the division, nothing's going to change in the way we play. I think we should be aiming for 2 points from the next 2 games.
Home form to have an effect on attendance. Clems goodwill dissipating
Score 2 all, 7,450 crowd.
on the upside, no long ques to get in.

Please don't be shite at home for once, please.

Obviously being on a Tuesday, Champions League night, plus our awful home form, will make this our lowest league attendance of the season so far, but I have a feeling we'll win this one (bloody better as it's going to be logistical nightmare for me to get to the game!).

We have the talent in the squad, so it's down to BG to find a winning formation at home.

2-1 win

We are rock bottom of the L2 home table with just 1 win from 7 games and a total of 6 points from a possible 21, scoring just 6 goals (2nd lowest total in L2) and conceding just 9 (7th lowest in L2).

Hartlepool are 3rd bottom in L2 away table with 1 win and 1 draw and 6 defeats (highest in L2) from their 8 games so far, scoring 5 (the 2nd lowest away goals total in L2) and conceding 15 (4th highest in L2).

They have lost their last 3 consecutive L2 games but have sandwiched that with 2 wins and a draw in the cup games, their last away game was a win at L1 Wycombe, currently 4th in L1, winning 1-0 with a 1st half goal from 5 goal experienced striker and leading scorer Mark Cullen.

Their highest defeat so far was a 5-0 thrashing at Orient but other than that nobody has won by more than 2 clear goals.

It will be a very tough game with our appalling form at home, something they are fully aware of after reading comments from their temporary boss Anthony Sweeney, they suffered a fan backlash after crumbling to a 3-1 home defeat from FGR on Saturday with fans calling the performance "unaccepable", "terrible" and "horrendous". Defender right back and so far ever present Jamie Sterry was red carded so wont be available against us.

I expect the players to react to that bollocking with a better all round performance against us unfortunately as their search for a new manager speeds up with ex Leeds coach and Chelsea scout 36 year old Ross Turnbull as favourite despite him never having managed before at any level.

A surprise name linked is Fabrizio Ravanelli the ex Middlesborough player who fancies a go at managing, he has had 2 jobs so far in France and Ukraine but has won the massive total of just 2 games from a combined 25 matches and losing 15 of those!

Other names linked are current Halifax boss Pete Wild, Bromley boss Andy Woodman and the inevitable Mike Flynn.

Whilst our home form reads as terrible which it is, there have been some good performances which deserved better results. That first goal is crucial.

We have the team to do it and when the first goal comes in the set up will switch to a home game for the opposition. the sooner we end this stigma the better as we should be winning these games hands down and the longer it goes on it becomes a 'thing'

BG said after the Newport away game on the radio interview something along the lines of the team have a good rapport with our away support. Can't remember the exact words used but it was something like that. Is there a lack of rapport with the home support? Not quite sure what to make if it.  ???

he did 1
you are probably reading too much into it.

in any case, it's not like the home fans have been on their backs

I took it as though the away fans get vocal and that spurs the team on. Be nice to get a bit of volume (in a good way) tonight.

It's easy to have a good rapport with the fans when you're winning all the time!

The away form has kept the 'home' fans off the player's backs up to now I'd say, just some boos and grumbles at half time/end of the Bradford game.

chicken and egg

team needs to produce to ignite home fans
home fans making noise helps the team

Absolutely, start winning games and fan appreciation at home will improve.

I haven't heard much actual booing at home games just massive amounts of frustration, that said home crowd noise seems a bit poor at times, starts off really loud then fades after the first 15 mins or so in games.

I am 100% sure that if we start winning games at home and scoring a few goals then that will get better.

First home game for weeks, under the lights, crowd will be north of 8k again. We drop more points and Saturday's crowd might suffer, mind... but we won't. 3-0.

FWIW we do have a poor record at home this season but in midweek games this season we are unbeaten. All 3 of our defeats have come at home in the league and on a Saturday.

In home games
Tranmere 0-0 League
Arsenal 2-1 PJT
Newport 1-0 PJT

In away games
Cambridge 0-0 LC
Sutton 2-1 League
Plymouth 3-1 PJT

I will most likely be watching this game on my phone on my way to the in laws for thanksgiving, 6 he drive. 

I see a town win 2-1.  Mckirdy is going to come out running like a squirrel on cocaine!   Can’t wait to see him cause trouble

Going in the Arkells for the first time in ages. Think it will be quite cold up there this evening. I am optimistic we can turn our home form around.
I enjoyed this description of McKirdy!

Made me smile 😁

McKirdy will be chomping at the bit tonight I am sure.

We and Simpson missed his running on Saturday, I would also like to see Williams start for either Payne or Gladwin from the off.

              Wollacott
        Hunt    Conroy   Odimayo   
KKH              Reed             Iandolo
        Williams        Payne
                McKirdy
                Simpson

Gladwin has that little bit of something no other player in our squad has - re that exquisite bit of skill that set up Payne’s goal Saturday. He can also be sloppy at times and Garner seems to like managing his game time.

So, it’s Williams for Gladwin and Hurdy Gurdy for Gilbert.

I agree that Gladwin looks the only midfielder who is willing to take a risk most of the time and on Saturday did set up the 2nd goal well but his overall play was pretty poor IMO.

I still wouldnt be shocked to see us start with Payne and Gladwin again and bring Williams off the bench in the 2nd half, but I do think Williams offers us something nobody else does when he breaks with power and speed and wins us free kicks.

McKirdy for Gilbert is an absolute no brainer though.

Well, we’ve got 3 home games in a week to get this monkey off our back.

Hanging one tonight  :)

1 of those is in the PJT a competition we have won 2 home ties in already.

Haha, that’s great! I hope that sticks as a more accurate description you’d be hard pressed to find

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FE5j1u7XsAsFskb?format=jpg&name=medium)

SUBS | Ward, Gladwin, Lyden, Mitchell-Lawson, Gilbert, East, Grant.

Looks like I called it :)

Nice to see Grant back on the bench at least.

Grant. Yay!

Good team that

Currently in hospitality sat on a table next to Sir Tony McCoy for the horse racing fans.

5-0 and McKirdy to score. 137/1. Banker.

Can someone tell me who the old guy with a ponytail on the papa John’s commercials is?  I assume he was a player?

I think you may mean Jimmy Bullard.

(https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/79/590x/secondary/Jimmy-Bullard-footballer-struggles-saturday-aftern-2966722.jpg)

Yes he was a top level player, not a particularly gifted player but had a bit of talent and a high workrate.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Bullard

Jimmy Bullard. Kind of like an older, more irritating Harry McKirdy. Ex Wigan Athletic footballer when they were in the Premier league.

Now works on TV generally acting like a prick.

Very nearly a nice move by Town there.

why did the game start on time with hundreds outside

Foul on McKirdy 30 yards out.

FK straight at the wall from Reed.

Hartlepool have come to try and outpass us, could be an interesting game.

Doesn't look that many of TV.  Sparse looking crowd.

Lively start, though.

McKirdy to Simpson who tried a shot inside the box but its cleared, better move by Town.

I have heard there are many still outside at KO, probably 300+ due to the inadequate ticket entry.

Nice move by KKH to Iandolo to Williams and its back to Iandolo but his cross is way too deep and hard, good chance and nice move.

Hartlepool defence passing around is a mistake waiting to happen.

Odimayos passing so far has been very weak.

Terrible crossfield pass from KKH puts us in danger at the back.

Great play by KKH but his cross cant find McKirdy 5 yards out.

Town are pressing them quite high and well so far.

KKH is very lively tonight.

We have identified their left back as a weakness giving KKH as much of the ball as we can and hes getting some joy against him so far too.

Shot from Hartlepool deflected just wide as they hit us on the break.

McKirdy really looks up for it too, chasing everything.

Conroy just stops and attack after a mistake by KKH. Good defending by Conroy.

Announcer makes a good point.  Pace is too slow need to attack faster and earlier

It really is deathly quiet isn't it.

Iandolo does well but cant keep the interception in and start an attack off.

Their keeper doesnt look comfortable on the ball.

Iandolo crosses very high and wide again.

For fuck sake. 

McKirdy wins a corner.

I don't like how much Steve Hale is talking them down.

Shocking corner from Reed.

It seems a bit needless criticism so far.

What don’t u like?  If he is correct town needs to attack and take advantage but they seem to want to slow play and play down to competition.  That is dangerous

0-1

That is... Odd officiating.

Offside thank fuck.

Offside

Dodged a bullet

Hmm. The linesman was on the same timezone as our defence.

That was all a bit slow!

God, this is boring.

Who is on co comms?

Fave lino.  Better late than never.

Ex Town GK coach Steve Hale.

Should have scored there with Payne.

I don't like how dismissive Hale has been of Hartlepool, who have deserved more respect than that. As they just showed.

Hartlepools heads seem to have dropped a bit and we are taking advantage.

Hunt gives it away cheaply but Williams saves him.

I think the Pools have been pretty decent so far.

McKirdy good play finds Williams but he shoots from outside the box wide.

I would like to see someone send ball early to space and let strikers go get it.  But not their philosophy I guess.  Would just like to make other defense just take an extra step back

Lovely move by Williams whos cross is inches away from Simpson but Iandolos cross is way too hard.

ctrl+c ctrl+p

Is this a good crowd for a Tuesday night?

His crossing has been awful so far today, every one way overhit.

Hunt to KKH but his shot is blocked for a corner.

The Town End really is on mute nowadays isn’t it. They seem to be waiting for some action, not kick starting it….

Hunty doesn't do balls like that very often. Brilliant.

KKH wins another corner.

Good corner but we cant get a head to it and Reed has a pop too but blocked.

Little more attack and creativeness.  Keep it up

Pool shoot but Wollacott saves it low.

Simpson to Payne in the box but he cant quite get to it.

HT 0-0

Open game.

Liked the way they played the last 15 min.   Need to keep that energy and Hunger

Could be watching any other home game we’ve had this season. Slow, slow, slow, slow, slow.

If we only had a Plan B.

Felt like a reserve outing that. We really don't like having to dictate the pace of the game at home. We knock it around prettily enough, but without the urgency and incisiveness required to make the difference.

No guarantee this will go any differently than any other league game at the CG this season.

The game seems flat (compared to an away game….). Think we could do with playing the wide option, and pulling the ball back rather than cutting in as much as we go - just use Hayden and Iandolo more, and keep them wide. Fingers crossed we’ll up our game - that felt very much like “home” form.

We definately need more urgency around the box, its all a bit slow build up, not sure how it could change though it seems one of those games.

I'll get to the game, but first Hales - fuckwit.  Compares a performance against FGR away, a team at the top who were going to have a go at us so we put in a good away performance where a team is more open, to a home game against a team lacking in confidence that wants to sit in.  How can an ex-pro not see the two are chalk and cheese?

I'm not suggesting we played well, or didn't deserve criticism, but my god some people in football are a bit simple.

To the game - we really have a problem at home.  It's not being at home so much as what we are being presented with as the other teams challenge.  When we are away from home, even poor sides have a crowd willing to give them some moans and groans if they don't have a go.  Away from home, a team can confidently plonk everyone behind the ball and play for a goalless draw and get applauded off.  I don't think we play any differently, we just have different positions to play against as a result.  In fact, that is the criticism I would have over Garner if he truly doesn't see any issues to resolve.  We cannot play the same way regardless- we have to do something to give the other team something to think about or we have to be willing to try something different if a team is going to just sit off us.

In this case, I am not sure having the third centre half gives us as much as it does away from home.  They are generally only sending one player up to engage with us.  The pass sideways is always on as a result and we take it.  If they are going to stick with that, then move someone around the pitch and get them more worried about who to mark and follow.

Instantly forgetful! Just doesn’t work at home and still far too easy to get at our defence on the turnover of possession at home.    Something needs to be tweaked surely, I still think we need another man in the middle who will play alongside Reed.

It really is poor from Garner that he hasn’t managed to get his head round playing at home. Personally, I don’t think we can play any differently. The ‘style’ is so indoctrinated the players just slot in and rinse and repeat ad nauseam.

I think the way of stretching them is to overload at least one wing, maybe both.  We don't even have to change the players, we could ask Hunt to play right back and push KKH on, with Williams or Payne linking up with Iandolo.  They would have to move someone out of the middle, then you have more space to play balls into the front two.

Stood here in the Town End, pool sitting back and trying to hit us on the break but they're no port vale.  We need to fucking pick the pace up.

You could try starting a chant.

Att: 7,714  (75 away)

Forward!

Need a fucking goal!!!!

I still think we will win this, as long as Hartlepool dont smash and grab us.

Is there a strong wind??? All crosses from left go flying

Second halves man.

1-0 Williams!

Get in!! Great goal!!

Lovely cross from McKirdy and Williams comes late onto it and heads it into the roof of the net from 6 yards!

Finally got ifollow working to see Simpson muscle his way past 2 defenders and blast a cross over the Town End.


Great goal

1-0 Williams

KKH has been our most dynamic player tonight. Great drive through the middle.

Beautiful bald bastard!!!

Need another quick one and this is over

Odimayo with the showboating!

Poor touch by Simpson on the edge of the box, should have done better.

If only someone could teach him anticipation

McKirdy booked again, needlessly but harsh from the ref.

I do think McKirdy was deliberately timewasting there.

Card most likely has more to do with his whining

1-1

Hmm.

Sleepwalking in defence again.

Rought yellow for McKirdy!

Clattered the defender (it was a foul) then saw keeper off his line so floated it into the back of the net. Yellow for kicking. The ball away.

Hartlepool hit crossbar ....and then score!

1-1

Agreed

Wollacott a stupid kick put us straight under pressure and Iandolo’s defending oh dear!

Nice move by Williams and a good cross but Simpson cant head it the right way, Town win a corner.

Town really stops the ball too much in the penalty area.  Just swing at it.  Can’t score going backwards

Town End to twat keeper "are you a man or a woman?"  :D

Town lucky at the back, acres of space for Pools there.

Why don't we ever break quickly and overload them like that?

Bloody awful defending!

The tracking players are jogging and not running back for coverage.  

Lovely move and cross by Simpson but its cleared, great chance.

We always seem to be outnumbered when defending thats for sure.

Simpson with a good cross and McKirdy misses it as his heels were clipped just beforehand

How many times have they walked through us now?

Exposed again but Jojo managed so save it, luckily.

Simpson finds McKirdy in the box but his shot is saved.

Spson cut back. McKirdy side foots into defender

Game is definately still there for the taking.

Who can come in to make a difference?  

2-1 Simpson!

Hurrah!

All a bit chance a minute the second half.

YES :clap: :clap:

2-1 Simpson

That was more hammer than épée.

Fair play to Simpson

Simpsoooooooon!!

Maybe a little lucky but he was in the right place at the right time!

Now defend for fuck sake

Great bit of movement and a bit of a lucky chip that Simpson scruffily controlled but finished with aplomb!

Loved that goal. Simpson using his power to full effect. Fucking battering ram!

BOOOOOOM!

McKirdy off for Gladders.

McKirdy off before he gets sent off!

Williams has been brilliant today for me, all over the pitch.

Probably a smart move by coach.   He was a bit disappointing for me anyway

I thought he was lively today if not having a lot of influence on the game, he was full of running.

Agreed.  Has played with big nuts!

Williams great cross to Simpson and the keeper has to make a great save at the near post.

Not sure the keeper knew what he was doing but a great hand in the right place saves a certain goal.

Iandolos cross wins a corner.

Fantastic change of pace and cross from Williams. Simpson got in front of the defender and got his shot away which was blocked at point blank range by the keeper. Good save.

The game is opening up now.

Like a squirrel?

Gladwin with 2 expansive cross field balls already.

I like they are still attacking that is the best defense

Simpson and Payne link up well but cant get the shot in.

Conroy clears from a decent cross and over stretches and goes down injured.

Conroy back up.

Shithousing perhaps?

His lack of pace causes us some issues at times. Like twice in the last few mins

Not a great pass back from Gladwin to Jojo who only just clears it into touch.

When u say pace u mean speed??

Grant is on the bench isn’t he?! Get him on!

Awful ball back from Gladwin put Wollacott under pressure.

Yes

I dont like us sitting back on a lead, go for another goal.

This fucking about with the ball may bite them in the ass.  Get the ball on offensive third and waste time

Odimayo with an awful ball forces Iandolo to commit a professional foul

Lyden coming on probably for Payne.

YES

Lyden on for Williams, my MotM.

Lyden for Williams. Right call. He's getting tired

Push Gladwin away from defending PLEASE!

Reed dispossessed and we get away with it, for now.

Not sure how Reed wasn't fouled?

Awful shot well over the bar from Pools big striker.

He went to ground too eagerly even though he was fouled.

Att: 7,714 away 75  :)

Town has to have more urgency getting ball out of their third.  Get it outside quickly

Simpson really leading the line well today.

Hartlepool is just waiting for the pass back to keeper

Bit late ;)

Lyden looking rusty.

5 mins added! really?

Great break by KKH but his shot is woeful, great pass from Payne.

Because we were fanning around with no purpose

East on for Reed.

Great spot by Payne, shame Kaine couldn't find the quality on the shot.

Nice opportunity.   Need to continue.  Can’t sit back.  Get it wide then hold ball

Just going to type that - No composure!

East for Reed

Good cross from Iandolo but KKH cant connect in the box.

3-1 Payne!

Game!! :beers:

3-1 Payne!

Beautiful!

Massive win this, really needed to put the home form to bed. It's not quite there, but its got its pyjamas on...

Long run through the middle by Payne who shoots low to the right corner from 22 yards, good goal!

The Massivest!

Needed that because we were fanning around too much for my liking

 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

On Cocaine ?

FT 3-1 huge huge win, well done Town.

big win
 :pint:

Keep the faith lads ;)

Nice

It's almost as if we want to do the minimum possible to win. That seems to leave us exposed by letting the opposition feel they have a sniff

It's a funny old game.

We got quite ragged in the second half at times, which actually enticed Hartlepool to commit a few men forwards.  We got lucky with them missing a couple and people not doing their jobs defensively at times, but that opened the game and then we just used the fact we had better players and could have had another couple by the end.  That period where we lost our control of the game probably opened it up to allow us to win it.

Williams was good, KKH was OK and Simpson a bit of a handful at times.  The rest were all a bit meh.

Lovely. Well done Town

I agree.  Sometimes feels like not everyone want to commit to defense and waiting for ball to just pop out to the

,

Williams for me was outstanding, Simpson not far behind, KKH would have been close to MotM if he had converted a couple of chances, nobody played particularly badly but not many played really well, Conroy and Payne did quite well as did Jojo apart from his distribution.

Solid team performance if not overly inspiring.

Huge win though could be THE turning point of the season for us.

Noice!

I think we are just going to have to put up with home performances like this. I can’t see how the players can play differently when they have obviously been intensively coached in one style.

Mind you, the table doesn’t lie!

Yep cant argue with 3rd and a game in hand of Exeter too!

5 wins in a row, 2 home wins from 2.

Looking good.

Last 7 home games in all comps have finished WLDDLWW so not as bad as it sounds. Also as you state thats 5 wins on the bounce!

And one defeat in the last 11, with only two teams putting more than a goal past us in that time, somehow. It's a bit squeaky, but in League 2 it'll do for now.

Might be wrong here, but was that Williams goal the first we’ve scored from a header this season

Agree with this - could have been a very different result but for the strange offside decision, and some last ditch defending…. But it wasn’t different and we won 3-1. It didn’t matter so much how we got this one under our belt, we just needed it. Three good goals. Let’s take that into Saturday, a more challenging game, and see where we go from there.

Nice!

Wasn't a terrible game, but we got exposed too often to call it conformable.

Unlike Newport, I'm not sure if call Hartlepool unlucky though. We just had a touch more class than them in key areas

Apart from Hartlepool being able to push so easily from the half way line, we were on top all over the pitch.

God I am always intrigued on your perspective as a relatively new fan - what did you think? I arrived at 1930 ish and didn’t get in until approx 2005! I thought Hartlepool were not a poor team by any means and it was a game of fine margins. Pleased we could finally click and overcome the home curse!

Didn't seem like a 3 1 to me but that's football. I was expecting 2 points from 2 games so well happy.

bloody hell, that's shit. I assume the Arkells was the same as DRS - every season ticket rejected as "expired" so manually checked and let in.

got to sort this out

Started extremely pissed off, missing the first 10 minutes of the match due to turnstyle failures. why they didn't delay the game i won't know.

Then after watching the first half i realised that i hadn't actually missed anything and it wasn't as big an issue. Very flat (same with atmosphere- walking up the stairs i did wonder if the ref had gone for a 10 minute silence) - very few chances.

2nd half was a lot better and obviously the goals help. From watching the away games I was really comfortable going 1 nil up and thinking that's the game done then pool hit the crossbar and then scored all within around 5 mins.

some decent performances with the odd sloppy play where against a good team we could have been punished. a few loose passes at the back and a bit too relaxed-

williams completely ran the show and scored a brilliant goal.
didnt celebrate simpsons as was ready for the ref to say it was handball
brilliant third with a trade mark payne goal.

home form still worries me but it is a mentality thing more than anything. if this was an away game nil nil half time keeping it tight, open up a bit more 2nd half and win 3-1 it would be the perfect script. its the feeling that at home we should be doing a bit more. and we probably should.

loving the team spirit and you can see they work so hard for each other.

a good nights work

has anyone seen the replay for their disallowed goal? My instinct was he was well offside when the original shot was struck.

ref had to overrule the lino from what I saw.

Did anyone hear how many from Hartlepool?

75

Seen it. Defo offside.

ta

I haven't but i saw a number of people in the rows in front watching on their phones and saying correct decision. I also though that mckirdy was unlucky not to get a penalty- low cross along the box and he was pulled backwards. went pretty much unseen from the crowd and more importantly the ref.

Harry McKirdy seemingly on a mission to collect the most pointless and avoidable bookings this season. Frustrating.

Williams the best player in this league by an absolute mile. Just a level above everyone.

Simpson was unreal today. 19 years old.

Still 2000 more than piss stains v Fleetwood😀

Liked the Payne, Williams, Reed, McKirdy and General celebration after the whistle.

Interesting to see how far this team can go. Think there are a few subtle personnel changes that would strengthen the team considerably.

I'm not trying to get ahead of myself, as I think we are doing far better that I thought we would. We are getting better every week. But part of me is worried about how far this might go and what happened last time we got promoted. I wonder if we need a couple more of our own players before we can mount an effective challenge?

Funny you say that about Simpson, up to a few minutes before he scored I thought it was as bad as I have seen him in terms of movement and touch etc! Superb after that and will be very interesting to see how he develops in the years ahead given he’s so young. An absolute handful physically.

Yes, confidence player. Also, interesting to see he played 3 awesome cutbacks to McKirdy from the left after McKirdy gave him a bollocking when he shot from the left over the Townend.

He often needs someone to tell him what to do and doesn't react too quickly. But, when he is confident, he is a big handful! Think he will be a good second striker in a few years time.

Just got back; really enjoyed that! Williams obvious MoM, no contest really. All our creative attacking play was through him.
Simpsons hold up play turns and distribution has improved loads since the start of the season; he played a few great passes. Touch still 50/50, but that'll improve too; he's streets ahead of some of our recent 'strikers' (Doyle and Yates excepted). His goal was sheer power, he deserved it.

Iandolo needs to practice crossing if he wants to be a wing back. Unlike others, and unlike earlier in the season, I wasnt frustrated at all by our 'playing across the back' as you could see players making runs all the time so there was always a chance of something happening. McKirdy and Simpson both excellent at that, constant movement.

McKirdy needs to calm down, 60 seconds before the yellow he was warned by the ref (mouthing off?) then committed an obvious and pointless foul; then just to make sure he kicked the ball away. wtf. Reckon he was subbed to avoid a red.

Pools offside was mental; anyone see it and have view on whether it was off? Can see why they were pissed, it looked like the lino flagged coz our players moaned at him soapy tit wank, though that may not have been how it was.

Last random thought: "How shit must you be, we're winning at home". Good bants, not sure how inspiring to the team though...

Opinions and arseholes and all that. But thought his hold up play was top tier today. Deserved another assist too with that cross across goal.

Assuming your definition of effective challenge is consolidating in League 1 if we are promoted this season, then there’s so many factors and too numerous for me to list now. January will be interesting in regards to seeing what our ambitions are in the window and may point towards what a summer recruitment could bring without the restrictions we’ve been under to date.

On the ‘own players point’. Say we were to swap a couple of loanees out for our own players, there’s an argument to say we aren’t guaranteed the same quality on a permanent basis which in turn means we may not be as likely to succeed on getting out of League 2.

Let’s not get too ahead ourselves anyway, but it’s an unexpected conversation to be having based on where we were a few months ago  ;)

So, uhh, having gone from possibly not having a club before season started to the auto promotion slots with a game in hand just before Christmas is something I would have thought beyond possible back in the summer.

Got to be one of the most odd observations/recollections (or not !) of a Town game tonight !!

Went to my brothers funeral this afternoon, and as he was a navy/submariner  we toasted him with a navy tot of rum (and I had a few extras to finish off the bottle !!)

 I can't remember the rest but apparently I attempted to attend the game but was rescued by my son when I fell over in the alleyway ! Next thing I remember was waking up in my chair/panicking I was late for the kick off. Bit confused so I checked online and found it was all over !

Great to find we'd won but a bit pissed off i'd missed it !! Been to a few away victories but haven't seen a home win for a while, so hope I this is one to remember !!!

sorry for your loss Digby.

I'm sorry for the loss of your brother.

The improvement of work rate, urgency, commitment, fitness, passing accuracy and ultimately goal threat was clear to see. Clearly there were some lesser things to observe, like Ian dolo’s crossing and some errant attempts at goal when other options were available and pissing about with unwarranted, wayward passing out from the back, not to mention Wollacot gifting them the opportunity to score from his hurried clearance which they took and McKirdy’s desire for an early Bath.

One swallow does not make a blowjob princess, however, we won with a margin and deservedly so. Let’s hope we can now redress the unbalance of our home form v away form without the latter going into reverse. All in all a deserved win and I would like to think the Harrogate scouts have something to think about for Saturday.

Noticeably our habit of scoring late seems to be a regular fixture and at 1-1 when the DNA thought that would be that I confidently predicted we’d score again. Not perfect but that will do because I’m sure we can improve on that and although I missed Garners post match presser with AH I bet he thinks if not said the same.

Glad I made the decision to drive up to the game. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Williams bossed the game - a cut above everyone else in the game. He ran the show. Simpson ran him close for Motm for me. He always tried to be available, scored a great goal through sheer strength and determination and he has started to bring back to goal,  hold up play into his game. Last night he was exactly what I want from my number 9.

That said, our defence was concerning as Pool were able to get through far too easily.  Our central midfield went missing too often leaving Conroy, AK and Hunt exposed. I was pleased to hear Garner pick up on this post match.  Iandolo was back to the version of a few weeks back that can do everything except cross. Hopefully just a bad day at the office for him.

Finally, I love the way Garner is managing his squad; playing to each players strengths and limitations eg Gladwin. He also speaks well on how he sees things. All a far cry from Shezza effing and jeffing on the touchline.  COYR
 

It's hard to criticise a decent performance and home win but we still need to address how easy it is at times for the opposition to carve us with ease and are able to score.

Hartlepool were more direct from just inside their half when attacking, seemed to glide towards our goal untroubled at times. My only criticism.

Saturday could be an open game as Harrowgate are joint top scorers in the league but do concede a lot.

Looking at the future and not getting ahead of ourselves, how do we think the Garner approach would get on in L1 - albeit with a few changes in personnel.

Lovely to wake up to 3 points but at times it was a frustrating evening last night. First half according to the stats we had 66% possession but whilst playing some very nice football there just didn't feel like we were ever going to score. Iandolo and KKH were the outlets but consistently just don't seem to have end product. Iandolo in particular keeps over hitting his crosses. I suppose the talking point in the first half was the disallowed goal, which to me looked a simple offside decision. Even Cullen's celebration told you all you needed to know. Quite why it took him 30 seconds or more to put his flag up i'll never know.

Second half I think the only change was to allow one of the centre backs more license to get forward and offer support. Someone mentioned it in the matchday thread I think but having 3 centre backs at home does seem to stifle things, pushing one of them a bit more forwards provides extra numbers. That said, when we lost the ball Hartlepool did seem to be able to get in 'behind' us very easily to test our panicky defence! Our goal, which looked suspiciously like offside against McKirdy (although their big centre back may have been playing him on) should have settled nerves, lovely cross by McKirdy and brave bullet header by Williams, but Hartlepool to their credit weren't overawed and after hitting the bar with us all over the place got the equaliser. I did fear the worst at this stage, we looked nervy but managed to survive a few sticky spells. Simpson's strength and dogged determination earned him his goal and with Hartlepool chasing and looking quite tired, Jack Payne scored a brilliant third. 3 points is 3 points and hopefully we can push on at home.

Final thing, and this may be just how it comes across on Ifollow, but the atmosphere last night just seemed very flat and nervy. Andrew Hawes also commented so I guess it wasn't just me. There looked to be good numbers in the Town End (on the right hand side particularly) but it did seem uncharacteristically quiet there in particular. It's tough given the style of football we play but at times it felt like a reserve/pre-season game and I'm not sure how helpful that is for players. Good numbers for a cold November Tuesday evening mind you.

Final Final thing actually - and I suspect he might be like marmite but I love Andrew Hawes as a commentator. He manages to commentate on a team he clearly loves yet remains completely impartial. (a lot of Ifollow commentators are blatantly bias) I do like his chats with whoever the co-commentator is, I enjoyed his bit about the lettuce, I am sure this infuriated others!! :)
 

We seem to be scoring a fair few late goals this season, which makes a nice change from the last couple when we seemed to look shattered after about 70 mins!

All that walking about and passing sideways and backwards conserves energy for proper football late on.

Just don’t forget to bring your knitting/a good book for the first half.

Yeah I love Andrew Hawes' commentary, I think he's great at what he does. The odd aside about lettuce or casserole just gives me vibes of listening to the cricket. Always sad when he's off for whatever reason, the man is the voice of Swindon for me.

It's an interesting question. My take would be that he and BC were able to pull together a strong squad for this division despite restrictions, and he could probably do the same again in L1. As for style of play, I think we've done fairly well against the better teams in this division, as well as sides from the division above in cups. All in all I think we'd be fine if we went up.

Same love his commentary and enthusiasm whenever we score a goal etc. Going back in time he's probably just behind the commentator we had a few years ago who went onto better things with the BBC and now does the Premiership games.

Yeah i think we have the nucleus of a side that would be comfortable in L1. Jojo, Conroy, AK, Gladwin, Payne, Reed and Williams in my eyes are good league 1 players.

I think you are right mate.

Chris Wise? I think…

Well first half frustration, everything was a yard too long or too short.

Second half was very good.

I was taking a piss in the TE luxury bathroom when they scored but i guessed something had kicked off from the groans and then cheering above my head, i thought someone had been sent off!

Lovely bullet header which seemed to settle us a bit too much and Pools came at us in waves. They seemed to cut through us too easy and we lost a bit of shape. We tend to do this alot at the minute.

Im glad we kicked on.

Simpsons strike was Heskey power and Paynes daisy cutter was a beauty.

All good and set up for a big gate on Saturday with the feel good factor.

TE was a bit flat and not much singing or chanting. I dunno, maybe last season really knocked the stuffing out of us but the players deserve more than they are getting at the moment.

Onwards!

Question:

I know Pools hit the bar first half but was Simpsons near post effort saved or cannon off a post? Looked a save to me last night but the highlights make it look like a post smacker?

It will be the 1st time we have ever played the Sulpherites in any competition, ever.

when i was driving back he did actually say he was joined by steve evans last night and then 5 minutes later thanked steve hale. overall though i do like him and enjoy the radio commentary if needed.


first thoughts during the match definitely post

Have the EFL put up the highlights?

Watched on iFollow it was definately a hand by the keeper.

(https://i.postimg.cc/05XnncBS/Untitled.png)

Swindon Town have

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2jzpHG2reNQ

great save by their keeper that

As I stated in the thread when it happened, not sure if he knew a lot about it but he did great to get a strong hand to it, looked a certain goal. He did pretty decent overall but his distribution was at times as bad as Kovars was, a panicker.

Was introduced to Jacko in The Glue Pot before the game, an engaging character.
With him was a distinguished gent who was one of the founding father's of a very early version of the London reds.
The back stories of some Town fans are fascinating, worthy of a book one day.

Thought Hartlepool were quite decent but lacked a cutting edge, not helped by offside man upfront.
That could easily have been the case for us this season.
But some genuine quality in the team should see us above the also rans in this league.

Jacko is a legend!! The distinguished gent wasn't John (I think his surname is Ward) was it?

It might have been. Didn't catch the name.
Former Chelsea fan who switched allegiance at time of the LC semi final in 68/69.
I remember a John Ward who had a page or two in the match programme in the mid 70's & known then as the "tame statistician".

I was in the glue pot last night  :hmmm:

I know I saw you ;)

We were there for a couple of hours or so from 5ish.
Ships passing in the night.

I should go there more often, great pub.

I was there from 6.15 to 7.20. Did you have a blue woolly hat on?  :sherlock:

 :D

Immediate thought seeing that pic was "When the hell did Jimmy Bullard play for Rangers!?" answer being, he didn't.

I think we’d probably do OK and comfortably stay up but we’d get thumped by a few of the better teams with decent attacking players as they’d just waltz through our midfield and make more of the chances we consistently gift teams.

After some googling, yes, it was John Ward.
Former chairman of the Trust, stood down in 2013.
Well I never, that and being in the same room as 4D all in one evening.

My only rationale is that he was totally day dreaming and the ref told him to stick it up.

Yes, he loves a pre-match pint at the glue pot. Very well spoken gent who works (or worked) at the opera or ballet or something. Sounds like you had a rare treat last night Bob!

I'm not that well spoken  :)

It was the first time I've noticed Simpson feigning to move behind his marker and then attacking the near post to meet the cross. Maybe his earlier goal gave him the confidence to try it.

I think Simpson's movement has definitely improved. Although I am not sure about his necessity to drop so deep at times to get involved in the play, I wonder if Garner has asked him to do this. A couple of times yesterday he dropped so deep he was half way inside our own half, like Harry Kane does for England.

I think its the first time I can remember that Simpson attacked the near post for a cross too, he stays nearer the far post or around the penalty spot usually.

That was proper striker instinct, Doyle used to do that all the time.

Jacko's a great character, who has a good word for everyone. I hope he's still drunk in charge of a mobility scooter. John Ward is head of fundraising for Welsh National Opera I think. Quite a contrasting double-act with Jacko.

Makes me very envious. The Glue Pot is always my first port of call on a (rare) matchday.

Does Bob Burns still turn up regularly?

Ah, I know who Jacko is then. Is John the fella with long grey hair?

I don't think he goes as much as he used to although I haven't seen him in ages due to Covid and me moving away from London and thus going to less games. I do know that he goes to watch Clapton F.C quite a lot and still likes his away trips north. I believe he is going to the Orient, Walsall and Barrow away games coming up.

I don't think so, it's usually quite shortish and neat from memory (which is hazy at best) but I haven't seen him in years so not 100% sure.

Thats ok, you will be just someone else who he doesnt buy a drink for.....he only breathes in.

I was there too last night (in the hat)......parched..

Thanks. Hoping to get to Walsall or Orient so will drop him a line.

As many will know i have rated Simpson all season. The runs he makes he has been doing most of the season it's just now he is being found out by the crosses. Funnily enough, both of Paynes last 2 goals you can see his runs not being picked out

His hold up pay was superb and much better last night i thought

Simpson is on course for 20 goals plus which will be outstanding for a first season

I don't profess to be an expert but I have consistently opined that Simpson will go on to have a successful footballing career.

Iv seen the club have put 'The swindon way' goal on twitter showing Williams header. 23 passes etc in the build. 3 seconds into that clip there are shouts to go forward and massive groans half way through as a pass went backwards 🤣

I have to bite my lip sometimes, even last night at 2-1 with 10 minutes to go people were shouting forward. we don't need to attack every minute ffs. get it in the corner flag and run the clock down if needed. nothing wrong with game management and we do it away from home superbly

I’ve gone off the corner flag routine since Brighton away in the play offs 2004. Attack is the best form of defence! We do seem to be quite good at game management, keeping possession and frustrating the opposition but nothing eases the nerves like an extra goal.

Not a coincidence those sat around you shouting ‘forward’ at every opportunity aren’t in football management is it?

My thoughts exactly. Plenty of “get it forward, cooper” types around me that seriously test my patience.

It seems to be completely lost on people that we point and probe as long as we have to to wait for a space to open up to exploit. We’re going to have to get used to waiting at home, as teams are clearly setting out to make it hard for us to break down. Garner doesn’t want to be losing the ball unnecessarily. We defend by having the ball, and we have the quality to prise teams open eventually. It’s a style that doesn’t create loads of clear cut opportunities, but gets us into threatening positions plenty enough for the law of averages (and the quality players we have) to do the rest.

The fact that Pools hit the bar from us trying to lump it forward, and then scored from a rash goal kick (that McKirdy had already started sulking about before it left Wollacotts boot), should be enough for people to click on to that…but no.

The fact that we’re not charging all in every single attack isn’t good enough for some people…so people moan, they get frustrated and pressure the players to “get it forward”, so they force balls that aren’t on, lose the ball after over committing and are on the back foot.

Admittedly yesterday (and too often at home) we’ve looked a bit porous when we have had to defend, even in numbers. I do think in this league though, you can get away with giving most teams a few opportunities, purely because the quality isn’t there for teams to capitalise enough on the chances they do get, you just need to try and limit the chances you do give them (and have the best of the opportunities). Hence why the preference, I think, is to keep the ball as a priority.

I’ve always said it, you don’t need to be good in league 2 to get promoted…you just need to be less shit than most.

O think the bit I don't like is when we don't 'probe'. At 2-1 we were attacking and there were passes forward or sideways that Gladwin could have made, but he passed it back to the GK from 1/2 way in their half. All that did was invite pressure onto us. There were lots of other ways to waste time, without giving Hartlepool a chance.

I referred to it a couple of times as fanning around with the ball. Passing should be done with purpose. No problem with probing, but sometime we can try to be a bit too casual.

I think that type of misunderstanding about our play is far outweighed by those that appreciate it. Even early this season, when it was passing without purpose (or at least, no actual output) the crowd was generally patient. It’s not rocket science to work out what the plan is. Odimayo said it in his interview last night - switch play, get them chasing, knacker them out, then hit them.

I enjoyed last night - journey back after the game and busy today- I haven’t read back.
I thought overall we were the better team, and deserved to win, although rode our luck a couple of times. Hartlepool a
So passed the ball around and it was a good game to watch.
Conroy’s goal saving tackle after 20 mins the highlight of the first half - superb.
Three excellent goals - highlighted the ball retention and build up play does have a purpose rather than just being “tippy tappy” as some deride it. KKH should have scored in stoppage time when through, but that was a superb break.
Some good performances through the team - Conroy, Reed, KKH, Iandolo (although overshot a few crosses) Payne and Simpson. Williams my man of the match - he is so positive on the ball, always looks to drive forward.
I would fine McKirdy for his booking- having been spoken to a couple of minutes before for dissent, he committed an obvious foul, then clearly after the whistle he kicks the ball away (into the net) - these silly bookings can cost a suspension (he has just come back from one of those).
Garner has built a good team here - and deserves credit for doing so.

Definitely get the frustration with that Gladwin pass. I assume it must be a tactic of some sort that’s drilled in to them, might be designed to try and lure the oppo out a bit to create more space. It was a very odd pass to make otherwise.

It was a fairly isolated incident though. Again, it must be just part of the process and on percentage terms, it’s working.

Exactly this, put much better than I could. Hard to explain it, but you just felt that Tuesday nights 'Play it around at the back' had a plan, a purpose and that something might happen. Compare with previous versions, which seemed to be 'Play it around at the back until we either lose it or get bored and lump it forward'.

The porous defence for me starts in midfield; there were 2 occasions where a HPool player ran, unchallenged, from inside his own half to the edge of our box. To my untrained eye it looks like we play 352 when attacking and 532 when defending; the problem is that when defending the wing backs are still very wide so we have a 3 man midfield (and a fairly 'creative/small' 3 men at that). Solutions, dunno, maybe the wing backs need to push infield a bit more when we dont have the ball. Or, hate to say it, but a certain A Grant as DM? But then does that spoil the attacking plan?

Having said all that, we will all have opinions but I think Graner has done a great job and we need to continue to trust in him. Just remember where we were last season, or pre season. Onwards and Upwards, COYR.

What I love most about the "Get it forward!" mob is that the minute a long ball is played and it comes to nothing, it's followed with "Get it down!" from the same people without a hint of irony.

I was actually fearful he would be brandished two yellows and sent off.  1 for the obvious foul and 1 for kicking the ball away into the net afterwards.  They happened almost in a single sequence but a red would have been technically justified. 

However McKirdy is ironically at his most distracting when he plays on the edge.  As well as the Ref, he puts opponents on edge and when that's in the final third, it often sort of works for him and his teammates who are familiar with his ways.

So Garner needs to have a word, for sure.  McKirdy could grow as a player if he could combine his edge with more control.  But he is who he is and it's a fine balance.

We usually say quite loudly “well that didn’t work did it” after a long ball up field inevitably doesn’t work

This is why Port Vale freed him last season, Clarke said he couldnt manage him, I think its part and parcel of his game and he won't change now.

We will have to carefully manage him in games, hes volatile but thats why hes the player he is, take that edge away and he probably won't be half the player he is.

Like a modern day Robin Friday. You take the good with the bad.

Interesting points generally inc. about Grant.

I love Granty's tackling and holding and falling over and super-pro shithousery.  He can slow a game down better than anyone.  Going back to the season before last, he was also v. positive offensively.  Quick to distribute and often very intelligently even if never flash. I see him as an ideal player to bring on for the last 20' or so when we have a lead and we're not absolutely dominant.  

Lyden however came on and performed a similar function very effectively on Tuesday night.  Happy to trust Garner's judgement.

talking of tackling, I saw Gladwin make two consecutive tackles in Tuesday 😲

He's a ball lover not a fighter

I was looking admiringly at their right winger, Luke Molyneux. Just read that he's on loan from Sunderland

Thought he looked threatening down the right, stuck to the wing and played some excellent precision crosses..

Only 23 years old.

So there are players out there

Two slide tackles in less than a minute too!

Yeah he stood out for them in my eyes also. Was always fearful when running at our defence and was unlucky with a shot in the first half that went just wide.

I admit there were times in the Cooper days that defensive fannying about saw me flirt with the Get it forwaard crowd.

With a few sprinkles of luck Garner ball worked to perfection on Tuesday.  The first 60' were the foundation of the two undercoats.  Boring as fuck.  And then the rewards of the third coat - as the oppo tired of so much ball chasing.

The opening goal was the reward for the patience.  But there had been very little to send the pulse into overdrive up to then offensively - or, for that matter, defensively, the Pool's disallowed goal apart.

At that point I was actually critical of MOM nominee Simpson.  Not so much of him but of his role.  He wasn't involved in the play that much, he maybe turned a defender once and he managed a few useful sideways diagonally forward and wide.  Positive but nothing defence splitting.  He was playing quite deep, back to goal and certainly only very rarely getting into the box.

1-0 it went and a minute later 10 yards outside the Pool's box a loose ball dropped unexpectedly to Simpson with the Pool keeper a little out of position.  A cool touch and measured shot could have made it two - but we got the heavy touch to which Tyreece can still be prone and in a blink it was 1-1.

The 30' that followed was why he earned the MOM claims, imo and justifiably so.  The game opened up and he was everywhere, turning players and counter attacking, passing short or wide and bustling through defenders in the box.  And scoring!

It's not that he'd been ineffective in the opening 60' simply that he'd been very containable.  It's not Simpson himself.  It's just that there are times when a 9 who would get further forward and make a nuisance of himself aerially could add a bit more threat at times.

It all boils down to what we, as fans, want from our team.

Is a position high up the league and going for automatic promotion the be all and end all - and damn the pulse quickening style that gets us out of our seats?

There are always videos posted on twitter showing a lengthy possession sequence that ends up a goal. It looks brilliant when you know a goal is at the end of it, but getting there is a frustrating live watch.

Is it more difficult to coach and play - successfully - our way, compared to alternatives? Does this style have a sell by date when it comes to progressing up the leagues?

I feel that our defensive ‘weakness’ playing our style would get punished much more readily in L1. Is the style responsible for how our defence struggles at times or is it the players’ failings?

It’s all fine margins.

I don’t think the ‘style’ as such has a sell by date.

I’m going to use Man City as an example, they give or take, play the same style of football as we do, the obvious difference is we have league 2 players playing it, where as they have some of the best players in the world.
The style itself isn’t much different, they have just perfected it because of the players they have at their disposal.

If we were to go up the leagues, I don’t think the style would change under Garner, but for us to continue progressing, the players would need too.

Taking that point. I wonder how many of our current regular starters would be good enough to play the same style in L1?

View from the oppo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EC2u_ruOFVM

Their manager’s point about the number of lates goals we score was interesting- the percentage was even higher than I realised.
The reason is presumably that our possession / passing tires the opposition physically and / or mentally (possibly impacting on their concentration) and so we get chances and goals in that last 10 -15 mins.

Something like that. In a similar vein to Lou Macari’s team, only the work the opposition down with less skill and more physicality and running.

Arsenal 79% possession in the first half v Newcastle but Newcastle have the same amount of shots on target. It's not just Swindon!