Thetownend.com

Well, another home game and I'm looking forward to it. Never played them before, hopefully they are not another Eastleigh  ::)
They are 3rd in away form and we all know about our home form.

Swindon 1-2 Harrogate att: 9,211 (away 231)

Piece of piss 4-1

Big jump in the attendance prediction 4D are they any deals on we don't know about!

We won a home match. Saturday and against a newbie. Plus we are 3rd.

I hope that you're right but I reckon a thousand less but I may be wrong

Swindon to suffer a single goal defeat in front of 8,961 fans with 130 Sulphurite fans there.

3-0 stroll in front of 9700. 

2-2 Attendance 8400 with 220 away fans

220 Sulpherites seems a bit optimistic when they only took 141 to Walsall last week a trip 90 miles closer and also on a Saturday!

I was thinking a new ground might bring a few more!

Every ground is a new ground for them! they have an away average of just under 150 this season.

We are an ex prem side  ;)

Had to go to Harrogate the other week for the first time in donkey's years, the town didn't seem to be drowning in football fever.

I didn't know that the manager is the chairman's son, how very Curran albeit he seems to be a better manager than Curran is centre half!

2-1 win in front of c.8300, depends how many free tickets we’ve given away to schools etc really as that boosts attendances and I assume there wasn’t too many given out last night.

I believe there were  8)

2 - 2 draw.

Att 8,201

3-2. Simpson x 2, McKirdy 1, then sent off for dissent. Hold on at the end with 10 men for a nail biting win

I'm torn between a 2-1 defeat and another 2-1 win, depending on how much confidence was gained from Tuesday's win.

Don't forget to wrap up warm - gale force winds from the Arctic, with a wind chill of -3 at 3pm!

Lets hope Harrogate fans don't moan like Exeter fans did about the windtunnel effect of the County Ground saying we planned it that way to assist us!

Pretty sure God is a Swindon fan but that was a fucking pathetic excuse for losing!

Harrogate are pretty good away form lying in 3rd place in the away form table.

They sit in 6th place in the table on 3 less points than Town with us having a game in hand, they have won 8 and drawn 5 losing 5 times so far in the league. Form in the league in the last 5 has been LLWLW.

In away games Harrogate have won 5 and drawn 1 of their 10 league and cup games away so far, losing 4 times, they have scored 16 and conceded 15.

Orient 0-2 Harrogate
Mansfield 1-3 Harrogate
Port Vale 2-0 Harrogate
Crawley 2-2 Harrogate
Oldham 1-2 Harrogate
Colchester 1-0 Harrogate
Sheff Weds 4-0 Harrogate (PJT)
Walsall 1-3 Harrogate
Carlisle 0-2 Harrogate

The full form in league and cup in the last 10 games is WWDWLWLWLW.

Harrogate are another team that try and play football and keep the ball on the deck but seem to prefer to lose out on possession and hit teams on the break, pretty much as Hartlepool did on Tuesday and Newport before them.

So we may have to be very patient against them again and try and break them down but being aware they break with speed, again as Hartlepool did.

The Sulphurites, what a great nickname.
Hopefully their performance smells the place out on Saturday.

Impressive set of eyebrows on the manager as well.

he is a bit of a slug balancer!

The wind should be across the pitch, towards the DRS, but I'm sure it'll be swirling in the corners of the ground.

Yes, he became a fan when Hoddle was manager.

Harrogate have a fairly concerning injury list.
Touch and go for a couple on Saturday. Need to keep the ball and tire them out before picking them off second half.
However a few of ours looked a little “leggy” Tuesday and can only hope we don’t have any unavailable.

2-1 town victory.    They are feeling it. 

If it doesn't Flash will.

A win gives us our record of having beaten all the 91 clubs back.

And for this reason put it down on the pools as a score draw.

:-)  We'll have to just do then away later in the season.

I see Crichlow is fit again and could be in line to start, if he does it will probably at the expense of Hunt who has done quite well at CB considering hes only 5 foot 7 hes filled in well.

Dion Conroy in line to make his 100th appearance tomorrow for Town.

Harrogate Town will be without their injured defensive trio of Rory McArdle, Will Smith and Ryan Fallowfield, and forward Aaron Martin, but hope skipper Josh Falkingham is passed fit after coming off during the midweek win at Carlisle.

https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/19743785.romoney-crichlow-recovered-injury-face-harrogate-town/

The Sulphurites biggest goal threats are leading scorer and tall striker Luke Armstrong with 9 goals, experienced striker Jack Muldoon with 6 goals (45 goals from 130 games for them) and attacking midfielder Alex pattison with 6 goals.

I have watched all the highlights of every game they have played and they do keep the ball down and not a hoofball team and they are very direct with passing exposing defences with defence splitting passes and their side has several pretty quick attacking players, especially down the wings.

They get the ball into the box with speed as often as they can and Armstrong pressures defenders into mistakes.

At the back they themselves look susceptible to low crosses and their big old unit of a keeper the 31 year old Mark Oxley seems pretty ponderous in getting down for low shots and has made a few fumbles in tha games so far that have cost them goals.

Met Office have issued a warning for snow tomorrow morning for Swindon. Probably not enough to call off the game but it'll make it extra cold in the stands!

High winds and driving rain/snow will test the tippy tappy, that’s for sure.

I’d cut down on the amount of cross field passes tomorrow.

Loved Rangers’ 2nd goal last night. Could have been us. About 5.46 in

https://highlightsfootball.net/video/rangers-vs-sparta-praha-highlights/

Cracking cross :D

Planning to bring my daughter (5) tomorrow for her first ever game. Worried the weather might defeat us if it's as cold/windy/snowy as forecast!

Good job the wind has eased as the game would have been called off.

Just a few flakes in the air, but mostly rain. It's +1c in Highworth and the wind has eased a little, so I can't see any reason why the game would be called off.

I think Swindon will be about to get the hour long (and still going) blizzard we’ve had 30 miles away.

Don't we normally lose a few to Christmas shopping round about now ?

Just started in West Swindon.

Just took the dog out for a walk and it's shite out. Game on  :)

Yep, it's just arrived in Highworth. Today's likely to be in the top 5 coldest games I've ever been to!

Does that include any game away at Port Vale ?

Yes I think Port Vale's in there, plus Oldham of course. Birmingham at home many years ago was pretty cold. I'm sure there's others but my memory fails me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh-2SqhCI9o

Chelsea away in the something or other cup. Stood on that open bank with a 7000 crowd, in January, in a denim jacket. Was about minus 2.

Heavy snow continuing in Swindon near CG at 10am.

That looks like a typical Port Vale away game !

That goal was on the "Best Ever" goals tape !

Back in the 70s and 80s we played with several inches of snow on the pitches with the orange ball, pussies nowadays.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dzdEB2rrak&t=1s

I remember helping clear the snow off the pitch at the CG - and getting in free as reward

But nowadays they are more worried about snow on the terraces, and getting sued if someone falls over

That is unfortunately true, back in the 70 and 80s if you slipped up it was considered your own fault nowadays there would be a litigation process commencing.

Tranmere game off

I've done that a couple of times in recent years, got a pint after.

it's bloody knackering. Especially if it's frozen.

still, no chance of this being called off

The wind at 6am was crazy so reckon it would have been called off if it was as strong around lunchtime.

Moral of this is don't get up at 6am on a Saturday  :)

Not through choice😀

Talking of Port Vale...............(earlier).......

The wife just sent this view out of the car window on the M6 near Stoke

There may be some games off up there

Whoops

Wow that's pretty deep. Nice photo

Yeah my mate in Birmingham woke to about 2 inches of snow this morning, looks like the worst of it has missed Swindon though, we have no snow or rain in South Somerset just a littl cloudy and chilly, bad winds overnight but its eased a lot here now.

Looks like the County Ground should be fine judging by the pictures.

(https://i.postimg.cc/0QhsGbwX/261726546-417083773384959-4582870334761607690-n.jpg)

Yep, all the snow has gone and the ground is fairly soft. Windy, but nothing that would warrant calling the game off.

This must be new? We never used to have it.

Do we???

Pretty sure we dont have undersoil heating TBH mate.

https://www.footballfancast.com/swindon-town-news/energy-check-county-ground

Pretty sure we don’t have undersoil heating, costs a small fortune to run.

Sorry guys it was a little humour & wishful thinking I thought the smiley faces gave it away.

 :D Thought it was very unlikely

As JJ says it would cost a fortune to run

I did think that but Theakston voiced my opinion :D

Not sure the club would benefit too much at this level with it installed TBH, if we were in the Championship then I think we probably would install it.

I was trying to multitask as well as type😀

Spot on and we probably won't have the finances for the foreseeable future.

They can make a down payment with the pizza cup money they will win.   :clap:

Hodgetts is back in the chair and Rob Hartley co commentating😀

I assume the denim one is studio anchor, and Hawes is on the main comms

Yes :clap:

Gladwin for McKirdy

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FFNI6GfWUAMj03m?format=jpg&name=medium)
SUBS | Ward, Crichlow, McKirdy, Mitchell-Lawson, Gilbert, East, Lyden.

Not surprised with the change. McKirdy struggled to affect the game on Tuesday.

Good impact dub, though.

Gladwin in for McKirdy, weird one that.

I thought he brought thebest out of Simpson all game TBH even if he wasnt effective as such.

Probably more tactical than anything else

ST scanned ok which is good.

Strong gusty wind in general direction of Stratton Bank.
Hope everyone has an extra layer on, including the iFollowers!

Not needed by this iFollower! Although there is a fantastic thunderstorm at the moment.

Donner und Blitzen!

You wouldn't like it hear today it's freezing

Some interesting bits from Rob Angus pre game that I put in the Squad thread about the CG buying, Twine and the budget.

Are you in Germany auch?

Aud is currently residing in Greece.

End of an era, the Rolex clock has just died, the minute hand has just fell off!

Yeah, the Rolex doesn't look in the best of health.

Maybe it's time is up ?

Thanks. Donner and Blitzen confused me ;-)

RIP Frank.

Captain of Swindon in the first ever match I watched.

Harrogate win the first corner.

Why the change is formation.  Am I seeing that correctly

To counter the way Harrogate play, overload the midfield.

Williams wins a free kick in their half cleverly.

Hunt off the line!

Not sure I can type much - Christ it's freezing

Bloody hell! What the hell arewe doing???

Terrible mistake from Gladwin initially but he then won it back and Conroy misstimed a pass back to Jojo, we really got away with that.

Sometimes you just have to clear the fucking ball and regroup

Great shot from 30 yards well saved by Wollacott.

Something Garner seems to not be an advocate of.

Great save from Wollacott from a howitzer from 30 yards

We are stuggling to cope with Harrogate breaking against us and the wind today.

We look like the away team so far, poor start by Town against a really strong wind.

Header just wide by them, dangerous cross.

This is set up to be a tough half even if Town weren't a second half side... Would take even at the break now!

Williams down with a head injury.

I don't think that is Tyreece on the floor somehow

Me too.

How do you mix up Simpson and Williams Mr Hawes?

Yeah pretty sure Simpson isnt bald with a ginger beard!

:D

Hope Garner has just told his players how to combat the man marking press

Nice bit of football by Town there, great break by Williams but KKH and Reed cant connect in the box.

First chance for us - nice to see the ref not blowing up as we battled to get the ball back

I think we are seeing why Harrogate are a top 6 team

Poor pass from Conroy to Hunt straight to touch in our half.

They are a very hard working pressing side but they do have the wind behind them this half, hope we can hold on until half time.

2nd half will be a very different game.

Nice play between Iandolo and Simpson but Iandolo cant get a shot in.

Has the feed gone?

Some nice play by Payne and Williams.

KKH goes to ground too easily in the box again when it looked a foul. Not given by the ref.

Not for me

Kaine always gives it too much. One day he’ll just try shooting.

Fine for me.

0-1

Been coming awful in midfield and defence so far, pretty much both non existent!

Long kick from the keeper missed by Hunt and KKH and the striker waltzes in and slots it under the keeper.

Jojo should have come out there

Simpson shoots but its a woeful finish.

Got it back working just in time to see Hunt misjudge the punt forward and Diamond run on to put the ball in the back of the net.

Was Simpson shooting or trying to pass back to Payne?

Ended up being neither!

Harrogate have a gameplan that is working, the wind is playing a huge part so far too, we are deservedly losing though at the moment, we have been very poor.

Reed with a bad fuck up just outside the box but luckily they cant get a shot in and Hunt saves him.

They are doing a better job than us, simple as that. Fucking annoying we are so crap at home.

Great ball from KKH to Payne in the box but its defended well and a corner to Swindon.

They are a good side.

Will be interesting to see how the second half pans out

I hope we can just keep the score down this half and I am confident we will do way better 2nd half with the wind behind us. Harrogate will tire too and then we bring on McKirdy to run them ragged.

At some point someone is going to have to challenge 1v1 to create if the other team is going to man mark.  there is not space to pass the ball around.  Need to take it to them if u beat ur man 1v1 that will force other players to leave their marks

Gladwin has taken a knock.

Simpson breaks but his pass to Payne in the box is behind him, great chance.

Great ball from KKH to Gladwin who found Payne but he runs it into touch.

Payne steals it off Simpsons toe and miscontrols it behind for a GK

Gladwin is struggling, get the squirrel on for him up front and reshuffle.

Another corner to them.

Wollacott is dribbling too far before lumping it. If he wants to lump it, then do it from inside the box.

Gladwin clearing header from it.

Is it the wind causing most of our problems JJ?

That and Harrogate are far better than many people give them credit for, they are pressing us a lot and quick on the break.

Cheers let's hope Garner can change things at half time.

We are pissing around too much at the back too. Lots of short passes putting us under needless pressure.

When we attack we look pretty good, right  up to the final shot.

I don't know why we keep doing that it drives me nuts. Away teams seem to work us out fairly easily.

Their forward 3 are pressing us very high and fast so we are under pressure when passing out from the back. And Wollacotts long passing isnt great so far.

Losing at home to a Sunday league side.

We are stretched between defence, midfield and attack.

Harrogate are packing the midfield. Stopping us playing.

Need 11 fir players on the pitch. Williams is playing too far forward.

Good move by Town and we win a corner.

I think you are doing them a great injustice.

No finish though.

That's clearly nonsense.

Silly comment.

Chickens have come home to roost here. Always worried about how we’d cope as conditions deteriorate and so far it’s not very well. Our complete lack of a central midfield and any bite in the team is a massive issue today.

2 mins added.

utter utter shite. garbage. useless

Simpson dithered in the box when he should have shot.

KKH goes to ground off the ball.

There have been some abysmal home performances this season, but this one takes the biscuit.

Dross doesn’t even cover it.

Let's see what happens in the second half.

You never know, conceding only 1 against the wind might have been a good performance.

HT 0-1

That was difficult to watch. Not bad approach play but our final ball is terrible, defensively struggling too.

Harrogate had a gameplan that has worked perfectly so far, 2nd best all over the pitch at the moment. Far too many backward passes.

Difficult and fucking coldddd.

Game definately still there for the taking, get McKirdy on for the 2nd half and get at them.

With the wind behind us the 2nd half will be a very different game.

I still think we will win this.

I’m just glad I’m corporate today so can warm up. Our players need warming up by Garner, special mention to Gladwin who has been completely absent, we really need half time changes today!

Gladwin has been awful so far for me, off the pace and playing the wrong pass too often, took a knock too which hasn't helped him.

Williams and Payne looking decent.

When we have been able to attack we have looked strong until we get into the penalty area (or  'red zone' for our US friend). Then, we look to panic and pass the responsibility to someone else.

The distribution from the back has been poor. Wrong move for Wollacott to come out of his box and then just thp it down our left wing. Most of the time Iandolo has been nowhere near where the ball is being fed.

KKH seemed to get bored and want to dribble it past people and got caught twice. Odimayo has played a couple good balls to Williams. Bit for me, Williams should have dropped back into a less advanced position a and left Simpson up top alone. That would have helped link between defence and midfield.

Our finishing is woeful.

I think Garners plan was to use JML later when we have the wind behind us. I suspect that will be when Williams tires.

Harrogate's tactics were spot on, so give them some credit, with Wollacott having to go long to players with limited heading ability.  Now to see what Garner comes up with, wouldn't be surprised to see JML playing a part after an hour, need an injection of pace.

Hmmm, not the first time a team has come to our ground with a gameplan that appears to have perplexed our coaching team and players.  The problem with the play it the same way regardless approach is you are not very flexible if you do need to change things up a bit, even if only for a few minutes to get the opposition guessing.

It was clear from the first five minutes that they intended to go man for man as soon as our keeper had the ball, making it too risky to play out as we would like to do.  OK, so now you know they are risking it further up the pitch by relying on having to win every man vs man situation.  We have done nothing with that though.  I have no issue with JoJo being asked to go long, but he is doing so with no obvious plan, just dribbling it up and lumping it random ways.  If he is going to do that, you target Simpson, target a bit of the pitch and know it is going there to get ready for the second ball.  A few times that works and they have to decide whether to stick with having so many players in our half.

The wind is making it easier for them to do this to us and it may be different second half, but it's the fact we seem completely unable to adjust that worries me at times.  

On the players front, Conroy was lucky we were not already one down and has been far too passive.  On of those three needs to stick their hand up and attack the ball - the amount of times it bounced is crazy, especially given the wind.

Iandolo atrocious, Simpson pretty ropey.  Payne largely pointless and playing pinball.  Gladwin - he'd be someone you'd maybe look to press up by Simpson to add the extra height (they won't know in the heat of the game he won't win many headers), but instead he has drifted around looking for someone to mark him.

Reed - needs to get the team further up the pitch when the ball is at the back if we know we cannot play out, but has slotted in too close to the defenders making it even easier to stop us.

Hunt - OK but missed the ball over his head for the goal.  KKH - a possible out ball, but wants to do too much and didn't cover Hunt for the goal that well, got caught a few times.

In fact, it's been a poor game for everyone based on decision making.

The plus side is we got away with a little and can easily turn this around.

I would like to see McKirdy to come on for Gladwin. McKirdy to pay up top with Simpson and Williams to drop into Gladwins roll.

I suspect JML will come on for him though.

100% on all that.

Why is there always such a huge gap between our back 3 and the half way line. No tackles, no pressing - nothing.

Not enough ooomph.

And the ref's a twat.

Took my daughter today, she begged to go home at half time and I must say I couldn’t watch any more of that rubbish while freezing my nuts off, warming up now, let’s hope the team wake up second half!

Pretty sure that was a foul on KKH in the box but I fear his reputation as a diver precedes him so refs are wise to him.

Oh, and come someone please have a word with KKH about his desire to swallow dive when touched.  He may get the odd decision if he didn't look like a player trying to fling himself to the floor all the time.  I'm not saying he isn't being fouled some of the time, but even when he is he is making it look like he has been shot and the officials decide against him.

Having survived the first 15', very luckily, I have in fairness seen a number of worse first half performances.  Wollacott coming further forward - and also all has helped but his longer kicking has been poor.  I think that, with the wind, Wollacott kicking long can force Harrogate deeper, thereby allowing the usual alternative of building from the back to become easier.  Down to Garner.  

Harrogate look decent but it's not their first choice defence and we need to ask plenty more questions there.  If we do, we can turn this round.
  I

Bollocks

Harrogate tactically outclassing us so far

See above ;) I agree totally, hes a way better player than that.

Keep the faith.

Terrible pass by Hunt who goes straight to the striker who shoots well wide, bad start.

The away side are well drilled. I am sure there will be a number of adjustments in the second period.

Town turn a good attacking move into a pass back to Jojo.

He was clearly pushed. I don't see how it wasn't a foul.

I know what you mean, but KKH's reputation doesn't make refs 'wise' to him if they deny blatant fouls. Their guy clearly pushed his arms out to shove him.

I can only think that the ref/linos were at the wrong angle.

Or the ref's a twat.

Both correct.

Simpson flat out after an elbow to the face.

Hes up again now.

Now we know why Simpson doesn’t usually bother heading it.

FFS Gladwin why did you leave that, nearly cost us a goal!

:D

Would like to see Garner changing it early and not waiting for his usual 60 min mark

Get McKirdy on for Gladwin.

Nice move by Payne but he cant get the shot in.

Gladwin has embarrassed himself today, no effort and constantly sloppy!

l wonder how many times we are going to say that

Shot by them defelcted over the bar.

A lot!

4 on 4 at the back then, a midfield would be helpful right now.

I’m done. Can’t watch this shite.

FFS Town that was shoddy from that corner, we nearly conceded again.

Hurrah? McKirdy

McKirdy on for Gladwin.

Gladwin was poor today.

This defense is the worst at clearing a ball in the box.  I have never seen such lazy shit

Harrogate not giving us the ball back when we played it out for a head injury, poor show.

Shitty behaviour from Harrogate.

Why do our fans think it's ok to jeer when somebody is taken off..  we have some absolute cretins in our fanbase..  how does that in anyway help our cause of trying to get out of this league?

Really grinds my gears..  The Kostiuk effect

Iandolo gives away a totally needless corner with a poor header to Jojo.

Needless jeering any player, they had a bad game, shit happens, no need to jeer or boo.

Players dont go from hero to zero with one game.

Yellow for Mildy?

This is usually about the point in the game where we wake up and get into the game. Fingers crossed.

Payne wins a corner.

Can’t see it, tbh

I still think we will.

Corner too close to the keeper.

I don't care what Garner says, we are shit at home. Something needs to change.

KKH cleverly spins and beats his man but hes fouled near the touchline.

Harrogate 4 yellow

Can only see us scoring if Reed has a free kick or we get a pen.

KKH fouled again on the touchline.

Could happen.

2 great chances for Town there.

Good to hear the home crowd finally getting behind the team

Nobody was expecting an Iandolo cross.

McKirdy goes to ground easily just outside the box. FK.

Feels like we're getting on top. Lots of Harrogate fouls, could probably do with a stricter ref.

It is mate.

KKH seems to have pushed up almost as an out and out winger.

Another foul on KKH. Come on ref get a fucking grip.

Fuck me how is Diamond not in the book, is he related to the ref or something?

Fuc king weak reffing.  

Good save by Jojo from a long shot.

Payne to KKH but his 20 yard shot is well wide, great chance on the break.

KKH - lack of composure

KKH fouled again.

Awful foul should be a red.

They’re getting proper nasty now.

He got away with a yellow there.

Garner composing a long letter to the FA on the sidelines

They cant cope with KKH.

Might be worth getting JML on for Simpson for a bit more pace, its not worked so far for him unfortunately.

How does passing the ball back to the GK just to have him kick it down the field and lose it better than just turning and going forward.  This makes no sense.  Fuck possession.  Move the ball forward.  

You will fit in well with our fans once you visit the CG

Thats not the Garner way.

41 away fans fucking pathetic at any level.

Sub

JML on for Hunt.

Att: 8,199 (41 Away)

I was 179 out😀 I predicted 8200ish with 220 away😀😀

I thought I was low but was 89 out!

Penalty.

JML goes to the deck.

Ha, penalty given away by the guy who's lucky to be on the pitch.

Never a pen.

Very close to 8201

Softest penalty in the world!

I dbet remember any team bringing that amount even Newport brought more in the Pappa Johns game

Gonna miss this

1-1 Payne

Great pen.

No yellow cards for all the gamesmanship in the buildup there.

Phew🤗

Credit to the ref

Well done Jack Payne. Good penalty, low and to the goalies left

Here we fucking go.

Great penalty.  Low hard corner.  Just as you should

Simpson deflected over the bar, corner to Town.

How long left?

Simpson well wide.

Not saying I told you so, but . . .

6 plus added.

Cheers

Why?

You werent supposed to be still watching ;)

JML fouled, Harrogate are a dirty old side.

Not watching, still keeping up in here

They have brought on a striker

I think hes trying to be funny  about the ref being shit.

Irony :nod:

Don’t think I’ve ever seen a ball clear the DRS.

Ah, I did wonder..

 :girlgiggle:

Shocking pass from Conroy, Town got away with that.

I'm guessing it wasn't a Swindon player

Reed 20 yards just wide of the foot of the post.

I remember Port Vale defender doing it a few years back but its very rare!

6 mins added.

McKirdy good break but falls in the box looking for a penalty.

KKH down injured.

Crich coming on for KKH. Hes took a hammering today.

Thx Ref

The ref should have spotted KKH being picked on much sooner than he did, the picked on him today for some dirty work.

Corner to Town.

Crich cant hit it in the 6 yard box.

Yellow for Mayo.

Iandolo judged by the ref to have dived in the box and a yellow.

That is shocking refereeing that is a stonewall penalty

I think he disagrees.

That was a foul, the ref missed it.

Ref deciding to even up his wrong decisions. He’s been pretty awful.

Definate pen, but then that made up for the first one.

Been a tough game to ref. Not sure he's done a great job, but there's been a lot for him to do.

Fuck me!!

What an end to the game.

FT 1-1

Which should have made up for the KKH penalty that wasn't given first half because of the over top way he went down

This ref has been a floppy cock

I can feel the Garner touchline ban interview brewing from Scotland...

Expand ?

Never want to see that ref again.  A disgrace.

Very poor refereeing, that was an absolute blatant pen on Iandolo, Harrogate could be the dirtiest side I haev seen in years.

Ball cleared off the line and then it nearly went in direct from a cross in the last second and before that McKirdy and Payne should have scored clean through in the box.

We're take it but clearly Garner needs to change things at home as opposing teams have worked out to stop us playing.we also need another decent forward to change things when needed.

Crossing live to Downing Street for the PMs view on the refereeing.

I wasn't 100% sure on the Iandolo one being a foul, but I don't he dived either, but I also suspected the minimal contact was outside the box anyway.

Overall Harrogate threw that away a bit.  I do not know why they tried to turn it into a bit of a fight in the second half but it gave us a way of getting chances.

Wasn't happy with anyone really, maybe Williams had a bit of extra quality on the ball.

The ref let that game get out of hand by not pulling the red out after the mugging going on
Shameful

Williams easily MotM for me again, Payne and KKH did well too, Jojo made some good saves but in the main it was a poor game.

;D

We scraped a draw but our home form is costing us.

When town started pushing ball forward last 30 min things started to happen.  They need to work on this tactic if teams are going to mark man to man. Players like Williams and mckirdy willing to go 1 v1 is what needs to happen if other team is going to mark

Surely that's down to Garner to address as it's clear for all to see

Improved 10 fold after McKirdy came on, these stupid high balls across our own box need to stop as going to gift the opposition chances. Not sure if Harrogate tired or just thought they could shit house the match out but once they let us back in it we should have won. Ref lost control and game ended in a farce as he bottled the pen and decided to book Iandolo to try and justify not giving a pen.

I'm torn about the result. We should have done better, but we did well to get a point against a team at the top end of the table.

The ref, though... I cannot remember the last time I saw such a poor performance.

Their dude Diamond was able to hack down KKH at will. Apparently, it's OK to physically push players over. At\least 3 times one of our players was just pushed over.

How was that not a red for 'that' tackle on KKH?

Baffling. The peeps in charge need to do something about it.

I don't mean to begrudge Harrogate for their point, which was probably well deserved, but the officiating was an insult to the game.  

And to top my day off, did I understand from your glorious leader that he's just cancelled my footy and rock 'n' roll weekend next week? Anyone want a ticket for Walsall and New Model Army?

 :crash: :crash: :crash:

Stone wall penalty according to Payne.

Harrogate prob. promo/play off rivals so the coming back to get the draw worthwhile.  Credit to Harrogate for their part in a real contest, in a game of two halves.

First 60' by us was poor but was it especially poor compared to normal home games, inc Hartlepool where we won 3-1  We've seen how strongly Garnerball allows us to finish.  But obv.  there is still an issue in 1st half performances generally.

Iandolo was fully committed to his run and past the defender.  He was taken down.  Full stop. More seriously KKH was endangered by the Ref's persistently one-sided benign neglect.

First half, Harrogate deservedly in the lead. Second half we started slow but got a lot better when Gladwin came off for McKirdy. In the end we probably could have won it. First pen was a bit soft, the Iandolo foul was stonewall, and then we should've scored straight after from a corner. KKH was battered in the 2nd half and their left back should've been sent off for a fucking horrible challenge. Payne probably our best player overall, his close control is unreal and lead to a few good chances. JML and McKirdy caused problems when they came on.

1 - 1 probably a fair result overall.

To sum up, 67 minutes of mostly pure dross.

Game changed when McKirdy came on. I don't know if it was him specifically, but he did run at them. obviously we had to go for it too.

ref was a cunt. iandolo booked for being fould in the area. their #4 was a wanker all game and their #3 wasn't far behind. Simpson man handled all game.

oh, and there were a couple of heroic blocks in our box when at 1-1. Don't know who it was, but it was game saving

all in all the last 23 papers over the first 67 minutes. I'm sort of relieved with a draw, yet we could have snatched a win..

The question is what does Garner change to stop teams dictating the play in the first half at home as it happens far too often.

Garner:
- Difficult game. Conditions and the way they played made it tough
- Character to get the goal but disappointed not to get the winner
- Got one penalty but should have been 3
- Should have been penalty on KKH in first half. The one against Iandolo should have been too
- Need more money to be given to train officials. Not criticising individuals, but n eed to raise standard of refereeing
- We were better in second half than first
- The way they playing in first half is difficult to maintain
- We tweaked it in the second half and were brighter. Better with the ball
- We were lucky not to have been hit on the counter in the second half.
- Created much more in the second half. Pushing f or the winner at the end
- Hoped an extra midfielder would make us more secure. But we didn't play that well
- Conditions were difficult. Lots of pushes and niggles.
- Cant make 5 or 6 fouls in a game on not get booked (Diamond on KKH)
- KKH is bruised all over his legs
- Took a lot of damage, but it wasnt clamped down on
- Character wise, the second half was fine. The first wasn't
- Disappointing goal to concede, especially as we know how they play
- Payne penalty was good. Very level headed. Great composure
- Thought Payne would get the winner at the end, but it was a great block by the defender
- Lots of players who have scored more goals this year than they have before
- JML bright when he came on. Bit of zip down that side. Had a couple of little moments.

thanks nmh!

Didn't catch why Mildenhall was booked.  Something he said to the 4th official I'm guessing.  Anyone?

Walking back to the car after the game I could really appreciate that the weather conditions had a lot to say regarding miss placed passes and control which at the time looked like basic mistakes. Not the greatest game but we could have lost that and had no arguments. We are still coming to grips with what is required in this division and it shows at times.

That was a strangely satisfying afternoon. First half didn’t work, but we held it to one against a good side. The 2nd was genuinely entertaining - on the front foot, and we deserved the equaliser and maybe more. Clearly some had off days (Gladwin, Reed) but there’s a lot to admire about the way we can cut through a side in the last 20 and if that’s us when we’re not firing, then we’re going to do just fine.

One very notable point for me though - Crichlow is really important to give us balance. Where Odimayo receives the ball and will, when on the left of the 3, cut back and go to Wollacott (that’s not a dig, it’s simply because he’s right footed) Crichlow presses on and left. He opens up Iandolo as an option. No coincidence that Iandolo got MOTM in Crichlow’s last game at Oldham, but has dropped off since. He needs - and we as a team need - balance at the back.

Harrogate set up well to nullify us and have some handy players, particularly in midfield. I wish we’d not have a dig a smaller sides for lower away travel. This lot were nowhere a few seasons ago, and they deserve credit for where they are now, playing good football. It’s akin to the Sunderland’s of this world calling us tinpot.

fuck the turnstiles- let us in for the 2nd half only.
was getting quite pissed off with garner saying the conditions were the reasons for the first 70. no- you did the same set up again.

garner has said previously he wont change the game plan we need to execute it better. I dont think we have the players to do this there is too much risk in the majority of the play. it is slow and lethargic- does that really tire out the opposition or is it a gift for them to take. we can wait for the right opportunity and be patient for 20 minutes and create a decent chance on goal- the opposition can press and wait for a passing error from a full back/cm and create one in an instant.

when it works its obviously beautiful but i'm seeing 45 minutes of almost nothing for the home games. 2nd halves are obviously different- the crowd turns- intensity rises, opposition drops back. we can't keep getting bailed out 2nd halves though- we were punished against bradford the same and if harrogate took their opportunites it would have all been too late.

iandolo and kkh are exremely wasteful at times. kkh was very asleep/cocky for their goal and i think the intensity factor in general build up can be an fault for that.

how many times did williams have a long ball up to him? how many final third entries did we make, attempts on goal etc.

every criticism i have is 1st half only. this team can still drive you crazy sometimes and it doesn't feel fair to say it when we are 4th in the league and having a brilliant season.

mitchell lawson deserves to start a league game soon. he has turned many a game in our favour and deserves it. i like what we are building but i wish we could try some new things to try and take the game in our favour from the off.

 

I didn't see the game today so only going off trusted reviews on here but it's almost every home game where we have struggled because the opposition have pressed us  and got into our faces to which we have no plan B

well the problem is if we stick with the same thing every week, as garner has openly said- every opposition manager is going to set up the same. 2nd halves the tide changes in general but if they have a lead by that time there is something to hold onto

I agree but it's now becoming a problem

We had three or four golden chances in the last five. Iandolo seems to have had a penalty not given. 7 times out of ten, we win that game today. Can’t go jumping on their back because we didn’t put one away. That’s outcome bias. We weren’t that bad.

Hang on a mo.

We did have chances in the last five but so did Harrogate. Agreed about the Ian Dolo penalty but you cannot count them as 100% goals. 7/10? Not this season. Our home form proves that. Jumping on backs is a bit strong, you can however point the finger at them for not converting the chances especially as this has been a reoccurring theme, again I point the finger at out home results. Weren’t that bad? Bad, maybe a harsh word to use but the 60-70 minutes prior to our goal we’re at best neutral at worst fucking dire. I’d go somewhere in between the two. Today’s game mirrored others where we have been held or turned over by teams who were clever enough to work us out. Credit to Harrogate where it is due. It is up to us at home to take the game to them.

How come Garner isn't reacting to the poor home performances and reoccurring theme as he often talks about studying data so can't understand why we play the same when teams are stopping us from playing

You misunderstand my point. Those chances at the end, and the penalty - if we replay that game, the more often than not, we either get the penalty, or we stick one of the injury time chances away, and walk away with 3 points. The luck didn’t go our way.

Bravery on the ball was our biggest problem today.

Harrogate set up with a 5 man press, all inside our half and stopped us from playing out. Usually, our out ball is the wing backs but they'd obviously done their homework. The second the ball was released to Iandolo or KKH, they had somebody on them in an instant.

However, when you commit 7 players to a press, then guess what? once we actually have the courage, bravery and skill to play through it with pace and purpose, instead of dithering around in our own half at snails pace, we are suddenly running at their back 4 and creating chances. This didn't happen enough today. Too many players are petrified of risk taking, so the ball goes sideways and backwards and we put ourselves under pressure.

Another thing is for certain. Williams, Payne and Gladwin can't and shouldn't all start in the same game. Williams was lost up front with Simpson. We improved dramatically after the introduction of McKirdy and Williams coming deeper to dictate the game. We could have won it at the end, but Harrogate were also wasteful with 3 or 4 counter attack opportunities.

The problem at home after 9 games is clear for all to see.

Garner doesn’t seem prepared to be able to mix it up to counter- every home game he gets out schooled by the opposition.

He needs to sort this out as our home form if it doesn’t improve is going to scupper any auto promotion chances

Eaactly this...good post :clap:

we had the luck that Harrogate only scored 1. a late winner would have masked a horrible 70 minutes of terrible mistakes and general play.

Can I remind people that we're 4th? Our starting XI had 3 players who are having their first full season as a pro. Our manager is learning his trade at and his 2nd club and our squad was assembled 2 weeks before the start of the season. We're only going to improve as the season goes on and if we add in January. Let's keep the good times coming  :pint:

Far from perfect and prepared to write off some of that with the conditions.
Garner is not going to change it, determined to get better at what we do.
Rather look at the positives, the last 20 we should have won it. First half Harrogate frustrated us with their executed game plan.
Mark Conroy and Reed and cut off supply.
Gladwin and Williams was not working, Reed off his game and that will happen.
Mad Harry gave us spark, we started to play far better in wide positions.
3 chances to win that last 6 minutes.

It’s half full, not half empty.
Don’t understand booing the team off first half but if that’s what some do then get on with it.
This team will get better and I’m enjoying the season after last seasons complete shambles with everything.
Looking forward to Walsall.

🙌🙌🙌

it seems that we constantly need reminding that our squad was quickly assembled etc so touche

no point having a matchday thread if we can't critique our performances. the club switched from survival mode to promotion mode in a blink the moment they signed players like williams etc and we can't just keep saying the above- not that its not true and remarkable in terms of turnaround.

Just been watching some of the highlights and the referee was absolutely inept. No ifs or buts.

That was one point of many. We’ve got a couple players in our team who are far too good for L2, but we’ve also got 1 striker who’s 19. It’s not a squad that should definitely get promotion, it’s a squad who’s got a good shot and that’s exactly where we are - 4th.

We've also got players that are league 2 standard hence the inconsistency

Pissed off with the "forward" and boos today. Yes, we weren't great and Garner needs to find a way for us to play at home. But, we aren't equipped to lump it forward. It just comes back at us.

The main issue for me was trying to play Payne, Williams and Gladwin together. They all want to occupy the same space. We looked so much better when one of them was sacrificed for McKirdy. I was surprised at how dirty Harrogate were. KKH in particular was given a kicking all afternoon. That said  I thought they were a good side. We could have won it at the end but I think that would have been harsh on Harrogate.

Best performances were from Payne and Williams (once Gladwin was subbed). Off the pace were Iandolo and Reed today.

We are 4th and should take that given where we have come from but Garner needs to find a way for us to be effective at home against decent sides.

I agree. We played Williams, Gladwin and Payne together once before and we were awful.

I think JML takes KKHs space when he comes on too.

McKirdy makes Simpson play better too, because he tells him what he should have done. He tends to remember that for the next opportunity.

Still, a point against a decent side.

Was McKirdy booked again?

For all their supposed composure on the ball it seems that the back 3/5 didn’t have the confidence to try and break their high press, opting instead to turn backwards and pass to Wollacott who’s only choice then was to launch up to our midgets. When they’ve committed 4 players high up the pitch you’d think there would be so much space to exploit behind them if we could only beat the press.

That was the problem yesterday - lack of confidence in your own, and others, ability on the ball. And that is what we are supposed to be better at than the other teams.

Could have lost it early on and could have won it at the end. A blatant pen on iandolo.. Still if you can't win it don't lose it. Take the point and on to the next one. 2 points off 2nd with a game in hand.

Club twitter seemed to think so following Iandolo penalty claim. I didn't think so though, thought he booked Iandolo for the 'dive' and their centre back for pushing and shoving our players

He doesn't have the players to do that at the moment.

Fair point although I can't help but think he could change things more than he does when teams are pressing high at home as we seem to adapt well when playing away when teams attack us.

I agree. I would be looking to possibly take one of the attacking players out and play Lyden or East alongside Reed. We are being battered on the counter

Spot on

I agree with Batch's clear & concise thoughts on the first half (page 11).
Good summary and points made by Frigby Daser on page 23 as well.

Far too cautious in the first half. It wasn't Liverpool or Man City that were doing the pressing.
There are solutions, more than one, as suggested by others in some of the post match thread comments.
It's not a good look when a section of the DRS was reduced to ironic cheers every time Odimayo passed it back to JJW.

Was that a zonal marking system across the pitch that I saw before me?
If so credit to the Harrogate coaching. A very decent & well drilled side.
They'll be kicking themselves (and not KKH) that the game wasn't out of reach before our rally at the end.

Still, bigger picture and all that, a good point. Two home games unbeaten and in a very good position.

Hate the type of refereeing on display yesterday.
Oh shit, might have a made mistake there so I'll make another one to even it out.

Not sure if the Rolex gets an obscure mention in Les Prophéties by Nostradamus.
Best to get it fixed as soon as possible, just in case.
Hopefully Richard Deacon will get the call before Rodders in Gorse Hill does.

Remember that well, think we all prayed there wouldn't be extra time.  Brass monkeys and all that.

Its not come up on BBC as a yellow and I didn't see the ref book him even though he was protesting heavily.

As stated above if you cant win then dont lose, we are doing ok its just frustrating that we cant win consistantly at home in ages now it seems.

No need for any booing at all, the players were obviously trying and giving it all it just didnt work for whatever the reason and the wind was a huge factor.

For all their good stuff Harrogate played their shithousing and genuinely trying to hurt our players was very non league in its approach, if you cant beat them hurt them philosphy, that will have to stop as its not acceptible in this day and age.

They came to do a job and they did it, we had a few influential players off their game and I am still not sure why Garner didn't start with the electric squirrel up front as he changed the game when he came on again.

Anyway a point isnt that bad against a top 7 side who are very good on their travels but I do wish we could sort out the problems at home, still only 3 losses (not on pens) in 23 games is pretty fucking good.

One other thing why do we keep playing floated balls across our own box especially in conditions like yesterday? A fair few got intercepted and put us in big trouble including the scramble that required last ditch block’s towards the end. Conroy is usually the main culprit and hope your captain would lead by example and not take unnecessary risks. Not sure if it’s overconfidence or lack of experience but it’s suicidal at times.

Long time since I've been that cold at a game.

Weird game.  I'd regard that as two points lost if I was a Harrogate fan.  They had 6+ clear cut chances to put that game beyond reach, mainly through our errors trying to play the ball out.  Couple of phenomenal blocks by Town but we simply can't keep putting ourselves in that position and relying on opposition ineptitude or heroic defending.

And yet when we got the penalty with (I think) our first shot on target we were so unlucky not to go on and win.  I didn't even look at the ref when we had the stonewall penalty because I just assumed he would give it, probably plus a red card to the defender.  Great block by their defender at the end but very unlucky on 3 separate occasions not to get the winner.

We are a diving team, even by modern standards.  Not sure if that was partly why ref didn't give us the other 2 penalties.

Overall a point won I guess but fucking irritating in the end.

Good to hear that KKH came through without any real damage after yesterdays game. That awful foul that should have been a red could easily have broken his leg or ankle.

I think hazard missed a good opportunity right near the end. Don't think I could have done extra time, they'd have to chisel me off the terrace.

A good view here of the foul on Iandolo.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1464935738047406080

At half time yesterday I was questioning my sanity in driving three hours to sit in the cold and watch that. It was depressing and offered little or no enjoyment.

Fortunately the second half reminded me why we go to games, we got after them and played at a much better tempo and despite the frustration of not getting the decision at the end the second half was much more enjoyable.

So no dive then, always good not to prejudge.

Defender in no position to even challenge for the actual ball and yet he:

1.  brushes Iandolo's arm - no impact but no excuse either
2.  makes more meaningful contact with Iandolo's right thigh - impact distracting and sufficient for a pen but Iandolo continues his run, dead set on ball
3.  continues run behind Iandolo, making a third contact, that absolutely sends Iandolo flying.

preventing a goal scoring opportunity.

Outcome a Penalty AND a red card for the defender.

All following an afternoon of ignoring foul after foul on KKH inc. a really heavy out of control tackle.

Never want to see that twat again.

Which begs the question as to why we can’t generate that tempo and intensity from the beginning. We’ve got to sit through 45 minutes of dross almost every home game before there’s a chance of any excitement.

Agree, although the thought process is very much pass, pass and pass again to tire the opposition out and take advantage in the second half, which to be fair has worked very well away from home, much less so at home. When we are away, the home team feels obliged to commit more players forward, which creates gaps for us to exploit. This doesn't happen when we are at home as the away side haven't got sizeable support of their own encouraging them forward. As such we often have stalemate at home in the first half, with nothing go get the crowd going. Result is a very flat atmosphere.

I feel it is crucial we score first and ideally early, so that we draw the away team on to us, thus creating the gaps. As others have said playing Gladwin, Payne and Williams together doesnt work. Either McKirdy or JML have to start, to stretch the opposition's defence. Maybe we can on occasions start them both by playing a 433 but more likely McKirdy starts in a 352. In any event, we need to take a few more risks at home by being more adventurous in our play, which doesnt mean hoofing it forward, but taking players on in the right areas of the pitch. Sure we will revert to a 352 at Walsall with McKirdy and Critchlow starting in place of Gladwin and Hunt.

You also have to nullify the opposition when it's not working which we don't do very well at home.

Had a look on their fans forum for any comments on yesterday. Don’t waste your time looking. Their last poster were sometime in October. Seriously.

Theres a post from November 25th but nothing about our game vs them, very little traffic, very few fans TBH.

Did their fan come down on the team coach yesterday?

Despite the apparent lack of supporters, they aren't doing too badly.

I heard there was a confusion as to how many they actually brought yesterday, the club announced it as 41 but rumours are that there actually was 42 of them there.

LOLZ

One was taking a pi*s when they were counting😀

Warming his hands up.

 :clap: :clap:

The first duty of the officials is the safety of the players, the officials were fortunate as was KKH, not to have a stretcher on the field.  Regarding that and the incredibly inept penalty decision, the assessor should ensure that the entire crew don't get another game until their is a sufficient explanation of events with remedial action including re-training. 

What amazes me is the standard of refereeing was better in league 2 twenty/thirty years ago so we've gone backwards.

The other thing I’ve noticed is a lot of the simple passes amongst the back line seem to go behind the receiving player, so he is already pointing backwards when he gets the ball - inevitably back to JoJo. I reckon we’ve got good enough players to drive forward at pace from the back - which happens quite often in away games.

I just don’t understand the change of emphasis at home.

Referee Young was in the news earlier this month.

https://www.the-sun.com/sport/premier-league/3983403/alan-young-orient-hartlepool-blunder-referee-fa/


His next game should be Clevedon Town v Exmouth Town in the ToolStation league.


Chief Executive of the Bedfordshire FA?

Check out how many cards he gives out per game over recent seasons😀

https://www.soccerbase.com/referees/referee.sd?referee_id=1884

There is a video from a different angle of JML’s penalty award. He’s definitely fouled. So the evening up theory about why the Iandolo one wasn’t given is shot down.

There’s also a clear pic of Electric Squirrel being bear hugged in the area to stop him getting to a cross.

The refs at our level get so much wrong I’d think any form of VAR would show them up for the useless twats they, generally, are.

I bet his Christmas card list is massive.

Got a link please mate?

EDIT - never mind I found it:

https://twitter.com/Matt_r_Edwards/status/1465015392598953984

In the circumstances a good point on Saturday against a clearly well drilled, competent side in Harrogate. I've only the clips on twitter to go on as I was sat in a services on the M1 waiting for a plane to land in at East Midlands airport, but we very nearly blew them away in the last 20 minutes or so. If we can get anywhere near that quality and tempo for more than just 20 minutes we'll be cracking this season. It still seems like we are a work in progress at home, which is frustrating.

Here’s the pic of McKirdy being manhandled.

Full disclosure I saw nothing of this as I was holed up in a bunk house in the Dales with (from 8.30pm on Friday night) no electricity, no water and no mobile connection so the only way to follow any scores was to go and sit in the car and put 5live on! So I accept that I didn't sit freezing my nuts off watching it.

Haven't we basically done full circle from where we have been the last few seasons, in the past we seemed able to play 70 mins tops and would invariably then let at least 1 late goal in and never score any. Now we seem to be able to play 90 mins and get a fair few late goals but are a slower starter. I've always maintained at lower football levels, if you can keep on the game for 90 mins you have a chance, is it the fact that the way we play for the second half is just not sustainable for 90 mins and Garner realises that, yes its a bit dour but can the way we play actually be changed for the better or would we just revert to being fucked after an hour?

I recall before these two home games there were people saying they would be happy with 2 points, well we have double that. We have not lost in 4 games and have won 3 of them, to read some of the posts some seem to be hinting that garner is doing a bad job. We are averaging 1.83 points per game at the moment, keep that up it gets us to 84 points which would have won us this league last season.

Think where we were in late July.....

I agree to some extent, but why the difference in attitude between home and away - cos that’s all it is. There is very little intent early on and, after 9 games, it us now obvious that that is part of the game plan as you have outlined.

I’m not saying it won’t be productive over the season and may even lead to promotion. My gripe, and only gripe, is that’s it’s soporific and increasingly frustrating to watch.

And I don’t go for all this harping back to 6 months ago. We are where we are now. That’s all that matters.

Teams will come to the CG though and work bloody hard to press high, force mistakes and try make us lose patience. Nab a goal and they can sit in and soak up the pressure. We've seen loads of teams do this, and Garner obviously anticipates this. So we have to be patient and grind teams down, knowing that they will eventually tire of the high press. It's failed on numerous occasions (Carlisle, Port Vale, Bradford) as we've made mistakes, giving the away side a lead to sit on. We definitely need an alternative out from the back though at times as going short isn't always an option. Think that was part of the reason Garner started with Williams and Gladwin on saturday.

It's different away - the home side has the onus to go out and attack, which is hard as we keep possesion so well. But when they are attacking, a well-placed tackle or mistake on the ball and we're well set up to counter.

So you reckon Garner is admitting we’re not good enough to beat teams - and, tbf, we’ve failed to beat some useless ones at home - until we tire them out or bore them senseless until the last 20 minutes?

If that really is his home game plan it’s sheer madness.

Its been like that since the 1940's, its the running gag between my old man and me (he started going c. 1945) that Swindon always lose to teams they should beat at home.

Still looks to me like he fell over his own feet TBH. Iandolos was far more clear cut.

I think he steps on his left foot, not sure it was intentional in any way and a bit unlucky to concede.

Either way I'm not sure how much the ref could have seen that, gone with instinct I think. Then again, no idea how he didn't give the Iandolo.

This is the ref that recently had to play 4 minutes injury time at the start of the second half because he forgot at the end of the first.

https://theathletic.com/news/league-two-referee-forgets-to-play-injury-time-second-half-extended/tOK5pT8FmLQz/

Havent read back..

More frustration at the CG!

Very poor first half, you can pick out lots of reasons but i just seemed to notice that Harrogate wanted it more than us...that was a bit disappointing.
They were organised and physical and we couldnt cope.
I played football at a very low level but i learnt pretty quick that if a ref was going to allow the rough stuff and not keep blowing his whistle, then you rolled up your sleeves and fought fire with fire. Im not sure we have that in us.

First pen looked soft, although i have seen it back and it looks more convincing, the second and the subsequent yellow card was a fucking joke and ive seen that back too from a different angle. Very clever by the defender but the ref has to ask himself why a defender would run across the back of an on running forward, rather than attacking the ball!? He knew what he was doing, clipped him, raised his hands above his head and got away with it.

We could of won the game, which i think would of been harsh on Harrogate for pissing all over us for the first half. A draw was a fair overall result for me.

Im off to Walsall Saturday, lets get through and get a big draw away...PLEASE!!

Which I recall was also contrary to the rules of the game, think the guy needs more lessons in the rules.

Evidently.

Well no, not that we're not good enough to beat them before the last twenty minutes, but that's where our strength lies at home. Why not play to your strengths?

Feels risky letting the oppo play for 70 minutes.

I'm too young to remember it, but people talk about the Macari days where we were the fittest team in the league by miles: we must have killed teams in the last 20 minutes all the time then, right?

Yeah. But we weren’t struggling and failing to beat some right old dross game after game at the CG.

Carlisle, Rochdale, Colchester, Bradford City etc

This isn’t about whether we’re good enough or not - it’s about not changing something that is obviously not working.

Well again, that's something different. There's sitting back and letting them play, or controlling the possession, trying to work openings carefully without risking too much going forwards.

If this is your main gripe, get comfy banging that drum for the foreseeable. My inference would be that Garner sees it as we're perfecting something, rather than trying to do something we can't.

And fair play to him for having a vision, a big picture, a philosophy and sticking to it. I respect that he's got the courage of his convictions.

Hopefully it's short term pain for long term gain.

We drew with one our most immediate rivals on Saturday, to suggest that things are 'obviously not working' seems rather OTT.

You're only looking at one game  :bye:

2 wins out of 9 at home suggests it definitely isn’t working. Could have been 4 down at half time v Harrogate.

We won 4 out of our 9 first home games last season. Let me repeat, LAST SEASON :suicide:

If you watched the Chelsea v Man Utd game yesterday you’ll note that  MU played the same tactic as Harrogate by man marking and closing down the defensive outlets on Chelsea and ending up with the same 1-1 result…

Some people need a serious re-calibration of expectations at this stage of the season if they are booing players off at half-time after where we were in June this year

This is why I have a thought that he will eventually not make a good Manager but instead find his way into Senior Academy work, or Technical Director type roles in a big club.

He has a lucky mix right now of a club that is generally a good one to be at in League 2/Div 4 based on history, was in a sad state and willing to invest in youth/younger players and a longer term burn (for now).

His tendency is clearly towards coaching/development of players around a style/approach he has become wedded to through his Academy and youth work to date.  It is showing already - we have a very clear structure and method of play which is designed to work with players who are focused on technique, possession of the ball etc.  You don't really want too many journeymen in that type of team, and it fits quite well with picking-up Academy prospects from above us that don't quite hit the grade, or loans that are not quite ready.

I'm not suggesting that won't work for where we are right now, BUT, it does rely on 100% commitment from everyone in the club to keep picking up that talent.  Crewe have shown they can bob along between L1 and L2 doing something similar, Garner may be able to push it a bit higher with us.  Long term though, I think he would happily sacrifice a few wins to develop the talent, and our history suggests we are far from stable and having a fanbase accepting of such cycles of development, as are few clubs.

His record at Bristol Rovers should not be ignored - he saw that as a project and not a failure.  Imagine us getting the results he had at Rovers playing this way and with an ownership team a little more at ease with the clubs financial situation.

Long term he will come a cropper and find few clubs willing to invest in five year + projects at anything above their Academy systems.

For now, the clubs ability to pick up players at a decent enough level in League Two means the fit is working well enough, and with the right adjustments in January we are a good bet for being in the hunt this season, so it is a problem for a future date.  In the meantime, I don't see any evidence that things at home will change that much, equally, no reason we can't continue to do well away.

A bit late to this thread - I think it’s easy to estimate the impact the conditions had on Saturday - it seemed to us that the wind made it difficult playing out from the Town End in both halves.
Their goal was a poor one to concede - Rob Hunt misjudged  a punt from the keeper, which gave them something to hang onto. With a little luck and a competent referee we would have won that game on Saturday.

I don’t think home form has been as bad as results - with better finishing we’d also have beaten Colchester, Tranmere and Rochdale rather than drawing. Replace two of those 4 home draws with wins and we’d all be viewing things differently. I suspect that those who have been to most games away from home (I’ve only seen one away game) would probably say we have been fortunate to have quite as many points on the road - perhaps these will revert to a more normal balance in the weeks ahead.
I keep thinking back to the end of July - we had no tight to expect we’d be where we are now - Garner, Chorley and the rest of the team are doing a good job. We need to get behind them rather than constantly carping.

Saturday at the CG was the biggest crowd Harrogate have ever played in front of!

They’ll also have their biggest home gate against us..

A record which will remain until they visit Valley Parade.

They may break 3 figures away attendance too.

Again until they play Bradford at home!

According to their fan forum they are likely to fold some time in the not too distant future. Their rise has been built on huge debts. A familiar story.

I read somewhere that they were only in financial problems when Covid hit but since they have allowed crowds back and gained promotion to the league that everything was all fine again now.

Someone on their forum is adamant there’s a £million overspend. I can’t imagine where they could get money from on their measly crowds.

Those Tea Rooms?

Don't think Betty has any involvement in the club.

Sid's cafe?

That's Holmfirth mate 50 odd miles away.

I know   :)

Betty's is York isn't it?

Bettys originated in Harrogate and the original tea room., is still there, and there is another branch there as well.

I was stood in front of Betty's when Cavendish came a cropper