Thetownend.com

Game on.
We will batter them.

ColU 0-3 Swindon att: 3,021 (602 of us)

Swindon to suffer a single goal defeat in front of 3,045 fans with 685 Town fans there.

You may have over egged the attendance! their average home attendance this season so far is 2,290!

Have you been editing my post?  :)

I haven’t looked, but don’t we have a poor record at their soulless bowl?

No but I see you have! :D

Not just at the Trading Estate Ground!

We have only beaten them once in the last 9 games between us home and away.

At their place since it opened in 2008 it has been 4W 2D 6L but we have lost our last 3 visits there.

I’ve been to the soulless pit three times and have yet to see us win (pretty sure we lost all three).

I’m happy to report that we’re not going tomorrow so we have a chance :)

They went on a run of about 6 straight defeats, then surprisingly won 3-0 at Salford last time out. Hope that was a blip.

Also they only scored 4 goals in the previous 8 games until Tuesday.

Sounds like getting rid of their manager last week paid them huge dividends.

What about going on Saturday though ;)

Who replaces Simpson?  Do they throw in the new kid already?

Yep Davison will replace Simpson I am sure.

Ironically you call the new signing "kid" hes actually 3 years older than Simpson!

Oops, that’s the trouble being retired.
Have no idea what day it is :)

TBH I had to check the pc calendar twice before I realised! I thought I had the wrong day! I too am in semi retirement! :)

Keep rubbing in the retirement talk... BASTARDS!!!!    :D

You would just be out driving round in your RV campervan if you were retired anyway like most Americans when they hit retirement! :D

Or BBQing. Oh wait!  :D

wouldn't they dry out low and slow?

Isn't the correct term on here CUNTS!!! ?

Have we sold many? I got my seat numbers tonight and there are only 2 blocks showing on my allocation image

John Akinde has signed for Colchester

Cart Horse.

Bullied us last time I saw him.  I expect JOB to enjoy the physical side of the game.

In America the term "Cunt" is very serious...it generally would not be a joking around term..

when you make the patties use some spices and wort shire sauce then they will cook.   the outside cooks a little first but then just seals juices in.  The same with steaks.  even if you cook them well done they are juicy. Smokers are awesome dont have to worry about burning the meat.  I will put the burgers in and leave the house for an hour and still good to go.

so curious to opinions.  at this point with time for transfer ending what is your order of priority for players for Town to sign?

for me

1 tall defender with acceptable speed
2. strong center midfielder
3 another striker
4 a winger

Small forward
Cornerback
Center field

There is something quite funny about listening to Americans trying to say Worcestershire Sauce (especially given I don't remember anyone ever using the "Sure" (Shire) bit at the end in England).

I also enjoy watching people cringe as they listen to me use my third expletive in a sentence.  I try and throw some English ones in, just to keep them from being to embarrassed to listen to me talk.  Damn really gets some people frothing.

On the game - you just don't beat Colchester away, you don't, ever.  Anyone previous results that show us scoring more than them in Colchester are just lies.

Hmmm?

I've always called it Wuh-stir-shear sauce.

Easy. Woster sorce.

I have seen us beat Colchester away, albeit not at their current stadium..  Michael Reddy in a hot vein of form to slot home for a 0-1 away win on a very cold and foggy Tuesday night.  I went on my own as Billy no mates because I was working in the area..

I saw an 87th minute Tommy mooney winner also at layer Road and also 0-1 that night.

I haven't been to the soul less ground but last time I went to Layer Road "Living Doll" by Cliff Richard and The Young Ones was at number 1 and Big Dave Bamber got a point in a 1-1 draw on a Friday night in 1986.

I have only driven by the place after they moved out and it was waiting for development.

If my memory serves me correctly I was on the pitch for a brief few seconds celebrating that goal.
Went to layer road a few times.
Detest the new soulless pit, however have seen us win a few times there previously.
Once in the FACup.

Exactly.

Remember a solitary Mooney goal at Layer Road a few years back. Always loved that ground.

Every stand looked like it was held together with scaffolding and 3 sides had about 5 steps, proper old school non league style ground.

How the hell they squeezed 19,000 in there is beyond me.

There was about 2,000 of us in a 3,000 crowd in 1986 which is probably how Banbury ended up on the pitch and it was crammed in like sardines with hardly anyone in the home end.

So the whole sauce pronunciation thing has made me more confused...I say it about 3 different ways since i really dont know how to say it....so much for English help  :D

just saw that Grant has left the team.  Although he didn't play for whatever reason, isn't that going in the wrong direction?  the team needs to add players.  Is the behind the scene plans to get rid of him and now sign a replacement with whatever he was earning?

I’m sad to see him go but not point in keeping him if we weren’t using him. He was probably on the upper end of what we can offer players because of the transfer embargo and this will free up some money for other players (or at least stop us wasting money on a player who won’t be playing).

That must have been the one.
A few ended up on the pitch.

HT 1-0

FT 1-1

Att: 3,004

I'm with Rob here, for one simply does not beat Colchester away.

1-1 with Davison notching.

Setting off in about an hour, 3-1 town victory and we will ooze class and totally outplay them.
Easy  :pint: COYR COYR COYR

Piece of piss. 1-4

2-1 win

Of course we do, just not the last couple of times.

3-0 Town

See you later Mate ⚽️

Can Town fans pay on the gate today ?

yes sir


https://twitter.com/Official_STFC/status/1487061510765658115?cxt=HHwWhoC-xZakjaMpAAAA

I'm really quite surprised they're so far down in the table. Sears, Judge, Daniels and Skuse are players who should be too good for this level. Age isn't on their side obviously but they shouldn't be battling relegation whatsoever.

Nouble always causes us problems and now they've signed Jon Akinde too who I swear used to run riot against us.

I don't think this will be easy especially as they come off the back of a 3-0 away win at Salford. Hopefully we can keep the ball and tire out their aging team.

2-1 Town

Thanks - just bought a voucher thing

The legs have well and truly gone for Daniels and Skuse but I get your wider point, still some talent there for League 2 level.

A narrow defeat today.

(http://m.quickmeme.com/img/70/70364bf7f7ad966f2f7b367ec96acc6fe69e1d75bf42e3c4ce5f8588f9ae5f3b.jpg)

I rang the club yesterday and apparently there is a self service ticket machine in the club shop for match day ticket sales.

2-1 win. Rock and Roll Animal Lou Reed to score.

a Perfect Day, might need to Walk On The Wild Side in order to Transformer our fortunes there.

Pre match the only way is Swindon in The Playhouse.
Usual array of glistening teeth and shades of orange on display.
After the recent trips up North it's good to hear the Queen's English spoken again, err sort of.

Seen us win 3 times here & once at the old place.
Favourite one was the midweek 1-0 in Feb 2013. Freezing cold with snow & PDC's penultimate game in charge.

Didn't realise that both Thorpe & Cureton fucked off to Colchester.
One did a bit better than the other.
Col U managed to hold their own in the Championship for a year or two around that time. So it can be done. Tricky bit is staying there in a sustainable way.

Wouldn't want them to get relegated, but a good 3-0 win would be very pleasing.
I'm 80% sure that we will win today.
So in the former capital of Brittania, let's carpe diem.

Would indeed be a "magic transformation"

A few unlikely scorers ahead of Reed in the betting. Can he kick it*(in the net?)








*I don't know much Lou Reed but that song sampled Walk On The Wild Side. I think explaining might have ruined the pun!

Been to Colchester twice - hated it. Without doubt the worst new Lego stadium in the country.

3-0 defeat - I also hate the place cause we usually lose there!

We are unbeaten in as many games there as we have lost even though it doesnt feel like it!

Last time I went to Colchester was nothing to do with football- delivering 2 truck loads of donated bikes for Africa.

Horrible journey undertaken twice in one day.

Had been once before to their new flatpack stadium. Disliked with a passion.

If I never go again it will be too soon

1-2 (Saint Harry and Davison) 2,316 with 325 from us.

Typically, the 2 games I witnessed were defeats!

Anthony Grant is no longer with us yet still features in pre-game discussions!!

It always astonishes me how good people's memory on here is, I've been to layer road and went to the new stadium a couple of times but haven't got a clue of any of the scores.

Just say no kids

Colchester steward thinks we've sold almost 750 for today. Bloody good turn out if true, didn't see to many on the motorway on the way over.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FKRk-YoWUAkJ36m?format=jpg&name=medium)

Wollacott in for Ward, Davison in for Simpson and Lyden in for Gladwin, no place for Barry on the bench though so he must have been signed too late to take part.

That sounds about right. Still not much on the bench, though.

good to see Lyden in!

Barry murder have been too late, one for Tuesday

I hope we don't get any defensive injuries' today ...

As strong a side as we can put out at the moment.

They have a bench I dread. Nouble and Akinde to come on, can hardly wait, I remember last time we played here under Wellens they basically brought on the battering rams and we fell apart.

Blimey! He didn’t last long.

Was it the butler in the Legends Lounge with a pint pot

Absolutely gutted that Grant still can’t make the bench :D

Don't bring me into it. I was doing my year end for my accountant.

Shouldn’t he be doing it for you?

Yes, but still needs information on my offshore accounts. Brown envelope payments etc.

doh!

When your predictive txt puts in the word murder randomly....

(https://c.tenor.com/PiSYYT9N1Z0AAAAM/mad-angry.gif)

can we wait for the Gray report before condemning me please

He? Wow, the out dated sexism you display is breath taking in its ignorance and arrogance. I demand the mods ban you from this forum. 😁

Nope, anyone accused of ANYTHING, no matter how spurious is guilty nowadays. Innocent until proven guilty may as well be expunged from the legal system.

0-2 to Swindon.

New signing Akinde only on the bench as well as ex Town striker Nouble. Judge, Skuse, Sears and Chambers all start though and they all tore us a new one in the JPT game.

Also ex Town trialist Emyr Huws makes his first start for them as well as ex Town trialist Shamal George in goal who has been one of the stars of their poorish season so far apparently.

Ex Town coach Ross Embleton on co comms today, he was quite good last time he was on, very educated comments about both teams.

Colchester have an above average number of players I've heard of, for all that matters. Most weeks I'm lucky to recognise two or three!

They have gone for a lot of experienced players this season for sure.

Chance for Iandolo after Williams wins the ball but his shot is weak and at the keeper.

I see Colchester had another familiar name at fullback number 22.

(https://i.postimg.cc/8CzvF8hC/20638903-111808466121161-8754459218046680899-n.png)

Chance for Col U and Conroy clears it, Iandolo easily beaten to the header, good chance.

Iandolo gets in the way of McKirdy in the box and a good chance goes begging.

Great interception and pass from Conroy after Reed missplaces a pass in our half.

Iandolo looking interested at the moment.

Davison doesnt have a very good first touch that we have seen as yet. He is 2 inches taller than Simpson but looks way smaller.

Davison has a shot but its blocked easily.

Looks far nearer 500 to me but could be.

Decent long pass from Davison to Hunt there.

Another chance for Col U but we manage to clear it.

Williams down the left to Davison who crosses low to McKirdy but his finish is weak and is saved easily.

Town playing some good passing football so far.

Davison’s run into good positions several times already.

He has, his touch is a little off so far but hes getting into good positions.

Williams good run into the box and his cross is inches away from McKirdy and cleared for a corner.

Horrible noise and picture frozen - Or is it just me?

The sound isnt great but its ok and picture is fine :)

 :nod:

McKirdy takes the ball and beats his man but his shot from 20 yards is well wide.

They cant cope with Williams at the moment, every good attack is coming through him, he beats the right back at every opportunity.

We must have 70% possession so far even though the stats don't say that much.

Laptop died! Now on pc.

Did I miss anything...Haven't read back! 😂

We are pressing quite well still TBH thats all :)

I think he’s grown into the game and looks ok

Ref doesnt give a blatant handball just outside our box by Skuse.

He has grown into the game so far, must be difficult to settle in and know where McKirdy is going to be, hes done quite well.

Hawes having a nightmare keeps calling Colchester "Ipswich"

Partly due to Col U having 12 ex Ipswich players in the squad! :D

Town on 73% possession at the moment.

That's the downside of doing so much research it messes with your head😀

I can appreciate that!

You're no Hawes, way to professional😀

Col U striker shoots wide from a good position.

McKirdy fires over the bar from a great long ball, should have done better really.

:girlgiggle:

Good defending

Sheridan ball has caused an Oldham fan to have heart troubles. Game halted.

I wonder who the club we have the most ex-players from would be. Not thinking of any obvious candidates tbh.

Great save by Wollacott, Iandolo lost his man there at the far post.

Col U must be pretty high on that list TBH.

Several ex Town players scoring so far, Twine, Martin, Smith, Bodin, Norris, Reeves.

I see BRovers niggly bastards haven’t got any better. 8th red card today

Davison with a great chance from 15 yards, saved by George, great chance should have scored.

Davison should have scored

Fluffed his big moment.

Who’s the co commentator on Radio Swindon?

Oh dear.!

Ross Embleton.

Lyden booked.

Lyden did really well keeping the ball in play and finds McKirdy but he runs the ball into touch.

Thanks

Lyden booked - rightly so

Looking like FGR are pretty much sewing up the title today, which leaves a horrible taste in my mouth

Conroy with a lovely header back to Jojo on the stretch.

Not having much impact till that tackle either.

Does it taste like vegan sausages? :)

Lovely ball to Williams from Conroy but his cross shot is saved with McKirdy close ot the cross too.

HT 0-0

Reading in freefall 3-0 down at QPR

good half. goals will come if we keep going.

Yep, a little bit like a shit sandwich

Everyone around us winning  ::)

Williams superb so far but OBrien the stand out player for me, for his defending and distribution. New lad looks ok but massive chance to score. We should win this on our performance so far but you know football

weird half

long periods of control, the odd chance and an absolutely criminal sitter missed

but also periods of vulnerability, one off the line (sort of) and a super save from Walacott.

Who?  :)

Reminds me of the game where we completely dominated them at their place, apart from the three sneaky goals they put past us.

Generally we have been in control and had a couple of really good chances.  The ball wide is on all the time and Williams is making good runs.

Davison looks like a nearly player.  He is almost good at quite a few things.  Looks like he could be a threat in the channels, almost strong enough to hold up play and gets into good positions in the box.  However he just seems not to be able execute any of that really well.  His finish, or lack of, was terrible.  Great position, got control, thought about it for too long then focused on hitting the ball but forgot to direct it and just hit the keeper.

We played fairly well but still look like we could concede but more likely we will score IMO.

Davison has played well but his final touch not quite where it should be at the moment, he really should have scored, McKirdy running around a lot but his finish is not there today so far.

Conroy and JOB both playing really well as is Odimayo too.

Iandolo looking better going forwards than defending when he twice lost his marker to give them chances, 1 fantastic save by Wollacott saved us.

For me though Williams has been fantastic and run their right back ragged so far.

Town have easily looked the better of the 2 sides and we have created chances but just need that bit of luck to win this game.

Solid so far.

I did the maths (or rather, Googling).

Three Town players have been on the books at Aston Villa (Lyden, McKirdy, Barry), Forest Green (Ward, Davison, Wollacott), Milton Keynes (Gladwin, Baudry & Williams) and Reading (Odimayo, East & Ward).

Nothing like twelve from one team for sure.

Don't think any of the current squad have been at Colchester.

That is indeed correct.

elsewhere...
Got to love rovers fans  :clap: just like at the cg last week. "i just dont understand why ben garner said we were a physical team" that is rovers 8th red card of the season! always the refs fault.

Rovers fans, always victims, never their fault.

Onto laptop number 2 for the second half ...got first laptop working again. Not sure why it threw a hissy fit

Davison can head the ball! Hope that he improves once he has a better understanding with the others.

Defence have looked more comfortable today. Reed and Conroy have stepped up and intercepted a few times.

Hunt loads of room town the right. But few people to work with.

Williams doing well down the left and linking.

Iandolo looking good going forward. Defending not his strength.

McKirdy missing Simpson I think. Doesn't have the understanding with Davison yet

Are you making some sort of definitive judgment on the player, or a view based on one half with a new club? If the latter, the past tense might have been more appropriate.

Davison seems to be receiving harsher critiques than Simpson.

He's contributed plenty in his first 45 and, tbf, his miss was at least bang on target.

McKirdy should have done better with that really.

Not in Simpsons 1st few performances, which he was at times he was almost berated forby several posters.

Davison so far has looked like he could be a good player given time to settle in, very different style to Simpson though.

Great play between Williams and Iandolo. McKirdy pulled back doesn't score.

Lyden unmarked should have done better there too.

Missing A LOT of good chances in this game.

Think that's what they call gilt edged. Twice

We have been quite wastefull so far definately.

Williams and an awesome turn and cross from Iandolo

Should have been a penalty for McKirdy, but he didn't appeal for it at all - which is very un Mckirdy like..

Absolutely which makes me think there was no actual contact.

I think there was but Harry was still in on goal so pressed on.

absolutely. a few were on Simpson's back from the start.

I'd say Davison has been asking a few qs in his first 45 and is linking surprisingly well for someone in his first week at the club.

Joey Jo Jo Junior Shabuda booked for the foul on Iandolo.

Embleton is very good at this co-comms lark.

Got a pretty good understanding with his equally hairy forward partner

Mayo long pass to McKirdy who outpaces the defender but has a 1st time shot high and wide.

He definitely pulled him back, but obviously Harry didn't think it was enough

As he was last time on co comms.

I'm looking at Odimayo and Iandolo and thinking that they are both playing very well. Trouble is, I'm waiting for their characteristic mistakes

Decent cross from Davison but no Town man on the end of it and its saved.

Iandolo lost his marker twice for Col U's 2 best chances but his actual play hasnt been bad so far.

Was just thinking the same about Conroy.

Absolutely this.

Cart Horse Akinde coming on.

Davison wins a header but McKirdy blocked off

Got away with that then, mistakes at the back.

I wish our shirts were a bit golder. I start COY… and trail off.

Just as we are praising them.

GOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLLLL

Gwan!

1-0 McKirdy!

GOAAAALLL!!

Brilliant ball by Iandolo. McKirdy bundles it home

Well won by Williams to Iandolo and his deep cross was perfect for McKirdy to score from close in, deserved the goal TBF.

Ellis is getting the hang of this crossing thing.

McKirdy wins the ball and runs at the defence but is greedy and shoots from far out when he should have passed to Davison.

About time Ellis found his crossing boots again, what a ball

 Get in!

Another good cross from Iandolo to McKirdy but its just defended at full length, corner to Town.

correct!

Need this win with everyone above us bar Tranny winning and The Stags below us winning also.

Iandolo wins the ball and curls a cross that is cleared before it gets to a wide open McKirdy

Kipper's off - Colchester down to 10

George didnt like the challenge from Davison.

All got a bit tasty for no obvious reason.

Iandolo is pure class this half.

George sent off!

ANOTHER awesome cross from Iandolo

Another goalkeeper sent off against us for being an idiot. What a strange few weeks.

Keeper kicked out at Davison.

Is this second game in a row that GK sent off?

Att: 3,327 with 605 Town fans.

Is it a penalty too?

No!

It's a wonder Williams has any legs at all. Persistently fouled

Where's the replay!

No. Bristol Rovers keeper stayed on all game.

605 Town fans. Pretty decent

Keeper coming on for his league debut!

very very well done to the officials for spotting that kick out by the goal keeper. 100% red card

Gladwin coming on probably for Williams I would think or possibly Lyden.

Ellis is on fire

Iandolo great tackle and run with the ball but he plays an awful pass to McKirdy great chance.

On his form today, Ellis should have shot.

Gladwin on for Lyden.

I was thinking that myself!

Iandolo. What an interception, run and pass! McKirdy couldn't trap it and score

MOI aussi!

FGR have the league tied up winning 4-0 at Tranny.

Such a silly fk

Conroy makes a terrible mistake taking too long to pass it and is robbed by Akinde, Conroys 1st real error so far.

JOB heads the ball clear from under the bar.

Yup. Trying to slow things down which will play into a 10 man teams hands

JML coming on for probably McKirdy.

Good hold up play by Davison there to win a free kick.

JML on for McKirdy.

He's not had a great game apart from scoring

Shouldnt be playing for time against ten men, get it wide, stretch them,  wear them out !!

JOB is a huge improvement on Crichlow for me, hardly put a foot wrong all game today so far other than a silly booking.

Go on JML, impress me.

Put some balls into the box and test this rookie keeper out.

Waiting.....

Great interception by Mayo there.

Great tackle from Odimayo

Town still on 69% possession.

There was the Iandolo mistake!!

Cart Horse with a poor foul on Conroy.

We properly got away with that.

Colchester down to 9

Another red card for Colchester!

JML felled on the edge of the box.

This is becoming a bit mental.

So near to a penalty.

The lesser spotted Ricky Aguilar!

Chance for Reed here. Free kick in the middle on the 18 yard line.

Aguiar on for Williams.

pity it was for the first foul,  second one would have been a penalty.

Really good game for Williams!

I doubt he would have scored if clean through

that was a weird play.  there was an advantage after the first foul.  2nd was a take down in the box.

but JML should have attacked the ball and went to goal either way

Conroy booked for kicking the ball away.

I agree!

6 minutes of additional time. I bet we don't score again.

6 mins added.

don’t need to score, just don’t concede

I'm worried they will!!

Town is threatening to give this game away.....I am not sure i would have subbed like we have when 3 points is sorely needed

Town with some desperate defending.

they didFFS

1-1

That's what happens when you try to defend instead of attack. Criminal. 1-1

Terrible fucking defending.

It's a sign of the fatalism that football gives to everyone that I was absolutely certain that would happen. Fuck.

Fuck sake - that was coming, bizarrely

Ridiculous!

Would you feckin believe it. We’ve been wasteful.

2 points dropped.

fucking hell. what a fuck up

Chaaaaarge!

I go back to the subs...if these guys can't play another 10 minutes then they need to train harder....now our best scorer is on the bench.  our best midfielder is on the bench...

town was controlling this game and those subs changed everything

As soon as Gladders comes on, you know what's coming.

It was coming. Although the ref lost all control of this match. In the words of Alan Hansen...absolutely shockin'

We have been too wasteful today the game should have been out of sight by now.

Harsh

All going so well but the usual lack of leadership has cost us yet more points. Letting a lead slip against 9 men is criminal, how hard is for someone to take control on the pitch and actually organise things especially from set pieces!

No doubt Garner will blame the ref for not giving us a penalty

More a criticism of Garner's tactics to slow the game down, than a jibe at Gladwin.

For sure. It's not his most endearing trait.

gutted, we were excellent in the second half 2 corners aside.

Iandolo turned into maldini  for 20 minutes..

but 1-0 ... only 1-0;_and it only takes one chance.

for fucks sake.

Oh fuck it. You were right first time.

The ref has been shite tbf but Town still can't defend for toffee (or consistently well).

Conceding in added time against 9 men is just so Swindon.

Hilariously inept attempt to see out a game against 9.

FT 1-1

Should have won that.

Didn’t we do it against Charlton away?

This. FFS! Never simple

 :D Wrong player to bring on. We stopped doing what we do best - attack

Well, that was a strange game. I'm sure it's the referee's fault that we can't beat nine men. He sent two off them off and played half an hour injury time ffs. Take some responsibility for our own performances please.

 :crash: peak Swindon.

Only 9 mins of the 6 mins added played too!  :eek:

Garner's subs and missed chances cost us.  2 points dropped.  Will they be crucial come season's end.

That’s made me so fucking angry. It is inexcusable and the players and management have dropped a real bollock here. Embarrassing.

Would have settled for a point before kick off but fucking gutted by that especially against nine men.

I know people have been on Garners case for months saying we don’t have a plan B, but since we’ve started to mix it up a bit we’ve looked a much worse team.
We don’t look half as good as we did when we were playing good football.

Fucking fuck off

What a fucking mess of 20 minutes that was.  Didn't, as far as I can remember, have a shot on target after they went down to 10 men.  Terrible game management by all concerned.  At least we had 80% of the possession in that period though, eh?

Prior to that we had played quite well, not brilliant, but controlled.  Iandolo put three or four blinders into the box.  Davison is going to frustrate me, I can see it.  The issue was that we looked very likely to gift them a chance, so getting the second when up a man was surely the priority.  Nope, clear message sent on to just see it out - Gladwin coming on is not a problem if you are asking him to drive on the right.  Instead, he was clearly sent on to pass to O'Brien at every opportunity.  It looked scripted, so you have to assume his instructions were to get out there and just get on the ball and keep possession, not worry about attacking.

Should have scored more first half.  But Garners subs and clear instructions for the team were terrible, he has lost us 2 points today. Pass the ball around, but not at the back, do it in the forward third. Not good enough.

The rookie keeper never had to make a single save.

Whilst I think the ref got it wrong (and should have given the foul (and a pen) against Williams, not JML) , we have to take a very hard look ourselves for not winning that.

Positives: Iandolo, Williams, Odimayo and O’Brien. The latter two in particular much more assured on the ball. Davison too. Good work rate, good runs - although he should have scored first half.

Negatives: More than enough chances to win, and we just didn’t put what was clearly a weak defence under sustained pressure. Yes we had chances, but we need to play the game higher up the pitch. Nobody was bad today - they just weren’t composed enough in the end to finish the job.

I'd argue very little has changed, just we have been pressed and had to play into the channels a little more as a result.  Today we looked quite good at times - the bit where we threw that away was when we reverted to trying to play keep ball.

Gladwin is a luxury flair player! He's not a destructive midfielder, which is what we needed to close things out.

The thing is that is what we are supposed to be good at, and you’d think against 9 men we should be able to do it, but no we still manage to concede an injury time goal.

He is, and against nine men he'd have tons of space to operate in. He's on paper a perfect player to bring on to put nine men under pressure, but not to attempt to see out a game. Player and tactical approach just didn't match, which is strange.

There wasn't a need to "see it out" though.  It was that mentality that undone us.  They were there for the taking - for starters, they didn't bother to drop a player back in, they just kept trying to press.  The spaces were huge, so there is some logic in adding Gladwin (plus Lyden had been booked and had managed a couple of fouls just before coming off).  putting Gladwin in to do nothing other than stand still and pass back was criminal (OK, over reaction, but bad game management).

Switch out Gladwin. Announce Doughty. HMS Piss the League*







*Betting without FVR

Embleton:
- Talking about 9 players
- Swindon seemed a little flat when Colchester went down to 9
- Needed to manage the game with intensity.
- Really, really disappointed and can see why fans would be upset
- One of the things that is important is to keep perspective
- This was incredibly disappointing.
- Refreshing that people keep the perspective that its good we still have a club
- There was only one team in it, who looked like they could win

For the first time, Garner is pissing me off going on and on about not getting penalties. Just manage the game and see it out - you were 1-0 up against ,9 players FFS..

Surprised that Garner has revealed that we have signed Brandon Cooper on loan

I am not angry at that I am just very disappointed, we could and should have got 3 points against a very poor Colchester side.

We had the possession and chances but didn't score enough, McKirdy and Davison guilt edged chances and Iandolo with another as well when he poorly passed clean through as well as the FK from Reed near the end.

Every point is important but we should have come away with all of them against 9 men.

No real bad performers today despite us not winning so not all bad even if if feels like a defeat at the moment.

the ref got the second sending off right, first offence denied goalscoring opportunity.

don't agree with whoever said we played plan B and looked worse. Second half was perfectly decent apart from not scoring more and cocking up defending the corner.

agree the subs made us worse but I think with 10 men (then 9) opposition and a game Tuesday I can see why we did it.

Garner:
- Huge frustration from us
- Gave away set piece
- Should have been out of sight
- We were completely dominant
- There were 3 penalties in the game
- Shouldnt have been in that situation
- McKirdy pulled down
- Williams should have been a penalty
- Goalkeeper wipes out O'Brien
- Regardless of that we should have put it out of sight
- Apart from not take chances it was very very good
- Switched off for one corner
- There was nothing coming, no threat
- Switching off from a corner cost us 2 points
- Everything else from that was positive
- Referee terrible and should get an apology
- Terrible tackle on the touchline in front of him. Two footed
- Every thing else, everything else was a brilliant performance and positive
- Not taking enough of our chances
- Davison is a bit bruised
- McKirdy disappointed
- Davison. Really good. Apart from scoring did everything else. Really good debut
- Goalkeeper kicked out when O'Brien was on the floor
- Had great control 11 v 11
- Dont know what its a red card for foul on JML and not a penalty for challenge on Williams
- Brandon Cooper: Think that's done. Awaiting official confirmation. Really strong signing
- Good defender. Good communicator. Good on the ball.
- One more loan to play with. Wont go above 5.
- Simpson & KKH: No more movement on either.
- Huge disappointment. If you draw and lose and deserve to.
- Outstanding performance

perspective is needed. it was the perfect controlled away performance for all but one corner kick. defence looked really good, midfield buzzed around everywhere and i though davison and mckirdy worked really well and deserved a better goal return. davison won so many headers and flick ons- really involved and worked well.

extremely disappointing result at the end but it was undeserved and really should have scored more/ had some penalities.  

Sounds just what we need and must be the writing on the wall for Conroy then!

I think odimayo will suffer from the signing

can't see the captain being dropped, and O'Brien and cooper will be here to get minutes.

Me too, Williams is a natural left footer too which Mayo certainly isn't so doesnt easily fit on the left side of the 3 CB's.

How long do we keep persisting with him though, not only is he costing us goals but he’s the one that is supposed to organiser the defence and that clearly doesn’t ever happen. I could almost accept his erratic form his he was a good leader but he just isn’t!

just watched the goal again, O'Brien did miss the header but I think it's more fair to say he couldn't get there

Conroy didn't defend his man, who scored .

it's frustrating because he has a good have and still has a less than stellar hand in the equaliser.

not point asking me, I don't pick the team :) I just can't see Garner dropping him.

Davison:
- Disappointed not to come away with 3 points
- Corner came in. Big man won his header and there was a bit of a mix up
- They will be buzzing after that
- We played well. Kept ball well. Had all the chances but didn't finish it off
- First training session Tuesday
- Should have scored in the first half
- At the end. Got head on the ball and felt 2 fists on the back of his head
- Slid to get the ball. Keeper thought he'd deliberately slid into him and then stamped on Davison. Linesman saw it and ref sent keeper off
- McKirdy is a really good player. Seen him before. Davison needs to get an understanding with him

We were brilliant against 11. Didn't have a clue what to do with the extra 2.

Would not be surprised to see Conroy pushed into midfield

I was stressed ever since the went down to 10.

I don’t know what it was, but I just had that sinking, horrible feeling that we’d pay for all those missed chances. It felt inevitable. Not a good sign.

Me too. I think the comment about being a 'good communicator' was interesting.

Odimayo has been criticised in the past for being quiet.

Hawes & Embleton:
- Inevitably Davison was a bit flat after that
- Overriding emotion for all concerned
- Coaches want time to work with their players. But, what will be great after this, is to quickly switch their focus to Tuesday. Work on it on the bus on the way home.
- Make sure recovery is right, rest and eat properly
- Having a game that soon will help
- Difficult to tell what Crawley will offer. They are inconsistent
- Fairly youthful team
- Other results gone against Town. Difficult to stay in top 7 let alone top 3

What's the view of the keeper being sent off? Need to see it again.

Can't remember a keeper being sent off against us for a reaction - now we have two.

Oh and BBC Essex commentary was pretty good - Hawesesque to be honest. They didn't complain...

Am I missing something? Who’s Williams that would play centre back?

Probably time to take stock, step back and look at the slightly bigger picture.

For Col U that point could save their season from the Football League basement trap door. For Town, still in the POs, win those GiH and both Newport & Tranmere will be panicking. It's tight as a Nun's orifice and a hell of a lot of points to play for.

No shocker that LG focused more on the ref (even if he was a bit gash) so no point getting knicker twisty about that as it's his go to comment (like Dave Flitcroft with synergy & microwaves). What stuck out for me was when he said something like:

"I can't criticise any of the lads out there."

Well good managers can and do criticise players (privately and in the correct way, not in the double standards way of the previous dinosaur shaped incumbent).

The football is much better and at times Town are unplayable. Trying to park le bus against  8 outfield players is virtual suicide. They have nothing to lose (other than the match) going for it at one nil down as they either get a point or still lose, their situation can only really improve.

Garner stating that down to 9 men was "a bit confusing as it messed up the zones" is a load of horse bollocks. Either the player notices their shape/zoning is wrong and adapts or the coaching team notice it and instruct which player to be where. They are supposedly professionals after all. LG in post-match pressers is fast becoming incredibly Luke Warm.

Final note, not really fair to send Josh Davison out for a P-MP when he's only been here 5mins. Where's Conroy, Williams or Gladwin. One of those (or similar) should be first out to have a natter.

I do like Conroy as a player but he inherited the captaincy and he just isn't a natural leader. I'm sure he would admit it privately. It's not knocking the player in ability but I think having the responsibility of captaincy does impact his game negatively. We see it often with some of the best sports stars - Alastair Cook & Joe Root in cricket come to mind. Basically, we aren't seeing the best out of someone like Conroy because the captaincy has hampered him. He replaced Olly Lancashire in the role and I don't see any true progression since then (not including injuries) in regards to real leadership. I feel sorry for him.

Cooper and Barry coming in should improve things and I certainly think one more is needed too; it most definitely has to be a leader though. This stage of the season is crucial to take the bull by the horns. Assured, definitive and decisive leadership is one of the keys to the season either being rewarded with success or reducing to a watery petering out.

Still all relative as I started with. In a much better position than most expected but we are all allowed to adapt our expectations of the team as a season unfolds. This also includes being frustrated from game to game when things don't quite go too well.

No major concerns. No huge tantrums. Just assess the damage and correct it in the next match.

COYMFR!

.....but so true !!

I think Conroy also needs to be a little more vocal. Odimayo might be quiet but he's not the captain either (not that, that stops a player from being vocal). Be nice to see a true/natural leader on the pitch.

As it turned out, yep. He was especially frustrating in extra time, fannying about instead of lobbing it forward.

Not sure why Garner thinks that was a good performance.  Yes we looked by far the better team but without really looking like doing much.  Very shot shy against a very poor side devoid of confidence.

The last 10 mins was pathetic, it looked like they had the extra man. 

Just don't understand why we allow teams onto us and make it so easy for them.

I was speaking about this very thing to a fellow TEFer last week, put Conroy in the holding midfield position which he has been played in with varying quality and success previously.

Messing up my Welshmen :) I mean Cooper.

Doesn’t have the legs to play in midfield now IMO, he’s not mobile enough following his injuries. He’d also have to make more 50/50 challenges in midfield which he has a habit of bottling now which is a recipe for more injuries.

I wouldn't push Conroy into midfield. He isn't good enough to dislodge the current incumbents. I can't see him being dropped when the dude from Swansea comes in either though despite the fact that he is the weakest in that defence at the moment.

We've taken some hits this January in terms of player losses.

And now we've thrown away two points to the third bottom team with 9 men.

However, in addition to O'Brien, Davison, Cooper and Barry to add, we still (touch wood) have the drive, creativity and even goalscoring of Payne to return.   :)

Also a possible return for Simpson or AN Other striker, its looking up.

I wouldn’t play him there personally but can see why Garner would. More sideways passes mostly

It worked for Ross Maclaren moving from CB to DMC and he mostly passed sideways too but with the occassional long brilliant pass, you don't need pace to sit in the role just protect the defence ala Grant.

Talking of which he was Scunnys MotM today and lasted the full 90 mins despite Garner saying he wasn't up to it or fit enough, still couldn't stop Vale winning 1-0 though..

Unfortunately, I just don’t think Conroy is up to it to play week in week out. It’s clear his injuries have affected his mobility, and he switches off far to much from set pieces.
He certainly shouldn’t be captain, I’d be giving that to Payne as soon as he’s back.

Something in the water in L1 today with 34 goals being scored in the 11 games with Bolton getting 6 vs Sunderland and the Pox getting 7 at Jills.

By comparison there was 21 goals in 12 games in L2.

Oh and nice to see Reading in freefall losing 4-0 at QPR today too with 10 games since the last win and conceding 19 goals in the last 5 games.

Surely we must be pretty high up this season in the ‘dropped points after being in front’ league.
Anyone got any statistics ?.

Very close! Good job you spotted your obvious error and changed your original guess after no prompting by me at all ;)


I was closer to the overall attendance but further away from the Town fans total :)

I’m still pissed off. This one’s hard to take today

He'd also be replacing somebody who is infinitely better

Yep. I am the same. It's typical Swindon

Getting more posses off as the evening progresses. How did we throw that away! 👿

Feels like a heavy defeat.
Defence are so quiet, however lost (I mean drew) due to poor game management and shite finishing.
That was probably the most comfortable game I have seen this season even more shocking we were 1-0 up against 9 players.

Why ohh why can a forward get a flick on from a 90th minute corner, as could have put Gladwin and O’Brien at the front and back of their only target man.
Conceding that corner resulting from a poor midfield that today were off form.
Still think we need that box to box ball winning midfielder that we simply don’t have.

Livid.

Quiet throughout and agree.
Both Odimayo and O’Brien very quiet but the Captain also needs to be more vocal.
The team are certainly not the loudest.

It speaks volumes that even the Duke is criticising his golden boy. Two points dropped sadly.

I mentioned before that Lyden and Reed could work together to boss midfield. But, Gladwin left Reed to it and did his slowing things down bit.

If we were going to do that, it should have been Williams or McKirdy that gave way for him.

If we had someone like Grant to come on and shore up the midfield, we would have been in better shape

No favourites with me just comment on what I see.
It’s a quiet team throughout.
Game management today poor, midfield way off the pace and woeful finishing.

You never concede a corner in the 90th minute 1-0 up playing against 9 men.
That the most shocking aspect of the game today. Fucking shite.
Long drive and pissed off.
Did you go? If so you would be feeling the same I guess.

Don’t get me going on that physical ball winning central midfielder.
Memory serves me correctly didn’t we have one of them?

Cutting Garner a very small slice of slack as lack any quality on the bench to influence.
However he has missed recruiting the role above.

I was there, and was very annoyed by the way it panned out - a few years back I would have been angry buy age mellows !

Anyway, I thought we played very well generally.
I don't get to see the Town that often, but I thought there were good performances across the team.

I think we did the right thing in playing possession football after they went down to 9 men. We are a possession side, and surely you should be able to just knock it around and let the opposition get tired ?
We just didn't execute it very well.

Their goal was a major fuck-up.
We kept a high line for their deep free kick - fine
We dropped back as the kick was played - fine
But instead of just dropping back and letting the kick run out, or kicking it sideways for a throw, we headed it backwards for a corner - which is a much more dangerous situation than the original free-kick.

I absolutely knew we would concede from that corner

I didn’t see the game, but it’s obviously disappointing to concede an equaliser  so late and in that manner against 9 men.
Duke has summed that up perfectly.
I think, however that we sometimes overreact to individual results.
We have lost 3 regular starters in January - KKH, Critchlow and Simpson - all recalled, plus Gilbert and Grant. While we all remember the way he led us to the L2 title,  that was two years ago and he is 34 - presumably in training performances he has been behind Reed, East and Lyden - hence allowed to leave.
We have brought in 4 young loanees - of whom O’Brien played 3 games before today, Davidson arrived on Monday and made his debut today, and two - Barry and Cooper - were signed too late to play today.
It may take the new arrivals a few games to settle, but we are still very much in contention.

Fuming with that.

Dominated the game for 85 minutes and then just shat it at the end. Having such a dominant performance and managing to c9me away with a point is just so fucking Swindon.

I’m definitely not a “FORWARD!” type but the mentality needs a big fucking look when you’re 2 men up in The final minutes. You could tell it was coming from the hospital passes around the back with the Colchester forwards pressing us for everything, they had nothing to lose of course. sure enough before long Ellis sells a ball short and we’re lucky to get away with it, but we don’t learn. There comes a time when knocking up the channels and fronting up with the ball in the opposition half isn’t a bad option. We’ve got 2 extra players for fuck sake, if we lose the ball in their half there’s a decent chance we win it back. The feeling of inevitability about it all is what makes me so sick.

If we’d come away from that finishing 1-0, it would have been hailed a superb dominant performance…and by large it was. Davidson looks like he’ll cause issues for oppositions, we put some excellent balls in, could have had 4 or 5 goals on another day. But we’re not because of some catastrophic game management in the last 5 minutes. The work experience keeper didn’t have a save to make for fuck sake!

We were against 9 men…Christ. Stupid game is football.

I thought the midfield did well, especially Williams and I thought the substitution of Lyden for Gladwin was right at the time. Just rank bad defending for the only time in the game cost us. As Duke says,the finishing was woeful and that's what lost us the extra two points

Real shame and watching the game on Ifollow. Does look like two points lost and not one point gained.

As for Anthony Grant (Yes, I still thought should be kept and used for situations like the last 15 / 20 minutes today) I watched highlights of the PV v Scunthorpe match today and he did look slow. :(

Some very winnable (scrabble word? ) games coming up except possibly Exeter a draw. So hopefully end of Feb we are still there and there about.

COYMRs   

   

The writing is usually on the wall when town miss a few good chances.

We have enough points to stay up.

O'Brien is better than Crichlow.

Davison looked rusty but can head the ball

Payne to come back. Barry supposed to be good. An international defender coming in and poss one more.

Things might look better on Tuesday.

Tuesday is the start of the promotion charge when we beat Crawley.

Who is the international defender?

Brandon Cooper - Wales.

The truth is, we have failed to beat a whole host of crap teams this season - Colchester just being another one to add to that list. We are soft.

I always have the sense that for us to score, we have to patiently work an opportunity to get in on goal. Also, that we don't score as many of those chances as we should. 

To score against us, there is no real work required. We either fuck up at the back or panic on dealing with a high ball into the box. We are far too easy to score against. To my mind, that has been the case long before Garner rocked up.

A rueful shake of the head as their goal went in.
Not too disappointed.
Win the next two and it becomes a decent point.

Good overall contribution from Davison.
Obvious similarities with Andy Carroll in both look and style of play.

Iandolo is developing into a fine attacking left wing back.
Given time, I'm sure that the defensive side of his game will start to improve as well.

Other than that, just about managing to keep up with the relentless pre and sometimes post match drinking pace of young molepar.

Don't know about anyone else but I'm thoroughly enjoying this season so far.

Me too but that's probably because my expectations were so low. I think we've played some decent stuff,even yesterday til injury time

Was he in the Hangover ?

I thought for most of the game we were easily in control against a very poor Colchester side we just need to tighten up the defence, hopefully Cooper will help that side.

In attack on another day McKirdy would have scored a hattrick and Davison would have bagged a couple, we creat chances and goals will come.

And yes, keep the expectations low and be pleasantly surprised!

I can't remember if it was here or twitter that I saw someone say we need numerous chances to score 1 but I thought I'd look at our goals scored column and see we're the 4th highest scorers in the division, keep that up and if Cooper is as good as he's being made out to be we should be golden.

Sent from my CLT-L09

Number 1 sons take on attending yesterdays game as he put it when at the

“Jobsworth Community Nuclear Wasteland Stadium.

I have a healthy perspective on the relative unimportance of football in the grand scheme of things; I am accordingly, rarely that bothered by a poor result once the game has ended - particularly a league game. However conceding an injury time equaliser to the worst side you have played all season, when they are down to nine men (including their first choice ‘keeper), and you have spurned enough chances to win about 5-0, and the manager has made some substitutions as if you have already won the game, will generate an exception.

Everyone involved should be thoroughly effing ashamed of themselves.”

Succinctly put.

Very much agree..

Having watched game highlights it's pretty obvious we were not awake for their goal.  Have Freeze framed The Moment We Have 5 Players All Stood Around Inside The 6 yard Box just Watching The Ball. Great defending everyone.

Yeah it's a nuisance and frustrating to miss out on the 2 points, but it's not like we lost, or three a chance at promotion because of it. We're still within sight of the playoffs and having lost 2 key players in the last week and bringing in 2 who haven't had any time to get used to the team yet, perhaps not wholly as bad as people are making out.

So glad to see Iandolo in form as well, he's been a faithful servant of the club for years and I don't think gets enough praise.

Colchester fans seemed a nice bunch last time I was there, (which was also a 1-1 draw although not so one sided ) so can't take away what must be a great moment for them with that equaliser going in.

That second red was a bit whiffy, had he picked up a yellow earlier? It's hard to tell from the highlights of the ref had yellow carded him beforehand or if it was a straight red. If it's to deny a goalscoring opportunity then it's got to be a penalty,

It's spilt milk and no doubt been discussed on the training ground today. Time to move on and prepare for two important home games and hope that the new signings hit the ground running.

Big fan of wobbly and his measured analysis👍 It was pointed out to me recently that Ellis is a converted left back/wing back as he started in centre mid.

Ellis put in a cracking ball for the goal but he needs to understand that his defensive duties should be primary (perhaps not his fault🤷‍♂️). Would love to see a naturally left footed centre half behind him. Conroy sadly thinks of himself as hoddle/franz which he ain’t. I thought we were in total control of the game yesterday and should’ve won that at a canter (watched on ifollow).

We’ve all seen many a time a manager whose tactics cost us. We saw it last week (by garner lacking confidence in his bench) and ‘I feel happy with a point’ approach when we should’ve been dominant and gone for the jugular. We saw his frailties yesterday too. He’s like an overly cautious wellens in his decision making/confidence in the team.

Kind of related but we’ve got a ready made attacker/forward in Harry Parsons who locally was the best youngster in his position (no, I’m not his dad😃). What’s happened? Garner wants to play keep ball so has hindered his progress as he’s too scared to give the ball away so pops it off and goes again rather than doing what got him a professional contract-getting the ball and driving at the opposition and scoring goals.

As for ‘the general’ - not a great trainer and not as good on the ball as other options in his position? Who cares🤷‍♂️-he could still have been an asset as a squad player. Perhaps garner was too stubborn for his own good?

To summarise, yes the season has for most of us exceeded expectations, but let’s not waste this opportunity we have to capitalise using the top 6 squad we have and get back to league 1 football.

Haven't read back so I imagine there are some emotionally charged posts from Saturday to go through!

It was a frustrating afternoon of course to come away from the 'insert generic sponsor' stadium with only a point. Especially as for the most part Colchester were hopelessly inept and offered next to nothing. Obviously we had the change up front and Davison came in for Simpson and what was noticeable was that he was so much better in the air and provides more of an 'out' than Simpson did when the ball is launched more directly and he was able to win headers as we looked to retain posession higher up the pitch. Unfortunately with that you lose the strength and good play with the ball to feet, that Davison doesn't seem to do so well. Early days but his finishing was profligate, but that will hopefully come with more game time.

First 20 minutes were pretty even. Colchester's game plan seemed to be to try and limit the amount of time on the ball Louis Reed had, and that worked quite well as Reed struggled early on I thought. Jojo had to make a smart save but it was evident as the half wore on that Colchester's game plan of playing a high line but not really pressing very aggressively was a pretty poor tactic. Their offside trap was hilariously bad and they didn't really seem to have any cohesion at all. They were the poorest side I have seen in a long time which is surprising as they have a decent enough first 11 on paper. We bossed the first half and really should have gone in ahead. Intelligent header back to Davison who probably had too much time and forced a decent save, but really should have scored.

Second half, more of the same really. We got in so many times and I was getting a bit frustrated, only for Iandolo to find a delicious cross into the box which McKirdy couldn't really miss. Then the GK shenanigans. Davison seemed to tangle legs with George and in trying to get free earned himself a kick in the legs for his troubles. Straight red for another opposition keeper!! I couldn't see from the replay but it appeared the ball was dribbling slowly out of play and looked to be still in play when the incident took place but the officials disagreed and no penalty. Ted Collins the youth keeper donned the gloves and he must have been horrified as the Colchester players seemed to be running in treacle as another through ball put in both JML (who I thought looked offside) and Jonny Williams. I thought JML was pulling back to let Williams through, but JML was taken out outside the box and then Williams was impeded in the box by Chambers. He earned a straight red presumably for a professional foul, rather than 2 yellow card challenges? Either way Colchester were down to 9.

The last few minutes were a bit of a horror show really. Reed hit a pathetic free kick into the wall (I think he was a little below par all game really) and we tried to play keep ball to run the clock down. It nearly went awry as Conroy was sold short and was lucky to get away with being fouled but then Gladwin fouled on half way and allowed Colchester the only real way they were going to get anything out of the game by lumping free kicks into the box. They earned a corner, then another, and well we know how it ends. Poor marking and the 9 men get their equaliser. An exciting period of injury time where it looked like Ted Collins clumsily crashed into Davison in the box after he had won the header but nothing given and we go home with a point.

2 points dropped against a criminally poor Colchester side, hopefully we don't rue those points come the end of the season. My Man of the match was Iandolo. He really has improved this season and his deliveries into the box get better and better also. Seems a long time since he repeatedly overhit crosses into the Stratton Bank! Also a shout to Akin Odimayo who was excellent again I thought. 

Think it was quagmire who said this and I agree with you Batch. I'm not sure it is plan B as such but we now do look longer if we are being pressed, or there are no easy options at the back. With Mckirdy and Williams as well as the wing backs (and Payne when he is back) ability to run into the channels I think it's an option we are using more and more and I think we look a much more dangerous side for it.

I've been thinking about this as well. Conroy for all his ability on the ball just lacks a lot of defensive attributes. His concentration levels tend to wane, he's not particularly good defending balls into the box, for me he ball watches a lot and doesn't seem to have the conviction a good centre back does. As Theakston says, he also doesn't appear very vocal and lacks organisational skills.

To replace who,though?

Conroy would be shit in midfield, it’s a stupid idea. He’s not mobile enough to play there

He’s a middling league two centre back, and will have days where he looks good and days where he looks shit. He has his strengths, but as has been said, actually defending isn’t one of them (and never has been)

Sadly for Dion probably nobody. I think his best position is probably now on the bench.

This is the problem Garner now has, on merit Conroy shouldn’t be in the team especially with Cooper signing but I fear Garner will shoehorn him in still because he’s ‘captain’. Being in possession of the armband shouldn’t make someone immune from being dropped and like anything else the captaincy can be changed.

Hardy a glowing reference to dislodge a midfielder there!

As noted he is a middling L2 CB, if he were a better defender or passer he would be playing at a higher level.

We need to get away from this idea that he is some sort of lower league Hoddle, as I fear he reads what some fans say and believes it himself.

I’ve always been uncomfortable with loan players replacing contracted players - Unless Garner is planning to jettison a fair few of those players whose contracts end in June

It's a quandry. Garner clearly likes him as he is good on the ball and a calm presence but I don't think he is captain material and the more I think about it, midfield is not an option either so wonder what the future is for him.

Ultimately both Cooper and Conroy are the same in that their deals expire at the end of this season.

Incidentally for those ITK are their manoeuvrings behind the scenes to lengthen Conroys contract as he would appear one who could do a job at L1, unless Garner doesn't agree.

Conroy would struggle in league 1

Conroy one of the best players on the pitch Saturday and the only defender with a long range pass in his locker. Would be absolutely stunned if he is not playing the next few games.
Both him and Reed are pivotal to the way Garner sets us up to play.

To be fair,OB hit a few decent balls Saturday I thought

Looking at the goal on Saturday he is pivotal in setting up a game of musical statues!

Apart from the goal we conceded another decent game.
Appears we have a decent player. Looking more comfortable on the ball in every game.

The back line is unbelievably quiet including both keepers.
Can only hope Cooper adds some additional vocal support.

Conroy was the weakest of the back 3 on Saturday, as he has been for a few games now.

Must be watching a different game Saturday.
Had a decent game.
He was poor v Orient as was the complete back line.

Just hoping we can get some stability. JoJo makes a big difference as he also gives confidence with the ball at his feet.