Thetownend.com

Two home wins since early October for Betty's Boys.  Most of our injured players fit (Not Lyden or Cooper)... unsure about McKirdy's status though.

It's seems to be another must win game.

Honestly think it is a must win under the circumastances. 1 or 2 points from 12 would be the end (which is what it would be if we don't win).

They've had a funny old season, looking at the table considering how much they have dropped since we played them last time.

Also noticed on the table that despite our much mentioned attacking issues we are the 4th highest scoring team in the league, which suggests that the main problem has been at the other end.

We have the 9th best defence in the league but our defence is a major issue.

My comment previously about McKirdy still stands, in attack he is the player that really makes us tick.

When he has played we have scored 55 goals in the 32 games. A rate of 1.72 goals per game.

When he has not played we have scored just 5 goals in the 8 games. A rate of 0.62 goals per game.

So based upon that we are nearly 3 times more likely to score when McKirdy is on the pitch.

In those 8 games which he has missed we have still never scored more than a single goal in and 3 we didn't manage to score at all in.

Both stats are not a surprise - we have 60%+ possession, a team doing so should have one of the BEST defensive records in the league because we limit exposure to attacks.

On the other side, McKirdy is one of the only players in the team who forces the game to an opponent.  He also has some outlandish % of our total shots at goal I believe.  Without him we are passive, knocking it about with very little intent, especially now Simpson is gone as well and KKH on the right.

I agree, we only look a threat when he takes the risks, so often we have 9 outfield players who will not take any risks in the opponents half, but with McKirdy he will almost always take a risk even when something is not on, he still has a go, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't but at least he "buys the raffle ticket" as Cloughie used to say.

I’m only going to this one for the trouble.
Betty doesn’t scare me with her cup and saucer.

cream teas all round!

looking forward to it

I missed the chance to grab a ticket when they went on sale. On may way back to Newcastle from
London on Friday, if anyone has a ticket they are selling, let me know :)

No McGirty tomorrow. Should be OK for Monday.

This comment from Garner had me scratching my head. Does he mean with us or just generally?

Garner on Brandon Cooper:

"The hope with Brandon was to have him back early to mid-June and hopefully he can be and is ready for the start of pre-season. The most important thing is that he recovers."

I think generally. but who knows.

JBZ might😀

More bullying

 :mwah:

That Cooper comment is just random isnt it, unless a deal has aleeady been agreed for a season long loan next season?

I think it means 'for Swansea' after seeing other comments on Twitter

But what about Ollie?

https://the72.co.uk/269933/3-swindon-town-players-who-may-have-already-played-their-last-game-for-the-club/

But why would Garner make comments about a player returning who isn’t connected to the club anymore. Cooper has gone back to Swansea for his rehab so what us the June and pre season comment about?

Makes it pretty clear it’s back for Swansea.

No crystal ball is needed to put this down as a dull no score draw.

Sadly a lacklustre 2-0 defeat in front of 2,100 inc 580 Town fans

I guess someone said "any chance of Cooper being fit soon"

In any case its been cleared up now.

The adver quote I just read states that he is talking about Cooper with Swansea. I assume other journalistic pieces of work must have omitted this important piece of news or it has since been amended.

As for the game, I'm thinking something similar to this. I can't remember why but I recently watched the first half of Harrogate v Orient midweek and Harrogate were not good, Orient were miles better than them. As usual I guess we'll have a lot of the ball but without the spark that McKirdy gives us, and without Williams (I think Garner said he is struggling with injury) I don't see a huge amount of creativity.

Defeat 2-0

No McKirdy, so unless we get a penalty we probably won’t score.

So result will depend on whether we give a goal away or not.

I’m going for a frustrating 0-0 draw

Harrogates only win in the last 10 games has come at rock bottom Scunthorpe, winning 3-0.

Current forum of DDLLLDLWLL. In the other 9 games they have scored just 3 goals and conceded 16.

Has all the hallmarks of a 1-0 defeat in front of 1,925 with 575 Town fans there.

They were one of the poorest sides I have seen us play this season in the home game where they emplyed some real rough tactics against us when we grabbed a late draw thanks to the Payne penalty.

They inflicted injuries on Hunt, KKH and Gladwin IIRC where they conceded 15 fouls and 3 yellows at least 1 of which should have been a red for a terrible foul on KKH, they were a big, dirty, gobby, bullying team, ala most teams that come up from the National league.

I love the determinedly dogged downbeat nature of Town fans.
Optimism is not an option. :)
Wouldn't have it any other way!

Just arrived in the Brew York beer hall for an equally determinedly dogged ale soaked 3 days in North Yorkshire.

I can't even spell optmism :) see!

6-0 win.

Have you been hacked by Audrey? :D

@dollyfreckle on Twitter is offering one.

I've just seen you've tweeted her Josh?

Friends of mine will be travelling up from Devizes, if you want me to ask them to grab it just give me a shout.

Friend of mine has collected it and paid for it for you Josh and will bring it upto Harrogate tomorrow. Please square it up with him, just a tenner! And fire me over your contact details so I can put you in touch with him.

Superb! Really appreciate that, I’ll ping you over my number now 👍🏼

Have my away ticket and ground ticking friends wanted to go and so I bought them tickets direct from Harrogate for the home end. Got a call at lunchtime saying they were cancelling them as I was on the Swindon database. What a waste of time as one of my friends just called up and booked the same tickets!

3-1 Town (Payne, Barry, Reed)

Piece of piss. 1-4

McGirty on the bench

Like many others already accepted this season’s fate.
Would be good to put up a decent fight after recent performances,  1-1 would do,  but looking so lightweight at the moment not holding my breath.  Fair play to all those making the journey, would probably have done it myself years ago but find it hard to raise the enthusiasm these days.

hth  ;)

Pre match giving the thermal mud wrap a miss in The Winter Gardens.
Watching the team will generate enough copious perspiration so no need to visit the Turkish Baths next door.

Grand setting for a pub this.
Walked through the town centre & a vast improvement on some of the tips visited this season.
Was hoping to see the Yorkshire Tea plantations on the way up, nothing but farmland. Must be missing something.

Back up to all 92 clubs visited today.
And yes Trevor Benjamin did turn out for Harrogate in his quest to play for every football club in the country.

Our prospects are not disappearing faster than a Russian flagship just yet.
Have a feeling that Barry will do some good work today.
Hopefully a sparkling display this afternoon, much like the local spring water.

Very poetic Bob as always, keep on wobblying  :pint:

Classic Wobbly Bob preamble... Loving your work sir👍

The sun is out
The sky is blue
There's not a cloud
To spoil the view
But it's Swindon
And Harrogate are upstarts

Always far and away the best part of the Match Day Threads, a pleasure to read as always, have a great day Bob.

Se for me, its when I post...

Iandolo makes an awful pass that puts us in danger at the back.

And then Redbuck goes off on one saying I am picking on him  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

(https://c.tenor.com/ArljabOsbscAAAAC/i-think-you-should-leave-vanessa-bayer.gif)

Haha. Your match day updates are always appreciated JJ. That said I don't use them anymore and I'm often off the thread completely until the Monday afterwards. Got to drive to Balham for a party in 10 minutes which I'm not looking forward to!! (The drive into London, not the party itself!)

I find the MTD does get pretty 'emotional' sometimes.

TBF our matches swing from great to shocking often many times in the same game.

But part of the reason our players are playing their trade in L2 is because they cannot consistantly perform, and when they do they are promptly knicked by teams higher up the leagues (Twine, Keshi or Austin for instance).

I have been meaning to ask...how does one have a piece of piss??? is it frozen to break off a piece???   :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

They're served as lollies in the north of England. Quite the delicacy.

Good to see you Goddo. Thought we might be waiting much longer.

thank you

today is going to be a hard day.  today the family is going to be able to have a viewing privately.  then tomorrow is the funeral.

a morning distraction will be good.

SWINDON TOWN STARTING XI 👥 | Wollacott; Iandolo, Conroy (C), Baudry, Davison, Payne, Egbo, Barry, Tomlinson, Hunt, Reed.

SUBS | Ward, Odimayo, Gladwin, O'Brien, Williams, Aguiar, Parsons.

Egbo gets his first start.

Goal drought!

Piece of piss = piece of cake. As easy as taking a piss.  :)

Piss off down the pub on the piss? thats a pisser.

Multiple uses!

Let's hope we're not pissed off at 4.55😀

i hope this match is as good as a pee-orgasm then!!!   :clap:

I think we will line up like this (obviously flexible in the 3/5 in midfield.

         Wollacott
Hunt  Conroy  Baudry  Tomlinson
      Iandolo Reed Payne
Egbo                    Barry
        Davison

Rob Hartley with Hawes on the wireless!

It’s Easter. Time for Eggbo.

Freeeeee Egbo Mandela....

Good to see you posting mate - hope you and the family are keeping as well as you possibly can.

Intrigued to see if Egbo’s willingness to directly run at players helps our attacking play today.

To me, this gamble seems a game too late though

or
I'm pissed, he's pissed, they're pissed and he's pissed as a Lord

Same old Swindon, taking the piss.

Pissed on, pissed off, pissed or piss, its the gift that keeps on giving!Exactly my thoughts too.

Not quite pissed as a fart.

Have to say that the ground is much less pokey than Barrow or Sutton.
Looks like decent viewing from all parts.

On the terrace at the side and the seated section next door is not in the way at all.

On the far side of the pitch - the stands look like "The Manor" in the 70s!

It's much better than that!
Can count 7 or 8 separate areas though.

I think the yellow seating just put the nasty thought in my head!

I hear there could be as many as a couple of hundred Town fans in the home end today.

Have to watch out when the players come on the pitch, those kids are likely to have someones eye out with those long flags!

FFS Conroy stop pissing around with the ball.

Couple of decent touches by Egbo.

Useful first couple of touches for Egbo.

Edit: why would I try to commentate?  :doh:

Barrow 1-0 FGR

Its good to have more commenting :) please carry on.

Payne nice thro ball to Barry there.

Decent start, Barry looks lively

Lots of our early moves coming through Egbo, and many have been decent...right up to that overhit crossfield pass.

Liking Easter Egbo a lot so far.

Mansfield 0-1 Sutton

egbo makes things happen...not afraid to attack 1v1 or pass across ...nice touch as well

Reed definately seems to be sat a bit deeper today.

Frenchy wins the ball well then gives it straight back to them!

Egbo definately has the beating of the left back.

Payne long low shot hits the post.

Keeper scrambling

feels like a good game for tomilson to have a go from distance often

He was nowhere near the shot, it shows that this is his first start of the season.

No radio wilts coverage?

Egg pun?  :sherlock:

Header out by Frenchy to the striker who hits it into the ground and it goes well wide. Non league finish.

Need to be putting some testers on him, no harm in firing some long rangers in today

Not intentionally, but I'll claim it

As Godd says get Tomlinson putting some shots in from distance.

Or free range shots  :)

Newport 0-1 Crawley

Egbo makes the wrong choice when he should have had a shot in the box.

for fuck sake..if you are in the box either shoot or cross....

Reed sold very short by Baudry there.

Frenchy easily beaten in the air but the lanky striker heads weakly at Jojo.

Bodin nets for the piss staines meaning they are 3 nil up after 16

Barry and Iandolo linking up well but the final ball back accross from Egbo was poor.

Bradford 1-0 Tranmere

Barry needs to have a shot...i have watched a few highlights of him hitting form that outside position

TBH its quite entertaining so far, we break with speed and width but Harrogate come back at us quickly.

Iandolo does really well winning the ball and goes down the wing then fucks it up getting a cross in.

Newport 0-2 Crawley

Great tackle by Reed just outside out box.

Their keeper looks pretty dodgy so far in his positioning and kicking.

Egbooooo Selecta’

1-0 Barry!

Bugger me - a goal !

Lovely cross from Egbo onto Barrys head from 2 yards.

Get in, created by Payne and Egbo, finished by Barry

Egbo lovely assist. On a plate for Barry.

Beautiful close play by Payne and Egbo leading to that goal.

1-0 Barry

Cross from Egbo

need to put it on them now...

Barry scoring with his head is as rare as Payne scoring with a header!

We need to try to push for a third!

Hardly 25% of Barry’s senior goals are headers !!!

Tomlinson with a very poor pass lets them come at us but the end shot is at Jojo.

I might have put that one away tbf

He never seems to head the ball outside of the 6 yard box!

I would settle for a second

Small sample size tbf.
4 senior goals!!

Davison missed a similar one a couple of weeks back!

Donkey is the TEF header-er!

back in Feb/march we had a number of matches where we were sending long crosses to the wingers behind the defensive line...this smaller pitch just begs for those types of passes.

Nope, we will need 3!

i thought my feed was behind...very confused

Egbooooooo

One game too late ffs

There are 2 main differences today to last week.

Barry always looks better on the left rather than the right where he played last week.

Egbo is a good attacking option down the right.

2-0 Barry!

20% now

2-0 Barry

Egbo cross again!

there is the second....now go for the third   :beers:

Low deep cross from Egbo to Barry who pokes it in from 3 yards!

We never score more than 1 without McKirdy :D

Egbo on the cross

Turns out Egbo might be alright at this football lark

Happy?

(I still want to push for a third!)

Header hattrick to get the ratio back? :D

how did the manager not see that earlier???

*without Egbo & McKirdy :D

If only we’d tried this last weekend…

My thoughts too, Newport were about the same standard as Harrogate.

Egbo...."hes greeeaaaaattttt"

(https://media3.giphy.com/media/l1J9H9HLvyLB6A2LS/giphy.gif)

We all said it…

Oh dear. Lino misses a call 5 yards in front of him.

Reed gets away with a terrible pass just outside our box.

if he would pass forward instead of sideways that wouldnt be an issue

Yep (c) DiV

Reed going to get a yellow in a min.

Their number 5 and number 9 are a couple of giants who are very big targets from set peices.

Nice tackle in the middle from Iandolo! finds Egbo and he nearly releases Barry.

Barrow 2-0 FGR

Their keeper gets away with an awful clearance against Davison.

If the manager and players can't see they need to get the ball forward and shoot often and early they are crazy

We need to be all over this GK

Lack of composure. Barry should have lobbed the keeper.

Barry should have had his 1st half HT

Barry does a Dave Banner!

We need to capitalise on this while Harrogate are on the ropes.

They are all over the place.

Come on Mansfield get your act together.

why is davison never in the mouth of the goal????

Davison with some more very poor control just outside the box gives it away.

Ball. Davison. Boing.

Davison really needs to work on his touch

Davison misses almost a sitter from 6 yards unmarked.

fuck.....nice cross

Davison with a better lay off to Payne just outside the box but Payne messes up that time.

It was. Davison almost couldn't miss ...but he found a way!

Good defending by Conroy there and wins us the goal kick.

Oldham 0-1 Cobblers

just feed the ball into their box, over and over and over...that GK is scared

Harrogate are really struggling coping with Barry and Egbo.

Payne’s not quite on it this afternoon yet.

Barry to Iandolo in the box but his cross/shot goes wide.

i was thinking the same thing..really seems to want to force the ball through the players instead of around

Yes his tocuh is really off today.

HT 2-0

Good performance so far.

Up there with the best 1st half perfomances this season.

Again. Poor first half from him.

Could really do with getting our goal difference up today, it might come down to small margins like that for the top 7

Good performance, and while Barry has the goals, the difference is having a threat with the direct running of Egbo.  In good old fashioned talk, he is getting chalk on his boots as well.  Simple things make a big difference at this level and given the lack of a direct threat in recent weeks, it's a bit odd he hasn't been given a go sooner.

The ability to pass it around with pointless precision now becomes a very useful tool to have in our box.  Starts to grind down the confidence of the opposition - already seen a couple of occasions with one of their players getting a little irate with his team mates after a spell without the ball.

Still look very open through the middle, but they are not much kop.  Once they couldn't just stand off us they looked poor.

One negative, Davison.  His positioning is awful, touch is not much better and finishing is all over the shop.  For all his hard work (and he puts himself about all over the place - see the impact on positioning though) and physical presence, he is such a downgrade on Simpson.  I don't know if Parsons is up to replacing him in that role though, so probably the best we have available.

Great first half.

Seeing the lineup pre match I was a bit disappointed not to see Parsons getting a start alongside Davison, if it’s a goal scorer we needed (watched Parsons slot a couple away nicely for Chippy, hasn’t been given enough of a chance to do that with Town). But Egbo has been a constant danger man (why on earth was he not used last weekend when it’s clear he poses a threat from his cameos so far).

He’s been enabled massively by Davison and Payne in particular occupying the Harrogate defence and leaving Egbo in acres of space on the right. Stuff might not be coming off for either of them but they’re still effecting the game massively. Harrogate comms are highlighting it too.

Keep it up town.

We are our own worst enemies at times.

If ever there was an afternoon for filling the boots then it's today, although I'd expect Harrogate to be tighter in 2nd half after a massive bollocking.

100% agree with all of the above.

Must say, if Egbo looked half this player on the training ground it's strange we waited so long to contract him.

Could do with Tomlinson or Payne/Reed getting some long shots fired into this keeper who can't seem to hold on to anything.

Garner says we signed him as soon as we could get international clearance for him.

right on!!

Attack from Harrogate but the cross is far too high.

Egbo beats his man and has a shot, keeper is poor and we win a corner.

This keeper is going to have a challenging 2nd half and a lot of winding up from the town fans

Egbo tried a chip and keeper showed he is a flapper

Oh the irony of their fans doing a “you’re shit aaah” to our international keeper.

Keeper comes for the corner and is miles away from it but Reeds shot is weak.

Vs their keeper who ACTUALLY is shit :)

Mansfield 0-2 Sutton

3-0 Davison.

Nice

Easy move easy finish.

0-3 Davison

Well done Iandolo

Great goal helped by terrible defending - I thought Iandolo was going to f@ck that up

He’s their second choice isn’t he…

Iandolo brought the ball forwards well and finds Davison in the middle and he puts it under the keeper from 12 yards.

He is, his 1st game of the season and only 10 in total.

Fill your boots boys and use it to boost us for the remaining games.

Defender pulled his thigh muscle by the looks of the way he went down

Another injury to Harrogate player.

The injury made a key contribution

really need to stay aggressive....need goals...need confidence...

I'd like to see us continue to push for more goals

Attack best form of defence

2nd sub of the half already for them.

They only named 6 subs today as it is.

Barrow 3-0 FGR

Mansfield 0 Sutton 2

Perrenial bottlers.

He’s getting oxygen on the stretcher.

I think he broke his leg. He's on gas and air and I thought I saw his lower leg brake on the replay

The defender just fell like he had been snipered, looks like an abductor rip the way he fell.

Looked more like a muscle rip to me.

Egbo down

Egbo down injured now. Cramp it seems.

Worrying if Egbo can only do 50 mins!

Williams on for the excellent Egbo.

TBF its his first start in well over a year.

Which is no doubt why he didn’t start before now.

I am pretty sure Hawes is wrong, he said if we beat Harrogate today we will be the only side in the league to have beaten every other side in the 92.

Oldham did that earlier this season and Bradford only need to beat Harrogate too to equal that.

Thought Baudry made an excellent tackle and then put Barry through on goal. But keeper came out

OMG a goal with McKirdy or Egbo

Oldham 0-2 Cobblers

4-0 Davison.

Wow

Nice ball from Payne to Davison in the box and easy finish under the keeper from 10 yards on the angle.

0-4 Davison

Good through ball from Payne.

Keep pushing for goals boys, let's get that GD up

Can someone let Davison know to add a bit of ice cream to my Humble Pie when he serves it?  Not changing my opinion mind, but well done lad.

Should we try to get Parsons on to get him a goal?

Record are there to be broken!

Not for me, keep pressing them and try to score more.

Absolutely agree.

Think Barry will be knackered soon.

Hartlepool 0-1 Port Vale

I would however get JOB on for Baudry to get him back to fitness.

Gladwin on for Tomlinson. OK then!

Locals getting upset at Jojo taking his time retrieving the ball. Try getting some feckin ball boys you tinpot gobshites.

Giving him a rest for the Monday game, Iandolo is not going to be hard pressed at left back.

Like their even gonna get one goal back  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Jojo tips the cross high and Hunt puts it out for a corner, Iandolo pressed straight away.

Williams was looking for Gladwin to move then

He didn't!
Nearly cost us a goal!

 :D :D

Some good moves down the left by Williams, Reed and Iandolo but a foul given against Reed.

TBF that was pretty much the first attack they have gone down our left!

Long shot well over Towns bar.

Think JOB needs to come on for Barry so we can cover the LB position with someone not Iandolo!

Nice move down the left from Barry but his shot is saved.

Gladwin looks a little on the heavy side

Gladwin tried a pop from 20 yards, too near the keeper.

Parsons coming on, probably for Barry.

Bloody hell! Think JoJo took that into the goal!

I’m not at all sure Jojo didn’t carry that over.

Jojo got away with probably carrying the ball over the line!

No VAR😀

Parsons on for Barry.

Come on lad, impress us.

Harrogate consistantly attacking us down the left now.

Rovers 1-0 Salford

Nah. He's just unable to run

We could do with a draw there

Mansfield 1-2 Sutton

Yeah that’s a bad goal for them to score (for us).

Williams touch hasnt been great since he came on, gave the ball away a few times which is unusual for him.

Let's hope Mansfield can equalise

Ian Dolo down injured holding his knee.

Mansfield 1-3 Sutton

Oh well🤣

Parsons has to be alive there

Main Harrogate commentator is absolutely awful. Just to top it off hes been calling Iandolo “Ian Dodo” for this 2nd half.  :crash:

Iandolo right foot shot hits the bar.

Not bad for his swinger

Very poor first touch.

Iandolo hits crossbar with a rasping shot

The ref TBF has had a decent game.

Hunt down holding his head.

Yep, fair and a good eye.

2pts off the playoffs with a game in hand. Great start to the weekend 👍🍺

That looks like a season ender for Hunt.

Hunt is fucked, looks like ankle ligs - season over

Looks like Sutton are our target place.

Bradford 1-1 Tranmere

Gonna be a lot of added time.

Barrow 4-0 FGR

Sutton v Newport on Monday

as much i would like to see another goal...i want to see a clean sheet more.

Still can’t keep a clean sheet

I agree.

1-4

Didnt get a clean sheet!

Ffs

 :crash:

Let's hope we don't throw this away!

Blimey. 9 mins added.

very frustrating that these boys dont seem to ever have a killer instinct.....to give away a goal at the end it just pathetic

:Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Ever the optimism mate!

Long time Swindon fan! 😂

Mansfield 2-3 Sutton

Anyone take a point?

Parsons isn't a very good RB

Can't remember as much ever?

Didn't we have 10 mins added earlier in the season in 1 game? seems to ring a bell.

FT 4-1

Good result.
Still feels like a game too late for me. We should have set up like that Saturday against Newport. 3 extra points would make all the difference right now

Yes Port Vale.

Sunderland injury time winner  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Great result, decent performance, shame we couldnt keep a clean sheet.

Still all to play for.

good win fellas...needed it badly.

I want to thank everyone for thinking of my family.

Very kind to send thoughts of prayers to an American wanker you have never met.     ;D

Good win, good performance for 60 mins.

Hunt's loss could be a big one if McKirdy is not ready yet because you probably have to pop Egbo into Right Back or risk moving Tomlinson over and starting Iandolo at left back.  Egbo was the difference make while he was on- kept a defender utterly pre-occupied and even then he had the better of him.

Nice result. Didn't see it coming.

Pretty sure Odimayo will slot in there

Take care mate - glad we got a win for you today.

Good to see you on here this afternoon, Godd. You have been very much in our thoughts.

Thinking about the Fallowfield and Hunt injuries...

Just watching on ifollow but was that pitch on the dry side of bone dry?

Can't find anything negative to say about that. Must win game duly won and easily. Chuffed for Davison,good honest player who got decent reward for his hard work today. Quality finishes both

I agree, 3 points against Rochdale, at least a draw at Crawley and 3 points against Newport we would have been pushing the auto places. So frustrating because we know how good we can play but there are tines when we are diabolical and it makes no sense what so ever.
However, very happy with 3 points today, am I gutted about a clean sheet? Not particularly, rather have 3 points all day long, I think Orient Monday will be a much trickier test.  

Forgot about that option.  That may be quite effective - Odimayo is not the best attacking threat down that side but the two of them together could be a handful.

Hope the game at least gave you a momentary distraction from things.

We’re all thinking of you & your family

It does make sense:

We have some non-league standard players sprinkled into our squad that we have to give game time to due to lack of other options

We are very passive defending, especially through the middle

Without a game breaker type of player we look predictable even if we retain possession well

The good news is Egbo looks like he can offer that more direct threat, and maybe McKirdy is close to a return.  Just those two little changes can completely change the look of our team.

Best wishes mate

Firstly good to see Godd.

As for the game did well, would have been nice to see Ego poach one but you can't have everything.

He is good but to suggest he has an ego....harsh :)

Glad we could at least provide a tiny positive. Good luck to you and your family for the weekend, and the rest.

Garner:
- Good performance especially in the first half
- Disappointing to come off at half time only having scored two
- Disappointing to get Hunt injury and concede at the end
- Not much difference than in last few weeks. Final ball was a bit better and we attacked with intent
- Lots of positives in the last few performances, but just needed to create more
- Egbo has been doing well in training. Didnt expect him to be able to last more than an hour
- Trying to ease him in
- They pressed at our place so we wanted good movement to find space
- Goals in 2nd half were down to movement and Josh taking opportunities well
- Today we created opportunities and took them, unlike in last few games
- Tried to rest a few players with the substitution and wanted to give other some times
- Parsons did well at the end at RB
- Hunt felt his calf straight away and heard a noise (I've done that and its not good!)
- Hunt has been great and its a bit of a sour note for that to happen
- Did things a bit differently today in our shape
- Players were disappointed after last Saturday
- Good 3 points and need to get more on Monday
- Recovery session tomorrow, meet up on Sunday ahead of Monday's game.

‘‘Came on a freeeeeee, Egbo, Mandela’’

Virtual hug mate - Glad you enjoyed the game today.

😊

Do we know if we have him beyond this, season?

Barry:
- Been close to Egbo since being at the club
- They have deal where they have to buy each other something when they set eachother up
- Killed the game early
- Today was down to Garner coming up with strategy of running in behind the defence
- When we got the 4th we didnt take our foot of the gas
- Going down to 10 then we were unlucky to concede
- At 18 its amazing to be involved in a promotion race. He hopes he can show his best and help get the team promoted
- Pressure is part of the game. But we thrive on it. Poor result last game but came back stronger today
- Need to get to the play offs and then kill it in the play offs!
- Everyone is going to be confident now and will take it into the next game

Town are now second top scorers in L2.  Not THAT toothless.

He has currently only signed until the end of the season, but Garner said he wants to sign him for next year.

Att: 2,933 (600 Swindon)

Their 2nd highest gate of the season after Scunny at home even beating the local game vs Bradford.

Not long been in from work. Not to shabby today other than the injuries. Still can’t go on Monday, Weber some friends coming over who we really, really need to touch base with.

Key Easter Monday fixtures

Salford v Barrow
Swindon v Orient
Tranmere v Exeter
Sutton v Newport
Carlisle v Mansfield
Port Vale v  Bristol Rovers
Northampton v Harrogate

Win Monday and it gets very interesting. Hopefully Vale beat Rovers and Newport don't lose at Sutton. Carlisle not an easy place to go for Mansfield and Tranmere face Exeter.

Nice little tribute to Sutton Red texted in there, who apparently wasted a fortune waiting for a 1-4.

The extra home crowd caught us out as we were both within 20 & 25 of the Town numbers!

Tribute to Sutton Red read out on the radio:
4-1 was part of an in joke with London Reds. Many of the group used to put a bet on this scoreline every week. Sutton Red (Paul Arnold) couldnt believe that Town hadn't won by that score line since Feb 2016 and wondered if it would ever happen again. Sutton Red finally lost his battle with Covid, but during the illness was supported by video messages from Town legends from down the decades. At last we have broken the 4-1 hoodoo. Sutton Red, this one was for you!

Brilliant. R.I.P. Paul

Salford v Barrow Home win
Swindon v Orient Home win
Tranmere v Exeter Away win
Sutton v Newport Home win
Carlisle v Mansfield draw
Port Vale v  Bristol Rovers Home win
Northampton v Harrogate Home win

AIMHO

As I said earlier in the thread, without McKirdy we probably won’t score.

As Manuel would have said “I know, nothing”.  :D

Nice result, another on Monday would be great

That's the easier part of the Easter double header out of the way.
The added difficulty on Monday is being at home.
Doesn't look good for Hunt, hopefully the rest of them can be patched up & ready to go.

Not the best judge of opposition, but would be worried for next season if I were a Harrogate fan.

Most of todays attendances

https://www.espn.co.uk/football/fixtures/_/date/2021000415

As much as I wish injury on no one, Egbo at right back may help us.

Probably does if McKirdy is back to play in front of him.
If not, it probably hinders us.

Good to hear from you, Godd.  Been thinking of you & the family.

Any news on his injury?

Booked our Hartlepool tickets this morning.  I asked my boys whether they wanted to see how we got on today before getting them, but they were adamant we were going even if we were out of contention by then.  I'm doing something right.

As Berni mentioned, Odimayo could slot in at right back with Egbo in front of him.  McKirdy to come on if needed (if he is not 100%).

All good apart from the goal conceded.

https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/12591052/harrogate-1-4-swindon-league-two-highlights

Everyone of us thinking of you x

What an enjoyable day out.

Harrogate were poor, but that hasn't stopped us failing to capitalise before

I was undecided about egbo, and I know I'll get shot down but I still am to an extent, long term. But his two crosses basically decided the match, as i don't think Harrogate had 2 goals in them.

In fact we should have had 4 in the first half, so you do sorry a bit.

Anyway I kind of our my thoughts in the mom thread as to player performances.

Very comfortable and only really went a bit ragged when the subs came in and more after hunt went off.
+------------
Massive Monday ahead. I'd put odimayo RB, but worried about lack of recent game time.

can job play there?

Egbo is certainly going to be hit and miss - his final ball is a bit random at times, BUT, the threat he offers is enough at this level.  Their left back stayed at home the entire time he was on the pitch and he consistently offered himself for either the ball out wide or over the top.  When he got it, he mostly moved forwards.  It won't always come off (he has come from the second team squad of an MLS club, very much Academy level).

yes, that's exactly it Rob.

That he didn't come on v Newport ahead of JML only Garner can explain

Only cramp I believe.
Egbo, Tomlinson and Barry struggling with 90 minutes at present hence the changes.
Feel for Hunty, looks a bad one.

It is.  When we booked our Hartlepool tickets this morning, I wasn't expecting there would be anything still to play for when we got there.  Today means the door is still open.  Another win Monday would open it a bit more.  It's the hope that kills you, but going to be glued to the TEF when we play Orient.

Still in this.  Still hoping.  Still making no plans for the last weekend in May, just in case.

Left Harrogate at 10pm got in 15 mins ago...my home fixture. Couldn't get away tickets so went in the home end. Kept my gob shut, sort of, as the goals kept going in. You can add at least two two to the 600 away support but there were others. Just been in a Harrogate curry house, sporadic outbursts of the 1969 song, fantastic scenes. COYR!!

Excellent post :clap:

Pity you didn’t get in the away end.
Unfortunately Leeds Phil has Covid thus also missed this local game.

Should be able to watch it on i follow without a dodgy VPN as its a 'midweek' game...

oh, forgot

thought us fans were quiet yesterday.

I guess the optimistic were nervous and the pessimistic accepting of our destiny

They never looked liked scoring til we went down to 10 I thought

Speak for yourself I was in good voice at home and signing all game. :)

I had a pint with Sol Davis!

Did he foul you? :D

Yeah you’d hope that runner gets picked up with a ‘proper’ back 4.
Extra player further up and player probably doesn’t have as much time to pick out that pass.

Very good touch and initial shot to be fair

I did mention ‘that’ ‘tackle’ when he played for Luton v Stoke. Conceded it was a bit rash!

Shall I book my flights for the PO Final v Mansfield?

No. :D

I recon Sol must be our most booked player with 40 yellows and 3 reds in 100 starts!

McKirdy must be getting close !.

11 bookings from 34 starts, not even close to solman!

I’m on holiday for the play off semi’s
Sod’s law we get there

Although I have no interest in watching us get beat at Wembley again

Just caught myself looking up the final dates. Could make it...

It's doable but still a tall order.

Monday is a must win if we are going to make the play off's.

It is and we will.

I am certainly not ever going to tempt fate but the step daughter wants to come to see us at Wembley again if we get there.

On the minus side, shes been to 5 Swindon games including 1 Wembley game vs Preston and has yet to see us win....

Shes an Arsenal supporter, bloody glory hunting lower league fans jumping on our bandwagon.... :D

I’ve already booked my hotel for the night of the final, albeit it’s because we have tickets for a concert at Wembley Arena that night 😂

Did we hear what was wrong with their player that went down in a heap? Looked season-ending.

https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/sport/football/harrogate-town-manager-simon-weaver-provides-injury-updates-on-alex-pattison-ryan-fallowfield-and-george-thomson-3657356

Cheers JJ. Squad depth is proving a big factor at this time of year.

Yeah it did look nasty for the lad, and they have a thin squad already, shame BRovers dont suffer a few injuries in the coming weeks ;)