Thetownend.com

I'll be there, hopefully the team can do the business. It'll be tough.

Swindon 1-3 Orient att: 8,001 (495 away)

Swindon 1 Orient 2 attendance: 8,790 (580 O's) and 442 at the back as predicted earlier'

Can’t see anything other than a defeat,  have been proved wrong before, just hope I am again this time or the peasants may well start to revolt.

2-0 defeat. Att:7,749.

MoM: Hutton

No one fancy a win of any kind, even a Williams Win?

0-3 and the real unpleasantness begins*


*happy to be wrong, hope I am...

If the Wellens factor it will turn very toxic if this happens. The Rochdale game on Saturday would then become a really pivotal moment.

On the sauce or the wind up.
Hutton would only get MoM if he was dropped and sat it out on his early showings

Neither

All feels a bit doom and gloom on here, which to an extent is understandable, given expectations of progression from last season.

However it is early days and most sides suffer a hangover following play off failure. There have also been signs of some improvements in the last 135 minutes of league football compared to the first 135 mins. We are at least creating chances and of the new signings Brynn, Khan and Wakelin have impressed.

The jury is out on Adeloye, Hutton and Shade in particular, but again it is early days and some players take longer to settle than others.

Lindsey doesn't come across in his media duties as tactically astute as say Wellens, but that may be because he's  not as media savvy. Garner used to say very little, keeping his cards close to his chest and his lack of engagement with the fanbase was evident and not liked.

To his credit Lindsey appears far more willing to engage and tactically got it right by switching to a back 4 in the 2nd half against Salford and keeping the same formation for yesterday's game. Clearly our recruitment was geared to playing wing backs but Devine and Iandolo have been injured and Shade and Hutton not impressed in those positions. The new left back looks composed and decent on the ball but again will need time to gel with the rest of the team.

I have the same concerns as most others, namely the quality of some of our signings, Reeds form in particular, lack of pace in central defence and need of a proven goalscorer but overall it's far too early to judge either the team or Lindsey.

Get 2 wins against Orient and Rochdale and all will hopefully look very different in a weeks time.

Half glass full........

Andy King was astue with the media, had a great eye for talent, good man management skills and at times was still hounded by the fans so it's not just an anti Lindsey thing on here.

Orient have a 100% start to the season in the league winning their first 3 games scoring 4 goals and keeping 3 clean sheets in the process.

They have beaten Mansfield and Grimsby at home and Crawley away so far, they have ex Town players Hunt, Vigs and Harry Smith on their books, last season they tore us apart at Brisbane Road and easily beat us at the CG too.

Wellens has the nucleus of a good side.

I think we will struggle against them TBH.

A small club on the up!

Apparently Mansfield pissed all over Orient and only Vigs kept them in it. Much as Mansfield pissed all over us last season and we won 1-0.

Wouldnt hold them up as anything special.

King is an absolute legend of a manager.

There can be many reasons for results, good or bad but at the end of the day that is the yardstick that matters most where a current manager is concerned.

I must confess that fickle, much younger me has chanted "we want Kingy out, say, we want Kingy out" (only ever after the end of a match).  But our grand old ledge did take us on some horrendous winless streaks, tbf.

Speaking personally, I'm amongst those disappointed by the Lindsey appointment for reasons already shared by a fair few.

He appears v. lucky to have been chosen.  It seems that his inexperience and lower level pedigree make him more under pressure than the likes of more charismatic or celebrated newbies like DiCanio or Macari - who started memorable seasons similarly shakily.  

Lindsey doesn't look a likely legend to me but I won't be bringing my pitchfork in case of a home defeat on Tuesday.  It's a big step up for Lindsey and he deserves a fair chance like any other "new manager". Say 8-10 games.  Who of us truly know what the man may be capable of based on 3 league games in his first appointment?

What we don't want to re-occur is to find ourselves without a clue as to a replacement should the need arise.  But if there weren't any we liked last month, you can bet there won't be too many more eligible replacements yet available.

Kingy would have been the absolutely perfect assistant manager to have any a lower league club.
He had some serious strengths.
Tactics was not one of them.

Hey. kicking for touch by the corner flag at every kick-off was a clear tactical masterstroke

Tickets not exactly flying for this one. Shame.

Can't see anything but a loss. Reckon we may score. 2 or 3-1

Might see a few season tickets flying after the game.

Or even during the game😀

I predict a win. With Harry Mc dispelling all fears

Predicting a win, against the odds, in the blind hope we can get on board with this season, see signs that Lindsey can get a tune out of the players and show us what the plan is. Lose tomorrow, and anything but a win on Saturday, and it could turn toxic quickly, and none of us want that.

absolutely no reason we can’t win this evening.

Darcy and Clayton should both be starting.

Take a shot every time Irene Wellens or George Moncur are mentioned later.

You'll be dead in minutes.

Absolutely. That's how he arrived here lets not forget as Todd's assistant.

I think the longer it remains goal-less tonight, the better it is for us. There is a real danger of us getting pumped now and the reality of how much the result vs a weakened Carlisle team really flattered us will set in for some who want to start to see the reality of it.

I'd love to see Darcy start. Not sure what more he needs to do. Khan and Darcy in that midfield together has a lot of cause for optimism.

God I hope we win tonight!

Me too. It would be very Swindon-esque to win a game in this situation.

He's made it pretty clear he won't drop Reed, but I'd love it if he starts all of Clayton, Darcy and Khan. Them along with Wakeling have all shown serious promise.

If you can't play the players that are actually playing quite well at a time when you're overall playing like shit, then something is seriously wrong and you're not learning.

2nd half at Carlisle Reed got much better and was more like last seasons player but in his previous 2 games and in the first half he was attrocious, couldnt find a red shirt even with fairly simple passes.

Not sure if its a fitness issue or his head not in the game since his mate Payne left but hes been poor.

I think Clayton "may" be able to replace him in DMC but I dont think Clayton has the passing range that an "in form" Reed has, but as long as he finds Town players with short passes then let others start moves, that may work.

Darcy reminds me a lot of Martin Ling, lightweight and loves to carry the ball, struggles tracking back but thats not his game.

A lot depends on how we set up today, will he go back to a 3 at the back? will he give the players who played at Carlisle another chance, after all he thought we played quite well!

I suspect we will start with the same starting line up as we did at the weekend, but this time we need to see Darcy come on if its not working to liven it up.

I still don't see us as having a very lively attack yet, even though McKirdy and Wakeling have obvious quality they don't seem to know each others game yet so both make runs that the other doesnt read yet and when we do get in good positions we dont have a striker in the middle threatening as I see Wakeling and Harry as wide attackers not central strikers.

We need 433 with McKirdy and Wakeling either side of Adeloye.

I would start Tomi as the central striker with Harry and Jake flanking him at home.  The only way if we are going to see if he is a capable front man is if you play him in the formation that suits him.

Agreed. Could see Wakeling do Yates role (though not quite so well)

Agree, him being a pest and pressing the defence all game is something everyone could get behind, and in the basement of English football, something as simple as that will probably get goals/create chances.

A bit like Josh Davison did in his short time here😀

Absolutely, I have seen Tomi play in all the league games and I still don't know if he has ability or potential as he has had almost zero service so far in his career.

I would probably play

                        Brynn
Hutton     MacDonald       Baudry     FBT
            Gladwin    Reed    Khan
McKirdy            Tomi              Wakeling

As I cant see Lindsey wanting to make wholesale changes yet.
                  

Yeah I'd like to see Adeloye as the middle man in a three. If he's good enough, it'll be in that sort of role you'd imagine. If he's not good enough, better to know that before the window closes.

I agree, however I don't think you will see Baudry playing Sat/Tues, so he either misses tonight or Saturday.  Would probably bring Clayton in for him whichever game he drops out of.  We need to start getting away from being reliant on Baudry, the only way that happens is by playing some of the younger squad members

Same with Gladwin/Williams, I'd start Williams tonight in CM and rotate

Its funny you say that as I thought Baudry looked possibly our fittest player on Saturday, I understand the concerns about his age and fitness but if hes being managed well....would like to see more of Clayton tho.

It will be interesting to see how we cope tactically against a team that will press us from the start.

They have some goal scoring defenders too, Beckles and James.

Probably the same as vs Salford who did the same high press, certainly first half.

I see Rob Lewis I the ref, oversaw our battering of Rovers at the Big Top last season.

And a decent midfield.

Like the look of this for the most part.
I’d take MacDonald & Reed out and put Clayton & Darcy in

I’d go

Brynn

Hutton - McDonald - Clayton - FBT

Gladwin Reed Khan

Mckirdy Adeloye Wakeling

(Don’t think Baudry needs to do Sat/Tues when we can avoid, part of me thinks Darcy > Reed but I don’t see Lindsey dropping a POTS candidate from last season just yet).

I reckon Lindsey will play safe and go with experience and play both Reed & MacDonald.

I see the Orient forum has a prediction thread, most of the attendance guesses are around 6k  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

I did notice that and one was around 5,600😀

Please dear god no.

Seeing a lot of posts saying need to be playing Wakeling and McKirdy wide. Totally agree. Seems an obvious move.

Its pretty clear that neither Wakeling or Harry are central strikers, it just shows that we are lacking a proper central striker as he seems to currently not rate Tomi there.

And I bloody hope we dont go 3 at the back!

We did have a bizzarely low attendance of 5524 back in 2019 for the game against Stevenage. Doyle's late winner kicked off a 9-game unbeaten run taking us from 7th to 1st.

Tonight I'm predicting 7734 with 412 travelling fans, and a sneaky draw.

--------------------Brynn------------------
Hutton----McDonald----Baudry-------FBT
---------------Reed-----Khan--------------
Wakeling---------Williams---------McKirdy
-------------------Adeloye------------------

Wouldn't mind seeing this team start but three points is the main thing. First game of the season for me tonight.

Swindon 2-1 Orient.

Whenever I look at our side on paper it looks good.

I then quickly discover that it isn't.

So am I overrating our players or is our manager not yet up to the task.

Perhaps a mixture of both.

Looks good other than I'd start Darcy on merit, but based on the noises SL has been making, would say this is the best we can probably hope for.

I often wonder if its the management overselling the ability of the new signings?

It happened with Kovar and Stevens under Wellens.

Yeah, agree. Although the full backs/wing backs have left a fucking lot to be desired so far and seem to be our main weakness other than maybe a decent central striker. There are definitely some capable players in there.

It has some potential but it is not yet, just in my opinion, good.

Some have shown real promise in cameo's/one off games - Khan, Darcy and, to a lesser extent, Wakeling and Clayton.  However, they are either young or new to this level, so they are going to have bad games and look naive.

Some have looked very ropey to me - Brennan, Hutton, Shade, MacDonald, Harries.  Again, it could be the younger ones just learning their trade, but the rawness/frailties of each of these has looked more worrying thus far.

Then you look at someone like Baudry - we saw him look very poor in L1.  We know he can be OK in L2, but will he be reliable enough for a full season these days?  Tough to know.

I think Brynn is going to be best of the bunch - he has already shown progress and looks more than decent enough for L2.

Reed, McKirdy, Gladwin and Williams - we know they can indeed be good (even if not all performing right now).

On top of all that, I am not sure we have a good squad - not well balanced, and part of that is also Adeloye - I have no idea whether he is good, bad, indifferent, based on his minutes thus far.

I think *part* of Brynn looking the best so far (or at least, I hope) is that the goalkeeper position is, tactically, the simplest. There's not much in the way of partnerships to foster or patterns of play to learn - more than there used to be of course, but still relatively little.

MacDonald has played 100+ games at Championship level, he's clearly not a bad player. He's looked ropey so far for sure, but we have to hope that he settles in with a run of games and learning the game of the players around him. This doesn't just apply to the new players either - it's pretty clear that Reed is missing having Conroy near him as the easy pass and it's throwing the rest of his game off.

You might say that we should be working on this stuff on the training ground and of course, you'd be right, but it's probably not as simple as that - I assume we spent most of the time working on a Brennan - Baudry - MacDonald three and that's gone in the bin already with Brennan getting concussed (and to a lesser extent, some below part performances necessitating a 4-at-the-back option)

Not one poster has us down for a home win in the predictisons league let's hope they are all wrong!

Interesting. Are some of us in reality as negative as everyone else behind the brave face?

 :clap: :clap:

Think I did a chunk of predictions at the start of the season and had this one down as our first loss. I've got all the others wrong so fingers crossed that pattern continues...

It's looking like it's going to rain cats & dogs this evening chaps :badmood:

Well, don’t step in a poodle then.

It's like betting on us to lose, we lose and you win, we win and you lose. Best of a bad situation innit.

Match to be abandoned before kick off following a deluge of biblical proportions.

Sections of the fanbase are deeply critical of the performance.

I hope Marcus has turned off the sprinklers. Could end up with another rerun of the season opening game v The Gas a few years ago.

That's what Lou macari said😀

Would like to predict a win but I think Wellens will have us sussed out. I do miss listening to his tactical nouse and insightfulness with regard to the opposition. A 1-0 loss but an improved performance on the pitch tonight.

Can we afford to have the floodlights on for both halfs in August

My thoughts exactly

Cant see how Wellens will have us sussed.

 ‘We don’t know what we’re doing!’

Piece of piss. 4-1.

He will know we look fragile at the back and lack lustre up front.

Yes, likely to have a whip round.

Your recent tax rebate😀

Every time you fucking post you do it at the opportune moment to make me ravenously hungry. STOP IT.

The pitch looks amazing today, all things weather wise considered.

A very welcome soaking on the way to the CG.

The steps in the DRS could do with a lick of paint.

Anything over 7000 would be very good for a Tuesday night in August.

I reckon that the CG will still be a fortress when our visitors head back to the Orient.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FaTNZsjXkAA9Lqc?format=jpg&name=large)

Clayton in for Baudry the only change.

4-3-3 or 4-4-2

Fair team

Just woulda preferred Williams off bench and not in same midfield as Gladwin, don’t think it works

Good to see Clayton starting.

It suggests Lindsey is reluctant not to have experience in midfield.

I always prefer it when Williams starts. Maybe he's left side of a front three tho

Orient pre match predictions 14 going for an O's win, 4 draw and 3 Swindon wins predicted.

2 predicting 4-1 wins against us.

Attendance guesses vary from 5,900 to 8,500 with the average guesstimate of attendance being a quite paltry 6,737.

It was difficult to tell exactly where Willo was playing at the weekend, sometimes he was very central and sometimes drifting wide.

I am expecting very similar today TBH as SL seemed to think we did well, good luck to Clayton on his first start in the league sitting on the left of the 2 centre backs.

Hunt and Vigs start today with Swindon born Moncur and ex town loanee Harry Smith on the bench.

Orients only change from their home win vs Mansfield at the weekend is "Ogie Ogie Ogie" coming in for the giant Happe at CB.

Feels very empty in and around the ground tonight.

I see local team FGR's game has been called off due to a waterlogged pitch tonight.

Its got a Hammering written all over this.

For some reason I read that as hamstering, which sounds pretty awful.

Ask Richard Gere.....

Well, that was an enlightening Google. Goodness.

:Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :pint:

Sorry I should have said don't Google this :)

Hoping to see a big performance from Clayton tonight that'll calm our overall defensive play.

No pressure young man.

Davison scores for Wimbledon

1-0 Harry!

Get the fuck in!

Disappointed no Darcy still. He must be wondering what he has to do. Hopefully we're still in it come 65/70 mins to be an impact sub.

That was all about Khan in the build up but also magnificently unselfish from Wakeling to square it. Hope that's the momentum shift we needed.

Davison scores for Wimbledon

'KIRRRRDY

Fucking yes.

1.1

Awful defending.

1-1

Ah.

Hutton should have picked up his man, Blake should have got to his man before the cross.

Walked in.

Bloody defence :crash:

Both full backs have question marks there I think, Blake Tracy should have been tighter to Archibald.

Nice to know last seasons McKirdy is still in there. If last seasons Williams and Reed can follow, it would go a long way to my blood pressure not rising whenever I think about football.

I thought it was Williams man.

To be fair, we only had 6 players in the box. It was difficult to defend  :badmood:

These full backs are not up to it at all, are they? I said earlier its probably our weakest area bar the central striker but I think that under played it.

The full back signings have been dog shit. I don't know if we have the budget but they need overhauling if we can turn it around this season.

The defenders are an abomination.

Same as Saturday in the sense of bags of positives in terms of improvements on the attack, but still absolutely abysmally fucking dog shit at the back. I'm gobsmacked how bad we are back there.

We'll need to average about 4 a game to get promoted this season if we keep this up.

losing hunt was a major issue for me. should have tied him down as a big priority

Wakeling has the beating of Beckles so far.

We signed wing backs with an attacking skill profile and have immediately switched to a back 4. In this shape, Hunt would have been useful. It's an odd one.

Wakeling causing a lot of problems for Beckles physically despite being about half his size.

This ref lets a lot go. Leading to quite a fun game but not sure that there won't be a few bruises tomorrow.

Good Lord if Smith had finished that it would have been a great goal. He's run past half the Town team - I won't say best them as there was barely a challenge amongst them.

Brynn saves us.

We are an absolute shambles!

Hutton and Blake-Tracey look very poor.

Blake Tracy is getting brutalised by Archibald. Williams needs to help him out.

MacDonald fucks up just outside our box and yet again we get away with it.

If anything, we're growing out of the game.

MacDonald was put under a lot of pressure by Gladwin's dodgy pass there.

Brynn has to make another save.

Good idea by Harry but its a bit too high for Wakeling.

The defence is just not very good.

Pratley is a dirty fucker, pushing and kicking Khan at every opportunity.

They have certainly realised early that any effort to run at our defence is met with immediate bed wetting on our part. Hard to watch when we don’t have the ball.

The ref finally gives a foul on Khan from Pratley.

Just double checked, Reed is on.

Pretty sure hes had 2 touches :)

The problem is you can’t fashion a working defence if the players just aren’t up to it.

It’s painful to watch.

Moncur is probably the best player on the pitch.

Looks too easy for the away side.

Defence doesn't look great but they're being put in difficult situations by Moncur and Smith waltzing through our midfield with no pressure.

Absolutely, Reed, Gladwin and Khan just arent doing much at the moment.

2nd goal for Davison!

Anyone who thinks we aren’t in massive trouble is kidding themselves, this team is devoid of anything most notably organisation and direction to our play.

But we’re not losing….

It’s as if we have no clue what to do when we don’t have possession. They are not doing anything particularly clever or intricate, though no need when plan A works so well. We look so low on confidence, need a big dose of luck to turn this around I think.

Looks like playing with a back 4 hasn’t done us any favours either. The lad from Burton is getting roasted. What’s the point of playing FBs if they’re not up to it.

We may be a 'possession team' but it's all possession between our own defenders and Reed in our own final third. Our attacking outlet is mostly long balls forward. There's no play through midfield - our midfield somehow manages to neither shield the defence or build attacking play. It's... not good.

I'm here and we are clueless. Makings of a good side but something is fucked.

I would take off Gladwin at half time.

What's the point in signing players that aren't up to it!

Yeah.

To do anything this season we'll need to sack three or four players off Di Canio style with Commazi, Lanzano, etc. and sadly we just don't have the budget to.

Most of the defenders we've signed look shit and simply well below the level we need, although having said that SL has to take a lot of the flack as well as they look badly disorganised and he was our defensive coach last season.

Agreed.

As he nearly scores ...

Last season we were a possession team so far this season our stats say different.

Irony! :) but then he didn't "score" so the statement still stands!

Just imagine if he lost a stone

Moncur, Pratley and Mizouni are totally controlling the midfield.

I’m here and think Gladwin has been one of our better players.

having streaming problems, giving up, but from what I can see things looked pretty average.

at least McKirdy scored and is off the mark

Yeah, I wouldn't call us a possession team this season.

Lindsey might want us to be, but he probably wants us not to have an absolute abortion of a back line either so its long list of things he wants that he isn't providing.

Good save again by Brynn.

First half 51% to 49%

Gladwin clears straight to their player who cant finish in the box.

1st decent attack by Williams but we didnt have a strike rin the middle for the cross. Good chance.

HT 1-1

Why didn't he lob that throw in the box? Fucking annoying

90% in our half though.

Interesting, but not especially encouraging half.

The reason I said "possession team" is because that's what Lindsay describes us as - and he shut down suggestion of counter-attacking in the prematch presser. We do look to be happy to pass it round at the back of the pitch, but Orient seem very happy for us to do that as well, standing off until the ball is with someone with limited options and then pressing mercilessly and often winning the ball back. Our only real attacking ideas seem to be balls over the top which to be fair aren't going that badly.

Orient's attacks in the first part of the half were mostly through Archibald having FBT on toast, that stopped in the second part of the half but mostly because Orient decided just to run through the middle of the pitch instead with just as much success - Moncur having an absolute day out (how I wish we had him!) and our midfield is just... not really applying much pressure when they're in possession, leading to runs on the defence which also isn't coping well.

The midfield is the problem for me - although I think Gladwin's been the best of them. They're not really shielding the defence or advancing play for us - Gladwin and Khan are both comfortable in possession but mostly interested in running with the ball themselves rather than finding the pass. Reed is, sadly, well short of his best. It might not be as simple as an in form Reed making his team work, but we need to get that player back asap because it would absolutely help.
 
On the bright side, Wakeling is causing Beckles a lot of problems and Brynn continues to look solid - he's not had to make any worldies, but he's had plenty to do and has done the job. And McKirdy is off the mark and looks more involved than he has all season.

There are some good players on that pitch (and not all in gold, before some wag says it), it's just not quite working tactically. What I would say for Lindsay is that we've quite often improved after half time this season - so let's hope so.

Have we got a manager who knows how to change things!

there is no doubt he still has some skill and a strong shot but his lack of speed in the midfield really hurts the team.  having a player there that get back on defense as well as join the attack is needed

Can't have everything at least we seem to have "last season's Gladwin" back

It’s clear that this isn’t just new players bedding in now. I can’t see how it can change as things stand.

For me,Khan and Harry Mac are the only 2 rating more than a 5/10 so far. The whole back 4 is having a collective 'mare

Which was how it was last year only we had 70% a lot of the time.

Brynn? Wakeling?

Not really sure I understand what Khan does. I like his close control, but he's a bit of a more athletic version of Gladwin with a little less technical quality in my limited analysis.

He has been, but only when near their box, which is his biggest problem really.  He has a great skillset on the ball and confidence around the box but no legs.  Having him in a midfield with nobody who can tackle or run around is a problem.  You have to find a way of leaving him wandering if you have him the team I think.  Him and Williams together seems like a luxury we cannot afford right now.  Williams has done nothing much to avoid criticism either.  I'd probably prefer Gladwin to Williams at the moment, but revert to last seasons rotation.

Overall it's a rinse and repeat of Carlisle.  Some flashes when we get do manage to get possession in their half, which is where all our talent is.  A midfield that has left enough space for an Airbus A380 to land and defence without a decent defender (based on performances thus far).

Reed has been poor in previous games, but today his performance looks poor because he doesn't actually seem to know what he is there for now.  We are not using him like we did last season, so when we have the ball at the back he looks pointless.  When we attack he is not an aggressive forward looking player so not much point there and he has about as much presence as a ghost when it comes to defending.  I really just think he is a spare part if we keep this going, which is a waste but you'd simply have to drop him.

Hutton cannot defend, no instincts.  The other full back looks pretty poor as well.  No real idea on Clayton yet - my hope is he could do the defensive role in midfield.

Baudry on for Blake-Tracey and put Clayton at full back, midfield has gone missing most of the half so Darcy could replace either of them. Glad I’m only watching on iFollow and not having to travel to watch this

Broadly agree with this, but worth pointing out he's surprisingly decent defending set pieces as well. Gladwin isn't really the problem, but he does mean you need to construct the rest of your midfield in such a way as to cover his weaknesses. An in-form Reed probably does that. This version does not.

Brynn and Wakeling the only 2 deserving of the shirt for me today, Harry looking livelier though.

I don’t know that much about league two players outside of Swindon, maybe some on here know better, but I felt like last season our midfield must have been amongst the best in the division. Payne must have masked some real turgidity on this seasons showing so far.

Without the ball we are really, worryingly bad. Midfield may as well not not be there at times, defence horribly exposed and their only answer is to slowly back off until Orient reach shooting distance, just as well they have been bad in the finishing department so far. Both full backs need help, McKirdy did start doing that more towards the end of the half down their left, but both wide forwards getting a lot of joy.

Going forward, we have had some nice moments, thought McKirdy and Wakeling look lively, Gladwin had his moments. Overall though feels like a team of individuals all doing their own thing. Cannot say we are a possession side when the majority of it is slowly between the back line. All of our best stuff has come from long diagonals and getting the ball wide, but not really sure that even that is the tactic. I’m confused as to what the plan is.

I never really rated Payne as being a player who would be much above a lower L1 level, but his legs probably helped Gladwin out a bit.  Payne was a pest - played like a school kid (which brought it's own problems).  We also tried to boss possession so Gladwin or Williams had less to worry about for much of the game.

Att: 8,524 with 412 O's.

They're overloading players onto the fullbacks, I think Blake-Tracy is defending ok considering it's him vs 2, but Hutton's inability to see players around him is terrifying. They're doing a good job of sitting on Reed too, so Khan and Gladders trying to pass out from the keeper is...different.
I really like Wakeling and McKirdy out on the wing, not sure what Williams is bringing to the party in that front three considering the ball isn't sticking up front.

Wakeling nearly gets to a thro ball, saved by Vigs.

To be fair to him, that ball forward from Blake Tracy was delicious.

Good defending by Khan there.

McKirdy has a shot but its weak and at Vigs.

Good interception from Gladwin there.

Nice run by Hutton down the wing wins us a throw.

McKirdy took a heavy knock on the ankle.

Maybe for now we should have him Central of the front 3. Plays to some of his strengths, hides some weaknesses. Enables a bit more energy in midfield, Williams can move to his actual position, Wakeling and McKirdy as the wide men. Could be genius  ;)

Clayton has been pretty solid today, not excellent but defended fairly well at times.

Looks like Darcy and Shade could be coming on soon.

Big fan of the TE giving Vigs the 'You're shit...aahh' treatment as he makes a two yard pass from the goal kick. Not quite the same effect of they don't lump it long...

What a great ball from Williams to mcKirdy but he just loses control of it on the break.

Williams off Shade on, Darcy on for Khan too.

Exercising a bit more control so far this half.

Orient defenders clear the Arkells twice in a row!

I cant help thinking that as Pratley tired we have gained more control in midfield.

Orient's level has definitely dropped this half.

Time for Tomi Adeloye to come on and win the game for Town, show us what hes made of.

Adeloye and Aguiar about to come on.

Him and RAguiar coming on.

Harry has a dribble and a shot from distance, well over the bar.

Tomi and RAgi :)

Another good save by Brynn.

Without wanting to jinx it. We've actually started this half pretty well. Clayton is the only defensive signing who has looked up to it in his minutes so far though. Looks solid.

We've stopped shitting ourselves and wetting the bed every time we're out of possession for 15 minutes, which is sadly the most positive thing I can say about our defence so far this season.

Reed with a superb tackle there.

Free kick 40 yards out central, Reed should have a pop and let it bounce just in front of Vigs.

Ex Town striker Harry Smith coming on, I would like us to sign him again.

Inevitable

Wakeling poor challenge just outside our box, booking.

Silly tackle from Wakeling who has faded a bit and probably knows he's about the come off.

Another save by Brynn. MotM today for me.

Double save by Brynn there.

Think Brynn made three saves there, not sure how much he knew about all of them but made himself big and got hit. Good work.

Another save by Brynn.

Gone to sleep for a bit haven’t we. Better than them this half up to now. Don’t fuck it up!

Absolutely, everyone seems to have improved this half so far though but not creating enough.

Adeloye and Aguiar on for Reed and Wakeling.

Great tackle by Blake-Tracey.

Amused by Adeloye getting cross about a soft foul being given against him when he'd already miscontrolled it out of play for a goal kick.

Charlton beating Plymouth 5-1😀

Plymouth red card after 30ish

Harry getting back to nearer his standard this half too.

Is Adeloye meant to be good, or was he a bit of a punt? Not seen much from him yet.

Aguiar with a good saving tackle.

No idea, hes barely kicked a ball in his 4 games so far.

Only Sandro would know😀

Orient player should be booked for diving in the box there.

5 mins added.

Ha, His individual ball in air time stats are healthy

That was close to a pen on Tomi.

But is he any good with his feet!

FT 1-1

Better 2nd half, Brynn my MotM.

Three draws are as good as a win😀

Orient probably disappointed not to pick up 3 points. A better side would have put Swindon to the sword.

At least we didn’t lose.

Bar a 2 minute blip in the middle that 2nd half wasn’t too bad. Makes Rochdale feel really important. Unbeaten run continues  ;)

I enjoyed that. We were far from perfect but I think we’ll be fine this season. From relegation anyway.

Three draws make a win.

We were better in the second half, although it may have been Orient losing steam a bit. The one thing I'll say for Lindsay is that we do seem to improve after HT in every game so far.

Don't think we'll be relegation threatened or anything like that, but hard to see how this side turns into a promotion chasing one. Lower midtable feels our level right now, let's hope we can improve from there.

Strange match.

Well what a transformation from Blake-Tracy who,for me,went from hopeless to being probably our best player in second half.

I think much of the first half analysis stands the test of time.

We look almost as clueless as under Sheridan right now - it's old skool paint by numbers stuff.  Throw a bunch of players out in some positions and hope for the best.  There is a hangover from last season and some Academy training I guess which makes it a bit less farcical than under Sheridan, but there is no purpose to the way we play and a right old bag of shit defending at times.

Lets be honest, we are lucky to have not lost all four games in the league thus far.

If you can take a positive or two - we have some talent with the ball at feet when we get possession further forward and we have a decent keeper.

It's not looking great.  At the individual level we are not 100 miles behind everyone else, so at least we are not being blown away.

I should fucking hope so.  If we scrap around the bottom all season everyone involved in the club can fuck off as far as I would be concerned.

Still not looking great but I guess the table shows we’ve managed draws against the top two.

3 draws, 3 points. If it was the end of the season and were fighting to get promoted or the opposite, draws would not be good enough.

More concerning is we can't hold onto a lead, so far this season. :doh:

Orient had 9 shots on target to our 3. Sol Brynn 7 saves.

Onto Saturday then. Rochdale have lost all their league games so far, its got to be a win for town surely?  :hmmm:

If they were away games I would agree but nothing inspiring drawing both in consecutive home games.

We didn't get spanked by a team that has been doing very well at the start of the season. First half in particular and some of the defending throughout was suspect but McKirdy seemed much more lively and is off the mark now. Wakeling is going to be a real asset (even if the phrase 'drop of the shoulder' has taken on a life of its own in my house), been impressed with him so far.

A great performance? No. Another point on the board against a team we were supposed to lose against? Yes.

Echo people's comments that we're much better in the second half every game, god knows what Lindsay is doing at half time but it obviously works.

With Adeloye, I think it's probably a bad thing if I cannot determine whether he is even a footballer yet, let alone any good.  I am not sure I have seen a player be so distant from the game for nearly all the minutes he has been on the field.  I'd still try him starting as the central player with Wakeling & McKirdy either side of him.

Agreed,I'm beginning to think the same about Shade

I'm going to get pelters from some, but here we go.

A team we were supposed to lose against? - if we go into every game with that mentality then this season is a write off.  We have every right to expect a team to be pulled together that should be top 7 at least, in which case we should go into every game thinking we have a good chance of taking the points.

Barrow away - much worse second half.

Yep, I’m clutching at straws to be honest…

That's all we have at the moment. Last season we were spoilt😀

Just seen it says kiosks were card only, I paid cash  ???

Someone got a tip tonight then.

She did, went straight in the pinny.

without being able to go or watch. I gather Reed played like this seasons Reed again. do we persevere or cash in? I would be tempted to give Ricky a go instead of him. he picked up some really good form at times last season and would rather something fresh then a Reed, gladwin, Williams if they are not on song.

o and can we all agree that brynn is a bfg yet?

Rolling back the years when dodgy turstiles weren't clicking😀

We are not using Reed in the same way, so he looks completely lost - like someone without a purpose.  given how porous it makes us look, I'd prefer to give Clayton a go in the holding role.

Brynn has decent presence,  but not BFG type.  He is a good keeper in the making though.

I’ll add unbeaten at home then!!

No away wins!

Negatives:

Further improvements going forward from Saturday. Early games we didn't look much of a threat, but we seem to get better there every game. I see real potential in having Wakeling and McKirdy wide strikers between a decent central striker if we can get one.

Still a defensive shambles first half. Unorganised bad of shite. Not sure how else to put it. Totally unacceptable.

Clearly most of our new defensive signings aren't up to it. Hutton appears completely out of his depth, as well as a few of the other defensive signings not playing today. We don't have the money or the budget to sack then off Di Canio style and start again, so we're stuck with with trying to get the best out of signings that Sandro and Lindsey have cocked up on.

If we persist defending like we have most of this season and we did this first half, we're going to need to score 4 a game to make up for it.

Five games without a win, no matter how you want to spin it.



Positives:

Brynn looks a more than capable keeper after holding my breath a little worried what we'd signed on first glimpses of him. Really good game today. Should have probably given him more of a benefit of doubt considering the back line that has been in front of him so far.

Clayton looks a good player and I think must start going forward. I think there is real potential for him and MacDonald to forge a partnership that over time, might make our defence less shamblesey as the season wears on, if only we can sort the full backs out.

Looked more controlled and composed second half. Why the sudden change? Did LO lose their attacking edge or was there something I'm missing causing the very different half defensive wise?

McKirdy lively again and showing signs last seasons player is there.

Still not seeing enough of Darcy but there looks to be a real player in there who can contribute this season. Didn't think Gladwin done badly today but I struggle to see how he starts over Darcy on merit. Give the man some minutes.





Overall despite some positives emerging, I think a top 7 this season is unlikely due to the defensive problems and our lack of budget to replace the cock up signings and that ultimately means failure in my eyes and going backwards. I said I can see potential for a decent CB partnership there but if we get injuries it'll cost us due to the players coming in and even the starting full back players are still too weak.

I don't quite feel like the sky is falling in anymore but still major improvements need to continue to even achieve top half, which is still pretty depressing.

3 league games unbeaten.
Come on, I’m trying my best here!

I don’t think you watched any matches under Sheridan clearly. We playe some intelligent long balls today which caused problems. Under Sheridan it was completely different, aimless balls forward to a stranded and immobile Pittman. We were okay today. Rode our luck at times but we tried to win the game, we scored against a team with 9 points out of 9 who hadn’t conceded and we looked more likely to grab a winner. Salford are also top now and Harrogate are 9th so if the table is anything to go by then we haven’t had an easy start to the season.  Brynn was great and Reed seemed better. Khan, Clayton and Wakeling looked like they have something. A win against Rochdale is a must but would hopefully make some people chill the fuck out.

The fan comment on the radio made me laugh. Something about us having “no plan B”. Not seen any obvious plan A yet!

Brynn was good throughout. Firmly no. 1 you would think, I assume no pre-match abuse today!

The defence we ended the game with should start on Sat, including the 2nd half version of FBT, (the 1st half version was dog shit and is not welcome again). Clayton inspires some confidence I thought. MacDonald looks unfit, but must be better than he has shown us so far. Hutton looks exceedingly league 2, but literally no alternative.

Midfield doesn’t really work, Gladwin and Williams just will not be be able to put in the miles, so we cannot afford both on the pitch for 60mins plus I don’t think. Darcy looks to have something, so deserves a start. Khan looks okay, and I think getting better. Reed has been swamped by the opposition every game I have seen so far, those around him need to bit a bit more savvy in helping out him and the backline in and out of possession. His confidence looks to have taken a big hit. Still hold the opinion that he is class for this division, and is just performing well below his level at present.

Wakeling and McKirdy as wide forwards either side of someone to hold it up in the 9 position will be more than good enough to challenge at the right end in this division forwards wise.

Don’t see the point of Shade and Adeloye yet, could just be that they are a bit shit, though still early days.

Trusted posters on here saying most of our signings look poor which has to be a worry.

Yeah he made some good tackles second half. Didn't include him in my positives simply because he was atrocious in the first half. Hopefully its just a case of bedding in and he's another area we can see the major improvement we need.

 :D  ;D

That definitely appears to be the case.

Hutton. I don't really class that as a "long throw". Barely reached the 6 yard box

Bigger stronger squad😀

Calm down - I did not say not as bad as Sheridan.  It's not just me, both commentators today mentioned we don't really seem to have any patterns of play.  They did point out our one threat looked to be balls into the channels, and this is why I suggested we try Adeloye in the middle to occupy the central defenders and Mckirdy/Wakeling either side, as both have good legs (ooh er).

Table means jack shit right now - it's about judging what you see.  What I see is a team that could have lost all four games, quite easily, bar some terrible finishing and good keeping.

There is enough to work with at this level though - but that doesn't stop me from saying it looks pretty poor thus far and a big disappointment considering what we should expect for our club.

Trusted posters on here saying most of our players from last season look poor which has to be a worry.

What makes a trusted poster btw?

Not Wakeling, Darcy, Clayton and Khan. They've not all been complete duds.

The question is do the others make us a stronger squad than last which is what we were promised.

Wakeling looks good, could easily be as much of an impact in this Division over a season as a Barry type of player.

Darcy - one good game, he was OK tonight without really making an imprint.

Clayton - seems composed, doesn't get beat when it's a straight up one on one challenge.

Khan - there is something there, a better Linganzi type of player.  I'd be working on making him the midfield water carrier.

Brynn - solid with potential, no worries in goal this season

Not sure anyone else has earned a mention as yet, for the new guard.

Oh and Brynn, of course. Tonights MOM.

The rest just look pretty wank at best.

Let's be honest , that was a shite game played by 2 shite teams

We have no midfield, Orient were just walking through most of the time
We are back in the old groove of passing backwards all the time, even when we are in attacking positions
We are far too slow, second the every ball
What the fuck were the fullbacks doing? Hutton as a right back spent most of the time nearer the left back position leaving his winger with miles of space

Don't even start on the attacking 3rd....Wakeling ran a lot but not got enough ball

A season of real struggle rather than promotion is on the cards...

What was wrong with Orient? I thought they looked pretty good by L2 standards.

We're objectively a lot weaker than last season. I'd struggle to see how even the happiest of happy clapper could argue against that.

The 5 signings that look good aren't going to be enough for a decent season when most of the bad ones are defenders.

I also didn't mention MacDonald who should be a class player for this season but has started slow.

Assuming we don't sign anyone before the weekend, I'd be inclined to try:

Brynn - GK
A name pulled out of the hat (Hutton) - RB
MacDonald - CB
Baudry - CB
Blake-Tracy - LB
Clayton - DM
Khan - CM
Darcy - CM
Wakeling - LW/RW
McKirdy - LW/RW
Adeloye

On the last one, if he is actually shit, maybe try Gladwin, as much as I don't want to type that.  It's clear his real impact to this team is getting the ball near the box.

Forget about passing it around at the back - quick balls forward either through the middle with Adeloye back to goal to help, or down the channel to one of the wide players to do their thing.

Lindsey has managed to take away the attacking fluidity we had last season, but keep the defensive frailties. Hats off to him

Until the game got a bit spread out in the second half it was like watching a table football lineup - midfield four all stood in a line shuffling from side to side. Must be so easy to defend against. I don’t think khan ventured on the right side of the centre circle ‘till the 40th minute

We looked weaker after the subs too, which doesn’t say much for that fabled ‘depth’

First half they attacked with a bit of pace - assume they either lacked the energy to sustain that after Saturday, or simply backed off a bit.  It was noticeable that the one or two times they did up the tempo a bit, they got the same joy as they had in the first half.  I think Williams played a bit deeper as well, adding a body.

For all the people who have had a pop at other people being a bit down on the team on here recently, this is the place to do it - have a whine.  Like being in the pub with your mates and setting the world to rights.

Fans booing the team at 30 mins into the game today, with the score at 1-1, not so much.  I get it was bad viewing, but mid game, really?  How is it going to help?  Maybe I will try it when working, have some sound effects having a pop at me.

A decent result on paper tonight, right?

Didn’t listen or watch but most would have accepted a draw before the game, right?

No idea what Orients turn over of players has been like but let’s not forget 4 months ago they dicked us at home playing with 10 men for 70 minutes

I miss Ben Garner. There I said it.

Although it has to be said; if your keeper is picking up multiple MotM awards that *usually* means it’s a relegation season!!

I actually thought it was a lot better than I was expecting. 2nd half a lot better and definitely glimpses of promise. It’s not completely woeful which is what I thought it could have been.

Why would that be, he had a squad that everyone seems to think was a million times better & he failed to get us promoted. Just imagine how shit we would be with him in charge 😂

The Charlton forum is buzzing this evening about the football they are playing.

Injuries to key players messed things up.

This

My biggest gripe is I can’t work out what our ‘style’ or game plan is. It hasn’t been remotely obvious in any game we’ve played, we just seem to put 11 players out, hope something works and a couple of players do something off their own back. I honestly can’t work out what Lindsey is trying to do….
Even if 2nd half was an improvement we’ve only got a point because our keeper consistently pulls off worldies. Saturday is must win territory now.

Is Tim Brooke-Taylor going to make it as a FB?

Our play is miles off but you can tell we have some good players. Which points to tactics. They looked completely clueless at times in the first half. Our current playing style is best described as "go out there and improvise".

Second half we seemed to take the shackles off a bit and upped the intensity which made us flow a lot better without really creating much.

Hutton is poor defensively which is a concern now we are using a back four system. FBT showed signs of proving a more than competent full back second half.

McDonald looked like the novice centre half and Clayton the one with bundles of football league experience at a higher level. Though Angus did improve second half and made a very important interception.

The midfield doesn't work in it's current set up. One needs to be a number 10 and support the striker (Gladwin/Darcy/Williams). One needs to shield the defence (Reed) and one needs to be box to box (Khan). At the moment the shape is too flat, it lacks options with the ball and is way too easy to run through.

Wakeling and McKirdy would be my preferred two wingers. Both have the ability to make things happen.

The striker needs to be able to hold the ball up. It won't be Wakeling and if Adeloye isn't good enough we need to clearly get another in ASAP.

Some promising signs and plenty of worrying ones. Need that first win Saturday. Lindsey needs it more than anyone. Very bitchy Town End from the moment they equalised. Forgot how shit it is in that stand a lot of the time.

Sums up the way I felt walking out tonight. But that demonstrates how far expectations have fallen.

Positives: Brynn. Clayton. FBT’s second half. MacDonald in the air. Gladwin is more mobile. Wakeling’s work rate. Khan and his go go gadget legs. McKirdy’s spark.

Negatives: The absence of any identifiable plan. It’s really basic stuff at times. It undersells many of these players, which in turn undermines the model the club supposedly has of develop, sell on, invest. Lindsey & Co appear to have successfully turned the league’s best midfielder into a Matt Hewlett clone, when our whole game plan should be built around him. On that basis, if we can get the right coaching team in before too long, we may just find there’s more to come from some of the supposed duds as well and we could have a meaningful season. I just don’t think this is the job for him.

Can we please get a grip.

10 new players who need time to gel. The training ground is match day. Things take time.

We’ve played the top two teams with regard to budget. One with 10 men and didn’t get beaten by either.
We still have time to buy; despite what the official line is.
We have the loan options available.

Get in a strong, big forward who can hold up the ball in the mould of previous holders of that role and it will a different kettle of fish.

One final point as i never say this - thought the ref was brilliant  :eek:

I think I was joking when I suggested that earlier. However he may actually be the best available man for the job right now. :eek:

Everyone seems to firmly have said grip.

Another one that struggles with valid criticism and comments and needs a constant rosy picture painted?

Happy with the point.
A win on Saturday and it's a decent return for the week.

There were worse performances at home than that last season.
Clearly there are issues though.
In mitigation that was the first time the defence had played together & it looked it at times.

Easy to forget that only 4, maybe 5 (if including Baudry) regular starters from last season are still featuring.
The team does lack an identity at the moment & finding a focal point for the attack should be a priority.
If the team isn't going to be built around Reed then the fear is that he is largely going to be wasted in games.

Hopefully it doesn't become a case of chopping & changing in order to find the best starting 11. SL needs to have a clear idea on this.

The season could be a slow burner but a win on Saturday will propel us into mid table.

only watched the first half on ifollow.

we looked to lose the midfield battle, and the full backs did not defend well.

so delighted to read we did a bit better second half, and under the circumstances a point is a good point against a team flying at the start of the season.

I do get where the 'what's our style' comments are coming from though. let's hope we are edging towards it.

right, Montana's and unlimited ribs time with a few beers to wash it down

Another one that struggles with valid positivity and needs a constant shitty picture painted?

Two sides of the same coin

For what it’s worth another fantastic evening attendance. 1,612 more than the Pox a division above.

Every game we are improving, little by little. I think Salford and orient will be up there come the end of the season. Khan's forward surge for the goal was lovely.
It's slowly getting there.

Never, ever thought I’d say this, but . . .

. . . Get Mark Cooper back in cahoots with Lindsey

Our best performance of the season but Brynn was still mom by a country mile, which says it all.

Nothings changed for me we look like a poor team, lower mid tableish, so happy with a point on that basis.

There's no chance of promotion under current management as we're just not organised enough, so don't really play as a team.

Yes mate. I thought Khan had a thoroughly decent first half and Wakeling showed maturity in setting up McKirdy. Both have promise in this division

Don’t talk nonsense, if we did that a lot of people would be done with the club. The man is an odious cunt who I’d never want anywhere near the club again. I wouldn’t attend if Cooper was involved.

I also would find it difficult to accept.

Off topic, but I get major Hasney Aljofree vibes from MacDonald…. I’m just waiting for him to give The Town End the V’s.

Not that I noticed from the Arkells but there was certainly some unease about the 30 min. mark?

That was a good point against a decent Lg 2 side - one more already than last season's now sepia tinted team managed.

There was a decent use of subs for the second home game running by Lindsey.  And if quality and confidence were the exception, it would be churlish not to acknowledge a compensatory display of character - backed by good support overall from the crowd (esp. the Town End) on what was at times a most trying evening.

I thought Clayton showed real promise once things started to settle.  Baudry is being "managed" (ie rested) whilst the scratchier MacDonald keeps his place.  I believe he will come good with game time and prove a good leader.  {Unlike Aljofree!}

The first half showing was desperate defensively.  Especially down the flanks but starting in midfield.    Although now unbeaten in three, a slightly less fortunate side would now have joined the 'Dale on four straight defeats.  If, as I believe, we need to wait at least 8-10 games before having the material on which to realistically judge the season ahead, this Saturday's game will likely weigh heavily on how those 8-10 games pan out.

https://twitter.com/Stfconly/status/1559820362417930241

xG, for those who are into that thing. Orient aren't as far ahead as I'd expected considering all their shots.

…note the same thing…and I’m basing this off his goal Saturday and assist last night but Wakeling just has that Super Sammy Parkin coolness/calmness in the box.

So, so, so many players would have hit that one last night

Good post. And whatever has happened to Reed, he's a shadow of last season's player, weakening the midfield.

There was a spell in the first half where the players were just playing increasingly pointless passes backwards and across the backline. It wasn’t Garner style to move the opposition around but more the players just didn’t seem to know what else to do. It eventually culminated in Gladwin giving away with an awful pass and a lot of the crowd vented their frustration which was understandable. It was good example of what many are saying about a seeming lack of a game plan or basic direction in our play.

There was grumblings in the Town End because of the excessive pass backs to Brynn, but the whole team is responsible for that not just the defence. It's like we want to do it to retain possession as our midfield seems incapable of this.

I just want to say it was nice to see some meaty challenges going in during the second half, but we need to up the tempo going forward. Harry showed a lot of willing last night.

If I had been sat in the DRS as a neutral I would have been quite entertained by last nights game. As a Town fan though, not quite so.

I thought the goal was well worked and taken and it is good to see Harry off the mark.

Defending for the goal conceded was woeful.

Performance wise, I thing Blake- Tracey has the hallmarks of a good signing once he has fully settled in.

Clayton was the defensive star last night.

McDonald improved in the second half and has a good clearing header in him.

Gladwin was the pick of the midfield but, as my wife commented, it is like his brain is writing cheques his body can't cash. He sees the game and opportunities just like he did in his first spell for us. The beating his body has taken during his career is catching up with him however and he can't always convert the thought into actions.

Wakeling ran his socks off again and is a real pain in the arse for oppo defences.

Brynn- Thank fuck we have him on the books.

I am concerned that things have not yet gelled but I think it is coming (does that make me a happy clapper?  :clap: )

As for having no identifiable style. Perhaps that will mean that opposition tacticians can't come up with a plan to use against us?

Maybe controversial as he’s been better this season but I put Gladwin as the root cause of Reed’s decline. Last season we had Reed sitting in front of the back 4 and passing the ball out, this season Gladwin keeps dropping back to spray his Hollywood passes around. We’ve in effect got 2 players treading on each other’s toes. Personally I’d rather Gladwin never set foot in our own half yet alone spend periods as our deepest midfielder.

A good example last night was a short goal kick, Gladwin game short to receive it and this meant Reed was pushed wide out of position, last season it was Reed receiving short goal kicks.

If you think back to the games last season when Reed and Gladwin were in the same team we were poor then as well.

Lampard & Gerrard for England.

I just had a quick look and we only won something like 8 out of the 21 games they played together last season so I do think there is something in it. That’s 38% win record compared to 48% for the whole season. Don’t get me wrong there was a couple of good games like the Vegans away but I don’t think they really work together on a regular basis.

Good research and it's definitely noticeable that they are not effective playing together but I'm guessing Lindsey wants experience heads in the middle at the moment.

Reeds problem is the defence is so static and he isn’t able to play keep ball up with Conroy anymore. We also have nowhere near the same fluidity or aggressiveness from the full backs, so his options are more limited

Gladwin can be frustrating, but he’s the only one in the midfield who would even attempt to make something happen

I'm not sure about Williams so far this season either as he's not influencing games as much.

Thinking back on last night, I think Byrnn, Clayton, Darcy, Kahn, Wakeling look the best out of the new lot. The rest are a bit meh, I think we will have an idea how our season will go after Saturday, have Rochdale who’ve yet to win. Hopefully we can get a physical CF in which will help, think Wakeling & Harry would benefit massively from that.

Agree with this in that I think criticising Gladwin for taking the ball from a static defence (or goalie) with no one to give it to is a systemic issue rather than Ben thinking he's Beckham and can spray it around the gaff.

My thoughts on last night.

1st half Orients midfield of Pratley, Moncur and Mizouni totally controlled the game with Gladwin and Reed off the pace and Khan was in Pratleys pocket being kicked and pushed in every challenge which seemed to upset him.

Brynn and Wakeling the stars in the first half, Harry took his goal well but couldnt escape his marker in the main and struggled, Williams was not given much of the ball and contributed little and always going backwards when he did get the ball. Williams in the 2nd half got a few good crosses in but not his best game.

Clayton struggled at the start with the speed of the game but really grew into it and looked very comfortable 2nd half, his passing is not great but his reading of the game and tackling and heading look very good, MacDonald likes to moan but he won almost every header he went for, on the ground though he doesnt have the skill to carry the ball forward and only about 20% of his long passes met their intended target, always has one mistake in his locker though, but I think he will come good when he gets fitter.

Blake-Tracey looked utterly lost 1st half, a shambles with the winger beating him constantly, but 2nd half he was one of our best players, getting forwards and creating things and also defending very well, a real game of 2 halves.

2nd half Gladwin grew into the game more as did Reed who made a few good passes like he used to but hes still a shadow of the player he was last season, Gladwin was Gladwin, some great some poor, made some lovely passes like one to Harry in the box but also fluffed as many. Khan got much better 2nd half as Pratley tired and even better when he went off and he improved a lot.

Wakeling went off the boil a bit in the 2nd as he tired from all the running and Harry started showing us much more of the Harry of old, their defence looked scared every time he got the ball, unfortunately so did Harry at times, scuffing his shots, far better though from him 2nd half.

Hutton was a passenger for most of the game until the last 10 mins, he has a (fairly) long throw but we dont seem to utilise it well but his defending is extremely poor, far better going forwards than defending, which could cost us.

Brynn barely put a foot wrong all game, he was excellent from start to finish and couldnt do anything about the goal.

Darcy showed a few passes and looks a decent ball carrying midfielder but didn't contribute too much looks like he has potential though.

Aguiar wasn't on the pitch long enough to do much but made one great interception on a break by them, winning the ball just outside out box with a lovely timed tackle, needs game time though to improve.

Shade came on and ran around a bit but looked poor in quality of his pass and positioning, fast but not contributing much so far.

Adeloye, as I have said previously I have no idea if hes a footballer yet, hes had little service and his first touch seems good but his 2nd touch he always loses it, I have literally no idea if he is any good or not.

So to sum it up, in almost every game this season (bar Harrogate) 1st half we have been really poor, slow starters but 2nd half we seem to improve a lot and at times look a half decent team but without too much of a game plan, not one to challenge but a solid mid table side.

But, its still early in the formation of a team, only 4 games in, in the league, and we have only lost once but conversely havent actually looked like we could win games.

Salford and Orient are 2 decent teams that we are the only team to have taken any points off them both so far, Carlisle could pass a bit but look a mid table side at best.

Improvement for sure but the defence is always going to make a couple of cock ups and up front we badly need a striker to lead the line so Wakeling and McKirdy can play the wide roles which they both seem suited to.

On to Rochdale at home next, a team with 4 defeats from 4 so far in the league conceding 5 goals and scoring just once, but this is Swindon and we never do things the easy way.

Both managers post match interviews plus highlights

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PP67lndIxyw&t=188s

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3jPAHkBOzUw

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=r6rxJ3mX3KE

so he lacks the killer instinct?
got it

😁😁😁😁😁😁😁

One observation on Reed was he was marked very closely last night, anytime Brynn or one of our centre backs had it Reed would run to try and make himself available but with them pressing high and someone tight on his back we often picked another option as he was under too much pressure.  Could part of his less effectiveness being that oppositions are trying to nullify Reed as they know what a big part he played in our success last season? Thought Gladwin had a decent game last night, much better energy about him this season, some great long raking passes and seems hungry with the way he is closing down/challenging the opposition.  Last night overall was encouraging for me, gradual improvements in performance game on game and the team seems to have bags of character and fight.

Funny how differently people see it, thought Gladwin was our worst player

For me Hutton is at fault for the Orient goal no awareness that Smyth is behind him and with a little movement he drifts pass him unchallenged for a simple tap in.

Me too.

Hutton for me.

Hutton 2nd for me then Tomi and Shade but they weren't on the pitch too long.

Better than I thought he would be after last season but still wasteful at times. However he did put himself about a bit and produced a brilliant piece of skill to get passed an Orient player.

I would still like to see Ronan Darcy playing in front of Reed/Khan just behind whoever the striker is.

Personally thought Hutton was very poor and a clear weak link. Made me nervous whenever he was one on one.

Think my issue with Gladwin was the lack of 50/50s he won and always seems to be late/slow to pick up the second pieces. Midfield overall lacks bite, Aguiar was actually the best tackler in midfield when he came on, made 2 really good challenges.

Hutton doesn't worry me like he worries others, don't remember him getting beat that much? Blake-Tracey was skinned a lot in first half but miles better second half.

Probably controversial but I'd like to see how we'd play with Gladwin & Williams. I think both have their merits and are very talented footballers but equally both have their downsides.

I think Williams has the ability to run the show but I've yet to see him play in a position where he can do so.

But I'm not asking people to get a grip for showing any form of positivity am I? In fact I'm even sharing some of my own glimmers of positivity myself.

Very obviously not flipside to anyone reading my posts.

I think Willo has the ability to be one of the best players in the league but he has not been utilised very well so far, I thought last season he played best alongside Iandolo down the left but he could equally be useful in the Payne role, but he seems to be stuck somewhere between the 2 positions so far.

Yep, completely agree

Ellis and Williams did indeed develop a really good understanding. As did Conroy + Reed and McKirdy + Simpson.

That's what we're missing now. As many have pointed out, just seems like lots of individuals.

McKirdy played yesterday like somebody who doesn't buy into what we're doing at all. Played almost on his own at times. Knows if he doesn't make something happen, nobody else is likely to.

Williams and Gladwin have played every game this season together so you’ve already seen how they play together?

Spot on Jimmy.
Very concerning with his positional sense. Orient mounted most of their attacks down his side.

Love listening to Wellens.

Same here always positive, passionate in what he says and makes eye contact with the reporters! 

Ironically Wellens mentions how well Rob Hunt played!

An excellent communicator & tells people what they want to hear.

The problem was, often it just wasn’t actually the truth.

Sounds like your describing our former prime minister😀

before your post I was just about to say he was a brilliant bullshitter and said everything that fans loved to hear

Yep,full of crap

Actually sounds like most politicians

Yep, absolute bullshitter.

Bit late, Tuesday was just about ok. Thought we’d turned a corner with early goal, was brilliant, unreal ball from Khan who’s been the, if not top 2/3, best player by a mile this season for me (stunned when SL withdrew him). Wakeling look lively again, done well to cut it back and good mckirdys off the mark- looked up for it and kept hush with officials- win win. Not sure how they didn’t score 5 or 6, carved us open and absolutely dominated us. Brynn brilliant shot stopper. Defence a serious concern for me. Hutton struggles to defend, as Barrow fans told us, McDonald looked way off it again, thought Clayton done well when he wasn’t having to chase shite over hit passes, FBT had a rotten first half but got better as the game went on. Thought Gladwin done well again, important cog in that midfield this season. Williams underwhelming. Reed completely anonymous again - offering nothing atm.

Shade and Adeloye useless whey come on, Aguiar put in a few good tackles at end.

It’s getting less shit game by game. Wellens will have that orient side in top 7 end of season for sure. Massive game Saturday.

Players respected him, well those that primarily wanted to play football.
No messing with him either, makes decisions.
I thought he was a decent Manager.

100% agree with your comments.
Just hoping it starts to fall into place. Without doubt Saturday is so important in many ways.

Found this interesting on Khan - who to be completely honest, I haven't really understood why others seem to really rate so far:

https://twitter.com/Stfconly/status/1560157912265375744

Really liked Khan's play in the build up to our goal and he's got decent ball control, but I'm not convinced he's (as yet) been a stand out.

I’ve not watched any of us this season.

However when the football isn’t great and the team isn’t winning the fans plaudits tend to go either towards the play who covers the most ground and at least puts the effort in or the goal keeper.

At the moment both.

Might be one for you Nemo - but whats the correlation between our keeper winning POTS and our league finishing position (I know it’s very early days to be talking about Brynn as POTS)

Results were great here, playing attractive attacking football and now appears to do the same at Orient.

Couldn't give a toss what he says to us, it's what he says to the players that counts.

Oh very high - not in the Sheridoom season, but that was because we used six keepers and Kovar was the main one - Lee Camp won 5 MoM in quick succession during his brief spell at the end of the season basically by being reasonably competent.

Goalkeeper POTS over the last 25 years or so:

2016/17 Vigouroux (Relegated from League One)
2005/6 Rhys Evans (Relegated from League One)
2000/1 Steve Mildenhall (Avoided relegation by a point from D2)
1999/2000 Frank Talia (Relegated from Division One)
1997/8 Fraser Digby (18th in D1)
1996/7 Fraser Digby (19th in D1)

Relegation seasons where keeper didn't win POTY:

93/94 Moncur (Prem season)
94/95 Taylor (D1)
10/11 Ritchie (League One)
20/21 Odimayo

A keeper has never one POTY in a season we finished in the top two thirds of the division. So fingers crossed!

Also dispiriting whilst doing this to realise we have been relegated one in every four seasons in my lifetime!

What's also depressing is the last time we successfully fought relegation was 2001.

As expected really.

If your keeper is winning a lot of MotM awards you aren’t in for a good season, FACT!

Obviously it’s massively early day this season but if it continues like this…

Add to that Scott Endersby in 1984, a short but good keeper who easily won the POTY, we finished in 17th place in Div 4 that season, our lowest ever finish.

08/09? or were we always just flirting that year without ever actually being in the bottom 4? memory isn't great that season.

I'd say 08/09  - Malpas start of the season but simon cox's goals took us over the line by a few points.  We were well in the shit and bobbling along in 20thish for most of that season

At least you're young (ish) and can have hope.

We 69 ers were glory hunters and ended up with a life of pain and disappointment.   ;)

Fair point...you're right.  I shouldn't forget Cox's goals (especially away at Northampton).