Thetownend.com

So we face a trip to the league newcomers. They have won 1 and lost 4 so far. I don't see this as being an easy game.

Stockport 2-1 Swindon att: 8,322 (750 of us)

I consulted with the wasps again - last week they were 1 out after predicting 4-0.

Tomorrow is a definite 0-1. Lord Darcy with a screamer.

Stockport 2 Swindon 0 Att: 8,450 (690 away)

0-0 in front of 8,289 with 705 Town there.

Brynn MotM again.

Tomorrow ??.

Question is who replaces McKirdy. I assume Tomi will get a run now and the onus is really on him to show what he can do as in his time on pitch so far he’s been so uninvolved that it’s impossible to tell if he can even play yet. Only other option is Shade but he’s been as equally uninspiring thus far.

2-0 home win

Att: 9,298

Urgh, I watched us throw away a 3-0 lead in about 20 minutes at Stockport once.
Kingy making some awful subs.

I also had a pillar blocking some of view which I found annoying. Only to be pointed out by a much more seasoned veteran of following Town that if I’d been to Stockport before I’d have know the there were pillars supporting the stand.

Granted that was my first time going to Stockport away but as far as I’m aware multiple visits don’t suddenly give you the ability to see through the stand support pillars does it?

Our 1st game vs the Hatters since 2010 when we beat them 4-1 at the CG with goals from Paynter x2, Ferry and Ward.

Stockport have only won 1 of the last 9 meetings with Town coming out on top 5 times and 3 draws. Countys only win coming in a 3-0 win in 2007 at Edgeley Park when Ifil was sent off.

In all games Swindon have won 16 of the 34 games with 7 draws and 11 defeats, Town scoring 57 and conceding 42.

In away games Swindon have won 6, drawn 3 and lost 8 times scoring 27 and conceding 31.

Our heaviest defeat came there in 200 and 2007 with 3-0 defeats and our biggest win was in 2003 when we spanked them 5-2 with goals from Parkin, Robinson, Reeves, Hewlett and Sabin.

The last 6 games played up there have resulted in WDLDWW for Town.

This season Stockport were introduced back into L2 as pre season favourites for promotion on the back of their championship winning season winning the title by 6 points last season.

They have sold 5,500 season tickets for this season too so a decent crowd is ensured.

Last season ex irish international striker Paddy Madden scored 23 goals, they spent very heavily on wages last season offering Antoni Sarcevic higher wages than he was on at Bolton to get him to drop 2 divisions, they have a pretty experienced side again this year and have signed highly rated towering Liverpool goalkeeper Jaros on loan. Otherwise though they have gone for buying players with plenty of league experience.

Been a mixed bag so far this season for them though with 2-3 defeat home to Barrow, 1-2 defeat at Stevenage, 1-0 win at Harrogate(LC), 1-0 win home to Col U, 1-2 defeat at Doncaster, 1-2 defeat at Mansfield and a 0-0 (losing on pens) to Leicester(LC) so far. That leaves them in 21st place with 1 win and 4 defeats so far (we are in 13th place with 1 win, 3 draws and 1 defeat so far).

They prefer the 351 formation or 3421 Christmas Tree altho vs Leicester they went 541.

They seem pretty good on the attack but have massive holes in the centre of defence having watched the highlights of ever game they have played so far with them being very susceptible to quick attacks at their right back and very poor clearing any crosses coming into the box, they look very slow in the middle of defence, Barrow absolutely tore them apart at the back in the 1st game of the season. Johny Williams lookalike Paddy Madden has to be marked closely though or he creates a lot of issues around the box.

Plus, getting all high and mighty on fans in their late teens / early 20s following Swindon away for not having been somewhere before is a bizarre one in itself.

Not exactly prime glory hunting stealing tickets from proper fans going away with Swindon is it?

Just picking up on JJ’s points. Last season they were imperious when playing the bottom 12 or so, winning almost every game. It was a different story when they played the better sides where they were very poor indeed.

Looks like the uplift in quality in L2 has flummoxed them somewhat - up to now anyway

didn't Stockport screw us over with a match due to floodlight failure once? last time they were in the same league maybe

Good job they have us next then  ;)

And anyway, the only time I've been there, we were on an open terrace behind the goal so there were no pillars, so  :smugfu: to that unknown Town fan with condescending attitude...

2-1 to us...

Stockport were the opponents when we were crowned champions in McMahon's season

We’re they not the last game of the season we were promoted under Di Canio?

Possibly, I remember it was at Gillingham when we clinched the title

Bradford I believe

Port Vale

Port Vale last home game followed by Bradford away on the final day.

I remember it being a very, very dull game…

One of two Clubs with Port in the name that aren’t next to the sea. The other being Vale.

Newport??

English clubs

So what we saying then? a front 3 of Williams, Adeloye and Wakeling tomorrow?

Or will he revert back to 352. With Adeloye and Wakeling up top?

                   Brynn

Brennan  Mac Clayton    Fbt

         Khan Reed Gladwin

    Wake      Tomi      Willo

Wouldn't mind that ^^
Getting Darcy in that middle 3 is the headache for me
Wouldn't begrudge him starting over Reed or Gladders..

I do t think you could take Gladwin out of the starting 11, he has had a very good season so far. Reed seems to be getting better each game so to drop him could see his form drop again. Khan has also been very good, tough call because D'Arcy clearly had talent.

I am sure we will start with the same line up as Saturday except I expect either Shade or Adeloye to replace the suspended McKirdy as the only change.

I don't think he will start Tomi - I think that Shade will get the nod to replace McKirdy.

Personally I would go 442 Diamond while Mckirdy is unavailable:

                Brynn
Hutton/Brenn  Mac  Clay  FBT
               Reed
       Darcy     Gladwin
              Willo
          Wake   Tomi

Get Brennan or Hutton in at full back and push Darcy up into McKirdys position.

Wouldn't be overly surprised to see Darcy take McKirdy's position with Hutton/Brennan in at RB.  He deserves a place in the side so could easily be shoehorned in there I imagine.

Ha, beat me to it. :D

I think it would be harsh to drop Khan after Saturday, I have a feeling we will see exactly as we started last week but with Shade or Tomi for McKirdy. Although I prefer 4 at the back Lindsey found a winning formula (by luck or skill) and I feel will stick to it.

I'd be happy with that, Darcy   Wake  Willo front 3
Agree Darcy deserves a place and personally I wouldn't want to put him at RB up at Stockport.

Visited Stockport when they were on the slide, midweek and Paynter got a brace...maybe one of the last times we played them?

Lets see the winning run continue! :)

Just checked....It was Paynter with just the one away!

The one time I went to Stockport Aljofree spat the dummy I think. 2008?

http://swindon-town-fc.co.uk/MatchCentre.asp?MatchID=20090107

Yep. Think the fans were on his back for some reason.

Dongs away too

Palace at Man City,
Bristol City at Blackpool,
Exeter at Accrington,
Dongs at Morecombe
Crawley at Rochdale,
Stevenage at Salford,
Colchester at Tranny.
Could see plenty on the road up.
Safe journey to all travelling up, let's hear you on the TV.
 

Draw today 1-1 6,651 479 town due hardship.

662 tickets sold as of yesterday

Selling 4 more would get those with hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia in a tizz.

I'd like to see Gladwin up front with Williams and wakeling, if he's caught in possession like he has a habit of being at least it's further up the pitch, and I honestly think he'd make a good option, if nothing else but because as a big lad he'd get marked the shit out of, leaving wakeling free to win everything in the air as he's apparently got basketball playing legs.

Means we can play Aguair (who surely deserves a start sometime soon) or Mister Darcy with Khan and Reed in midfield.

Darcy has to be in there somewhere. Finding starting spots for all those that deserve one is getting difficult. Nice position to be in. Especially when Iandolo is ready as well.

No room for a decent centre forward on transfer deadline day😀

i have a feeling that Stockport will win this - lots of goals

could be 4 - 2

i think that they get really good home attendances - possibly second in league 2?  over 10k?

Pre match distinct lack of titfers cocked at a jaunty angle in The Calverts Court.

Wobbly Bob available on draught. I'm going to die.

May well give the Hat Museum a miss in favour of the ales.
A pity that the McVities factory doesn't have a visitors centre.
Production should be ramped up ahead of the forthcoming govt "let them eat Jaffa Cakes" campaign to combat the cost of living crisis.
Could do with a few to dunk in the pints.

The viaduct is a splendid example of Victorian derring do construction.

Not been here since a 1-1 draw in Nov 95.
Easy to forget that County used to mix it in the 2nd tier with us in the late 90's.
Both clubs have floundered since those heady days.

Out of interest checked back on the Dec 2009 postponed match thread.
Probably not a career highlight for a young Michael Oliver.
Andy Woolmer would have booked the groundstaff and issued 2 quick yellows to the pitch as well.

Being well backed financially is no guarantee of instant success on promotion to L2.
FGR struggled in their first season.
I'd expect Stockport to consolidate well.

As for today, initial thought was that Tomi should get a chance to show what he can do.
A full 90 in midweek might be better for him.
Now thinking that Darcy will be moved upfield.
Three little fellas buzzing around up front can cause problems.

Hopefully the only mad hatters today will be the County fans at 5pm.

I think we'll win by a goal. They've had a crap start and we all assume they're gonna do well because of the cash but they've already conceded 9 which is 4 more than us and we're shite in defence.

Great work as always Wobbly Bob  ;)

Be way more than that mate, they have sold nearly 5,700 season tickets this season with our 700ish and walk ups should easily beat 8k.

I have it on good authority most the greater Manchester area are on holiday with N. Wales, Devon and Cornwall being the must visit destinations. 😁

I have thought this about gladwin for a while as well.  Why not

I can see the logic but don’t think Gladwin had the mobility to play either of the two wide roles. He’s probably not instinctive enough to find space in the box as the central of the 3.

You’d probably have to play two up front centrally with Gladwin behind them as a AMC but this narrows us.

Unless, we change formation completely and play 4231 where Gladwin would be the middle of the three.
That’s how I’d play if I were the manager fwiw. Gets Gladwin further up the pitch but still with players to side and in front of him.

I agree with your thought process on this too.

Brynn

Brennan/Hutton/Darcy at RB as no one has nailed that position
MacDonald CB
Clayton/Baudry CB
FBT LB

Reed DM
Another (maybe Iandolo when fit, Lyden if he makes it back and signs)

McKirdy/Williams
Gladwin
Wakeling/Shade

Adeloye/Wakeling.


…Williams as well could go in, in a number of positions there. Darcy could probably play anywhere across the attacking three as well

A few I’m not sure where they best position would be exactly & we still have literally no idea what Adeloye is like.

I hope he goes with Adeloye today from the off but feel he may go with Shade on the wing and push Wakeling to the middle.

He doesnt seem to have a lot of faith in Tomi so far, time to throw him in at the deep end and hope its not cat in the headlights as he seemed to be at Harrogate.

Stockport seem poor at CB so maybe its a chance for him to shine against weaker central defenders.

He was a bit gruff in the presser when his name came up.

This is a good thought. Most importantly 4 in the back!!

Phil smith with Hawes today.

Phil Smith >>>>>> Dave Hockaday.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FbK1sbgUsAA5CVz?format=jpg&name=large)

Where's Rob🤔

Shade in for Harry as expected otherwise unchanged.

Is that Shade in at RB or will Darcy stay there?

Shade is another who needs a full 90mins.
Would have expected him to be a regular starter so far.
Playing at RB shouldn't be beyond him.

Think Shade will start as one of the front 3. May be better for him and us

....just🙂

Steve Hale isn't far behind!

So likely be the right back as a wide forward and the attacking central midfielder as the right back

I think it will be a straight swap McKirdy for Shade. Keeping Darcy at wingback/winger.

Even Hawes is unsure.

Yes but Hawes is often unsure if its Wakeling or Aguiar even :)

Any IPTV users got the game yet?

Specsavers😆

The Don Cheadle stand looks like an ideal model for the TE redevelopment.

Keep the angle the same as DRS & continuous without the upper section. Job done.

We not scored yet?

Agree.

I thought we may see a few changes today. Keeping the faith with the winning side I suppose COYR

There's a ad board up for a "façade remediation expert" (with the funny french c)- is that what used to be called a plasterer?

This is the ref that used to play for Chippenham right?  He was decent in the past if I remember correctly..

Stockport commentary team very complimentary about us so far..

Upset Gladwin didnt try a shot from there.

Good tracking back and tackle by Wakeling.

Great long pass from the CB down the wing and nice dribble past Darcy but his shot is awful luckily to save us, great chance for them against the run of play.

That’s him, from Melksham.

Gladwin caught in possession in front of our box there but we get away with it, reed a couple of poor passes too there.

I realise it's not what he's picked for, but Wakeling might be the best defensive forward I can remember playing for Town. Tracks runs and tackles well, plenty of work rate too.

Corner to Town won by Willo.

County defence look really poor clearing their lines so far.

Brynn saves it, we are getting exposed at right back though a few times already.

Notable how much better Reed has looked since Clayton came in to the team at CB, he seems to be there for the one-two in the way that Conroy tended to be last season.

He has, Clayton has done well but has been caught out of position a couple of times so far, but he has the legs to get back.

Williams looking very lively so far.

Good high take by Brynn.

Darcy wins another corner for Town.

Poor corner by Reed.

Must admit that we have a very good ref again, letting the game flow so far.

Brynn saves a long shot easily.

Darcy has a shot from 30 yards well wide though.

Biggest threat to Stockport so far has been Stockport's own passing.

Neither team are really getting a grip of this match, lots of loose balls in midfield with no real control.  I think we are handling it better, but run out of ideas in the final 3rd.

Williams wins another corner.

Three Swindon players in a pile from that corner with no Stockport man in there, did they all run into each other?

Great save Brynn!

Brynn saves us again, good save.

The iFollow director is obsessed with replays today, missing a lot of actual play to watch things that have already happened.

Decent stop that. Both sides look much more comfortable on attack then when defending. Fairly even I’d say so far.

Couple of mistakes by MacDonald there but we get away with it.

Only listening,not watching but sounds like MacDonald is looking shaky again

Barrow top of the league as things stand!

Shade low shot just wide from 18 yards, good chance.

Hes been playing quite well so far but he made 2 sloppy mistakes in 10 seconds that nearly cost us.

Williams good tackle in midfield, hes the best player on the pitch for me so far today.

7 goalless games in League 2 so far

MacDonald great block in front of Brynn, saves a certain goal.

Agreed, the one player who looks like the ball consistently does what they want it to do. Otherwise a very "League Two" game with some good stuff, some bad and not enough quality to punish the mistakes.

I maintain he is the best footballer we have overall

Lovely pass from Gladwin to Wakeling but hes just strayed offside, not Gladwins best game so far too but that was a lovely pass.

Khan shoots but it curls just wide, what a run and pass from Williams leading up to it.

When hes fit and on form hes unplayable.

Khan playing well as well today so far.

Would just like to see more of it consistently.  He is head and shoulders above most players in this league, but we need to see it more often.

HT 0-0 not bad TBH.

I'm  liking this.
Looks like a case of first goal wins though.

8 seconds added time, don't see that often.

Entertaining but not especially high quality half. Both sides have made mistakes, both sides haven't had the quality to really punish the other's - though Stockport have got closer and Brynn's made two excellent saves. The experienced midfielders - Williams for us and Sarcevic for them - seem to be the best players on the pitch, but FBT and Khan have been pretty decent too.

Anyone's game.

County are awful at the back and there to be taken, just need to get that 1st goal and they will crumble.

not too bad, fairly even game tbh

Got a good feeling about this.

So according to SL, they are yet another "good side that play expansive football". Those watching what do you say? Sounds like they've given us a lot of possession

They've played expansively at times, but often been a bit short of the required quality to make that work. Their best threats have often come with more direct balls over the full backs.

I would like to see a faster flow of play.   Less short passes for no apparent reason in back and midfield.   We have 3 forwards.  Get the ball forward then.  Of town comes out with a bit more energy this half they will physically dominate this team

Cheers

They are spreading the ball well at times, 3 or 4 times they have put balls over Darcy's head into the channels, they arent a bad football side they just look as bad as us at the back at times, they are decent going forwards, less so defending, havent tested their keeper as yet.

Good job Brynn has turned out more than capable or we'd be in serious trouble.

Can’t say solid half, but certainly competitive and promising half.

Nobody is having a really poor one. Not convinced by the RB experiments so far though. Surely we must be looking for one.

One really good save from Brynn, otherwise they have fluffed most openings.

We need to up the accuracy in the final third. Their defence is not up to much, we have not made enough of their mistakes so far.

Williams, Brynn and Khan all worth a mention for a good half.

Fair - Darcy isn't a right back and it does show in terms of his defensive positioning. But he's got forward well and put in a few decent crosses, and it's not like Hutton (or Shade) had shown any particular defensive aptitude.

very surprised that the odds on this...at HT still have Town at 4/1 and Stockport at Evens. With a draw generous at 7/4.

It hangs in the balance but not with that much against Town. Worth a cheeky 10 quid!

Khan and Williams the standouts so far, we are missing a hold up player up front still and Darcy is a good player but hes not a right back and getting exposed a fair bit so far. Clayton looks like a seasoned pro, him and MacDonald have been good so far but both have made a couple of mistakes that almost cost us, Blake-Tracey having a decent game too.

Gladwin is so frustrating, he has been great at times and them awful at times, his passing is wonderful and also woeful in equal measure, he was one of th ebest players last week but pretty poor for me so far barring 2 passes.

Reed has looked closer to his best again.

Wakeling very quiet but had little service, when hes had the ball hes looked good, Shade is at times very frustrating too, has pace and skill but sometimes just looks a few yards off the pace of the game.

Overall County are there to be taken if we can get an early goal(!) we will go on and win but the longer its 0-0 the more confident they will get coming at us.

Think I am watching a different game to most people, so it's probably just me.

I do think we can win this though.

It's just two shit teams being a bit shit against each other.  Shade seems to offer very little and Darcy at right back must be some sort of in joke.  In fact swap those two around.

Lacking presence through the middle upfront.  Lacking a bit of pace and all a bit scatter gun in defence.

Stockport can be assessed identically though.  Would surprise me if they stay around the bottom this season.

It's not a terrible performance, it's just a bit depressing to see the quality drop off so much from last seaso.

Didn't realise that Edgeley Park was a library, no crowd noise at all for a decent crowd.

1-0 FBT!

HAVE A BIT OF THAT

FBT!

Whats a finish!

Really nice patient attack that and a cracking finish from 30 yards out.

Good lad!

Khan felled just outside the box 35 yards out.

Really powerful low finish in the corner.

Was going to say just before the goal that Gladwin’s decision making is a bit off today. Has passed when he should shoot and vice versa. Had a chance to put Wakeling in a good position but didn’t.

Reed finds MacDonald unmarked but his volley is awful.

Good clearance from MacDonald... shame it was our free kick!

Gladwin to Shade and his cross is just touched out in front of Wakeling, great cross with the keeper beaten.

Lovely little move there between Gladwin and Shade, both of whom have been quiet so far. Our habit of improving significantly after half time looks to be continuing...

Poor clearance by Brynn under pressure that could have gone either way.

Sounds like they're coming back at us strongly

Its more end to end now for sure.

Little bit panicky in our own box. Second goal please Swindon

MacDonald makes another good interception in the box.

Could do with some subs I think, Stockport have made four...

They have taken off Hippolyte who was probably their best attacking player.

Sadly,our bench ain't great

You can say that again!

Sadly our bench ain't great...

Williams fouled cynically.

I would say you can say that again, but you did :)

Booking for the County player for his 3rd foul in 5 mins since coming on.

We need fresh legs the game is being played at quite a quick pace for L2.

Wakeling looks knackered.

I would probably bring on Hutton for Gladwin and push Darcy into the middle of the pitch.

Ademoye on for Wakeling.

Hutton on for Shade.

Hutton seems to be playing right wing and leaving Darcy at right back, so far.

Hutton to RB and Darcy pushed up?

Fantastic take by Williams at speed but he cant set up Tomi with a long pass.

No doesnt seem so.

How queer

Hutton clean through cant beat the keeper 1 on 1.

Why wasn't Adeloye following up there after playing in Hutton?

That's an old word😀

Jonny Williams is putting on an absolute masterclass in seeking out fouls.

He seemed way bahind the play, fitness?

I think up there with possibly his best game today, head and shoulders ahead of anyone else on the pitch.

He's been on as a sub for about three minutes!

Madden sent off for a stamp!

Paddy Madden sent off! Stamp on Saidou Khan. Well that helps.

If he's stamped on a player within six feet of the fourth official that is mind numbingly stupid.

Red card for the nasty bastard

Khan has been great today.

1-1

Couldnt clear it.

Same old Swindon.
We can’t play against 10 men, ever

Well for fuckssake

Ffs. Sarcevic has been good, but they shouldn't have free men when they're down one..

Well now it'll get fruity!  ::)

Fucking wasted opportunity, typical.

Our bench,far from giving us fresh legs,seems to weaken us

For fuck sake. Shambles.

Disappointing

Lindsey will blame it on playing against 10 men

County shoot just wide.

Eeeeeeeesh

Darcy found out again at fullback.

We just dropped 7 places.

Darcy's a liability at the back. Good going forward tho

Why can't the manager see that.

It's rough on him from these little cameos, but Adeloye looks an absolute mile off the required standard I'm afraid. Hope he proves me wrong.

I put this on coach.  Not making changes to get fresh legs.  Looking at you gladwin.  Then not motivating your squad to have a killer instinct to finish off a team that is not good and one man down.   Horrible leadership

We have right back on the fuckin pitch for fuckssake

Got to be about 5 or 6mins added at least I reckon.

Brynn saves it again.

We're going to lose to 10 men, aren't we...

Lindsey I know you've signed players who are absolutely dog shit and not up to it at Right Back....but Darcy isn't the answer pal.

We were told a bigger stronger squad!

Reed shoots deflected wide for a corner.

Not sure you can pin recruitment on Lindsay.

Going to be some serious post match drivel on this one.

All at 6s and 7s vs 10 man Stockport is unacceptable. They gave us far too much respect for an hour of this game, thankfully.

Sorry but Adeloye is not a footballer, every touch he has had hes given it away or fallen over.

It’s already started

Remember Colchester away last season, we couldn’t hold on to a lead against 9 men

He has final say, unless he is lying to us.

But then there has been some amount of bullshit coming from the club when it came to the head coach recruitment, so I don't see why he wouldn't continue with that.

FT 1-1

We have until Thursday to offload!

That was very disappointing,. :doh:

rubbish  signing

Adeloye, Hutton and Shade. Haven't seen anything yet from these three.

Completely agree, he should have been following up Khan’s effort - has no movement, no effort and no place in this team…

Who recommended them😀

Well, that felt like a match between two mid-table League Two football teams. Which, considering what we looked like in the first two games is probably progress, but is still some way short of where we want to get to.

Williams, Khan, Brynn good, maybe FBT although not convinced about his defending for the equaliser.

Darcy decent going forwards but isn't a right back, real head scratcher to keep him there after bringing Hutton on.

Wakeling was running harder after 73 minutes of being on than Adeloye was within seconds of coming on. Hoping he's not up to fitness yet, because if that's him at his best then we've signed a proper duffer.

Disappointing draw, but having taken the point from Salford we didn't deserve that probably evens things up. Stockport could easily have won that if they'd taken their first half chances mind.

When did it stop? Beating Rochdale? Do me a favour.

We look OK going forward. We have some decent players. We have enough quality there to not drop in to non league or anything drastic..... but its pretty obvious that overall we've signed too many absolute duds to do anything positive this season (mainly in defensive positions).

In the summer we were thinking we'd improve the squad and wouldn't need the to offer the likes of Rob Hunt a contract but lets be honest, he walks straight in to this team and starts every week.

Well that was lost by the coach 2 points dropped

He has had 6 of his ten games- 1 win and already 7pts from the top 3

That was a tough watch. We didn’t lose, so obviously it could have been worse and we need to be measured, but we were not good enough in any part of our play. Just compare how involved Brynn was compared to their keeper. That’s a side that’s lost four matches this season… I still fully expect the manager to claim that we were in control. Positives: I like Khan. He’ll get better. Brynn is a calming presence. We’ve still got time to improve the squad.

Hunt>than any other RB in the squad.

Simple truth as I see it. Our best 11 can compete with anyone. The bench, absolutely not good enough

Manager has 4 games and needs at least 2 wins- some of these signings look crap especially at the back

We're an average mid table team in a shit league.

Feels like two points dropped. Based on second half I feel we should have won that. For me two things changed the game. The sending off galvanised them & they attacked with intent for about 10 minutes after. The other is Wakeling being replaced by Adeloye. He didn’t hold the ball up well, lost possession on numerous occasions, which invited pressure back onto us, and (I think) gave away the free kick for the goal.

Yes, Darcy isn’t a right back but I really thought we were going to come through that.

If only Harry had been there to have the chance that fell to Hutton (ironically would’ve been an Adeloye assist)

Anyway ... more positives than earlier in the season ... really need to have good few days in the transfer market

Also,Wakeling is young enough and you would hope,fit enough to play a full 90.

Just not streetwise enough, waste time, shithouse and fucking win like most others would do, what’s hard about that?

Att: 8,233 with 701 Town fans.

Our best 11 maybe able to compete with anyone in league 2 but we're not dominating or beating them.

Stench of mediocrity

This is not a new or a Scott Lindsey or new players issue.
It’s been like this since Di Canio

Colchester away last season was the worst

I'm getting a bit tired of his "they're a good side " bollocks

Two poor teams out there today.

When they went down to 10 men, nothing changed in the flow of the game.

Adeloye - decision made, he's awful.  He had one good pass to put Hutton through but then stood still and admired it.  Hutton has his shot saved and Adeloye is about 18 yards from goal still stood there watching.  He has no instinct for football - I think we haven't been able to judge him because of that problem.  He just doesn't get into the game at all, a bystander watching it all go on around him.

Shade, meh.  Certainly not an upgrade on anyone, not even a match for anyone we lost.

MacDonald - he's a bit of an issue for me.  He is not bad, not by any stretch.  He just doesn't have any control over the defence and has terrible moments, like Baudry would have as well (shown up when we were in L1).

Darcy at right back is some sort of sick joke from the Management team.  I simply cannot believe a professional football club would persist.  he has no idea where to be or how to defend in a back line.  I feel really sorry for him because he is a bright spark on the ball, as shown from his involvement in the goal, when he got into the middle of the pitch just outside there box.  Precisely where he should be as a player.

Left back is OK, solid, but you'd take Tomlinson over him every day of the week.  He was also at fault for the goal but scored, so it balances itself I guess.  He is a Rob Hunt type of player, reliable to an extent, good squad player.

Clayton - seems a good player, would still like to see him play just on front of the back four.

Wakeling - a positive, but had to do all the running himself today.

Williams - I'm going to get some feedback on this!  Lovely flashes on the ball, finds space so well, delivers next to nothing most of the time.  I am not sure if that is the players around him or not, but for all his talent, what do we create?

Gladwin - again, nice touches when he gets to drive at goal, no legs to provide any sort of proper defensive solidity.

Reed - playing for the wrong team this season.  Great fit last time out, no real impact on a team that wanders around not giving him options.

Overall, still enough here to improve upon, but the signs are for a season of struggle.  I am not sure we'll take big beatings, but we equally create very little by way of clear chances.  It's all a bit meh - no idea what we are trying to do, which I think sums us up.

Just have to plug away, get Ellis fit, sign a decent forward and hope the rest keep improving.

When do I get the managers job?

You won't have to wait for the managers job very long but the problem is you will be stuck with the Shite Sandro got in😀

Some bizarre decisions.

Darcy at right back is a joke, then brought on Hutton at RW? I’m not convinced by Hutton but surely when a team is sending it long you move him to right back? Also decision to try to soak it up against 10 is stupid anyway, but then try to soak it up without bringing on another centre back when they brought on a big player up top? Again brainless.

Maybe I’m completely wrong because I’m not a professional manager but so many stupid decisions

Thought Darcy did ok last game at right back and was probably fine for a very short term stop gap.
I expect he’d have done ok again today with McKirdy in front of him - as Stockport would probably double up on him.

Bizarre to bring a right back into the XI but leave Darcy at RB

Tend to agree with most of your individual analysis, but think you're overestimating the quality of the league. At the moment, we're a midtable L2 team. Not threatening to go up, but we're not going to be anywhere near struggling. "Poor" in historic STFC terms sure, but average for the division. All a bit meh, like you say.

2 strikers and a winger  is whats needed at least.

Shame that we couldn’t defend route one. Our goal was a lovely move and fine finish, so annoying when the opposition do not have to work hard for theirs.

Had to make substitutions when we did I think, but cannot say the impact was great. Lindsey must really not fancy Hutton’s RB pedigree. I like Darcy, but not so much at RB. To compare I think every RB last year was better than any we have seen this season. There was nothing particularly exciting on our bench, to bring on once we did concede, though would have brought  Aguiar on as Gladwin seemed spent.

Whatever Adeloye is meant to be good at he has not been able to show it yet.

On the plus side not lost since the opening day. That is the first draw where you feel like we really should have won the game.

Williams had easily his best game this season, ditto Khan and nice to see FBT can finish, who knew. Brynn inspires confidence even when horribly exposed.

Edit much better last 2 games for Reed as well.

It has not been an awful August, just hard to see without additions how this squad gets promoted. We are slightly worse defensively and unlike last season are not scoring enough to make up for our frailties. Hopefully I’m wrong and we are performing well below the sum of our parts, in which case coaches to blame  :hmmm:

I will say this though.

In 30 years time when someone starts a thread on worst Town players of all time Adeloye will get a few mentions

Hate to say it but Town gave gone from a relatively middling L1 Club (with flirtations of POs/League titles) to a middling L2 Club.

But we've "...got our club back." after all...haven't we?! :hmmm:

Serious question...Does it actually feel like we (the lifelong fan) have got our club back?

I count mid table as a struggle for us, it will be one of our worst seasons ever as a club if that is where we finish.  Not good enough and gets Managers sacked in our history.

Anything outside top 7 ain’t acceptable

I agree. Odimayo would walk into this side

Great chance for Hutton to score today as well, shame.

Adeloye is that crap forward that gets brought on in the 80th minute by mid table teams. The type that comes on and offers no kind of danger at all.

No denying this is going to be a season of struggle.

Look forward to another season in League 2 next year.....

I confess, I have never understood what that actually means.

Bas Savage!

Another totally uninspiring post match interview from the boss. All this "they're a good side and will be there or thereabouts" bollocks is bloody tiresome

Didn't you get your copy of the Deeds?

I'm quoting (possibly slightly misquoting) the chairman's words.

An answer to that relative question is that I feel the statement was really meaning; "we've (CM & Investors) got our club back" -  it was never intended to include the fans but was played like that for PR/spin purposes. 

The only people who have got STFC back is Clem Formuni (and whoever else)...

According to Lindsey there are 23 other really good sides in league 2!

22. Everyone knows Rochdale are crap

Apart from Lindsey who said they played expansive football and didn't know why things hadn't happened for them.

There isn’t a single player that I think is an upgrade on who they replaced. That’s down to Di Michele not Lindsey. But I’m convinced that Garner, or another manager, would be getting more from these players. It’s sad to say, but as a collective of squad + coaching staff, we are arguably in a weaker position than at any other time in this division. It’s not Sheridan bad, but that was in League 1. We’ve been allowed, for the first time in decades, to become League Two lower/mid table fodder.

I never had it in the first place so couldn't have got it back.

Hope Lindsey is right about all the opposition so far. In that case we have nothing to worry about as it must only be the mid  table sides and the dross left to play.

I am probably one of the most negative posters on here.

However, that's 5 unbeaten now. We are shit yet seemingly tough to beat. Need a couple of really high calibre signings before deadline, McKirdy back and we can have an ok season.

Bore draw specialist......

Yep,  listening to him there appears to be 23 ‘really good sides’ in this division,  he’s starting to lose my support.

Sorry,  didn’t read back, totally fucked off with his bullshit.

I have been going through trying to argue a case against this and yet...

Brynn may end up being better than Wollacott? That’s the best I can do.

If he says all the others are great does that mean we are shit?

We are the new Oldham.

Fucking Hope not !!.

No just as good😀

And you very rarely swear🤣

I have decided not to get annoyed by this as all he does is give the same pre and post match interview every game, with all the same clichés. He obviously doesn’t want to engage properly with the questions.

Only when we continually throw away two points so needlessly !!.

Happy with that. Good point.
Encouraging whole is greater than than the sum of its parts type performance that bodes well for the season.

No doubt the equaliser will be analysed in depth which is fair enough.

The result was vehemently disagreed with by the usual small but vocal minority.
I remember my first away game as well, can't win em all 3 or 4 nil.

One defeat in 6. It's absolute shite isn't it.

In total control, poor game management, switched off once and dropped the points.
We need a forward desperately.

That's the problem looking at his mannerism and lack of eye contact he dosen't appear to know how to engage properly when being interviewed.

Barrow second in the table on 15 points says it all.

damn, we should have all 3 points.

1 win in 6
1 loss in 6

spin the coin and take your pick choice

If those stats/draws get us to 76+ points I will be happy😀

Fair point, but it depends on your expectations. For those that expected us to be as good/better than last year, the evidence isn’t there *yet* and that creates worry, when you consider how the club came to select the manager.

Today's attendances

https://www.espn.co.uk/football/fixtures/_/date/2021000826

Rochdale 273 with 113 away fans  ??? ???

Surely a digit missing there.

Imagine it's a 2 missing😀

701 the stockport commentary team said it was

Thought we controlled the game well today but we are definitely lacking a right back and striker.  For me Darcy is wasted in the RB position but with the midfield we have I don’t know how we can accommodate him.
The Defence is definitely a work in progress but has the makings to be a good set up if we can find the right player. Today called out for a Rob Hunt type RB.

Not sure about Shade but it’s not helped that Lindsay doesn’t play to his strengths. Not sure if Adeloye is lazy or whether Lindsay tells him to play like that but I just can’t see how he’s going to fit in at STFC if Lindsay utilises him the way he did today.

Disappointed not to get all 3 points but we are a work in progress and I think we will improve as the season goes on it just might be too late to push for a promotion spot.

We were spoilt last season and we are going to have the season we should have had last season

275?

Decent post and agree.
On train back home and feels like a loss.
A decent striker and right back and we are in with a shout. In control today against a very average fancied side. Never picked up the flick on and got punished.

Maybe that's the difference between a Wellens & Garner who know how to organise teams and get the best out of players

Garner was fucking crap at game management and the dark arts.
We threw away a lead to a team with 9 men last season ffs

Same thing happened today to a lesser extent (they had 10 men)

So let’s not change the narrative to fit in with everyone’s negative opinion of Lindsey.

Is failing to see out the last 10 minutes of a game with a man advantage shit? Yes absolutely. Is it any shitter than when Garner did the same thing last season - several times, nope

…and of course we might have had enough win the game if McKirdy wasn’t a childish prick

I haven't been convinced he's the right man for the job from day one  that's my opinion but happy to eat humble pie later on If he proves me wrong. Neither convinced of most of the signings no matter what analysis they have on them.

Garner could set up a team midweek and had a clear game plan, but he wasn't one for changing a game in play. Lindsay has generally done a bit better on that side, it's just the team tends to start without much of an obvious plan.

You’re thoughts and opinions on Lindsey are fair enough and I have no issue with that.

Not a fan of the fact that Garner seems to have gone up on everyone’s estimations. As I said throwing away a lead with a man advantage and less than 10 on the clock is shit but the same would have happened (and did) with Garner and last seasons squad.

It’s definitely not a Lindsey specific thing that happened today.

But it did work out last time didn’t it?
Everyone thought he had a decent game last week didn’t they?
Now he’s been not so good and everyone has decided it didn’t go well last week?

I mean I get not changing a winning team unless you have to (McKirdy out) but once the game was in progress I don’t think we’d have looked any worse pushing Darcy further forward

Pyro on the pitch will that mean another fine🤔

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yQVoIQSdYfc&t=424s

What in that game we won 3-0 and never really looked under pressure?

Excellent performance from the lads today, totally dominant, one lapse cost us the win and Hutton could have sealed it at 0-1 with that big chance. Very impressed with the Stockport fans who still got behind their team when losing, less impressed with some of our fans moaning and shouting rubbish most of the game such as ‘get back to the National League’ at Khan when he skied a shot on 90 mins.

Feel the same as you.

Look at the positives, our performances as a team are improving every week.
Finally, we played today in the vision of what Lindsey/Di Michele spoke about preseason; a possession based, aggressive attacking style, which I saw today. If we had a no 9 in the team, we'd have won comfortably. Get in a no 9 striker and a right back and I think we'll be OK this season.
MacDonald getting stronger with every game and a lot of positives to take. I know it's annoying conceding a late equaliser (especially if, like me, you put £5 on them at HT to win at 4/1) but comparing that to the first 2/3 games of the season, there's a marked improvement made so far.

Elephant in the room. McKirdey. Would have run their defence ragged. Take the point and learn from it.

Clearly as we have none

Maybe try Harries or Brennan there.

Both are centre backs and Harries is left footed FFS.

We recruited to play 3 at the back, with no flexibility in the squad.  Utterly baffling.

Today was our best away performance of the season by some margin. Seemed to be more structure and purpose to our play.

Adoloye shouldn't be anywhere near the first team.  Utterly shite, bring back Pericard.

Darcy is not a right back (but potentially a decent footballer) and Lyndsey is not going to lead us to glory.

I've said for a few weeks that lower mid-table is where we are heading and today, which was ok, illustrated it perfectly.

I know they're centre backs but Brennan is young and should be versatile at his age and not as if a centre half hasn't played right back before.

Cheers mate listened to Swindon comms and no mention of crowd was given.

My best guess yet :)

Pretty fair write up by a County fan here.

https://hedgegrower.blogspot.com/2022/08/stockport-county-1-swindon-town-1.html

Can't comment on the game but seems we are slowly moving in the right direction, feels like the season hinges on the end of the window once again but if we get the players in that we need we have a chance to put things right against a badly misfiring Gillingham next week.

Reading back it’s quite clear from the comments that there’s a big difference in opinions.

Those that watched/listened to the game & commented straight after the game were hugely frustrated & we’re saying it was shite.

Whereas those that went to the game or took some time to reflect on the overall performance were a bit more positive & bemoaning the fact a lapse of concentration led to their goal.

The one thing everyone seems to agree is that we need a right back that can play right back & a central striker. Also that we miss McKirdy, so selling him at this point wouldn’t be a great idea.

The lack of a right back reminds me of the England Euro 1992 squad.

TBH I thought we looked much better in long periods but still made one mistake that cost us, with better finishing we would have been 2-0 up when Hutton missed an absolute sitter, if he hit it low it would have gone in.

For long spells we controlled midfield and should have won with County thinking they really got away with daylight robbery. Williams and Khan were great with Reed back to his best.

Yes its 2 points dropped but we have continued to improve game on game and after all it is just 1 loss in the league so far, as others have said we just really need a right back and a good striker, as much as I want Adeloye to come good I dont think he will.

Think this is a very fair review.

I was very frustrated after the game as I wouldn't be someone who sits on a 1-0, especially with 10 men. That being said they didn't really look like scoring until their red which actually seemed to galvanise them a bit, but it is worrying that we seem to do worse when we have a man (or men!) advantage (as others have said this has been an issue for years and isn't directly at Lindsey).

We are improving and having more control in games, MacDonald and Clayton seem to be building quite a good partnership and both constantly talk throughout the game. Feel like if we had the current defence (with Hunt added) in last years team, we'd have gone up.

Suppose you could argue if we improve as much as we have from Harrogate to yesterday within the next 6 games then we should start climbing the table. New right back and a striker are a priority though.

Its great to see stockport back in the league

Lyndsey does need some media training or something, we're not getting a lot from the interviews. I think you can tell what he's trying to do and it's not for lack of knowledge, I just don't think he's used to it.

That said, seems to all be going in the right direction now, frustrating to not get the win today but that's football, should have won this one, should have lost against Salford, funny what going down to 10 does to galvanise a team and Stockport deserve plaudits for coming back into the game after seemingly being out of it.

I'd echo we can't afford to lose McKirdy now, think the next few games will probably demonstrate that. Might have to push the boat out and spend some cash in a right back as well as a striker as we're obviously struggling to fill that position. I think Iandolo being out is hurting us there, and I think it's easy for some to forget we've got injuries as well as suspensions at the moment.

This season is still wide open, and we'll see where we are come the day the loan window slams shut.

I'm not convinced that we intended to sit back.    There was an element of complacency for sure, but the lack of any forward presence once Wakeling and, to a far lesser extent, Shade went off meant that they could push forward with impunity and we basically couldn't get out of our own half.   

It's clear that Hutton and Adoloye won't win many games playing in the same team together although in his defence  Hutton should have played at RB when brought on.

I still maintain that we are victims of our own success from last season and that surely doesn’t help the whole fan base from those who never go but still find lots to be negative about to those that don’t miss a game who also find lots to be negative about. As a species were good at being generous with our misery but piss poor and miserly with praise…

That said, I and my DNA feel from the games we have seen there has been solid improvement. Ok nothing to set the L2 scene on fire but solid improvement all the same whereby I’m sure those mentioned above would shout ‘well that’s nothing to shout about, we were dog shit at Harrogate and look who have beaten them since’. See my point?

Patience is a virtue. On a positive note the McKirdy situation will sort itself out this week. So will the other positions. We also have the January window to dabble as sure we will. We are improving week on week. Just look at the rebuilding we have had to do, again! We have only been beaten once. Of course the detractors and misery mongers will say we’ve only won once, I say ok, we’ve only been beaten once and according to your stance we are shit. Not bad a position to be in all considered I think to use as a platform going forward.

So for me the marathon is well underway and at roughly the three mile marker we are getting into a rhythm slowly and surely. I wouldn’t worry to much about the early pace setters but if you do, think of the grass munchers up the road and what happened to them come the home straight.

All good in the hood AFAIC, seen it all before many, many times.

The top brass know as I have mentioned before that this season is not a nailed on 100% shit or bust one (that’s next season IMHO) but one that has to surpass last seasons David v Goliath epic over achievement and get promoted automatically because the pan of boiling hot passion will have largely turned to steam and the good will evaporated.

Looking for an Indian Summer next two months where we get the summer holiday crowds back and we can turn up to the theatre of despair in nice wether to see us move silently under the radar towards the early pace setters.

We clearly recruited for 3-5-2 and in the first few games it was found not to work, so having reverted to 4-3-3 we don't really have a player that can play rb.

I think the jury is still out on Lindsey, after 12 games we should have a clearer idea of where we are heading with him as manager / head coach, at the moment it is a concern we are lacking those win's but hopefully we can get a bit of a run of wins going.

So, we clearly need a full back for the right side, and another striker who can hold the ball, but my other concern is McKirdy  - assuming he doesn't get sold by Thursday, we clearly rely on his style of play with the forward line and for creativity and struggle when we don't have him, so what if he picks up an injury for a couple of months we have nobody else that can step in from the bench, is this the risk we have to take ?

Maybe it would be good to have an old head getting towards his twilight years that does not expect to always be a starter but can come on from the bench and be a nuisance and start a handful of games when needed

  

Surely we can get a passable right back out of Shade, Hutton & Brennan

Yesterday was better but it’s still impossible to work out how we set up to play and the imbalance across certain positions are obvious. We have some quality which is allowing us to pick up points but it does seem really hard for us to even get shots on target at the moment which needs to quickly improve.

People have said we shouldn’t judge Lindsey until 10 or so games so a big 4 games coming up for him. The minimum expectation for any Town manager in L2 should be to pick up 50% of the points available so 69 across the season. Lindsey is currently at the 39% mark so needs around 8 points from the next 4. If we aren’t on or around 15 points after 10 games then I think there is a sufficient sample to form a judgement. For comparison Garner had 16 after 10 and we were 4th.

Not seen anything to suggest that.   Hutton is not good enough, Shade has physical attributes but is a winger not a RB, Brennan not seen much of but looked ropey in the 2 games I've seen him play, but concussion does that to you.

We had 3 decent right backs last year, should have aimed to keep at least 1, can't imagine Odimayo was overpaid

I noticed Odimayo was only a sub yesterday shame he didn't stay as he would have been a first team regular this season with his versatility.

Well,Brennan anyway. Not sure about the other 2 to be honest

I did suggest Brennan but got knocked back😀

Well,just watched it back. What was Lindsey on about when referring to the scorer of the equaliser being "five foot nothing"?
Trivial maybe but what the fuck difference does his height make?

With him it's a case of dunno as not played much, but what we have seen hasn't exactly oozed class even when playing in his preferred position.  

Not sure we should be making do anyway, just get in a fucking right back like they should have done in the first place.

The thing with Brennan he probably hasn't come here to sit on the bench when fully fit so it will be interesting to see he if he starts many games. I would have offered better deals to Odimayo & Hunt at least you knew what you were getting.

The issue of recruiting for 3/5 at the back and then realising we play better football as a 4. Still may be worth giving Brennan a go. Was noticeable yesterday that in possession the full backs tucked in and Williams and Shade dropped back to create a triangle. Worked quite well to be fair and could see why Darcy was there when in possession. When having to defend though he looked all at sea which isn't too surprising.

I think it’s a bit early to completely right off all our right backs.
Sure, it’s not been great so far. Still possible it gets no better but still a chance it might.
It’s still early on the season.

Agreed our recruitment was obviously too heavily focused on CBs & WBs for 352

Not writing them off as we never actually recruited any.

Hutton played full back last season at Barrow didn’t he?

Need a competent right back and a Centre Forward that can be bothered to close down.
Hoping we see some activity this week to at least give us all some much needed optimism.

I saw enough yesterday to convince me that we can improve.
Was expecting a lot more from Stockport but we bossed large parts of that game.

However the Stockport vocal support was magnificent all game, except they had a tinpot drum.
Good club and fans.

Hutton, Shade, Darcy and when back in contention Iandolo and Brennan as possibilities for right back?

None of them frankly - bar possibly Brennan, whom it would be unfair to dismiss quite yet based on his minimal game time.

Even if our first impressions of Brennan turned out to be wrong, we'd still need respectable cover for a right back in a 4.  A first choice right back would be my priority this week.

Having abandoned, for now, a 3.5.2, we appear to have over-recruited RWBs.  Regardless of quality debates, this seems expensive at this juncture.

Any trouble after Duke as reports a few Swindon were assaulted going back to their car.

Yes

I initially read that as Royal Wotton Bassetts 🤣

Didn’t see any whatsoever and drank in their home pub prior to moving on.
Never had an issue however they moved a few Swindon fans on who came in with colours.
The designated away end had a few Stockport mixed in and all good behaviour.

Been the Stockport away a fair few times and have to say always find their fans decent.
Would go so far to say we have similarities.

Good to hear as we don't want to go back to the hooligan days we all remember. The thing with social media is you don't get the full story and whether a few of ours were Leary or not.

<B&W filum Dr Frankenstein mode ON> It's ALIVE mwah ha haaaaaa!<<B&W filum Dr Frankenstein mode OFF>

Little late, but went to this, thought it was a decent enough performance and probably one of our better ones this season untill the sending off.

Khan brilliant again, getting quite a few MOTM votes from me, Brynn, FBT, Williams, Clayton, Gladwin all solid. Reed and McDonald much better also.

Folded like a cheap suit after that red card. Spineless weasel like performance in the last 20. Completely deserved to only come away with a point. Standard BS long ball into box goal to concede.

Adeloye hopeless. Need attackers sharpish. Darcy got destroyed down that right side the entire game. Lindsey’s response was to bring a right back on to play at right wing. Bizarre. Shade needs to step it up. Need an out and out right back.

Roll on Saturday. Need to start winning games sharpish.