Swindon Town V Walsall Official Matchday Thread

[jonny72]

This isn't exactly how Southampton, Leeds, Charlton, Norwich etc. have operated.  How we got a shout of auto is incredible, since when has Div I had four former Premier League league teams in it.

You missed one, it's five former Premier League teams.

[Bogus Dave]

Us
Oldham
Leeds
Charlton
Norwich
Southampton
Franchise (debately)

[jonny72]

You're not wrong, it is 7 including Franchise - I didn't count them (or Oldham) as I thought they'd been relegated before it became the Premier League and they hadn't.

[leefer]

I think there's a lot of talking at cross purposes at the moment.  I think it's completely feasible to simultaneously

(a) recognise the massive steps forward taken both on and off the pitch this season and the great achievement that a near certain play off place represents; and
(b) feel a sense of real disappointment that form has slipped in recent games.

In the immediate aftermath of a disappointing home draw, I really don't think it's unreasonable to want to let off steam about a missed chance (or three).  We could all be completely level headed and see the big picture all of the time...but then we wouldn't be football fans.

Exactly...good post.

[Ardiles]

Wimbledon did the double over us during our Premiership season (and are the only side from the top flight during that period to now be playing in the Non League).  Franchise, however, have never been anywhere near the Premiership.

[pauld]

You're not wrong, it is 7 including Franchise - I didn't count them (or Oldham) as I thought they'd been relegated before it became the Premier League and they hadn't.

Franchise don't count. Never been in the Prem. Never been higher than the place they stole in the 3rd tier

[Summerof69]

Franchise, however, have never been anywhere near the Premiership.

And hopefully never will be....

[chalkies_shorts]

That was bad today - JPM the best of a bad bunch for me. Ferry. probably the worst although Timlin was hardly an improvement.  Nouble looks as though he's breaking in somebody else's legs as he has bugger all control over them.
It looks like we're all cocking up at the moment but weirdly we're better off than we were yesterday. I'm still hopeful. Today was shit, next week I think we'll do well Wycombe will be up for it which may mean they will attack us unlike Exeter or Walsall.

[DV]

I'd certainly change it for the next game though. I think we need Big Kev back in. I'd be half tempted to try Big Kev right wing with Darby in behind him and move JPM either in the middle or wide left - depending on who you drop out.

[OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR]

It's very easy to forget that we are dealing with human beings here. This is a damned good set of lads that Danny has assembled and I am pretty sure that they have given their absolute level best every game they have played (maybe not Hutchinson but he's history now)

It's hard for a career couch potato like myself to imagine the sheer physical exertion these boys put in every single  game and the effort that has gone into every game. And then you have the mental pressure as well which must be enormous. Then you consider things like 9 months ago Charlie Austin was playing for Poole Town part time, this is Danny Ward's first taste of first team football and Simon Ferry has been out injured for two years, TWO YEARS FOR FFS!!  

I reckon that right now, the players are as gutted as we are that we haven't fully capitalised on the other teams around us losing. There have been times in seasons past when I would not have thought that.

I am not making excuses for anyone but I think sometimes you have to take a step back and try to appreciate the massive effort that has been put in this season.

If certain people think it's a 'massive fuck up' if we don't go up then that's up to them. I'm not even going to try to to argue with them. If some one believes the Earth is flat, you're not going to convince them otherwise. However this season pans out, I will be proud of The Club and the players and the management and it's a long, long time since I've been able to say that. This Club is on an upward curve again, make no mistake.

Am I pissed off and frustrated right now though? You better fucking believe it!

[chalkies_shorts]

I agree about Big Kev. He gives us better attacking options than Darby. Ward and Sheehan don't work effectively as a pair down the left and having Big Kev gives us an option down the right. I don't like the idea of JPM in the middle but then again last season I didn't like the idea of JPM full stop.
This may sound wrong but I may be inclined to start Perricard and put Charlie on the bench. He looked fucked today and did a hell of a lot of play acting resulting in a justified yellow card.

[Crozzer]

I'd certainly change it for the next game though. I think we need Big Kev back in. I'd be half tempted to try Big Kev right wing with Darby in behind him and move JPM either in the middle or wide left - depending on who you drop out.

First thing would be a few days rest, five games in fifteen days whatever it is, with basically the same team.  Then I would think on Saturday, who could I give a breather.  Manky could come in at RFB.  I like the combination with JPM.  We are not scoring like we were, Manky makes for a more attacking line up with his forays upfield.  I would like to rest the one of the main strikers for a week, but that would be very difficult.  Perhaps, Marshall deserves a start for Ward.  In any event the opposition seems to had us sussed in the last few games.  It is time to start Pericard, if he isn't bothered, bring Charlie on. 

[lambourn red]

It looks like we're all cocking up at the moment but weirdly we're better off than we were yesterday. I'm still hopeful. Today was shit, next week I think we'll do well Wycombe will be up for it which may mean they will attack us unlike Exeter or Walsall.

I said the same to my mate, next week may well be better for us as Wycombe need to win as well so hopefully the game will be streched and open as they need a win more than us which could play into our hands. I am more worried about Brentford than Wycombe and Millwall.

[DV]

I dont think Charlie was playing acting, he went for the ball and tripped over the keeper.

He didnt claim for anything!

I can see your point Crozzer. As I said, id try Darby at RB and Kev RW, move JPM to the left and put LJF in at full back and drop Sheehan and rest Ward

.

It's very easy to forget that we are dealing with human beings here. This is a damned good set of lads that Danny has assembled and I am pretty sure that they have given their absolute level best every game they have played (maybe not Hutchinson but he's history now)

If Nouble is trying his best, he might as well give up now.

[chalkies_shorts]

As much as I love the bloke Austin was diving quite a bit today. You're right he didn't appeal but he went to ground pretty softly and the booking could well have been for totting up rather than a one off incident.