Hello from an outsider!

[sonicyouth]

There's a bloke on Twitter, @fanhousepercy, who normally calls everything pretty much spot on, he's a Forest fan but a jounrno too, he reckon's Hart for Swindon is pretty much nailed on.

As for Hart himself, sorry guys but don't expect miracles.  Whilst he's a very good coach, especially at Academy level (Leeds - Bowyer, Kelly, Harte, Smith, Woodgate etc; Forest - Reid, Dawson, Harewood, Williams, Prutton(!)), man-management isn't one of his better skills.

He had two good years at Forest 2001-03, but his tactics got 'found out' in the end, likes to play a 4-4-2 using the diamond formation, so expect Prutton to be deployed on the right-hand side of the diamond - unless you've got better?  Admittedly, our glorious chairman, who decided at the end of the 2002/03 season that he would rather give his money to charity than overpaid footballers (his exact words) decided that Jim Brennan, Riccy Scimeca, Jack Lester and Jon Hjelde weren't worthy of new contracts and Darren Huckerby wasn't worthy of being signed, which lead to our play-off squad being broken up.  After that we went on a long winless run, and Hart was relieved of his job in February 2004, only to be replaced by Joke-in-Ear.

Should Hart get the job at the County Ground, he'll certainly try and add some stability, he won't take fools lightly, but unfortunately he's not that clued up tactically, if plan A fails, there's rarely a plan B.  And his successes at other clubs don't make for glorious reading either, Chesterfield, Barnsley, Portsmouth and Palace stuggled to stay up or fell away quickly after early promising starts (not too dissimilar to his time at Forest), he's a cheap option, and a nice bloke, but for me, that's where it ends.

If he is appointed though, which looks likely, I hope he does a good job, I really do, it'll be a shame to see Town suffer another relegation,, but maybe the change is just what you need right now?

Great post, thanks for that. Certainly an insight and confirms some of my fears.

If he can repeat what he did for Palace last season then I'll be happy. I'm not sure he's one for a long term appointment though.

[reeves4england]

To be honest, I don't really care about the long-term just yet. The fact is he went in to Pompey and Palace and kept them up. Hoepfully he can do the same here, then we can worry about the long term in May.

[london_red]

To be honest, I don't really care about the long-term just yet. The fact is he went in to Pompey and Palace and kept them up. Hoepfully he can do the same here, then we can worry about the long term in May.

Exactly how I feel.

[Iffy's Onion Bhaji]

To be honest, I don't really care about the long-term just yet. The fact is he went in to Pompey and Palace and kept them up. Hoepfully he can do the same here, then we can worry about the long term in May.

I'm sure that's what the board are thinking as well.

[pauld]

Exactly how I feel.

And me. Put it this way, I'd rather we stay up and have Hart in League 1 next season, than go down and get a "name" appointment in League 2

[OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR]

Same here. I'll slash my fucking wrists if we go down

I realise that's an emoticon of someone blowing their brains out but hey, I may even do that if we go down...there's no way of telling.

It won't be pretty either way

[Shauns]

Back on topic!

I came across these postings yesterday and thought it only fair to put my case forward!!

I`m Shaun Skinner, (man on the mic  / matchday bloke, etc: etc:) call me what you want,

I fully understand some of the points made about the matchday atmosphere, but let me give you some background info:

Firstly, the old chestnut of the PA system:

1) Yes, its not brilliant...In fact, its very very old, and needs over 10k spent on it to get it to a much higher standard. Ive given up my own time to help the guys at the club work on improving things and we have come a long way to get it sounding alot better. Believe me, 18 months ago, the system was on its last legs. Because of the long term plans, ie redevelopment, it just isnt cost effective to spend 10k on a system that will be ripped out in a few years time. That money is better spent on more important things at the club.The PA does work better in some areas of the ground, and there is nothing I can do about that.....

2) Sorry If I have annoyed people by doing a "red army" chant prior to kick off. I started to do this to try and create a better atmosphere at the club. Its the first time I have heard anything negative, so if what I`m doing is wrong - I`ll put a stop to it.

3) Rockin` Robin. Give the guy a break. The guy is out there, love him or hate him, in all weathers. The kids love him, and he works damn hard doing what he does

4) The Rocketts. Thanks for the feedback on this. I`ll pass this onto Adam at the club in due course.

5) ME...I`ll never be in a situation where I can be everyones cup of tea. Ive been a Town fan since the year dot, and love this club and the fans. The club contacted me 3 years ago asking if I could help out on matchdays, which I did. I give up my own time to try and do something good and create a better atmosphere. Whilst I`m not responsible for the choice in music, activities on the pitch, rocketts, the robin, I do have an input - the same as you guys. So, if theres any serious suggestions, then let me know and I`ll pass them on.

6)Music - we cant please everyone, so, again, any suggestions, do let me know....

I am a "yokel", I do have a wiltshire acent, and I`m proud of my roots - and I love this club.

[Nemo]

I don't actually mind the Red Army thing, as cringeworthy as it generally is, but you should really do the Town End last.

[jayohaitchenn]

Back on topic!

I came across these postings yesterday and thought it only fair to put my case forward!!

I`m Shaun Skinner, (man on the mic  / matchday bloke, etc: etc:) call me what you want,

I fully understand some of the points made about the matchday atmosphere, but let me give you some background info:

Firstly, the old chestnut of the PA system:

1) Yes, its not brilliant...In fact, its very very old, and needs over 10k spent on it to get it to a much higher standard. Ive given up my own time to help the guys at the club work on improving things and we have come a long way to get it sounding alot better. Believe me, 18 months ago, the system was on its last legs. Because of the long term plans, ie redevelopment, it just isnt cost effective to spend 10k on a system that will be ripped out in a few years time. That money is better spent on more important things at the club.The PA does work better in some areas of the ground, and there is nothing I can do about that.....

2) Sorry If I have annoyed people by doing a "red army" chant prior to kick off. I started to do this to try and create a better atmosphere at the club. Its the first time I have heard anything negative, so if what I`m doing is wrong - I`ll put a stop to it.

3) Rockin` Robin. Give the guy a break. The guy is out there, love him or hate him, in all weathers. The kids love him, and he works damn hard doing what he does

4) The Rocketts. Thanks for the feedback on this. I`ll pass this onto Adam at the club in due course.

5) ME...I`ll never be in a situation where I can be everyones cup of tea. Ive been a Town fan since the year dot, and love this club and the fans. The club contacted me 3 years ago asking if I could help out on matchdays, which I did. I give up my own time to try and do something good and create a better atmosphere. Whilst I`m not responsible for the choice in music, activities on the pitch, rocketts, the robin, I do have an input - the same as you guys. So, if theres any serious suggestions, then let me know and I`ll pass them on.

6)Music - we cant please everyone, so, again, any suggestions, do let me know....

I am a "yokel", I do have a wiltshire acent, and I`m proud of my roots - and I love this club.

Good first post you babe x

[Shauns]

I don't actually mind the Red Army thing, as cringeworthy as it generally is, but you should really do the Town End last.

It`d be nice to be able to take it to the next level even, what with a new manager and all!

[Ginginho]

Hi Shaun, and welcome.
Good first post.
I haven't read through this thread to be honest, but the PA system in the DRS stand is pretty terrible.
In fact you can hear it better from outside as you're approaching than you can inside.

I like Rockin' Robin, he interacts with the kids and away fans and is actually very funny sometimes.

Ref the intro music, something upbeat and rocky to get the crowd going would be good.
We had a thread on here a few years ago about suggestions for intro music, one that was mentioned by a few people was Oasis - F**king in the bushes.
But I guess the title of the track and the fact there is swearing in it, although very quiet is not acceptable.
What about The Verve - Bitter Sweet Symphony or something like that?
Or something rockier like Enter Sandman by Metallica

[BANGKOK RED]

Ska

That is all.

[guy66]

Good points well put Shaun, got to comment however, how many people would be moaning about the PA, Rockin Robin etc if the results had been different this season?
What I am saying is if we had been promoted/made the play offs/Hart had not come etc etc I am sure there would have been a more positive atmosphere and there would not be such negativity...

Got to say re Rockin Robin we have the most interactive mascot I have seen all season at any game, he also managed to piss off away players during warm up and away fans at matches too....good work fella!!

[MichaelPook]

How about the club runs a poll to suggest the new intro music - that would put an end to that discussion.

Generating an atmosphere at any ground is not easy but varying the music a bit more might help - Also a pre match or half time contest that had some real substance might work.

Back in the old days at Watford they had a season long competiton where 2 schools would compete each half time to gain a place eventually in the final on the last home game of the season - they would dribble the ball from half way line and have one shot at the goal to score ... eventually there was a quarter final - semi final and final ... and the prize was a season ticket each for the 5 lucky winners ...

Doesnt have to be the same thing but a meaningful competition makes it fun for all concerned ...

Personally Id like to see the Swindon Ladies play their match ahead of ours on a match day provided the pitch was up to standard

PS Rockin Robin is ace and the girl singing I cant help falling in love is a nice touch - sadly ruined by the PA tho

[Ardiles]

Sorry If I have annoyed people by doing a "red army" chant prior to kick off. I started to do this to try and create a better atmosphere at the club.

Thing is, I don't think the man with the mike is ever going to 'create' an atmosphere...any more than the idiots with drums in the stands that some clubs have to put up with.  The atmosphere will be there, or it won't.  One game that I'll always remember for that reason (and a few others) was the first game of the 1992-93 season at home to Sunderland - the game that Glenn scored his screamer at the Stratton Bank.  I was in the Town End that day and a full half a hour before kick off you could cut the atmosphere with a knife.  The Sunderland fans at the other end were loud, and the Town End was on fire as well.  Had a knot in my stomach from 2.30pm.  No man on the mike required that day.

I'm not knocking what you do...far from it.  Fair play to you for putting your head above the parapet.  I just think that atmosphere creation should be left to the fans in the stands.