Cheltenham Town v Swindon Town-Official Match Day Thread.

[tans]

Whats this about abuse to risser after the game?

[cheltred69]

Pretty poor match all around today.  Started off the first 15 to 20 fairly brightly and on top but started to get a bit nervous when we weren't able to get anything from it.  Cheltenham are a pretty poor side and took about 35 mins to string 3 passes together but we didn't seem to be able to show any real threat.
I thought the defence was fairly solid throughout, with Flint standing out again and Kennedy making some good overlaps. Nathan Thompson at RM didn't seem to work and no surprise that he was first to be subbed.  Risser seems fairly anonymous in midfield where we really need a playmaker to make things happen.  McCormack seemed to fade as the game progressed but showed some good signs early on. Ritchie was clearly earmarked as the dangerman and was given very little space but did OK.  Esajas looked lively when he came on and showed promise for the future.
The biggest problem imo was up-front.  Neither DeVita or Bodin have the physical presence needed at this level and neither had any real chances to run against the defenders either.  We desperately need the big man PdC is seeking.  Connell again looked lively but had little in the way of real chances.
Overall very disappointing and we are going to need to improve a fair bit to challenge for promotion - but as its only the 2nd game for this team I'm not too despondent - just not great living in Cheltenham after this result!

[Reg Smeeton]

Not going myself it's hard to judge so it'll be interesting to read what people thought of our performance that went today.  Listening to the radio it sounded like we lacked a cutting edge upfront and was highlighted in Di Canio's interview.

Fair enough...it will be interesting to read, what those that went think.

[cheltred69]

Whats this about abuse to risser after the game?

Risser came over to thank fans behind the goal and 1 guy (maybe 2) decided that he needed to give him some verbals.  Risser walked away and it seemed that a good number of fans were giving that bloke some abuse afterwards.

[RJack]

Risser came over to thank fans behind the goal and 1 guy (maybe 2) decided that he needed to give him some verbals.  Risser walked away and it seemed that a good number of fans were giving that bloke some abuse afterwards.

Hope they gave the bloke that dished out the abuse to Risser a good shoeing too

[Bathtime]

Watched this from the Cheltenham terrace to the right of the goal. So had a great view of their goal, good corner, player unmarked, bang. Comments around me from home fans before game started were `hope we dont get stuffed` etc. After the game the comments were `the great escape`. Came awy thinking how did we lose that but last week I was thinking how did we win that. In conculsion I am glad I support Swindon and not Cheltenham. There are elements of our team that are going entertain us this season, which I dont think can be said of the Cheltenham team.

Bollocks.......

[reeves4england]

First 10-15 minutes we created a few half-chances, and then De Vita missed a sitter. After that we seemed to lose our way a bit. It was a narrow pitch so there wasn't much room for the wide players, and Ritchie wasn't having the best of games.

Second half we came out slowly and really lacked any penetration. De Vita just got worse, and Risser was pretty anonymous (which in no way warranted any abuse after the game - wasn't close enough to see what happened exactly though - fair play to Risser for just walking away). Esajas came on and looked lively, Connell finally gave us some presence up front, and Ferry linked the play much better than anybody else had done. All three could be in for a start on Tuesday.

I thought at first that the red card was harsh. He definitely caught Aden Flint with his elbow, but I wasn't convinced it was deliberate. if I see it again on TV I might change my mind though. Oh, and it was a blatant penalty. Bodin knocked it past his man and the lad's just bundled him to the floor. No idea how the ref could justify not giving it really.

Cheltenham were very poor, but we weren't really much better. No cutting edge. I'm not going to jump on anybody's back just yet though - it was one of those days where our gameplan didn't work, and hoepfully we'll be back on track by Tuesday night.

[Gnasher]

It wasn't good. Yes, it was a penalty. Perhaps even the second shout was a penalty, but that doesn't detract from the fact that we were pretty clueless today.

We seem to play hoof ball up to the front two (mainly De Vita) who are too small (and perhaps not good enough) to do anything with it. The midfield were again too deep and I do think that Risser is the problem. Smith can't keep his goal kicks in play but I'll give him that wonderful save in the first half. Flint was again man of the match, which is hardly surprising as we have no creative players.

It seems to me that we don't have a game plan. The players tackle well but don't know what to do with the ball when they win in. There's no movement going forward, no one finding space - just a clump over players battling to win the ball.

There are plenty of teams like Cheltenham in L2 and if we play like that against Daggenham, it'll be the same result.

[SuggWillSugg MBE]

Was sat right behind the goal,
Smiffy made a wonder save about a min before half time.
everyone around us though it was in. Outstanding.

However today his kicking was AWFUL.
9 times out of 10 they went out for a throw in.

Ritchie had possibly his worst game ever for us however as someone else said he was marked out of the game...
Di Vita was awful we thought too...
At the end Risser came to thank the fans and one bloke decided to have a go. What a dick.

[Dr Pierre Chang]

Disappointing but not the end of the world.

Main problem is the lack of a big man up front, once this is solved then throw him up front with Connell and I think we will be a much better side. Not sure what to make of De Vita and Bodin, looked decent first 10/15 minutes then at times looked out of their depth, but weren't helped by countless long balls.

Ritchie was very poor I thought - did he even try and beat his man once? Silly booking then rightly subbed off. Not one of his better days but I think with him and Esajas on the wings we will have some exciting matches. Caddis behind him was solid defensively but wasted possesion a few times by running into their players. Kennedy was solid and put in some good crosses which weren't challeneged for - a decent forward will score a fair few in this side I think.

Risser, meh, doesn't really seem to influence matches much, passes him by. Decent effort at the end. I was impressed with McCormack and he should keep his place for tuesday, good in the tackle and can play a bit with a good shot on him as he showed in the first half.

Shame that our support couldnt roar on the lads in the second half, very flat atmosphere.

[cheltred69]

Totally agree about the penalty - was bang in front of me and no room for doubt at all - Bodin's legs taken away.  Only reason I could think for not giving it is that the ref's view was obstructed which isn't really an excuse.
The second penalty shout - Connell was definitely bundled down in the area but very often those aren't given so wasn't too surprised.

[Dr Pierre Chang]

Sorry if mentioned earlier -

http://www.oufc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10342~2419155,00.html

STFC written on the pitch with oil.

[Nemo]

That's a heinous and despicable crime and I hope the perpetrators are brought to justice.

Are there any pictures that might help us understand the true magnitude of these actions?

[spiderbaby]

Those naughty Shrewsbury Town fans...

[Jimmy Glass is an Alien]

Those naughty Shrewsbury Town fans...