Swindon Town v Gillingham Official Matchday Thread

[kerry red]

Quite enjoyed that.

If we end up mid-table playing like that I'd be pleased.

Couple of piss poor goals to give away, though. The second was an absolute fluke - the ball went straight to their fella after a ricochet so cant really legislate for that.

Thought it was deathly quiet today - was expecting a bit of an atmosphere.

Thought JMac was decent given his long lay-off - same for Ranger.

Hall looks classy at the back.

All in all there's not too much wrong but not expecting us to do much other than an average season.

[DarloSTFC84]

Quite enjoyed that.

If we end up mid-table playing like that I'd be pleased.

Couple of piss poor goals to give away, though. The second was an absolute fluke - the ball went straight to their fella after a ricochet so cant really legislate for that.

Thought it was deathly quiet today - was expecting a bit of an atmosphere.

Thought JMac was decent given his long lay-off - same for Ranger.

Hall looks classy at the back.

All in all there's not too much wrong but not expecting us to do much other than an average season.

Great that JMac played well....he's had his critiques........

Byrne always looks better going forward than backwards, so good to see him score too....

You mean Gillingham didn't create an atmosphere for their Cup Final V Their bitter rivals?

Well I never....

[Dr Pierre Chang]

I am feeling fairly positive after that despite the late equaliser, as long as we stay within touching distance of the top 6 going into the last 2/3 months of the season we may well get somewhere should we put a run together.

Away form will be the key, I think we need 2/3 more physical, experienced players if we are going to pick up enough points on the road to mount a challenge which is of course expected.

I was very impressed with Nile Ranger considering his fitness levels, some great touches and won more headers today than Williams won in his entire STFC career. He will be an asset if we keep him out of trouble, very good display.

Byrne much improved in a new role, and I thought McEveley was solid at the back with the odd poor cross as expected.

You have to be strong to trouble Darren Ward physically, and Akinfenwa done just that first half although we dealt with him better second half.

Much, much improved from last Saturday. Get a striker in soon to give us another option and I will be confident of three points next Saturday.

All in all, a positive display and this bunch of players will only get better over the season.

[sonicyouth]

You know as well as anyone that Jed's comments about promotion are nonsense, so why harp on about them?

[DarloSTFC84]

I am feeling fairly positive after that despite the late equaliser, as long as we stay within touching distance of the top 6 going into the last 2/3 months of the season we may well get somewhere should we put a run together.

Away form will be the key, I think we need 2/3 more physical, experienced players if we are going to pick up enough points on the road to mount a challenge which is of course expected.

I was very impressed with Nile Ranger considering his fitness levels, some great touches and won more headers today than Williams won in his entire STFC career. He will be an asset if we keep him out of trouble, very good display.

Byrne much improved in a new role, and I thought McEveley was solid at the back with the odd poor cross as expected.

You have to be strong to trouble Darren Ward physically, and Akinfenwa done just that first half although we dealt with him better second half.

Much, much improved from last Saturday. Get a striker in soon to give us another option and I will be confident of three points next Saturday.

All in all, a positive display and this bunch of players will only get better over the season.

OK.....who are you, and what have you done with the REAL Chang?

[Reg Smeeton]

You mean Gillingham didn't create an atmosphere for their Cup Final V Their bitter rivals?
Well I never....

Gills fans will be made up...first point at the CG for 26 years...450 Pikeys is a massive turn out from them it's usually 250...most of them were parked up on the grass in Queen's Drive by Churchfield's School this week.

[DarloSTFC84]

Gills fans will be made up...first point at the CG for 26 years...450 Pikeys is a massive turn out from them it's usually 250...most of them were parked up on the grass in Queen's Drive by Churchfield's School this week.

450, that's one family isn't it?

[ronnie21]

I've never heard anything...

I did hear from Jed . . . . . . a month ago!

[Dr Pierre Chang]

You know as well as anyone that Jed's comments about promotion are nonsense, so why harp on about them?

Sonic, I have seen enough to suggest that with a bit about us on the road and a couple of new, experienced players brought in, we have enough to mount a challenge should we be in the mix around March.

A lot depends on the away form, and I think Jed's claim of a title challenge is a tad delusional, but he has made it very clear that the objective for the season is promotion.

Now I don't know what you have thought of us so far, but there are promising signs and this is a young team that will only get better. I think Ranger will turn out to be a golden bit of business.

Fwiw I think we will fall short due to away form but it is far too early to say.

One thing for sure, I am much more positive seeing this side than I was earlier in the summer. Long way to go mind but the objective is clear.

[Dr Pierre Chang]

You mean Gillingham didn't create an atmosphere for their Cup Final V Their bitter rivals?

Well I never....

Their fans weren't bad in terms of trying to make an atmosphere in fairness to them. Poor in numbers but that is to be expected.

Martin Allen legged it down the touchline when they equalised. Not that a big a goal at this stage of the season surely?

[sonicyouth]

Sonic, I have seen enough to suggest that with a bit about us on the road and a couple of new, experienced players brought in, we have enough to mount a challenge should we be in the mix around March.

A lot depends on the away form, and I think Jed's claim of a title challenge is a tad delusional, but he has made it very clear that the objective for the season is promotion.

Now I don't know what you have thought of us so far, but there are promising signs and this is a young team that will only get better. I think Ranger will turn out to be a golden bit of business.

Fwiw I think we will fall short due to away form but it is far too early to say.

One thing for sure, I am much more positive seeing this side than I was earlier in the summer. Long way to go mind but the objective is clear.

Do you genuinely believe the objective is promotion just because Jed stated it?

[Dozno9]

Don't know about a big goal but he's a big lad. Should undertake some of those army camps himself.

[@mwooly63]

well - bossed that in parts without an end result to most attacks
Thought Ranger had a decent game up front winning his share of balls punted to him and holding up a few, deffo lacking fitness and sharpness so will be a handfull in a few games time.

McEveley had a decent game at LB tho going forward he had more than a few chances to put the ball in but chose to cut it back to someone else - tbf there was at times a definate lack of movement/bodies in the box

Thompson had his usual steady match - getting forward every chance he had and some good defending too, took his goal well - low header into the bottom corner and you could see by his celebrations it meant something to him.

Byrne played better in midfield/right wing than at a back - bundled the ball home after a great town attack - ball played out to the left wing where Pritchard hit an instant reversal to Thompson on the right wing who fired across the box for Byrne to hit home

Wes had a bit of a jekyll and hyde game. Gills equaliser was from a long throw with a header that looped slowly over everyone into back of the net then he saved the town , parrying a freekick into the path of an oncoming Gills player and saving the resulting shot with an outstretched leg. Pulled off a superb flying save in the second half too but again beaten too easily in a one on one for their 2nd goal

Just like Shrews last week 2 sloppy defensive moments cost us again - not saying the pikies didnt have other chances, Akinfatwa was a handful upfront bullying defenders to get to the ball.
Thought Hall had a decent game marking him

Cant say anyone had a really poor game
Mason had a couple of chances after coming on as sub - shot when easier to pass and snatched at the 2nd one, Looked a lil off the pace but as coming back from injury to be expected

Personally thought Storey would have been a better option than Mason esp with Ranger tiring and that substitution should have happened a lot earlier.

Sponsors gave MoM to Harley who I thought played as well as anyone really

[fittons_coaching_badge]

That was alright.

Nice and pretty and 2 excellent goals.

A big week in the transfer market. I worry about us away from home defensively and our ability today to hold on to leads late on in matches. Even in the one league game we did win Stevenage missed a golden chance to equalise late on.

We'll finish 15th or 16th ok at home and struggle away.

[ronnie21]

well - bossed that in parts without an end result to most attacks
Thought Ranger had a decent game up front winning his share of balls punted to him and holding up a few, deffo lacking fitness and sharpness so will be a handfull in a few games time.

McEveley had a decent game at LB tho going forward he had more than a few chances to put the ball in but chose to cut it back to someone else - tbf there was at times a definate lack of movement/bodies in the box

Thompson had his usual steady match - getting forward every chance he had and some good defending too, took his goal well - low header into the bottom corner and you could see by his celebrations it meant something to him.

Byrne played better in midfield/right wing than at a back - bundled the ball home after a great town attack - ball played out to the left wing where Pritchard hit an instant reversal to Thompson on the right wing who fired across the box for Byrne to hit home

Wes had a bit of a jekyll and hyde game. Gills equaliser was from a long throw with a header that looped slowly over everyone into back of the net then he saved the town , parrying a freekick into the path of an oncoming Gills player and saving the resulting shot with an outstretched leg. Pulled off a superb flying save in the second half too but again beaten too easily in a one on one for their 2nd goal

Just like Shrews last week 2 sloppy defensive moments cost us again - not saying the pikies didnt have other chances, Akinfatwa was a handful upfront bullying defenders to get to the ball.
Thought Hall had a decent game marking him

Cant say anyone had a really poor game
Mason had a couple of chances after coming on as sub - shot when easier to pass and snatched at the 2nd one, Looked a lil off the pace but as coming back from injury to be expected

Personally thought Storey would have been a better option than Mason esp with Ranger tiring and that substitution should have happened a lot earlier.

Sponsors gave MoM to Harley who I thought played as well as anyone really

Very fair comments, thought 2-2 was a fair result, they had us under a bit of pressure at times but we didn't seem able to keep consistent pressure on them.  Was not overly impressed with Ranger, didn't win as many balls as he should considering his size and his first touch let him down on several occasions - but as long as he improves as he gets match fit we may have a player on our hands.  Was a bit surprised at Harley as mom, personal opinions I suppose!