Swindon Town v Crawley Town Official Matchday Thread

[TheMajorSTFC]

At least I got part of my prediction right (1-1), but the performance was yet again lacking in anything. Needs improvement and I think we'll finish around midtable - which is probably about right.

[joteddyred]

Can't argue with any of that.

Neither can I when you put it like that.  Unfortunately from the rumblings in the crowd and the recent drop in attendances, I don't think alot will be prepared to give it a year.  The crowd was way down on the figures they read out and has been for the last few games, because as CS pointed out, more and more ST holders aren't bothering.

I hold my hands up for being one who has moaned about the performances, but I'm struggling to muster any enthusiasm to go at the moment, because it really is so dire to watch.  Don't get me wrong, I've sat through plenty of rubbish over the years, but I'm not convinced we're adding to the squad with the right players and on the basis a number will also leave, we'll be starting all over again next season. That leaves me feeling there won't be any real improvement and the same conversations about giving youngsters time to settle will be taking place.

[pauld]

Don't get me wrong, I've sat through plenty of rubbish over the years, but I'm not convinced we're adding to the squad with the right players and on the basis a number will also leave, we'll be starting all over again next season. That leaves me feeling there won't be any real improvement and the same conversations about giving youngsters time to settle will be taking place.

And that's the equally reasonable flip-side. If after the first year of a long-term plan you find the personnel aren't suited, then it's not daft to replace them. Extremely risky, but not daft. But that does mean then that you either need to recruit much more carefully for the following wave or else be sure that your system can transform the players you do recruit more quickly, because you can't keep repeating that cycle. As you say, in a second year that won't wash

[Only Me]

He missed a game and went to the pub. Get a grip.

Let him enjoy his life outside STFC without you poking your nose into the thread.

[Gnasher]

Let him enjoy his life outside STFC without you poking your nose into the thread.

Well I do apologise for missing a game because I was disillusioned with the way we've been playing, and for then having the audacity to post on here. Mods, please ban me and all others who didn't attend last night.

[Flashheart]

You may be a terrible fan but I think we can forgive you.

[sonicyouth]

Well I do apologise for missing a game because I was disillusioned with the way we've been playing, and for then having the audacity to post on here. Mods, please ban me and all others who didn't attend last night.

I'm too disillusioned with the way the forum is heading to do anything about it.

[4D]

Assuming the talk about a long-term plan isn't just BS, then getting rid off (more like) half the squad doesn't mean the plan's not long-term, it just means some of the players won't be featuring in it.

So, we'll be starting with a new plan in the summer? Change the bulk of the squad and we're back to square one.

[TheMajorSTFC]

The non-existent atmosphere is dampening as well! Then again I guess this stems from what we see happening on the pitch?! I know it's been said previous how much of a decline in noise we've had over the years in the Town End/CG as a whole but last night was one of the worst I've heard, or lack of if you will. As for away fans and drums...well that's another topic completely!

[4D]

What happened to the loud and proud thing?

[suttonred]

Neither can I when you put it like that.  Unfortunately from the rumblings in the crowd and the recent drop in attendances, I don't think alot will be prepared to give it a year.  The crowd was way down on the figures they read out and has been for the last few games, because as CS pointed out, more and more ST holders aren't bothering.

I hold my hands up for being one who has moaned about the performances, but I'm struggling to muster any enthusiasm to go at the moment, because it really is so dire to watch.  Don't get me wrong, I've sat through plenty of rubbish over the years, but I'm not convinced we're adding to the squad with the right players and on the basis a number will also leave, we'll be starting all over again next season. That leaves me feeling there won't be any real improvement and the same conversations about giving youngsters time to settle will be taking place.

We probably haven't added the right players, due to half the budget playing elsewhere or not playing at all. Summer will hopefully sort that. And yes I was as frustrated as anyone on  Saturday, would I have spent the 100 quid I spent on something better? Yes without doubt in hindsight, Should I have booked my Carlisle train tickets the night before? Who knows yet. But I'll go and hope for better than I've seen recently, and keep some faith that Power knows what he's doing. For want of better words, you have to put some crap around roses to make them grow to their potential!

[Peter Venkman]

What happened to the loud and proud thing?

Its gone quiet and meek like the atmosphere at the CG.

[Batch]

Let him enjoy his life outside STFC without you poking your nose into the thread.

Erm, you do realise this is a public forum not an exclusive thread for only you, Only Me?

Or were you looking for bites/being funny.

[Benzel]

Very, very frustrating first half played at a pretty pedestrian pace. 2nd half was a bit better in terms of trying to make things happen but we lacked a bit of quality in the final third. Cooper's assessment was pretty much spot on. I like Smith's work rate but in the first half he was needing too many touches to get the ball under control, he improved in the 2nd half but nothing was sticking.
Not sure why Murphy was left on the bench as with Pritchard out he's really the most likely to offer a bit of invention in the final 3rd, he did well when he came on and should have been set up for the winner by DNG.

Monumentally poor bit of defending for the goal, we get caught light at the back and Ward just watch the ball pass by his feet.

[Reg Smeeton]

Ah well, another point closer to safety.

True....when you're struggling it's important to at least avoid defeat, because we've done OK this season so far, we're in the happy position of being able to get up to 52, by drawing games.

ATM it seems like 3 entirely predictable things have happened: #1 elements of the crowd (and the TEF) have started to get on the backs of young and inexperienced players: #2 increasing elements of the crowd (and the TEF) have had enough of possession football and want a return to proper English hoofball: #3 crowds (and TEF) numbers are dropping, partly as a consequence of #1 and #2

It's a shame, because I believe that Power has got a lot right this year....and we need to support this project. Didn't think Cooper was going to be good enough to develop it at the outset, but he's done OK and given the nature of the job, has done nothing majorly wrong to warrant replacement at this stage.

Avoiding a relegation dog-fight, a decent shot at least one cup comp and bed in the nucleus of a squad for 2014/15, was always the base line for this season, with anything else very much a welcome bonus.