SWINDON TOWN vs COLCHESTER UTD - matchday thread

[Batch]

So how long do you give it? How many defeats and lacklustre performances and plummeting attendances do the club wait for a turn round?

Well, more than two months.

Look I get what you are saying, I really do, simply because up until he was sacked I was convinced Wilson would turn it around too. But its far far too early for that, to even think about it. We've had a shit 3 results*, that's all.

* and a shit pre-season, and a couple of fortunate wins. And a shit last third to the end of last season - with many of the same issues but with better players. Oh, heck, I'm not selling this well.

In any case,  what do we think a new manager would do, a) if they HAVE to play loanees (if) and b) who do we think would work under Power's structure and imposed style of play other than has been desperadoes. Maybe a youth team manager from the Prem, or Luke Williams?

[Skinny Pete]

Well, that's the problem. Maybe the change in style, or whatever you want to call it, needs to come from Power.

If, indeed, Cooper has his hands tied insofar as who he plays, where and in what style, then how will things change.

My gripe with Cooper, especially yesterday, was how we were set up. Playing 352 with Robert and Ojamaa as wingbacks was crazy.

Fair enough if he decided that was the formation, but why not play 2 out of BOO, Barry or Brophy as wingbacks - at least they would have made a better fist of their defensive duties.

And as for taking Kasim and Robert off . . .

[Batch]

I think most town fans are as mystified as you on those points Audrey. In fact we have a bit of a problem. Robert is better playing just off the front 2. I think Ajose is too. As possibly is ojaama. So 4-3-1/1/1-0 next week then

Incidentally I thought we looked just as bad 3-5-2 as we did with 4 at the back. We created more chances, but so did the opposition. Plus I don't think Colchester are as good as Burton, I think the latter were so comfortable they didn't have to get out of second gear.

[Skinny Pete]

What it boils down to, Batch, is the recruitment policy. Too many players in one position and not enough in others.

I think the club expected Kasim to leave, hence Traore. They get Ojamaa who in the past has said he doesn't see himself as a winger and doesn't want to play there as Byrne's replacement.

Cooper states 4 at the back is the favoured line up this season, which means only 1 up front, then they get Ajose who needs to play up front off a big man.

It's all disjointed and players have been brought in by Power with little thought as to how to integrate them into the preferred system.

[Panda Paws]

Haven't read back, but just a couple of points.

We've all seen some bad Swindon teams, in terms of quality and effort, but I don't remember a worse performance in relation to perceived talent in a very long time. The set up was horrific from the word go, no drive, no thought processes, no shape, no momentum.

Branco exposed and as bad as last year, Turnbull not at his best, the two 'wingbacks' completely wasted, wasteful and useless, but not their fault. Traore hilariously bad and no wonder Kasim was pissed off. Belford showed nothing to suggest he's capable of being number 1 (but, you know, he's a nice bloke on Twitter so....). Ajose and Thomas looked bright until Thomas went off, then Ajose and Hylton offered nothing but to get in each other's way, and for once, it was completely down to the tactics, the shape, the ideas, the methodology.

How any one can slag of Ojamma is beyond me. Playing him WB was up there with the stupidest decisions I've seen in a long time, obviously didnt have a clue what he was doing becuase he's a forward playing in defence. Their 31, Harriott, had the easiest match he'll ever have, and we got turned at home to Col U without really even competing with them.

There's no doubt we've got a good collection of players, but we're failing to pick a good team. Is that because Cooper is struggling to get it right? Or is that because he's having his hands tied? Not sure, either way with this squad and the relative investment made on deadline day, coupled with a perceived weak league, this is a long way off good enough. Power has said he expects us to challenge. We've bought in the players he believes will alloow that.

Col U won't have an easier away win all season, and they're pretty fucking rank. This can't and won't go on for much longer.

[horlock07]

Doesn't it as much as anything boil down to the fact that no one knows who holds what role within the club...

We do well its apparently down to Williams....

We do badly it's apparently down to Power...

We have no idea what happened with Cooper in the summer did he ask to leave or did Power make it clear he would let him leave if satisfactory compensation either way its not going to lead to a happy relationship, whilst now we have players being dropped for indiscipline and players storming off having been substituted - it hardly illustrates a happy ship for all the newcomer's to try and integrate into?

The sheer confusion for the fans is simply illustrated by the fact that for many Miles Storey is some manner of Messi-esque  football God?

[Panda Paws]

Doesn't it as much as anything boil down to the fact that no one knows who holds what role within the club...

We do well its apparently down to Williams....

We do badly it's apparently down to Power...

We have no idea what happened with Cooper in the summer did he ask to leave or did Power make it clear he would let him leave if satisfactory compensation either way its not going to lead to a happy relationship, whilst now we have players being dropped for indiscipline and players storming off having been substituted - it hardly illustrates a happy ship for all the newcomer's to try and integrate into?

The sheer confusion for the fans is simply illustrated by the fact that for many Miles Storey is some manner of Messi-esque  football God?

All valid points, but in terms of the yesterday's game, it was just sheer garbage from the managerial team.

[tans]

Cotterill we be out of a job soon, he can manage us when cooper goes

[DarloSTFC84]

Cotterill we be out of a job soon, he can manage us when cooper goes

 

[Matchworn Shirts]

can't we move to 4-4-2

[DarloSTFC84]

Seeing as we're in a relegation dog fight, in September...

What's Paul Hart up to?

[Skinny Pete]

can't we move to 4-4-2

It depends on personnel.

With all the hoo-ha surrounding getting Ajose we have to play 2 up front - either 3-5-2, as yesterday, or 4-1-3-2.

352 is a no-no really as we don't have the wingbacks for it as proven oh so painfully yesterday.


4-1-3-2 requires 2 very good full backs. There are no wingers, just two centre midfielders who support playmaker. Behind them you need powerful defensive midfielder who is secure with the ball. In my opinion, you need one target man and one shadow striker who can not only score goals, but also be quick and cooperate with his colleague in front.

[Batch]

How any one can slag of Ojamma is beyond me.

I've seen him twice and not been impressed either time. If that's down to wrong position, lack of match fitness or needs to settle in we will see. He was better than the saviour Ajose though.

Lets hope this is our slump out the way early, and come November we'll be embarrassed by thinking we could be shit.

[Skinny Pete]

Surprised Paddy Stewart wasn't on the bench yesterday. I'd give him a go instead of Ojamaa.

[Batch]

Surprised Paddy Stewart wasn't on the bench yesterday. I'd give him a go instead of Ojamaa.

He's got to have arrived a long way off league match sharpness and actual fitness. Definitely a good call to ease him in, take a bit of expectation off, etc. His chance will come.