Chesterfield v Swindon Town matchday thread

[RobertT]

Don't want to come across as a Morfuni apologist or a deliberate contrarian but say we had 5 injuries from PVs 2nd line up, I think we could bring in Minturn, Drinan,Khan, King and Delaney, not forgetting McGurk(when fit) and it wouldn't be disastrous. Goalie injury,that's a different matter!

You realise you are listing four players there who were part (to differing levels) of our worst ever season in our history, right?  King is a bit unknown and wasn't a mainstay of the team we are playing against.  I'm sorry, he is worth developing, but if Minturn has to play more than a handful of games, that is not a good sign for a team that should be competing at the top of this Division.

[OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR]

You realise you are listing four players there who were part (to differing levels) of our worst ever season in our history, right?  King is a bit unknown and wasn't a mainstay of the team we are playing against.  I'm sorry, he is worth developing, but if Minturn has to play more than a handful of games, that is not a good sign for a team that should be competing at the top of this Division.

Plenty of decent players find themselves on bad teams...doesn't mean they should be consigned to the scrap heap...

[Crispy]

Walk in the park, easy 0-2 win.

[Peter Venkman]

Plenty of decent players find themselves on bad teams...doesn't mean they should be consigned to the scrap heap...

Indeed, many players have an off season and bounce back to greater heights.

Alan McLoughlin looked useless when he first arrived from Man Utd under Macari but a couple of loans later and he was a world beater. No I am not suggesting we have any new Alan Macs in the squad, just as a comparison, and he was by no means alone.

Tim Parkin looked uselss in his first season, in the 2nd season he was player of the year.

Charlie Henry looked lost at right back but he was moved to number 10 and looked pretty decent player for a couple of years.

[swindonmaniac]

Just checked my sky+ is working, all good and ready for tomorrow night.  On Sky Channel 409. 

Seems like it’s now been moved to channel 412.

[adje]

You realise you are listing four players there who were part (to differing levels) of our worst ever season in our history, right?  King is a bit unknown and wasn't a mainstay of the team we are playing against.  I'm sorry, he is worth developing, but if Minturn has to play more than a handful of games, that is not a good sign for a team that should be competing at the top of this Division.

Yes, I was here. However,to include Drinan and McGurk as reasons for our terrible season is beyond harsh. Minturn is a young, rated player who could,probably will improve and Khan has shown more than enough at times to suggest he can play. You can't just dismiss those players because of one season, that's pessimism even beyond your norm. Besides the very argument is that those players would be decent back up,not regulars

[Frigby Daser]

Certainly not writing off Minturn, Drinan, Khan etc - in fact, all are decent members of the squad. It's clearly incorrect to write them off because of last year. Messi could be managed by the Youth Pathway Mnager and look like a dud. We just need to make sue that by the end of this month, we have options and back up in each position so we don't end up having to play half-fit, out of form players with the same shape if things don't go our way.

[RobertT]

I know one individual does not a team make.

I'm also saying that I do indeed believe some on that list are simply not good enough - only an opinion.  I've been pretty consistent in saying I am not a fan of Drinan - I think Orient let him go for a reason, he has limitations.  I think he is a squad player, but in a good squad, so you don't have multiples of his type.

McGurk is still unknown - yes he showed flashes, but Cain can take a good free kick and I don't rate him highly enough.  The hope is the flashes are something that comes out more often, but his injury issues and ability to go missing do worry me still.  I'd say he is someone I see more upside on though.

Minturn is at least a years worth of full playing time experience away still.  I am not sure I'd agree with someone being happy with him as a back-up, not in a top 3 L2 side.  Again, opinion.

[RobertT]

I think what I am saying is we have quite a few squad players (the tag provided), many of which were part of a shit squad.  One or two of them is fine, not five or six or seven (Uwakwe & Cain were not included for example).

[Anonymous77]

Must say i’m suprised Chesterfield are favourites to go up, personally don’t think their squad gets them near the auto’s.

[Bob's Orange]

Very 'meh' about the new season. Will tune in tonight and going to the Walsall game next weekend but can't say I'm hugely excited about this season. Perhaps that will all change at 10pm tonight.

Planted 2 red robin trees in the garden recently, hopefully that might bring the team some luck.

As for tonight, I've no idea really. 2-0 defeat.

[4D]

Likely to be on in a pub anywhere or is it just Prem they're interested in? Might pop out and watch it.

[Tails]

We'll either sneak a 1-0 win or lose 4-0

[OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR]

I know that the consensus is that we've not done enough in the transfer market and that may well prove to be true but they've certainly done enough for me, along with the change in management team to actually be looking forward to the start of the season. At the end of last season I absolutely could not see us finishing above 23rd this time round but I am now very confident we can exceed that by some margin.

The ownership is clearly not fit for purpose, nothing has changed there but with all of that said, I will be absolutely delighted with a 1-1

Come On You Mother Fucking Cunting Bastard Reds....

[Wobbly Bob]

Pre match aspiring to respire not expire in The Spa Lane Vaults.

So, here we are again.
Logistical challenges plenty await. Thanks Sky.
The crooked spire might not be the only thing with an alarming lean before the day is out.

Football fans across the country will be waking up with a morning glory and / or damp sheets in eager anticipation of a new season.
Town fans will possibly be waking up becalmed in a flaccid sea of mehness.
A few might be tuning their keyboards in anticipation of imparting some gleeful negativity, which is fine.

I dunno, is it even possible to have both very low expectations and high hopes?
Expectation is for a season of struggle. A follow on from the wreckage of last season? Maybe.
Will give the team 10 or 12 games before adjusting the bar.

We've been turned over by teams offering little more than structure & organisation enough times.
Would be delighted if we could do the same to others this season.
Hoping for a team that will be hard to beat, is defensively sound, can keep clean sheets and grind out one nil wins.
Looking to concede about 50% less goals than last season has to be the aim.
Winning football matches is never boring.

Having said that, wouldn't be surprised if we are on the receiving end of a hiding this evening.
But play the game & not the occasion with a bit of grit & determination thrown in and you never know.
Can never read too much into the first game.
Let's not forget that both promoted sides slipped up badly in their first games last season & it's still a step up.

Not many draws over the years against these, so maybe one is due & would happily take a point.

Can't recall ever starting on a Friday before.
It was 1987 when a Friday evening fixture here was postponed and played on the Saturday with locals putting Town fans up for the night apparently.
That was some top community spirit shown.

It's normally a good away day here, with plenty of good hydration options, unlike some places on the schedule.
Might even get through the day without being addressed as “duck”.

Hoping that we all find some enjoyment in 2024-25, maybe even in the football as well.