Swindon Town v Fleetwood Matchday thread.

[digby]

I was quite pleased when we appointed Holloway, I knew he was odd but now I'm suspecting he's mad ! A definition of madness is that you keep doing the same things but expect to get different results !! He HAS to change things NOW, before it's too late !

I understand we have to play wingbacks as that's all we recruited, but why oh why have such a weak midfield with only two players in there being constantly out numbered. And why three strikers, when we're not supplying them with the ammunition ! I'm being kind classing Tshimanga as a striker, coz he's doing f*ck all apart from falling over ! Glatzel is a far better option but is suffering poor form, but how much of that is down to getting hardly any playing time ?

It's obvious to everyone on the terraces we should be playing Ofboroh as a defensive midfielder, which would stiffen up the midfield but would also allow the wingbacks and creative midfielders to get forward more.

On the evidence of recent games we simply MUST NOT play the old guard of central defenders, Delaney and Hall look past it (or remarkably unfit/rusty). Sobowale and Minturn would add some pace and aggression to central defence alongside the experience of Wright. This would also allow us to play Mc Gregor who I can't believe has been left out, as he's probably our best player !

And the keeper ! Why does he persevere with Bycroft who looks like a frightened rabbit and has no commanding presence in the box. Yes he's a great shot stopper but he gives no confidence to those around him and must contribute to the shakiness of the defence. Must admit I'm not convinced about Barden but give him a go and see what he's like, otherwise we have to go hunting  for a keeper in January.

My favoured line-up would look something like

Barden

Sobowale
Wright
Minturn

McGregor
Ofoboroh
Kilkenny
Clarke
Cox

Smith
Glatzel

And that would leave us with a pretty strong bench with several players capable of changing things up a bit if required

Bycroft, Longelo, Freckleton, Cotterill, Butterworth, McGurk, Drinnan


The problem is, we all suspect that for Saturday it's gonna be that Holloways goes with that 'mad' selection of 'as you were' !!  

[Ƭ̵̬̊: The Artist Formerly Known as CWIG]

Literally any formation that starts with a four would be an improvement.

I would try to start 4-2-3-1 and then go 4-4-2 later in the game if behind.

Its basic stuff. No idea why we seem to be forced to go with three at the back.

[Batch]

Perhaps it is time for us to play our part during the game and, even if things aren't going well and we are playing like 10th tier reserve team wasters, we get behind them and encourage them to keep going and trying. It might even prove to be offputting to the opposition?

Well yeah, I think so.  I don't want this all thrown back in the faces of unsupportive fans.

Its difficult though, the life has been sucked out the fan base. People are angry. Its going to be really difficult.

[Bob1978]

The attitude of the fan base during games is very poor at the moment.

This is very understandable because we are the shittest of the shit currently.

I wonder however, if this impacts on the team (it probably does because they are human after all and react to criticism) in a negative way.

Perhaps it is time for us to play our part during the game and, even if things aren't going well and we are playing like 10th tier reserve team wasters, we get behind them and encourage them to keep going and trying. It might even prove to be offputting to the opposition?

Yes, I know, I'm a cunt but we have to try everything now don't we....

Yes I agree - to be honest not sure if I want to go tomorrow if it's going to be a gloom fest - it's a two way process the fans need to give the team a lift and the team need to give the fans a lift. We don't want to go down irrespective of anything else - anyone who says we do is mad.

[GTXMagnatec]

Just play 4-4-2 and try to still be in the game at HT please.

[iParadise]

Just play more than two midfielder please. The best teams at this level keep it simple. Some variation of 442 to stop our midfield getting over run.

[adje]

The attitude of the fan base during games is very poor at the moment.

This is very understandable because we are the shittest of the shit currently.

I wonder however, if this impacts on the team (it probably does because they are human after all and react to criticism) in a negative way.

Perhaps it is time for us to play our part during the game and, even if things aren't going well and we are playing like 10th tier reserve team wasters, we get behind them and encourage them to keep going and trying. It might even prove to be offputting to the opposition?

Yes, I know, I'm a cunt but we have to try everything now don't we....

Fan in "wanting to cheer on his team" shocker😃

[fuzzy]

 

[Power to people]

Listening to Holloway's interview not sure we will need a midfield on Sat - sounds like he wants to start playing very direct and forget trying to play football, I suspect he will be going for players that can run

Interesting how he talks about getting agents and contacts looking for type of player he wants - you wonder if his idea of using Jackson & Ameen is with a view to January and putting them in the shop window

[Nomoreheroes]

Based on nothing more than him being taken off at half time I reckon Smith had a tantrum at half time. His constant arm throwing and pushing other players when the chips are down is not what's needed. He's equally limited but I'd probably rather Drinan leading the line. At least he'll look like he's giving a shit and not moaning like a bitch all the time.

I think you are right. In the pre match interview he alludes to there being negative elements in the squad. I assumed that referred to Smith too.

He also talked about:
- People who couldn't run - Hall? Longelo?
- Taking people out who needed a break - Delaney?
- Turning to youth - Minturn to start? Ameen and Gladzel up top? McGurk and/or Cain to play? Jaxxon Brown in goal?

I wondered whether Ofoborh fits into the not running or negative influence category or both? There must be something wrong there as both Kennedy and Holloway seem to overlook him, yet, when he gets on the pitch, he seems to do better than whoever he replaces in my eyes.

[Itainthalfhotmum]

Do you think our persistence with 3 centre backs and 2 wing backs comes from further up the food chain? As mentioned by someone else earlier in the thread the definition of stupidity is continuing the same course of action but expecting different results. Holloway isn't stupid, you don't get to almost 1000 games in management without having some sort of nouse about you. I think it all stems from the board room still and with less stringent rules in the NL  is relegation a plan to wash some dirty money at the laundromat that is the County Ground.

[Nomoreheroes]

Listening to Holloway's interview not sure we will need a midfield on Sat - sounds like he wants to start playing very direct and forget trying to play football, I suspect he will be going for players that can run

Interesting how he talks about getting agents and contacts looking for type of player he wants - you wonder if his idea of using Jackson & Ameen is with a view to January and putting them in the shop window

Its not a bad thing to have people who can run. Think of the way that Payne and McKirdy did that for us.

As for the shop window, I fear that is exactly what will happen. But if so, I'd like to have Cain, McGurk and Glatzel on the pitch at the same time with Ofoborh/Clarke protecting then and adding some bite.

[Itainthalfhotmum]

Its not a bad thing to have people who can run. Think of the way that Payne and McKirdy did that for us.

As for the shop window, I fear that is exactly what will happen. But if so, I'd like to have Cain, McGurk and Glatzel on the pitch at the same time with Ofoborh/Clarke protecting then and adding some bite.

Shop window purely so they get some much needed money in and as Holloway alluded to, he wants to start playing kids. Is that another boardroom decision and he accepts as he wants his 1000 games. He can walk away saying budget restraints broken promises etc.  We're in a pressure cooker and I don't think it's time to blood a team full of kids to try and avoid the drop

[Batch]

Do you think our persistence with 3 centre backs and 2 wing backs comes from further up the food chain?

I've had that thought from quite some time. Especially as each manager seems to come out with their own "DNA" quote.

But I argue against myself that no manager worth their salt would stick it. I don't think Ollie would be different.

[Itainthalfhotmum]

I've had that thought from quite some time. Especially as each manager seems to come out with their own "DNA" quote.

But I argue against myself that no manager worth their salt would stick it. I don't think Ollie would be different.

I didn't like his initial interview, something like,
"I'm almost at 1000 games and that's a milestone."
He doesn't give a fuck about us, he wants some easy money and the 1000 games, there will be no blame on him because he couldn't work under the restrictions in place