Harrogate vs Swindon Matchday Thread & Buildup

[DV]

Pre match owt's better than nowt in The Winter Gardens.
Regardless of result hoping for a good day in the company of London & Crewe reds.

Have previously stayed over in York & Leeds for this one.
Making a nice 17hr day of it this time.

Having said that, a midweek slot next season would be good to allow for a more in depth exploration of the local medicinal waters & dare I say it even Betty’s Tea Rooms. Not today though.

Will stop off at the very good Harrogate Tap after this.

Will then have to overcome the naturally repelling force field for anything associated with exercise in order to make it to the terribly named stadium.
Exorcising exercise if you like.

Speaking of which, looking at the ticket I was reminded that the ground is a bit of a low rent Manor Ground with 7 or 8 different standlets.
A characterful & bijou garden shed for sure, but at least we'll be under cover.

Bit of a must win game if we are to look up the table for what remains of the season.
A bit of explosive hydrogen peroxide in the performance should be enough to see off the Sulphurites with luck.

There should be no congratulatory back slapping within the club or the fanbase if a mid table finish is achieved.

Regardless of circumstances it would still be completely unacceptable and should warrant an inquest in the murky corridors of power, if they are even interested in that.

Next season will equal our longest stay in the bottom tier.

Holloway has generated a little hope that would increase slightly if he were to remain at the helm.
His first task in the summer would be to light a fire under the only Aussie in the universe seemingly not driven by a desire for sporting excellence in a business that's ultimately all about competition & finding a way to win.

Gutted for Drinan.
Yes, there is ample forward cover but none of them can do what he does for 90 mins.
The nearest to a like for like replacement would be Botan Ameen I guess but can't see him being thrown in just yet.
Hopefully the team won't lose some of that energy that's been vital in the revival.

So, time for a not so tricky quiz question for those who know their STFC onions.
Of the 6 players to have represented both clubs this one joined Harrogate just over 3 years after leaving Swindon having played for 9 clubs in between, 6 of them in non-league and he wasn't finished after Harrogate, managing to fit another 5 or 6 clubs in before retiring.

Anyway, it's game on and wouldn't swap a cold & grim Saturday afternoon in Harrogate for a warm and cosy living room for all the tea in Yorkshire.

Just for the sheer number of clubs - is has to be Trevor Benjamin…

[Wobbly Bob]

Just for the sheer number of clubs - is has to be Trevor Benjamin…

Yeah, good stuff.
You are correct.

[Peter Venkman]

[Peter Venkman]

Hall in for the injured Delaney and Ripley starts.

[Steak supper]

 good to see Cain (I think he was my tip for top scorer) doing well and making a real contribution to our great form .

[Boydy]

So is that a narrower 4-3-2-1 with Cotterill deep or 4-2-3-1 again & Nichols pushed wide?

[Nemo]

good to see Cain (I think he was my tip for top scorer) doing well and making a real contribution to our great form .

Interesting bit in the presser (I think Joe and Joe rather than Holloway) where they were talking about his attributes maybe suiting full back more than midfield at league two level. Might be something in that. Cox, Kirkman and him is one too many though really, especially if Chard is getting a pro deal which you'd think he might.

[iParadise]

Really wish they'd do graphic in position order. It hurts my head.

[Peter Venkman]

Really wish they'd do graphic in position order. It hurts my head.

Agree.

[Jimmy Quinn]

1-11 back in the day was straight forward.

[DV]

Interesting bit in the presser (I think Joe and Joe rather than Holloway) where they were talking about his attributes maybe suiting full back more than midfield at league two level. Might be something in that. Cox, Kirkman and him is one too many though really, especially if Chard is getting a pro deal which you'd think he might.

It’s over kill for one LWB slot but with those three players you obviously have depth at LWB but can also cover LCB & CM.

[DV]

Really wish they'd do graphic in position order. It hurts my head.

I even preferred the list of names to the picture slabs. Just put it on a pitch graphic with in formation. So easy.

Keeper off his line quickly.

[Peter Venkman]

100 miles an hour end to end stuff so far.

[Nemo]

I even preferred the list of names to the picture slabs. Just put it on a pitch graphic with in formation. So easy.

Keeper off his line quickly.

To be fair the guy compiling the graphics often won't know the formation, the team gets named at 2pm but managers don't have to declare what the positions are!

[Peter Venkman]

Fog seems to be coming down slowly, hopefully it doesnt get too bad today.