Swindon Town v Salford City Match Day Thread

[fuzzy]

Salford were very good with the ball at their feet last night- a lot of penetrating runs and riding tackles well.

One of the better sides we have come up against this season.

Whoda' thunk Longelo could be a threat eh?

[NotHarryAgombar]

I thought a draw was probably a fair result - it was a pleasant surprise that both teams were still trying to win the game even in stoppage time - rather than one side settling for a draw. I guess it's the time of the season where a point didn't really suit either side.
I'm not sure whether the pitch is part of the problem (not a criticism of the groundsman, as he's had some dreadful weather to contend with) but there were a lot of bobbles / misplaced passes etc.
In terms of individuals - Ripley adds a layer of confidence to the defence, Sobowale's first touch was poor, MacGregor demonstrated he is better as a wing back than as a full back (positionally and it enables him to contribute more in attacking positions), Ofoborh is becoming indispensable in that defensive screen / holding midfield role and having Smith is critical up front for us, particularly with Drinan injured. I though a few players looked tired in the second half, and would have made a couple of the changes earlier.  
Also, when he's not available Clarke's importance to the side is highlighted.

Salford were quick on the break and Longelo and N'mai caused us problems. I don't understand why Longelo went with no fee, other than it was a way to free up some wages.

Although (as Holloway pointed out post match) other results meant we're a point closer to the play offs, I don't think there are enough games left to close the gap.
Still, after Colchester away I thought we were doomed - so credit to the manager, coaches and squad for the improvement.

 
 

[Nemo]

Longelo as a wide right forward looks a very different proposition to how he did as a left wing back.

That said, Salford fans all think that was his best performance for them so I'm not sure we've really missed on there so much as just seen an average player have a good day.

[No Longer Posh Red]

“Ofoborh is becoming indispensable in that defensive screen position”.

That quote in itself is another thing to beat Kennedy with.
I think the majority of fans thought that was/could be the case but Kennedy wouldn’t play him & tried to pack him off on loan.

[Nemo]

It would be fair to say that the last three months have been absolutely dreadful for Mark Kennedy's reputation. This is the same squad, more or less, and every single player in it is playing twice as well as they did under him.

[4D]

Ollie has united the players into a team that care about each other, fair play to him (and them).

[tans]

“Ofoborh is becoming indispensable in that defensive screen position”.

That quote in itself is another thing to beat Kennedy with.
I think the majority of fans thought that was/could be the case but Kennedy wouldn’t play him & tried to pack him off on loan.

Makes you wonder about Saidou Khan if he was still here

[Ƭ̵̬̊: The Artist Formerly Known as CWIG]

“Ofoborh is becoming indispensable in that defensive screen position”.

That quote in itself is another thing to beat Kennedy with.
I think the majority of fans thought that was/could be the case but Kennedy wouldn’t play him & tried to pack him off on loan.

Under Kennedy most struggled to see any glimmer of quality in the team outside of Harry Smith with how poorly we were playing, but Ofoborh was clearly another one. The fact Kennedy couldn't see that he was the sort of thing we needs convinced me he'll never be a successful football manager at any level worth talking about.

That and the decable in the game where the oppo were without a keeper and we wouldn't shoot. How we might rue those dropped points.

[Boydy]

That and the decable in the game where the oppo were without a keeper and we wouldn't shoot. How we might rue those dropped points.

I will always maintain Kennedy should have been sacked after that Barlow game. It was utterly embarrassing & the worst managerial performance I've ever seen at Swindon.
Hell if it had been me in charged he'd have been told he was sacked on the whistle & not allowed to enter the changing room, let alone get on the team bus.

I can't help but wonder what difference those extra 8 games he got could have made to our season.



On a separate note I do feel Russel may have been a unfairly judged by most of us, myself included, on his player recruitment model. Most of his signings are playing well now under Holloway. His managerial choice is what's cost us this season.

[Peter Venkman]

Under Kennedy most struggled to see any glimmer of quality in the team outside of Harry Smith with how poorly we were playing, but Ofoborh was clearly another one. The fact Kennedy couldn't see that he was the sort of thing we needs convinced me he'll never be a successful football manager at any level worth talking about.

I think the role of a manager in being able to communicate to his players and actually motivate them is often ignored these days.

Players are only human and all respond to the right motivation, Kennedy just seemed to let the players get on with that themselves, Holloway is an old school manager wh knows that with the right motivation style for each player he will get the best from them.

[Ƭ̵̬̊: The Artist Formerly Known as CWIG]

I will always maintain Kennedy should have been sacked after that Barlow game. It was utterly embarrassing & the worst managerial performance I've ever seen at Swindon.
Hell if it had been me in charged he'd have been told he was sacked on the whistle & not allowed to enter the changing room, let alone get on the team bus.

I can't help but wonder what difference those extra 8 games he got could have made to our season.



On a separate note I do feel Russel may have been a unfairly judged by most of us, myself included, on his player recruitment model. Most of his signings are playing well now under Holloway. His managerial choice is what's cost us this season.

Its the most clueless I've ever seen a football manager and coming out and saying you can't just shoot from anywhere after was crazy. Its a comment from the final boss on steroids of the tippy tappy youth coach pep wanabee managers that are utterly terrorising the lower leagues right now.

I'm so thankful we're away from that at the moment.

[Freeloader]

Mark Kennedy was a Manchester City academy coach,  He was asking League Two players to play in the manner of Pep. As written in the "Book of Clough", "Thou shall not ask a player to do something they are not capable of."  Holloway's first tactical change was to de-complicate. His second was to build team spirit and togeherness. His third was to bring in the few players that he could with experience.  Now, many of the team, are playing for contracts for next season.  Players want to play for Swindon, it is their opportunity to experience success in front of decent gates.  Continuity, rather than playoffs, is now key. 

[tans]

Just read Karl Robinsons interview.

What a dickhead.

Says he doesnt like Swindon because of his Oxford connections.

Someone needs to forget where their career started really

[Nemo]

He was here under Steve McMahon, I can believe that he didn't enjoy it much.

He's allowed to not like Swindon. God knows we don't like him!

[Tails]

Just read Karl Robinsons interview.

What a dickhead.

Says he doesnt like Swindon because of his Oxford connections.

Someone needs to forget where their career started really

Changed his tune tbf, he used to be pretty positive about us and how much he loved it here.

He'd take a job here if he was offered it. No doubt in my mind.