Swindon v Barnet Matchday Thread

[sir windon]

Anyone else getting fed up with him praising the opposition “well done to them” also sounds like he’s lost the training ground.

It may seem annoying, especially when we’re all so down, but really I think it is an attempt to be gracious in defeat. I’d also prefer to hear honesty in being disappointed in how our players performed than what we were previously subjected to with Kennedy. I simply could not abide by Kennedy’s post match approach.

[Hyabb17]

I think that's harsh personally. I just don't think Wright is the right man to lead an inexperienced side.

Need to see the goals again. Didn't really see the error from Ripley for the second

Could/should have come for the ball, didn’t, allowed Barnet to win the ball & score. It’s all about opinions tho, right 😮

In fairness to him, Ripley has tweeted to say he should have come for the ball. That deserves some credit.

[Frigby Daser]

I’m still staggered that, as a club that for the significant part of the last three decades, has had managers that like to play passing football, we’ve stitched the pitch for the one that insists on long ball mindless bollocks. Where is that side we saw last season? What has changed? I’m baffled after that.

[Crozzer]

I’m still staggered that, as a club that for the significant part of the last three decades, has had managers that like to play passing football, we’ve stitched the pitch for the one that insists on long ball mindless bollocks.

Without Smith, it has to be passing football.  Can the manager and team adapt?

[JoeMezz]

If reports are true and Smith has done his ACL, we are up shits creek. We were bad enough at defending set pieces already even with him in the side. We definitely won’t go up and I’d worry for our safety without him. Just my opinion though - hope that’s ok!

[UTR]

I’m still staggered that, as a club that for the significant part of the last three decades, has had managers that like to play passing football, we’ve stitched the pitch for the one that insists on long ball mindless bollocks. Where is that side we saw last season? What has changed? I’m baffled after that.

If someone wanted to be harsh then you could say that in terms of play, not much has changed from last season, it’s still looks to all be about trying to create chaos in the opponents half and benefit from it rather than an actual game plan to score goals.

Maybe that’s easier to do against opposition teams as its approaches the crunch time of the season and teams have things to play for? Who knows, it’s a worthy debate.  

[Super Hans]

If Smith is out we will now have to change the way we attack. Lumping it simply won't do. So...a chance to mix it up a bit. Stick Bodin in as a second striker behind Prince?Maybe we go 4-2-3-1 with Butterworth/Drinan/Glatzel/Snowdon as wide options. We should now have to ask the likes of Oldaker and Kilkenny to run the game from midfield picking out incisive passes, get McGregor and Munroe supporting the wide men by overlapping and whipping crosses in.

Am I dreaming? Probably. But a good manager will find a way to adapt.

[DV]

No pace & no creativity & no intensity,

Squad as a whole is very one dimensional. Assuming Smith is going to be out for a significant amount of time - it’s just going to be long ball to Drinan instead.

Need to bin off the 3 CBs & 3 CFs - it’s one or the other. 3 CBs in a 352 with wing backs or 433 if you want a front three.

[DV]

Maybe that’s easier to do against opposition teams as its approaches the crunch time of the season and teams have things to play for? Who knows, it’s a worthy debate. 

Playing teams at the business end of the season who had all to play for as a team with nothing on the line definitely help our good run last season - no doubt about it.

Raised expectations & a fresh season will certainly of impacted.

[Anonymous77]

Ripley on Twitter:

Disappointing result tonight! I’ll always be the first to put my hands up and admit that I made a mistake for the second, that ball should have been mine and I read it wrong. We appreciate your support tonight and will look to rectify it all on Saturday!

[Ticker45]

With Smith missing obviously for a while, I would assume that playing “hoof ball” in the hope that something comes from it when he played which it did to a certain extent, (and certainly did not work when Drinan was put into that position) will require changing to a more possession type of game, but I would not like to put a bet on it as I am not sure that IH really knows what is his best team selection or style of playing.

Hearing the comments regarding what happens on the training ground is complete no no as far as I am concerned, and that should always be kept behind closed doors in my opinion. I know that rumours and comments from those supposedly “itk” will always leak out but for it to come from the manager himself is not a good omen.

Saturdays game should be a good indication of where we are in the great scheme of things.

[Ƭ̵̬̊: The Artist Formerly Known as CWIG]

It really isn't

We just lost 2-0 to one of the most drab shit teams I've ever seen.

If I don't laugh, I'll cry.

[DV]

Ripley’s Social Media Manager on Twitter:

Disappointing result tonight! I’ll always be the first to put my hands up and admit that I made a mistake for the second, that ball should have been mine and I read it wrong. We appreciate your support tonight and will look to rectify it all on Saturday!

Corrected, not remotely convinced he wrote that.

[Ƭ̵̬̊: The Artist Formerly Known as CWIG]

yeah its all the rage now isn't it. get the players to tweet something.

[DV]

Yeah but my understanding is - the players (certainly at the top level) have a social media manager who does that.

Definitely been some example where they have used the template so the tweet has said ‘Gutted, can’t believe we lost that [insert score] we’ll work doubly hard tomorrow’