Swindon Town FC (H) match thread

[Jim]

At least I got a smile on a gloomy afternoon with Goody's wry humour:

Adam: "I can't work out what system Barrow are playing now"
Goody: "Banana System: all in a bunch in midfield"

[blue nige]

What the F**k was that ? 2 preventable gifted goals , Telford has 2 good chances, then absolutely nothing, we didn't close down and the movement was terrible,
Then the substitutions, Whitfield must surely have been injured, we go to a back 4 and put Newby there!Telford was playing some decent passes yet we take him off !
We then end up with Aqua, Proctor and Stockton playing in a straight line ,then Warren goes to right back left back then who F*****g knows? and finally the bizarre decision to put Spence at right back what utterly Sunday league planning.

Everyone needs to get together to sort this out it was that bad !

[behind the goals]

The Bradford game will be make or break for us put in another pathetic performance and we won't be in the playoffs, think our recent home run has put us all in dreamland anymore performances like today and that's all we will do, still a good season but can see it all fading away.

[HenneysKnee]

Subs were poor against Morecambe and they were again today; our game plan is to get a lead, when we don’t…….
Presume Whitfield was injured? If not it makes absolutely no sense to take off the man who can actually beat a man and get a cross in. God that was poor today; from literally everyone bar Paul Farman

[tictactoe]

Absolute dog turd that performance today. Nobody challenges, give opposing teams too much time/space, playing sideways and backwards most of the time, when we get the ball no idea what to do with it - awful. And Pete Wild says in his interview that’s the best team we’ve had in 50 years? Presume he means because of league position, but in my 35 years supporting I’ve seen better teams to be honest

[Matty]

The comment about the fans in the interview annoyed me slightly, it was a poor display today and naturally that criticism will come. Everyone knows this is the best we've had it - the playoffs is in our grasp and everyone is desperate to get it as everyone involved deserves it - but it would be really disappointing to miss out due to afternoons like that where we know we can be better.

[spirit of 1990]

We’ve managed somehow to save our two worst performance's of the season for the last two games….

I said it when we played FGR and the same today, Tom White should not be starting these games when we are at home against teams that are struggling.
Rory Feely had his worst game since Canavan was injured, George Ray was poor by his own standards & Tyrell Warren just isn’t up to this level. Newbys corners, free kicks and corners were really poor. Unless Whitfield and Gotts had took knocks I can’t understand the logic in taking them two off.
At the end of the game it looked like not one of our players knew where they were meant to be (Farman aside..)
So so disappointing.

[Bombadel]

Could have easily been 0-4, baffling performance, good question from Adam about the subdued silence after the game and PW saying judge us after 46 games? If you walk in dog turd twice on one street, people are just supposed to carry on and look towards the off licence at the end of the street? Would be amazing for the town to get in the play offs at least, people have a right to be concerned, last time we went through a rut it was only the break following the called off Bradford game which seemed to rejuvenate the team.

[Barrow Lad New]

A man-of-the-match performance by Paul Farman saved an otherwise well-below-par Barrow team from a defeat greater than the 0-2 deficit. Swindon came for, and thoroughly deserved, the win.

In bright sunny conditions with a southerly breeze, the 3,502 crowd (including 220 visitors) both enjoyed and endured an end-to-end game, the Robins being far more accurate and incisive in passing moves and chances on goal.

The game started with chances for both sides. Three minutes in, Glatzel passed through to Drinan who blazed a shot over Farman’s bar. Three minutes later, Telford shot just over the bar from the edge of the area.

After a good Farman block from Godwin-Malife, a 16th minute miskick at the other end in front of goal by McCarthy gave Telford a chance to drill home but the ball went across the goalmouth.

In the 21st minute, Farman did well to save from Glatzel and then, after a quick break, Cole Stockton had the ball in Swindon's net but it was ruled offside. Two minutes later we gained our first corner but it was played short by Whitfield and wasted, giving Kokolo the chance of a quick break. This was intercepted, giving Barrow back the advantage and a Telford shot from the right was blocked on the line, then Stockton had his shot saved by Bycroft.

If any of those Barrow chances had gone in, it is possible confidence may have grown. However, Swindon were now in the ascendancy and on the half hour won a free kick near the edge of the area. Glatzel’s kick was well blocked by Barrow’s wall In the 35th minute, the Robins were 1-0 up. A forward ball from McEachran reached Kokolo who blasted past Farman into the roof of the net.

Three minutes later, Gotts was fouled but the referee allowed Swindon’s attack to continue, Farman saving well from Cain.

In the 43rd minute, Drinan was booked for standing the way of the ball. However, two minutes later, Glatzel made it 2-0 after a free kick was not cleared, following a foul by Spence on McEachran.

With our lacklustre first half performance, we had a second half mountain to climb and a triple substitution was made at the break. Warren, Acquah and Newby coming on for Worrall, Feeley and Whitfield.

Five minutes in, Kokolo played a ball in to the area, and Farman had to save from Drinan. Gotts was then booked for a foul on McEachran, and then Ray was also cautioned.

Ten minutes in, it looked like the changes were starting to have some impact. We won a corner and from Newby’s delivery a goalmouth scramble ensued, Chester’s header being blocked on the line.

Gotts was then replaced by Foley while Swindon replaced McEachran with Aguiar.

On the hour Kokolo was booked and a minute later, Bycroft parried a good shot from Stockton.

However, soon Swindon re-exerted their authority. In the 65th minute, a Glatzel shot was the edge of the area was parried by Farman, then put out for a Cain corner. From Cain’s kick, Blake-Tracy’s shot was blocked.

Proctor then replaced Telford for our fifth and final change, while the Robins brought on Austin for Glatzel.

In the 80th minute, we had another half-chance as Acquah fired across the goal from the left, bringing a save from Bycroft.

A minute later, we nearly gave Swindon a third when Warren tripped Godwin-Malife on the line. Luckily a penalty was not given and Cain’s free kick from the edge of the area was punched clear by Farman.

Newby was then booked for a foul on Elbouzedi.

Our closest chance on goal came in the 85th minute when Acquah headed onto the bar from a Spence cross.

However, too little, too late. Swindon replaced Drinan and Blake-Tracy with McKirdy and Brewitt as they comfortably saw out the last 10 minutes.

Not only that but as Barrow tried to rescue something from the game, Swindon’s quick counters called Farman into making some excellent blocks. In the 90th minute, Austin crossed from the right and our No.1 made a close range stop from McKirdy.

Although Newby shot wide of the right post in the second minute of added time, a minute later Farman saved at the feet of the advancing Elbouzedi. In the final minute, a bad foul on White by McKirdy incensed manager Wild, who the referee also added into his notebook.

A bad day at the office by all concerned, although Farman put on a fine display of goalkeeping. Let’s hope for an improved performance on Tuesday evening at Holker Street against Bradford.

[DDevine]

It was possibly the worst performance of the season at the worst time.
However some people don’t half over react.
To boo the team at half time is nuts.
They’ve outdone themselves to be where they are.
And it’s still 100% in our own hands.
What annoys me more is people saying they don’t want promotion cos we’ll come straight back down.
Get it. But what kind of ambition or attitude is that.
Spence is done in. His work rate sees him through & he’s just burnt out. White is getting pelters but really don’t think he did anything wrong today.
Equally people screaming for Whitfield to stay on, don’t think he did anything to warrant that.
Worral has gone backwards for a man of his experience.
Warren reverted to type. Stockton gave off Rashford vibes from last nights game. He was very lucky to stay on for 90mins. It was a very poor performance but let’s be realistic…
Mr Wild, not necessarily referring to today, injuries have hit, but on the whole, needs to stop being Mr Nice Guy if he’s to have a future in management & pick his best 11.

[blumooncrab]

That was really poor. Half time subs were bizarre . And the later changes even more so. And in the end we looked a shambles. How is Newby a better option than Whitfield? How is Warren a better option than Worrel ( or anyone for that matter). Why is Spence playing right back ? The third person to do so in the same game and the only likely midfield player to get forward and score ends up in the back 3 ! It looks like we set out to make a omelette and ended up with scrambled eggs.


Im going to lie down in a darkened room . However, before that big Shout out for Farman . What a player he is . Outstanding once again .

[blue nige]

Whitfield is our most consistent forward so to decide to take him off based on what he he/ hadn't done was nieve at best, White yeah didn't do much wrong but just look how he plays side ways/ backwards that's OK if you're hanging on to a game!, Spence I agree but still to put him at full back is borderline stupidity Stockton should have gone off but we bring Proctor on PLEASE!, people are rightly angry, I don't buy this look where we are yes absolutely brilliant BUT to put in hardly any effort is inexcusable!

[Louis29]

Could have easily been 0-4, baffling performance, good question from Adam about the subdued silence after the game and PW saying judge us after 46 games? If you walk in dog turd twice on one street, people are just supposed to carry on and look towards the off licence at the end of the street? Would be amazing for the town to get in the play offs at least, people have a right to be concerned, last time we went through a rut it was only the break following the called off Bradford game which seemed to rejuvenate the team.

Calm yourself down.
No booing where I was at. We all want a team that plays Barrowcelona football and finishes teams of with ease. But we are league 2.
League 2!!!! Be grateful we are in the football league with a manager that has turned us from relegation candidates to playoff candidates on a smaller budget compared to the big hitters around us.
Now we are at the end of the season and because of our position people are too critical. Still a work in progress and under Pete the squad will evolve further. His problem is his success. The fickle Barrow public now believe we are owed the playoff berth. We really should just enjoy the ride with the bumps in the road. Nearly mid April and we are in the play off places blimey. Who would of thought.

[SayitagainSam]

Swindon's away record before today. 2 wins. 7 draws. 11 losses. "Wow, we won an away game" - Swindon FB.

Embarrassing....

[DDevine]

That was really poor. Half time subs were bizarre . And the later changes even more so. And in the end we looked a shambles. How is Newby a better option than Whitfield? How is Warren a better option than Worrel ( or anyone for that matter). Why is Spence playing right back ? The third person to do so in the same game and the only likely midfield player to get forward and score ends up in the back 3 ! It looks like we set out to make a omelette and ended up with scrambled eggs.


Im going to lie down in a darkened room . However, before that big Shout out for Farman . What a player he is . Outstanding once again .

I actually think Newby is better at LWB than Whitfield is.
Newby isn’t a defender but Whitfield certainly isn’t.
I think other than he probably needed a bit of a rest, Newby has been hard done by.
I’m not saying Whitfield hasn’t, but it’s the whole argument as where people fit.
Similarly with Worral, he is not a defender. End of.
He doesn’t fit in this team. He can’t defend but he can’t play in MF the way Wild wants to play.
That’s why Warren came on when they went to a back 4. Not that he’s your answer either. But it’s all he had, other than Mazeed maybe.
But where is Tiensa? He’s not mentioned in the injured list anymore so he’s just not making the squad?
I’m not saying I agree with all the subs or the formations, been one of the biggest critics on that front..
As for Spence RB, can only assume cos he’s dead on his feet and there were no subs left!