Let's talk about the Swindon Town game

[selby]

  After working hard since the start of the season we sit a heady second in the division although I think we have yet to reach our potential, and will be a team other sides will want a shot at.
  The next team up is Swindon Town fresh from their first away win of the season and only their second in total having drawn five and lost four of their total eleven games, not the start they would have wanted for a club who seem to becoming under achieving compared with their past records.
  The win at Cheltenham was a game they ended up hanging on to win after going Three  nil up and have let in sixteen Goals in total in their eleven league fixtures.
  Kelly will no doubt be back in the squad and with others coming back will make the squad selection competitive especially compared with past seasons, testament to our management teams rebuilding of the squad.
  Teams in the division will be looking at the goals we have conceded lately, three being straight runs down the centre of the field  past defenders squared up and left floundering on their backside, something I expect teams to look to do when in possession in our half of the field, slightly different to the norm that is getting crosses in from the flanks which we mostly deal with, and something we need to look at to counter with players finding it too easy to run through mid field onto our back line.
  Our football team work is good and we move other teams about  well, and now we need to quicken it up if possible, if we do we have the fire power up front to cause teams problems.
  Cox seems to be Swindon's heart beat when reading reports  and is the fulcrum of a lot that they do well. although they were booed off in their last home game v Harrogate after a 0-0 draw and something we need to tap into by starting the game well.
  We know that the attitude of the crowd transfers to the players, something that arose in our games when things were not going so well for a few seasons, we need to get on top and  tap into that on Saturday.
  So what do you think, team selection is getting complicated, and players need now to be consistent to keep the shirt with others breathing down their neck.
  We need to keep up momentum now, can we do it and win?
  Never easy at Swindon, We need the right attitude as they will put up stern resistance as always.
   A long journey, are you going?
  Lot's to discuss about this important game please have your say.
 

[dickos1]

Our defence has been good of late
Only conceded one goal in 3 games, that’s an excellent record

[Reg of the Rovers]

Defense definitely much improved, Jay is an absolute revelation and Olowu has stepped in well to fill Tom's shoes. The goal we conceded on Saturday was soft - just needed someone to take a yellow for the team well outside the box.

I'm more worried about the other end of the park, it was a great break and goal on Saturday but that's the only time we really broke with pace, and Billy and Kyle in particular missed sitters. Billy seems to be having a dry spell as does Ironside. Hurst looked bright when he came on, so I'd like him to get more minutes. Billy to start again, Moly and Gibson with Hurst in the 10 which we played all pre-season.

Sbarra has joined Close and Yeboah on the keep away from the team list, I thought he's been anonymous throughout this year and hasn't had an impact either starting or off the bench.

Feeling confident though, I think we're one good result away from a run, if we go and put these to the sword 3 or 4 - 0 I think we'll go a few unbeaten.

[BobG]

Afternoon Reg. Perhaps you should look who played the wonderful incisive pass leading to the goal v Crewe?  Although I've not checked, my memory says he did something similar not very long ago too.

BobG

[Reg of the Rovers]

Afternoon Reg. Perhaps you should look who played the wonderful incisive pass leading to the goal v Crewe?  Although I've not checked, my memory says he did something similar not very long ago too.

BobG

He's had a couple of good moments granted, but overall I don't think he's having enough impact. He's not as effective going forward as our wide men, not as creative as Hurst, and not as busy or effective in midfield as Bailey or Clifton. I'm not sure where he plays or what his strengths are. It's just my opinion but at the moment he's not doing it for me.

[Butchers Red]

Afternoon Reg. Perhaps you should look who played the wonderful incisive pass leading to the goal v Crewe?  Although I've not checked, my memory says he did something similar not very long ago too.

BobG

He's had a couple of good moments granted, but overall I don't think he's having enough impact. He's not as effective going forward as our wide men, not as creative as Hurst, and not as busy or effective in midfield as Bailey or Clifton. I'm not sure where he plays or what his strengths are. It's just my opinion but at the moment he's not doing it for me.

Exactly as me and my 2 mates see things - and been to every game home and away.

Hursty offers far,far more and should be given a run

[graingrover]

I would love us to start the next game with the eleven we had on the pitch in the last twenty minutes against Crewe ..

[ncRover]

We absolutely have to play Joe Ironside for the majority of this game.

The weaknesses of Swindon’s defenders are his strengths.

Get him some goals and get his confidence up.

Then play Sharp against Bromley the following Tuesday.

[scawsby steve]

I would love us to start the next game with the eleven we had on the pitch in the last twenty minutes against Crewe ..

Yes, and not just the players, Graing, but the system as well. Every time we're losing a game and GM reverts to 3 at the back and 2 up front, we get something out of the game.

We did it last season against Barrow and came from 0-2 to 4-2. We did it this season at MK Dons and rescued a point which would have been a win with another 5 minutes. Then Saturday of course, which got us a draw that should have been a win.

I too would love to see us start a game with this system.

[BobG]

Afternoon Reg. Perhaps you should look who played the wonderful incisive pass leading to the goal v Crewe?  Although I've not checked, my memory says he did something similar not very long ago too.

BobG

He's had a couple of good moments granted, but overall I don't think he's having enough impact. He's not as effective going forward as our wide men, not as creative as Hurst, and not as busy or effective in midfield as Bailey or Clifton. I'm not sure where he plays or what his strengths are. It's just my opinion but at the moment he's not doing it for me.

Glad to hear it Reg. But that's not what you said before is it? Thanks for clearing it up. We'd have hot the wrong impression of your view otherwise.

BobG

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Another good pre match from Grant. Always provides a bit more insight than expected. Interesting assessment about where are and where he thinks we should be. 5 or 6 points more.

Better news on the injury front too.

https://youtu.be/IhRmMj-yFKI?si=iVCH2vi79OMmOx3k

[The Dav]

Makes me wonder if we should go 3 at the back more often and either go 2 up front or pack midfield with attacking threats, Grant does this now quite regularly when we are chasing games, however should we be starting games like this ? Who’d be a manager eh ?

[Alan Southstand]

Isn’t Kelly back with us? If so, surely he goes into the 18!

[Nudga]

Another good pre match from Grant. Always provides a bit more insight than expected. Interesting assessment about where are and where he thinks we should be. 5 or 6 points more.

Better news on the injury front too.

https://youtu.be/IhRmMj-yFKI?si=iVCH2vi79OMmOx3k

Grant looks like a man that's enjoying life doesn't he. Obviously got himself fit again and looks relaxed in his job.

[ForsolongaRover]

Another good pre match from Grant. Always provides a bit more insight than expected. Interesting assessment about where are and where he thinks we should be. 5 or 6 points more.

Better news on the injury front too.

https://youtu.be/IhRmMj-yFKI?si=iVCH2vi79OMmOx3k

I do agree with the 5 or 6 points more. We are only that number of points above those half way up the table and there are several in the top half that have played fewer matches than Rovers - Wimbledon in particular, for example.

I really think that if
we had taken the game to Crewe we would have got a result, instead of letting them dictate terms. Kelly is a must for me and I think if Hurst is included from the start and playing for his place he will add the dynamism he showed when he came on in the last match.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Another good pre match from Grant. Always provides a bit more insight than expected. Interesting assessment about where are and where he thinks we should be. 5 or 6 points more.

Better news on the injury front too.

https://youtu.be/IhRmMj-yFKI?si=iVCH2vi79OMmOx3k

I do agree with the 5 or 6 points more. We are only that number of points above those half way up the table and there are several in the top half that have played fewer matches than Rovers - Wimbledon in particular, for example.

I really think that if
we had taken the game to Crewe we would have got a result, instead of letting them dictate terms. Kelly is a must for me and I think if Hurst is included from the start and playing for his place he will add the dynamism he showed when he came on in the last match.

Yes, 5 or 6 more points would be great but, I think that would gloss over some of the problems we have where there's room for improvement 

I do think the way we played against Crewe was tactical, and it nearly paid off. As ge says, just a bit more ruthlessness in all parts of the pitch will convert into more wins.

I do think the trending teams of Wimbledon and Walsall are more likely to be threats to us than say Gillingham and Port Vale for example.

Hopefully, our set up will help us away from home where we can play with a bit more freedom, similar to the Grimsby game.

I wouldn't be disappointed if we started with the sane XI, but equally, I'd like to think we are good enough for three points with or without Kelly or Hurst. We're in a good place at the mo, especially with Maxwell, Nixon and Westbrooke due to return imminently.

[Prez]

Ive got a sneaky feeling he will start Ironside tomorrow.

[selby]

  Of all the teams Swindon have played the last over 30 games against in the league, only Blackpool have a better record against Swindon than us according to their forum
  They rate us a bogey side having only won six of their last thirty games with us, let's hope we prove that theory right again tomorrow.

[idler]

I remember the 1966/67 season. We were rubbish and got relegated but did the double over a very good Swindon side. Don Roger’s John Trollope and all. Fingers crossed we are their jinx team. We did win there on my only visit to the County ground.

[Dutch Uncle]

Our away record in the league that season was W1 D2 L20, conceding 77 goals in those 23 matches

That 1-0 win at Swindon was our only one 

[Chris Black come back]

Swindon have a poor record at home in the league this season. Played five, lost three, drawn one and won one. Of those five games, they failed to score in three of them and scored once in another.

[idler]

Our away record in the league that season was W1 D2 L20, conceding 77 goals in those 23 matches

That 1-0 win at Swindon was our only one 

I saw every home game and about 18 away that season. Truly depressing after going up as Champions full of hope the previous season. The board failed miserably to consolidate after the massive gates at the end of the season.

[drfchound]

Our away record in the league that season was W1 D2 L20, conceding 77 goals in those 23 matches

That 1-0 win at Swindon was our only one 

I saw every home game and about 18 away that season. Truly depressing after going up as Champions full of hope the previous season. The board failed miserably to consolidate after the massive gates at the end of the season.

I remember that season well idler.
Truly horrible.

[andy didcott]

Gonna be a soggy day, 0-2.

[NigelJ]

Gonna be a soggy day, 0-2.

eh? Sun forecast all day today in Swindon.

[roversdude]

Beautiful down here today

[andyst79]

Switched to a 3 at the back , love the attacking intent from GM, hopefully it pays off

[Chris Black come back]

Clifton, Kelly and Broadbent in midfield.

Is this the first league game where Sharp and Ironside have started together?

[The Dav]

I hope this 3 at the back works, because it’s entertaining stuff if it works out !

[Butchers Red]

Joe Ironside .............................. Legend