Quite agree Don. Christmas does have a record of throwing up surprise results so I hope not too many come our way. Our away form seems to be better than home,so I'm cautious about our two home fixtures and as such would be happy for a point from both, winning the aways brings it to 8. Which ever way we look at it I think we should at least stay in touch or maybe even go up a place or two. All points are welcome. Looking forwards to Tranmere, they are not as prolific right now as they were at the beginning of the season, thankfully.
I hope this doesn't turn out to be the kiss of death but I'm going to predict a 2-1 win tonight.
Good crowd, hopefully, game under lights, top of the table team. Good occasion and let's hope we rise to it!
Don,
Have more faith after tonight why not look for 12 from 12.
Possibly the best 45 minutes I have witnessed by a Swindon side. Four goals was the least we deserved. We looked like we would score every time we went forward and it could have been eight but for four good saves by Fon Williams.
My username says it all and Hollands was awesome today.
Red, you know about last night as I mailed you but for the benefit of others, lasts nights performance, especially in the first half was memorable as being the best first half home display most have seen in years. We simply tore them apart. The second half they came out looking for more with nothing to lose, and give them credit they kept going, not easy when you are 5-0 down. I have rarely seen a Town side so eager and "up for it" as we were from the whistle, and it was sustained. We were totally shot away at the final whistle, so I am perhaps just a bit cautious that perhaps Boxing Day we might be a bit off the pace, after all the players are only human.. I've said for ages this lot would come together in the New Year, and I was wrong, they came together for Christmas. I'm quite happy about that.
Words of praise are should also go out to the ground staff, the pitch even looked billiard table standard at the end, a massive improvement on the sea of sand it used to be at this point in the season years ago, and finally we were graced by some decent officials who were firm but most fair through out the game. I didn't see one card brandished by the ref, a sign of somebody who had the players respect from the beginning, a sight which we haven't had for a while, fair play to him and his assistants for keeping things about right.
You know there is a lot of superstition in football. At the end of last season by usual baseball cap did a runner, so for our last game I bought a new hat out of the club shop. On arrival in the DR stand I joked with those around me that it was a five goal hat, we scored five goals. I wore it again last night, and reminded those around me before K.O. of the five goal hat. They laughed and it was said by many, "not against this lot we won't", after the third went in I was getting some joyful stick, when the final whistle blew, a few were singing, "he's got his five goal hat on". I'll wear it more often, but not too often or maybe the luck will run out.
Merry Christmas One and All, and may we all have a brilliant New Year.
SF,
I still have my old lucky cap. Used to be red, but now pink after years of standing on terraces & fishing on Brixham breakwater. I bought it in 1986, coming back from E Africa to a promotion side to 3rd Div. I don't know how lucky it has been, gone to the premiership & right back down again with it. Back to where it started now.
SF, once again a great report. Look after that hat!!!
CITM, welcome to the board, I hope you continue with your contributions. We benefit from a good discussion and a diversity of opinion makes life interesting and enhances the debate.
Obviously an outstanding performance last night, couldn't have been better timed than against the leaders. Sorry I wasn't there but I do intend to be at Prenton Park for the return fixture next month.
A merry Christmas to you all, and a healthy and successful New Year to you and my heroes.
Thanks Don no problem and thanks to gollum red and liverpool.
One reason for joining in was reading the comments and seeing a lot of negativity about Paolo who I believe has transformed the club and deserves better. He is outspoken but many of his comments are regularly agreed with by other town fans when they voice their opinion of a match. I apologise for my initial "supposed" comments but I was disappointed that no one was sticking up for him.
It was a brilliant performance last night which shows how well the team he has put together can play. Every one of the players on the pitch last night deserved credit. What we should now be wary of is slamming them when and (it will happen) they dont play as well in a tight 1-0 defeat.
We have a great squad which won 5-0 with many decent players not playing Flint Navarro Bostock McEveley Storey Rooney Archibald-Henville Louis Thompson and Bessone.
Paolo is the Man
To no-one in particular, but to you all. Have a Happy Christmas & New Year break. I had to sign in again, which lost me the thread.
But I was thinking about some of the comments. Christmas games always throw up a few surprises, often due to the weather. As a teenager, I remember going on the train to the CG for a Boxing day match. Can't remember which year, but as I got back to Chipp afterwards, it started to snow, & didn't stop for the proverbial forty days & nights. Not good for a paperboy who's wages were all that funded football.
But, someone mentioned the pitch in those days. It was, actually, more playable with snow on it than not. I think I remember, SF will, didn't we have to use an orange ball? I do remember one game where they held the toss inside so that players could choose which boots were best for their side of the pitch, one side thawing out, the other frozen solid.
But, the atmoshere of those Christmas games was something else. Boxing Day, the Town end was full & the cold seemed to vanish. Hip flasks, cigars abounded & all shared. Not allowed now of course. They used to have a collection at HT, blokes carrying a big sheet which you had to throw coins into - another nono now.
I miss all that. If I still lived in Chipp, I'd be there again on the train.
Sorry if that was totally boring, but it makes me feel better!
To no-one in particular, but to you all. Have a Happy Christmas & New Year break. I had to sign in again, which lost me the thread.
But I was thinking about some of the comments. Christmas games always throw up a few surprises, often due to the weather. As a teenager, I remember going on the train to the CG for a Boxing day match. Can't remember which year, but as I got back to Chipp afterwards, it started to snow, & didn't stop for the proverbial forty days & nights. Not good for a paperboy who's wages were all that funded football.
But, someone mentioned the pitch in those days. It was, actually, more playable with snow on it than not. I think I remember, SF will, didn't we have to use an orange ball? I do remember one game where they held the toss inside so that players could choose which boots were best for their side of the pitch, one side thawing out, the other frozen solid.
But, the atmoshere of those Christmas games was something else. Boxing Day, the Town end was full & the cold seemed to vanish. Hip flasks, cigars abounded & all shared. Not allowed now of course. They used to have a collection at HT, blokes carrying a big sheet which you had to throw coins into - another nono now.
I miss all that. If I still lived in Chipp, I'd be there again on the train.
Sorry if that was totally boring, but it makes me feel better!
I remember the game when the toss was held inside, must have been in the 1960s, and the orange ball!
I always like a bit of nostalgia Red, as you well know!
Hi Chaps and of course, Seasons Greetings to All.
I seem to remember that game was either 63 0r 64.
Please DO NOT ask me what I was doing yesterday, chortle, but I do have a very vague recolection of that game, not the only one when we used an orange ball I suspect.
No, I think we had an Orange ball quite a lot then. I think that the inside toss game, it wasn't needed - that was because of frost, not snow. I do remember one game where it was definately used - a 1-2 defeat in the cup to Coventry. Snow all over the pitch, I helped clear it from the lines so the game could go ahead. The game wouldn't have been played today.
We were unlucky against Coventry, an unfortunate og from John Trollope and then a great finish by Dennis Brown for the equaliser. Ronnie Rees's winner was described as 'wonderful' by Jimmy Hill, a massive overstatement!
I used to hate all that razzamatz carp that Coventy used to bring with them!
So, no game today then. Always disappointing to have a postponement but no bad thing on this occasion IMO. Playing on a carp pitch at the O's would be a bit of a lottery and as we are a game up on most others as a result of Friday's game it'll put us back on par. All we need now is for results to go our way this afternoon.
Hope you're all having a good time!
Completely agree , but if you believed 1% of the stuff on that rumour site then well, !!!!!!!!!! Seems to a point the Town are a topic of conversation in between several idle minds. Go for a walk and get some fresh air !!!! Totally twaddle but fun to read. As John M'enroe used to say, "You cannot be serious", lol
Just some useless idle chatter, nowt else better to do, fed up with food and TV, and a throat rougher than a Badgers bits, but a good excuse for Scotch as nothing lives in alcohol, allegedly..
I see Benson and Connell both scored today and Cox was playing for the Pox. Good to see our old boys getting on well. Its beginning to look a bit dire for the Gas. Meanwhile Luggy is still pushing Saffend on towards the "promised land of L1. If anyone can, Luggy can. I also note that big Kevin (Manks) was on the bench for Exeter. Good to see he has a berth. Ollie Risser is still at Stevenage, I wonder if we will see any money for him. He does the job, there maybe better, but certainly many worse. I hope Cox comes back from the Pox a better player, and what of our other Rooney, the one from Gills. I can't recall him playing for us this season, mind you the brain is severely hampered right now with the nose and throat situation, and yes I should check a programme, but right now can't be bothered. Peed off with no Town today, still, I'll get over it, just roll on New Year. Quite surprised that L.O, could not get the covers on and protect the surface. Maybe Mr Hearn should look at that.
If it's raining in Colchester like it is here in Leics, I doubt if there will be a game on sat.
Red, do these clubs not have covers for the pitch to prevent water logging ? or a decent drainage system to work in conjunction with covers. Seems crazy in this day and age, yet they spend lots on players .
Game off then!
This is getting silly.
Anyone know if they refund ticket money? It does say that tickets are valid for the rearranged game, but what if you can't go? Just something that crossed my mind whilst dosing myself to combat SF's symptoms.
Shouldn't really be allowed to post if you have something like that. Mind you, pot & kettle, better to get it over with whilst there's nothing better to do!
Stevenage off too now...I've calculated that the lowest we can be after today's games is 7th.
Should I be drinking medicinal whisky in large quantities?
Don,
Yes you should. So would I if I had any. But found a bottle of apricot brandy left over from a Christmas gift years ago. It won't last the day out!
SF is right about your throat feeling as rough as a badger's backside. Blame him, he gave it to me.
But, whilst all this nothingness is going on, we time to think about what the DiC is going to do in the New Year. He has to get rid of some dross, to fund any new signings, but I still don't trust his ability to pick a good one. I would hate to see someone like Flint sold just to pay for more rubbish.
Having said that, I am happy to settle for our position. I don't want the guy to go out & waste money in January just because of the window. I reckon that the players we have can maintain our position in this league. Promotion would be a different thing, that would be serious money spending, & I don't think that we can afford it.
That doesn't mean that I don't want us to win every game, just an overall view.
Red,
It went worse than Brocks back side. Due to the fact I care for my Missus, I am now on Amoxicillin, Paracetamol and Codeine every 4 hours. Rough don't come close, and just to make matter even worse Codeine also stops the rosette from working, so very full as well, lol !!!!!! . Am now writing everything to the Missus and daughter as I have no voice, and coughing up Gob-Stoppers like I've never seen before. If Phlegm had value I would be a rich man, and It was you that gave it to me I'm sure, LOL !!!!!! hahahahahaha.
We will survive. I'd love some alcohol input right but dare not take the chance. Have a good weekend.
Apricot brandy! Hic!!!
I have actually quite enjoyed going to my den, out of the way, suffering, listening to radio 5 football. Not really in the shape to care about results. No pressure today.
We should have more postponed games.
Hic!
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posted on 20/12/12
Quite agree Don. Christmas does have a record of throwing up surprise results so I hope not too many come our way. Our away form seems to be better than home,so I'm cautious about our two home fixtures and as such would be happy for a point from both, winning the aways brings it to 8. Which ever way we look at it I think we should at least stay in touch or maybe even go up a place or two. All points are welcome. Looking forwards to Tranmere, they are not as prolific right now as they were at the beginning of the season, thankfully.
posted on 21/12/12
I hope this doesn't turn out to be the kiss of death but I'm going to predict a 2-1 win tonight.
Good crowd, hopefully, game under lights, top of the table team. Good occasion and let's hope we rise to it!
posted on 21/12/12
Don,
Have more faith after tonight why not look for 12 from 12.
Possibly the best 45 minutes I have witnessed by a Swindon side. Four goals was the least we deserved. We looked like we would score every time we went forward and it could have been eight but for four good saves by Fon Williams.
My username says it all and Hollands was awesome today.
posted on 22/12/12
Red, you know about last night as I mailed you but for the benefit of others, lasts nights performance, especially in the first half was memorable as being the best first half home display most have seen in years. We simply tore them apart. The second half they came out looking for more with nothing to lose, and give them credit they kept going, not easy when you are 5-0 down. I have rarely seen a Town side so eager and "up for it" as we were from the whistle, and it was sustained. We were totally shot away at the final whistle, so I am perhaps just a bit cautious that perhaps Boxing Day we might be a bit off the pace, after all the players are only human.. I've said for ages this lot would come together in the New Year, and I was wrong, they came together for Christmas. I'm quite happy about that.
Words of praise are should also go out to the ground staff, the pitch even looked billiard table standard at the end, a massive improvement on the sea of sand it used to be at this point in the season years ago, and finally we were graced by some decent officials who were firm but most fair through out the game. I didn't see one card brandished by the ref, a sign of somebody who had the players respect from the beginning, a sight which we haven't had for a while, fair play to him and his assistants for keeping things about right.
You know there is a lot of superstition in football. At the end of last season by usual baseball cap did a runner, so for our last game I bought a new hat out of the club shop. On arrival in the DR stand I joked with those around me that it was a five goal hat, we scored five goals. I wore it again last night, and reminded those around me before K.O. of the five goal hat. They laughed and it was said by many, "not against this lot we won't", after the third went in I was getting some joyful stick, when the final whistle blew, a few were singing, "he's got his five goal hat on". I'll wear it more often, but not too often or maybe the luck will run out.
Merry Christmas One and All, and may we all have a brilliant New Year.
posted on 22/12/12
SF,
I still have my old lucky cap. Used to be red, but now pink after years of standing on terraces & fishing on Brixham breakwater. I bought it in 1986, coming back from E Africa to a promotion side to 3rd Div. I don't know how lucky it has been, gone to the premiership & right back down again with it. Back to where it started now.
posted on 22/12/12
SF, once again a great report. Look after that hat!!!
CITM, welcome to the board, I hope you continue with your contributions. We benefit from a good discussion and a diversity of opinion makes life interesting and enhances the debate.
Obviously an outstanding performance last night, couldn't have been better timed than against the leaders. Sorry I wasn't there but I do intend to be at Prenton Park for the return fixture next month.
A merry Christmas to you all, and a healthy and successful New Year to you and my heroes.
posted on 22/12/12
Thanks Don no problem and thanks to gollum red and liverpool.
One reason for joining in was reading the comments and seeing a lot of negativity about Paolo who I believe has transformed the club and deserves better. He is outspoken but many of his comments are regularly agreed with by other town fans when they voice their opinion of a match. I apologise for my initial "supposed" comments but I was disappointed that no one was sticking up for him.
It was a brilliant performance last night which shows how well the team he has put together can play. Every one of the players on the pitch last night deserved credit. What we should now be wary of is slamming them when and (it will happen) they dont play as well in a tight 1-0 defeat.
We have a great squad which won 5-0 with many decent players not playing Flint Navarro Bostock McEveley Storey Rooney Archibald-Henville Louis Thompson and Bessone.
Paolo is the Man
posted on 23/12/12
To no-one in particular, but to you all. Have a Happy Christmas & New Year break. I had to sign in again, which lost me the thread.
But I was thinking about some of the comments. Christmas games always throw up a few surprises, often due to the weather. As a teenager, I remember going on the train to the CG for a Boxing day match. Can't remember which year, but as I got back to Chipp afterwards, it started to snow, & didn't stop for the proverbial forty days & nights. Not good for a paperboy who's wages were all that funded football.
But, someone mentioned the pitch in those days. It was, actually, more playable with snow on it than not. I think I remember, SF will, didn't we have to use an orange ball? I do remember one game where they held the toss inside so that players could choose which boots were best for their side of the pitch, one side thawing out, the other frozen solid.
But, the atmoshere of those Christmas games was something else. Boxing Day, the Town end was full & the cold seemed to vanish. Hip flasks, cigars abounded & all shared. Not allowed now of course. They used to have a collection at HT, blokes carrying a big sheet which you had to throw coins into - another nono now.
I miss all that. If I still lived in Chipp, I'd be there again on the train.
Sorry if that was totally boring, but it makes me feel better!
posted on 23/12/12
To no-one in particular, but to you all. Have a Happy Christmas & New Year break. I had to sign in again, which lost me the thread.
But I was thinking about some of the comments. Christmas games always throw up a few surprises, often due to the weather. As a teenager, I remember going on the train to the CG for a Boxing day match. Can't remember which year, but as I got back to Chipp afterwards, it started to snow, & didn't stop for the proverbial forty days & nights. Not good for a paperboy who's wages were all that funded football.
But, someone mentioned the pitch in those days. It was, actually, more playable with snow on it than not. I think I remember, SF will, didn't we have to use an orange ball? I do remember one game where they held the toss inside so that players could choose which boots were best for their side of the pitch, one side thawing out, the other frozen solid.
But, the atmoshere of those Christmas games was something else. Boxing Day, the Town end was full & the cold seemed to vanish. Hip flasks, cigars abounded & all shared. Not allowed now of course. They used to have a collection at HT, blokes carrying a big sheet which you had to throw coins into - another nono now.
I miss all that. If I still lived in Chipp, I'd be there again on the train.
Sorry if that was totally boring, but it makes me feel better!
posted on 23/12/12
Oops, sent it twice!
posted on 23/12/12
I remember the game when the toss was held inside, must have been in the 1960s, and the orange ball!
I always like a bit of nostalgia Red, as you well know!
posted on 23/12/12
Hi Chaps and of course, Seasons Greetings to All.
I seem to remember that game was either 63 0r 64.
Please DO NOT ask me what I was doing yesterday, chortle, but I do have a very vague recolection of that game, not the only one when we used an orange ball I suspect.
posted on 24/12/12
No, I think we had an Orange ball quite a lot then. I think that the inside toss game, it wasn't needed - that was because of frost, not snow. I do remember one game where it was definately used - a 1-2 defeat in the cup to Coventry. Snow all over the pitch, I helped clear it from the lines so the game could go ahead. The game wouldn't have been played today.
posted on 24/12/12
We were unlucky against Coventry, an unfortunate og from John Trollope and then a great finish by Dennis Brown for the equaliser. Ronnie Rees's winner was described as 'wonderful' by Jimmy Hill, a massive overstatement!
I used to hate all that razzamatz carp that Coventy used to bring with them!
posted on 26/12/12
So, no game today then. Always disappointing to have a postponement but no bad thing on this occasion IMO. Playing on a carp pitch at the O's would be a bit of a lottery and as we are a game up on most others as a result of Friday's game it'll put us back on par. All we need now is for results to go our way this afternoon.
Hope you're all having a good time!
posted on 26/12/12
Completely agree , but if you believed 1% of the stuff on that rumour site then well, !!!!!!!!!! Seems to a point the Town are a topic of conversation in between several idle minds. Go for a walk and get some fresh air !!!! Totally twaddle but fun to read. As John M'enroe used to say, "You cannot be serious", lol
posted on 26/12/12
Just some useless idle chatter, nowt else better to do, fed up with food and TV, and a throat rougher than a Badgers bits, but a good excuse for Scotch as nothing lives in alcohol, allegedly..
I see Benson and Connell both scored today and Cox was playing for the Pox. Good to see our old boys getting on well. Its beginning to look a bit dire for the Gas. Meanwhile Luggy is still pushing Saffend on towards the "promised land of L1. If anyone can, Luggy can. I also note that big Kevin (Manks) was on the bench for Exeter. Good to see he has a berth. Ollie Risser is still at Stevenage, I wonder if we will see any money for him. He does the job, there maybe better, but certainly many worse. I hope Cox comes back from the Pox a better player, and what of our other Rooney, the one from Gills. I can't recall him playing for us this season, mind you the brain is severely hampered right now with the nose and throat situation, and yes I should check a programme, but right now can't be bothered. Peed off with no Town today, still, I'll get over it, just roll on New Year. Quite surprised that L.O, could not get the covers on and protect the surface. Maybe Mr Hearn should look at that.
posted on 27/12/12
If it's raining in Colchester like it is here in Leics, I doubt if there will be a game on sat.
posted on 28/12/12
Red, do these clubs not have covers for the pitch to prevent water logging ? or a decent drainage system to work in conjunction with covers. Seems crazy in this day and age, yet they spend lots on players .
posted on 28/12/12
Game off then!
This is getting silly.
posted on 29/12/12
Anyone know if they refund ticket money? It does say that tickets are valid for the rearranged game, but what if you can't go? Just something that crossed my mind whilst dosing myself to combat SF's symptoms.
Shouldn't really be allowed to post if you have something like that. Mind you, pot & kettle, better to get it over with whilst there's nothing better to do!
posted on 29/12/12
Stevenage off too now...I've calculated that the lowest we can be after today's games is 7th.
Should I be drinking medicinal whisky in large quantities?
posted on 29/12/12
Don,
Yes you should. So would I if I had any. But found a bottle of apricot brandy left over from a Christmas gift years ago. It won't last the day out!
SF is right about your throat feeling as rough as a badger's backside. Blame him, he gave it to me.
But, whilst all this nothingness is going on, we time to think about what the DiC is going to do in the New Year. He has to get rid of some dross, to fund any new signings, but I still don't trust his ability to pick a good one. I would hate to see someone like Flint sold just to pay for more rubbish.
Having said that, I am happy to settle for our position. I don't want the guy to go out & waste money in January just because of the window. I reckon that the players we have can maintain our position in this league. Promotion would be a different thing, that would be serious money spending, & I don't think that we can afford it.
That doesn't mean that I don't want us to win every game, just an overall view.
posted on 29/12/12
Red,
It went worse than Brocks back side. Due to the fact I care for my Missus, I am now on Amoxicillin, Paracetamol and Codeine every 4 hours. Rough don't come close, and just to make matter even worse Codeine also stops the rosette from working, so very full as well, lol !!!!!! . Am now writing everything to the Missus and daughter as I have no voice, and coughing up Gob-Stoppers like I've never seen before. If Phlegm had value I would be a rich man, and It was you that gave it to me I'm sure, LOL !!!!!! hahahahahaha.
We will survive. I'd love some alcohol input right but dare not take the chance. Have a good weekend.
posted on 29/12/12
Apricot brandy! Hic!!!
I have actually quite enjoyed going to my den, out of the way, suffering, listening to radio 5 football. Not really in the shape to care about results. No pressure today.
We should have more postponed games.
Hic!
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