[Bonnyman]

Middle East, on 10 August 2024 - 07:16 AM, said:

Tanton was excellent as we're the rest of the team...first half at any rate! Average second half though but overall I thought that we should have had the 3 points...particularly with the stonewall penalty!

It's an interesting one regarding who makes the final squad given how tight the number of players allowed is. On that performance Tanton is potentially first choice all season and with Vontae (who looked good in pre-season) as back up, where does that leave Shecks? Given he is potentially out for months will Cook pick him and to a certain extent the same goes for Palmer. It would be harsh on either to be left out due to injury but Cook may want cover in different areas....

Tanton definitely a good shout for motm. Gordon was excellent too but I am going for Banks.

Banks was superb last night , really won me over but I don?t expect him to keep that kind of form up in that position as it?s not really his best, presume Naylor will slot in next to Oldaker and grimes will play next to the superb Dunkley but Grimes will have to up his game as up to yet his best performances are not of the quality of Naylors, I think either Pslmer or Williams goes out on loan once both are fit because the standard at the back has been set and the bar raised.
The one slight mistake we may have made and I hope I?m wrong is Madden , imo we needed a big athletic forward as a focal point, someone who is a genuine outlet in the second half, you could see when quigley came on he was easier to hit but his distribution just isn?t good enough

[born in 1866]

azul, on 10 August 2024 - 07:40 AM, said:

Cook adamant that he wants more players so it seems likely more than Palmer and Sheckleford will miss out.

Also wonder why he singled out Fulham as being excellent to deal with?

I took that as a dig at another club. Everton maybe???

[Walton Spireite]

Bonnyman, on 10 August 2024 - 08:10 AM, said:

Banks was superb last night , really won me over but I don?t expect him to keep that kind of form up in that position as it?s not really his best, presume Naylor will slot in next to Oldaker and grimes will play next to the superb Dunkley but Grimes will have to up his game as up to yet his best performances are not of the quality of Naylors, I think either Pslmer or Williams goes out on loan once both are fit because the standard at the back has been set and the bar raised.
The one slight mistake we may have made and I hope I?m wrong is Madden , imo we needed a big athletic forward as a focal point, someone who is a genuine outlet in the second half, you could see when quigley came on he was easier to hit but his distribution just isn?t good enough

I am big fan of Madden as his record speaks for itself. However, I think we do need a big athletic forward as well.

[Fit as a Nelson]

born in 1866, on 10 August 2024 - 08:17 AM, said:

I took that as a dig at another club. Everton maybe???

Definitely

[CFC91]

Plenty of positives definitely

Full backs look great acquisitions, Dunkley looked solid

Less positives, the ref was dire - 2 big decisions wrong, the penalty and then not showing their 5 a 2nd yellow for scithing Berry down on the wing

We missed Naylor in CDM, so we need a CB pronto. Thought Jacobs looked off it. Atmosphere second half was poor, Friday night, at home, kicking towards the Kop, should have been rocking

[dtp]

First of all, I did not think Swindon were as poor a side as some have been making out. They were the away side putting in an away type performance and did it quite successfully. They might play a different style to us but I don not think they will be the worst team we play this season.

The stonewall penalty cost us the extra 2 points but there was still enough minutes left for us to go on and get a second. But we didn?t for whatever the reason.

I enjoyed the game itself and felt the pattern of play was more open than what we were regularly seeing in the NL.

Thought the young lad from Fulham could prove to be a gem whilst Gordon looked comfortable too. I like James Berry but he frustrates me when he is not in possession. I would love to see him make runs off the ball so that passes can be played into that run or he drags defenders about.

My main thought though is that we will be alright and I will be happy with a year of consolidation. If we do better than that then I will be happier still.

This post has been edited by dtp: 10 August 2024 - 08:55 AM

[Wooden Spoon]

It wasn?t a slip as such, the CD sold a dummy and Oldaker bought, smart bit of football. He then runs unspoiled to edge of the box and smashed in a peach of a goal. Good skill at the start and a good finish

[azul]

The defence looked particularly solid. Hardly a heart in mouth moment all night. Compare that with last season when no matter how much we were battering teams a defensive calamity was just around the corner.

How much of that was down to Swindon not doing much or a slightly more pragmatic performance I?m not sure. Apart from Oldaker?s slip the midfield duo of him and Banks was a pleasant surprise.

Quite encouraged by that and the news the signings haven?t stopped. With a fair wind we should have a good season although it remains to be seen how bad/good Swindon were. Though they defended well and put in some very good last minute challenges.

This post has been edited by azul: 10 August 2024 - 09:03 AM

[Middle East]

Bonnyman, on 10 August 2024 - 08:10 AM, said:

Banks was superb last night , really won me over but I don?t expect him to keep that kind of form up in that position as it?s not really his best, presume Naylor will slot in next to Oldaker and grimes will play next to the superb Dunkley but Grimes will have to up his game as up to yet his best performances are not of the quality of Naylors, I think either Pslmer or Williams goes out on loan once both are fit because the standard at the back has been set and the bar raised.
The one slight mistake we may have made and I hope I?m wrong is Madden , imo we needed a big athletic forward as a focal point, someone who is a genuine outlet in the second half, you could see when quigley came on he was easier to hit but his distribution just isn?t good enough

We obviously still need a second keeper but then for me a quality left centre half to complete the defensive overhaul is what I am still hoping for and that will allow Naylor to slot back in midfield. That will probably be enough signing wise, but I get what you mean about Madden. He will undoubtedly be a really good addition but he plays deeper than Grigg and we already have Dobra, Jacobs and Banks who can play the number 10 role, so I agree an out and out striker would have been probably given more balance. That said Drummond may well be deployed there if necessary and the lad is direct and has pace.

This post has been edited by Middle East: 10 August 2024 - 09:06 AM

[dim view]

The Earl of Chesterfield, on 09 August 2024 - 09:59 PM, said:

Swindon are a large, physical side who resorted to what our friend 'Clarevoyant' deems 'the dark arts' when necessary.

Most stuff aimed at their towering CF and played off him.

We delivered as good as anything we saw last year once we got the ball down, though. Hugely impressed with Gordon and Dunkley. Colclough and Dobra ran em ragged up top.

Only a worldy save and baffling non penno meant we didn't go in at least two up. Boot totally untroubled.

Second half they got tighter and imposed themselves preventing our fluency. Enjoyed a twenty minute spell on top. Scored after Jacobs slipped then their bloke allowed to run fifty yards unchallenged. Still a classy strike, mind.

We got back on top towards the end but credit to their defence for chucking themselves in front of several goalbound efforts. The ever silky Naylor might've done better with his late header, too.

No negatives, everyone a seven or better, players to come back, nothing to worry about.

MOM Banks.

Yep. We are entering the world of 4 grand a week bruiser centre forrads and very direct play. In fact, it's possible that our style will be unique in this division.
The 2 fullbacks are definitely a step up. Why is it that some footballers find passing the ball easier than others?

To get a bit technical, I think that Colclough and Dobra were starved of possession in the second half so weren't effective. That's the tactical conundrum Cook has to solve. Maybe it's to do with the speed that the ball gets moved about that needs improving. Also, the decision to start with Jacobs ahead of Mandeville was a biggy.

[60s 70s Spireite]

A plus for Oldaker last night. Won as many tackles as he probably did all last season. Unfortunately not for the goal though. Still, it looks like he has been told to step up to the mark with that side of his play and he, on the whole, delivered.

[hilly81]

dtp, on 10 August 2024 - 08:54 AM, said:

First of all, I did not think Swindon were as poor a side as some have been making out. They were the away side putting in an away type performance and did it quite successfully. They might play a different style to us but I don not think they will be the worst team we play this season.

The stonewall penalty cost us the extra 2 points but there was still enough minutes left for us to go on and get a second. But we didn?t for whatever the reason.

I enjoyed the game itself and felt the pattern of play was more open than what we were regularly seeing in the NL.

Thought the young lad from Fulham could prove to be a gem whilst Gordon looked comfortable too. I like James Berry but he frustrates me when he is not in possession. I would love to see him make runs off the ball so that passes can be played into that run or he drags defenders about.

My main thought though is that we will be alright and I will be happy with a year of consolidation. If we do better than that then I will be happier still.

I also thought Swindon looked an ok side. Big, physical and played to their strengths. Not a lot of football going on but they caused us a few problems 2nd half without creating much. They will do ok this season. The big lad up front looked very useful.

[Search & Destroy]

Ladybrook Spire, on 09 August 2024 - 11:01 PM, said:

Not many mentions of Devan Tanton. I thought he was very good tonight. Sheckleford will struggle getting back into the side on that performance. It's clear already that the lad has proper talent.

Thought they tried to expose him on the far post against their tall striker

[Mr Mercury]

Oldaker played really well last night and as most have said the two full backs are a definite upgrade.
Nice steady start only ruined by two very poor reffing decisions.
Looking forward to Derby and Crewe now, a different ring to the likes of Ebsfleet and Borehamwood

[lindave]

Looking forward to Crewe to pick up our 1st 3pts.

Looking forward to Crewe to pick up our 1st 3pts.

[hilly81]

Mr Mercury, on 10 August 2024 - 10:05 AM, said:

Oldaker played really well last night and as most have said the two full backs are a definite upgrade.
Nice steady start only ruined by two very poor reffing decisions.
Looking forward to Derby and Crewe now, a different ring to the likes of Ebsfleet and Borehamwood

He did have a good game. I thought it was just a slip that let their lad in for the goal but it was actually a nice bit of skill that totally took Oldaker out of the game.

[Bonnyman]

dim view, on 10 August 2024 - 09:12 AM, said:

Yep. We are entering the world of 4 grand a week bruiser centre forrads and very direct play. In fact, it's possible that our style will be unique in this division.
The 2 fullbacks are definitely a step up. Why is it that some footballers find passing the ball easier than others?

To get a bit technical, I think that Colclough and Dobra were starved of possession in the second half so weren't effective. That's the tactical conundrum Cook has to solve. Maybe it's to do with the speed that the ball gets moved about that needs improving. Also, the decision to start with Jacobs ahead of Mandeville was a biggy.

A big decision in that it was wrong or right??if both fit Mandy starts every day of the week over Jacobs imo

[SocraticCFC]

60s 70s Spireite, on 10 August 2024 - 09:33 AM, said:

A plus for Oldaker last night. Won as many tackles as he probably did all last season. Unfortunately not for the goal though. Still, it looks like he has been told to step up to the mark with that side of his play and he, on the whole, delivered.

Thought this was one of his best games for the club

[hardgums]

[quote name='The Earl of Chesterfield' timestamp='1723240765' post='1833363']
Swindon are a large, physical side who resorted to what our friend 'Clarevoyant' deems 'the dark arts' when necessary.

Most stuff aimed at their towering CF and played off him.

We delivered as good as anything we saw last year once we got the ball down, though. Hugely impressed with Gordon and Dunkley. Colclough and Dobra ran em ragged up top.

Only a worldy save and baffling non penno meant we didn't go in at least two up. Boot totally untroubled.

Second half they got tighter and imposed themselves preventing our fluency. Enjoyed a twenty minute spell on top. Scored after Jacobs slipped then their bloke allowed to run fifty yards unchallenged. Still a classy strike, mind.

We got back on top towards the end but credit to their defence for chucking themselves in front of several goalbound efforts. The ever silky Naylor might've done better with his late header, too.

No negatives, everyone a seven or better, players to come back, nothing to worry about.

MOM Banks.


The Earl's posts just exude common sense. So refreshing when compared to some of the gratuitous attention-seeking doom-mongering eejits we have to suffer on here

[Blue5]

The Earl of Chesterfield, on 09 August 2024 - 09:59 PM, said:

Swindon are a large, physical side who resorted to what our friend 'Clarevoyant' deems 'the dark arts' when necessary.

Most stuff aimed at their towering CF and played off him.

We delivered as good as anything we saw last year once we got the ball down, though. Hugely impressed with Gordon and Dunkley. Colclough and Dobra ran em ragged up top.

Only a worldy save and baffling non penno meant we didn't go in at least two up. Boot totally untroubled.

Second half they got tighter and imposed themselves preventing our fluency. Enjoyed a twenty minute spell on top. Scored after Jacobs slipped then their bloke allowed to run fifty yards unchallenged. Still a classy strike, mind.

We got back on top towards the end but credit to their defence for chucking themselves in front of several goalbound efforts. The ever silky Naylor might've done better with his late header, too.

No negatives, everyone a seven or better, players to come back, nothing to worry about.

MOM Banks.

At half-time, Swindon must have gone in wondering what had hit them because we outplayed them for long periods.

My first impressions is that once again we appear to have recruited very well this summer. I was particularly impressed with Lewis Gordon, who I thought had a superb first half.

Overall, I thought we gave a good account of ourselves and I think we will only get better as players establish themselves in the squad and others return from injury.