[Andy Spireite]

We dominated and should have been comfortable winners IMHO with the possession and chances we had, including the stonewall penalty.

Their goal was a worldie that we should have defended better but they will be delighted with that draw given their contribution to that match.

Onwards and upwards.

[Just me]

It's a shame Madden is injured, I think he could have offered a good alternative coming off the bench mid-second half for Grigg, was quite impressed with what Drummond brought in the little time he had, unfortunately, I don't think Quigley is quite up to this level. Midfield-wise, great when we are in the ascendency, but struggled a bit second half when Swindon turned up. Agree with those who think Swindon will be bottom 7 material, just one of those games, good to earn the first point, but just got to learn to make changes sooner to change games.

Exharboroughspireite, on 09 August 2024 - 09:29 PM, said:

Loads of positives there. The two full backs seem to be an upgrade on last year as does dunkley on palmer/ Williams. Grigg showed what a nuisance he can be at this level with his movement and we have several players who are going to cause problems behind him.

Moving forward would like to see a solid back up for grigg and I still think we are in need of a box to box midfielder.

A good start.

[danblue]

To sum up :
Ref has had an absolute shocker
We should have been outta sight in the first half
How was their lad allowed to travel all that way then plant a worldie in the top bin?
Plenty more to come from us
Ref has had an absolute shocker ( so bad I put it in twice)

[Wooden Spoon]

My take always from this game


1) Defences in this division are a step up from what we?ve faced and are far more comfortable letting us pass the all around in front of them. We need to be more incisive and positive in possesion with the players we have

2) Our back four, with Naylor as a CBlook comfortable in this division. Including the full backs who looked good to me.


Griggs movement was excellent, but 90% of it wasted as we looked sideways or backsards

4) Banks and Oldaker had decent games and can hold their own in this division

[Bald magician]

LondonBlue, on 09 August 2024 - 09:11 PM, said:

Should?ve been game over by half time.

Yes !

Swindon poor first half. Should have capitalised.

Second Half we simply didn?t hold the ball. That?s a fact.


Frustrating that we made a very physical typical league 2 side look above average in second half. They were very average !

Cook wont like that and neither did I


Not downbeat. Lots of positives

[LondonBlue]

Bald magician, on 09 August 2024 - 09:42 PM, said:

Yes !

Swindon poor first half. Should have capitalised.

Second Half we simply didn?t hold the ball. That?s a fact.


Frustrating that we made a very physical typical league 2 side look above average in second half. They were very average !

Cook wont like that and neither did I


Not downbeat. Lots of positives

Certainly lots of positives. Really pleased with some of the newcomers. We will win plenty of games this season playing like that. Grigg was unlucky not to get 1 first half and that penalty decision was a joke. Another day we?d have been 3-0 up and cruising.

[Bald magician]

Banks first half fantastic!

[Lincs Spireite]

We dominated first half and a well deserved 1 nil up. As expected they upped their game second half and we went a bit flat. So a draw was a fair result.
I like the look of our new boys but thought Jacobs was a bit anonymous. Like others said we needed to the subs on a good 10/15 mins earlier.

[jack bauer]

thought we played well, especially 1st half, both full backs impressed, gordon looks a proper player. hopefully grimes not far away as i think naylor back in centre mid will make the key difference for us.

[Brookie]

They came out aggressive second half and it paid off due to a weak ref who gave out plenty of yellows but bottled the penalty and second yellow.

Some last gasp defending came to their aid but on the whole a promising display and Paul Cook says we are not quite the finished article yet.

[Westbars Spireite]

They were fortunate on two counts. Looked an absolute stonewall penalty (from a long way away but trust my eyes) and their man should have picked up a second yellow for the shove with 10ish to go.

[HoneyTrippa]

At 1-0 up, Their keeper made 3 outstanding saves one after the other in the 1st half in an intensive period of pressure from Town. He kept them in the match. If any of those attempts go in its all over and we win the game. Not disappointed at all tonight. Lots of positives from the game. We will comfortably hold our own in this division.

[OneDecentLester]

Decent performance overall. Thought we dominated the first 25/30 mins of the first half and if the ref was half competent we?d have had a pen to make it 2-0 and probably go on to win comfortably.

Really impressed with both new full backs, look to be an upgrade on last year already so happy with that. Also thought Oldaker and Banks were brilliant on the ball, controlled the game for us from deep.

Defensively we?ve limited them to nothing other than allowing their centre half to get a shot away from 25 yards which 9/10, when you?re letting a centre back shoot from there you?re happy because it usually ends in the car park. Unfortunately for us it?s ended up in the top corner and probably Swindon?s goal of the season wrapped up already, but it?s football and these things happen.

It?s a point on the board on the opening day, and a performance / result to build on.

[plannerj]

gordon_brittas, on 09 August 2024 - 09:06 PM, said:

When was the last time we came across a ref that was actually on our side?

When were you actually on our side. Your criticism of Oldaker defies comprehension. He was superb and one key tackle in the first half was truly outstanding.

[TJ Blue]

Our 2 fullbacks are a definite upgrade and Dunkley looks a real leader at the back.

This post has been edited by TJ Blue: 09 August 2024 - 09:59 PM

[The Earl of Chesterfield]

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.

[SpireRam]

Cum on u blues, on 09 August 2024 - 08:55 PM, said:

I was talking about the crowd?s reaction.

Can?t complain about the final result but that?s thanks to the ref. I hope this improves

<div><br></div><div>Can?t help feeling we were a holding back a bit but with the changes in personnel and the move up I suppose it?s normal. Anyway if Swindon is the standard we?ve got nothing to worry about</div>

So was I! 😂

[TJ Blue]

We looked much more confident on the ball than them without creating a massive amount, I?ve no doubt there?s much more to come from us though.

[SpireRam]

Frustrating result as they were there for the taking but it?s a point on the board.

If the ref gives us that penalty and we put it away that game is won and we probably go on to even sneak a third.

Only slight disappointment for me is how little we created in the second-half. Swindon played their deep defensive shape really well in the second 45 and we didn?t really have an answer for it.

It does show that teams are still going to come to our place and do that this season though which is a compliment to how much of a threat others view us as.

[HoneyTrippa]

On a technical point. The EFL has Swindon top of the league. Shouldnt we be top alphabetically? Thoughts please.? Is it done on average height of the team in which case Swindon would be top as their No 10 was 7ft 6.