Swindon Town

[RedandWhiteSpartan]

Don't forget folks it's a 12:30 kick off tomorrow!
Wonder how we will feel at 14:20 or so?

[gazan]

As long as feelings occur as late as that and not after 12 minutes!
I can't predict today: you'd think two weak defences would lead to a lot of goals but we've also got 2 weak attacks. However the Alex have actually had more shots so far!!
It's got 0-0 and an awful game written all over it - so I'm going 2-1 to the Alex (I don't why : hope over expectation)

[gazan]

I'll feel a lot easier if we haven't conceded any goals in the first 15 minutes, especially from corners..

[gazan]

So, despite Thursday's comments he's gone 5-3-2. Lankester and Holicek lose out.

[gazan]

MickeyD lucky to still be on the pitch. Overall better so far. Swindon playing most of the game up in the air. Some good work on the ball from Conway and Sanders and occasionally from Tabs. But where is the goal coming from? Can't see Tracey supplying an assist. Lankester is a better bet for me.
Will Long get 5 minutes???

[ShropshireAlex]

Think Conor Thomas being just in our half saved Mickey D. Long hopefully will benefit from the 20 minutes he got - a match fit Long would have put that chance away, and he nearly made one too, but anything other than 0-0 would have flattered us. Hemmings will certainly benefit from having Long alongside him.

At least the surprise 3 at the back defence looked more secure and probably deserved a clean sheet - something to build on from a very poor game.

[gazan]

Long certainly had an impact on the game. Another good performance from Conway. Sanders hugely improved and playing further up the pitch. Have to put in a mention for Knight-Lebel, who I think looked really solid.
Think we should start with the team as it stood at 75mins at Bromley.

[Timmy58]

Todays game was light years better than last week. If I had been rating the players last week none would have scored more than a 3 except Cooney and Conway. Today, there was more commitment, more idea, and some decent passing at times. Sadly we look light up front although when Long appeared we did pose more threat. Shilow cops for a lot of stick on social media, unfairly in my view. There seems to be one or two players every year people go after. Goalkeeper and Shilow last year and again this year. Shilow never gives his opponent a minutes peace and I would not have taken him off today. I would like to think it is a step in the right direction. Usually 10 games gives us an idea of where we are at. Don't see this season as being any different.

[gazan]

I think Tracey is a conundrum. There are games ( but only some) where he seems to be involved (usually for 60 minutes) but ask anyone to name a final outcome for his efforts and people really struggle to remember any. In other words I believe he has little positive impact. For me Lankester is a better prospect. He can beat players with skill rather than just pace and has a slightly better end result history. Neither are great but could become polished with a bit of work. However, I can't help thinking that Tracey has already had a year but he still runs the ball out of play on a regular basis, still reacts rather than takes an initiative and doesn't compete for a ball that is not at least 70/30 in his favour. So I confess, I am one of his critics (not on social media - not cursed by that!) but I believe I have my reasons. I just want him to prove me wrong.

[Timmy58]

[QUOTE=gazan;40556074]I think Tracey is a conundrum. There are games ( but only some) where he seems to be involved (usually for 60 minutes) but ask anyone to name a final outcome for his efforts and people really struggle to remember any. In other words I believe he has little positive impact. For me Lankester is a better prospect. He can beat players with skill rather than just pace and has a slightly better end result history. Neither are great but could become polished with a bit of work. However, I can't help thinking that Tracey has already had a year but he still runs the ball out of play on a regular basis, still reacts rather than takes an initiative and doesn't compete for a ball that is not at least 70/30 in his favour. So I confess, I am one of his critics (not on social media - not cursed by that!) but I believe I have my reasons. I just want him to prove me wrong.[/Q

I thought he was very good yesterday, particularly in the first half. He never gives the defender a seconds peace. But I agree, there is not enough end product. He reminds me of Rodney Jack in some ways in that he blows hot and cold. Rodney was a better player of course but he had days when he literally did nowt.
For the brief period when Long and Lankester came on they seemed to have a bit of an understanding. It would be nice to see if that develops. There is no doubt about it, when Long is fully fit he looks a damned good footballer.