Rival Watch

[Hound]

With games in hand, we almost have the ability to go 6th place, not something that seemed realistic a few weeks ago.

A few weeks ago, suggesting that it was still early days got pelters.

We were never that bad. Always good odds on a strong second half to season.

IIRC, Noel Hunt said (was it in an interview after he got sacked?) he expected us to pick up around December and have a strong second half of the season. We were matching most sides we played under Hunt, even if the standard of football wasn't amazing.

Still think we have a weaker strongest XI than last season though, but we have a run of very winnable games coming up. Depending on transfers, there's a very real prospect of us reaching the play-offs now.

Think we have a weaker first 11 but a much stronger squad

We’ll never know if Hunt would have also taken us such a strong recent run. My feeling is absolutely not but anyway

[Clyde1998]

A few weeks ago, suggesting that it was still early days got pelters.

We were never that bad. Always good odds on a strong second half to season.

IIRC, Noel Hunt said (was it in an interview after he got sacked?) he expected us to pick up around December and have a strong second half of the season. We were matching most sides we played under Hunt, even if the standard of football wasn't amazing.

Still think we have a weaker strongest XI than last season though, but we have a run of very winnable games coming up. Depending on transfers, there's a very real prospect of us reaching the play-offs now.

Think we have a weaker first 11 but a much stronger squad

We’ll never know if Hunt would have also taken us such a strong recent run. My feeling is absolutely not but anyway

Certainly agree with the first point - it was what I described as 'building tall vs building wide' in my Tilehurst End article from just before Hunt got sacked (taken from Civilization V's strategy). We have less top end ability, but more squad depth, than last season. Certainly means we'll have less potential to drop off from simply injuries this season when compared to last season.

Of course, we'll never know about point two. I don't think we would've gone on such as strong recent run in terms of results, but at the same time we've brought in Randell Williams (plus Rinomhota, who's barely played); had certain players return from injury (Marriott; Yiadom; Fraser); and an expansion to the coaching staff numbers since Richardson's come in which are all going to be factors in our uptick. We'll obviously need to see if it's sustained going forward.

My point about Hunt's comments was more to do with us likely to improve as a team as the season went on and agreeing with the point that we were never that bad under him as a lot of people were making out.

[Pepe the Horseman]

Swindon Town captain Ollie Clarke has been banned for 7 matches after committing a 'highly violating and intentional foul play' on two opponents' private body parts during a game in August of this season, an FA report has revealed.

The act he committed was so unpleasant that it was redacted from the official FA disciplinary report.

He also received a £2,750 fine.

They're also likely to be kicked out of the Vertu Trophy after leaving one of their players off the team sheet.

[Sutekh]

Swindon Town captain Ollie Clarke has been banned for 7 matches after committing a 'highly violating and intentional foul play' on two opponents' private body parts during a game in August of this season, an FA report has revealed.

The act he committed was so unpleasant that it was redacted from the official FA disciplinary report.

He also received a £2,750 fine.

They're also likely to be kicked out of the Vertu Trophy after leaving one of their players off the team sheet.

Or just fined.

[Sutekh]

League One transfer activity so far….

Millennic Alli Luton to Portsmouth (loan)
Jack Bonham Stoke to Bolton (undisclosed)
Jamarl Grant Millwall to Blackpool (loan)
Harry Gray Leeds to Rotherham (loan)
Will Keane Preston to Reading (loan)
Gustav Lindgren Peterborough to BK Hacken (undisclosed)
Nick Freeman Stevenage to Shrewsbury (free)
Harrison Ashby Newcastle to Bradford (loan)
Joe White Newcastle to Bradford (loan)
Andy Cook Bradford to Grimsby (loan)
Danilo Orsi Wimbledon to Crawley (undisclosed)
Zander Clark Hearts to Doncaster (loan)
Roman Curtis Port Vale to Plymouth (undisclosed)
Ian Lawlor Doncaster to Crewe (undisclosed)
Elliott Moore unattached to Northampton
Victor Adeboyejo Bolton to Mansfield (undisclosed)
Kain Adom (Gateshead to Burton)
Emilio Lawrence Man City to Luton (loan)
Klaidi Lolos (Peterborough to Crawley (loan)
Jak Alnwick Cardiff to Huddersfield (undisclosed)
Will Forrester Bolton to Leyton Orient (undisclosed)
Oliver Irow Tottenham to Mansfield (loan)
Cameron Humphreys Ipswich to Huddersfield (loan)
Jon Russell Barnsley to Huddersfield (loan)
Ben Wiles Huddersfield to MK Dons (undisclosed)
Magnus Westergaard Wycombe to Valerenga (undisclosed)
AlexPattison Bradford to Walsall (undisclosed)
Eoghan O’Connell unattached to Barnsley
Josh Stokes Bristol City to Stockport (loan)
Hakeeb Adelakun unattached to Doncaster
Francis Okoronkwo Everton to Doncaster (loan)
Lewis Temple Shelbourne to Bolton (undisclosed)
Lasse Nordas Luton to SC Heerenveen (undisclosed)
Ryan De Havilland Peterborough to Bristol Rovers (undisclosed)
Josh Honohan Shamrock Rovers to Lincoln (undisclosed)
Bayley McCann Barnsley to Doncaster (undisclosed)
Darren Robinson Derby to Doncaster (free)
Louie Sibley Oxford to Bradford (loan)
Charlie Lennon Middlesbrough to Barnsley (undisclosed)

[Four Of Clubs]

They're also likely to be kicked out of the Vertu Trophy after leaving one of their players off the team sheet.

Or just fined.

........ Luton (probably) re-instated - taken from NLM - two charges .....

During Swindon Town's 2-1 victory at Luton on Tuesday night, Swindon brought on a substitute who had not been named on the official teamsheet, namely Aaron Drinan. In addition Oliver Clarke started the match while serving a seven match suspension. As a result both the FA and EFL have issued charges and Luton will be included in the quarter final draw pending the outcome of the proceedings.

Olly not happy on the Beeb ....

"When we used to write the teamsheet down it was never wrong, was it?" Holloway said. "But when they get it on an iPad and it's not shown to us, how can I say that is my team and I haven't checked it? No-one's checked it and it's too late to check it when the game's gone on and they noticed it because one of their staff noticed it. It's a major whoopsie I would suggest from the officials - is that us, is that them? They've got to have a right good look at themselves. Why don't we go back to the written ones?"

[Snowflake Royal]

They're also likely to be kicked out of the Vertu Trophy after leaving one of their players off the team sheet.

Or just fined.

........ Luton (probably) re-instated - taken from NLM - two charges .....

During Swindon Town's 2-1 victory at Luton on Tuesday night, Swindon brought on a substitute who had not been named on the official teamsheet, namely Aaron Drinan. In addition Oliver Clarke started the match while serving a seven match suspension. As a result both the FA and EFL have issued charges and Luton will be included in the quarter final draw pending the outcome of the proceedings.

Olly not happy on the Beeb ....

"When we used to write the teamsheet down it was never wrong, was it?" Holloway said. "But when they get it on an iPad and it's not shown to us, how can I say that is my team and I haven't checked it? No-one's checked it and it's too late to check it when the game's gone on and they noticed it because one of their staff noticed it. It's a major whoopsie I would suggest from the officials - is that us, is that them? They've got to have a right good look at themselves. Why don't we go back to the written ones?"

Perhaps he should take some responsibility for checking it before it is handed in, rather than complaining it's nothing to do with him.

[Sutekh]

Cardiff leading 2-0 at Bradford (now currently 7 points clear at the top).

Wigan currently holding Bolton 0-0. Bolton now 5th on 40 points. A win will take them 4th, at least temporarily,

About 30 mins left in both.

[morganb]

Huddersfield have sacked Lee Grant as manager.

[Sutekh]

Huddersfield have sacked Lee Grant as manager.

Now looking for manager number 8 in just 4 years!

Another US owned club desperate to go up after considerable player investment in the likes of Ledson, May and Whatmough. Next week they’re at home to Bradford ….

[Sutekh]

Two midweek L1 games this week. On Tuesday 8th placed Stevenage (37 points) can climb into 6th place with a home win over 5th placed Bolton Wanderers (42 points).

Would favour a draw to keep 6th place locked at 39 points and therefore retain Reading’s 4 point gap to the PO places and keep Bolton in check within those places.

Meanwhile SKY TV brings us all the magic of Lincoln City (2nd - 49 points) v Burton Albion (19th - 30 points) on Thursday 22nd. Burton have won at both Bradford and Cardiff this season so may not be the obvious cast iron home banker we all think it is.

[morganb]

On Tuesday 8th placed Stevenage (37 points) can climb into 6th place with a home win over 5th placed Bolton Wanderers (42 points).

Would favour a draw to keep 6th place locked at 39 points and therefore retain Reading’s 4 point gap to the PO places and keep Bolton in check within those places.

Finished 0-0

[Clyde1998]

On Tuesday 8th placed Stevenage (37 points) can climb into 6th place with a home win over 5th placed Bolton Wanderers (42 points).

Would favour a draw to keep 6th place locked at 39 points and therefore retain Reading’s 4 point gap to the PO places and keep Bolton in check within those places.

Finished 0-0

Good result for us; seems Stevenage were more likely to win the game than Bolton.

[Sutekh]

Norwich won 5-0 at WBA last night a result which sadly increases the woe for Portsmouth and *xf*rd in the bottom 3 of the Championship.

Portsmouth play at Watford tonight and a point for them would drop Blackburn into the relegation zone instead.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Norwich won 5-0 at WBA last night a result which sadly increases the woe for Portsmouth and *xf*rd in the bottom 3 of the Championship.

Portsmouth play at Watford tonight and a point for them would drop Blackburn into the relegation zone instead.

Thought it would be between the pair of them coming down, but would be delighted with both

[RFCMod]

Norwich won 5-0 at WBA last night a result which sadly increases the woe for Portsmouth and *xf*rd in the bottom 3 of the Championship.

Portsmouth play at Watford tonight and a point for them would drop Blackburn into the relegation zone instead.

Thought it would be between the pair of them coming down, but would be delighted with both

Can't imagine TVP sharing the same delight, especially with Swindon pushing to come up as well

[tidus_mi2]

Norwich won 5-0 at WBA last night a result which sadly increases the woe for Portsmouth and *xf*rd in the bottom 3 of the Championship.

Portsmouth play at Watford tonight and a point for them would drop Blackburn into the relegation zone instead.

Thought it would be between the pair of them coming down, but would be delighted with both

Can't imagine TVP sharing the same delight, especially with Swindon pushing to come up as well

It's alright, they can just do their best to get us promoted then. But if we stay down, could be some nice local games after this shitshow of a Northern division this season.

[rabidbee]

I'm quite disappointed that all of the League Two clubs close to the Forest of Dean are doing so badly this year ('ksake, Newport!), as my son is desperate to go to an away game (he's young and foolish), and I don't think we're quite up to trecking to Lincoln or Barnsley yet. I'm not sure Swindon or Oxford would be my choice for an 8yo's introduction to away football, either.

[The Royal Forester]

I'm quite disappointed that all of the League Two clubs close to the Forest of Dean are doing so badly this year ('ksake, Newport!), as my son is desperate to go to an away game (he's young and foolish), and I don't think we're quite up to trecking to Lincoln or Barnsley yet. I'm not sure Swindon or Oxford would be my choice for an 8yo's introduction to away football, either.

How about Walsall if they come up or West Bromwich if they come down. Both around 70 miles up the M5 from Cinderford. Both are close to a junction.

[rabidbee]

It's more like 90 miles for us, but the Bescot is a good shout - he'd enjoy watching the traffic going over the flyover.