21/22 - Swindon (A) Match Thread

An away win is a good win whatever the performance is like. From the commentary, seemed we bossed three quarters of the game, they came into it the last 20 minutes or so after we sat back to defend the lead, but sounded like Beech made some poor decisions on subs the last quarter. On to PV.

Whatever happened to regan Slater? He had a blinder at Swindon, the only game he played really well in

Quoted from Markovitch on Saturday, 14 August 2025

Whatever happened to regan Slater? He had a blinder at Swindon, the only game he played really well in

Did really well last season for Hull in their promotion from league one, a good player

Great to see such passion on the touch line from Beech, he kept turning round to the away crowd geeing us up

As for his subs, it’s great he’s finally realised he is able to make them and that he is allowed to take the likes of Mellish off…! For me, Swindon were getting on top so he made changes to try to reverse it. While Swindon kept coming at us, at least they didn’t score. For all we know had he made no subs, they may have scored as we tired and the same critics would be queuing up to criticise him for NOT changing things!

First game of the season today for me, what struck me is how the likes of Armer, Riley and Tanner have filled out, they look stronger. And Mellish has developed nous which comes from playing 50 games or so in a position. With a couple of additions, we could be up there this season…

Quoted from Bumble on Saturday, 14 August 2025

Quoted from High Street on Saturday, 14 August 2025

Win there 1-0 Thirlwell thunderbolt 2008ish. About the only time he kicked the ball forwards.

One of .my favourite pics ever. I was Sat in front of our fans and Thirs, Bridgey and Keogh ran right across the pitch to celebrate in front of us. 3 huge grins filled the frame

That Thirlwell goal...

https://youtu.be/a_fIBtErCvE

We actually won 1-0 at Swindon in 2011 thanks to a brilliant 30-yard strike by Berrett

https://youtu.be/QB1U2EAnIOU

Quoted from nobbyblue on Saturday, 14 August 2025

If we lose today it’s time for a change.

Nobby being his usual optimistic self. You should go over to the dark side with Piggy boy

What do you mean? I predicted a win!

Was at the County Ground yesterday and had to sit amongst the Swindon fans due to ticketing arrangements on the day which was a shambles but that's another story. Obviously very pleased with the result in which we played really well especially the first half. Got to mention the performances of Corey Wheelan and Rod McDonald looking solid at the back and although it's tough with Hayden going it does allow others to step up. I know Jack Armer will have a question mark against him for allowing their tricky winger Kesler Hayden in a few times but to be honest, he was their best player and is one of Villa's best young players - they have done well to get a season loan from Villa for him and he could do that against any defender. I'm sure Jack will learn from that performance. The midfield was very solid and you have to admit who will make way for Clough coming back - probably Mellish but he put in a good performance yesterday so it will be interesting to see what Beech does about this once Zach is fully fit. We did look good upfront too and especially dangerous on the break. I prefer Abrahams (and Mampala) over Zanzala from last season any day. Great goal from Joe Riley (was outside the ground still queueing for a ticket when he scored) and Guy was his usual solid self. You can also see he takes the captaincy very seriously too which is great. Don't like criticizing our own but for me, Dickenson is struggling. He seems off the pace for me and wasn't surprised when he was substituted. He seems to get a start every time and can't see what Beech sees that fans don't. I'm not saying he should be out completely but I think there are better options on the bench and maybe he should step up his fitness. Perhaps put Mampala on the left with Abrahams staying through the middle. Alessandra runs all day long and you never know where he is going to pop up next - he had a good game yesterday. To think we have Feeney, Charters, Fishburn, Bell and Dixon on the bench too not to mention Toure we do have a decent squad at the moment. I only hope richer clubs don't continue to raid our squad as the season progresses as we all know players will always consider a move if offered a better contract financially elsewhere. To think that Bennett and Hayden are now history is still hard to take. Haven't mentioned the keeper but Norman for me was very impressive despite the stick from the home fans. Probably rate him better than Farman of last season and we've also got a decent keeper (Jensen) on the bench too and hope he gets a few games this season. Glad McKirdy didn't come back to haunt us but he had a few really impressive runs and he may do very well for Swindon. I enjoyed watching him yesterday as he was a favourite of mine when he was with us. Not convinced Swindon will struggle as lots of people have predicted. All in all a good away performance and nearly 10,000 there yesterday and the atmosphere was great. Hope our home fans turn up for our games especially if we continue to do well.

It's easy to criticise the substitutions but they need some context. Perhaps Dickenson was struggling/had a knock but the game certainly swung with that change. Beech said he took Armer off as he's left footed and Hayden kept going inside him (wrong footed) late on. Armer was struggling second half.

Appreciate some of you are going off Radio Cumbria commentary only whereas I've the luxury of Ifollow. Personally, I thought we were good for the win before Dickenson went off and the formation changed but in the end we were lucky not to draw as they peppered our goal late on.

The ends justify the means though from Beech's point of view.

A great three points in the end, roll on Tuesday!

The substitutions just show a lack of squad strength. Only one defender and one midfielder, so Beech had no other options available. Why was Fishburn on the bench ahead of Dixon? Fishburn couldn't do anything that the multiple other forwards couldn't do, bearing in mind he would only get a few minutes to play. Beech would be better leaving Fishburn to play with the youth team and get games instead of sitting on a bus all weekend. Hopefully Devine and Clough will be fit very soon and a couple of new faces in before the end of the month.