I’m afraid I’m not one of those people who see Danny Wilson’s resignation as a cause for celebration for Swindon.
No wins in two months and so the writing was on the wall for Wilson though and he has said:
“I am bitterly disappointed to be leaving, but I know football is a results driven game, and unfortunately in the past two months the results have just not been good enough.”
But, for me, the problems at the County Ground lie higher up the food chain and possibly with the club’s finances - or lack of them.
As far as I am aware, Wilson didn’t negotiate contracts and so when Billy Paynter’s contract was allowed to run down and their leading marksman walked out of the door as a free agent at the end of last season.
When Charlie Austin and Sean Morrison – two of the brightest young prospects the club has had for many a year – were sold for what I consider to be peanuts in January, who allowed them to go? Wilson or the board?
And the money he was given to replace all three players. How much was forthcoming?
Wilson got lucky when Simon Cox was sold to West Brom two summers ago because hard working Paynter stepped up to the plate and started banging them in. He also proved he had a good eye for a player by playing up the prolific Austin from the Wessex League.
Apparently Charlie was spotted by one of the directors (according to one of the directors), but Wilson still had to agree to put him out on the park.
Look back further to the sale of Simon Cox. Sold for decent money and replaced on the cheap with Austin. But there are only so many bargains like Austin to be had and for me the investment in the squad just hasn’t been what it needed to be to build on last year’s excellent season.
Finishing as losing play-off finalists was more than most Robins’ fans had expected the previous August having just survived in League One the season before and also lost Cox.
Wilson showed what a good football man he is by getting them to Wembley and Swindon fans shouldn’t forget that.
The club just didn’t seem to want to take the financial risk needed to take the next step up to the Championship.
Then again, maybe – in these uncertain economic times – the board’s caution is well founded. Look at the state Plymouth are in. Perhaps it’s better to be a solvent club bouncing between Leagues One and Two than chance your arm by aiming higher.
It’s too easy to attack directors for not ploughing their personal wealth into something as unstable as a football club – how many of us would remortgage our homes to lend the club money which we may not ever see again? But if you can’t match the big spenders, it’s better to come out and say so.
Paul Hart has been appointed to keep Swindon up and is another very experienced coach, but whether he has enough time – or a strong enough squad – remains to be seen.
Everyone needs to pull together for the good of the club now; players, management, directors and fans. It’s not too late, but the scenario whereby Oxford end up swapping divisions with them looks a very real possibility as well.
I've set up this blog (Monday-Friday) to give extra coverage to teams I cover for the national press. Any views and opinions are all my own. Best wishes, Jeff. Follow me on Twitter and I'll update you each time I blog. http://twitter.com/JeffTaplin P.S. During the summer break I reserve the right to ramble on about anything and everything!
Showing posts with label Danny Wilson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Danny Wilson. Show all posts
Thursday, 3 March 2011
Tuesday, 4 January 2011
Swindon Town 1 Bournemouth 2 - Catch Up
Charlie Austin cut quite a forlorn figure in the tunnel after the game and he was obviously as frustrated at the way things are going at the County Ground.
Equally, Danny Wilson alluded to the fact that maybe the pressure would ease away from home as the Robins fans become increasingly annoyed. He looked to be proved right by yesterday’s amazing 4-1 win at Charlton and watching Austin score two goals against the Addicks, you could tell that he hadn’t let the Bournemouth defeat eat away at him for too long.
To Bournemouth’s credit though they are a decent side and might well surprise a few people this season and take one of the promotion spots. If that happens, they will find it difficult to hold on to 33 year old manager Eddie Howe in the summer … assuming he doesn’t leave in the next couple of weeks for Burnley, Bristol Rovers or one of the many other vacancies available.
Both of the Cherries goalscorers – skipper Jason Pearce and winger Marc Pugh – told me after the game that they were desperate for Howe to stay and you could feel the camaraderie in the squad – a major asset for a club of this size and with so few resources.
I would bet that Howe will see the campaign through to the end of the season on the south coast and then make his next career move.
Then again, after this performance I would have put money on Swindon slipping towards the trap door at a rate of knots and – as the win against Charlton showed – they have no intention of letting that happen.
Mind you, to ensure League One football next season they are going to have to hold on to Austin as without him it is difficult to see who can weigh in with twenty-plus goals.
Matt Ritchie pulled one back for Swindon before Pearce’s 80th minute overhead winner and even though he also found the net against Charlton – he’s no Charlie Austin.
Austin suffered a very bad injury before his career had even started belatedly fifteen months ago and so knows how fickle this game can be. Would he turn down a move this month to a Championship club? I doubt it and wouldn’t blame him. Could the club turn down an offer of £1 million plus having invested peanuts in acquiring him last year? I doubt that either.
I also doubt that Danny Wilson would be happy with the decision or that he’d survive until the end of the season if the board sold his star striker.
My clipping from the paper
Equally, Danny Wilson alluded to the fact that maybe the pressure would ease away from home as the Robins fans become increasingly annoyed. He looked to be proved right by yesterday’s amazing 4-1 win at Charlton and watching Austin score two goals against the Addicks, you could tell that he hadn’t let the Bournemouth defeat eat away at him for too long.
To Bournemouth’s credit though they are a decent side and might well surprise a few people this season and take one of the promotion spots. If that happens, they will find it difficult to hold on to 33 year old manager Eddie Howe in the summer … assuming he doesn’t leave in the next couple of weeks for Burnley, Bristol Rovers or one of the many other vacancies available.
Both of the Cherries goalscorers – skipper Jason Pearce and winger Marc Pugh – told me after the game that they were desperate for Howe to stay and you could feel the camaraderie in the squad – a major asset for a club of this size and with so few resources.
I would bet that Howe will see the campaign through to the end of the season on the south coast and then make his next career move.
Then again, after this performance I would have put money on Swindon slipping towards the trap door at a rate of knots and – as the win against Charlton showed – they have no intention of letting that happen.
Mind you, to ensure League One football next season they are going to have to hold on to Austin as without him it is difficult to see who can weigh in with twenty-plus goals.
Matt Ritchie pulled one back for Swindon before Pearce’s 80th minute overhead winner and even though he also found the net against Charlton – he’s no Charlie Austin.
Austin suffered a very bad injury before his career had even started belatedly fifteen months ago and so knows how fickle this game can be. Would he turn down a move this month to a Championship club? I doubt it and wouldn’t blame him. Could the club turn down an offer of £1 million plus having invested peanuts in acquiring him last year? I doubt that either.
I also doubt that Danny Wilson would be happy with the decision or that he’d survive until the end of the season if the board sold his star striker.
And the News of the World clipping
Wednesday, 27 October 2010
Wilson praises youngsters – Kids are Alright
A two-all draw won’t be something Swindon chief Danny Wilson will end up being pleased with at most home games this season, but following Alan Sheehan’s sending off, his ten man side fought back twice and he said:
“I have to say that if anyone asks any questions about the character of the team and players, that was on show today. They were absolutely fantastic. You can’t ask for any more than that for commitment and to come back like they did on both occasions was a fantastic credit to them.
It was a very young side that was out there. A very young side. But they’ve shown a lot of maturity today.”
On Rose being put on the bench at the start of the game, Wilson admitted:
“I’m sure he will feel aggrieved, but that’s football. That’s life. You make a decision and that’s it. I just felt it was a home game that was possibly set up for Alan, but it wasn’t to be in the end and it turned out to be Michael’s day with a great delivery for the goal (Austin’s) and a fantastic free kick. Terrific. He’s come off the bench and made an impact and that’s what you hope your substitutes will do.
For their second goal (former Swindon loanee Revell) in particular from Alex it’s Sod’s Law isn’t it? From our point of view we could have done better in that situation, but you have to remember that we were getting very stretched then. The lads aren’t on empty tanks as such, but they are starting to stretch it in wide areas and the length of the pitch as well and so it’ difficult to cover the whole ground with a man less as we did. So you can’t be too critical in that respect. They were trying to get to the ball and scampering a bit, but Alex has got into the near post and just beat us to it.
Even then I would have thought the game was over, but fair credit to the boys to come back as they did really.”
Wilson was especially pleased with the two Swindon goals and said:
“There were two bits of quality and the finishes in both cases. Charlie’s header was terrific . Crikey he got the man-of-the-match today and fully deserved it. Without a doubt he’s worked his tail off today on his own up there. He showed terrific appetite for what we needed at that time and showed great responsibility up there on his own. It was never easy against two uncompromising centre backs and he was rewarded for it. It doesn’t always happen.
The second goal was a definite foul, but you’ve still got to execute it. It’s a good position to be in, but you need the exponent of it and Rosey’s come in and planted bang in the top corner and the keeper’s got no chance.”
The Robins’ boss admitted it hadn’t been a great spectacle to start with and said:
“The first half was a poor first half for both teams. There was nothing much to write home about that to be honest. It was a poor game, but it livened up second half. From the way they’ve set themselves up they’ve come to get a decent result. This result might not be what they expected after we went a man down and they’ve been up twice. So really we can take the confidence from that. The fans want to see players run their socks off and they ran themselves to a stand still. No-one’s in a position to say they didn’t do that today.”
Man-of-the match Austin, 21, netted his 6th goal in ten games and was full of praise for Rose. He said: and the work ethic he’s shown today – he’s be
“He’s the sort of player you want on your side. It was a cracking delivery for my goal and then a great free kick. It’s the sort of thing he does all the time in training.”
“I have to say that if anyone asks any questions about the character of the team and players, that was on show today. They were absolutely fantastic. You can’t ask for any more than that for commitment and to come back like they did on both occasions was a fantastic credit to them.
It was a very young side that was out there. A very young side. But they’ve shown a lot of maturity today.”
On Rose being put on the bench at the start of the game, Wilson admitted:
“I’m sure he will feel aggrieved, but that’s football. That’s life. You make a decision and that’s it. I just felt it was a home game that was possibly set up for Alan, but it wasn’t to be in the end and it turned out to be Michael’s day with a great delivery for the goal (Austin’s) and a fantastic free kick. Terrific. He’s come off the bench and made an impact and that’s what you hope your substitutes will do.
For their second goal (former Swindon loanee Revell) in particular from Alex it’s Sod’s Law isn’t it? From our point of view we could have done better in that situation, but you have to remember that we were getting very stretched then. The lads aren’t on empty tanks as such, but they are starting to stretch it in wide areas and the length of the pitch as well and so it’ difficult to cover the whole ground with a man less as we did. So you can’t be too critical in that respect. They were trying to get to the ball and scampering a bit, but Alex has got into the near post and just beat us to it.
Even then I would have thought the game was over, but fair credit to the boys to come back as they did really.”
Wilson was especially pleased with the two Swindon goals and said:
“There were two bits of quality and the finishes in both cases. Charlie’s header was terrific . Crikey he got the man-of-the-match today and fully deserved it. Without a doubt he’s worked his tail off today on his own up there. He showed terrific appetite for what we needed at that time and showed great responsibility up there on his own. It was never easy against two uncompromising centre backs and he was rewarded for it. It doesn’t always happen.
The second goal was a definite foul, but you’ve still got to execute it. It’s a good position to be in, but you need the exponent of it and Rosey’s come in and planted bang in the top corner and the keeper’s got no chance.”
The Robins’ boss admitted it hadn’t been a great spectacle to start with and said:
“The first half was a poor first half for both teams. There was nothing much to write home about that to be honest. It was a poor game, but it livened up second half. From the way they’ve set themselves up they’ve come to get a decent result. This result might not be what they expected after we went a man down and they’ve been up twice. So really we can take the confidence from that. The fans want to see players run their socks off and they ran themselves to a stand still. No-one’s in a position to say they didn’t do that today.”
Man-of-the match Austin, 21, netted his 6th goal in ten games and was full of praise for Rose. He said: and the work ethic he’s shown today – he’s be
“He’s the sort of player you want on your side. It was a cracking delivery for my goal and then a great free kick. It’s the sort of thing he does all the time in training.”
Monday, 25 October 2010
Swindon Town 2 Leyton Orient 2 – Copper Kettle
After a first half performance that was void of any entertainment, this game came alive with the somewhat dubious sending off of defender Alan Sheehan in the 53rd minute when he slid into tackle Orient striker Scott McGleish.
McGleish got straight up and walked away without a complaint (read his views in tomorrow’s blog), but referee Trevor Kettle reached for the red card - to Sheehan’s obvious horror.
Before that incident no-one in the ground would have put money on a 2-2 draw and I suspect there were a few betting slips with that result written on them being shredded at half time.
Both sides had played with five man midfields and effectively left their respective strikers – McGleish and Charlie Austin – chasing shadows.
Seven minutes after Sheehan had gone for his shower Orient midfielder Matt Spring – the pick of the bunch for me in the first half – picked up a pass from full back Elliott Omozusi on the right and drilled an 18 yard shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net.
Danny Wilson had sacrificed midfielder David Ball – on loan from Manchester City – in the 58th minute for full back Michael Rose. Presumably this was merely an effort to shore up the defence given Sheehan’s absence, but Rose effectively gave Swindon an attacking edge they had lacked for most of the afternoon.
In the 62nd minute Rose picked out striker Austin who glanced home a leveler from 8 yards for his sixth goal in ten games.
Fourteen minutes later Alex Revell – who spent ten games on loan at Swindon last season – nodded in a cross from left back Charlie Daniels, although the angle was so acute, central defender Scott Cuthbert must still be wondering today how the former Southend man had managed to squeeze the ball past him on the near post.
Six minutes before time a free kick was awarded 20 yards out and after a short debate with team mate Jon-Paul McGovern, Rose got his way and stepped up to blast home from 20 yards for his second of the season.
In the press conference after the game Rose, 28, had seemed strangely downbeat iven the fact that he had made one goal and scored another. He said:
“I was really disappointed to be on the bench as you want to play in every game, but it’s something you have to take in football these days and hope the lads get the win while you can’t help them out.
With the free kick (for Austin’s goal) I was just trying to put the ball in a good area. We’ve got players who will attack the ball like Charlie, Sean (Morrison) and Scotty (Cuthbert) so I just try to get the ball in a good area for them really.
Charlie’s like that in training every day. He’s a great goal scorer and I was glad to put the ball where he wanted it.
For the second one J-P asked me whether I wanted it and I said “yeah”. Matty (Ritchie) was sniffing around it as well and so I told him to go away. Other than that it was me and J-P and I fancied it and luckily it went in.
Whoever fancies it on the day will take it. It depends on where the wall is, where the keeper is and whether you’ve spotted something. Having been on for only 30 minutes I wanted the chance to score and did.
Every free kick is different, but then you just have to make your mind up and decide where you want to put it. It probably went in a little bit better than where I wanted it to go and I don’t think I could have got it closer to the top corner.
It’s one of the hardest things to describe when you’ve scored a goal for your club. You’ve pleased all of the fans got a draw for the club, but unfortunately we didn’t go on to win. If things had been different and we’d carried on with eleven men we might have sneaked it and I wouldn’t have come on.
It was a slow game (in the first half) and wasn’t one of the best for the fans, but you get them and now we’ve got to look forward to next week.
When we went down to ten men we just had to stay solid with two banks of four. Charlie was working his socks off up front which he does every week and we just had to work that extra bit harder just to cover the extra space that the other team have got.
I feel I’ve settled in at the club. I really get on with all of the lads.
Obviously we’d prefer to be up there (in the league), but we’re not too far off at the minute. We just need to get back to winning ways. We’ve been a bit stop-start in the league and hopefully we can string a few wins together.”
Regarding the sending off the former Stockport man said:
“I’m going to have to sit on the fence and say I don’t know. Obviously the referee was closer than I was. He thought Shee’s was late. I didn’t think it was a sending off, possibly a booking at most.”
My clipping from this morning's copy of The Sun
The Sun’s football website: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football
McGleish got straight up and walked away without a complaint (read his views in tomorrow’s blog), but referee Trevor Kettle reached for the red card - to Sheehan’s obvious horror.
Before that incident no-one in the ground would have put money on a 2-2 draw and I suspect there were a few betting slips with that result written on them being shredded at half time.
Both sides had played with five man midfields and effectively left their respective strikers – McGleish and Charlie Austin – chasing shadows.
Seven minutes after Sheehan had gone for his shower Orient midfielder Matt Spring – the pick of the bunch for me in the first half – picked up a pass from full back Elliott Omozusi on the right and drilled an 18 yard shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net.
Danny Wilson had sacrificed midfielder David Ball – on loan from Manchester City – in the 58th minute for full back Michael Rose. Presumably this was merely an effort to shore up the defence given Sheehan’s absence, but Rose effectively gave Swindon an attacking edge they had lacked for most of the afternoon.
In the 62nd minute Rose picked out striker Austin who glanced home a leveler from 8 yards for his sixth goal in ten games.
Fourteen minutes later Alex Revell – who spent ten games on loan at Swindon last season – nodded in a cross from left back Charlie Daniels, although the angle was so acute, central defender Scott Cuthbert must still be wondering today how the former Southend man had managed to squeeze the ball past him on the near post.
Six minutes before time a free kick was awarded 20 yards out and after a short debate with team mate Jon-Paul McGovern, Rose got his way and stepped up to blast home from 20 yards for his second of the season.
In the press conference after the game Rose, 28, had seemed strangely downbeat iven the fact that he had made one goal and scored another. He said:
“I was really disappointed to be on the bench as you want to play in every game, but it’s something you have to take in football these days and hope the lads get the win while you can’t help them out.
With the free kick (for Austin’s goal) I was just trying to put the ball in a good area. We’ve got players who will attack the ball like Charlie, Sean (Morrison) and Scotty (Cuthbert) so I just try to get the ball in a good area for them really.
Charlie’s like that in training every day. He’s a great goal scorer and I was glad to put the ball where he wanted it.
For the second one J-P asked me whether I wanted it and I said “yeah”. Matty (Ritchie) was sniffing around it as well and so I told him to go away. Other than that it was me and J-P and I fancied it and luckily it went in.
Whoever fancies it on the day will take it. It depends on where the wall is, where the keeper is and whether you’ve spotted something. Having been on for only 30 minutes I wanted the chance to score and did.
Every free kick is different, but then you just have to make your mind up and decide where you want to put it. It probably went in a little bit better than where I wanted it to go and I don’t think I could have got it closer to the top corner.
It’s one of the hardest things to describe when you’ve scored a goal for your club. You’ve pleased all of the fans got a draw for the club, but unfortunately we didn’t go on to win. If things had been different and we’d carried on with eleven men we might have sneaked it and I wouldn’t have come on.
It was a slow game (in the first half) and wasn’t one of the best for the fans, but you get them and now we’ve got to look forward to next week.
When we went down to ten men we just had to stay solid with two banks of four. Charlie was working his socks off up front which he does every week and we just had to work that extra bit harder just to cover the extra space that the other team have got.
I feel I’ve settled in at the club. I really get on with all of the lads.
Obviously we’d prefer to be up there (in the league), but we’re not too far off at the minute. We just need to get back to winning ways. We’ve been a bit stop-start in the league and hopefully we can string a few wins together.”
Regarding the sending off the former Stockport man said:
“I’m going to have to sit on the fence and say I don’t know. Obviously the referee was closer than I was. He thought Shee’s was late. I didn’t think it was a sending off, possibly a booking at most.”
Yesterday's match report from the News of the World
Monday, 27 September 2010
Swindon Town 1 Huddersfield Town 0 – Man Mountain
Sean Morrison is an exceptional young talent.
As central defenders go he has all it takes to make it to the top, but he’s only 19 years old and while he should enjoy the plaudits after performances like the one he showed against Huddersfield on Saturday, he also has to keep his feet on the ground.
His manager, Danny Wilson, is one person who can – and will - help him to continue to develop his ability so that at some stage he is ready for the next step. His mum and dad are also solid people who can give him wise council and he has plenty of team mates who can give him guidance, but like anyone, his future is ultimately in his own hands.
Fortunately Sean seems to be listening to Wilson and shrugged off speculation linking him with Newcastle, Liverpool and others after the game on Saturday. He said:
“A couple of people I know have gone up to the Premier League and it hasn’t worked out for them for one reason or another. Ben Tozer (who signed for Newcastle at about the same age and has suffered from injuries and been restricted to Toon reserve fixtures) has now signed on loan for Northampton and played really well at Anfield when they won last week.
I’ve signed a contract for another two years and just played my 50th professional game which is a real milestone and I couldn’t be happier.
I’m sure that there are scouts at every game and they watch every player on the pitch, but I’m just focused on keeping clean sheets.”
And that’s the way it should be. The Swindon faithful won't begrudge him a move to a bigger club when the time is right, but he's at the right place now to hone his skills and learn the trade. Because as good as he is, make no mistake, he's still learning.
Keeper David Lucas, 32, played his own part in Swindon’s victory, but praised Morrison saying:
“Sean’s enjoying himself at the moment and you can see it in the way he plays. Last season he had the crutch of knowing Gordon Greer (now at Brighton) would be playing most of the games, but now he knows that he’ll be playing each week and he has risen to it.”
And Morrison himself was quick to recognise central defensive partner Scott Cuthbert who played a big part in the clean sheet. Morrison said:
"I know Scott's a good honest player and always gives 100%. We've developed a good understanding at the moment and long may it continue and there be many more clean sheets to come. We worked hard for it and Alan Sheehan said to me at half time that we couldn't keep creating this many chances and not score."
It was Sheehan's corner that led to Morrison's goal.
When I watch Sean, I think back to Titus Bramble who also had everything at the same age. Physically they are both tall and well built, neither shirks a tackle and they can both spray the ball about the pitch. Sean is even taking the long throws into the opposition boxes at the moment.
However, Bramble’s problem was always his lapses in concentration at the most inopportune moments – and his off field image.
My phone footage of Sean’s winner – the only time I filmed anything during the whole game! I had one of my funny feelings that something was about to happen ... again!!
Away from the County Ground, Sean will have to find his own way just like the rest of us did at his age. He’ll make mistakes and have to work out who is a friend and who is a hanger-on, but he’s smart enough to be able to make the right judgments.
Listening to 606 on the way home on Saturday evening I was stunned to hear Robbie Savage laugh at a caller when they pointed out he was an entertainer, but frankly that’s all ever football has been about. Savage was a good footballer, but lacks perspective.
I hope that Sean retains his – as I’m confident he will - and keeps his feet firmly planted on the ground ... apart from when he needs to head in an injury time winner of course!
My clipping from this morning's copy of The Sun
The Sun’s football website: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football
The Sun’s football website: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football
As central defenders go he has all it takes to make it to the top, but he’s only 19 years old and while he should enjoy the plaudits after performances like the one he showed against Huddersfield on Saturday, he also has to keep his feet on the ground.
His manager, Danny Wilson, is one person who can – and will - help him to continue to develop his ability so that at some stage he is ready for the next step. His mum and dad are also solid people who can give him wise council and he has plenty of team mates who can give him guidance, but like anyone, his future is ultimately in his own hands.
Fortunately Sean seems to be listening to Wilson and shrugged off speculation linking him with Newcastle, Liverpool and others after the game on Saturday. He said:
“A couple of people I know have gone up to the Premier League and it hasn’t worked out for them for one reason or another. Ben Tozer (who signed for Newcastle at about the same age and has suffered from injuries and been restricted to Toon reserve fixtures) has now signed on loan for Northampton and played really well at Anfield when they won last week.
I’ve signed a contract for another two years and just played my 50th professional game which is a real milestone and I couldn’t be happier.
I’m sure that there are scouts at every game and they watch every player on the pitch, but I’m just focused on keeping clean sheets.”
And that’s the way it should be. The Swindon faithful won't begrudge him a move to a bigger club when the time is right, but he's at the right place now to hone his skills and learn the trade. Because as good as he is, make no mistake, he's still learning.
Keeper David Lucas, 32, played his own part in Swindon’s victory, but praised Morrison saying:
“Sean’s enjoying himself at the moment and you can see it in the way he plays. Last season he had the crutch of knowing Gordon Greer (now at Brighton) would be playing most of the games, but now he knows that he’ll be playing each week and he has risen to it.”
And Morrison himself was quick to recognise central defensive partner Scott Cuthbert who played a big part in the clean sheet. Morrison said:
"I know Scott's a good honest player and always gives 100%. We've developed a good understanding at the moment and long may it continue and there be many more clean sheets to come. We worked hard for it and Alan Sheehan said to me at half time that we couldn't keep creating this many chances and not score."
It was Sheehan's corner that led to Morrison's goal.
When I watch Sean, I think back to Titus Bramble who also had everything at the same age. Physically they are both tall and well built, neither shirks a tackle and they can both spray the ball about the pitch. Sean is even taking the long throws into the opposition boxes at the moment.
However, Bramble’s problem was always his lapses in concentration at the most inopportune moments – and his off field image.
As far as concentration is concerned, this is an area that Wilson has been urging Sean to work on and, to be fair, he is listening to his boss. He proved this by frustrating the Huddersfield strikers for more than ninety minutes before nodding in the injury time winner.
My phone footage of Sean’s winner – the only time I filmed anything during the whole game! I had one of my funny feelings that something was about to happen ... again!!
And the BBC's slightly better camera work!
Away from the County Ground, Sean will have to find his own way just like the rest of us did at his age. He’ll make mistakes and have to work out who is a friend and who is a hanger-on, but he’s smart enough to be able to make the right judgments.
Listening to 606 on the way home on Saturday evening I was stunned to hear Robbie Savage laugh at a caller when they pointed out he was an entertainer, but frankly that’s all ever football has been about. Savage was a good footballer, but lacks perspective.
I hope that Sean retains his – as I’m confident he will - and keeps his feet firmly planted on the ground ... apart from when he needs to head in an injury time winner of course!
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
David Prutton - Old Friends
I met up with Former Forest and Leeds midfielder David Prutton after the Swindon game last weekend - a very nice and very genuine guy.
One thing he mentioned that surprised me was the fact that while he’d been talking to clubs in the summer, he had been really impressed with Andy Scott the Brentford manager he scored against in the 40th minute.
“I spoke to Andy in the summer and he’s got a lot of very progressive and good ideas. My agent knows him and so I spoke to him a couple of times about Brentford and what they had to offer. I just thought it wasn’t the right time to go there plus I was really impressed with what Danny had done last year.
I’ve also got a couple of very close friends here in David Lucas and Jonathan Douglas and you don’t often get the chance to play with people you’re good mates with. I’m not just here for sentimental reasons though, they’re both very good players and you want t surround yourselves with good players if you can. I’ve played in teams where I haven’t had that and it’s very hard work.
For example David is one of the best keepers I’ve seen as a reaction shot stopper and he showed that with a save from our defender Sean Morrison against Brentford..
Another reason I joined Swindon was that Danny Wilson likes to get the ball down and play. Sometimes he wants you to play in areas you wouldn’t think of which isn’t always the way, but he’s got a lot of good ideas.”
Listening to David talk about the game, it didn’t stretch my imagination too far to see him working in the broadcast media at some point in the future. He has a quick sense of humour, but also talks well about the game – certainly easier on the ear than Robbie Savage was on 606 as I drove home!
“It’s only three games in and you can’t get too carried away. It’s got the makings of a team that can do something. We need to keep having belief and make sure the fans keep making lots of noise. Football’s a different beast nowadays.
One thing he mentioned that surprised me was the fact that while he’d been talking to clubs in the summer, he had been really impressed with Andy Scott the Brentford manager he scored against in the 40th minute.
“I spoke to Andy in the summer and he’s got a lot of very progressive and good ideas. My agent knows him and so I spoke to him a couple of times about Brentford and what they had to offer. I just thought it wasn’t the right time to go there plus I was really impressed with what Danny had done last year.
I’ve also got a couple of very close friends here in David Lucas and Jonathan Douglas and you don’t often get the chance to play with people you’re good mates with. I’m not just here for sentimental reasons though, they’re both very good players and you want t surround yourselves with good players if you can. I’ve played in teams where I haven’t had that and it’s very hard work.
For example David is one of the best keepers I’ve seen as a reaction shot stopper and he showed that with a save from our defender Sean Morrison against Brentford..
Another reason I joined Swindon was that Danny Wilson likes to get the ball down and play. Sometimes he wants you to play in areas you wouldn’t think of which isn’t always the way, but he’s got a lot of good ideas.”
Listening to David talk about the game, it didn’t stretch my imagination too far to see him working in the broadcast media at some point in the future. He has a quick sense of humour, but also talks well about the game – certainly easier on the ear than Robbie Savage was on 606 as I drove home!
“It’s only three games in and you can’t get too carried away. It’s got the makings of a team that can do something. We need to keep having belief and make sure the fans keep making lots of noise. Football’s a different beast nowadays.
Monday, 23 August 2010
Swindon Town 1 Brentford 1 – Still Searching
My clipping from this morning's copy of The Sun - left - and the same match in The News of the World (links to both papers can be found below)
A score draw in this one, but neither manager will have had a sleepless Saturday night.
Both Danny Wilson and Brentford boss Andy Scott have brought in a few new faces in the summer and so it will take time for them to gel with their new teammates as they both search for their first win. But Scott saw his team chalk up their first point of the season and Wilson must have been encouraged by the marked improvement on Swindon’s first home game of the season – a 2-1 reverse to Brighton.
Brentford took the lead after Robin’s full back Michael Rose failed to connect properly with a header back to keeper David Lucas and striker Charlie MacDonald nipped in the score from a tight angle in the 8th minute. It was a bread and butter goal for someone of MacDonald’s experience, but the 29 year old took it well nevertheless. He said afterwards:
“That’s precisely the reason why you always need to stay sharp on a football pitch. Precisely for occasions like that.”
MacDonald hasn’t set himself any targets this season, but said:
“I’ve done well in the last two and so I’m just looking for more of the same.”
Rose was left with his face buried in the grass - presumably wishing it would swallow him up - but it was just one of those clangers that you see at every level of football from time to time. However, all the more embarrassing if you're a pro.
For the next 30 minutes Rose looked slightly shaky, but then redeemed himself with a hand in David Prutton’s equaliser.
In the 40th minute the former Stockport full back who signed in the summer, launched a long throw to the near post, Sean Morrison headed a looping ball across the face of goal and former Leeds and Forest Prutton nodded in from about two yards for his first Swindon goal.
It was noticeable that while Prutton celebrated with his some of his teammates, Morrison and a couple of the other lads ran over to Rose to pat him on the back.
Morrison himself was immense on Saturday and must have given Wilson food for thought.
The Swindon manager had already stated his intention to try and bring in an established central defender to replace former skipper Gordon Greer - who left for Brighton in the summer - but Morrison certainly staked his claim with a man of the match performance.
However, Morrison 19, has a cool head on his young shoulders. He told me after the game:
“This was my first start since about March and I think I’ve learned a lot in the last year or so. I went out on loan and probably didn’t appreciate what was happening and what it was for, but I’m not the sort of person to throw his toys out of the pram if he doesn’t get picked. Obviously I want to start as many games as I can and I’m ready whenever the gaffer wants me, but I’m only 19 and so I have time on my side and I’ll continue learning.”
Links to The News of the World football website: www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/football/
And The Sun’s football website: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football
Friday, 20 August 2010
Back to the County Ground - The Bird And The Bee
I will be reporting on the League One fixture between Swindon Town and Brentford tomorrow afternoon.
Charlie Austin seems to have picked up where he left off last season and has now scored two goals in two league fixtures, but Swindon have yet to pick up their first win (they also went out of the League Cup to Orient), but these early games are often deceptive and I suspect that many of the new players are still bedding in and Danny Wilson won’t know his best starting eleven for a while yet.
Good to see the Topgo striker Thomas Dossevi get off the mark last weekend against Hartlepool and the result was probably a good one for Swindon given that they had to come back from two goals down against the monkey hangers.
Brentford meanwhile managed to make it through the first round of the League Cup by beating Cheltenham, but have lost both their opening fixtures.
Former Oxford striker Andy Scott now manages the Bees and is sure of a warm Wiltshire welcome given his previous associations, but he really is one of the games good guys and up and coming coaches. Brentford have already been approached by other clubs for his services, but have gamely clung on to him since his appointment back in 2007. He managed to get the West London outfit promoted from League Two in 2009.
Scott suffered a life threatening heart disorder which ended his playing career at Orient in 2005.
Gary Alexander is the only Brentford player to have scored in the league this season (although defender Craig Woodman netted in the Cup) and he may be joined up front by former Newcastle hitman Carl Cort against the Robins.
All in all, this fixture looks like a great opportunity for one of these clubs to kick start the season.
I predict a win by Swindon and a two goal margin ... so that’ll be 0-0 then!
Charlie Austin seems to have picked up where he left off last season and has now scored two goals in two league fixtures, but Swindon have yet to pick up their first win (they also went out of the League Cup to Orient), but these early games are often deceptive and I suspect that many of the new players are still bedding in and Danny Wilson won’t know his best starting eleven for a while yet.
Good to see the Topgo striker Thomas Dossevi get off the mark last weekend against Hartlepool and the result was probably a good one for Swindon given that they had to come back from two goals down against the monkey hangers.
Brentford meanwhile managed to make it through the first round of the League Cup by beating Cheltenham, but have lost both their opening fixtures.
Former Oxford striker Andy Scott now manages the Bees and is sure of a warm Wiltshire welcome given his previous associations, but he really is one of the games good guys and up and coming coaches. Brentford have already been approached by other clubs for his services, but have gamely clung on to him since his appointment back in 2007. He managed to get the West London outfit promoted from League Two in 2009.
Scott suffered a life threatening heart disorder which ended his playing career at Orient in 2005.
Gary Alexander is the only Brentford player to have scored in the league this season (although defender Craig Woodman netted in the Cup) and he may be joined up front by former Newcastle hitman Carl Cort against the Robins.
All in all, this fixture looks like a great opportunity for one of these clubs to kick start the season.
I predict a win by Swindon and a two goal margin ... so that’ll be 0-0 then!
Sunday, 8 August 2010
Swindon Town 1 Brighton & Hove Albion 2 – Glass Spider
New signings David Prutton and Thomas Dossevi get Swindon's season underway
There were so many cobwebs on the County Ground pitch yesterday it must have been an arachnophobe’s worst nightmare.
Despite all that’s said about pre-season games being good for building up sharpness and fitness, the opening day fixture is very often an anti-climax and I’ve found that it usually takes most players a game or two to dust themselves down and get into the swing of things.
Last year, for example, Swindon were stuffed by five goals on the opening day and still made it to the play-off final while eventual champions Norwich had seven put past them in an early fixture.
It’s far too early to make any rash judgments and there’s no need for Danny Wilson to panic just yet. As he pointed out after the game:
“It was disappointing, but I’m too long in the tooth to over-react. It’ll get better though, but there’s plenty of work to be done.”
Personally, I don’t think the Swindon fans will over-react (well apart from the usual mindless minority you find at most clubs). Wilson and his players earned themselves some time and a lot of respect after last year’s run to Wembley. Having said that, I wouldn’t be surprised if they practice passing a fair bit in the coming week. I lost count of the number of hospital balls played by Swindon yesterday afternoon. At one point I wondered whether they had all fallen out with each other at the pre-match lunch.
Several new boys were on show in red.
Thomas Dossevi partnered Charlie Austin up front and, although Austin got his customary goal in the 80th minute (see video below), Dossevi struggled and was substituted at half time. According to Wilson the Togo striker “was shell shocked” after the rough service handed to him by the Brighton boys. Wilson wasn’t whinging and pointed out that it was something the lad “would have to get used to”.
Charlie Austin opens his (and Swindon's) account for the season
David Prutton partnered Jonathan Douglas in midfield and I was surprised that Simon Ferry started on the bench given the understanding he developed with Douglas last season.
Former Forest and Leeds midfielder Prutton put in the effort, but it didn’t quite happen for him on his debut. However, he’s been around too long to let one game bother him. I’m sure that the competition for midfield places will be an interesting one this term and it’ll be fascinating to see whether – as Wilson must hope – it benefits the club.
Fellow debutant Michael Rose looked comfortable at right back and it was the former Stockport man’s free kick that led to Austin’s first of the season.
The remaining new face, David Ball who is on loan from Manchester City, seemed to grow in confidence as the game wore on. Ball reminded me of Danny Ward who played for Swindon on loan last season. Ward started off quietly, but ended up as a key member of the starting eleven at Wembley.
I was sorry to see Sean Morrison on the bench as well yesterday, but both Scott Cuthbert and Lecsinel Jean-Francois played well in the centre of defence and so like Ferry, Morrison will need to bide his time.
Brighton’s boss Gus Poyet couldn’t believe his luck after the game and admitted:
“It was a strange game. I think we played better against Swindon last year and we didn’t get anything. It was a good start though.”
Matt Sparrow scored a brace in his debut following a summer move from Scunthorpe and it was no surprise to anyone when Poyet describe him as “a very happy boy”. His first goal in particular was stunning strike that flew in off the inside of the post from 20 yards and left keeper Phil Smith with no chance.
Sparrow spent eleven years at Scunthorpe and told me that Gus Poyet was the main reason he decided to move to Brighton. Keeper Casper Ankergren also cited Poyet as the reason he turned down lucrative deals in Turkey to join the Seagulls and you have to wonder whether the Poyet factor might see them fighting at the top of the table come next May ... but like I say, it’s too early to make any judgments at this stage.
Friday, 6 August 2010
Let the games commence – Brighton Rock
I’m off to Swindon tomorrow for the League One opener against Brighton and it’ll be interesting to see how the Robins bounce back after their play-off final defeat.
After struggling the previous season, Danny Wilson’s boys did incredibly well to make it to Wembley last term, but will they find this season a little tougher? There’s no doubt that they will have earned the respect of the rest of the division and – while a top two position might be tricky with the likes of Southampton and Charlton trying to get back into the Championship – Swindon have a canny boss at the helm and a decent squad.
One player who they might miss is Billy Paynter who weighed in with 29 goals on the way to the play-off final before joining Leeds in the summer. Then again, the County Ground faithful also worried when Simon Cox left for West Brom one year ago, before Robins' fan Charlie Austin started banging them in.
Swindon’s success might depend on whether Wilson can play a suitable foil up front for Austin. Togo striker Thomas Dossevi has just signed a one year deal and former Stoke City and Pompey hitman Vincent Péricard – who was also on the books of Juventus as a kid – is itching for a run in the side. Personally I think a fit Péricard could more than make up for Paynter, although only if he matches the Scouser’s work ethic.
This might also be the season when young Sean Morrison makes his mark and it wouldn’t surprise me if he isn’t being linked with a few bigger clubs by the end of the season if he knuckles down and plays to his potential. He’s only 19 years old and still learning his trade, but has all the attributes needed by a central defender. If he keeps focused, he gets the chances and the crowd cut him a little slack, he could quite easily fill the void left by former skipper Gordon Greer who – along with manager Gus Poyet and Slovak keeper Peter Brezovan - returns with his new employers tomorrow afternoon.
Simon Ferry has also signed from Celtic after spending last season on loan at the Robins and along with Jonathan Douglas and Jon Paul McGovern, was an outstanding and consistent performer on the way the Wembley.
In goal both David Lucas and Phil Smith can do a good job at this level and seem to have had the confidence of their defenders last season. There’s no reason why that shouldn’t continue.
Danny Wilson has brought in a few new faces during the summer and if anyone can get them to gel, it’s him. Wilson has been around the block and has earned the right to be backed by the fans and the board.
I’m tipping the Robins for a top six finish this season and wouldn’t be surprised if local neighbours Bristol Rovers join them. A play-off final meeting? What a great day out at Wembley that would be. Does North London stock enough cider to cope?
After struggling the previous season, Danny Wilson’s boys did incredibly well to make it to Wembley last term, but will they find this season a little tougher? There’s no doubt that they will have earned the respect of the rest of the division and – while a top two position might be tricky with the likes of Southampton and Charlton trying to get back into the Championship – Swindon have a canny boss at the helm and a decent squad.
One player who they might miss is Billy Paynter who weighed in with 29 goals on the way to the play-off final before joining Leeds in the summer. Then again, the County Ground faithful also worried when Simon Cox left for West Brom one year ago, before Robins' fan Charlie Austin started banging them in.
Swindon’s success might depend on whether Wilson can play a suitable foil up front for Austin. Togo striker Thomas Dossevi has just signed a one year deal and former Stoke City and Pompey hitman Vincent Péricard – who was also on the books of Juventus as a kid – is itching for a run in the side. Personally I think a fit Péricard could more than make up for Paynter, although only if he matches the Scouser’s work ethic.
This might also be the season when young Sean Morrison makes his mark and it wouldn’t surprise me if he isn’t being linked with a few bigger clubs by the end of the season if he knuckles down and plays to his potential. He’s only 19 years old and still learning his trade, but has all the attributes needed by a central defender. If he keeps focused, he gets the chances and the crowd cut him a little slack, he could quite easily fill the void left by former skipper Gordon Greer who – along with manager Gus Poyet and Slovak keeper Peter Brezovan - returns with his new employers tomorrow afternoon.
Simon Ferry has also signed from Celtic after spending last season on loan at the Robins and along with Jonathan Douglas and Jon Paul McGovern, was an outstanding and consistent performer on the way the Wembley.
In goal both David Lucas and Phil Smith can do a good job at this level and seem to have had the confidence of their defenders last season. There’s no reason why that shouldn’t continue.
Danny Wilson has brought in a few new faces during the summer and if anyone can get them to gel, it’s him. Wilson has been around the block and has earned the right to be backed by the fans and the board.
I’m tipping the Robins for a top six finish this season and wouldn’t be surprised if local neighbours Bristol Rovers join them. A play-off final meeting? What a great day out at Wembley that would be. Does North London stock enough cider to cope?
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