Shame today's game didn't beat the weather conditions but a small consolation is that we haven't picked up any injuries and the players will go into Tuesdays semi final 2nd leg against Barnet well rested. Although we didn't play particularly well in 1st leg I was a bit surprised how well Barnet played and actually seemed up for it a little more than we did. There is obviously a big incentive for both teams with the final played at Wembley but I think if we can put in a real hard working display and play with our normal confidence the whole club and all us supporters will be rewarded with a day out in the Capital. Thoughts please?
Semi final 2nd leg
posted on 6/2/12
I have a sneaky feeling Barnet are going to nick it, really don't know why. Barnet will come here, get men behind the ball and deffend, deffend, deffend and try and hit us on the break. No doubt they would also settle for penalties at this point.
My football head says our Swindon boys will be buzzing and on top form. If this is the case then we should batter them!
It will be a close game and I think Barnet will be a bit nervous coming into the game as they will want it so much. So do we but I think we're more capable of dealing with that pressure.
Would like to see a crowd of 8-90000 but unsure.
Prediction
Swindon Town 2-0 Barnet
posted on 6/2/12
It's a difficult one to predict as its a semi final and one off games can be strange affairs. Because we have been playing attacking football and scoring goals it should suit us better. If we do get a goal or two ahead Barnet will have to come at us which will suit us much better. If we can deal with the long direct balls into Mc Leod we should get the win and not allow the game to go to penalties. Really looking forward to it and it looks like tickets are selling well and wouldn't be surprised to see around 10,000 there.
posted on 6/2/12
Couldn't agree more. Mcleod is the main threat, if we can prevent him getting the ball then we should win the game. Best way to sort out Mcleod is to press their back 4 and man mark their play makers. This way Barnet will struggle to get him on the ball and he'll get fustrated.
We obviously want to get the ball out down the flanks and stretch them. Hopfully we'll break them down. Of course an early goal for the Town would be perfect. They'd have no option but to attack.
Trying to predict the line-up is a hard task. But I'll give it a go.
Foderingham, Caddis, Devera, McCormack, Kennedy, Ritchie, Ferry, Smith, De Vita, Connell and Benson.
Subs: Cibbochi, Magera, Risser, Cox and Boateng
posted on 6/2/12
Big Tackle,
We have only one F' in defence. Got to be Caddis, Devera, Mac & Kennedy. The others, perm any 6 from 12!
posted on 6/2/12
Seems the team didn't get the day off on Saturday. PDC had them doing a work out indoors all Saturday afternoon, and really put them through it at some indoor sports centre.
On the positive side I have been in touch with the club today and barring an absolute plummet in temperatures it seems that the game will be on for Tuesday night. A lot of hard work went into getting the pitch ready for Saturdays game but they were let down by equipment. Big Shame given the effort put in, while many other clubs did naff all.
The bad news is that Flint is out for the rest of the season, but at least we have replacements and this young lad Boateng on loan from Arsenal, wonder if he is related to George Boateng, now he didn't take any prisoners did he !!!
posted on 6/2/12
A lot of Barnet fans are quite confident of getting to the final and looking at the form guide the game is set to be a real do or die semi. Both sides will have to make squad day changes due to players being cup tied and loan players being signed to late but I'm confident Paolo will pick the right team as he so often has this season. Im going for a 3-1 win on the night so making it 4-2 on aggregate.
posted on 8/2/12
Not a classic but a massive win all the same. Thought we played below our normal high standards but with a big prize at stake the fans seem to be more nervous than the players, you could see that at the final whistle with the mini pitch invasion and thousands of relieved and smiling faces hard luck to Barnet who had done extremely well to get that far and kept themselves in with a chance right to the end. Some fans have not and may never get to see their team play in a Wembley final and most lower league players won't get to play in one so I'm sure the whole club and supporters will enjoy the day then go for the biggest prize of all, promotion.