Swindon Town Vs Bradford City

[F!RTHY]

Going by Twitter and social media as a whole, this is turning into a bit of a grudge match, what with the whole Doyle debacle.

Anyway, one thing is for certain, Doyle ain’t playing; which means they need to find a goal from someone other then Doyle. Which could prove difficult, considering Doyle has 23 of the 45 goals Swindon have scored. Take Doyle’s goals out, and Swindon have scored the same amount as Macclesfield Town.

Anyway, the sooner this Doyle thing is wrapped up, the better.

We’ve stuck with 3-5-2 for abit so I can’t see us changing it.

Although I would much prefer us to line up like so:

GK: Richard O’Donnell

RB: Adam Henley
CB: Paudie O’connor
CB: Anthony O’connor
LB: Conor Wood

RW: Zeli Ismael
CM: Jake Reeves
CM: Matty Palmer
LW: Dylan Connolly

ST: James Vaughan
ST: Eoin Doyle......I mean, Arimide Oteh

No idea what to expect but I would probably take a draw.

 

[Agombar stool]

*Sigh* "Take Doyle’s goals out, and Swindon have scored the same amount as Macclesfield Town.

Its just not that straight forward though is it? Take Doyle out of those matches and who is to say that A N Other wouldn't have scored those goals?

We, as a team create chances. Of course Mr Doyle has been clinical when he is presented with his but that's not to say we aren't going to be potent without him. Clearly I would rather have him in the side as he seems to thrive on the way we play as it suits him but I'm fairly confident that we have enough to win tomorrow. That said, I've no real idea who will play in Doyle's place, possibly Yates (who has 10 goals).

What I do agree with is that this grudge match thing is a nonsense. I have absolutely nothing against Bradford at all. I hope it doesn't spill over into anything more than twitter twatter.

As for the game, I'm pretty sure Bradford won't come for 3 points and are likely to try and soak up pressure. Can we unlock them? Hopefully we'll score early and force Bradford out. Otherwise it could get attritional. The winners tomorrow will take away a massive 3 points.

My prediction, 1-0 home win.

 

[F!RTHY]

*Sigh* "Take Doyle’s goals out, and Swindon have scored the same amount as Macclesfield Town.

Its just not that straight forward though is it? Take Doyle out of those matches and who is to say that A N Other wouldn't have scored those goals?

Very much a case of if’s, but’s and maybe’s. Who else could you have possibly signed to cover the goals Doyle has scored - for the pittance you have paid for them?

 

[Agombar stool]

Very much a case of if’s, but’s and maybe’s. Who else could you have possibly signed to cover the goals Doyle has scored - for the pittance you have paid for them?

The pre-season rumour was we were looking at Danny Hylton. Would he have scored the goals Doyle has? Who knows, its complete conjecture anyway.

 

[F!RTHY]

The pre-season rumour was we were looking at Danny Hylton. Would he have scored the goals Doyle has? Who knows, its complete conjecture anyway.

Exactly. He won’t have scored 23 goals in however many games.

Once Doyle comes back, you’ll drop like a stone.

 

[Agombar stool]

Exactly. He won’t have scored 23 goals in however many games.

Once Doyle comes back, you’ll drop like a stone.

I'm not so sure he will be coming back, rumours that we have agreed a permanent deal, so more than happy to agree to disagree. As you said in your OP, all parties will be happy when this Doyle saga is over!!

 

[F!RTHY]

Anyway, more of the same:

 

[LS Bantam]

It’s online guff like this trying to create some none existent rivalry to describe tomorrow as a ‘grudge match’. Literally no one from either Swindon or Bradford cares less for the other and the Doyle situation is nothing more than a side note.
His goal scoring has been a freak which few would have genuinely predicted in August (good on him btw), and who he plays for on 1st Feb will realistically come down to money as much as anything.
To the game, the 532 (with wingbacks) which has crippled us offensively I reckon will be used again, when Bowyer finally went to 442 on Wednesday (and we scored soon after, shock), the hope would be to stick with that formation but I think given the opposition and playing away he’ll go for the defensive 5 at the back and we’ll likely see very few scoring opportunities.
3-0 home win given Swindon’s superior creativity.

 

[Indian Dan]

Christ, this Doyle nonsense is getting out of hand. If he goes, thanks for firing us to the top of the league.

I doubt very much that if he stays he’ll continue to score at a goal a game ratio. He’ll do nothing for Bradford if he returns. Who wants a player who doesn’t want to play for you?

If recalling him prevents you from recruiting, maybe, another couple of players, is that a benefit.
I’d imagine the thinking at Bradford is ‘We’ve not played well, we’re just outside the autos anyway, we’ve got players coming back from injury, let’s recruit 2 top players and we’ve got a great chance.’

 

[HutchECFC]

Surely if they were going to recall him, they would have done it by now?

If he does get recalled, can he play for Bradford against Swindon?

 

[Big Bird]

As with most things football, the Doyle story is starting to grate and hopefully it's sorted ASAP. You'd hope some news will come out pre or post match tomorrow. The last thing we need is to get to the end of January and nobody still knows what's going on potentially leaving us with a couple of days to replace a lethal striker. We're far from a one man team but he's been the difference maker in a number of games and won't be easy to replace if necessary.

I fancy the draw tomorrow in a tight game. 1-1.

 

[Neilo G]

Surely if they were going to recall him, they would have done it by now?

If he does get recalled, can he play for Bradford against Swindon?

The mid-season review date isn't until next week so it's likely to get sorted during next week.
So he's unavailable to play for either team tomorrow.

The general vibe up here is it's more that likely he'll return but that could still change.
I think everyone will be glad when it's sorted so everyone can move on including the player.

 

[Agombar stool]

Surely if they were going to recall him, they would have done it by now?

If he does get recalled, can he play for Bradford against Swindon?

Apparently the break clause is after the Bradford game so we should know either way next week I guess.

If he runs on the pitch and does a knee slide in front of the Town End after the full time whistle (assuming we have won of course) then I think we'll know if he's staying with us or signing permanently.

Alternatively if he applauds the travelling Bradford fans in the Arkells after the game, we know he'll be going back.

If I was a betting man, I would put money on him doing neither.

 

[Indian Dan]

He’s made it perfectly clear he doesn’t want to go back to Bradford. If they want to play hardball and make him then good luck with paying him the full £5k a week for 6 months, missing out on a probable transfer fee from us, and having a very unhappy player back at VP.

 

[LS Bantam]

‘Play hard ball’, he’s a Bradford City player who signed a two year contract here and we still pay thousands of pounds to him, he can honour that professionally as a minimum. The recall can’t happen until after the game and there’s a confidentiality agreement that it can’t be spoken about (although Wellens has mentioned it today), Bowyer has been in contact with Doyle throughout the loan and our chairman is discussing bringing him back as per his programme notes the other day.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

For purely financial/gambling reasons I need him to go back to Bradford City as I have them on a season long bet to win the title.

But for purely footballing reasons he needs to stay at Swindon where he can enjoy good attacking football and scoring lots and lots of goals

 

[redjed]

For purely financial/gambling reasons I need him to go back to Bradford City as I have them on a season long bet to win the title.

But for purely footballing reasons he needs to stay at Swindon where he can enjoy good attacking football and scoring lots and lots of goals

Nothing like sitting on the fence

 

[redjed]

I think we have lost Doyle, the way he jumped into the crowd after scoring at Plymouth, was imo him saying goodbye to our fans.

 

[LS Bantam]

*footballer in celebrating goal shocker*

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Not sitting on fence , I want the base money. Get him back to Bratfud they need his goalscoring charms

 

[F!RTHY]

Probably wouldn’t even get in our team once Donaldson’s back!

 

[Agombar stool]

On a serious note we’ll be wearing our third kit today for the Motor Neurone Disease charity that Stephen Darby is involved in. We also have 300 limited edition shirts currently being sold in the club shop, all money raised going to the charity.

Stephen Darby is also going to be there today. I hope he has a fantastic day and loads of money is raised.

 

[Big Bird]

Hid behind my sofa as he slotted away that penalty against Charlton to take us to Wembley. Always a hero in my eyes.

Such a shocking illness.

 

[denzel ecfc]

I think I want Swindon to win today. I'm not one of those who is desperate to win the title, promotion is the only priority for me and Bradford are a real threat to pipping us to an automatic spot.
It's a rare chance for us to relax and look at other results today.

 

[F!RTHY]

I think I want Swindon to win today. I'm not one of those who is desperate to win the title, promotion is the only priority for me and Bradford are a real threat to pipping us to an automatic spot.
It's a rare chance for us to relax and look at other results today.

There’s plenty of space for us both in the auto’s, when Swindon tumble down the league due to their loanees going back.

 

[Boletus Edulis]

*footballer in celebrating goal shocker*

You were not there. The way he literally launched himself serveral seats back was rather unusual. I and those around me noted it. Does not mean he is leaving, but it was an exuberant celebration that could have been a goodbye.

 

[Agombar stool]

doesn’t sound like a game that will live long in the memory banks. Cracking equaliser by Bradford. Would have taken a draw before the game but to be close to 3 points is frustrated. That said apparently we were crap today so not too downbeat.

 

[Indian Dan]

Poor game. Bradford were pants. If they had any ambition they could have won that with us having half a team out.

No wonder their fans are moaning about Bowyer having to watch that turgid crap week in week out.

Pleased with a point.

 

[JJ1532]

Now that this game is over with and these 2 don't play each other again, will we see a Doyle resolution sometime next week? Say, before Saturday?

 

[Agombar stool]

Now that this game is over with and these 2 don't play each other again, will we see a Doyle resolution sometime next week? Say, before Saturday?

Simple answer is that only Richie Wellens and Gary Bowyer (and I guess Doyle himself) know this.

As for next week, Fryers (CB) went off injured and Lydon got sent off. Our squad is now severely being tested after a long Christmas and New Year run of games.

I’m going next week, not particularly looking forward to it now.