THE VIC MORGAN COLUMN (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Great shout on Charlie vic, many jealous fans would rather he fail and give abuse to a legend than rather wish like me and you that he goes to a top premiership side and we reape a great sell before new year so we can use the money to bring in better players than we have.
After all Moses to Chelsea for 9 million?
Also as for threatening fans and players. These people should be banned for life.have your say opinion
And then get back to what we all want championship football.
Onwards and upwards.

I remember when Charlie first came to Swindon. I went to see him play some reserve games, expecting to see another overhyped player of promise - I soon saw how wrong such an assessment would be. Instead, I saw a player who could "ghost" into spaces and with two very, quick, very deadly feet that reminded so much of the great Jimmy Greaves.

Let's hope his talent continues to blossom, resulting in a future, very profitable "windfall" for the Town.

Peter Eastoe great player - can't remember if he came from QPR or went there after - scored goals for fun.
If my memory serves me right - wore these lucky football boots that were held to together with gaffer tape - refused to change them.

Chish and Fips, he went to QPR, we signed him from Wolves following a loan spell with us. Used to love watching him slide down on his knees in front of the Town End after he scored, up there with Duncan Shearer and others.
Think we'll get 20 percent for any Austin sell on fee? does anybody know if or what the sell fee deal is we got with Simon Cox after he left WBA to sign for Forest please.

Didn't Eastoe score a hat trick on his debut ? what a player indeed, still not as good as Don though

No hat trick for Eastoe on his debut the way I remember it. Perhaps you are confusing him with Alan Mayes. Sam Parkin did it too.

Eastoe went to QPR in the same deal that brought Don Rogers back.

Eastoe scored a screamer with a volley from outside the box on his first game on loan for Town against Carlisle down the Stratton bank, they decided to take him out after that and he went off injured.
Correct Eastoe went to QPR in the deal that brought Don back to the club.
Ray Tracey thoughts on him as a striker for the Town didnt we sell him to WBA in the end?

Marmite Soldier wrote:
No hat trick for Eastoe on his debut the way I remember it. Perhaps you are confusing him with Alan Mayes. Sam Parkin did it too.

Eastoe went to QPR in the same deal that brought Don Rogers back.

No hat trick but I'm pretty sure he got 2 on his debut on loan from Wolves. Did he go from QPR to Everton? Definitely one of my all time Town favourites, probably fourth, after Don Rogers, Shaun Taylor and Charlie Austin.

Oi Den! wrote:

Marmite Soldier wrote:
No hat trick for Eastoe on his debut the way I remember it. Perhaps you are confusing him with Alan Mayes. Sam Parkin did it too.

Eastoe went to QPR in the same deal that brought Don Rogers back.

No hat trick but I'm pretty sure he got 2 on his debut on loan from Wolves. Did he go from QPR to Everton? Definitely one of my all time Town favourites, probably fourth, after Don Rogers, Shaun Taylor and Charlie Austin.

Giving my age away a bit, if I throw Mike Summerbee into the pot as well.

Sir Don though by far top of the list.

You were very lucky you had to miss this game, Vic! It was truly diabolical. I have never seen so many passes straight to the opposition - only matched by the number of aimless punts up the pitch. Difficult to believe this is the team that beat stoke, Brighton and Burnley!

While Vic touched on the Michael Rose situation, we should remember that we used his free lick ability well while he was here. Again, nobody on the near post, so I hope that Wes learns well from that. No doubt if Caddis had been in the team he would have remembered Rose's skill on the dead ball and things may have been different, never mind, lets learn from it and move on. Also remember and learn the way C'chester groomed the ref quietly before the kick was taken, and he then paced out 10 steps, blew and wallop, ball was in the net. We need to learn from these moves other sides employ.

Moving on, Eastoe was class, and what good balance we had in the team in those days. I'd love to hear the comments Bert Head and Danny Williams would have on todays set-up.
Interesting no doubt.

We all speak fondly of those days, Rogers, Eastoe, Horsfield, Smart, Thomas and so on, I just wonder how many of todays guys will be as so revered in the years to come, Wes quite possibly and of course Ritchie and maybe Ferry. Austin may get the odd mention, but perhaps more for notoriety as opposed to goal scoring.

Our recent game at Stoke proved to be worth of memory lane but the away game at Leeds and the 0-3 scoreline will live long in many memories as perhaps the high point of those Wilson years. Lets face it, we thought we were bang on for going up......... its worth a thought , and a parallel to days situation perhaps.........
.

Wiz, "Colchester groomed the ref"? Come on! Players speak to referees all the time, and it usually gets them nowhere - except perhaps into the book. Are you seriously suggesting that Cochester scored because they spoke to the ref? They scored because there were three consecutive c0ck-ups. Lousy defending by Archibald-Henville when he had all the time in the world to make a decent clearance, a handball by Bessone and a wall that might as well not have been there. I read reports that Rose curled his shot in. Diddy Eckerslike! He knocked it straight through the big gap between the wall and the near post. Awful, truly awful. Colchester fully deserved their win. As much as I was willing us on to get an equaliser in the last few minutes, I was starting to feel embarrassed at the prospect. It would have been an absolute travesty if we'd got a point out of that game.

And Wiz, why would Austin only be remembered occasionally for his notoriety, rather than his goalscoring, when most of us know him only as a fantastic striker? Who knows whether the rest of the stuff is true? All I know is that too many people want to believe it's true because it suits their agenda of jealousy and pique.

Chish and Fips wrote:

Oi Den! wrote:

Marmite Soldier wrote:
No hat trick for Eastoe on his debut the way I remember it. Perhaps you are confusing him with Alan Mayes. Sam Parkin did it too.

Eastoe went to QPR in the same deal that brought Don Rogers back.

No hat trick but I'm pretty sure he got 2 on his debut on loan from Wolves. Did he go from QPR to Everton? Definitely one of my all time Town favourites, probably fourth, after Don Rogers, Shaun Taylor and Charlie Austin.

Giving my age away a bit, if I throw Mike Summerbee into the pot as well.

Sir Don though by far top of the list.

Ah Yes I remember it well!! What great times they were as well under that great manager Bert Head! Anyone remember what that great Centre Half Macpherson's Christian name is. Not much got past him in the air. A great header of the ball. Flinty reminds me of him.

Baritone wrote:
I remember when Charlie first came to Swindon. I went to see him play some reserve games, expecting to see another overhyped player of promise - I soon saw how wrong such an assessment would be. Instead, I saw a player who could "ghost" into spaces and with two very, quick, very deadly feet that reminded so much of the great Jimmy Greaves.

Let's hope his talent continues to blossom, resulting in a future, very profitable "windfall" for the Town.

Yep, i cant help but look to see if he has played scored and it seems nearly every time he plays he bags a goal or three,not being one of the rumour mongering Austin haters i also want to see him continue to move forward with his career.I wish Charlie all the best and hope this season is his last in the championship,after he finishes top scorer.

Den,

Perhaps I should have put it in inverted commas. Three of their guys stood in a quiet huddle with the ref and there "appeared" to be again a quiet emphasis on the ten yards. That done the ref walked out ten paces, nodded and blew the whistle. That is what we saw sat in the DR with a clear view. I don't think there was anything improper, but fast forward towards the end of the game, STFC had a free kick awarded which Jay took. The C'chester player was definitely not back anywhere near ten yards, and as a consequence the ball didn't rise enough to clear the player and bounced off him, hence it never got into the box.

My point has been for a long time with refs, if they blow for the foul, it is their duty to ensure players are back ten yards. If they don't want to do that then why blow for the foul if they are only prepared to do half the job.

Changing subject slightly , a mate of mine who was not impressed with the long ball tactics counted that in the second half we pumped up 30 high balls to the strikers between the half way line and the Colchester penalty area. Of these the giant Colchester defenders won 26 of the 30 challenges.

So that would imply

a) This is not the best tactic for our current forwards and wingers and is not playing to their strengths. For my money Collins, Benson and A Rooney are too alike.

b) Last year we played the ball around through the middle, on the floor. So our plan A which worked very nicely is being changed on occasions to a plan B - long ball.

c) Maybe the fact this wasn't working could have been spotted and addressed during the Colchester game - back to plan A or maybe a plan C (Bostock) or plan D (3 at the back)

d) If we persist with longball plan B we may need a bigger stronger centre forward to play alongside Williams?

Have to agree Wilesy, we have never really had much success out of the long ball game, all we are doing is giving away possession for the other side to poke it back at us. Well done to your mate for running the numbers. I would have thought that experience would have told us we are no good at the long ball game, but nobody wanted the ball. The way C'chester and Orient have took our game apart will surely lead to others doing the same, so this is something we need to learn to deal with.

the wizard wrote:
While Vic touched on the Michael Rose situation, we should remember that we used his free lick ability well while he was here. Again, nobody on the near post, so I hope that Wes learns well from that. No doubt if Caddis had been in the team he would have remembered Rose's skill on the dead ball and things may have been different, never mind, lets learn from it and move on. Also remember and learn the way C'chester groomed the ref quietly before the kick was taken, and he then paced out 10 steps, blew and wallop, ball was in the net. We need to learn from these moves other sides employ. Moving on, Eastoe was class, and what good balance we had in the team in those days. I'd love to hear the comments Bert Head and Danny Williams would have on todays set-up. Interesting no doubt. We all speak fondly of those days, Rogers, Eastoe, Horsfield, Smart, Thomas and so on, I just wonder how many of todays guys will be as so revered in the years to come, Wes quite possibly and of course Ritchie and maybe Ferry. Austin may get the odd mention, but perhaps more for notoriety as opposed to goal scoring. Our recent game at Stoke proved to be worth of memory lane but the away game at Leeds and the 0-3 scoreline will live long in many memories as perhaps the high point of those Wilson years. Lets face it, we thought we were bang on for going up......... its worth a thought , and a parallel to days situation perhaps......... .

To be honest you can't blame Colchester for wanting to make sure the wall was back ten yards - we can blame the dubious positioning of the wall for the goal going in though. I thought Colchester played to their strengths and deserved the win.

the wizard wrote:
Have to agree Wilesy, we have never really had much success out of the long ball game, all we are doing is giving away possession for the other side to poke it back at us. Well done to your mate for running the numbers. I would have thought that experience would have told us we are no good at the long ball game, but nobody wanted the ball. The way C'chester and Orient have took our game apart will surely lead to others doing the same, so this is something we need to learn to deal with.

Agree Wiz. The long ball game is normally employed by teams who recognise that they won't get anywhere by trying to play it on the deck. We are supposed to have a squad comprised of high quality footballers - for this level anyway - so WTF was going on on Tuesday?

The adver reported we got £48k for Cox's move to Forest
.
That seems about right as he went for £2m meaning he left us for £1.6m
.
20% of that £400k is 80k and we then had to give Reading 40% of that leaving us £48k
.
We need Austin to move on for at least £4m to give us a nice bumper payday
.
Don't think Poole would have negotiated a sell on on the sell on like Reading did - so we would get the full 20% (around £500k)

Rumour I heard was that Austin is going to Newcastle for £6m in January.

tobruk wrote:

Chish and Fips wrote:

Oi Den! wrote:

Marmite Soldier wrote:
No hat trick for Eastoe on his debut the way I remember it. Perhaps you are confusing him with Alan Mayes. Sam Parkin did it too.

Eastoe went to QPR in the same deal that brought Don Rogers back.

No hat trick but I'm pretty sure he got 2 on his debut on loan from Wolves. Did he go from QPR to Everton? Definitely one of my all time Town favourites, probably fourth, after Don Rogers, Shaun Taylor and Charlie Austin.

Giving my age away a bit, if I throw Mike Summerbee into the pot as well.

Sir Don though by far top of the list.

Ah Yes I remember it well!! What great times they were as well under that great manager Bert Head! Anyone remember what that great Centre Half Macpherson's Christian name is. Not much got past him in the air. A great header of the ball. Flinty reminds me of him.

Tobruk - was it Ken MacPherson - a no frills, no nonsense player.

That would be fantastic if true about Austin - as we would get nearly another £1m to strengthen our side in Jan!
.
Or just sure up the balance sheet
.
Wonder which PdC will want ;)

Picked my Villa tickets up after lunch, today, about 2700 sold on first two days. Players all leaving training at about 1.30, Expect them to be on a coach to Manchester (Bury) by tomorrow afternoon, hope the weather holds as heard they have a small problem with their drainage.

London Red wrote:
That would be fantastic if true about Austin - as we would get nearly another £1m to strengthen our side in Jan!
.
Or just sure up the balance sheet
.
Wonder which PdC will want ;)

But LR, don't you think the board/investors will spend whatever they (on PDC's request) think is necessary - within reason - in January to strengthen the side anyway? I get the sense that they are determined there will be another strong promotion challenge this season.
.
Top priorities for me would be a box-to-box midfielder (although that could be McCormack) and a central defender. If our strikers get decent service, we'll be fine in that department.
.
By the way, it's "shore"!

Oi Den! wrote:

London Red wrote:
That would be fantastic if true about Austin - as we would get nearly another £1m to strengthen our side in Jan!
.
Or just sure up the balance sheet
.
Wonder which PdC will want ;)

But LR, don't you think the board/investors will spend whatever they (on PDC's request) think is necessary - within reason - in January to strengthen the side anyway? I get the sense that they are determined there will be another strong promotion challenge this season.
.
Top priorities for me would be a box-to-box midfielder (although that could be McCormack) and a central defender. If our strikers get decent service, we'll be fine in that department.
.
By the way, it's "shore"!

Blimey I hope your right Den!that the board/investors will spend whatever PDC thinks is necessary to mount a strong promotion push?got me doubts on that statement!that goal machine called Austin is destined for the prem!if Rhodes is worth £8m,Charlie's got to be worth at least £6m,wonder how long Burnley can hold on to him?????????

I'm with Don here - they have a budget and a wage cap to keep to and won't simply go over it in case it back fires and we are stuck in L1 again
.
Granted if the right person came along they will spend as we have seen in the past - but not so sure PdC will get a free run like last year
.
An extra £1m though boosts both the amount to spend on transfer fees but more importantly also give an extra 600k in wages to stay within the cap
.
Thats an extra 11k a week!!!!!
.
I personally think its still too early to say what we need as so many current players could become what we need
.
RB seemed to be looking like a high priority -but Thompson has dampened the need so much there
.
Ward looked solid enough to me at Pompy and others have said he has been fine in his other games (bar Pox)
.
So he may be our CB answer alongside Troy or Flint rather than Macca?
.
That then could free Macca up to be the box-to-box midfielder as suggested
.
Then again Coke looks like he has the potential to do that role as he has a great engine - just needs to learn the role a bit
.
Or we may change system and bring Bostock in like towards the end of last year - meaning box-to-box is less of a need as we are technically playing 5 in the middle
.
Navarro can do the donkey work, Miller/Fwerry play making and Bostock linking with the attack
.
Or Ferry may jsut break in like last year around November time - stay there and we are fine with a 442???

the don69 wrote:

Oi Den! wrote:

London Red wrote: That would be fantastic if true about Austin - as we would get nearly another £1m to strengthen our side in Jan! . Or just sure up the balance sheet . Wonder which PdC will want ;)

But LR, don't you think the board/investors will spend whatever they (on PDC's request) think is necessary - within reason - in January to strengthen the side anyway? I get the sense that they are determined there will be another strong promotion challenge this season. . Top priorities for me would be a box-to-box midfielder (although that could be McCormack) and a central defender. If our strikers get decent service, we'll be fine in that department. . By the way, it's "shore"!

Blimey I hope your right Den!that the board/investors will spend whatever PDC thinks is necessary to mount a strong promotion push?got me doubts on that statement!that goal machine called Austin is destined for the prem!if Rhodes is worth £8m,Charlie's got to be worth at least £6m,wonder how long Burnley can hold on to him?????????

There's an argument that Austin is worth more than Rhodes - after all he is young and is now proven Championship whereas Rhodes was only proven League 1.....

I smell ££££ for Swindon here, especially if he keeps the scoring record going to Christmas. Hot property....

Chish and Fips wrote:

tobruk wrote:

Chish and Fips wrote:

Oi Den! wrote:

Marmite Soldier wrote:
No hat trick for Eastoe on his debut the way I remember it. Perhaps you are confusing him with Alan Mayes. Sam Parkin did it too.

Eastoe went to QPR in the same deal that brought Don Rogers back.

No hat trick but I'm pretty sure he got 2 on his debut on loan from Wolves. Did he go from QPR to Everton? Definitely one of my all time Town favourites, probably fourth, after Don Rogers, Shaun Taylor and Charlie Austin.

Giving my age away a bit, if I throw Mike Summerbee into the pot as well.

Sir Don though by far top of the list.

Ah Yes I remember it well!! What great times they were as well under that great manager Bert Head! Anyone remember what that great Centre Half Macpherson's Christian name is. Not much got past him in the air. A great header of the ball. Flinty reminds me of him.

Tobruk - was it Ken MacPherson - a no frills, no nonsense player.

Thanks Chish and Fips, yes, Ken Macpherson. BTW Bert Heads son David was player manager at Trowbridge for a time, Terry Woollen also played in defence for Trowbridge after he retired from Swindon Town. Still retained his magic.