Swindon Town – now there’s a team I have mixed feelings about. Once upon a time, of course, they meant little more than one of our regular rivals in the old third and fourth Divisions. They did have a slightly more raised profile when they beat Arsenal in that League Cup Final, before achieving the pinnacle of their success under Glen Hoddle, when they reached the top flight. As far as we are concerned, their biggest impact then, though, was the fact that they were the team we got legend Ade Viveash from.
Then came the last game of last season. The way that both sets of fans celebrated the Championship and promotion respectively on a great day for both clubs mean that a connection was made and some sympathy generated. That has been tempered somewhat, however, as they have struggled yet again through financial problems and skirting with administration, through having chased the dream too far. I don’t have a lot of sympathy for clubs that overspend – ask Leeds fans.
Still, let’s concentrate on that end of the season game last year, which meant so much to both teams, especially as there are a lot of connections tomorrow.
Tommy Mooney played 49 times and scored 20 goals for Swindon in 2003/04 for starters, but is unlikely to figure, as he recovers from that hamstring problem. Michael Ricketts should be back, however, despite having limped off on Tuesday
Ishy is another facing a fitness test, as he gets over that knock he took against Millwall in the FA Cup, while Michael Dobson missed his chance to get a reserve game in against Coventry, as he was ill, so he won’t be considered. Paul Boertien, however, did get another 90 minutes in, so, although he’s unlikely to be considered for a start, he might be on the bench.
That tends to suggest a team something like:
Ince, Weston, Gerrard, Dann, Fox or Taundry, Sonko or Hall or Deeney or Brittain, Wrack, Bradley, Demontagnac or Fox or Brittain, Nicholls, Ricketts.
The fact that our problem areas are the wings is amply demonstrated by the number of possible choices there!
There are Walsall connections on the other side too. Joint Caretaker Manager (they are in the process of being taken over, which, if it happens, will mean Maurice Malpas will take over) David Byrne played for us on loan back in 1994. I have to be honest and say I have no recollection of his as a player whatsoever!
Another ex loanee of ours is left back Jamie Vincent, who should feature, as he has come back from injury, as has Paul Merscum target Lee Peacock (oh, My God, to be reminded of that fiasco again).
Their main goal threat has been Reading’s Simon Cox, but he has finished his spell there, so they will miss his nine goals, and Barry Corr, scorer of five, is suspended. They did have the dangerous Christian Roberts returning to the squad last week, but that may have been tempered by losing the young star of the show, Ben Tozer, to Newcastle United.
Predictions?
Swindon are on a reasonable run of form, but a lot of that has to do with the scoring exploits of Cox, now back at Reading and Ben Tozer, now departed for Newcastle. Even with the return to the fold od some of their injured players, I think we will just about have too much for them at home.
The club will also on Saturday celebrate the 75th Anniversary of “that” FA Cup third round victory over Arsenal in 1933. The 2-0 win over Herbert Chapman’s team, who were regarded as the best club side in the world at the time, is still regarded as the greatest FA Cup giant-killing act of all time.
The club has invited a number of supporters who were present on that memorable day along to Saturday’s game as guests of the club. They will also be naming Executive Box 1 after legend Gilbert Alsop, scorer that day. It’s a pity they haven’t commemorated his name by renaming one of the suites, rather than an Executive Box, considering he used to have a whole stand, but, at least it’s something.
