Well, if Hutchings and O’Connor didn’t know what a difficult job they’ve taken on last week, they will certainly have found out in Saturday’s home draw with Hereford.

Hutchings is already making noises about the defending in his first game in charge, particularly mentioning the number of crosses we let into the box. While the full backs must take some of the responsibility for that, he does also make the point that it is the job of the whole side to defend and that means the midfielders and strikers taking on responsibility for closing down.

Having said all that, he is looking for reinforcements from the loan market and I’d be shocked if that isn’t in the area of full back and centre back.

He will be deperately hoping for a return to fitbess for Michael Ricketts, whose guile we sorely missed at the weekend, but Rhys Weston, probably the best defender in the club, will be out for another week, as will (as usual) Hughes and Roberts. That means that his choices will be severely limited, unless he takes the option of playing Boertien in place of Palmer at left back. That would strengthen the line up on one side, at least.

The likely team, then is still the same as Saturday, with Ricketts and (just possibly) Boertien or Sansara as the only realistic changes. At least Sofiane Zaaboub should be would up against his former employers and his display on Saturday did show the fans what he is capable of.

Swindon could give debuts to Gordon Greer (a defender on loan from Doncaster) and Hal Robson-Kanu, the former in place of Patrick Kanyuka (banned). Reading midfielder Robson-Kanu has already trurned out against us this season, on a previous loan spell at Southend.

Striker Hamdi Razak and defender Jean-Francois Lescinal are also available after signing short-term contracts, as Swindon have done a lot of strengthening during the transfer window. Razak is an interesting character, having scored a hat-trick for the Robins whilst on trial, against Swansea.

Predictions?

Sorry, but, with a makeshift defence, I’m struggling to see anything for the Saddlers from this one, despite Swindon’s lowly league position. Still, the new Managerial team might make some difference having seen the problems “in the flesh” at the weekend, so let’s live in hope!