Saturday, 23 January 2021

Bogey team arrive at The Valley

The Rocking Robins arrive at The Valley this afternoon in 23rd place in the table and having lost six of their last eight games.   However, it has to be recognised that Swindon have been something of a bogey team for us, for example delivering an unwelcome play off semi-final defeat: https://www.castrust.org/2021/01/swindon-no-more-slips-please/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=swindon-no-more-slips-please

I have never quite recovered from the day we lost 0-1 at home to them after a long run of wins owing to a rare Dean Kiely error.  I have bought a hospitality package and had invited an Addicks from Swindon who was beside himself.

Our long-term record against them has been more reassuring, having won 28, drawn 20 and lost 15.  It is surprising just how many games we have played against them.

This season away from home Swindon have won two, drawn one and lost seven.   They have scored 15 goals and conceded 25.  This is the highest total away from home in the league.   It suggests that we should risk an attacking formation.

'Croakers', to use a term in use 100 years ago, consider that we should have given a greater priority to bringing in a defender rather than a new striker.   However, Bowyer's argument is that the injured defenders will be returning soon.

It is also a question of who can be afforded within the salary cap.   A special deal was needed with Preston North End for them to cover some of his £7,000 a week wages.  Apparently we have an option to sign him in the summer.  

I don't usually made predictions as they are a hostage to fortune, but if we avoid defensive errors we could win by 2-1 or even 3-1.

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