Fan view: Swindon's pleasure-seeking five-point plan
Monday 06 October 2008 16:00
Town fan Nick Judd gives his two-pennyworth on how to take the Robins into the top half of the table…
I’m not saying I could do a better job than Robins boss Maurice Malpas... but I would do some things differently.
The Scot’s future continues to come into question following the 3-3 draw at Hartlepool. Three goals away from home and a point at a stadium where few will do better is a good result, right?
Depends if your glass is half full or empty… we were three up with 40 minutes left, 3-2 up after 90 minutes. A three-goal lead suggests we’re not far away from turning this dark corner, but here’s my five-point plan which I think would make our Saturday afternoons infinitely more pleasurable…
Simon Cox: Hat-trick at Hartlepool but Robins could only draw
Ministry of defence
Stop the rot. Paul Sturrock’s Swindon didn’t always play pretty football but they rarely conceded two or more. We’ve conceded three goals four times this season already. Get a defensive coach – it worked for Luggy - and stop chopping and changing at the back. Jerel Ifil is the rock from which the side must be built upon. Pick him a partner and stick, not twist.
Brez is best
Bring back Peter Brezovan in goal. Not all Town fans will agree – the wearer of the No.1 jersey is a topic that polarises opinion like few others – but the giant Slovakian is more consistent, boasts a greater presence than the diminutive Phil Smith and there’s a reason why he was on trial at Everton in 2007…
Win our home games
The County Ground isn’t so much a fortress, more a makeshift tent. We’ve lost three on the trot in our own back-yard and – like Everton – we can’t buy a win. Some fans think the players are nervous. Defusing a bomb is nerve-wracking. Open heart surgery is nerve-wracking, not playing football in front of 6,500 fans. Roll the sleeves up, grind it out and the win will follow.
The County Ground. Fortress or makeshift tent?
Get McNamee to play away
On his day – always at the County Ground – Anthony McNamee is untouchable. With more tricks than Paul Daniels, he can cut opposing defences in swathes. On the road he doesn't perform as effectively. Why? That’s where Malpas should earn his money. I’d play Mark Marshall on the other side, too. With him on one wing and Macca the other we’d have a wingman combo of which Iceman Val Kilmer would be proud.
Stick together
We’ll never know if the players are behind Malpas, but as fans we can play a part. Booing or creating an atmosphere of uncertainty is counter-productive: fact. We should be loud and proud and make opposing players fear the County Ground, not our own.
----------------------------------------------
FourFourTwo.com: More to read...
Inside Swindon Town home
Blogs home
Latest England news
News home
Interviews home
Forums home
League 1 Forum
FourFourTwo.com home
or
to add your comments
About The Robins
Continuing
FourFourTwo's groundbreaking sponsorship of the Wiltshire side, this blog brings you the triumphs and tragedies from the terraces to the pitch to the boardroom.