Saturday afternoon sees Swindon Town make the trip to South Cheshire with the visitors sitting in 7th place in the league, they had led after getting 7 points in the opening 3 games.
So far this season, they have beaten Scunthorpe United, Carlisle United, Morecambe, Leyton Orient, Macclesfield Town and Cambridge United, they have drawn with Exeter City, Cheltenham Town and Plymouth Argyle while they have lost to Northampton Town, Colchester United, Newport County and Bradford City. They lost 3-0 to Colchester in the 1st Round of the EFL Cup while they have already been eliminated from the EFL Trophy following defeats to Chelsea’s Under-21 side and Plymouth with a trip to Bristol Rovers next month completing the group.
Over the summer, Swindon have signed 15 players over the summer, 8 of which are permanent signings, 6 season-long loans and 1 loan until January while letting 12 leave the club permanently. Arriving at the club are goalkeeper Steven Benda (season-long loan), defenders Mathieu Baudry, Zeki Fryers, Rob Hunt, Tyler Reid, Gabriel Zakuani, Dion Donohue and Daniel Ballard (SLL), midfielders Jordan Lyden, Adam May (SLL) and former Alex player Anthony Grant (loan until January) and forwards Jerry Yates, Diallang Jaiyesimi and Eoin Doyle (all on SSL) and Lloyd Isgrove.
Looking back in the archives, the two teams have met 38 times with Swindon leading the head-to-head with 18 wins to 14 with 6 draws. Crewe’s biggest win came in a 3-1 victory at the County Ground in December 2012 while Town’s biggest win came at the same ground in August 2013 where they won 5-0. Last season saw 2 wins for the Alex, a 1-0 in South Cheshire as well as a 2-1 win in Wiltshire back in April.
Who are the officials for the game?
The officials for this game see Marc Edward as the man in the middle where he is assisted by Mark Cunliffe and Alix Pashley with Christopher Ward being the fourth official. This is the first game that Edward will officiate the Alex for.
I asked Swindon Town supporter Steven Fyfe for his thoughts going into the game.
How would you describe your transfer activity this summer?
I was very optimistic about the season after the summer business. Keeping players like Doughty, Conroy, Anderson and Woolery was pleasing and adding quality like Isgrove and experience like Baudry suggested we would be right in the mix.
Which position is the one that you should improve the most from the squad you currently have?
Not sure if improve is the right word but CB worries me most due to a bit of an injury crisis right now.
What do you think the team will be for the game?
Not too dissimilar to the draw with Plymouth I’d expect.
Benda; Hunt, Baudry, Zakuani, Donohue; Isgrove, Lyden, Grant, Anderson; Doyle, Yates
How would you set-up to nullify your team?
If you can win the midfield battle you will do well. Lyden and Grant have both impressed since signing. Basically, attack us and see if our defence is up for the scrap.
Who is the danger man for this game?
I’m opting for a danger partnership. Isgrove plus Doyle = goal.
The on-loan striker is our top marksman while winger Isgrove is rapidly becoming our shining star.
What do you think is a realistic aim for Swindon this season?
If we can get our early season form back, promotion-chasing is minimal if not title chasers. I really like Wellens and what he is trying to do.
Playoffs simply must be the absolute minimum expectation.
