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The County Ground
The County Ground

Swindon v Grimsby: Match Preview

By: Kevin Dolan
Date: 13/10/2006

GRIMSBY Town look to build on two encouraging results when they travel south to face out of form Swindon Town this Saturday and, with 8 teams within two points of The Mariners, an away victory could see a significant climb up the table.

Home > 2006-2007 Season > Previews > Swindon (a)


The Opposition

Overview
Swindon were relegated from the old Division One in 1999/2000 and remained a stable League 1 team until last season when they were relegated to League 2. A poor start to last season had seen Andy King sacked as manager, leaving Iffy Onoura to take on the role as caretaker manager. After beginning to pull The Robins away from the foot of the table, Onoura was given the post until the end of the season and in February they sat in 16th place. However, another poor run towards the end of the season, which saw them win just 2 of their last 13 games, dragged them back into the relegation zone and they were relegated with one game to spare.

Ex-England and Chelsea midfielder Dennis Wise was appointed as manager by the Wiltshire side over the summer with his ex-Stamford Bridge colleague Gus Poyet appointed as his number two. Both have also registered as players for this season although neither has yet seen any first team action this season.

Their Squad
Swindon started the season superbly, winning their first six games to top League 2. However, since then they have slightly struggled, winning only one of the next 7 games and including a current run of four consecutive 1-1 draws. Off field problems seem to be contributing to the dip in form with Wise somewhat flatteringly linked to the vacant Leeds job amongst others, whilst disagreements between the major shareholders is beginning to cause a rift between the board and supporters. On the field, goals appear to be the problem in recent weeks, and during the last seven games they have only once managed to score twice (even then both goals were from penalties in the 2-1 win over MK Dons). Meanwhile, their defence seems to be pulling them through this sticky patch and they have the second best defensive record in the division.

Swindon currently lie in 4th place, one point outside the automatic promotion spots and eleven points ahead of Town. Their home form is reasonably strong with 13 points out of a possible 18 at the County Ground this season, although their last two home fixtures have resulted in a defeat to Peterborough and a draw with Boston.

Swindon generally use a 4-4-2 formation although a change to 4-3-3 is currently being mooted. After three loan spells, defender Jerel Ifil signed from Watford in the summer of 2004 and has proved himself as a mainstay of The Robins defence over the last couple of seasons, amassing nearly 100 appearances. He is ably supported by well-travelled full back Jamie Vincent, who has played for Portsmouth and Derby, as well as former Wales international Ady Williams. Up front is top scorer Lee Peacock (left), who joined from Sheffield Wednesday at the star of the year and has four goals so far this season.

Key Player
6’7 keeper Peter Brezovan was signed on a season long loan from Czech side FC Brno in the summer and has immediately impressed, saving two penalties on his debut and winning the PFA fans’ League 2 player of the month for September.

Recent Form

TownSwindon
WHereford(a)2-1
DDarlington(a)2-2
LHartlepool(h)1-4
LStockport(h)0-1
WChester(a)2-0
Currently 18th in League Two.
DAccrington(a)1-1
DBoston(h)1-1
DWycombe(a)1-1
DNotts Co(a)1-1
LPeterborough(h)1-0
Currently 4th in League Two.

Top Scorers

TownSwindon
Peter Bore4
Gary Jones3
Evans4
Peacock4

Team News

TownSwindon

  • Town seem to be getting over their short-term injuries, but it is unlikely Graham Rodger will alter the side that deservedly beat Hereford.

  • After just missing out last week, Isaiah Rankin is still not back in contention, but Gary Harkins played for the reserves in midweek.
  • Winger/Forward Alex Rhodes has arrived on a month's loan from Brentford and looks likely to go straight into the team.

  • Striker Christian Roberts will miss Saturday’s game with a knee injury, whilst midfielder Andy Caton has been ruled out for a few weeks with a hamstring strain.
  • Probable Teams

    TownSwindon
    1Phil Barnes
    2John McDermott
    17Andy Butler
    5Nick Fenton
    20Gary Croft
    18Peter Bore
    12Ricky Ravenhill
    8Paul Bolland
    10Ciaran Toner
    27Tony Thorpe
    19Gary Jones
    1Peter Brezovan
    2Jack Smith
    5Jerel Ifil
    6Ady Williams
    3Jamie Vincent
    20Royce Brownlie
    19Michael Pook
    23Curtis Weston
    TBAAlex Rhodes
    10Lee Peacock
    16Folawiyo Onibuje

    Subs

    TownSwindon
    13Robert Murray
    3Tom Newey
    11Peter Beagrie
    16Danny Boshell
    26Andy Taylor
    8Aaron Brown
    12Ricky Shakes
    15Andrew Nicholas
    18Paul Evans
    11Andy Monkhouse

    Head to Head

    Town have a poor record against Swindon, especially at the County Ground where their only win against the Robins in 20 attempts came in February 2000. At Blundell Park it is a different story where Town have won 12 of the 20 fixtures, and lost just four.

    P 40 W 13 D 9 L 18 F 49 A 62

    Swindon Head-to-Head (72nd on The Opposition Ladder)

    Last Meeting

    The last time The Mariners visited the County Ground was during the horrendous away run in the second half of the 2003/04 season. Tommy Mooney grabbed both goals to see off Town and thus complete the double over The Mariners after Mooney had also scored the winner in the 2-1 victory at Blundell Park the previous September.

    Grimsby Team: Fettis, Edwards, Barnard, Warhurst, Young, Armstrong, Thorrington (Iain Anderson 79), Bolder, Campbell, Rowan (Mansaram 71), Jevons
    Subs (not used): Croft,Goodfellow,Parkinson,

    Swindon Team: Evans, O'Hanlon, Nicholas, Hewlett, Gurney, Howard (sent off 87), Igoe, Heywood, Duke, Mooney, Parkin
    Subs: (not used) Griemink, Smith, Stevenson, Fallon, Reeves

    Attendance: 6,954  Report

    Prediction

    Swindon 1-1 Town

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