I’m afraid I’m not one of those people who see Danny Wilson’s resignation as a cause for celebration for Swindon.
No wins in two months and so the writing was on the wall for Wilson though and he has said:
“I am bitterly disappointed to be leaving, but I know football is a results driven game, and unfortunately in the past two months the results have just not been good enough.”
But, for me, the problems at the County Ground lie higher up the food chain and possibly with the club’s finances - or lack of them.
As far as I am aware, Wilson didn’t negotiate contracts and so when Billy Paynter’s contract was allowed to run down and their leading marksman walked out of the door as a free agent at the end of last season.
When Charlie Austin and Sean Morrison – two of the brightest young prospects the club has had for many a year – were sold for what I consider to be peanuts in January, who allowed them to go? Wilson or the board?
And the money he was given to replace all three players. How much was forthcoming?
Wilson got lucky when Simon Cox was sold to West Brom two summers ago because hard working Paynter stepped up to the plate and started banging them in. He also proved he had a good eye for a player by playing up the prolific Austin from the Wessex League.
Apparently Charlie was spotted by one of the directors (according to one of the directors), but Wilson still had to agree to put him out on the park.
Look back further to the sale of Simon Cox. Sold for decent money and replaced on the cheap with Austin. But there are only so many bargains like Austin to be had and for me the investment in the squad just hasn’t been what it needed to be to build on last year’s excellent season.
Finishing as losing play-off finalists was more than most Robins’ fans had expected the previous August having just survived in League One the season before and also lost Cox.
Wilson showed what a good football man he is by getting them to Wembley and Swindon fans shouldn’t forget that.
The club just didn’t seem to want to take the financial risk needed to take the next step up to the Championship.
Then again, maybe – in these uncertain economic times – the board’s caution is well founded. Look at the state Plymouth are in. Perhaps it’s better to be a solvent club bouncing between Leagues One and Two than chance your arm by aiming higher.
It’s too easy to attack directors for not ploughing their personal wealth into something as unstable as a football club – how many of us would remortgage our homes to lend the club money which we may not ever see again? But if you can’t match the big spenders, it’s better to come out and say so.
Paul Hart has been appointed to keep Swindon up and is another very experienced coach, but whether he has enough time – or a strong enough squad – remains to be seen.
Everyone needs to pull together for the good of the club now; players, management, directors and fans. It’s not too late, but the scenario whereby Oxford end up swapping divisions with them looks a very real possibility as well.
I've set up this blog (Monday-Friday) to give extra coverage to teams I cover for the national press. Any views and opinions are all my own. Best wishes, Jeff. Follow me on Twitter and I'll update you each time I blog. http://twitter.com/JeffTaplin P.S. During the summer break I reserve the right to ramble on about anything and everything!
Showing posts with label Charlie Austin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Charlie Austin. Show all posts
Thursday, 3 March 2011
Tuesday, 4 January 2011
Swindon Town 1 Bournemouth 2 - Catch Up
Charlie Austin cut quite a forlorn figure in the tunnel after the game and he was obviously as frustrated at the way things are going at the County Ground.
Equally, Danny Wilson alluded to the fact that maybe the pressure would ease away from home as the Robins fans become increasingly annoyed. He looked to be proved right by yesterday’s amazing 4-1 win at Charlton and watching Austin score two goals against the Addicks, you could tell that he hadn’t let the Bournemouth defeat eat away at him for too long.
To Bournemouth’s credit though they are a decent side and might well surprise a few people this season and take one of the promotion spots. If that happens, they will find it difficult to hold on to 33 year old manager Eddie Howe in the summer … assuming he doesn’t leave in the next couple of weeks for Burnley, Bristol Rovers or one of the many other vacancies available.
Both of the Cherries goalscorers – skipper Jason Pearce and winger Marc Pugh – told me after the game that they were desperate for Howe to stay and you could feel the camaraderie in the squad – a major asset for a club of this size and with so few resources.
I would bet that Howe will see the campaign through to the end of the season on the south coast and then make his next career move.
Then again, after this performance I would have put money on Swindon slipping towards the trap door at a rate of knots and – as the win against Charlton showed – they have no intention of letting that happen.
Mind you, to ensure League One football next season they are going to have to hold on to Austin as without him it is difficult to see who can weigh in with twenty-plus goals.
Matt Ritchie pulled one back for Swindon before Pearce’s 80th minute overhead winner and even though he also found the net against Charlton – he’s no Charlie Austin.
Austin suffered a very bad injury before his career had even started belatedly fifteen months ago and so knows how fickle this game can be. Would he turn down a move this month to a Championship club? I doubt it and wouldn’t blame him. Could the club turn down an offer of £1 million plus having invested peanuts in acquiring him last year? I doubt that either.
I also doubt that Danny Wilson would be happy with the decision or that he’d survive until the end of the season if the board sold his star striker.
My clipping from the paper
Equally, Danny Wilson alluded to the fact that maybe the pressure would ease away from home as the Robins fans become increasingly annoyed. He looked to be proved right by yesterday’s amazing 4-1 win at Charlton and watching Austin score two goals against the Addicks, you could tell that he hadn’t let the Bournemouth defeat eat away at him for too long.
To Bournemouth’s credit though they are a decent side and might well surprise a few people this season and take one of the promotion spots. If that happens, they will find it difficult to hold on to 33 year old manager Eddie Howe in the summer … assuming he doesn’t leave in the next couple of weeks for Burnley, Bristol Rovers or one of the many other vacancies available.
Both of the Cherries goalscorers – skipper Jason Pearce and winger Marc Pugh – told me after the game that they were desperate for Howe to stay and you could feel the camaraderie in the squad – a major asset for a club of this size and with so few resources.
I would bet that Howe will see the campaign through to the end of the season on the south coast and then make his next career move.
Then again, after this performance I would have put money on Swindon slipping towards the trap door at a rate of knots and – as the win against Charlton showed – they have no intention of letting that happen.
Mind you, to ensure League One football next season they are going to have to hold on to Austin as without him it is difficult to see who can weigh in with twenty-plus goals.
Matt Ritchie pulled one back for Swindon before Pearce’s 80th minute overhead winner and even though he also found the net against Charlton – he’s no Charlie Austin.
Austin suffered a very bad injury before his career had even started belatedly fifteen months ago and so knows how fickle this game can be. Would he turn down a move this month to a Championship club? I doubt it and wouldn’t blame him. Could the club turn down an offer of £1 million plus having invested peanuts in acquiring him last year? I doubt that either.
I also doubt that Danny Wilson would be happy with the decision or that he’d survive until the end of the season if the board sold his star striker.
And the News of the World clipping
Monday, 6 December 2010
Swindon Town 2 Sheffield Wednesday 1 - Learning
I sat next to a young lady from Sheffield University on Saturday and thought that rather than see the same old tripe from me, you might like to see something from a journo of the future. The following has been taken from ForgeToday.com at: http://www.forgetoday.com/page2080/Wednesday-Lose-Away-To-Swindon
My own meagre offering is at the foot of this post.
Wednesday lose away to Swindon
By Verity Sleeman
Published: 05/12/2010
Alan Irvine felt for the fans after Wednesday’s week of weather woe.
Irvine saw his side slump to their first defeat in seven games at the hands of a tenacious Swindon side who rode their luck.
Players and supporters alike had to dig their way out the city to travel to the only game in League One. And the 1,300 visiting fans did their club proud by staying vocal throughout.
Former Hillsborough favourite Jon-Paul Mc Govern helped break the deadlock in the 24th minute by chipping over the Owls defense for Swindon hot shot Charlie Austin to volley home his 13th goal of the season.
It only took six minutes for the visitors to pull one back.
Just before the break midfielder Mark Beevers had a goal chalked off after teammate Clinton Morrison was ruled offside.
The Wednesday bench were fuming at the decision, and Morrsion said, "You see them time and time again in the Premier League and they're always given. There’s got to be some consistency because we don’t know whether we’re coming or going at the moment."
Wednesday also had a penalty appeal turned down before McGovern sealed the win for Swindon in the 70th minute.
A long throw from Michael Rose was flicked on by Sean Morrison to Mc Govern, who slotted home his third of the season.
Wednesday chief Irvine groaned, "We had quite a lot of chances. We hit the bar, had a penalty denied, a goal disallowed, a lot of things to be disappointed about."
"We deserved an equaliser, there were a number of things that happened that on another day could have gone for us."
"The fans are fantastic, there’s no question about that."
My own meagre offering is at the foot of this post.
Wednesday lose away to Swindon
By Verity Sleeman
Published: 05/12/2010
Alan Irvine felt for the fans after Wednesday’s week of weather woe.
Irvine saw his side slump to their first defeat in seven games at the hands of a tenacious Swindon side who rode their luck.
Players and supporters alike had to dig their way out the city to travel to the only game in League One. And the 1,300 visiting fans did their club proud by staying vocal throughout.
Former Hillsborough favourite Jon-Paul Mc Govern helped break the deadlock in the 24th minute by chipping over the Owls defense for Swindon hot shot Charlie Austin to volley home his 13th goal of the season.
It only took six minutes for the visitors to pull one back.
Just before the break midfielder Mark Beevers had a goal chalked off after teammate Clinton Morrison was ruled offside.
The Wednesday bench were fuming at the decision, and Morrsion said, "You see them time and time again in the Premier League and they're always given. There’s got to be some consistency because we don’t know whether we’re coming or going at the moment."
Wednesday also had a penalty appeal turned down before McGovern sealed the win for Swindon in the 70th minute.
A long throw from Michael Rose was flicked on by Sean Morrison to Mc Govern, who slotted home his third of the season.
Wednesday chief Irvine groaned, "We had quite a lot of chances. We hit the bar, had a penalty denied, a goal disallowed, a lot of things to be disappointed about."
"We deserved an equaliser, there were a number of things that happened that on another day could have gone for us."
"The fans are fantastic, there’s no question about that."
Wednesday, 27 October 2010
Wilson praises youngsters – Kids are Alright
A two-all draw won’t be something Swindon chief Danny Wilson will end up being pleased with at most home games this season, but following Alan Sheehan’s sending off, his ten man side fought back twice and he said:
“I have to say that if anyone asks any questions about the character of the team and players, that was on show today. They were absolutely fantastic. You can’t ask for any more than that for commitment and to come back like they did on both occasions was a fantastic credit to them.
It was a very young side that was out there. A very young side. But they’ve shown a lot of maturity today.”
On Rose being put on the bench at the start of the game, Wilson admitted:
“I’m sure he will feel aggrieved, but that’s football. That’s life. You make a decision and that’s it. I just felt it was a home game that was possibly set up for Alan, but it wasn’t to be in the end and it turned out to be Michael’s day with a great delivery for the goal (Austin’s) and a fantastic free kick. Terrific. He’s come off the bench and made an impact and that’s what you hope your substitutes will do.
For their second goal (former Swindon loanee Revell) in particular from Alex it’s Sod’s Law isn’t it? From our point of view we could have done better in that situation, but you have to remember that we were getting very stretched then. The lads aren’t on empty tanks as such, but they are starting to stretch it in wide areas and the length of the pitch as well and so it’ difficult to cover the whole ground with a man less as we did. So you can’t be too critical in that respect. They were trying to get to the ball and scampering a bit, but Alex has got into the near post and just beat us to it.
Even then I would have thought the game was over, but fair credit to the boys to come back as they did really.”
Wilson was especially pleased with the two Swindon goals and said:
“There were two bits of quality and the finishes in both cases. Charlie’s header was terrific . Crikey he got the man-of-the-match today and fully deserved it. Without a doubt he’s worked his tail off today on his own up there. He showed terrific appetite for what we needed at that time and showed great responsibility up there on his own. It was never easy against two uncompromising centre backs and he was rewarded for it. It doesn’t always happen.
The second goal was a definite foul, but you’ve still got to execute it. It’s a good position to be in, but you need the exponent of it and Rosey’s come in and planted bang in the top corner and the keeper’s got no chance.”
The Robins’ boss admitted it hadn’t been a great spectacle to start with and said:
“The first half was a poor first half for both teams. There was nothing much to write home about that to be honest. It was a poor game, but it livened up second half. From the way they’ve set themselves up they’ve come to get a decent result. This result might not be what they expected after we went a man down and they’ve been up twice. So really we can take the confidence from that. The fans want to see players run their socks off and they ran themselves to a stand still. No-one’s in a position to say they didn’t do that today.”
Man-of-the match Austin, 21, netted his 6th goal in ten games and was full of praise for Rose. He said: and the work ethic he’s shown today – he’s be
“He’s the sort of player you want on your side. It was a cracking delivery for my goal and then a great free kick. It’s the sort of thing he does all the time in training.”
“I have to say that if anyone asks any questions about the character of the team and players, that was on show today. They were absolutely fantastic. You can’t ask for any more than that for commitment and to come back like they did on both occasions was a fantastic credit to them.
It was a very young side that was out there. A very young side. But they’ve shown a lot of maturity today.”
On Rose being put on the bench at the start of the game, Wilson admitted:
“I’m sure he will feel aggrieved, but that’s football. That’s life. You make a decision and that’s it. I just felt it was a home game that was possibly set up for Alan, but it wasn’t to be in the end and it turned out to be Michael’s day with a great delivery for the goal (Austin’s) and a fantastic free kick. Terrific. He’s come off the bench and made an impact and that’s what you hope your substitutes will do.
For their second goal (former Swindon loanee Revell) in particular from Alex it’s Sod’s Law isn’t it? From our point of view we could have done better in that situation, but you have to remember that we were getting very stretched then. The lads aren’t on empty tanks as such, but they are starting to stretch it in wide areas and the length of the pitch as well and so it’ difficult to cover the whole ground with a man less as we did. So you can’t be too critical in that respect. They were trying to get to the ball and scampering a bit, but Alex has got into the near post and just beat us to it.
Even then I would have thought the game was over, but fair credit to the boys to come back as they did really.”
Wilson was especially pleased with the two Swindon goals and said:
“There were two bits of quality and the finishes in both cases. Charlie’s header was terrific . Crikey he got the man-of-the-match today and fully deserved it. Without a doubt he’s worked his tail off today on his own up there. He showed terrific appetite for what we needed at that time and showed great responsibility up there on his own. It was never easy against two uncompromising centre backs and he was rewarded for it. It doesn’t always happen.
The second goal was a definite foul, but you’ve still got to execute it. It’s a good position to be in, but you need the exponent of it and Rosey’s come in and planted bang in the top corner and the keeper’s got no chance.”
The Robins’ boss admitted it hadn’t been a great spectacle to start with and said:
“The first half was a poor first half for both teams. There was nothing much to write home about that to be honest. It was a poor game, but it livened up second half. From the way they’ve set themselves up they’ve come to get a decent result. This result might not be what they expected after we went a man down and they’ve been up twice. So really we can take the confidence from that. The fans want to see players run their socks off and they ran themselves to a stand still. No-one’s in a position to say they didn’t do that today.”
Man-of-the match Austin, 21, netted his 6th goal in ten games and was full of praise for Rose. He said: and the work ethic he’s shown today – he’s be
“He’s the sort of player you want on your side. It was a cracking delivery for my goal and then a great free kick. It’s the sort of thing he does all the time in training.”
Monday, 25 October 2010
Swindon Town 2 Leyton Orient 2 – Copper Kettle
After a first half performance that was void of any entertainment, this game came alive with the somewhat dubious sending off of defender Alan Sheehan in the 53rd minute when he slid into tackle Orient striker Scott McGleish.
McGleish got straight up and walked away without a complaint (read his views in tomorrow’s blog), but referee Trevor Kettle reached for the red card - to Sheehan’s obvious horror.
Before that incident no-one in the ground would have put money on a 2-2 draw and I suspect there were a few betting slips with that result written on them being shredded at half time.
Both sides had played with five man midfields and effectively left their respective strikers – McGleish and Charlie Austin – chasing shadows.
Seven minutes after Sheehan had gone for his shower Orient midfielder Matt Spring – the pick of the bunch for me in the first half – picked up a pass from full back Elliott Omozusi on the right and drilled an 18 yard shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net.
Danny Wilson had sacrificed midfielder David Ball – on loan from Manchester City – in the 58th minute for full back Michael Rose. Presumably this was merely an effort to shore up the defence given Sheehan’s absence, but Rose effectively gave Swindon an attacking edge they had lacked for most of the afternoon.
In the 62nd minute Rose picked out striker Austin who glanced home a leveler from 8 yards for his sixth goal in ten games.
Fourteen minutes later Alex Revell – who spent ten games on loan at Swindon last season – nodded in a cross from left back Charlie Daniels, although the angle was so acute, central defender Scott Cuthbert must still be wondering today how the former Southend man had managed to squeeze the ball past him on the near post.
Six minutes before time a free kick was awarded 20 yards out and after a short debate with team mate Jon-Paul McGovern, Rose got his way and stepped up to blast home from 20 yards for his second of the season.
In the press conference after the game Rose, 28, had seemed strangely downbeat iven the fact that he had made one goal and scored another. He said:
“I was really disappointed to be on the bench as you want to play in every game, but it’s something you have to take in football these days and hope the lads get the win while you can’t help them out.
With the free kick (for Austin’s goal) I was just trying to put the ball in a good area. We’ve got players who will attack the ball like Charlie, Sean (Morrison) and Scotty (Cuthbert) so I just try to get the ball in a good area for them really.
Charlie’s like that in training every day. He’s a great goal scorer and I was glad to put the ball where he wanted it.
For the second one J-P asked me whether I wanted it and I said “yeah”. Matty (Ritchie) was sniffing around it as well and so I told him to go away. Other than that it was me and J-P and I fancied it and luckily it went in.
Whoever fancies it on the day will take it. It depends on where the wall is, where the keeper is and whether you’ve spotted something. Having been on for only 30 minutes I wanted the chance to score and did.
Every free kick is different, but then you just have to make your mind up and decide where you want to put it. It probably went in a little bit better than where I wanted it to go and I don’t think I could have got it closer to the top corner.
It’s one of the hardest things to describe when you’ve scored a goal for your club. You’ve pleased all of the fans got a draw for the club, but unfortunately we didn’t go on to win. If things had been different and we’d carried on with eleven men we might have sneaked it and I wouldn’t have come on.
It was a slow game (in the first half) and wasn’t one of the best for the fans, but you get them and now we’ve got to look forward to next week.
When we went down to ten men we just had to stay solid with two banks of four. Charlie was working his socks off up front which he does every week and we just had to work that extra bit harder just to cover the extra space that the other team have got.
I feel I’ve settled in at the club. I really get on with all of the lads.
Obviously we’d prefer to be up there (in the league), but we’re not too far off at the minute. We just need to get back to winning ways. We’ve been a bit stop-start in the league and hopefully we can string a few wins together.”
Regarding the sending off the former Stockport man said:
“I’m going to have to sit on the fence and say I don’t know. Obviously the referee was closer than I was. He thought Shee’s was late. I didn’t think it was a sending off, possibly a booking at most.”
My clipping from this morning's copy of The Sun
The Sun’s football website: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football
McGleish got straight up and walked away without a complaint (read his views in tomorrow’s blog), but referee Trevor Kettle reached for the red card - to Sheehan’s obvious horror.
Before that incident no-one in the ground would have put money on a 2-2 draw and I suspect there were a few betting slips with that result written on them being shredded at half time.
Both sides had played with five man midfields and effectively left their respective strikers – McGleish and Charlie Austin – chasing shadows.
Seven minutes after Sheehan had gone for his shower Orient midfielder Matt Spring – the pick of the bunch for me in the first half – picked up a pass from full back Elliott Omozusi on the right and drilled an 18 yard shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net.
Danny Wilson had sacrificed midfielder David Ball – on loan from Manchester City – in the 58th minute for full back Michael Rose. Presumably this was merely an effort to shore up the defence given Sheehan’s absence, but Rose effectively gave Swindon an attacking edge they had lacked for most of the afternoon.
In the 62nd minute Rose picked out striker Austin who glanced home a leveler from 8 yards for his sixth goal in ten games.
Fourteen minutes later Alex Revell – who spent ten games on loan at Swindon last season – nodded in a cross from left back Charlie Daniels, although the angle was so acute, central defender Scott Cuthbert must still be wondering today how the former Southend man had managed to squeeze the ball past him on the near post.
Six minutes before time a free kick was awarded 20 yards out and after a short debate with team mate Jon-Paul McGovern, Rose got his way and stepped up to blast home from 20 yards for his second of the season.
In the press conference after the game Rose, 28, had seemed strangely downbeat iven the fact that he had made one goal and scored another. He said:
“I was really disappointed to be on the bench as you want to play in every game, but it’s something you have to take in football these days and hope the lads get the win while you can’t help them out.
With the free kick (for Austin’s goal) I was just trying to put the ball in a good area. We’ve got players who will attack the ball like Charlie, Sean (Morrison) and Scotty (Cuthbert) so I just try to get the ball in a good area for them really.
Charlie’s like that in training every day. He’s a great goal scorer and I was glad to put the ball where he wanted it.
For the second one J-P asked me whether I wanted it and I said “yeah”. Matty (Ritchie) was sniffing around it as well and so I told him to go away. Other than that it was me and J-P and I fancied it and luckily it went in.
Whoever fancies it on the day will take it. It depends on where the wall is, where the keeper is and whether you’ve spotted something. Having been on for only 30 minutes I wanted the chance to score and did.
Every free kick is different, but then you just have to make your mind up and decide where you want to put it. It probably went in a little bit better than where I wanted it to go and I don’t think I could have got it closer to the top corner.
It’s one of the hardest things to describe when you’ve scored a goal for your club. You’ve pleased all of the fans got a draw for the club, but unfortunately we didn’t go on to win. If things had been different and we’d carried on with eleven men we might have sneaked it and I wouldn’t have come on.
It was a slow game (in the first half) and wasn’t one of the best for the fans, but you get them and now we’ve got to look forward to next week.
When we went down to ten men we just had to stay solid with two banks of four. Charlie was working his socks off up front which he does every week and we just had to work that extra bit harder just to cover the extra space that the other team have got.
I feel I’ve settled in at the club. I really get on with all of the lads.
Obviously we’d prefer to be up there (in the league), but we’re not too far off at the minute. We just need to get back to winning ways. We’ve been a bit stop-start in the league and hopefully we can string a few wins together.”
Regarding the sending off the former Stockport man said:
“I’m going to have to sit on the fence and say I don’t know. Obviously the referee was closer than I was. He thought Shee’s was late. I didn’t think it was a sending off, possibly a booking at most.”
Yesterday's match report from the News of the World
Friday, 20 August 2010
Back to the County Ground - The Bird And The Bee
I will be reporting on the League One fixture between Swindon Town and Brentford tomorrow afternoon.
Charlie Austin seems to have picked up where he left off last season and has now scored two goals in two league fixtures, but Swindon have yet to pick up their first win (they also went out of the League Cup to Orient), but these early games are often deceptive and I suspect that many of the new players are still bedding in and Danny Wilson won’t know his best starting eleven for a while yet.
Good to see the Topgo striker Thomas Dossevi get off the mark last weekend against Hartlepool and the result was probably a good one for Swindon given that they had to come back from two goals down against the monkey hangers.
Brentford meanwhile managed to make it through the first round of the League Cup by beating Cheltenham, but have lost both their opening fixtures.
Former Oxford striker Andy Scott now manages the Bees and is sure of a warm Wiltshire welcome given his previous associations, but he really is one of the games good guys and up and coming coaches. Brentford have already been approached by other clubs for his services, but have gamely clung on to him since his appointment back in 2007. He managed to get the West London outfit promoted from League Two in 2009.
Scott suffered a life threatening heart disorder which ended his playing career at Orient in 2005.
Gary Alexander is the only Brentford player to have scored in the league this season (although defender Craig Woodman netted in the Cup) and he may be joined up front by former Newcastle hitman Carl Cort against the Robins.
All in all, this fixture looks like a great opportunity for one of these clubs to kick start the season.
I predict a win by Swindon and a two goal margin ... so that’ll be 0-0 then!
Charlie Austin seems to have picked up where he left off last season and has now scored two goals in two league fixtures, but Swindon have yet to pick up their first win (they also went out of the League Cup to Orient), but these early games are often deceptive and I suspect that many of the new players are still bedding in and Danny Wilson won’t know his best starting eleven for a while yet.
Good to see the Topgo striker Thomas Dossevi get off the mark last weekend against Hartlepool and the result was probably a good one for Swindon given that they had to come back from two goals down against the monkey hangers.
Brentford meanwhile managed to make it through the first round of the League Cup by beating Cheltenham, but have lost both their opening fixtures.
Former Oxford striker Andy Scott now manages the Bees and is sure of a warm Wiltshire welcome given his previous associations, but he really is one of the games good guys and up and coming coaches. Brentford have already been approached by other clubs for his services, but have gamely clung on to him since his appointment back in 2007. He managed to get the West London outfit promoted from League Two in 2009.
Scott suffered a life threatening heart disorder which ended his playing career at Orient in 2005.
Gary Alexander is the only Brentford player to have scored in the league this season (although defender Craig Woodman netted in the Cup) and he may be joined up front by former Newcastle hitman Carl Cort against the Robins.
All in all, this fixture looks like a great opportunity for one of these clubs to kick start the season.
I predict a win by Swindon and a two goal margin ... so that’ll be 0-0 then!
Friday, 6 August 2010
Let the games commence – Brighton Rock
I’m off to Swindon tomorrow for the League One opener against Brighton and it’ll be interesting to see how the Robins bounce back after their play-off final defeat.
After struggling the previous season, Danny Wilson’s boys did incredibly well to make it to Wembley last term, but will they find this season a little tougher? There’s no doubt that they will have earned the respect of the rest of the division and – while a top two position might be tricky with the likes of Southampton and Charlton trying to get back into the Championship – Swindon have a canny boss at the helm and a decent squad.
One player who they might miss is Billy Paynter who weighed in with 29 goals on the way to the play-off final before joining Leeds in the summer. Then again, the County Ground faithful also worried when Simon Cox left for West Brom one year ago, before Robins' fan Charlie Austin started banging them in.
Swindon’s success might depend on whether Wilson can play a suitable foil up front for Austin. Togo striker Thomas Dossevi has just signed a one year deal and former Stoke City and Pompey hitman Vincent Péricard – who was also on the books of Juventus as a kid – is itching for a run in the side. Personally I think a fit Péricard could more than make up for Paynter, although only if he matches the Scouser’s work ethic.
This might also be the season when young Sean Morrison makes his mark and it wouldn’t surprise me if he isn’t being linked with a few bigger clubs by the end of the season if he knuckles down and plays to his potential. He’s only 19 years old and still learning his trade, but has all the attributes needed by a central defender. If he keeps focused, he gets the chances and the crowd cut him a little slack, he could quite easily fill the void left by former skipper Gordon Greer who – along with manager Gus Poyet and Slovak keeper Peter Brezovan - returns with his new employers tomorrow afternoon.
Simon Ferry has also signed from Celtic after spending last season on loan at the Robins and along with Jonathan Douglas and Jon Paul McGovern, was an outstanding and consistent performer on the way the Wembley.
In goal both David Lucas and Phil Smith can do a good job at this level and seem to have had the confidence of their defenders last season. There’s no reason why that shouldn’t continue.
Danny Wilson has brought in a few new faces during the summer and if anyone can get them to gel, it’s him. Wilson has been around the block and has earned the right to be backed by the fans and the board.
I’m tipping the Robins for a top six finish this season and wouldn’t be surprised if local neighbours Bristol Rovers join them. A play-off final meeting? What a great day out at Wembley that would be. Does North London stock enough cider to cope?
After struggling the previous season, Danny Wilson’s boys did incredibly well to make it to Wembley last term, but will they find this season a little tougher? There’s no doubt that they will have earned the respect of the rest of the division and – while a top two position might be tricky with the likes of Southampton and Charlton trying to get back into the Championship – Swindon have a canny boss at the helm and a decent squad.
One player who they might miss is Billy Paynter who weighed in with 29 goals on the way to the play-off final before joining Leeds in the summer. Then again, the County Ground faithful also worried when Simon Cox left for West Brom one year ago, before Robins' fan Charlie Austin started banging them in.
Swindon’s success might depend on whether Wilson can play a suitable foil up front for Austin. Togo striker Thomas Dossevi has just signed a one year deal and former Stoke City and Pompey hitman Vincent Péricard – who was also on the books of Juventus as a kid – is itching for a run in the side. Personally I think a fit Péricard could more than make up for Paynter, although only if he matches the Scouser’s work ethic.
This might also be the season when young Sean Morrison makes his mark and it wouldn’t surprise me if he isn’t being linked with a few bigger clubs by the end of the season if he knuckles down and plays to his potential. He’s only 19 years old and still learning his trade, but has all the attributes needed by a central defender. If he keeps focused, he gets the chances and the crowd cut him a little slack, he could quite easily fill the void left by former skipper Gordon Greer who – along with manager Gus Poyet and Slovak keeper Peter Brezovan - returns with his new employers tomorrow afternoon.
Simon Ferry has also signed from Celtic after spending last season on loan at the Robins and along with Jonathan Douglas and Jon Paul McGovern, was an outstanding and consistent performer on the way the Wembley.
In goal both David Lucas and Phil Smith can do a good job at this level and seem to have had the confidence of their defenders last season. There’s no reason why that shouldn’t continue.
Danny Wilson has brought in a few new faces during the summer and if anyone can get them to gel, it’s him. Wilson has been around the block and has earned the right to be backed by the fans and the board.
I’m tipping the Robins for a top six finish this season and wouldn’t be surprised if local neighbours Bristol Rovers join them. A play-off final meeting? What a great day out at Wembley that would be. Does North London stock enough cider to cope?
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