The Opponent: Franchise FC
Here we are again, with kick off just a little over 12 hours away and only 9 hours until the first few beers are sank, not by myself may I add, in fact I will be lucky to get through the door in time for kick off, mainly thanks to peoples garden rubbish and rusty cookers. Things have felt pretty positive since last Saturday with the thumping of Crewe and the permanent signing of Massimo Luongo and further reinforcements that seem to have a few of us daring to dream once again. Its nice to be feeling positive about our club again, who knows how long it will last, but the efforts the board have made in saving cash and still putting a competitive squad together for this season has to be applauded.
I don’t really want to say too much regarding today’s opponents that set up camp in Buckinghamshire a few years back. A club with no history can often make it difficult to give any sort of trivia on but it not difficult to have an opinion on them, and I don’t really have one on the club robbing cunts. Franchise manager, Karl Robinson has this opinion of us, “We're looking forward to the challenge of playing against Swindon. We played against most of the players [on loan from Tottenham] in the summer when Tottenham came here. I think I've spent less in three and a half years than each of their managers in their one year. Other than Stephen Gleeson ours is a completely free team - free transfers, loans, academy players. Swindon have some really good players. Players I've tried to sign myself on loan. It's surprising how many players they've been able to assemble not too long after [almost going into] administration”. Robinson, who himself turned out for such footballing powers as Rhyl, Oswestry Town, Marine, Prescot Cables and Alsager Town became the youngest person ever to acquire a UEFA Pro Licence at the age of 29. As a youth player he was on the books of Everton, Blackpool, and the mighty Swindon Town.
The last time we met at – Asda – Just 4 months back, towards the end of the 12/13 season we lost 2-0. Our last victory on their patch was back in 2009 when we turned out 4-1 winners, if I remember rightly JP McGovern scored a blinder that night which pretty much secured his place in the team for the rest of the season!
They’ve served for us both –.Sean O’Hanlon, Albert Jarrett, Ryan Harley, JP McGovern, Danny Wilson, Sol Davis, Alan Navarro.
Where the opposition gather – http://www.concreteroundabout.co.uk/phpbb/viewforum.php?f=4&sid=18d717a34399bd50693a19ae7c4c8a7cFranchise Last 6 – WDWDDW
The Odds – Franchise 11/8 Draw 12/5 Swindon 9/4 A not very generous 5/1 seems to be whats on offer for Izale McLeod to score the first goal, I prefer the 8/1 on Nile Ranger to continue his goalscoring form. Nicky Ajose and Ryan Mason are offering a similar price to Ranger.
The Son Says – The plan is to record this and avoid the score until I get home from work. The chances of the boy avoiding the score and managing not to tell me are rather slim. 2-0 Town.
The Prediction – A tough away game this one, it usually is. I think it will be a tight affair and we will sneak it 0-3, with goals from Ranger, Luongo and Ward in front of 8’433 (987 from Swindon)
And Finally – Not only is Milton Keynes an anagram of Silent Monkey but it is also home to some 40 million trees!