The opponent: Tranmere Rovers
Well, I think I can now say that I know what a journo feels like when he comes up with what he/she believes to be a great story, only to see ones bonfire get well and truly pissed on by factors really beyond their control. So off we go again. I think I must have read a thousand opinions on the reasons for Di Canio’s departure, some of which I have agreed with and others that I find laughable, such as the real reason he left was because Arsenal are about to get rid of Wenger and Paolo got word he was in the running. Seriously, it was hard not to click on the reply button and let my already emotional thoughts (yep, I am a big girls blouse) become something of a tirade of abuse at this mis-guided individual. But thankfully I had the joy of offering counselling to my 7 year old boy instead. I feel for the little man, his first home game was Paolo’s 1st league game in charge, he has met him on 5 occasions, sat in his chair in the manager’s office, and this is on top of his playing hero, Matt Ritchie being sold to AFCB for a pittance. When I put him to bed earlier he said “its the worse day of his life”, my reply was something along the lines of “yes mate, I’m gutted too”, when really is what I wanted to say and should have said is “Welcome to the world of following Swindon Town Football Club”
I did have plenty of trivial stuff set up for this one, I’m off to the game myself and have been buzzing all weekend. It doesn’t feel the same now, silly really, as STFC will (hopefully) prosper long after Paolo has gone. Hope it won’t offend too many people but I really can’t be arsed with trivia, the facts are there as ever. But Birkenhead? Its a shithole full of Tranmere Rovers fans (and quite a few Liverpool and Everton fans too I guess). All I care about now is come this time tomorrow I am on my way back from up north with 3 points in the bag and we have given TRFC a thoroughly good spanking and we once again can sing to those that will listen that we are Swindon and we are top of the league, even if we have no manager and no owners.
I love supporting Swindon Town, after my family there is nothing that I love more, but like any relationship, it can really fucking hurt when things go wrong.
What are they saying about us? – “ Like I said.. deducted 10 points in weeks and be in administration. Couldn't happen to a nicer club!”
This is from Twitter, for those that fancy it his twitter address is @zzzoooman
Tranmere Last 6 – WLWLLL (Tranmere are currently 5th in League 1 on 56 points)
The Threat – Experienced midfielder Andy Robinson has scored 10 goals so far this season, all of them being in league competition.
A Warm Welcome to – With no current links (that I could find) with STFC, a big shout must go out to midfielder Max Power who has made 18 appearances so far this season. I have had a dig even further and can’t find any link with Bill Power, NPower, Austin Powers, or even I’ve Got the Power. We move on......
The irrelevant stats – Tranmere’s recent form has not been great, having lost the last 3 consecutive games. Some of us would have witnessed their rather poor performance against Shrewsbury on Friday night, and if the same Tranmere Rovers turn up then surely nothing less than a spanking will be on the cards. Rover’s home form has a 50% win ratio, 25% lost and 25% drawn, and if the league table was only based on home matches they would be exactly where they are in the current league table, 5th.
Head to Head – We have met on 63 occasions, having Won 26, Drawn 16, and lost on 21 occassions
The Odds – Selected Next Swindon Town Manager Odds – Piccareta 5/2, Newell 4/1, Bodin 6/1, Hockaday 8/1, Adkins 8/1, Brown 12/1, Hughes 14/1, Hoddle 16/1
The Son Says – I love the way a kids mind works. When I asked him what the score will be he was quite convinced another 5-0 is on the cards, and he still is, so he is going with 5-0 to The Town. Such optimism (this prediction was made before tonight’s news)
The Prediction - Our away form is decent enough, they have lost the last 2 home games in succession and I think another defeat is on the cards. 2-0 Swindon with goals from Rooney and Ferry. Di Canio to sit with the 540 Town fans in a crowd of 6’666
And Finally – R.I.P Neville, undoubtedly will be missed by all those that knew him, and even those that didn’t. Says a lot for the guy really.