As the photo to the left illustrates, Paolo Di Canio is a fairly genial, understated person and is rarely seen to be making waves. Those in the seats behind the away dugout can, therefore, not expect any theatrics as the league season moves on with Swindon at home. How we said that with a straight face, we don’t know… but it will be very interesting to see how things pan out at the Lamex tomorrow, and how Mr Di Canio will react if things go awry for his side.
For Stevenage, it will be yet another test of these flourishing promotion credentials. If it all goes well, Boro’ could be top again tomorrow evening. But first, three points are needed. It has been complicated by the fact that Di Canio has professed to being “not bovvered” by an inconvenient league trip to Hertfordshire; his eyes apparently being on a cup clash against mighty Aston Villa. Fair enough Paolo.
It could be an elaborate double bluff, of course. Not that Smiffy will let his men take Town lightly. And we need to avenge our 2-0 defeat in the 2005/6 LDV Vans Trophy too. It does seem there will be at least one change to the starting line-up from the Portsmouth game – Richard John James Dunne is suspended for collecting five yellow cards (free inside every pack of Cheerios apparently) and you’d be inclined to think that Anthony Grant is the man to fill that vacancy alongside Greg Tansey.
Oliver Risser is available, despite being on loan from Swindon and is a possible starter for the game. Otherwise, why would you make any other changes? The defence is functioning well as a unit, Filipe Morais looks to have found a home in behind Marcus Haber and wing pair Luke Freeman and Lucas Akins are looking predatory. There is little argument for the inclusion of any of the bench at this stage.
And while we predicted 2-0 on A Load Of Old Toffee, we’re not so flippant to believe it.
FIFA13 Verdict:
Through circumstances not of our own choosing, this has yet to happen. However, we look set for a nice quiet evening in with beers and Bond, so this will get done this evening.
Bookies’ Verdict:
Now, this is odd to us. At the time of writing, it seems the bookies are absolutely unable to make a judgement on who they think will take this one. Boro’ and Swindon are matched in almost all circumstances in terms of the odds offered on victory, but that does mean you’re able to get a nice little deal if you’re looking at a home win – 9/5 is the price with Pinnacle, and maybe also some selected others.
A tight affair is on the cards mind, with 1-1 the favoured result and longest at 6s with Blue Square. Remember them? Luton. Etc. Anyway, we digress – quite what Coral are on is the next question. Patrick Agyemang to be first goalscorer at 6/1? Bet365 currently have Filipe Morais at 14s to continue his scoring splurge, and also have Darius at 10s – interesting to see the list of players beneath our left back.
Last Season Meeting:
Swindon Town 2-0 Stevenage Borough (LDV Trophy, 2005/6)
Team Tarot
(4-2-3-1):
Arnold
Gray
Roberts
N’Gala
Charles
Tansey
Grant
Akins
Morais
Freeman
Haber
LOL, So easy.