Dan the Fan: Keep the faith with Rooney

I’m sure you’ve all read or hear about the possibility that Town could win the League Two title inside of an empty stadium next Saturday, because of a disagreement between Gillingham and Medway council about the extra costs that will be needed to police the game safely.

This same issue nearly saw Gillingham’s home game against Stoke City in an F.A Cup tie nearly get called off until an agreement was made between the football club and the council the day before.

With the clubs having a rivalry that goes back decades a part of me wonders if this is just Gillingham not wanting Swindon fans to enjoy watching Town achieve promotion or a League title at Priestfield, but i hope i'm wrong and the Gills board aren't that pathetic.

Hopefully both parties can come to an agreement as soon as possible so Town fans can witness the club earn their first league title in sixteen years.

Back to matters on the pitch where last Monday we saw Town earn another valuable three points over Northampton thanks to a Lee Holmes’s cross/shot in the second half.

The game itself was a poor spectacle for the fans but due to Town playing four games in ten days it was never going to be a classic, and Town struggled without key players Matt Ritchie and Paul Caddis being out due to injury.

At this stage of the season grinding out three points from a lackluster performance is the sign of a team who knows how to win in all situations.

For the second game in a row young winger Luke Rooney was replaced before the 55th minute due to an poor showing from the former Gillingham man.

When we signed Luke back in January I was personally really excited to see him wear a Swindon shirt and show us the potential he has to be a top winger in the football league.

He made a great start assisting key goals for Paul Benson that earned Town big wins in our run towards promotion, but recently some fans have started to question weather this guy was worth the price we paid and even questioning his talent.

Now we all know that football is a fickle world, we are all guilty of that, but in this case I firmly believe Luke Rooney has everything needed to become a key player for Swindon in the years to come.

Of course he has areas of his game that need work like every player, his decision making at some points has been questionable but that comes over time as you get to know and understand team mates and the club you play for.

If in a year’s time he’s still struggling at Town I’ll admit I was wrong, but I’m almost certain this guy will become a special player at Swindon Town.

As I’ve already mentioned tomorrow Town fans could possibly get the chance to celebrate the clubs return to League One at the first time of asking against an in form Plymouth side at the County Ground.

Earlier this week Paolo Di Canio made a video message for the official club website encouraging occasion fans and Wembley day-trippers to come to the County Ground to witness his first big achievement at the club.

Trust me after watching Town for many years what’s going on at the club this season is something you don’t want to miss.

Even though performances have been a little off colour recently the squad will be re-charged and fully pumped up to show how good our football has been this season at tomorrow’s game.

The extra excitement that Paolo Di Canio brings to a game is something that has to been experienced in person; the man loves his football and has a passion for Swindon Town that is fantastic to see.

So make sure you visit the County Ground tomorrow afternoon to watch Town’s penultimate home game of the season and to see Swindon take their first steps into a new era of success for the football club.

Don’t forget you can follow me on Twitter @danjohnson_stfc

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