PAOLO Di Canio would prefer Swindon Town to play the league leaders than a relegation struggler this evening, as he tries to get his players to reproduce the kind of performance that saw them utterly dominate Oldham last time out.

Table-topping Tranmere arrive at the County Ground this evening to face a Robins side buoyed by their 2-0 victory at Boundary Park last Saturday and taking on top quality opposition, Di Canio believes, is likely to ensure his squad find top form once again.

“I am very happy to play against them because after a victory in style like we had at Oldham it would be a trouble to play against a side at the bottom of the table,” said the Town boss.

“But the fact that we are playing against Tranmere, who have had a fantastic run even if in the last few weeks they have been struggling a bit in terms of results, gives us the opportunity not to switch off. That would be crazy or stupid.

“We know that they are very solid. In the last few games since November 1 they have scored only six goals. In the beginning of the season they were a goal machine but they miss two strikers and they only play with (Jake) Cassidy and (Andy) Robinson behind him.

“They are struggling a bit to score goals but they are a solid team, they have the best defensive record. The last five games they have had four draws and one defeat but they don’t concede a lot.

“It’s an opportunity for us to behave professionally before the Christmas period, before two away games, and get something important the day before the league play.

“If we can win it would be fantastic, a draw would be good because in this moment of the season a win is very good but a draw is better than a loss.”