Saints 'most talented squad in division', according to Wilson

8:00am Tuesday 16th March 2010

By Anthony Marshall

DANNY Wilson reckons Town will come up against the “most talented squad” in League One tonight, as they go head to head with Southampton.

Swindon make their first ever trip to the St Mary’s Stadium, and are likely to be backed by around 1,500 travelling supporters in the process, as they bid to cement their place in the division’s top six.

The Saints’ team is packed full of talent, with the likes of Rickie Lambert, Lee Barnard, Jason Puncheon, Jose Fonte and Adam Lallana among their ranks, and Wilson believes they could still make a late push for the play-offs, despite starting the season on minus 10 points having entered administration.

“They will be very disappointed with the position they are in, particularly having the 10 points taken off them early in the season,” said Swindon’s manager.

“Without that they would have been up there chasing now, and there’s still a possibility they could do that.

“They are on a good run at the moment and have some quality players because they are able to go out and buy, which is fantastic for them.

“Whether it’s a bit too late for a charge up the table and into the top six, we will have to wait and see. But they are more than capable, and they are the most talented squad in the division in my opinion.

“They’ve still got a chance (of making the play-offs) because the points are there to be played for, and until it’s mathematically not possible then they will go for it.

“It’s a big ask and a tough task because the teams in the top six now have to lose a lot of games, but we’ve seen somebody come out of the chasing pack before.”

Lambert and Barnard head up the division’s scoring charts with 22 and 21 league goals respectively, but Wilson believes it is a challenge that his defensive unit will look forward to rather than fear.

“The defence will relish playing against boys like them (Lambert and Barnard),” he said.

“All the times they have come up against boys on form this season they have done very well and I don’t expect it to be any different this time.

“It’s a big test for the back four and keeper, it won’t be an easy night - we know that.

“But these are great games to be involved in and they are massive games for the fans as well, because we will take a great following down there.

“After Saturday’s great result at Brighton, if we can go and get something at Southampton then it will be a terrific return for us from two tough games.”

SWINDON were highly commended at the Football League Awards on Sunday night in the category of League One’s Family Club of the Year.