Don't play nice (From Swindon Advertiser)

Don't play nice

6:00am Saturday 22nd September 2012 in Sport By Andy Warren

PAOLO Di Canio wants his Swindon side to become nastier and more angry as they continue to adapt to life in League One.

The Robins have made a mixed start to life back in the third tier having romped to the League Two title last season, coupling impressive wins against Crawley and Portsmouth with tough defeats against Preston and Leyton Orient.

Di Canio believes the quality of the division took some of his players by surprise, but backed them to get up to speed quickly if they cut out the mistakes.

“Last year was completely different, a different level and we have to realise it,” he said.

“Straight away some of my players already know this but some that came from League Two last year were surprised that the times we made two mistakes we conceded two goals.

“At this level the percentage is three mistakes and one goal given away, last year we gave away five chances to the opponents and maybe they didn’t even score one goal.

“This year will be more difficult and for this reason we have to extend our attention and be more nasty in some ways, more angry to play against our opponents. But we have to be careful.”

The Italian has a full-strength squad at his disposal for the clash with Bournemouth today, and is pleased with the options he has available to him.

“Everybody is fit and I am happy with this and I hope it can keep going for longer,” he said.

“We have got many players. I can select any one of them. You see already that maybe we can lose and I put out the same team or maybe we lose and play very well but I can change because of who we play and the opponents’ quality.

“Last time Raffa and Flint stayed at home, Simon went to the stand, this week maybe it will be exactly the same or maybe not, maybe they will play. We will have to see.

“I’m a bit more experienced and I really think when I select a starting XI, that that starting XI can give me a good start or maybe find a way to get the lead and try to win the game.

“I don’t want to change my idea of football but it is crucial, because we have a specific mechanism, how the opponents play.

“Maybe I need Paul Benson because I need to use more long balls like we did at Carlisle and that worked in the first half.”