DAN THE FAN: Passion cannot be punished

Smith’s goal not only lifted Swindon to second in the League One table, but ended Bristol City’s unbeaten start to their league campaign.

Mark Cooper’s side put on a superb second half display that their visitors could not handle, and eventually Town got their rewards against a 10-man City side.

Unfortunately the issue of the early red card has dominated and pushed aside Swindon’s performance and deserved victory.

The biggest disappointment has been Bristol City’s ability to be graceful in defeat, and accept the better team won on the day.

One of the best aspects of football is the passion people have for their club, without it the game would cease to exist.

As I mentioned last week, having players involved who are Swindon Town fans would be a huge benefit, and so it proved, Both Nathan and Louis Thompson grew up in North Wiltshire as Town fans, understanding what it means to beat Bristol City with the added bonus of ending their unbeaten run.

So as the full-time whistle went last weekend, Town captain Nathan Thompson leaped in the air with his fists clenched celebrating the result in front of the traveling City fans, a moment of pure passion.

So when I read that Wiltshire Police are to “work with Swindon Town to avoid future “unhelpful” players’ celebrations” I had to double check what I was reading.

I don’t know if an official complaint was made to the police by Bristol City fans, but the fact anything had to be said is ridicules.

Over the years I’ve watched Town play from my seat in the Town End and I’ve seen opposition players taunt fans again and again.

Whether it’s the classic hand cupping the ear gesture, a finger to the lips or a simple fist pump to celebrate a goal, it’s part of the game.

If fans shout, scream and sing abuse at an opposition player, and then they score, you have to expect that player to milk the moment for all its worth.

They don’t plan before the game to celebrate that way; it’s the heat of the moment.

It’s those unscripted moments in sport that are the most memorable, just look at Stuart Pearce when he scored his penalty in England’s quarter-final shootout win over Spain.

I’ve never seen so much emotion from a player, and to this day you would struggle to find another moment quite like it.

The game itself last Saturday wasn’t a classic that will live on in folklore, but Swindon deserves huge credit for their patience in the second half.

After putting on possibly one of their worst ever performances against Cheltenham, Jordan Turnbull and Jack Stephens were both superb against a strong Bristol City attack.

While Turnbull remained in defence, Stephens moved into Yaser Kasim’s position, and should have been named man of the match.

If we look at the way the beautiful game has moved forward over the years, certain positions are played in a different style, and we are starting to see that in the backline at SN1.

In the past, centre backs were there to clear their lines, head the ball away and remind opposition strikers who was in charge, i.e. Neil Ruddock.

Those things still exist, but now defenders are just as good with the ball at their feet, and aren’t afraid to move forward, something we saw time and again from Turnbull.

Both Turnbull and Stephens are that new breed of ball playing centre backs, something that I hope is here to stay at Town.

Follow me on Twitter @danwjonson

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