Dan the Fan: Reality Check (From Swindon Advertiser)

Dan the Fan: Reality Check

1:00pm Thursday 18th August 2011

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It has been a few quick paced months at Swindon but the last week has really slowed us down and reminded us as to the challenges ahead.

Two defeats in a row in games we hoped for at least four is disappointing but its early days. We have time so there’s no need to get down already. It’s the reaction in the upcoming games that will show us the apparent passion that Di Canio has installed in his side.

The week began with Cheltenham and a big bump back down to earth. It wasn’t a performance we expected and it has ended the Di Canio hype.

We had a few chances but always looked unlikely to score as we tried to play long ball to Billy Bodin and Raffaele De Vita. Both seem skilful with the ball but they aren’t the biggest strikers, especially in comparison to many League Two defenders. We struggled to play decent football as Cheltenham frustrated us and we didn’t seem to have much, if any, of a plan B.

We expected lessons to be learned from the Cheltenham game but against Dagenham we put in a similar performance. We lacked many chances and the need for a striker, which Di Canio is trying to fix and which may have been sorted by the time this is printed, was clear. A point would have been a good result heading into the Derby this weekend but it wasn’t to be.

So far Swindon has only had one good 45 minutes out of three games so far this season. This new side haven’t played with each other much so it is to be expected. Di Canio and his side though will need to change things round soon, and there’s no better time in the eyes of Town fans, than this Sunday v Oxford United.

The Oxford game is huge to all us Town fans and will certainty make for a great atmosphere on Sunday. It’s a game we want to win for rivalry purposes but more importantly, three defeats out of four is the much bigger thing to avoid.

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