PHIL Brown is hopeful of returning from Plymouth with three Checkatrade Trophy points this evening as he looks to start a winning run ahead of Town’s League Two trip to Exeter on Saturday.
Swindon make the trip down the M5 to Devon twice this week, facing Plymouth Argyle in a must-win Checkatrade Trophy fixture tonight before Brown’s men return south on Saturday, where they will be seeking to rediscover some league form against the in-form Grecians.
While the Town boss admits Saturday’s trip carries more importance, the 59-year-old conceded returning to Wiltshire tonight with a Checkatrade Trophy victory will go a long way in helping to establish a winning mentality among his players.
“Saturday is the most important game for the club this week,” said Brown. “Having said that, the next important game for me is the next one that’s in front of us – regarding getting a winning streak going.
“We haven’t won a game in three and all sorts or questions will be thrown up about our performance.”
One benefit of tonight’s game- from Brown’s point of view - will be his option to field players that have currently failed to make an impression on the first team picture.
Ellis Iandolo, Scott Twine, Joe Romanski, Martin Smith, Ellis Iandolo and Jak McCourt are all yet to make regular starts for Town in League Two.
Tonight’s game grants such players with an opportunity to reverse that trend while gaining valuable minutes on the pitch.
Brown said: “We need players – fitness-wise – with enough minutes under their belt to put a challenge in for a league starting position.
“Kaiyne (Woolery) didn’t have the best summer after his operation – he’s been set back two or three months. He’s played no part in any game, so there are opportunities for him.
“Dion (Conroy) has played some minutes of football this season, and he was pushing for a place on Saturday (against Northampton).
“But I couldn’t take a risk on him, even though the quality is there.
“I wouldn’t disagree with him if he argues he should be playing, but match fitness is different – if you’re 50 or 60 per cent match fit, your quality doesn’t show enough.”
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