Tip-Top Town Represent Tough Test For Rovers

Bristol Rovers will host and in form Swindon Town at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday in League 2, hoping to put to bed the shortcomings that see them languishing in the lower reaches of the fourth tier, though they will have to put in the performance of the season to overcome the rocking Robins.

The form

Both sides come into the game on the back of excellent FA Cup victories, Rovers thrashing non-league AFC Totton 6-1, while Swindon caused a minor upset, dumping League 1 Colchester out to set up a home tie against Premiership Wigan in the third round.

The Wiltshire side are currently on a 13 game unbeaten run, inclusive of the whole of October and November, the most impressive of those results coming in the FA Cup first round, where they dismembered League 1 high-flyers Huddersfield 4-1 at the County Ground.

This stunning form has seen Swindon rise from 11th up to a comfotable 6th in the League 2 standings, as well as guiding them to the area final of the Johnstones' Paint Trophy with victory over table topping Southend. They will clash with Barnet over two legs for a place in the Wembley showpiece, potentially their second final at the national stadium in three seasons.

42 goals in 26 all matches to this point in the season makes them a sizable threat, though the scoring duties have been shared around in recent games, Algerian striker Mehdi Kerrouche is the leading marksman with eight for the season.

The key men

Despite his goalscoring prowess Kerrouche has started just one of Town's last five games, being substituted after just 26 minutes of the cup game at Colchester, as well as receiving some constructive criticism from his manager this week. Raffaele De Vita and Alan Connell have worked in rotation up front along with Birmingham loanee Jake Jervis.

A one time Rovers target under Paul Trollope's management, Jervis possesses a fine physique, standing at 6'3", while also being fleet of foot with the turf ahead of him. The additional tricky feet make the 20 year old a potent threat to any defence in League 2.

Joining at the back end of September means that only one of Jervis' 11 appearances has been on the losing side - that was his debut game away at Macclesfield - the four goals he has bagged in that time displaying his burgeoning talent.

If Rovers are able to keep Jervis and the rest of Swindon's dangermen at bay, then they will have to work their way past towering centre back Aden Flint to take the win.

The lanky defender, signed for an undisclosed fee from Alfreton Town at the turn of the year, has been a rock in the Robins defensive line, dominating the aerial duties when is called upon, leaving Paul Buckle with a tactical weight on his mind come match day.

The gaffer

If you don't know about the latest rider on Swindon's managerial roundabout, which rock have you been hiding under; the focal point for much of the media's coverage of Town this season has been ever-controversial boss Paolo Di Canio.

The County Ground hot seat is the Italian's first job in football management and, after battling through a rocky start, he seems to be coming good. Di Canio has produced a multinational squad containing Spaniards, Italians, an Algerian and even a Namibian, a rare sight in the British dominated bottom rung of the Football League.

The continental approach instilled into his squad is paying dividends, the Reds now playing an attractive brand of slick, passing football, the pace of the forwards and widemen a menace to opposing defences.

In-keeping with the former West Ham striker's character, there have been differences with players, the touchline dispute with Leon Clarke was well publicised at the time, and it is fair to say that opposing fans have centred their attention on Di Canio, often taking pressure away from his team inadvertently.

The history

The close proximity of the two clubs, both in terms of locale and league positions, has created a simmering rivalry, never more apparent than in recent seasons.

Every year since Swindon became the first Premier League era side to be relegated to the basement division, they and Rovers have met in league fixtures. Rickie Lambert scored a scorching 40 yard half volley at the Memorial Stadium that season to help Rovers into the play-offs, from which they were promoted.

The Robins have edged the record since then, winning four of the eight games, although the Gas did manage an emphatic double in 2009/10, thumping Swindon 3-0 at home before humiliating them 4-0 at the County Ground. Will Hoskins opened the scoring in last season's corresponding fixture, which ended 3-1 in favour of the home side.

Surprisingly, it may be Jeff Hughes that Rovers will miss the most. The midfielder, now with Notts County, had scored in each of the last four tussles between the clubs.

The verdict

Rovers will have to be on the top of their game to snatch all three points in this one; Swindon are riding on the crest of a wave. The Pirates will need to remain tight, compact and not get sucked in by Town's passing rhythm, while breaking incisively themselves.

Aden Flint will most likely monopolise the aerial challenges, so getting the ball out to Mustapha Carayol and Jo Anyinsah on the wings will be way forward.

Matt Ritchie's suspension will be a blow to Swindon, the wideman has scored seven this term, as well as creating numerous others. It may, however, open up a space in the centre midfield for Simon Ferry, who will need to be kept under wraps by his quartered counterparts - bringing Craig Stanley back into the side may be advisable.

De Vita Breaks Pilgrims Resistance

Raffaele De Vita's 82nd minute strike lead his battling Swindon Town side to a 1-0 triumph away at Plymouth Argyle.

The Italian ended a flowing counter attack to leave the Pilgrims rock-bottom of the Football League, though it was not for a lack of trying on the hosts part, their eight shots on target finding determined Swindon bodies between them and the back of the net.

It was Plymouth, looking to extend their unbeaten run to three games, who started the brighter, a barrage of corners eventually leading to two efforts on goal. Curtis Nelson initially found the back of teammate Matt Lecointe, before the rebound looped up for Robbie Williams to volley into the arm's of Wes Foderingham.

Central defender Nelson was a constant threat when lurking in the Swindon penalty area, as two more of his strikes required blocks from visiting bodies, either side of Jake Jervis' header going narrowly wide at the other end.

With his side on the back foot Cristian Montano took it upon himself to take the game to the fragile Plymouth defence. The Colombian managed to skin two defenders before letting the moment slip, his final shot rolling comfortably into the grateful palms of Argyle custodian Jake Cole.

Robbie Williams late free kick, held by the strong hands of Foderingham, summed up the first half as the home side worked hard for no reward.

Paulo Di Canio's half time team-talk appeared to motivate Swindon for the second half as the visitors began to stroke the ball around more confidently, adding an extra yard of pace to the game.

Birmingham loanee Jake Jervis twice missed the target when well placed while two short-corner routines caught the Plymouth defence cold, though Jonothan Smith's header was the best chance to result from them.

Argyle were not done yet, however, as their best chance of the match came and went within the blink of an eye, Conor Hourihane's inswinging corner finding the forehead of Jamie Griffith. With the substitute's bullet header flying goalwards Foderingham instinctively threw a hand up, tipping the ball over the crossbar.

Five minutes later, with the home side pressing for the winner, Swindon broke downfield, the ball making it's way to Matt Ritchie on the right hand side, the ex-Portsmouth youth crossing for De Vita to beat Cole with a low angled drive.

With the game almost up Argyle fought valiantly for a route back in, but not even the presence of Cole in the Swindon area for a late corner could force the equaliser, leaving the Pilgrims five points adrift of safety, while the Robins move to just a point away from the League 2 play-off places.

Mystic Mousse Predicts

No matter how many times fellow fans tell you football is unpredictable we still think we know the game better than anyone else, even The Lord himself.

And so with five games left in Bristol Rovers agonising struggle to avoid the drop down from League 1 I thought I'd take some time to have a go at the BBC predictor for the division, these are my results.

When I started I believed that Plymouth and Swindon were already down so the final two relegation places were going to be filled by two out of Rovers, Tranmere, Dagenham & Redbridge, Notts County and Walsall so those are the sides I began focusing on with the table currently looking like this.

18 Tranmere P40 Pts 46
19 Dagenham P41 Pts 44
20 Walsall P41 Pts 43
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21 Rovers P41 Pts 43
22 County P40 Pts 42
23 Swindon P41 Pts 38

Saturday April 16th

A bad weekend for everyone involved, aside from Tranmere that is. They face a key fixture with Dagenham that could either send the Birkenhead side far away from the pack or see the Daggers move one win away from the fifty point mark. As it goes I thought that Dagenham would come out on top, Saturday saw them secure a simple 3-1 win over fellow strugglers Notts County and on Tuesday they suffered a harrowing 4-3 loss to league leaders Brighton, that result securing the Seagulls promotion.

I also had Rovers down to lose 2-0 to Southampton, and that's probably being kind. Even though the Pirates had been in good form prior to their defeat to Exeter at the weekend the manner of the performances have been none to impressive and they are likely to get punished by a Saints team that threaten from anywhere on the pitch.

Table
18 Dagenham P42 Pts 47 W1-0 Tranmere
19 Tranmere P41 Pts 46 L0-1 Dagenham
20 Walsall P42 Pts 43 L3-1 Brighton
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21 Rovers P42 Pts 43 L0-2 Southampton
22 County P41 Pts 42 L0-1 Bournemouth

Tuesday April 19th

Tranmere are involved in another crunch relegation tussle, this time with Notts County. Martin Allen was recently appointed as gaffer at County, their board getting rid of Paul Ince and taking one last throw of the dice on the Mad Dog. Allen was at Barnet for under a month before taking the County hotseat, winning two and drawing one game to give a side who looked almost dead and buried at the foot of League 2 a fighting chance of staying up and I can see a nine game losing streak coming to an end for his new side, gaining a point in a 1-1 draw, taking them back above the Gas on goal difference.

18 Dagenham P42 Pts 47
19 Tranmere P41 Pts 47 D1-1 Notts County
20 Walsall P42 Pts 43
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21 County P42 Pts 43 D1-1 Tranmere
22 Rovers P42 Pts 43

Friday April 22nd and Saturday April 23rd

Dagenham and Tranmere play Friday and earn a point apiece against Plymouth and Hartlepool respectively. Walsall and County both lose, though the match between Notts and Swindon is one of the most difficult to predict and the win for the Wiltshire side gives them a fighting chance of staying up, making it one of the biggest fixtures of the relegation battle, while Rovers pick up a point that takes them out of the drop zone against Charlton

18 Dagenham P43 Pts 48 D1-1 Plymouth
19 Tranmere P43 Pts 48 D1-1 Hartlepool
20 Rovers P43 Pts 44 D2-2 Charlton
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21 County P43 Pts 43 L2-1 Swindon
22 Walsall P43 Pts 43 L1-0 Sheff Weds

Monday April 25th

Easter Monday sees Rovers pick up a 1-0 victory over an off-colour Bournemouth side, their first win at Dean Court since February 2001. Dagenham and Tranmere both lose but still look fairly safe, both needing a win in one of their last two games to secure League 1 status for another season but County and Walsall look in a bad way after both lose. Swindon must win their last two and hope Rovers fail each time to stay up.

18 Dagenham P44 Pts 48 L3-0 Huddersfield
19 Tranmere P44 Pts 48 L2-1 Exeter
20 Rovers P44 Pts 47 W1-0 Bournemouth
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21 County P44 Pts 44 D0-0 Brentford
22 Walsall P44 Pts 44 D1-1 Oldham

Saturday April 30th

The Gas are still looking over their shoulders after a 2-1 defeat at the hand of Sheffield Wednesday but know that a point against Colchester on the last day would see them stay up. Dagenham claim a hame win against Carlisle to confirm their survival and as Walsall and Notts County also lose Tranmere will definately be a League 1 club next season. Swindon pick up a win over Oldham to move above Walsall.

18 Dagenham P45 Pts 51 W1-0 Carlisle
19 Tranmere P45 Pts 48 L1-0 Leyton Orient
20 Rovers P45 Pts 47 L2-1 Sheffield Wednesday
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21 County P45 Pts 44 L1-0 MK Dons
22 Swindon P45 Pts 44 W1-0 Oldham
23 Walsall P45 Pts 44 L2-1 Charlton

Saturday May 7th

A midweek 4-2 win against Plymouth meant that Southampton had secured promotion to the Championship.

Only one of the three teams on 44 points troubles Rovers, namely Swindon Town whose upturn in fortunes came just too late, Rovers taking the point they need to survive at Colchester to send their barmy army of travelling support home happy, Swindon's joy following their win over Tranmere being shortlived. County and Walsall lose again, not that that would have troubled the gleeful Pirates.

Brighton fail to reach the 100 point mark, finishing on 98 and Bournemouth draw with Rochdale to stay in the final play-off spot.

18 Dagenham P46 Pts 51 L0-2 Peterborough
19 Tranmere P46 Pts 48 L0-1 Swindon
20 Rovers P46 Pts 48 D2-2 Colchester
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21 Swindon P46 Pts 47 W1-0 Tranmere
22 County P46 Pts 44 L0-2 Brighton
23 Walsall P46 Pts 44 L0-1 Southampton

My results will most likely finish way off as some teams will pick up unexpected results that nobody could foresee. The last few seasons have seen teams need at least 50 points to stay up so my view of Swindon ending on 47 is very low. I have also predicted just a single win for Rovers when, in the most likely circumstances, they will need to win at least two more and get a point from somewhere else.

The last day fixtures do Rovers some favours with Dagenham having to face off with Peterborough, Walsall playing Southampton and Notts County up against Brighton in their final games a visit to a Colchester team firmly rooted in a mid-table position doesn't look as bad as it could for the Gas.

Indeed, Rovers final five games aren't as daunting as they looked at the start of the season. Southampton will undoubtedly be tough to beat and a point at St Mary's would be a superb result for a side that look decidedly dodgy, but after that comes Charlton who have dropped to 12th after a poor run and Bournemouth who, as mentioned earlier, are having a dreadful time of late. Sheffield Wednesday have struggled since beating the Gas 6-2 in December and should not be feared in front of a full house for the final game of the season at the Memorial Stadium before the trip to Essex.

Notts County are the team that could cause problems. Under Paul Ince they looked shot of confidence and, falling quickly, dead certs for the drop but Martin Allen will give them one last hope, a boost that could not have come any later and fray the nerves of the teams just above them.

So the key is to not lose heart, anything is possible and this last hour or so spent typing in results and writing up this blog has most likely been wasted, but nevertheless, it's wasted some time before the Tottenham V Real Madrid match this evening, not that that will be able to compare to the last five games of Rovers season.

Relief At Last

Commitment, passion, pride. Three attributes required to win any game of football, let alone a local derby. And did I mention survival on the line?

Twelve games had gone by since Gasheads had seen a Bristol Rovers victory and the wait for the next was becoming tense.

Rovers were sat in 22nd place in the League 1 table, two points off of survival but having played a game more than both Yeovil and Tranmere above them. The Glovers had won their last three games too so no change could mean Rovers slipping adrift of the pack. Swindon had been in decidedly dodgy form also and last years play-off finalists were just four points above Rovers in 19th place leaving it all to play for, and it all started so well.

Just six minutes in a neat passing move saw Chris Lines slip in Will Hoskins who dinked the ball over the onrushing Phil Smith to put the Gas into the lead, but having let advantages slip in two of their last three home games the fans and players alike knew it wasn't over yet.

For the first ten minutes it seemed that Dave Penney's application of pressing tactics was being implemented well, the midfield weren't dropping immediately to the edge of their own area as they had been under the leadership of Paul Trollope, all good then, or maybe not. A goal to the good and putting decent pressure onto Swindon, Rovers began to drop off the opposition and allow them masses of time and space and the match started to go backwards for them.

They kept battling and creating chances though, and there were signs that some of their neat passing may pay-off later in the game, there were less hopeful punts up field towards the 5'9" and 5'7" strikers and possession was being kept well.

It was all even until the second goal of the game, Jo Kuffour capitalising on dodgy passing among the Swindon back line as he rounded the 'keeper to double Rovers advantage. The home side continued to force themselves back and give Swindon time on the ball, Robins captain Jonothan Douglas sitting deep and spraying a number of passes to his teammates as they pushed for a way back into the game and with 24 minutes left they found one, David McCracken, on loan from Brentford, missed a header on the edge of the area and allowed John-Paul McGovern into the penalty area and smash the ball past a rooted Luke Daniels.

This only spurred the Pirates on, however, and they began to work the ball around again and a Will Hoskins cross found Jeff Hughes who glanced in to seal victory, his fourth goal in his last four games against Swindon.

It was an impressive and confident performance from a side who have lacked a solidity over recent months and although Swindon had overall more chances than Rovers it was only the goal and one other effort that really looked dangerous, Luke Daniels mopping up a number of weak attempts on his goal. The dangerman for Swindon was supposed to be Charlie Austin. The youngster scored 20 goals in his first season since signing from Poole Town last term and was already on 17 this year and has scored against Rovers in the past but he was kept subdued by the partnership of Anthony and McCracken, the latter being dominant in the air. Carl Regan and Gary Sawyer in the full back positions had erratic moments and were often caught out by the pace of McGovern and Ritchie on the flanks, and failed to close down Swindon in the wide areas, something that was a purposeful tactic under Paul Trollope.

The midfield area has been a problem this season, often outmuscled and missing when it matters they were much improved, Jeff Hughes and Chris Lines putting in real shifts and showing that their form last season wasn't just a fluke. Lines in particular was singled out by Dave Penney in his post match interview, Penney saying:

"I thought Chris Lines had his best game since I had been here today, running the midfield, and you could see he is a good player.

Ben Swallow continues to make progress on the left flank and is certainly looking a good prospect for seasons to come as he looked to force himself upon defenders and the way he harried the Swindon back four when in they had the ball will earn him the respect of the Rovers fans.

Will Hoskins form up to now has been imperious, and it was to be no different against the Robins. After his early goal, following a surging run and a cheeky finish, he continued in the same vain. Not only did he work hard in the centre of the pitch Hoskins also worked the channels and wasn't afraid to get into wide areas, Rovers third coming courtesy of a Hoskins cross from the left. If he keeps working away the Leagues joint second highest scorer could come under the transfer spotlight again, Rovers already having turned down three bids from Championship Scunthorpe.

His strike partner Jo Kuffour worked hard, showing good strength to hold the ball up on numerous occasions, most notably in the sixth minute when he controlled the ball and laid it off to Lines to skip Hoskins in for the opener. The former Arsenal trainee also showed his intelligence as he took full advantage of Swindon's mistake at the back to slot home.

Rovers boss Dave Penney was delighted with the way his team applied themselves to the game, telling bristolrovers.co.uk:

"We got the early goal which got us going, got the supporters behind us.

"We score at the right times really, just after half time we scored the second and killed the game off a little bit, they got one and then we went back down the other end and got the third and really killed the game off.

"I couldn't have asked for much more from the players, the 11 stayed out on the pitch as they were excellent, there was no need to change it, and they all looked fit and sharp.

"It was important for me as a manager to get a result, and I think it is a bit sweeter that it was against a team just down the road."

When Penney took over one of his biggest complaints with the squad was the lack of fitness among the players and so to see the starting eleven remain on the pitch until full time will be heartening and shows the progress that has been made already.

One comment from the gaffers post match interview that some fans may find disheartening was that he feels he only has two players in central midfield that he feels he can rely on in Chris Lines and Stuart Campbell. With Dominic Blizzard having been placed on the transfer list on Friday it is becoming apparent that Wayne Brown, signed on a free from Fulham in the summer, is now falling out of favour. Brown has scored a single goal in his eleven starts thus far this season but has made little impact overall, spending the majority of his time on the right hand side of midfield, whereas his preferred position is in the centre. He is still young, though, and learning his trade as he goes along and there have been glimpses of talent there but perhaps Penney feels that his 5'5" frame is not what is required in the centre with his side in the mire.

On two occasions Rovers fans could be forgiven for having a look of fright on their faces, firstly when Byron Anthony smashed head first into the Swindon woodwork when committedly flinging himself at a corner. Deeper into the first half top scorer Will Hoskins pulled up after chasing a ball wide on the Swindon back line, collapsing off of the pitch and requiring Rovers physio Phil Kite to sprint round from the opposite touchline to treat the former Watford man. A slice of tape later and the striker was soon back up on his feet, sprinting straight back into the action and Gashead hearts dropped from their mouths.

For Swindon it looks as though there is a real threat from the drop zone and the pressure on Danny Wilson looks to be reaching an insurmountable level. Keeping hold of Charlie Austin will be key for the Robins but that seems less and less likely as the days go by, although any scouts the the Memorial Stadium wouldn't have seen the display of a potential Championship striker.

If it weren't for Tranmere stunning Southampton, Rovers would be out of the relegation zone but overall results went their way, Dagenham and Walsall below them losing ground on the Gas, and Notts County, plus Swindon of course, losing means that they are within touching distance of those above them. Walsall are the next team to challenge the Gas, the sort of game that Rovers must be getting three points from if they are to survive. The Bescot beckons.

A Season On The Line - Swindon Preview

It may be January still but this could be one of the biggest games of the season for Bristol Rovers. A chance for a vociferous atmosphere against a local rival if Dave Penney can get things right the fans will get behind him and his team, breeding confidence among the players while putting fear into opposition hearts. The atmosphere at the Memorial Stadium has been subdued over recent months, poor form and disturbingly bad football giving them nothing to shout about but things are steadily progressing.

A first clean sheet in 17 games came in midweek against Hartlepool, with loan signing David McCracken making a big impact on the home fans with a commanding performance at the heart of the Rovers defence. McCracken joined on the day of the game from Brentford, initially on a months loan deal, who seem to be looking to let the defender go having put a clause in the deal that allows them to recall the Scot if another club makes a permanent offer for him. The loanee is confident that his new team can gain confidence from the clean sheet at Hartlepool and start to force the results they so desperately need, he told thisisbristol.co.uk:

"I want to do well for the club during my time here and my first impressions are that there is a hard-working bunch of boys here desperate to get out of trouble.

"You can see that there are obviously a few players lacking in confidence, but that happens in a team that has been struggling.

"I saw enough in the Hartlepool game to suggest that the lads are prepared to pull together and grind results out.

"We need to start picking up points and I don't think it matters how we go about it. The game against Hartlepool may not have been the prettiest to watch, but we got a clean sheet and a point and now we have something to build on. If we have to do things the ugly way to get us up the table, then so be it."

Dave Penney has been busy in the transfer market as Monday saw the arrival of a central defender in the shape of Cian Bolger, again on loan. A Leicester City academy graduate the Irishman only took up a place on the bench against Hartlepool but will hope to break into the first team reckoning during the month he is with the club.

There is still work to be done, however, and Penney is keeping an eye out for potential signings, especially in terms of his frontline, a targetman remaining a priority, although there are rumours coming out of Hillsborough that Paul Heffernan, whom Rovers took on loan from Doncaster towards the end of last season, could be in line for a return to the Memorial Stadium where he would play under a manager in Dave Penney who signed him for Doncaster in the summer of 2005. Any release of Hefferan from Wednesday, however, will depend on whether the club can follow through with their interest in Notts County hitman Lee Hughes. Penney is also thought to be in the market for a midfielder.

One player who could be on his way out of the club is Dominic Blizzard who has been placed on the transfer list after failing to make a big impact at the club since he joined at the start of last season. The Wycombe born midfielder will be available on either a loan or a permanent move away from the club.

It's not just on the pitch that there have been arrivals, though, as Friday saw the announcement of Martin Foyle joining the club as first team coach. Foyle was at one point linked with the managerial vacancy with the Gas before the appointment of Dave Penney but will still be able to bring his wealth of experience to the staff at the club. Foyle and Penney have previous with each other, having played together at Oxford United in the late 1980's.

Swindon have been in the transfer market news recently as well. The Wiltshire side have sold one of their star defenders in Sean Morrison to Reading in the week for a £250,000 fee. A youthful member has also been added to the squad with the capture of Aden Flint from Alfreton Town, though the youngster may end up back on loan at the Conference North club if he finds himself unable to break into the matchday squad at the County Ground. A talent search run by sponsors Samsung also saw Swindon sign the winner, Jordan Pavett, on a twelve month-deal.

But the big news surrounds Charlie Austin and the potential transfer saga that could surround him. On Tuesday BBC Wiltshire reported that the forward had put in a transfer request at the club who gave him his break in the professional game, having signed him from Poole Town in October 2009. Austin has scored 17 goals thus far this season, having netted 20 times in his first season with the Robins and it is thought that enquiries from a number of Championship clubs have been met with a 'not for sale' message. Town manager Danny Wilson has come out and commented on the situation, claiming that Austin's actions are down to his 'immaturity in footballing terms'.



Abhorrent is the best way to describe Rovers recent form, the side having failed to win in their last 12 league games, that victory coming against Rochdale in October, while 28 goals have been conceded, a record of more than two per-game, and included conceding three on three separate occasions as well as four at Carlisle last weekend and six at Sheffield Wednesday in December. The two incoming defenders, the experienced McCracken especially, should help to stem that flow and a clean sheet has already been kept in Rovers last game, though it is always risky to make assumptions based on one game.

Having come so close to promotion last season Swindon will be massively disappointed with their showing this season. Town currently occupy 19th place having won only two away games this season. They have already lost one west country derby this month, losing to Yeovil in last time out and seeing Michael Rose receive a red card in the process. The Robins last six away games have seen three losses, two draws and a win for a struggling side who have won just two of their last eight league matches. A humiliating 3-2 extra time loss in the second round of the FA Cup to Crawley Town has seen the pressure mount on ex-Bristol City manager Danny Wilson, who is sure to come in receipt of a hot reception when 3 O'clock comes.

League Form
Bristol Rovers - LLLDLD - Home Form - WDLLDD
Swindon Town - WDLWLL - Away Form - LDDLWL

This is the fifth consecutive season that Rovers and Swindon have played in the same division and during that time it is Saturday's visitors who hold the advantage, having won five of the nine games played, including a 2-1 victory in the Sky televised game earlier this season, last season was much different, though. With Rovers sat behind Swindon by only goal difference in 7th place what looked like a tough encounter turned out to be a stroll in the park as the Gas came out winners by a 3-0 margin to move up a place, but since that game Rovers had slipped to ten points adrift of the play-offs while Swindon had gone unbeaten for two and a half months and no-one could have foreseen the match that was about to take place.

Swindon hit the post from a free kick early on and the travelling blue army could have started to worry until Jo Kuffour broke through and curled the ball over Swindon 'keeper Lucas. Paul Heffernan doubled that lead before an exquisite free kick on the stroke of half time from Chris Lines sent Rovers in 3-0 up at the break. A further goal from Jeff Hughes sent the away fans home in raptures singing 'seven nil on aggregate'. On a side note Jeff Hughes has scored in each of his last three appearances against Swindon, so could history repeat itself and see the Northern Ireland international score again?

Rovers will be without Danny Coles for the game as he serves the second of his four match suspension for picking up his second red card of the season at Carlisle last weekend. Jeff Hughes has recovered sufficiently to at least take a place on the bench against Swindon.

Michael Rose will be suspended for Swindon following his red card against Yeovil last Saturday and he will likely be replaced by Alan Sheehan who is just returning from a thigh injury. Andy Frampton will be available for selection having missed Town's last match with a groin strain. Goalkeeper David Lucas will be out with a knee injury. Despite the recent transfer furore surrounding him Charlie Austin will start up front for the Reds.

New signing Aden Flint is unlikely to be included in the squad while Samsung talent search winner Jordan Pavett will not be revealed to supporters until Swindon's home game against Exeter on January 29th.



Dave Penney is looking forward to the atmosphere at the Mem for the local derby and hopes his team can start looking up the table very soon, he told bristolrovers.co.uk:

"It is a local derby, it should be a cup tie atmosphere, and I am looking forward to it. We need three points, we need to start picking threes up.

"It was nice to get a clean sheet and a point on Tuesday, but we would have liked three and we need three on Saturday to close the two point gap.

"We can then push on and start climbing the table. I am not interested in dragging teams into a relegation fight, I just want to drag us out.

"We have got to play with our heads as well as our hearts in these games, but supporters want a fully committed performance in any game, but even more so in a derby game."

Swindon Town manager Danny Wilson knows the importance of the game in terms of both sides league positions, as well as the fact that it is a local derby, he told swindontownfc.co.uk:

"It's a massive game for both sides. Neither team wants to be looking over their shoulders, and with a win we can pull ourself away from the danger zone.

"With it being a derby it adds that little bit of extra spice, and motivation-wise these games take care of themselves so I'm expecting us to perform well."