After our 2-0 victory away at Cheltenham Town this week, we make another short trip across the border to take on Swindon Town.
Tuesday’s confident performance will have provided manager Graham Coughlan with plenty of food for thought. Impressive performances from Lewis Payne, Kiban Rai, Jonny Maxted, and Nathan Wood, as well as a goal from the latter, could mean we see a few potential changes to Saturday’s line-up.
Manager’s Comments
Newport manager Graham Coughlan was plenty complimetary of tomorrow's opponent in this morning's pre-match press conference, "It's a massive challenge," noted Coughlan.
"We're probably the underdogs... They (Swindon) are flying, they're scoring goals for fun a real tough team to face when they are at home as well with a very good manager.
"Overall I think it has all the ingredients of a strong League Two clash. It's one we're looking forward to for sure.
It's a local clash which ensures we should have good backing from our fans, like I said we are looking forward to it.
Opposition Form
Swindon will come into Saturday’s game in the hunt for a first win in three, in all competitions. The Robins were comfortably beaten 5-0 by Reading in the EFL Trophy mid-week following back-to-back away defeats to Bradford City and Notts County.
Despite struggling on the road, Michael Flynn’s team has made the County Ground a fortress this season. They have picked up 13 of their 19 points this season at the ground, winning four and drawing one from their opening five.
The division’s two leading scorers, Luke Young and our very own Will Evans, will take to the pitch this weekend. Like Evans, Young has also netted nine league goals so far this campaign, and he has been integral to Swindon’s attack this season. He has missed The Robins’ last two games, and Swindon fans will be hoping to see him line up on Saturday.
Goals have been coming in abundance for Saturday’s hosts. They have netted 27 times, putting them joint second in the league behind Crewe and level with Notts County.
Ticket Info
Tickets for our clash with Swindon Town will go off sale at 4pm on Friday, October 13th. Fans will now be able to purchase tickets on the day.
Last Time Out
The last time we faced Swindon Town was when we welcomed them to Rodney Parade in February. Jody Morris was in charge of Swindon that day, but he was unable to steer them to a win.
Goals from Cameron Norman and Calum Kavanagh provided us with a comfortable lead, with a consolation from Tomi Adeloye in stoppage time, pulling one back for the visitors.
Head to Head
Our first match with Swindon Town dates all the way back to October 21st, 1920, nearly 97 years to the date we will face them this weekend. In that time, we have played each other in competitive action an incredible 94 times. Swindon have won 43 of these, while we have picked up 21 victories. Thirty games have ended in a draw.
Played for Both
There have been plenty of players who have worn the shirts of both Newport County and Swindon Town over the years. However, much of the attention this weekend will be on Mike Flynn in the Swindon dugout.
Flynn spent four spells at Rodney Parade as a player before managing 250 games between 2017 and 2021. He joined Swindon at the end of last season following a little over a year in charge at Walsall.
Surprisingly, given the links between Flynn and Newport, there are no former Exiles in the Swindon squad.
One of the more notable players to have lined up for both teams is Danny Rose. Rose played 149 games in South Wales between 2008 and 2012 and would end up playing at the County Ground seven years later, making 29 appearances for the Robins. Other former players include the likes of Scott Twine and Miles Storey.