Ian Holloway will have his pick of the Swindon Town squad this weekend as they face MK Dons.
The former Bristol Rovers boss made his return to management last month at The Robins, being appointed on the same day as Mark Kennedy was sacked. Holloway has already been involved in the squad’s running, however, barking orders from the stands in their last league game against Gillingham before taking charge of their two cup matches.
Fully Fit Squad
Speaking to the Swindon Advertiser ahead of their trip to MK Dons, the 61-year-old revealed he would be able to use everyone in the squad this weekend.
“I have got a fully fit, raring-to-go group of people, most of whom I have seen and I am very pleased with.
“The only concern the other evening was Rosaire [Longelo] cramped up but I think that was just a lack of minutes.
“We brought him off but I don’t think it was anything serious, touch wood, I would have got a phone call yesterday if that was the case.”
Longelo played in Town’s most recent match against Tottenham Hotspur’s under-21 side in the EFL Trophy but was forced off in the second half. The Robins won that game 2-1, securing their place in the knockout stages of the competition.
Other concerns came around a few players who lacked minutes since returning from injury, including wing-back Jeff King. Holloway added:
“I didn’t know they were injured when I watched them play, which was really pleasing, they didn’t look like they were carrying anything or off the pace.
“Well done to the medical team and to those lads in particular.
“Jeff didn’t want to come off, he felt that he could carry on but the sports scientists tell you now that they might be injured, so well done to him.”
Writer’s View
Ian Holloway’s revolution at Swindon Town can now finally take place in league play after a promising trial run in the FA Cup against Colchester United and in the EFL Trophy. However, this is not the easiest first test they could have had, with Scott Lindsey finally getting MK Dons in the right gear and are now surging up the table. AFC Wimbledon‘s result in the cup this weekend does show they can be caught out and Ollie will hope he can do so with every member of his squad available.
1st Class Honours in Multimedia Journalism at Salford University. Writing mainly about League Two.
