Ahead of Doncaster Rovers’ upcoming match against Swindon Town on Saturday, we gathered insights from Joe Acklam of the Swindon Advertiser.
How has Swindon fared this season?
JA: “To put it simply, Swindon’s start this season hasn’t been the significant improvement many had anticipated from last year. In fact, their only season in the Premier League marks the last time since the 1960s that they accumulated fewer points from their first 10 league games.”
“There is reason to believe they have been a tad unlucky as there were five draws in that sequence and statistically they have done alright, as boss Mark Kennedy likes to point out. After a rough campaign last time around, they are yet to do enough to prove that was a blip rather than a trend.”
How’s Mark Kennedy’s first few months in the job gone?
JA: “He has had a tricky first couple of months in the job. Inheriting a difficult legacy and atmosphere at The Nigel Eady County Ground, fans have not taken to him immediately due to results being difficult.
“It was a big job to take over with all of the turnover from the summer, playing Michael Flynn and Cheltenham Town last time out, the starting line-up had made a grand total of one appearance under him at Swindon, and he only left in January.
How has Mark Kennedy’s first few months in the role been?
JA: “It’s been a challenging start for him. He inherited a tough situation and atmosphere at The Nigel Eady County Ground, and the fans haven’t warmed to him right away due to the struggles in results.
“It was a significant task to step into, especially with all the changes over the summer. When they played Michael Flynn’s Cheltenham Town recently, the starting lineup had only made one collective appearance under Kennedy at Swindon, and he had only departed in January.”
“The hope is that two wins in a week, including in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, might mark the beginning of a turnaround. However, facing a strong team like Doncaster will be the real test.”
What formation and style can Rovers expect on Saturday?
JA: Swindon will line up in a 3-1-4-2 formation. Kennedy, being a former winger, places a lot of emphasis on width and aims to challenge teams with crosses into the box. Keep an eye on the outside midfielders, who will stay very wide throughout the match.
“The team will aim to build from the back, but depending on the fitness of their strikers, they’ve been willing to mix things up and play longer balls, especially as opponents have started pressing them more aggressively.”
Who should we watch out for as the dangerman?
JA: “It’s hard to pinpoint, as only centre-back Will Wright has scored more than once in the league this season.
“However, in attack, George Cox has been a real threat since his deadline day arrival from the Eredivisie with his crosses, and academy graduate Joel McGregor has impressed at wing-back after breaking into the side recently. His energy and determination down the right have been exciting to watch.”
Score prediction?
JA: “I’m hoping Swindon has turned a corner, so I’ll go with a 1-1 draw.”