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Swindon Town hope to reward sold-out travelling support at Bristol Rovers
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Swindon Town prepare for a high-stakes derby clash this weekend as they head to Bristol Rovers supported by a sold-out away section of 1,365 fans.
Swindon Town head to the Memorial Stadium this weekend with momentum behind them, aiming to back up their recent victory over Barnet with a strong performance against rivals Bristol Rovers. The travelling support has ensured the club's allocation of 1,365 tickets is completely sold out, a turnout that players say provides a significant boost ahead of the match.
Goalkeeper Connor Ripley expressed the squad's appreciation for the commitment shown by the fans, particularly given the current economic climate. He noted the importance of the players delivering a performance worthy of the supporters who have invested their time and money to travel to the fixture. While the atmosphere promises to be intense, Ripley emphasised that the team must maintain a professional composure to avoid the pitfalls often associated with derby games.
The goalkeeper explained that while the nerves and excitement levels naturally rise for a fixture of this significance, the squad's focus remains on tactical discipline. He warned that players can sometimes be drawn into rash challenges or emotional reactions in derby matches, which can lead to costly mistakes and cards. The clear objective for the team is to remain level-headed and approach the contest as they would any other league game, despite the historical weight of the rivalry.
For Swindon manager Ian Holloway, the match carries a unique personal narrative. Having been a lifelong supporter of Bristol Rovers, questions have inevitably been raised regarding his return to the stadium. However, Holloway remains firm on his professional commitment to his current club. He stated that he is focused entirely on his role at Swindon Town, describing his past connection with his hometown club as irrelevant to his current responsibilities.
Swindon enter the weekend following a morale-boosting 3-1 win against Barnet, a result that ended a 214-day wait for an away victory. The squad will be looking to carry that form into the clash against a Bristol Rovers side keen to rectify their own recent run of form. With a capacity crowd expected in the away end, the stage is set for a highly competitive encounter as Swindon look to secure consecutive away results.
Source: Swindon Advertiser - Lifestyle · View original