We shall be trying hard to erase all memories of Saturday's horror show against Carlisle tomorrow with a resounding victory over 2nd Division Swindon Town in the 2nd round of the LDV Vans Trophy.

Swindon are another club that are similar in many respects to Carlisle in that they have also had their fair share of boardroom problems, players not being paid and a fall from grace after once being in football's top flight.

Their latest problem is the refusal of ex Liverpool hardman, Neil Ruddock, to leave the club.  The club have given him a generous settlement package but this has been rejected.  The defender gives the impression that he wants to play for the club again but the club have given an equally strong impression that don't want him to.

Swindons chief executive Mark Devlin said:
“It is an incredibly generous offer from a club with no money which is being put to Neil.  I cannot reveal the figure as I feel it is right that such matters remain confidential but it is a sum that the average working person would find extremely welcome.”

Devlin has stressed that the ball is now in Ruddock’s court and that the former Liverpool, Spurs and West Ham defender will not find any further improved deals put to him.

They have been knocked back too with the news that rising star Jimmy Davis, on loan from Manchester Utd, has been recalled by Sir Alex after being at the County Ground for the past three months.  Swindon had thought that the loan was to be for a bit longer but Sir Alex must have been told that David Beckham was about to be kidnapped along with the rest of his family and got Davis back just in case.

Swindon also have a man with the wonderful name of Danny Invincible playing for them and along with Sam Parkin, on loan from Chelsea, they're not short of strikers.

They also have an ex Harrier in their ranks.  Steve Robinson was here at Aggborough for a short while when Graham Allner took him on loan from Birmingham City.  He never really impressed me though, he was a feeble looking specimen and never showed much potential.  I must have been proved wrong.

Swindon manager, Andy King, is expected to name the same line-up that drew at home to Tranmere over the weekend with the exception of Jimmy Davis who will be replaced by Eric Sabin.


For our part we should be able to put a team out if there's anyone left after Britt's laid into them.  The behaviour of some of the team on Saturday was shocking and one hopes that they will be severely dealt with, but once that's been done they'll come out tomorrow night and make amends.

The only doubt after that game may be Danny Williams, who was taken off just after half time.  Probably with sore ribs after cracking some at Swansea two weeks ago.

Mark Blake and Adie Smith will be missing still and we may be without Bo Henriksen again (thigh) and Dean Bennett.  He was sent home before the Carlisle game through illness.

We have a good chance to go through to the next round but will we be up for it and be prepared to risk injuries to key players with the FA Cup this weekend?
It's the same for both sides.  Swindon will be playing Huddersfield on the same day as we play Rushden so they won't be wanting to take any risks either.

It's our only realistic chance (apart from the play-offs) to get to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff so lets go for it.

Teams

Harriers from:
Brock, Danby, Joy, Stamps, Melligan, Ayres, Hinton, Williams, Parrish, Sall, Flynn, Bennett, Shilton, Doyle, Foster, Broughton, Henriksen, Lower.

Swindon from:
Griemink, Willis, Reeves, Young, Gurney, Collins, Farr, Invincible, Dykes, Duke, Sabin, Edds, Jackson, Cobian, O'Halloran, Halliday, Hewlett, Heywood, Edwards, Parkin, Davis, Miglioranzi, Robinson.