TOWN welcome AFC Bournemouth to The County Ground on Saturday as they return to home league action following two successive away games.
THE VIEW
After picking up three points at Fratton Park on Tuesday evening, manager Paolo Di Canio says that his players must return to winnings ways at home in the presence of his former manager Harry Redknapp.
“I will see my old friend Harry Redknapp as he comes to The County Ground with AFC Bournemouth,” he said. “I didn’t have a chance to speak to him this week building up to the game so it will be nice to have a reunion with him after the game. I will offer him a nice glass of red wine afterwards which hopefully he will have after having witnessed a Swindon win.”
The manager also says that Town need to turn The County Ground into a fortress once more.
He continued: “We must forget the display we made against Leyton Orient and work to make The County Ground a very tough place for teams to come and play once again. The County Ground is very important for us and the challenge is there to get back to winning ways in front of our own fans”
THE STORY SO FAR
After drawing all three of their opening League One fixtures, The Cherries lost 5-3 at Sheffield United before a Richard Hughes goal secured a 1-0 win at Yeovil Town two weeks ago. They also drew 2-2 against Brentford in midweek. Bournemouth have also failed to progress in both cup competitions being knocked out at the hands of Oxford United and Portsmouth in the Capital One Cup and the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy respectively.
LAST TIME OUT
On their last visit to SN1, the Cherries took all three points home with them after a 2-1 win on New Year’s Day ,2011. Matt Ritchie equalised for Town after Marc Pugh’s opener but Jason Pearce secured the win for the visitors with a goal ten minutes from time. Swindon have not beaten Bournemouth since September 2007: Billy Paynter hit a hat-trick after Simon Cox had put Town in front, earning the home side a 4-1 win.
TICKETS
Tickets are still available from the STFC Box Office or from the Online Ticket site.
