Town Captain Nathan Thompson is hoping to mark his first experience of a Derby Day clash against Oxford United in style by bringing the three points back to Wiltshire.
The influential defender will lead his team out at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday (3pm Kick-Off) for the first league meeting between the two sides since 2012.
Thompson has yet to face Oxford in competitive action and he’s looking forward to putting that right tomorrow.
“We’ve all had messages this week on Twitter saying how important it is and it goes without saying,” he told swindontownfc.co.uk.
“It is the first fixture I look for at the start of the season and you need no motivation for big local derbies.
“The atmosphere will be intense tomorrow, I know it is a sell-out and it is one we’re all looking forward to.
“It is certainly a grudge match and everyone wants the bragging rights.
“It is the first time we’ve played Oxford in a league competition for a few years so it will be brilliant and one we’re all really, really looking forward to.
“I can’t wait for it.”
However, Thompson will also be making sure that he and his team-mates keep cool heads tomorrow and don’t run the risk of having a man sent-off.
“We reflected back on the Bristol City game a couple of years ago and how pumped up they came for it and they had a man sent-off in the first fifteen minutes,” he added.
“It is imperative we keep eleven men on the pitch and don’t let the atmosphere get the better of us tomorrow.
“I think if we play the football we’re capable of and we start with the same intensity as we did in the Bristol Rovers game then I have no doubt that we can come back with three points.
“The manager will make sure that the younger lads know their role in the team tomorrow and they will know that they can’t let the atmosphere get the better of them.
“It is just about controlling those emotions and doing what we do best which is keep the ball and make them work hard for it.
“When you hear the crowd behind you, it does give you that added incentive and extra motivation to push it a step further.
“Hearing the roar when we come out will be intense but it is something we’re really looking forward to.
“It is a massive game for us and a massive game for them as well and we need to set the tone early, get the right intensity and we’ll do alright.”
