Malpas plotting play-off push

It’s been a few weeks since I last reported on Swindon but I wanted time to tick by so I could give a fair assessment on new manager Maurice Malpas. Two own goals by Nottingham Forest a couple of weeks ago was probably not the way Malpas had hoped to seize his first win as new manager but none the less, a win is a win in football. This was undeniably a brilliant result for Swindon, who did superbly in staving off an equaliser.

The play-off push is a tight one, but one that is being accelerated with optimism. To date Town have remained stagnant mid-table. In tenth place with 39 points, we are currently tailgating a play-off place.

The FA Cup game versus Barnet was a frustrating match for Malpas. Billy Paynter scoring at both ends was followed by failure to break through a ten men Barnet for the winner, and the eventual disaster of four missed penalties.

Paynter’s spell of misfortune continued at Crewe last Saturday when he saw red for fouling Michael O’Connor. However, Malpas’s first away victory against Luton earlier this week took Swindon’s unbeaten run to ten games, thanks to Christian Roberts’ 52nd Minute goal. Unluckily for the opposition, their attempt in the 14th minute was declared offside.

Afterwards Malpas said: "I think the pleasing thing is we got three points and the manner in which we played to get them.

"It wasn't a pretty game but I think in the second half we showed more composure and scored our goal."

It is pleasing to note that new players Anthony McNamee and Moses Ashikodi, both from Watford, have joined STFC as Maurice’s first new signings. McNamee’s two-and-a-half-year deal was for an undisclosed fee. Striker Ashikodi is on loan until the end of this season.

Reading Striker Simon Cox has been in the news in Swindon a lot this week as well. His deal has been secured with STFC and he is expected to play against Northampton on Saturday. Meanwhile, Malpas has recently approached striker Lee Peacock and defender Miguel Comminges to extend their contracts. Peacock has agreed to a new contract with Swindon will now remain in the squad for at least another season until 2009.

So it seems that finally Swindon is setting anchor on both its possessions and its sights. It will be interesting to see if we can still achieve the play-offs in the remaining time of this season. To be honest I think it’s remarkable that we are in the great position now to be able to make these ambitions, considering the recent dark days as reported in my earlier posts.

Keeper Brezovan is staying until the end of the season. The team is taking shape with some quality players all fighting to wear the shirt. Truly exciting times for a more robust and stable Swindon. Malpas has impressed fans so far. Let’s hope this remains the case.

NEIL ROBINSON