Swindon v Latics Preview

Latics travel to Wiltshire this afternoon for a very tricky 3rd round FA cup tie against League 2 opposition Swindon Town.

Martinez has promised changes to 'freshen up' his side and give some of the fringe players and youngsters a run out. Call me old fashioned but I don`t like to see us take the cup so lightly

I know times have changed, but the FA cup still has a special place in my heart, I can remember teams being fined by the league for fielding weakened teams because clubs were saving their players for cup games! Yes times have changed

Swindon will provide stiff opposition for whatever team we put out, they are flying under Paolo Di Canio, in their last 18 games in all comps the Robins have suffered defeat on just one occasion, it will be a tough game, but we should prove too strong.

Can we have a cup run please Roberto?

Latics boss Roberto Martinez:

'The FA cup for us is an important cometition

'We need to refresh individual situations. There are certain players who need to play, other players need to have a real break.

'Momo Diame is going to join Senegal for the African Nations Cup and I want to have a look at the youngsters at the club as well. It's a good game for us.

'It's been too many games. I cannot explain from a scientific point of view how you can perform with the amount of games that we've got in our league.

'Now is a good moment to rotate the squad and share the responsibility throughout all the players that we've got at the football club.'

'Swindon are a really great club with a big tradition'

'They are a very strong unit and are devoloping a winning mentality, it will be very difficult'


By permission of Bernard Platt/Wigan Athletic

Swindon boss Paolo Di Canio:

'My opinion on him without knowing him properly is that he is a fantastic person, a gentleman and a sportsman in the right way'

'He's calm and, even in the worst moments in a game, I look at him and he's cool to give the right advice to the players. I like the way he handles his team.'

Striker Mehdi Kerrouche is out

Swindon from: Foderingham, Caddis, Kennedy, Cibocchi, Flint , McCormack, Ferry, Smith, Ritchie, Connell, De Vita, Gabilondo, Murray, Benson

Highly valued and sort after, one bid from Bournemouth already turnded down

Albert Crusat definitely out, it would appear that Momo Diame is not playing, whilst Callum McManaman and Jordan Mustoe are

Martinez has promised changes, expect Emmerson Boyce, Hendry Thomas, Adrian Lopez and Shaun Maloney to also to get a starts

The youngster has enjoyed a great loan spell at Blackpool, now he hopes to be pushing for teh first team squad

Return of the Mac

By permission of Bernard Platt/Wigan Athletic

Latics and Swindon have met 10 times

Latics 3 wins, Swindon 3, draws 4

Peter Walton (Northants)

Peter Walton Card Watch 2011/12

Games - 14, yellows - 50, reds - 2

Head says 1-1 depending on the team we put out

Heart says 0-2 Latics win

Premier League

Latics v Manchester City
DW Stadium
Monday
16/01/12
8pm

QPR v Latics
Loftus Road
Saturday
21/01/12
3pm













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