Town boss is left counting the cost of FA Cup debacle and FIFA regulations. please log in to view this image Town boss Mark Cooper has some thinking to do . TOWN boss Mark Cooper is facing a front line selection crisis as he prepares for this weekend’s M4 derby. Swindon had hoped that they would only be without Australian midfielder Massimo Luongo as they prepare to host Bristol City. Now FIFA and Nathan Thompson’s dismissal against Cheltenham on Saturday have conspired to see them without their captain and Yaser Kasim for this Saturday’s big derby fixture. Thompson will almost certainly miss the game through suspension but the club did at one stage believe they had reached an agreement, brokered by Kasim, to allow to him to play against City before joining up with Iraq. FIFA have dashed that agreement and insisted the Iraqi not be allowed to play competitive football for anyone other than his national side for the full period of his call-up. That has left Cooper to mull over his options as he considers hosting the unbeaten league leaders without arguably his three most key players. “We have a lot of work to because we’re missing three key players now so we’ve got to come out with something to surprise Bristol City,” said the Town boss. “Yaser had agreed with the Iraqi FA he could play against Bristol City and fly out on the Saturday night to join up with them on Sunday but FIFA have said ‘no, no he can’t’ play against Bristol City, he has to join up with them on the Saturday’. “It’s rules and regulations. “FIFA have overruled it, FIFA’s rules say he cannot play any competitive football once he’s called up. “Even though Iraq didn’t follow the correct procedure and were late in their call-up but FIFA have said that’s an honest mistake and it doesn’t matter. “We can appeal but I know what will happen. “It’s not right but all we can do now is put it away and get back to work on Monday and try and spring a surprise on Saturday.” Cooper also confirmed he will be appealing his captain’s dismissal, but he harbours little hope of getting it overturned. “We can appeal it but I know what will happen don’t you?” Cooper added. “It’s only worth pursuing out of respect to Nathan because he doesn’t deserve to sent off again. We know we’re not going to win it but we have to appeal it. “Today I don’t see what Nathan’s done. “I’ve got to be careful with what I say. I might have got it wrong but I’ve seen it a couple of times on playback, our footage, I just don’t get it.” http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/sport/swindontown/news/11590561._/
Yeah that makes me very worried as well. After a hiding like that I would think the players will be well up for the putting the record straight. I think I would have prefer them to win 5-0
Their squad is mostly very young and inexperienced or like Ryan Harley been at a lot of clubs without being consistently siccessful. The game could go two ways. Firstly City just steam roller them because we are a winning team who are willing to work extremely hard for each other. Or alternatively, Cooper could get the youngsters wound up so much that they will be playing on double dose adrenalin and while it may not be pretty, it could be quite ferocious. Let's not forget that last season at The Gate, Swindon were a niggly, time wasting, back chatting the referee side that got a very undeserved point. I think we have enough experience and quality to bring back three points.
We need to be VERY careful – I can sense a little complacency creeping in. Swindon’s woes and forced changes are all very well and good, but don’t forget it will also render any of Cotts’s analysis and research into Swindon’d team tactics and individual player ability undertaken to-date null and void. We will essentially be facing a ‘random’ side and as Cidered already pointed out it could go either way. On paper, we should win comfortably. However, football is played on grass…………………..
We need to be focused and do all of the things we've done so far this season. Will still be happy with a point from this one, but 3 would be fantastic
I am sure costs will have the players grounded, focussed and well prepared whatever team swindle put out. If our players are that good they should be able to adapt on the pitch to whats in front of them. Like Angelic I will be happy with a point but hoping for 3
Stick to our basics and we'll be fine and let Swindon worry about their issues, such as they are. Beware a wounded bear - very unpredictable.
