Ian Holloway believes his Swindon Town have a ‘free shot’ when they take on Birmingham City in the last 16 of the Vertu Trophy on Tuesday night.
The League Two outfit bounced back from a 2-0 defeat at Notts County with a 0-0 draw in a fog-affected match at home to Crewe – a result that pleased the veteran manager who now prepares his side for the most difficult challenge in the EFL Trophy.
Holloway has won six and drawn six of the 17 matches he has overseen since replacing Mark Kennedy in October, with the Robins now five points and three places above the drop zone. His brief is keeping the club in the Football League – but he welcomes the chance of facing Chris Davies’ juggernaut.
“We haven’t lost here for four games now, won three and drawn one against second in the table so hopefully they [the fans] feel as excited as I do,” Holloway told the Swindon website.
“The next one is a free shot we are taking on someone who is towards the top of League One, Birmingham City, with all the riches and everything going on with American owners. I am really looking forward to it.
“Then we have got Barrow at home next Saturday. We had an away Christmas period but I think we shocked a lot of people with how many points we managed to get.”
Swindon will be without Harrison Minturn, JoelMcGregor and former Blues loanee Grant Hall, while Rosaire Longelo, brother of former Blues defender Manny, missed the Crewe draw. “He complained of a sore knee we haven’t found much wrong with him so it’s nothing serious,” Holloway said. “He had played a couple in a row so that’s understandable because he had been out for quite a while.
“The last two days we could only do thing on the Astroturf which is an absolute nightmare. I am really delighted with the state of us, we have got an awful lot of work to do but that was probably the least worried I’ve been watching us. There’s a wonderful feeling about the place and we need to keep that going. I felt the fans’ love through the second half and it’s so important to us.
Last week Swindon completed the loan signing of forward Tom Nichols from League One side Mansfield Town. However, the 31-year-old will not be eligible to face Blues since he is cup-tied.
Blues are still battling away on three fronts having reached the FA Cup Fourth Round with a 2-1 win over Lincoln on Saturday. They are also top of League One with two games in hand and keen to emulate the Class of 95 by winning the EFL Trophy and promotion in the same season.
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