Swindon Town’s manager Ian Holloway has called himself a “dead man walking” if the club’s poor start to the season does not improve soon. The Robins sit 12th in League Two, with just three victories from eight league games and no wins in their last three matches.
Holloway, who took over almost two years ago, made the admission on BBC Radio Wiltshire. He pointed to a serious injury crisis that has left almost half of his squad unavailable. Thirteen players are currently out, and one midfielder faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Holloway’s Dead Man Walking Warning
Holloway’s words were blunt. “Dead. Man. Walking. That’s how it feels, but deep down I know a lot more than that, don’t I?” he told the station. He explained that he knows what he has done, where he stands, and the problems he faces.
The manager has tried to explain the situation openly and honestly to everyone involved. He believes the team needs help immediately. “For them to have a chance, boy oh boy, don’t we need something to go right immediately,” he said.
“If it doesn’t I’ll be cheering them on and then I’m not sure how many more will. I believe they need some help right now and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
Swindon travel to Rochdale on Saturday without a single away win this season. Their record on the road is poor, and Holloway wants to change that quickly. “I have to stand up for what I think my team needs, deserves and should have anyway,” he said. “I’m sorry we haven’t won every game. We’ve got 11 points on the board, we wanted a lot more. We’ve got 10 at home, one away and the away form needs to change.”
The Injury List Runs Long
Holloway has “never seen” an injury crisis like the one Swindon is facing. The club travels to Rochdale with captain Ollie Clarke, Matty Virtue and Paul Glatzel all joining the list of absentees.
“Ollie might not be able to play, Matty’s not fit and Glatzel’s had some stuff drawn off his knee so he’s out as well,” Holloway said.
Swindon are already without Joe Snowdon, Ryan Tafazolli, Ollie Palmer, Gavin Kilkenny, Jaylan Pearman, Harry Smith and Fletcher Holman. Mitch Clark is still serving a suspension after being sent off against York, and Sam Inwood is away on international duty.
The manager noted that Louis Millard is fit, which would bring the total to 13 out if Millard were not. “He trained yesterday and he looked fit but his shoulder is still very sore,” Holloway said. “If he’s not fit, then we’ve only got 15.”
One Player Could Be Out For 20 Weeks
Ben Middlemass, a midfielder, is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines. He will need surgery on a cartilage issue, and Holloway expects him to be out for a minimum of eight weeks. The manager said that “could be 20 weeks.”
Joel McGregor, the full-back, remains to see a specialist. His injury is still being assessed, and its nature is unknown. With many players expected to be out long-term, Holloway said it is putting undue pressure on those still within the playing squad.
“This injury crisis – and it is a crisis – [I’ve] never seen anything like it because the nature of their injuries is going to make it hard for them to get back, as they weren’t fit anyway because they’ve missed pre-season,” he said. “Now the ones that we did have who were vulnerable, we’re having to ask too much from them.”
What Comes Next
Swindon’s trip to Rochdale will test whether the team can break their away duck. The club needs results fast, and Holloway has made clear what he thinks about his own position if they do not arrive.
The key facts are simple:
- Swindon are 12th in League Two
- Three wins from eight league games this season
- Winless in their past three matches
- 13 players out injured, almost half of the squad
- Ben Middlemass out for minimum eight weeks, could be 20
- Rochdale away on Saturday
Holloway is describing a team that is simply short of bodies, and he knows it.
Whether that admission changes anything is unclear. But for now, Holloway is doing what he can. He is standing up for his team, asking for help, and hoping the results come quickly.
If they do not, he knows what happens next.
Source material: “Swindon's Holloway labels himself dead man walking,” Yahoo Sports.
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