Paolo hailing the 'best' Johnstone's Paint Trophy

Winning the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy would be as good as lifting the Champions League according to Swindon Town boss Paolo di Canio, who has described the competition as ‘the best.’

March 2012

The hugely popular Robins boss said that winning the silverware would beat any accolade achieved as a player and would be the focal point from which any other success would be measured.

The Italian said: “The Johnstone’s Paint Trophy is the best. This is the best trophy that I can win as a manager.

“Even going on to win the Champions League…It will be the best because it will be the start of it all if we win.”

Di Canio went on to liken himself to a general leading his troops in to war when Sunday’s final takes place, making any success all the sweeter if the Robins do eventually prevail.

“I feel like a general a thousand years ago. They have to listen to your information and keep their discipline, otherwise they can’t win the war.”

Di Canio, who still treasures a solitary trip to Wembley as a guest player in a charity game in 2008, said that winning the trophy could lead to a celebration that onlookers will ‘never have seen in their lives before’ but was quick to dispel such thoughts for the time being.

He is more preoccupied with the tough challenge that awaits his team in the shape of John Sheridan’s Chesterfield.

“Obviously the game will be difficult because they are a League One side and because as a manager, you don’t know how they are going to arrive.

“I have to read the next two days and try to help one or two of my own players who have got to relax and sleep because it obvious that this is a special occasion.”

The former Napoli, AC Milan and Lazio star urged fans to make as much noise as possible and hoped that 30,000 would make the trip to Wembley come Sunday.

“After beating Torquay United in the league it would be good to get to 30,000, but 28,000 is an enormous number of people.

“I hope they will come full of passion as usual. I can’t tell them how to support the team because they support their team in an incredible way. The sacrifice they make for their team is huge.”

And while the Italian is loved by so many for his infectious way with words, he hopes that a simple message to his players will prove decisive when the whistle blows come 2pm on Sunday.

“I want the players to play their football. Don’t show me shyness. Play freely and live their time. Enjoy their time and everything will come automatically.”

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