August 2010

They might not be the favourites to win the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, but that doesn’t bother Swindon Town boss Danny Wilson in the slightest.

The ambitious manager is positively excited about the prospect of playing current trophy holders Southampton in the first round tonight, who all of a sudden appear more fallible after sacking their own manager, Alan Pardew.

The underdog tag doesn’t faze Wilson, who is desperate to progress in a competition he describes as ‘fantastic’ – and a competition he won as a manager at Bristol City in 2003.

He said: “Of course, we would love to go a long way in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

“We’d expect every club to be giving their all in the trophy this season and we are no different.

“It is a competition that is growing in stature and credibility with each passing year. When you see more than 70,000 fans packed into Wembley last season for the final, then you realise what a big deal it is.”

The prospect of playing current holders Southampton at Wembley is an unenviable one, but the former Premier League boss is still confident of causing an upset.

“The draw always throws up tough games and this is one of them, but we have got nothing to lose. Anything can happen and we will fancy our chances of getting a result down there.”

Wilson was also quick to cast away any sympathy over his side’s near-miss in last season’s League One play-off final, where the Robins were agonisingly close to getting promoted to the Championship.

He said the raised levels of expectation that now comes with his successful side should be embraced.

“I like expectation, it is great. It shows how far we have come as a club and I’ve got no worries about it at all.

“After last season, we have raised the bar for ourselves. The players should take credit for that.”

Wilson remains hugely ambitious and is highly regarded for his work at a number of clubs, not least Barnsley, who he famously guided to the Premier League in 1997.

The prospect of managing again in the top flight is not too far away to be contemplated either.

“It’s not too far away. Every manager has to have these kinds of aspirations to get to the top flight. The experience makes it that bit easier. I’ve racked up 800 games now. Maybe by the time I get to 1,000 I’ll be there again!”

Southampton play Swindon Town at St Mary’s Stadium tonight at 7.45pm.

Johnstone’s. Bringing colour to the beautiful game.